“I can not see how the earth could have survived the first era. The calculated mutations and accelerations should have tore the planet apart by the end of the second era, at the latest.”

“Could it be that earth's station is older than the rest?” Grass asks.

She jumps, “Oh Grass my apologies, I forgot all about you. Old habits.”

“That is okay Mesuna, we have still been keeping track of your work. It is quite impressive. Now what do you think of the possibility of the older station?”

“Thank you Grass. I do not know. I have not worked with the station in years. If I am correct, its age and memory shouldn't have a noticeable effect.”

“We were afraid of that. We did a few scenarios ourselves, after we got the data back. We can not find the anomaly to explain it either.”

“What about Althoos?” I ask.

“What about him?” Mesuna asks.

“He said he went to earth,” I say.

“That would not affect the programming. He got there after the second era.” she says disappointed.

“If you don't mind, I never got to ask Althoos this. Why would the station move itself? I hear you say that it is older, so I doubt it would move on its own.”

“He is more than likely referring to tectonic movement,” she says brushing away the concept.

“Then why couldn't he know where it was, when I asked? I'm not great at geology, but I would figure with all the calculating power, he could account for that.”

“He's right,” Grass says. “Althoos implied that the station was porting or something.”

She looks at her desk and presses it a lot slower, “That can't be, that old of a station does not have that capability,” she continues pressing. “But he is right, it is transporting every decade. This is not right.”

“I have scanned Althoos's memory, but he never went near the device or transmitted to it. Should I bring him out of the computer?” Grass asks.

Mesuna looks up. “As much as I hate that stubborn old man it might help.”

Althoos slowly solidifies on the opposite side of the desk as Mesuna. He shakes his head, “How am I here, this is not possible, I'm dead.”

“The how is not important right now,” I say bluntly, “My planet may still be in danger and you may be able to help.”

He turns to face me with disgust on his face. “So get over your stubbornness and help. If you don't,” I say and put out my hand and imagine the floor rising to my hand. I twist it to make it a swirl, then squeeze my hand and in my mind's eye I see the eternal stone turn to dust.

As I imagine it all I keep my eye on Althoos and see his eye continue to widen, till total fear covers his face. After I am done I say, “This will be you, so both of you play nice. My family is in your hands, got it?”

They both nod their heads slowly yes. I lay out my hand flat, palm down and picture the ground normal. “Just page me if you all need something from me. Computer port me to Peth.”

I see all four of them in what looks like a desert. As soon as I see them I burst out laughing.

“Now that was an impressive bluff,” Grass says with amazement.

“Hopefully it worked,” I return. “Did I return the floor?”

“Yes not even a sign of an anomaly. We are very impressed at your quick learning of your talent.”

“That was more of a hope than a know, but it worked,” I say.

“Well it worked,” Grass says with respect.

“Um excuse us,” Peth says.

I look at Peth and notice they are all looking at us in shock. “Oh sorry, I just scared the shit out of Althoos and Mesuna.”

Cliff leans forward in excitement, “How?”

“Well I can try it again and see if it works,” I say. I repeat what I tried in the lab, then look down. A hole, like the one I saw the first time I used the talent, is at my feet.

“Did it twirl too?” I ask.

Everyone's eyes are huge while they stare at the hole. They all slowly nod. I stare ahead of me and tell the area to return with my palm facing it.

I look back and see the desert is back to normal, “I told them to play nice or that will be them,” I say and chuckle some more.

“But,” Peth blurts.

I look at Peth sincerely, “No I could never do that to someone, but they don't know that. That is what a bluff is.

Both of them are extremely stubborn so they needed an incentive to work together productively.

Granted there are other ways to do it. But I have found that fear is the most effective. Clumsy and precarious, but effective.

I know you would disapprove Peth. But at this point I do not have the patience for Althoos. He doesn't want to listen most of the time.”

“I should disprove, but I think that will be the best motivation,” Peth says.

“The universe just froze in time. Peth agreed with me,” I say sarcastically.

Everyone but Peth busted out laughing. “I do not see the humor,” she says and we all laugh harder.

“What are they working on?” Peth asks.

I stifle my laughter. “It seems that Mesuna set a program on all the forbidden planets that would accelerate evolution or something.

Well she did this just after she got in the computer, so it has been running for several millennia. Well it destroyed two of the three, and now they are trying to figure out why earth survived.”

“Because of you,” Peth says calmly.

I swallow hard. “No this was done way before I came into the picture.”

“They cannot find what prevented the destruction of earth can they?” Peth asks unaffected by my rebuttal.

“No, they say everything points to earth's destruction,” I say a bit dazed.

“What is the only factor on earth that is different?” She asks, way to calm for my comfort.

“Well other then it isn't destroyed, I don't know,” I say without a clue.

“You,” Peth states.

“What can I do?” I ask.

“Anything,” she points out.

No one says a word. She has a point, I am told I alter reality. The only catch is I have no clue what I could possibly do. I am one man, not a computer.

“The scientist want to see both Ben and Peth,” Grass says.

Next thing I know I am standing next to Peth facing the desk. Althoos and Mesuna are looking at us from the other side.

“Peth is it?” Mesuna asks and Peth nods. “We would like to hear your theory.”

“I do not understand how memory works,” Peth replies uneasy.

“That is not the issue here. Grass says you may have a viable theory. We are at a stand still, any new input may help.” Mesuna says with the calmest voice I have ever heard from her.

“I see only one possible answer with my limited understanding. Ben is the only thing that appears to be different with all the forbidden planets.” She says with a shaky voice.

“Go on,” Mesuna says.

“Ben, I have heard can change what we see. He created nothing out of something. It has also been said memory is unable to change what he has done.

So the simplest answer is that Ben's presence and talent did something to save the planet. In health it is the most obvious and simplest answer that works. I just put that to use in this problem.”

“That is impossible,” blurts Althoos.

Mesuna gives Althoos a dirty look then glances at me. Althoos looks at me and freezes in fear.

“Perhaps not,” Mesuna says calmly and looks at Peth. “You are right Peth, Ben is the only outstanding factor. I just do not see him having the power to alter a whole planet.”

“Does he have to?” Peth asks regaining her normal composure.

Mesuna looks at her strangely. I see Althoos about to speak when Mesuna raises her finger in front of him, “Perhaps not. Can you give us a moment, young lady?” Mesuna asks and Peth nods. I can swear they are talking without words.

Mesuna presses a few spots on the desk. I then see them talking, but I can hear no sound.

I turn to Peth, “What are you getting me into?”

“Nothing more than you are already into,” she says, not taking her eyes off of the scientist.

“Great now I am a planet saver too,” I blurt.

Peth looks at me with that 'will you shut up look, “No,” and she turns back to the scientist. “You are a lifesaver, nothing more nothing less.”

I stand in silence afraid of what trouble I will get into, if I open my mouth again. I find it so strange how men can take on a grizzly bear yelling the whole way. But a woman with, 'That look' can make us meeker then a rabbit. Are we hardwired to be a woman's puppet?

I have no clue how long we stood there, because I just thought of how much trouble I would be in if I spoke or moved. But finally they turned to us and Mesuna spoke.

“Althoos still thinks it is preposterous, but I see there is a possibility to stabilize even the most unstable of mutations. The only pliable solution requires four timed placements of a device.

These placements would require two very dangerous times of the planet's creation and the solar system. The other two are much easier. The only problem is we do not have the understanding, nor the protection to accomplish two dangerous placements.”

“But,” Mesuna looks at me. “You can do them all by mere thought. I would ask you to help all the planets but they are gone, so I don't see them.”

“Are you sure?” Grass asks.

“Of course the stations are gone,” Althoos states.

“Did you check the last transitions of the other two planets?” Grass asks calmly.

“Of course not, there is no need they were destroyed,” Althoos retorts defiantly.

Mesuna's finger goes up in front of Althoos again. “I presume you have Grass? Will you be so kind to inform us of your findings.”

“We would be delighted. The stations show no indications of a catastrophic failure. That would have sent out a warning code to avoid the area. We find no code.”

“Well it was so fast it didn't have time to send it,” Althoos says, still defiant. This time she gives him a look and I think I see her eyes flash toward me. He freezes and slowly turns to us.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“The lack of the code is significant, but he is right, it could have been destroyed before it was sent.” Mesuna says.

“Do either of you recall the satellite stations put in orbit around every sun, as a reference point?” Grass says with confidence.

“I am impressed, Grass, I had forgotten about them. What is the last transmission indicated?”

“There is no last transmission, they are still transmitting,” Grass says.

“How, they should be destroyed too,” Althoos says.

“How you ever got your position, I will never know Althoos. You are dumber than Dark stone. Point taken Grass. I will figure for all three planets,” Mesuna looks at me and walks around the desk.

She holds out her hand. I withdraw my hand farther. She smiles, “I have a permanent stop station on me, Ben. I will not be affected by the unknown talents,” she extends her hand a little farther.

I slowly take her hand waiting for her to scream. She doesn't, even though I have a grip on her hand. “I need to talk with you. If you don't mind Grass,” I hear Peth's confidence and assurance in her voice.

She leads me away from everyone. She grabs my other hand in hers, and faces me directly. “I had no idea how much you would help us.

You have exceeded mine and even Grass's. And he sees a lot more than I can. What we ask of you is beyond anything that has ever been tried. Just be assured that it will work, otherwise we would not be here.

The only thing that cannot be predicted is what happens to you. We cannot even fathom what you will go through. And no one can go with you for support.”

“Peth was right Ben,” Grass says. “You will be leaving us. I hope she is also right and you will return,” Grass's voice breaks up like some of the many voices cut out and don't return.

“Remember that you are always welcome here. Not just as a subject, but as a citizen as well. You are more like us then you realize. Well then most not counting Althoos,” I had to smile at her last comment.

So many things run through my head. Not one thought comes into focus. All I can do is stare. I swear I can hear every person in my head. It's worse than listening to all of Grass communicating.

I try to just pick out anything that makes sense. Anything that could resemble a conversation, or just one person talking. Then in an instant there is not a sound in my head, not even my own thoughts.

“Ben?” I hear Grass.

“Sorry I spaced,” I say and focus. Peth and Mesuna stand in front of me. Both have concern in their eyes.

“Where did you go?” Grass asks.

“Nowhere. I'm just standing here,” I respond, coming back to myself.

“You have been gone for several days. We thought all was lost,” Grass says with concern.

I blink rapidly, “What do you mean. I thought I heard all of you Grass, then you called my name.”

“Mesuna was talking to you then you appeared to port, but all scans came up empty. You had vanished from the known universe,” Grass sounds a bit panicked.

“What do you mean the known universe?” I ask.

“We did a scan of every known area of the universe that has been explored in the computer. We even sent a few probes out to help.”

“I don't know. I just remember Mesuna talking to me, then it sounded like all of Grass was talking at once again. Then I heard you holler my name through the computer.”

“Well you weren't here,” Peth says.

“We thought you had obliterated yourself,” Mesuna says.

I smile, “I see you still don't have tact Mesuna.”

Grass laughs, “Well he is still Ben.”

“Thanks I think,” I say. “Well what do we do now?”

“That is up to you Ben. Are you up to the task?” Grass asks.

“I guess it doesn't matter if I am or not, it needs done,” I say. I don't have a clue how I am going to do this. I don't know anything about space.

“He is not ready yet. We do not know what happened to him. He needs the computer to check him. Health is important in keeping him up to this task,” Peth says with sounds of disgust at the word task.

“Point taken Peth, Scanning now,” Grass says.

After about a minute Grass says, “Um we have a problem, Huston.”

“Who is Huston and what problem?” Peth asks.

“Huston is a place on earth, and we cannot scan him,” Grass responds.

“Why can't you scan him?” Mesuna asks with a bit of agitation.

“He's not there,” Grass says in confusion.

“Um hate to tell you this. But I am here,” I say, a bit uncertain.

Mesuna touches my shoulder. “Is memory having problems? I feel him,” she says.

“All functions are working properly. The computer registers him present, but a health scan registers nothing in the space,” Grass explains.

“Could I be creating a field or something, messing up your instruments?” I ask.

“That is a per say, but why only the health scan and not any else?” Grass points out.

“Is there anything that could cause the same effect on anyone else?” Peth asks.

Mesuna looks at Peth with a bit of excitement and fear. “There is only one known recorded incident of this occurring.”

“Well don't keep us in the dark,” I say.

“We see no record of it ever happening,” Grass says.

“You would not have access to it,” Mesuna says.

“We have access to all information in the computer,” Grass says adamant.

“I know, but the information is not in main. It is stored in a separate location. Prior to the main, records were stored in storage devices.

When the main was finished, all information from them was transferred to main. The only ones not, were those of extreme security risk.”

“So now I am a security risk?” I ask.

Mesuna looks at me shocked. “No of course not. But the file was. It shows what happens when a life form and our technology are bombarded with different types of cosmic rays.

There is one particle that is released at the creation of a star, that interacts with a life form carrying one of our devices. It makes the life form invulnerable to our technology.

In effect, this life form could do anything around our devices and the device could not affect the life form. You can see the security risk. Our protection would be useless, and we would be vulnerable.” As she explains she gets more and more nervous.

“Can you explain the particle please? We have blocked the computer from ever being able to get the information,” Grass says.

“I do not recall its name, but the particle is one of the few that interact with other particles on the minutest level.

They are only noticeable up to one hundred thousand meters from the surface of the sun, in creation. We ran into them once in our explorations. They interact so violently and quickly with matter, they never get any distance from the sun being created.

If I recall the file correctly, the life form only survived one week after exposure. The life form was just in the corona mass at ignition of the star. And that only created blank spots in a scan.

So for a full scan block, the person and device had to be close, if not exactly in the center of the sun as it is created. That is where you needed to be to put the device, to counter the evolution program,” Mesuna says wide eyed.

“Are you saying I already set the devices?” I ask.

“I can't say for sure, but Grass can you...” Mesuna is interrupted by Grass.

“Already checking for created devices,” Grass says.

“Thank you Grass, but I doubt you will find any. Ben can you hold my hands again?” Mesuna asks.

“Why?” I ask hesitantly.

“Because I didn't get around to telling you about one more device that is needed, after the original four. It is the catalyst for the other four,” Mesuna says.

“Okay,” I say holding out my hands, “But I don't see what it is for.”

“A test,” she says and grabs my hands.

I hear all the voices again. I try to listen to just one voice, but I can't focus on one. I try to just hear one word and all the voices go silent.

“Ben?” I hear Grass's voice again.

“What now, a week?” I ask and focus my eyes on Mesuna and Peth again, “And I am not holding your hands again Mesuna. In fact I am not touching another person's hands. The voices are annoying.”

Grass laughs, “No, only a few hours. And you are bound and determined not to have a girlfriend aren't you?”

“No, I want a girlfriend but it will be a hands off deal.” I smile.

Grass laughs, “Sure let them do all the work.”

I smile bigger, “That sounds really nice.”

Mesuna coughs, “Enough boys. Have you picked up the satellites Grass?” Mesuna asks.

“Yes ma'am. As soon as he appeared. And that was ingenious if we say so ourselves” Grass says.

“What did I miss this time?” I ask.

“The last time I said there was more to the four, I lied,” Mesuna says.

I look at her angry, “Excuse me?”

“Please excuse my lie, but I had to make sure you did what I suspected you have done,” Mesuna apologized.

“Apology accepted, I'm getting used to it here. Now, what was it all about. I'm really getting tired of being in the dark here,” I say. When I say dark I notice the room growing darker. Mesuna and Peth look around.

I focus on light and the room goes back to normal, “Sorry about that.”

They both look at me. Mesuna says, “Oh that was you. I asked you to touch my hands while I focused on a scanning beacon in each solar system.

I thought of the time frame as now. So the devices would not be there the whole time of the previous devices. And the devices were detected when you returned. We now have a way to monitor the forbiddens for any further anomalies.

They are set so only Grass can access them. I didn't feel that the information should be accessible by everyone. Some information should always be locked.”

“So now what?” I ask.

“That is up to you. Everyone is in the city and finding their place in their new lives. Tieth's brother is out of the computer and trying to catch up.

The only thing that remains is your grandfather. We did not port him out so you can talk with him. We also did not know how to tell him he can never return home.”

“Like I would know what to tell him,” I say. “I'm sure he wants to go home. And that brings me to my family. They must think I am dead.”

“I'm sorry Ben. I was desperate, and did not consider the consequences. The fact that if it wasn't for you, I would have killed three worlds,” Mesuna apologies.

“I'm sure in your position I would do the same,” I say.

“I doubt that Ben. You are one in a few,” Mesuna says.

“Either way, what is done is done. It can't be undone. Hm where in the world did I hear that?” I go off in my own thoughts.

Grass clears their voice, “Ben, earth to Ben, what about your grandfather?”

“Oh yeah, energize please,” I say.

My grandfather appears in front of me. His expression is that of shock, “Who are you?”

“I'm your grandson,” I state plainly.

“Can't be, I don't have any grandchildren,” he states defiantly.

“Hate to drop the bombshell, but yes you do. You have two grandsons and one granddaughter. It must have been several years since you ported

You had a daughter, and she married. Your wife, my grandmother, keeps, I think it is your stuff, in the attic on the farm. Your talents were passed on to me.

Which ones you had, I don't know. I have disintegration, earthquake, touch of fear, blink, transformation, and an unknown. All of them a pain in the ass. Grass, which ones does he have?”

“Transformation only,” Grass responds.

I look up at an angle, “If he only has one, then how did my mom know about the others?”

“Because I told your grandmother of the others,” my grandfather says.

I look at him strangely, “How did you know?”

“I saw them in use in a vision, before I disappeared,” he states calmly.

“But how?” I ask, confused.

“My unknown is precognition,” he states.

I hear a squeal behind me, “But why didn't the validation catch it?” Mesuna asks.

“It did,” Grass says.

“Then why didn't you say that?” Mesuna asks angrily.

“Because it is labeled as an unknown with a possibility. We saw no reason to state a possibility. We figured it was better to wait and see through elimination then assume only a possibility,” Grass states tersely.

“Good point. Please excuse my outburst. I got excited,” Mesuna says.

“Okay everyone, it is alright to be excited and all but the issue at hand is my grandfather, not what a subject can do now. Or did I miss hearing Grass when they said the project is closed?”

“Apologies, you are right,” Mesuna says.

“The computer is Grass?” my grandfather asks.

“Well yes and no. Grass is part of the computer now. They are the grass that is on the surface of the destination planet,” I say.

“So that is why the grass kept appearing in my visions. The grass would cover a black sphere.”

“That would be Grass, hair on a ball,” I say and smile.

“Hey, we resent that,” Grass protest.

“Resent all you want, that is what you are. Grass on a big ball in space,” I say smugly.

“Not fair,” Grass responds.

“You get used to it,” Peth says looking at my grandfather.

“I have seen something like this in a lot of my visions. I just saw a shadow person and grass. But the one vision that bothers me especially if you are the shadow, is where Grass says the shadow doesn't exist,” my grandfather says curiously.

Mesuna and I exchange concern glances, “That is a result of my unknown grandpa.”

“How so?” he asks.

“My unknown is to alter reality. I had to go in space in the center of the sun. Well the result of that action makes me non-existent to the computer.”

“The sun?” he asks distressedly.

“Long story. You can read it on the computer, I am sure,” I say.

“I don't have time, we are to go home,” he says.

I look at him sadly, “I'm sorry grandpa, but that can't happen. The Oranians do not have the technology to send us home. Everyone would be dead when we got there,” I say.

“Actually the planet wouldn't be there Ben,” Grass says solemnly.

“Oh okay then, yeah for sure everyone would be dead. Thanks for the clarification Grass,” I say sarcastically.

“Sorry,” Grass says softly.

“Oh that's okay, I'm just upset I can't get my grandfather home,” I say.

“But you do,” my grandfather says.

“How?” I ask.

“I don't know,” he says.

“He's right Ben you can,” Peth says.

“How?” I ask.

“You have the ability to alter existence. You just have to send him and yourself,” Peth says sadly.

I look at her dumbfounded, “Uh.”

“I think she got you,” Grass says.

“I can't believe it,” I say, “I've had the ability to go home whenever I wanted, and it never occurred to me.”

“You can do what?” my grandfather asks.

“I have the ability to alter reality to my will, or something like that. I just have to think and I can change or alter anything.”

My grandfather just looks at me shocked. I look at him seriously, “You ready to go home? I'll have to send you to my apartment. I can't seem to picture any place else. Oh and to avoid that paradox thingy, I heard about, I will send you a few minutes after I left, Ready?” I pause for a time then say, “Um hello grandpa, Earth to grandpa.”

“Uh we could have all this, and more then,” My grandfather says, “I can be rich.”

I look at my grandfather aghast. I flash my open palm in front of him. As I do, I picture him in my apartment one minute after I left. I also imagine him never able to recall my unknown ability. He vanishes and I am left in the room with Mesuna and Peth.

“What did you do?” Mesuna asks aghast.

“Sent him where I told him I would, but no recollection of my unknown,” I say, continuing to look at the spot he was at.

“But why? You can go home too,” Peth says.

I look at Peth, “I am home.”