Probe

  PROBE

  Eugene Allen Wilson

  www.facebook.com/eugene.wilson.5477

  eugeneallenmarshall@gmail.com

  Table of Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1Inquisitive Woman

  Chapter 2First Contact

  Chapter 3The Egyptian Connection

  Chapter 4Deadly Alliance

  Chapter 5Boyfriend

  Chapter 6Prophecy

  Chapter 7Fearful Revelation

  Chapter 8Origin

  Author Bio

  INTRODUCTION

  Sylvia Clark, an attractive and academically-minded high school teenager, is determined to tackle a dark and troubling mystery, something that few other teenage girls would even think of doing. The results of her endeavor will greatly impact the rest of her life. Sylvia’s actions will literally mean her probing various parts of the galaxy and its numerous inhabitants, all from the comfort of her home.

  In essence, Sylvia is determined to learn the circumstances surrounding the activities of an alien female. This female, a selothian, is involved in an intergalactic conflict that is spreading fear and trepidation throughout the galaxy. It is a conflict that will in time imperil all humans. Hit by the grim realization of this threat to humans, Sylvia’s efforts to avert this catastrophic future event compels her to find a way to communicate with this alien female. A 400-hundred-year Journey into the Cosmos continues.

  Chapter 1Inquisitive Woman

  The Clark Residence

  Tuesday, 6 August 1974 (11:23 PM)

  “Sylvia! What are you doing up so late?” Janez asks after noticing the stack of papers on Sylvia’s desk. Janez walks over and picks up one of the sheets. “What are all these strange writings?”

  “Mother, I’m researching for a history report for when I go back to school in September.”

  “A history report? About what?”

  “I’m doing research on ancient Nubian queens,” Sylvia replies while still looking down.

  After a brief sigh, her mother places the paper back down on the desk. “Hurry and finish your research, young lady. I want you in bed by twelve.” Although annoyed, Janez feels good that her second oldest daughter is serious about her school work, even during the summer vacation.

  She leaves the room and closes the door. Suddenly, Sylvia begins hearing her oldest sister laughing from under the bed sheets. “What is your problem?” Sylvia asks angrily. Diane pulls the bed sheets off her and sits up. “You must really like David now. You would fib to mom for him. Ancient Nubian queens? Gimme a Break!”

  “Mind your own business!” Sylvia protests. Despite Diane’s continued laughing, Sylvia returns to her deciphering efforts. As she is learning though, translating the alien text into their approximate English equivalents is proving to be tediously difficult. Still, she seriously faults Nathan, Tyrone and David for being overly concerned with the technical aspects of the situation rather than being concerned with what she feels are the more personal and emotional aspects of the situation, most notably the situation dealing with selothian females.

  During her last two years at Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary School, her primary focus fell on the historical achievements of black American women; a subject that often superseded her initial preoccupation with art, math and science. Upon entering the eighth grade in September of 1971, she, like her brothers, could no longer attend Frederick Douglass High School in her community. She was instead forcibly bused a number of miles away to attend Anonwood Central High School located in an all-white community. In time, the tumultuous situation brought on by racial integration via federally mandated school busing had begun altering her view as to how American history was being taught in the classrooms. Even if the world, as one popular play purported, is a stage, the prominent actors, Sylvia finally understood, are not all Shakespearean Europeans.

  Regardless of the fact that the vast majority of American history class textbooks are overwhelmingly Eurocentric-focusing mainly on European culture or history to the exclusion of all other cultures-she began gravitating toward Afrikan history and Afrikan-based American history. In addition, she concluded that few women, regardless of their ethnicity or nationality are rarely, if any, given appreciable recognition in mainstream American history textbooks. Often her history reports dealt with various American black women such as Philllis Wheatley (1753-1784), Harriet Tubman (1820-1913), Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1864-1931) and Isabella Baumfree (1797-1883).

  In time, Baumfree, a fierce civil rights activist, eventually became known to history students as Sojourner Truth. Sylvia had found it interesting that Sojourner’s book, The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave, was published by William Lloyd Garrison. In another instance, Sylvia had decided to do an extensive history report on Cleopatra VII Philopator; a very beautiful, yet power-ambitious Egyptian queen (69-30 B.C.), as well as Roman General Mark Antony’s lover. Often, Sylvia’s exceptional work garnered high praise from faculty members, teachers and students alike. Presently, she finds herself in the unusual situation of gathering historical information about an alien female. For the past few days, she has become increasingly focused on Quafeira, a name she finds unusually appealing. Thus, she is still determined to learn more about this alien female.

  Much like the men though, she is curious as to whether the information she is translating is past or current history. Sylvia reasons that if the deciphered information were current, then Quafeira would be a female most likely in her mid to late thirties. With keen discernment, Sylvia begins uncovering detailed information with regard to the selothian dates. Earlier, she had labored over six pages of information that related to a subject that had arrested her attention. After five days of tedious deciphering, she discovered that the resultant information comprised a listing of numerous stellar events that were observed and subsequently recorded by selothian astronomers over a span of five thousand years.

  Due to their phenomenal discoveries, a number of these ancient astronomers had achieved great prominence in their fields. Among these are Nthanda Nwanajuma and Achnar Shebniah. Although the two astronomers had lived many centuries apart, Nwanajuma and Shebniah were able to contribute their talents to the discovery of a distant star; a star whose unusual behavior led astronomers to one of the great discoveries in stellar astrophysics. To verify accuracy, she compared her work with a few pages that were deciphered by Nathan and David. Over a subsequent period, a much clearer picture of the selothian time frame in reference to these stellar events began to emerge. She discovered that Maendir, Ebu and Gaitha are the names of Dabenar days much like Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

  For the past few hours, she has deciphered information that indicates the chronological order of Dabenar’s lunar months. She is amused by the names of three of these months: Arios, Sebul and Vagean. As of yet, she has deciphered no information that would enable her to match any one selothian date with a corresponding earth date. Yet, she feels certain that she can accomplish this audacious feat. Additionally, she has uncovered specific references about Quafeira’s archaeological career, along with Quafeira’s husband, Jebanathan. Sylvia finds Quafeira’s archaeological activities uninteresting until she leans that Quafeira’s archaeological expeditions meant traveling to other planets.

  She finds the information continually fascinating, if not somewhat scary. “No wonder David wanted to keep this to himself,” she mutters to herself, “this stuff is fantastic!” Inwardly, she admits that David does have some qualities that attract her. Although his attempts to keep the information from her irritates her, she feels more drawn to a warmer side of him, a side that she had not noticed earlier. Although her preference is still for light-skinned, straight-haired black men, Sylvia still feels that David possesses various talents that amaze her. In e
ssence, she is beginning to see him in a different light.

  As she continues to decipher more pages of the Ethrosian text into English, she notices a few disturbing aspects of specific events regarding Quafeira.

  One aspect deals with several media news articles that highlight a reoccurring subject regarding something called Jebaran. She has noticed a number of specific references to this word in her earlier translations. One specific article is highly negative in its portrayal of whatever this Jebaran may be. After subsequent deciphering, Sylvia begins to discern that Jebaran most likely refers to an organization of some kind. As she carefully reads over the information, she discovers that selothian news journalists label specific personnel within this organization as either troublemakers or society rebels. Additionally, the media article mentions Quafeira’s name, along with two others, Yulias Hethis and Kobin Orran.

  The presence of another name, Selvon Jarrak, also raises Sylvia’s interest. Although her translation as to who Selvon Jarrak is incomplete, she has deciphered enough of the information to reach a startling conclusion. Selvon seems to have been involved in a criminal case involving whatever this Hilexos entails. While reading a subsequent news article, Sylvia is puzzled over growing public opposition to Hilexos. As in other times, she notes that the media has labeled Quafeira a social rebel and troublemaker. Quafeira’s outspoken condemnation of Hilexos, Sylvia notes, is causing serious consternation among several corporate officials within a particular agency. Sylvia is still finding much of this information confusing. She leans back with a seriously puzzled look on her face.

  “What is Tavus-Alverand? What is this Hilexos whatever that they keep talking about? What is a Jantu?” The questions plague her. Becoming fatigued, she begins rubbing her eyes. She wants to sleep. Yet, much of the information is proving too interesting. She has completed about twenty pages of translation text in the past week. Sylvia notes that one particular media article indicates that Quafeira had brought three lawsuit cases against Tavus-Alverand. Sylvia is stunned. The first two cases are dated in the same year, 2138 B.E. Suddenly, she begins feeling less fatigued. The media article indicated that the first case occurred on 12 Arios 2138 B.E.

  The second case, she notices, occurred exactly eight months later on 12 Vophar 2138 B.E. After additional deciphering, Sylvia now feels that the second case gives her additional information that could aid her to begin compiling a Dabenar/Earth common frame of reference. In several deciphered pages, she has seen the same information that indicates the chronological order of Dabenar’s calendar months. Although some aspects of the information appear somewhat inconclusive, Sylvia takes note of a later selothian date in that same article: 13 Vophar 2141. On this day, Quafeira attempted to present additional evidence to a ruling magistrate against Tavus-Alverand. “This is weird,” she mumbles again. The deciphered information indicates that the magistrate had refused Quafeira’s request for a new hearing.

  Within that same article, Sylvia sees a linked reference regarding two distant stellar objects. Sevaria Zureas, a female selothian astronomer working at the Osadian Astroscience Directorate, had discovered the first object, a pulsating star during a telescopic search. Her husband, Garian Zureas, an astronomer employed by the same agency, was among a number of people who, on the same above date, had observed the sudden appearance of an unusually bright object in the late evening sky. That object, located in the Medarias constellation, turned out to be a nova flare. The star was Atheon. Of interest is the fact that Atheon had flared up a number of years earlier.

  After deciphering a point-to-point description of that constellation, she begins going through some of David’s earlier translations. On one sheet of paper, David had drawn a few constellations as they would appear in the northern winter sky with regard to an observer on Dabenar. In time, Sylvia locates the Medarias constellation. She takes serious note of Atheon’s position within that alien constellation. Now excited, she searches among another group of papers before finding another a much larger hand-drawn copy of that same constellation. For some reason, David had drawn that constellation in reverse. Suddenly, she remembers an oral discussion during her seventh-grade history class. “No way! This is impossible!” She says aloud.

  “What’s impossible?” Diane asks. “What are you talking about?”

  “I have to go and see her tomorrow,” Sylvia concludes.

  Chapter 2First Contact

  Neoma knows that Slamaic is spoken by the dracotians, the inhabitants of planet Cydrias. She establishes communications with little time to spare. “…I repeat, to unknown alien vessel, identify yourself or we will attack. Respond immediately!”

  “Unknown vessels! I am Commander Samien Ularik of the Phesavius. We come in peace and mean you no harm!”

  The next few moments of silence disturb Ularik as the twelve vessels continue their approach. Regardless of their answer, he is prepared to put up a fight to defend his ship.

  “Commander, we have a target lock on the three lead vessels. Ready to open fire,” Weapons Officer Raddock alerts him.

  “Hold your fire,” Ularik orders him.

  “Commander! There is another incoming message!” Neoma interrupts as a second transmission from the lead vessel comes over main audio.

  “Phesavius Commander Ularik! If what you say is true, then allow two of my fighters to approach your vessel. They will only serve as escorts. If you show any hostile action toward them, we will open fire.”

  “I will not allow any of your vessels to approach my ship without a guarantee that you will not attack!” Ularik counters angrily.

  “Commander! The vessels are turning back!” Raddock exclaims. Ularik is stunned at this sudden turn of events.

  A third planetary transmission comes across ship audio. “Commander Samien Ularik! Greetings. I am Ilrazean Valmov. I serve as my country’s military Prelarian. I bid you and your crew a most gracious welcome!”

  “Say what?” Braax says under his breath.

  The message continues. “I am a representative of the People’s Union of Surăvia, the central government here on Akrosia. Please be assured that you are most honored and welcomed to our world.” Each member of the bridge crew looks at each other in stunned amazement.

  “Not on your life!” Braax protests aloud. He immediately catches Ularik’s angry look of disapproval.

  “My apologies, Commander!” Braax tells him quickly.

  “Accepted! This time!” Ularik angrily warns Braax. He returns his attention to the situation at hand. “Prelarian Valmov, your fighters were about to attack my ship.”

  “Following the example of your crew member who voiced his sincere doubt, I too offer you my apology. Commander Ularik, our situation with the menosian military on Harcon, our neighboring world, is causing us much tension and concern,” Valmov admits. “We assumed that your ship was a menosian attack vessel. We are certain that your military would have responded similarly under seemingly provocative circumstances.”

  Despite Valmov’s response, Ularik remains distrustful. “Prelarian Valmov, we extend to you and the nation of Surăvia our greetings. Our purpose in visiting your world is to search for one of our lost vessels.”

  “On our world you say?” Valmov replies. “I find that most interesting.”

  “Yes. There are those among my crew who are convinced that the vessel made planetfall sometime in your distant past. As we have no desire to involve ourselves in your political or military affairs, we simply ask that you allow us search for this vessel.”

  “Commander, I must agree,” Valmov says with enthusiasm. “Please be assured that we understand and appreciate your concern. We possess an extensive archival record, along with knowledgeable individuals who will gladly assist you in your search for your lost vessel.”

  “I and my crew,” Ularik continues, “welcome your aid in this matter.”

  “Then, as a senior member of the Surăvian government,” Valmov concludes, “I personally welcome all of you, in peace, to Akr
osia. Please allow one of our fighter interceptors to escort your ship to our military base. We would be most privileged to have you as our honored guests.”

  “Prelarian Valmov, allow us to make the necessary preparations before planetfall. We will inform you when we are ready.”

  “Commander, we eagerly await your arrival.”

  Sometime later, Ularik is meeting with his senior officers, along with a few other crew members in a special room. “I suggest that we send down a heavily armed security force to accompany the landing party. Their intent was clearly hostile,” First Officer Lubis Sabin relates.

  “I agree,” Security Commander Mavren Obbin relates. “I will have four of my security personnel accompany Aarath Suris and his party.”

  “Who are they?” Quafeira asks.

  “They call themselves Surăvians,” Ularik replies, “which appears to be more of a national designation than a particular biological species. They appear eager to see us as well.”

  “Commander,” Aarath retorts in his usual deep voice, “I see nothing friendly about sending up a fighter intercept squadron.”

  “I agree,” Ularik surmises. “In any event, they must have determined that we are not these menosians.”

  “Commander, on that note, I wish to propose another suggestion.”