00030

“Wooo-ee! Boy, do you look good today!" was how Sheila Bright greeted Osmo when he opened the door of his rooms at Hotel Hope.

He kissed her cheek. "I look good every day. But today I am wearing my Sunday best out of respect for my mother."

"If she can see you when we visit her memorial, she'll be very happy to see how handsome you turned out to be."

He turned back into the room. "Oh, I almost forgot this!" He showed her his small camera. "I want to show my father pics of the place... and, of course, also how good I look today, like I do every other day!"

The two of them enjoyed each other's company on the way. Osmo Martin drove Sheila's truck. He hadn't asked Albert or Jane to join them. Not that he didn't like their company. He valued their friendship. This, however, was such an intimate event for him. He preferred to visit the memorial with only Sheila Bright.

Osmo related to her how Albert had told him he decided to stay on the World of Hope, so Al was going to look for a place to move into, rather than continuing to let Gov. Bright foot the bill for his rooms at Hope Hotel.

“Al was trying to explain to me something about how the greatness of Jesus motivated him to stay. I didn’t understand it at the time, but now I think I do- Since Gov. Bright offered me a position with the Security Agents, I begin to get it- being inspired by a great man. Your Uncle is a great man, too, Sheila-"

"I know. I am always the one who tells you that."

"Yes. And it is really true. I think I will like working for him. Between you and him, I can see that there's more to life than just partying. I see that sometimes being responsible can be a good thing, too. I used to think it was stupid. Look what responsibility got my Mom! I loved to live an undisciplined life, doing pretty much what I liked. I suspect it kept me from thinking about my Mother’s tragedy. I was not willing to grow up and face the hard facts of life, although I knew one day I must. That day is today. Today, all that carefree living is behind me."

"It's nice to hear you talk like that, with maturity," she told him. "I, also, these days find myself less inclined to enjoy a good party and to heck with everything and everybody else. Mind you, I never quite mastered that attitude like you did-“

“Well, it’s an art,” Osmo Martin said.

“-but I, unfortunately, had my bad moments, also. But with you, I am expecting better things now. You do this to me, Osmo. Honestly, I don't need that wild living anymore- Maybe once in awhile, I guess. Your company goes a long way to keeping me content. Content in a way my Uncle’s care never could."

Osmo Martin hunted for a decent parking spot. Many tourists came here to the memorial each day, filling the lot with rentals.

The site's guide was giving a lecture in the middle of the plaza, which nestled in the midst of the park. The plaza was situated on leveled ground in a spot of ground that was a four-foot depression with a radius of over fifty feet. Remnants of the destroyed space station, the Peace Lab, sealed in preservation cubes, were placed in a circle in the center of the plaza. Miss Rubble the tour guide stood in the midst of the blocks. And several other blocks dotted the landscape of the park. Beyond the plaza’s border beautiful lawns full of shrubs and flowers stretched far and wide in every direction.

Miss Rubble recited the history behind the ruins of the smashed space station. She tried to keep the story fresh, although she gave the same speech every day, ten times a day, six and a half days a week.

All eyes focused on Miss Rubble or the exhibited pieces of the wreckage. Nobody noticed Osmo Martin, nor realized his kinship with the one whom this place honored- Dr. Hope Martin.

Miss Rubble said:

"More than a dozen years ago, Earth experienced one of its hardest times. Most of you here today can remember all that. Energy shortages. Food shortages. Money shortages. Land shortages. These shortages brought out the worst in our homeworld's nations. Each country tried to acquire at least enough for an adequate supply of necessities for its own population. Territorial disputes quickly escalated into wars. Things looked dire.

“On an international space station, the Peace Lab, as it was called, a team of scientists, which included Dr. Hope Martin, worked tirelessly to find solutions. Some of the experiments conducted were deemed too controversial and dangerous to conduct on Earth, such as creating new hybrids of plants and animals that, if they got loose on the ground, might contaminate and foul the flora and fauna on Earth. Dr. Martin's crew hoped to find a new source of energy, with the prayer that if they did, it might relieve some of the tensions on Earth that caused so much stress over demands from a lacking supply of energy. They wanted to come up with some substitute viable power before a massive world-wide war exploded over the supplies. But if anything, however, went wrong with those experiments conducted aboard the space station way out in the vacuum of space, the world would be safe from a catastrophe. Only the space station and its inhabitants were in danger- so they supposed.

"One such test, to tap the potential energy inherent in the very nature of how our universe exists, produced an unforeseen by-product- a small anomaly, a black hole, formed within the lab of the space station. Quickly, in mere seconds, it grew and grew and grew! Chaotic and unstable, it readied to open into a wormhole, and then-

"Dr. Martin gave the order to abandon the Peace Lab. All the other technicians protested, because Dr. Martin planned to stay behind to deal with the danger. She assured them that she would follow right after them, so they should leave an escape pod for her, but first she had to move the space station as far from the Earth as possible in as short a time as possible. She calculated the wormhole would, in a matter of less than an hour, grow so big it would swallow the world if the Peace Lab stayed in its orbit despite its distance from the planet. If she could move the space station far enough out of range from Earth and the moon, the growing blackhole might not have enough to feed it, and it might stop expanding and instead stabilize at a set size. And Earth might be saved.

"Trying an unheard of scheme, using some of the equipment from another experiment, she managed to trap the anomaly temporarily in the lab in a gravity bubble. She also managed to coax the navigation system to budge the space station out of its orbit, away from Earth. She somehow estimated she had just enough time. Or she just prayed and hoped she did. No one knows for sure.

"Her estimates turned out to be correct- The gravity trap slowed its growth enough for her to move it via the space station, but then it finally fed on the gravity trap itself, and, in another spurt, expanded again, breaching the hull of the Peace Lab and sucking in the space station itself, into the opening wormhole, breaking the Peace Lab to pieces. Poor, heroic Dr. Martin had no time to escape, only time to turn on the SOS beacon. With nothing else to feed on, the anomaly stabilized, the wormhole opened wide but not wide enough to swallow the Earth, and the other end of the space tunnel opened into this galaxy, above this world we are now standing upon.

"She gave her life to save Earth.

"The SOS beacon continued to broadcast throughout the entire ordeal, its signal traveling through the wormhole and Earth picking it up. But they received no personal transmissions from Mrs. Martin, unfortunately. They didn't know if she was alive or not.

"A few probes were sent into the wormhole, but before any conclusions could be reached about how safe it was on this side of the space tunnel, a daring rescue squad fearlessly embarked on a journey to find out what had happened to the brave heroine. Their rocket headed into space; the brave astronauts sett their bearings for the wormhole far above the our motherworld. Without hesitation, they ventured into the wormhole and followed the distress beacon all the way to the other side, to here, to our small but wonderful little planet.

"It didn't take long for them to locate the smashed space station by following the signal. It led the rescuers to this very spot. Sadly, very sadly, they could not find Dr. Martin. Not a trace. Undoubtedly her body had disintegrated upon entering the atmosphere. They also discovered thriving, growing plants around this crash site and even about this globe. Over the few months between the Peace Lab crashing and the arrival of the rescue squad, experimental plants from the space station, surviving the crash, grew thanks to new innovative accelerants that were made to promote rapid growth. Not only that, several groups of hybrid animals had managed to survive the crashlanding and escaped, prowling the new world. The rescue team excitedly realized that this place could become habitable, and if it could be made into a place where humans can live, then that would take some of the pressures off the people of Earth for more living space. And so came the idea of colonizing this planet.

"Most of the scientists from the Peace Lab had survived the disaster in their life pods to Earth because of the courage of Dr. Hope Martin. To honor her sacrifice, Mr. Gunther Martin began a project to develop this world, and he named the world after his lost wife.

“This is her crash-site. It became a special place on our World of Hope. Many of the original plants that had sprung up on their own were cultivated into the beautiful gardens you see at this memorial. And over time, Sparkle City sprang up also around this site. And this land where we stand, right from the start this place was marked off as land for honoring Dr. Martin.

"Early pioneers to our world engineered a more terrestrial-like environment, and over the years they have expanded the more livable zones.

“When explorers had discovered this world is so full of fuel ore, and that the ore could save Earth from further energy shortages, then it was like a euphoria broke out on Earth. This ore find helped to promote international co-operation and goodwill on massive scales all over again."

After the lecture, the tourists moved on, splitting into small groups, admiring the landscaping, the park buildings such as the chic restaurant, the gardens, the display of Dr. Martin’s key life events, one scene being of she and her young family- her husband and her newborn son.

Osmo Martin stayed in the plaza after the lecture, staring at the preserved wreckage of the space station. It had been too scattered to find all the remains, but enough of it had been found right here, along with the distress beacon. This, then, was his Mother’s crash-site.

Sheila silently reached down and took his hand. He looked over at her. "Do you think this world and its fuel ore is the reason the countries on Earth started to co-operate with each other again, because of less shortages and things like that?"

"From what I gather, the threat level for major wars has dropped since finding this world, making the world-governance of Earth more of a reality. What are your thoughts on the causes of the surge in international co-operation, Osmo?"

He replied, "Albert and Jane suspect that, for the majority of those who were our Leaders on Earth, it was often about power, about who has the most power, who stayed in high positions of control to run the Earth the way each Leader thought best. The shortages are just an excuse to try to grab more power, only most of the people don't even realize it." After a moment, Osmo Martin added, "I don't know what I think about it. I think Al thinks too much."

"Well, if he's correct, at least now with the discovery of the fuel ore, they have one less excuse to wage a war, I suppose. I guess that’s why tensions had eased back on Earth.” She kissed him and he spouted no more philosophy.”

(c) 2011 drk

00029

X-9 entered unannounced with a tray of food for Nina McCleer. She sat limply on the chair, her vacant eyes staring at nothing in the guest suite of the Governor’s House. She ignored the robot.

"Ma'm, excuse me-" he tried to get her attention. He called a second time

She slowly turned her head and looked over. "Oh? What is it, X-9?" she asked in a flat voice.

He held out the tray toward her. "Ma'm, Gov. Bright said he is worried, and he has instructed me to bring you food."

"I'm not hungry, thank you.”

“Ma'm, Gov. Bright said I must do whatever I can to convince you to eat, since you won't leave the suite, nor will you allow any company to visit you, and no one has observed you taking a meal for days.”

So tired and emotionally drained, Nina McCleer was unable to even get upset. She pointed to the coffee table. "Oh. Okay. Leave it on that table then."

The robot obeyed. He poured her a glass of water and held it out to her.

"Okay, you can go," she said. She ignored the proffered glass.

Still holding out the water, X-9 replied, "Ma'm, Gov. Bright said-"

Disinterested, Nina told him, "I don't care what Gov. Bright said. Until Xavier can tell me he found the body of my husband and can produce proof that the accident actually happened, I don't want to hear anything that Gov. Bright says."

"Yes, Ma’m."

"And please be sure to tell him that, X-9."

"Yes, Ma’m." X-9 left the tray of food and the glass of water and went out.

When X-9 reported to the Governor the message from Nina McCleer, Gov. Bright frowned. "Okay, you are dismissed. Return to Mrs. McCleer. Do what you can to help her in her time of grief, and to help her recover from her loss."

"Yes, Sir.”

Watching the departing robot, Xavier Bright thought long, heavy thoughts to himself...

Her eyes said it all when I gave her the news about the cave-in. Even before she called me out on it, her eyes saw right through me. At one time, she never considered that anything which I said could not be true and right. But then George must have begun to habitually contradict me behind my back, and so poisoned her mind. How else can it be explained? Can I once again persuade her, over time, as before, now that he is gone, of how right I am? I don't see even a hint of a change in her attitude since the visit to the mines, a softening to suggest that maybe she could accept my version of events. None. I begin to think it is an exercise in futility, as they say, to expect such a thing anymore.

George, what have you done to me? George, what trouble you still cause me, despite the fact that your identity has been wiped. I think I shall see that your crew leaders demand more from you than from the other miners. I will tell the mining leaders to be merciless with you, my dear ex-room-mate. It may not win me the affections of Nina, but it will make me feel better about the situation.

Meanwhile, X-9 once more joined Nina at her rooms, as per Gov. Bright’s instructions. She told X-9 to leave her alone. By now the robot knew better than to try to change her mind if she wanted solitude. He stood outside the suite entrance, awaiting any orders or commands from her but knowing none would be coming, probably none for a long, long time.

Nina continued to brood, staring at nothing again. Her mind drained of any thoughts. She had spent the last few nights trying to come up with a way to ascertain exactly what had happened to George. Was he really dead? Or might he still be alive somewhere? Did Xavier Bright make him a miner? Or did Xavier actually tell her the truth? She hated to blame Xavier if he were an innocent man, but she knew all about people occasionally disappearing from Sparkle City to become, according to the tales, Diggers at the fuel ore mine. And she wanted to think better of an old friend, but she could not forget his blazing eyes for that brief moment when George had rebuked him in public.

She decided to poke a little bit at the food. Maybe some nourishment might re-energize her mind, giving her the ability to think again.

If George was still alive, did he have adequate food? Tasty food? Or was he forced to eat something a pig would refuse? Worse, was he instead trapped under some cave-in rubble, in an air pocket, slowly starving and suffocating?

Nina McCleer glanced at her husband's traveling case leaning against the wall. Still packed. Each time she mentioned taking care of it, George had said he would do it, because there were papers there he didn't want to get mixed up, important papers, and he would unpack it later. However, from time to time, she had observed him opening it and taking out a few papers, only to put them back inside later. He never made a real effort to unpack it.

It seemed he would never get the chance now.

Nina realized, after several bites of food, that sitting around here did nothing for George. Or for herself. If she couldn't figure out a plan of action for finding the truth, at least she could do some activity to keep her mind from atrophying, until an idea did occur to her about how to solve the mystery, how to get to the truth.

She went over to the case and opened it. Whatever papers George had in there, it might be prudent to sort through them, see what was what. Maybe Earth would be asking for some of these important documents.

Nina McCleer took out two folders overstuffed with papers. She started paging through the contents of the first folder. Nothing special. Receipts, shipment billings, inventory analyses. Very dull stuff.

“I hope the second folder is more exciting."

Her wish came true. Underneath several sheets she found an almost wafer-thin plastic black square with a few small pinholes and three buttons in the corner. This strange device puzzled her. She lifted it out from the folder and studied it. Why should George hide it among the papers? And she felt certain it was actually hidden here, not just carelessly left in the middle of a report. George McCleer was too orderly a man for that!

What in the world was that thing? So George kept a secret. But why, what was its purpose?

Only one way to find out.

Nina pressed first one button, then another, then the last. She kept this up until suddenly the object lit up a moment, indicating... what? Something, surely, but what?

Now we're getting somewhere! she hummed.

She picked it up and peered very closely. No screen appeared. What could this thing be? She held it to her ear and shook it. Unexpectedly, a voice squeaked out of it, startling her enough that she dropped it.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" asked the voice.

"Who is this?" Nina McCleer wanted to know.

"This is Operation Verify... Who is this? Is this Mrs. McCleer?”

“Yes- yes, it is! But who or what is Operation Verify?”

"We are stationed on Earth, Ma’m. We have questions. Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

“You are speaking on Mr. McCleer's scrambled communicator. Have no fear, Ma’m, you can talk secretly with us on this device and not be detected, but it might be advisable to go to the shower and turn on the water to prevent eavesdropping."

Puzzled, nevertheless Nina followed the advice. "Okay, now what?"

"Did he find it?”

“Did who find what?" Did the other person mean, did the Governor find George's body? “I told I wanted to see where it happened, but he refused, said it was too unstable and dangerous!”

A long, long pause from the Earth end. "We regret your loss, Ma’m. Please accept our sympathies. This link has been kept open and monitored, despite the tragic news, in case the situation somehow did not match the facts, or new facts came to light."

“But... who could you possibly expect to contact you- Only George knew of this device-“

“In case, Ma’m, there were some... mistake about what happened, and Mr. McCleer were able to again establish communication with us.”

Nina McCleer gave her take on the matter. "People disappearing or having accidents seems to happen a lot here on the World of Hope. So I have doubts about the official account. I... I don't know what to do about it, though. How can I find out the truth? Can you- can Earth help me somehow?"

After another long pause and some whispering on the other end, the voice squeaked again. "We have Gov. Bright's reports in front of us. The official account from the World of Hope's Security Agency is questionable. That is why your suspicions are echoed here, Mrs. McCleer."

"Then what will you do about it?" Nina demanded. "You can't let Xavier continue this way, ruling the World of Hope like a dictator and putting anyone he wants in the mines!”

The other answered, "He gets results, and so there has to be a certain amount of patience and leeway extended toward him and his methods. However, it is unacceptable to allow him to treat our chosen and sent representatives maliciously. That is a red line he is not allowed to cross. There will be another representative arriving from Earth to investigate the matter, Ma’m.”

She felt gratitude for this news. "Good! When?"

"Soon, Mrs. McCleer, soon.”

(c) 2011 drk

00028

Sheila Bright arrived in her truck at the exact same time Osmo Martin exited the bowling alley. They hugged one another, each commending the other for being right on time. Once Osmo settled in, Sheila peeled out, heading for the Governor’s mansion.

Osmo Martin said that it wasn't a good time right now for Albert and Jane to come with them to the lunch.

Along the way, Sheila Bright, deep in thought, talked little. Curious, Osmo asked, "What's on your mind today?"

She told him about her talk with Nina in the rec hall two nights ago, about how they talked about Sheila's mom, and that was nice. "I wish Mrs. McCleer and I could have talked some more, but then Uncle Xavier came with the most tragic news. How terrible. Mr. McCleer was caught in a cave-in at the mines, and they haven't found him yet. My uncle tells me they don't even know if he is still alive, but they are doing what they can to find him. That's why I didn't even feel like going out last night."

"Poor Mrs. McCleer. That's too bad. I wish there was something that could be done for people in such positions like that- losing a loved one. But... there's nothing that anybody can do..."

"Yes. It is a very uncomfortable fact of life. Her loss made me think of my own loss of my mother, again, and the frustration and anger at not being able to do much about it. Mrs. McCleer had known my mother very well at one time." Sheila heaved a depressed sigh. "I don't know why these things have to happen. I hate the way life works out sometimes."

"Me, too."

Sheila Bright said, "Anyway, my Uncle kept reminding me of the time all morning today, so that I fetch you, and you aren't late for our lunch. Uncle Xavier says he wants to see you there 'gracing our table', as he puts it. I don't know what's up, but the whole lunch thing is obviously important to him for a reason."

"Hm, I wonder what it can be.”

At the Governor's House, Gov. Bright, delighted to see their timely arrival, congratulated Sheila. "Very good. You are becoming more punctual."

"Yes, I got the impression you had something important to say, so I figured we’d better be on time," she replied.

Gov. Bright took his place at the head of the large dining table. Security Leader Clyden and Mita Morgan also sat there. Mita clung affectionately onto Sec. Ldr. Clyden's arm. This seemed to make the security chief a touch self-conscious and embarrassed, since he had at least ten years on the young woman.

With the delicious meal prepared by food-preparer-robots, they all looked forward to this lunch. (If it were dinner, however, Xavier Bright would have insisted on a human chef- He preferred people to be making a good dinner instead of robots.)

Nina McCleer didn't join them for the meal. Since the wound of the loss of her husband still fresh, no one expected her to be there.

The Governor asked his guest politely, "How was your bowling today, Osmo? I trust you bowled a 300."

"Almost, Gov. Bright, or, I would have, except those bowling shoes at that place don't fit very well. My pair felt like they were worn uneven, and it threw off my whole game."

Gov. Bright nodded understandingly. "Ah, I see."

Sec. Ldr. Clyden said in a mocking tone, "I hate when that happens."

Mita Morgan giggled at his humor and gave him a big squeeze. This made him wince, but not because she squeezed too hard.

Osmo Martin answered," And yet, even with those tight bowling shoes, I bet I could’ve slaughter you on the bowling lanes, Sec. Ldr. Clyden!”

“Ha! Only in your wildest dreams, punk!"

Osmo Martin readied a comeback, but Sheila gently squeezed his hand  under the table, and, when he glanced at her, she shook her head ever so slightly. He remembered she had worried before about him making an enemy of Sec. Ldr. Clyden, and Osmo also remembered they were at the Governor's table, so he decided to force himself to be mature and to not argue with the Security Leader.

Gov. Bright talked casually and cordially with Osmo Martin during the meal. The Governor discussed how much he loved the World of Hope, and he talked of all the advances his people on Hope had made for the world's betterment, and how they had gained more habitable land zones recently, thanks to experiments with the overworked Enviro-Gens. "It's really becoming a lovely little planet."

"It is," Osmo Martin agreed, waiting to see where this all led.

"To think, we owe all this to your brave mother, who kept the wormhole from destroying Earth when it opened, and which since then has brought us all here from Earth. A wonderful woman, Dr. Hope Martin. I remember her heroism very well, and I want to make sure everyone else who comes here to our world does, too; that's why we made such a beautiful memorial to her. I hope you think it does her justice. I hope it makes you proud to think of her every time you see it."

Osmo Martin grew uncomfortable. He didn't know what to answer the Governor.

Sheila quietly said, "Uncle, Osmo didn't see it yet."

This amazed all at the table. Gov. Bright raised his eyebrows. "Would I be out of line if I were to inquire as to the reason?"

Before Osmo could answer, Sheila Bright spoke again. "Uncle Xavier, he doesn't like to talk about it."

Mita Morgan found this answering for Osmo very annoying on Sheila's part, but she kept her peace. Time to move on and forget Osmo. Mita gave Tretl Clyden a smile.

"Oh," was all Gov. Bright said about what Sheila told him, letting the matter go.

"Why not talk about it?" Sec. Ldr. Clyden wanted to know. "You should honor your Mama, you know.” In his job, Clyden had developed the habit of getting answers to mysteries and asking point-blank questions.

Gov. Bright shook his head in Clyden's direction. "Sec. Ldr. Clyden, let us respect his privacy."

Clyden, embarrassed at his faux pas, nodded, realizing this wasn't the place to interrogate. But that wasn’t the faux pas- The social slip was trying to get an answer when the Governor said no.

Osmo spoke up finally. "No, it's okay, I guess. Maybe I should talk about it once. That’s what my friend Albert said this morning at the bowling alley. It's been so many years, back when I was a kid- I should force myself to accept my loss, I suppose. I must move past the circumstances that led to my Mom’s unfortunate death. The thought of visiting the memorial- To me, it's like it's commemorating her doom, not her life. I know that's not what it's about, but that's what it seems like to me. Al and Jane said I should visit there before I go back home. I think Albert thinks it will help me make peace with what happened if I do."

"It sounds like good advice," Gov. Bright concurred. "However, it is your choice to make and no one else's.”

Sheila Bright added, "I didn't want to say anything to you, Osmo, but I think Albert is right. I appreciated seeing, at my own Mom’s funeral, the way so many people loved her. I was glad to see she meant something to so many. And I would be honored to accompany you, if you do go to the memorial, you know."

The Governor turned the flow of the conversation. "But regarding the idea of returning to Earth- I ask you to think carefully over what I am about to propose, and I hope that you don't refuse me, although this, too, is a choice only you can make.”

“Aha, I knew that you had something important to say, Uncle," said Sheila.

"What is it, Sir?" Osmo respectfully queried.

Sir? Mita Morgan found that strange for Osmo. He held such disdain for authority. She only heard him use that term once, as far as she remembered. Way back, when he tried to fool the principal about his innocence, or really it was lack of innocence, in the matter of the exploding toilets at the high school. However, when he used "Sir” at that time, he obviously lacked sincerity (except he had convinced the principal). Now, though, he said it without hesitation, and it seemed to come from his heart. She found that odd.

Gov. Bright began: "Osmo, I like you. I like you a lot. I find you to be a charming companion for Sheila and even, may I suggest it, a possible match for my lovely niece when the time comes-"

"Uncle!" Sheila protested, taken aback by his candid comments.

Osmo Martin brought out a shyness in Sheila? Xavier Bright found that funny, but kept it to himself. Her Uncle said, "Sheila, I have eyes. I see you two have grown close, and are fond of each other. Very good, and why not? You both are quite likable."

Sec. Ldr. Clyden stuffed a pork chop into his mouth to keep from guffawing at that.

Gov. Bright continued: "Osmo, I want you to join my Security staff. You and Sec. Ldr. Clyden will be an unbeatable team. I heard how well you handled yourself at the Tourist Trap when you were attacked by those thugs. I want somebody like that protecting Sparkle City."

Sec. Ldr. Clyden almost choked on that chop upon hearing this.

Mita Morgan gasped, "Tretl, I thought-"

"Not now, Mita," he sputtered between gaggings.

Concerned, Osmo hopped up and hurried over to give Clyden the Heimlich maneuver. Clyden waved him off. "Okay, okay, I'm okay."

Osmo Martin sat back down. Everybody asked Sec. Ldr. Clyden if he were okay, and he assured them he was.

Osmo Martin leaned back in his chair and mused over the Governor's generous offer, stunned to be offered such a spot. He took a moment to answer, then said, "I am very honored to have been considered for such a position, Gov. Bright."

Sec. Ldr. Clyden spoke up. "Gov. Xavier, he's so young- And you know he'll miss his family back on Earth if he stays here." Despite the Governor's obvious desire in this matter to have Osmo accept, Sec. Ldr. Clyden wanted to persuade the punk to go home once instead.

"He may be young, but he thinks quickly in an emergency," said Sheila Bright. "See how he hurried over to you to give you aide just now!”

Gov. Bright reminded Sec. Ldr. Clyden, "I am sure he will miss his father Mr. Martin. But all great men, on the way to being great, must make difficult choices. Most of us who have come to the World of Hope have left behind loved ones. But to live here, we must say good-bye to the lives we had back on Earth. And, even though life can sometimes be hard here, it is easy for one to fall in love with our little world and decide to stay. I think Osmo is mature enough to make such a choice work for him, if he wants."

Mita Morgan, meanwhile, glared at no one in particular, and said nothing.

But Sec. Ldr. Clyden further said, "And there's one other thing, Gov. Xavier. You know as well as I that, well, let's face it, Osmo Martin has led an undisciplined lifestyle. We all heard stories on Hope about his doings back on Earth."

Sheila Bright pointed out, "Sec. Ldr. Clyden, that was before. He's changed. He's not quite like he used to be. Osmo doesn't drink anymore- well, not much, that is. He keeps his dates with me- and I also have been keeping mine with him-"

Gov. Bright smiled and patted Sec. Ldr. Clyden's shoulder good-naturedly. "I trust a little training under you personally will give him enough discipline to be able to do the job. What do you say, Osmo?"

"Well, I will certainly give it a lot of thought, but I already know my answer, and it is a definite YES!"

"Good, then it's settled." This obviously pleased the smiling Gov. Bright. He turned to Clyden. "And when can you begin the training, then?"

"Um, almost immediately," he mumbled, trying to hide his anger. Then, as he considered this turn of events, a shadow crossed his face and, curiously, he smiled. "Why, yes, maybe it is a good idea if I will be personally training the pun- Mr. Martin."

Osmo Martin gulped at the thought, but he didn't change his mind.

Mita Morgan had observed Tretl Clyden's initial hidden fury, and she also noted how, despite how he felt, he backed down so easily from arguing with Gov. Bright against Osmo Martin joining the force. And now he wanted to train him even! What was that all about? And what was worse yet-

She whispered into Clyden's ear, "I thought you were going to get me a job as a Security Agent!”

“And I will!" he whispered back. "You and Osmo went to school together. You can train together, too. What's the big deal?"

As Osmo and Sheila and the Governor chatted happily about the new job, Mita Morgan answered back in a low voice, "The big deal is that, now, with Osmo in the job, when there is a promotion after you talk Gov. Bright into making you Lt. Governor, that I won't get the promotion to your position. You know Sheila will probably suggest to Gov. Bright to put Osmo there as the Security Leader once you move up, despite Osmo being obviously unqualified. And just when do you expect to become Lt. Governor, anyway? No thanks, I don't want that job anymore, Tretl."

Sheila Bright interrupted their whisperings, asking, "Mita, it looks like Osmo isn't going back to Earth for awhile. How about you, what are your plans?"

Mita replied, "Osmo and Albert and Jane came here together but not with me. I just happened to be on the same flight. However, I was giving some thoughts to staying here, making a life for myself here on the World of Hope. Maybe I will, but I haven't yet decided. But I think I will stick around yet, see what comes up, what the future holds for me here."

"Oh, I am sure it will only be good things for you on our humble planet, during your stay, no matter how long or short it is. I think you will find it worth your time," said Gov. Bright. Whenever he got the chance, he liked to brag up this world.

Mita Morgan looked at Sec. Ldr. Clyden and then at Osmo Martin. Yeah, right, she thought.

(c) 2011 drk

00027

“A strike! I'm still the best!" Albert Zoeniga cheered himself, and Jane Ashton seconded the cheers. Osmo frowned, seeing all the fallen pins at the end of the lane.

"You got lucky, is all," grumbled Osmo Martin.

Albert replied, "Isn't it funny how luck always favors me, the talented? But seriously, I am glad you took up my invitation and came bowling with us, Osmo." Albert Zoeniga gave his friend a great big hug.

"He-ey!" his friend protested, squirming, checking around to make sure nobody watched this public display of affection between two men.

"Oh, stop it," scolded Jane Ashton. "Pretend Sheila is hugging you, then you won't complain."

"I can't imagine it. She's a heck of a lot cuter. But you know, guys, I'm glad I came, too. I missed you guys. We should do some things together once in awhile while we are on vacation, before we return to Earth. We never even can get together long enough for you two to come with me for a dinner to meet our host, Gov. Bright."

Jane made a face at the thought of meeting him, despite his generosity toward them because they were Osmo's friends.

Osmo Martin misunderstood and said, "I know, I know, it's my fault, probably, because we all had a chance to get together at the Governor's House, and we stood you up waiting for us at the beach when we first got here. But I must say, I am surprised that, with Sheila's company, I could still miss anyone."

Jane Ashton said, "I hate to admit it, but I missed you, too, Osmo. Believe it or not, I, too, am glad you showed up today." She picked up her ball.

Albert Zoeniga told Osmo, “You and me, we never spent as much time together while here on the World of Hope as we had planned, nor went to as many places as we had talked about. Of course, Sheila kept you occupied. We understand that. No problem there. Jane kept me company, too, anyway, while you disappeared with Sheila most days. And do you know, during my time here, I think I have changed. I wanted to see you at least one last time while we are still together on the World of Hope, before the vacation’s over.”

Osmo Martin wondered if his friend had become kooky somehow. "What are you talking about? We'll still hang out together on Earth when we get back, like before. I know we'll need to, ugh, get jobs and stuff, and that will give us less time. But I am sure we'll still do things together. I have to say, I will certainly miss Sheila, then, when we go back, like I've been missing you two right now. I wish she'd come back with us. Maybe I can talk her into-”

Albert interrupted. "Osmo, I'm not going back. I'm staying here."

"Huh? What?" That caught Osmo Martin off-guard. Usually he did the impulsive, irresponsible thing. "What are you talking about?"

"It's true, buddy. I want to stay and help the people here. They need help. There are many who are squeezed by the hard life here, who need people who can help them with their basic necessities. You probably didn't see that side of the city."

Osmo Martin shrugged. "Those people have ample opportunities to help themselves, provided mostly by Gov. Bright, who is always looking out for them. Gov. Bright sees to their needs as best he can. But they have to help themselves, too. Why stay behind, Al, when there's so much more you can do on Earth to help people? You're not thinking."

"I'm thinking more clearly than ever before. I want to help these people. I know you think Gov. Bright is a good man. I am not so certain. I hesitate to say this, since he is, as you reminded, our host, but I think he is part of the problem, a large part of it. I think his administration does the squeezing. At one time some man named Billy Bob helped the people, until he vanished mysteriously. Nobody knows what happened to him, although there is speculation. The people lost a great helper in him, they say. I want to stay in Sparkle now, and help the oppressed citizens. I'm no Billy Bob, but I think God's calling me to do that."

Osmo Martin rudely laughed. "Now you're beginning to sound a little goofy, frankly. Well, then, if you don't go back home, why should I go, if my friend stays behind here. Maybe I should stay, too, to talk some sense into you, eh? Maybe God wants me to do that, heh? Does He speak in a deep bass voice or what?”

Jane sighed. "It's not like that, Osmo. We didn't hear God's actual voice or anything. But, just the same, sometimes one just knows."

Osmo eyed her skeptically. "Oh? I can't imagine it, Jane. Did God tell you- I mean, did you just know, also that you should stay here with Albert?"

"First I will go take care of business on Earth. There are some things I need to wrap up, say 'bye to my folks and stuff. Then, yes, I'm coming back here to be with and to help Albert."

"Why, Al, why?" demanded Osmo. "Who do you even know here? Where will you live? How will you earn a living?"

"I already have a job lined up. I know I won't be able to live the way I used to live. I will be moving out from the Hope Hotel shortly, once I find a place. I know it won't be as swank, but I don't care. I'll get by, with the Lord's help. And I know lots of people here on this world already. Remember, Jane and I did some volunteering during our time here. We didn't simply sit in our rooms waiting for you, my friend. It may not have been like a vacation of going to the beach and resorts, but it was worthwhile. More like a vacation where someone goes to help out in a disaster area, and gives his time to others."

He saw that Osmo still didn't get it. "Look, Osmo, the bottom line these days is that I try to follow what Jesus wants me to do. He's a good role model, a good leader. I have learned to admire Him, to give Him my life and my allegiance."

"Well, yeah, who doesn't admire Jesus, but-"

"Osmo, I think He's actually the Son of God, as He said. And I think He wants me to stay here and help out. Who's dumb enough to say no to God after all Jesus did for us?”

Osmo Martin grabbed at straws, trying to "talk sense" into Albert Zoeniga. "Oh, you know, you can worship Him on Earth as well as here, even better, since the Holy Land is on Earth. And you can do good things there, too, help people there. He'll understand."

"Osmo, I think He wants me to do it here. I don't know why, but He does. I merely listen."

Osmo groaned. "Oh, brother! I never expected you to become a fanatic!”

Jane said, "Ya never know who'll be next- it can even happen to you one day, Osmo!"

Albert added, "The sooner the better. You won't be directionless anymore, then. Anyway, I'll miss you when you leave. You're a good pal. And I am concerned for you. And I’ll tell you something else- I think you should do something on this planet before you go back. Do it for yourself."

"Oh?" Osmo changed the subject. "Look at that split, Jane! Haha, is that the best you can do? I don't think God's helping your game, that's for sure. Now watch me, and take notes." He rolled his ball down the lane and knocked down all the pins. "Yahoo, now that's how it's done, Jane!"

"Very good, almost as good as me- Almost." Albert Zoeniga loved to brag whenever he beat Osmo's score, which was almost always. "But, getting back to the other thing. I think before you leave you should visit-"

Osmo Martin cut him off in mid-sentence. "I know what you're going to say, Al. You know I don't want to talk about that-"

Albert persisted. "I know that in the long run you'll be glad you did. You'll hate yourself if you don't. Osmo, it's time to face it, time to make peace with the past, no matter how much it hurts.- For crying out loud, Osmo, visit your Mom’s memorial!"

Jane nodded. "He's right, Osmo. This planet's been named in her honor. They made a beautiful memorial for her. I've been there, and so has Albert. Everybody from Earth’s seen it and paid their respects to the memory of a great woman. It's time for her son to visit the site honoring her."

Osmo checked his watch. "Well, will you look at the time! I must go. It was great being with you guys again, even you, Jane, but I'm meeting Sheila at the Governor's House for lunch, so I better get moving. No more time to dawdle. She's picking me up shortly. Take care!" And he left them and the bowling alley without any more talking. And, considering Albert's dislike of the Governor, Osmo Martin declined to invite them to join them at the lunch, although Sheila Bright had been hoping Al and Jane would also be there.

Albert and Jane looked at each other. Jane commented, "Well, he sure took his leave of our company rather quickly. He still can't face the past, and the tragedy of what happened to his Mom. Poor Osmo. I hope our little talk with him doesn't give him indigestion."

"I hope it does; perhaps then he will stop and think about what we said, and consider going there to the Hope Memorial Park finally.”

(c) 2011 drk