The Return of the Manhattan (26 page)

Laura requested a little help from the linesman, and Mom was seated in a comfortable VIP seat near the cockpit while Dad followed Laura around inspecting the aircraft. She spoke to the linesman, “There won’t be any noise from the engines so watch for my signal. I’ll flip the nose light on and off when ready to taxi.”

He looked as excited as a small boy with candy, “I wish I had my camera, you don’t mind if we take pictures, do you?”

“Not at all, we want the public to be excited about this airplane. We’ll be back here often; I’m sure you will have your chance.”

Dad sat in back with Mom for the takeoff and departure, but came up front when Laura called for him after their initial climb. He sat down in the copilot’s seat, enthusiastically looking around the cockpit. Laura decided it was time to break the news to him. “Dad.” He was so engrossed in his excitement he didn’t hear her the first time and she repeated, “Dad!”

“Yes, Laura.”

“Dad, I’ve got a confession to make… I didn’t invite you on this flight to show off the aircraft.”

He looked back at Mom, “Why then?”

Laura bravely continued, “I want to take you and Mom aboard the Manhattan, I think it’s time you met my father.”

“I don’t know about that; I’m beginning to think we should have stayed on the ground. You said he would be at your wedding; that’s soon enough considering.”

Laura ignored the implied meaning, “That’s only part of it.” Neither of them spoke for a moment, “I want Mom to see my doctor.”

Dad looked at her with disgust, “Laura, now I’m really disappointed, I thought you understood. She’s been through enough.”

She sensed his disappointment and rejection. “I’m sorry, Dad, I… We knew you would look at it this way; that’s why Marty and I decided this was the only way we could…”

He interrupted in a loud voice, “Marty! He had something to do with this?”

Mom hearing him raise his voice, cried out, “What’s the matter?”

He looked back seeing the alarm on her face, “Nothing, nothing at all, I’ll be back with you in a minute.”

Laura devoted a few minutes to her flying, guiding the aircraft away from the populated areas before she spoke, “Marty wasn’t easy to convince, but he agreed to let me try after I told him the full story. You already know our story; maybe you don’t believe us.”

He didn’t know how she did it, but he was now on the defensive, “Absolutely not! Your story was preposterous.”

“Brad told me you have a strong faith in God, and believe Mom will be healed. Don’t you think God can work through many different and mysterious ways?”

“Yes, but I think your magic must come directly from Satan. You’re trying to play God!”

“I’m sorry; I thought you understood. You don’t even believe your son! Right now, I don’t even want to sit next to you. Why don’t you go back, and sit with Mom?” We’re going aboard the Manhattan, and I’m taking Mom to see my doctor, whether you approve or not.”

Dad felt keenly disappointed with her, and had misgivings for coming along, but he didn’t argue any longer since he couldn’t force her to return to the airport. He went back with Mom, who was concerned, especially when she saw the angry look on his face, “What’s wrong, Dad? What were you and Laura arguing about?”

“We weren’t exactly arguing. We came to an understanding. You know I didn’t believe a word of the story she and Brad told us, and now she knows it. I don’t think she is the Miss Right for Brad after all. I’m sorry we agreed to come along on this flight. At least I now know her for who she is!”

Mom was shocked, “I knew no such thing! You mean you have been pretending to believe them? How can you say such things?”

“I don’t believe it’s possible to travel through time. What’s been done is done, and that’s all there is to it.”

“Well, I think you’re wrong! Are we going to land now?”

“She says she is going to take us aboard that UFO, and take you to see her doctor. Bah! I think she’s a lunatic!”

She sensed his disgust, but she remembered the first time she met Laura, and couldn’t deny the overwhelming feelings of love that emanated from her and Brad when they were together. She remembered the pain and suffering that Laura felt when she told of her refusal of Brad’s marriage proposal. Those feelings weren’t easy to forget. “Dad! I think you owe her an apology. I believe she is right, and this may be the answer to my prayers.”

“That’s what I was afraid of.”

“I can take it for myself; I resigned myself to live the rest of my life in this condition a long time ago. Sure I had hopes each time I went to a new doctor, but I left my life in God’s hands. If Laura is not who she says she is, then that will hurt. I’d be so sorry for Brad, and very disappointed in Laura. It’s best that we find out now rather than wait until after they’re married. You’ve told me many times that God works in mysterious ways. Who am I to question him in how he wants to do it?”

When the Marie was on the beam, she began confiding with her father, “Dad, I blew it. I brought Brad’s folks with me today under false pretenses; I don’t think his father will ever forgive me. Brad probably won’t either.”

“Dear, you now see how painful loving someone can be. Keep loving them, and we’ll see. How does Brad’s mother feel?”

“I don’t know. I thought they both believed our story, but Brad’s father informed me he just went along for Brad’s sake.”

“It’s not so bad; he’ll have to believe once he’s aboard, and sees the ship. His mother will have her choice whether or not she wants to be treated.”

“I wanted so much to help Brad’s mother without confiding in Brad. I wanted his Mom to really surprise him when she walks up to him without pain for the first time in years. Brad blames himself for his mother’s condition. He thinks she would be healthy today if she hadn’t had her last child, him.”

David came out to meet them, “Welcome aboard the Manhattan. I’m Laura’s father. She’s told me so much about you already; I feel like I know you.”

Dad couldn’t bring himself to dislike David since he radiated the same kind of love and respect that Laura showed them, unless he was a very good actor. He helped Mom out of the Lear into her wheelchair and they were ushered into the main part of the ship. He finally spoke up, “Where are we, and what is this thing?”

“I think Laura already explained,” David said in a matter of fact tone, “but you’ll have to see for yourself.”

Mom spoke up, “Laura I’m ready, take me to your doctor! Leave these men to discuss whether or not this is real.” Dad began to object, but she would have no part of it. “Stay out of it, Dad! You stay with Laura’s father, and maybe he can convince you. I believe Laura, and if she says I can be healed, then I will be healed!”

Laura was beaming, she knew she won with Mom, and her father could handle Dad. She took charge of the wheelchair, and went on down toward the hospital ward. She stopped, around the corner, out of Dad’s sight, threw her arms around Mom, and wept, “Thanks, Mom, I only want to help you. I couldn’t stand to see you suffer when I knew we could help you. Thanks for understanding!”

“It doesn’t matter whether your doctor can help or not, Laura, I believe in what you’re trying to do, and you can’t hurt me by doing what you have to do. The only possible way you could hurt me is to hurt Brad, and somehow I don’t think you will do that. Laura, I love you as much as my own sons and daughters.”

“Oh, Mom, I love you, and Dr. Baker can help you!

“Good, let’s go see him!”

Dr. Baker met them at the door, and escorted Mom toward the examining scanner helping her get as comfortable as possible on the soft table top. “Mrs. Anderson, relax and let this little machine get a good look at you. We want to be sure you have no other problems along with your arthritis.”

“Doctor, do you know what causes arthritis?”

“Honestly, no! We have discovered that some agent stimulates the nuclei of cells surrounding the bones, particularly in the joints, causing them to destroy themselves. We can’t isolate the agent, we don’t know what it is, and we don’t know how it invades the body, but we can neutralize it. Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”

“You mean you don’t know why, but some drugs you have developed stop it?”

“That’s precisely it. We developed the drug in relation to some genetic research, and discovered quite by accident it works against arthritis. It’s not really a drug, but you can think of it in those terms.”

“But, if the cells are destroyed, how can you help me?”

“It’s a three-step process: first we stop the spread, then we stop the pain, and then we induce your body to repair itself. That’s the secret to modern medicine; we first take away the cause, and then get the body to do the rest.”

“What about my plastic hip?”

“That’s a good question; we may leave that in, but in any case you should never know the difference.”

“How long will it take?”

“It’s hard to say, we can stop the spread in a few hours. The rest depends on how fast your body reacts. You should get rid of the pain soon after, although it may take a couple of days, and maybe you can be walking again in a couple of weeks.”

“I already feel better!”

“Okay, now we’ve got some results from the computer. Let me get a blood sample, and then we can begin.”

He took the blood sample, and let the computer analyze the blood as he discussed her diagnosis. “Other than your arthritis, you seem to be in pretty good health. The arthritis agent is very active, which means your condition could only get worse, unless treated. Are you ready?”

“I’ve been ready for twenty years.”

“Good, I’m going to hook you up to that machine over there which will give you a 90 percent blood transfusion. The other 10 percent will be the drug to neutralize the agent and cleanse the parts of your blood we want you to keep. That will help your immune system stay on track.” He brought the machine over to her, and began to connect the tubes to her arms. “This will take a couple of hours, so relax, and it will soon be over.”

In less than five minutes, she was sleeping peacefully as the restoring process began to permeate every part of her body.

Laura picked Brad up at Andrews Air Force Base the day before their wedding and they flew to Independence where he spent the night with friends. Laura stayed with his folks making final preparations for the wedding set for 2:00 P.M. the following day, while Brad would make one more trip to the Manhattan to deliver Laura’s father along with a few of Laura’s friends to the wedding. He wouldn’t see his family until the wedding.

The president was true to his word keeping his activities a secret from the press, as he arrived with his wife and a very small group of Secret Service personnel. The Secret Service checked out the church hours before, and would be mostly inconspicuous in their surveillance during the ceremonies, and Brad assured the president that the crew aboard the Manhattan would protect him. Word was certain to leak to the press, but Brad and Laura hoped it would be too late to disrupt the serenity of the ceremonies.

Brad’s brothers and sisters were buzzing over the cure their mother received, and finally in desperation, she sent them all on their way, leaving the house to Laura, Dana, and her other bridesmaids, preparing for the wedding. They were having all sorts of girl talk as Laura’s father arrived, bearing a large box, explaining he brought it back to Laura on his last trip, as he knew she would be married before she would ever consent to return. She was in seventh heaven as she unpacked her mother’s wedding dress, and tried it on with the girls watching and helping. It fit perfectly, and would have transformed any young girl into Cinderella, but on Laura it was absolutely stunning with each strand of material glistening in the light as it sparkled like diamonds reflecting the light, yet one could not detect the invisible threads which gave it its glamorous, otherworldly glow.

Brad followed Bob Sparks, his best man, to the front of the church, and froze in awe as he turned and faced those in attendance. He saw the president and first lady, sitting in the front row, and his mother and family on the other side. He noticed his mother sitting on the front pew beside his father, without her wheelchair, with such happiness beaming from her face that he wondered how many pain pills she had to take that morning. His mind was so filled with the events surrounding him, that the absence of the wheelchair did not sink in, nor the fact that she looked almost as if he were seeing her twenty years earlier. It did look strange, but he supposed that it was the absence of pain, and the joy she was sharing with him and Laura.

The organist played the traditional wedding march as Laura’s party made their way to the front. As the tempo increased, everyone stood, and he beheld Laura entering the aisle on her father’s arm in the most breathtaking wedding gown he could ever imagine. He didn’t even notice how easily his mother stood on her feet. He had eyes only for Laura as she made her way down the aisle.

She was radiant, the happiest she had ever been in her life, yet a bit nervous as she felt her father’s steady pressure on her arm. She could hardly take her eyes off Brad, but managed to smile up at her father, as he smiled back, giving her the assurance she needed.

The ceremony was brief, and they were soon man and wife. Laura’s last ceremonial act was to give Brad’s mother a bouquet of roses. He could hardly believe his eyes as his mother accepted with hands that were no longer misshapen as they grasped the roses, and tenderly touched Laura’s cheek as they briefly kissed each other before Laura rejoined Brad, and they made their way down the aisle.

As Brad’s mother and father were ushered down the aisle, there was not a dry eye in the church as Laura whispered to Brad, “One of my wedding gifts to you.”

Aboard the Manhattan, Laura bid her father farewell as they prepared to be released from the Manhattan for the last time. The Marie eased away from the Manhattan and they watched as the Manhattan was there one moment and gone the next.

CHAPTER 50

For the first time in many years, Roger Dorn left the ship after convincing David he needed a few hours by himself. He had no family left except for his wife and those aboard the Manhattan, but he manufactured an excuse to give him time and the opportunity to prepare for the trip he and Warren Baker had been planning for some time. He took the shuttle to the station on the outskirts of Washington DC going directly to the White House where he had no difficulty getting in to see the President.

President Alan Talmage kept his curiosity in check, inviting him in and waiting for him to get comfortable before asking, “Roger, it’s good to see you, but I’m beginning to wonder what’s going on. What can I do for you?”

Roger didn’t waste time with formalities, “I want you to invite David Ashton here on some pretense, anything to get him off the ship. I want him to be away long enough for me to take command of the Manhattan and accomplish a task he would not otherwise do or approve because of personal involvement.”

“I don’t understand…”

“Most of this happened almost thirty years ago when Commander White and Marie Ashton lost their lives during the pirate raid at Space Station Juliet?”

“Of course, that was a small, but significant historical event for all time. It was tragic for your mission, but it signaled the end of the space pirates. We have you and your crew to thank for that!”

“Then you would agree that David has accomplished all that has been asked of him.”

“Yes, I agree. I don’t know how the nation can ever repay the debt we owe him and the entire crew of the Manhattan.”

“I do.” He paused, “If you will grant my request, I will go back and take his wife Marie off that shuttle before it explodes and prevent her death. David has never fully recovered from that loss and now he has given up his daughter for the good of his country. You, by authorizing this mission, can make his life whole again.”

The president shook his head sadly, “I can’t do that, even a change that small in time could affect the outcome of your entire mission. It’s too risky.”

“I thought you would say that… David said the same thing. But I’ve thought it through and I know my plan would not compromise the mission. If we go back now, rescue her and Commander White, we could place her in a protective new identity status where David will not know she is here. If none of the crew aboard the Excalibur or the Manhattan is aware of her existence until thirty years later, what possible effect could that have to jeopardize the mission? Then a couple of days from now, when David comes to Washington he can be reunited with his wife. Your request will then not be under false pretenses. You and former President Albee alone will know who she is all those years. We can also save Commander White and his wife. Their presence, unknown to any of us on the mission will not change history either.”

David remained aboard the Manhattan expecting Brenda to show up at any time. He was disappointed that she hadn’t already been there to welcome them back. He was a little bit on the stubborn side resisting the urging of his heart to call her or get to her as quickly as possible. A few hours later, David received a priority message calling for his immediate presence at the White House. Roger was out so that left Dr. Baker in command. He realized it didn’t matter as the ground crew had already taken over and would be checking out the Manhattan.

Warren saw him to the shuttle and waited until lift-off before hurrying back to the control room where he welcomed Kevin Haugen aboard. Kevin had been absent all these years without much contact, but Roger thought it would be fitting that he should return to participate in the rescue of his commander. All they had to do now was wait for Roger’s return and they would be off.

As soon as his shuttle landed, Roger joined Warren in the control room and took the PA, “Attention, all crewmembers! This is what we have been waiting for. Prepare for immediate departure. We are going back to change history once again and save the lives of Marie Ashton, Tom and Annette White.” He gave the orders and the massive doors were opened as the Manhattan launched into orbit and vanished.

The entire crew radiated the excitement which seemed to pulse throughout the ship as they began their journey. This was something worthwhile they could do for their beloved commander. Many were part of the original crew and had vivid memories of Marie and the Whites, and were keenly aware of that loss. It took longer for the trip to Space Station Juliet than to travel back the twenty six years but they arrived perfectly timed to watch history being made as the Excalibur approached Space Station Juliet.

Kevin coordinated their movements insuring no interference with the starfighters surrounding the Excalibur. The mission would be relatively easy, but tricky as the shuttle had to be taken aboard the Manhattan and the occupants removed, and then the shuttle had to be placed back on its original course within a split second of the time it was removed.

In the shuttle, Marie Ashton heard the warning from the approach controller and abruptly applied full right turn and descent, and that was the last she remembered as the shuttle was taken aboard the Manhattan on the beam. The shuttle lurched abruptly to one side causing Marie’s head to come in contact with a window post knocking her unconscious.

She opened her eyes slowly blinking against the bright white light while looking up into a kindly, benevolent face peering down at her. He looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t quite place him. She suddenly remembered being on the shuttle and the controller’s warning. She sat up quickly, instinctively, but futilely, reaching for the controls to alter her flight path. As the gentleman calmed her, she sat still and blinked, asking, “Who are you?”

The older man calmly replied, “Relax, everything is going to be fine.”

Marie’s mind was racing as she attempted to remain calm, relying on her training to evaluate the situation. She demanded, “Where am I? Where are Commander and Mrs. White?”

“They’re resting comfortably. Something you should do for a couple more hours.”

“Where are we? And what happened to the shuttle?

“You’re aboard the Manhattan, a starship from your future. I know you don’t recall, but the space pirates attacked your shuttle about half a second after you were warned. It was too late for Kevin and his starfighters to protect you and your shuttle was destroyed.”

“Then why am I alive, or am I?”

“History has recorded your deaths and the Excalibur went on without you and the Whites. Now, twenty six years later, we have the necessary technology and we came back and plucked you off the shuttle to save your lives.”

“This can’t be! Where’s David?”

“In our time, he’s with the president waiting for you. In your time, he’s aboard the Excalibur.”

“You mean the president is aboard the Excalibur! How did he get here?”

“Marie, please just relax and it will all make sense. You were aware of Roger’s time travel experiments. Just think of the consequences.”

She could hardly believe her ears, and looked on in amazement as another vaguely familiar man entered accompanied by Commander White and greeted her warmly. “Marie, it’s good to see you alive and well after all these years.”

Marie felt bewildered looking from one man to the next. She turned to her commander, “Tom, what is going on here? Where are we and who are these gentlemen?”

Tom hesitated a moment before responding, “Marie, I’m afraid our part in the mission was terminated early. As I understand it, we are still in our time but they will not allow us to go back aboard the Excalibur.”

She demanded, “Why not? And you haven’t answered my question! Who are these men?”

Tom blurted out, “Roger Dorn and Warren Baker. It hasn’t been that long for you since you’ve seen them.”

Recognition dawned slowly on Marie as she pondered her predicament. “What happened to them?”

Roger laughed, “Nothing except thirty plus years of aging. We have come back from twenty six years in your future. We’re thirty years older, that’s all.

Warren added, “We’ve had a slight scare with you. We had a slight malfunction in the controller for our power beam and according to Tom’s description; it must have been like you experiencing severe turbulence in the atmosphere. As far as I can tell, you’re okay, but you’ve been out for several minutes. Nothing to worry about.”

Marie pleaded, “I’m okay. I feel fine. Please put me back on the Excalibur.”

Roger sighed and sadly shook his head, “Sorry, Marie. We can’t do that. For all practical purposes, you are dead in your time and cannot reappear until our time twenty six years later. If you will remember, we were on a critical mission, vital to the survival of our world. If we have learned anything in the last twenty six years, we know we cannot go back and change even a small part of history without endangering the entire mission. The president authorized us to rescue you, as a reward for David, but he would not consider risking everything to put you back on that mission.”

Marie was close to tears, “But, why did you come back and rescue me if you will not allow me to be with the man I love or ever again be with my daughter?”

Roger continued, “Marie, we can’t tell you all of what has happened in the intervening years, but we can tell you David has not remarried and he loves you. If you can accept the president’s offer and not reveal your identity, you will have the opportunity to help him from a distance and have a big impact on the life of your daughter. In time, you can reveal your identity to him and be with him again.”

“But, I’ll be an old woman by then!”

Warren laughed, “And we are dirty old men, I suppose. Even in the last few years, life expectancy has increased and the aging process has been reduced dramatically. You will have many good years together.”

Roger pointed to an exterior viewing port, “Take a last good look out there. The battle is over, but the Excalibur is still in orbit around Juliet. They haven’t launched the backup shuttle for their passengers, but they will soon. We’re getting ready to launch on a high sub warp speed trip back to Earth so I’ll leave you while I go to the control center. We’ll have you back in Washington in a few months.”

The Excalibur and Space Station Juliet were already fading into the distance as she cried softly, “Goodbye David, Goodbye Laura.”

A few months later or nearly eight years later depending on the frame of reference, the Manhattan arrived entering an orbit over Washington DC, and docked at the space station where they left months earlier. The Manhattan was just another cruiser belonging to the Space Command and didn’t raise any suspicions as long as they didn’t remain for an extended period. Roger escorted Marie and the Whites to the launch area where they climbed aboard a shuttle that would take them to Washington. They settled into their seats and Roger began, “Time may be a bit mixed up, but I think you will adjust rapidly. If you recall, it was several months after your departure when the accident occurred. Now it’s almost eight years later on Earth. We are helping you out a little, not making you wait the extra eight years. You’ll have about three months to get accustomed to your new status before the Excalibur returns safely and I might add, successfully. Of course that will make you considerably younger than David and by the time your daughter discovers who you really are, she could be almost as old as you are now. Tom, you and Annette will have to maintain separate identities so I don’t think which time you re-enter should be important to you. It may be easier for you to appear eight years later so your old friends will probably not recognize you if you make contact by chance.”

Tom and Annette left under separate escort and Roger continued to escort Marie to the White House. Marie asked, “Roger, do you mean I won’t be able to see Laura grow up?”

“No, all is not lost. You will become her foster mom and meet the most important needs in her life. She will be eleven years old and will not recognize you so you can have as much contact as we can arrange as long as you don’t reveal your identity. David will be spending a lot of time working on the Manhattan and will need someone to care for Laura. You can be that someone. In time, you will be able to reveal yourself to them.”

“Well, I guess that’s better than nothing.”

“We are taking you to see President Albee. I have contacted former President Gardiner and he arranged for this flight to be semi legitimate and he will escort you to see President Albee. I really had to do some swift talking to convince Gardiner. You or President Gardiner will have to convince President Albee.”

“Aren’t you going to be there?”

“No, I won’t leave the shuttle.” He handed her a large envelope. “This package contains the wishes of our future president who respectfully requests that President Albee carries them out. It’s up to you and Bill Gardiner to convince him he should.”

Former President Gardiner met them at the shuttle port wrapping his arms around her, welcoming her back to Washington. “It’s sure good to see you. My wife and I were shocked when we heard of your deaths, and elated to learn of your return. Since Roger and you returned in this time machine, I know the Excalibur’s mission was successful. That takes a big load off my mind. Let’s go see the president.”

As a former president, Bill had the White House transportation access codes and escorted her directly to the Oval Office. As President Albee rose to greet them, Bill Gardiner made the introductions, “President Albee, this is Marie Ashton. I don’t want to shock you, but yes she is the same astronaut who was reported killed on the Excalibur mission eight years ago.”

President Alan Albee held out his hand and guided Marie to a seat in front of his desk. “Please sit down and fill me in with the details. How is this possible?”

“Well,” Marie began, “I don’t know where to begin. It’s a mind boggling experience for me. And my dear friend Bill Gardiner has just heard it himself.” Marie sat and gathered her thoughts

“Take your time. I sense that history is being made today.”