Galactic Earth (20 page)

Gudama just smiled.

“I’m sorry for acting like that to your friend, I just really wasn’t prepared for all of this,” Layla said apologetically, appalled at herself for hitting him.

“It’s ok, he understands. He startled me too when I first saw him,” said Gudama.

“The view is incredible,” she said looking at earth.

“Beautiful right, don’t worry the military can’t see us, this ship operates on a higher frequency invisible to their technology. They could fly right through us and not even know.”

“How can that be?”

“Remember I told you the ships are condensed light? This is one of them,” he said with a grin.

Layla smiled at him feeling safe, calm, and at peace.

“You know, this whole adventure has been mind-blowing. Ever since I saw your message, I knew I had to find you. I didn’t know how, but I just knew we would meet. You’re like the answer to all of my inner desires. Everything I yearned to express, but didn’t know how only to sit in meditation letting it dwell internally. Now, you’re here, and my life has never been this magical. I don’t mean to offend or imply anything when I say this, but Gudama you’re someone I feel like I can trust. I can’t explain it, but I feel as though your otherworldliness makes me feel like I can tell you anything without fear. I’ve known you for only a day, yet you’ve saved my life, given the best hospitality I’ve ever had, and have shown me a world I never knew existed. If there’s anything you ever need, please let me know and I’ll do everything within my power to help you. I understand you have your mission, but Gudama, all this is like a dream come true and I don’t want it to end,” she said to him.

Gudama slowly rubbed his hands in deep thought, appearing to be in hesitation as though he wanted to communicate, but was cautious.

“Layla I have something very important to ask you.”

Her full attention was given with senses keenly attuned. Gudama stood up looking at the earth through the giant window. Layla walked to him and found the view breathtaking.

“Your planet is in grave danger. It seems your government is planning another scheme to centralize power. I want to help, but I have to abide by earth and intergalactic laws. That means in order to continue, I need another human representative of earth who voluntarily accepts my help. I’ve been waiting for the right person to accompany me to reach out to the citizens of this world and give them what they need to save themselves. I believe you are that person.”

“Why me, how do you know?” she asked curious about his conclusion.

“You came all the way here to find me.

I’m assuming you’ve read my manuscript as well?”

Layla nodded.

“Anyone willing to go through all that trouble is truly dedicated and worthy of my trust,” Gudama said.

Layla was ecstatic, jumping for joy inside.

“Gudama, it would be an honor, I will do everything I can to help you,” Layla said standing up with her fist clenched to her chest.

“Good,” he said motioning for her to follow him to which she did to another area of the ship.

Andy was waiting back at the command room. He smiled and Layla was able to return it this time with a friendly expression of her own.

So futuristic, she thought observing all of the lights, gadgets, and technology working in harmonious synchronicity.

“Is she prepared?” asked Andy.

Gudama looked at Layla who met his eyes. Chemistry was sensed by Andy who felt their thoughts during their energy exchange. He stood in silence awaiting their decision with his head slightly tilted downward.

“Layla Lolland, do you agree to accept the assistance of my fleet for the evolution of earth?”

“I do,” replied Layla.

Gudama looked back at Andy and nodded. Andy rose his neck up in acknowledgment and smiled, giving him the ok. Gudama withdrew a small ball looking device from his belt and turned it on. Out projected a holographic image with wondrous advance structures and symbols. Layla’s mouth opened wide.

“Incredible,” she said.

Gudama placed it on the platform and turned to her.

“We’ve got some planning to do, are you ready?”

Layla looked into his eyes they both momentarily studied each other. Acknowledging, Layla let out a big broad smile.

“Let’s do it,” she winked giving him a thumb up.

Gudama smiled, happy to have finally found someone he can trust.

Powerful energy flowed through Layla as her life had a fresh new meaning with a higher purpose she sought after her entire young adult life. Adrenaline pumped tons of ample nourishment and strength to perform enormous amounts of work for their strategy to reach more people. Through Layla’s help, Gudama and Andy were able to develop a new approach better suited to earth’s social relations. Using the ship’s technology, Layla made important contacts at Lolland Press, arranging interviews to be broadcasted live for Gudama scheduled on the next day. After completion, Andy offered the juice of a pink fruit which was bitter yet satisfying to Layla’s nutritional needs.

“We cannot thank you enough Layla,” Gudama said.

“My pleasure,” she replied.

“Let’s get some sleep soon, we’ll need it.”

“Yea,” Layla said letting out a big yawn. Her tummy growled, alerting the two men.

“But first, let’s eat,” said Gudama laughingly.

In the dining area, Layla was served a bowl of fruits and raw vegetables.

“That’s it?” she asked looking at her food.

“I know it doesn’t look like much, but the crops grown here contain a hundred times the nutritional value of your earth’s best,” Gudama said munching.

Andy nodded with a smile and with that Layla ate. After eating she was led back to her room.

“Sleep well ok? We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

“I will, thank you,” Layla said, she pulled his head closer and kissed him on the cheek.

Gudama froze. Nerves shot up in her entire body.

“Goodnight,” he said and left. The door automatically shut tight.

“Oh my God, what have I done?”

Layla paced back and forth.

I don’t know what came over me, it just happened, she thought!

“Nice going Layla, you finally obtained his trust and now you pull this off!” she grunted with her hands clenching in her hair.

She jumped on her bed and smashed the pillow.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid!” she said while punching the cushion.

She sat on it running her hands through her hair which she then pulled, letting out a disgruntled sound. She folded her arms on her knees and dropped her head in disappointment.

“Oh well, it is what it is.”

Tossing and turning, hours flew by as Layla couldn’t get herself to sleep. She lay on her back contemplating what to do.

I should go apologize, how ill-mannered of me, she thought.

She battled with herself whether or not to let it go.

One part of her brain told her it was not a big deal while the other demanded that she explain it was just a kind gesture of gratitude.

“Argh!” she growled in frustration, burying her head in the pillow.

She sprung on the side of the bed, tapping her folded arm as she pondered her next move.

Gudama stared out through the big window into space, gazing at the stars and the earth with the look of a bold warrior.

“There isn’t much time,” said Andy from behind.

“I know, don’t worry, we’ll save it. I didn’t come here to fail.”

“And of the woman,” asked Andy.

“What about her?”

“I sense she has strong feelings for you,” Andy said.

“Heh, good, all the more her help is guaranteed. After our job is done, we leave. I didn’t come here looking for love.”

A sound was heard behind them. Gudama and Andy looked at each other. Opening Layla’s door, Gudama whispered her name to check if she was still awake. Layla’s body was found motionless on the bed wrapped in the warm garment provided. The back of her head was all he could see. Gudama left as the door shut itself, little did he know Layla lay in tears with chest pain. Upon returning to Andy, Gudama had a puzzled look on his face. Telepathically, Andy expressed concerned.

“It’s her, something doesn’t feel right,” said Gudama.

“How much longer do you intend to stay on earth?”

“Not long, a few more weeks assuming everything goes according to our plan.”

“Yes, assuming,” replied Andy sharing his doubt.

“You’re the one who made me operate under their rules. If it were up to me, I’d fix everything in one month.”

“Let’s see how you do this month,” Andy said telepathically.

“Did somebody sneak up on me?” said Layla emerging from behind them.

“Layla, thought you were sleeping,” said Gudama.

“How can I, I’m in space. Why are you awake?”

“Just maintaining the ship,” he replied.

“Speaking of which, I must attend to checking all systems, please excuse me,” said Andy.

Staring out at space, both Gudama and Layla were left alone. She smiled as he glanced at her.

“What will you do after it’s over? I mean what will do after you save the earth?”

“Go back to space, there are others who need me,” he replied.

“Family, your wife,” asked Layla?

“No, I’m not married, just friends of mine.”

That sentence made Layla float on the air of joy. The words melted all particles of grief, bringing her an indescribable happiness in her as she stared with a fixed smile at Gudama who was blissfully unaware of her as he kept looking at the stars.

“Do you ever think you’ll settle down, get married, and maybe have a few kids?”

“Eh, I’m passed that point.”

“But you look so young,” she said amazed.

“I don’t age, not anymore,” Gudama said looking down at the planet.

“Oh well yea that makes sense,” she said dumbfounded, “How old exactly are you?”

“I lost count a long time ago, heh it’s funny how you people worship death. You’re given a certificate for birth, completing university indoctrination, and for death. Each year your kind participates in their countdown to the grave.

Rather than celebrating once a year, why not rejoice every day and treat each new sun as a blessing?”

“Is that why you stay so young…and good looking?” Layla blurted out.

Oops, what did I just say? Darn it, you did it again, she thought!

“Ha, ha, I just choose youth and life that’s all. Your brain controls your body. By making a conscious choice for health you over-ride all biochemistry.”

“I see, well said,” Layla commented, “still ya never know, you may fall in love someday,” she said nudging him on the shoulder semi-jokingly.

Gudama turned to her.

“Layla, I took a vow of celibacy a long time ago devoting my life to serve humanity, to God. After my service is complete, if it is the wish of the almighty, then I will be given the right person,” Gudama said looking at her boldly.

“That’s so noble, I’m sure you’ll get the right girl,” she said winking with a smile.

For a moment Gudama was engulfed with a funny fuzzy feeling inside.

“Want to see something cool?” he asked.

“Sure, as if I haven’t already.”

Gudama entered a command which zoomed in on earth on a city atop a second story building.

“Wow, that’s incredible!” she said wide eyed.

“Look at all those people Layla. They’re imprisoned, slaves to a monetary economy being forced to perform rut labor that leads nowhere. It’s a shame…a real tragedy, but I understand why, I know their predicament, because I’ve been there.”

“What do you mean?” Layla asked puzzled.

“No one knows your race better than me, I lived just like you, I even went to a university, obtained graduate degrees, and worked for a number of years in various fields. I’m responsible for a lot of the new technologies you’ve seen lately such as advancements in robotics, alternative medicine, architecture, city designs and free energy, the virtual reality system that arrived recently, and even gaming. I did all of this for my fellow man, I mean, to make this planet a better place. For ten years I’ve sacrificed, but it seems politics interferes with science and development.”

“Ten years, you’ve been here for ten years?”

“Longer.”

“I don’t get it, I thought you just arrived recently,” she said confused.

Fiddling with his fingers, Gudama appeared to be hesitating. Layla sensed there was something more to say, “What’s on your mind? It’s ok, you can tell me,” she insisted.

“Let me clarify something. I actually was born on earth. Ever since a child I felt the need to serve humanity. Several years ago, I met aliens who shared my goal and offered assistance. I accepted and fortunately had the opportunity to visit the Pleiades where the people there shared with me their ways. I learned higher science, art, medicine, health, martial arts, music, technology, many things. However, there were those who didn’t approve of a human being taken outside of earth to learn the higher knowledge. Technically it’s forbidden, but the group that helped me was composed of volunteers so it was legal so long as certain regulations were met. Still, those that didn’t advocate such conduct attacked us and imprisoned me.”

“Luckily, I was rescued by a passing space traveler and through his help, along with others encountered during our journey, I was able to return to earth, the earth that I knew. Time is different, not like here, so even though I spent a relatively short time in space, the equivalent was over three thousand earth years.”

“Wait, now you’re human?” Layla said surprised not letting him finish his story, “So you lied pretending to be something you’re not?”

“Andy and I felt it would be best not to reveal my earthly origins so that people would take me more seriously.”

“I can’t believe this, all this searching to find out you’re just one of us,” Layla said disappointed.

“Only much more evolved.
You know it’s funny, after all this time living on other worlds makes it hard to identify with earth. I forget I originated from here and really feel like an alien sometimes, speaking to people like an outsider. Still, I never did fit in growing up, and besides, I believe my soul is of a higher origin and was incarnated here to help this planet.”

Folding her arms, Layla glanced away with an upset look on her face, “Does anyone else know?”

“Except for a few close friends, no,” he replied.

“I don’t understand why you would do that lying to everybody!”

“Layla, I already told you. I did it to protect myself and to help mankind. I’ve lived my whole life on earth, but went into space as I mentioned to learn. Now I’m home.”

Layla turned away holding back tears. Gudama could feel her anger, “I didn’t blatantly lie, just left out details about myself, that’s different than lying.”

“I feel like I don’t even know you.”

“Don’t be silly, I’m still the same person only once human like you. You should feel more at ease that I’ m one of your own.”

“What are you talking about? That whole interview on the boat was a lie. You made up a story.”

“No, I shared with you what I learned living in space. They treated me as one of their own and I consider them my family, so no I told you my real experience.”

Layla didn’t respond, remaining silent.

“So what was it like, who were they?” she asked breaking the hiatus.

“I went with a race from the Pleiades, a human race like us. Since they have a history with earth and that we are genetically similar, they are the ones who primarily assist us as it is easier for both parties to cooperate.”

“What were they like? What did you learn?

“I learned about myself, they taught me to bring out my full potential, to dismay limitation and to achieve higher. That’s what I want to share with earth.”

“But if you’re human, how are you able to project energy blasts, and do all those superhuman feats?”

“These gloves help harness free energy which gives me a boost in power. The suit that I’m wearing contains technology to enhance my performance. It’s designed to assist users in focusing their energy. Plus, I’ve undergone evolution while alive, so I’m not merely human anymore.”

“So you’re just one big mutant freak creation?”

“No, I developed this power through meditation and intensive training. The suit merely acts like a tool to assist me. It’s also good for storing other necessities for interstellar travel.”

“What about that half-moon on your head?”

“This? Ah, it’s a long story, but like I said I’ve done lots of spiritual work for many years. I already was developed when I left the earth. The Pleiadians merely took me to the next level.”

“Well that’s one fascinating story,” she said yawning, I think I’ll go back to sleep now.”

Gudama nodded and Layla left for bed.

Irritated, Gudama walked back to Andy.

“I reviewed the test results of your friend. It seems her DNA suggests she has otherworldly origins.

Her complex genome suggests she has healing powers. I still have to thoroughly investigate, but it is clear that you have selected no ordinary woman.”