Solomon's Private File #122
These stories about Stephen and Solomon take place starting in
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 19 in this story, in the Summer of 2045.
Solomon's Private File #122 "Wildfire and Cuba Quake"
START Page
I'm 19 now, and Dawn has arrived. Not just the start of a new day,
but the birth of our daughter. She's simply delightful. People are
still interested in what I look like. Haven't exposed myself. In
public, that is.
I said to the Director of the Bureau, "We've got a problem.
Earthquake and possible tidal wave. Sensitive location. Just off of
Guantanamo in Cuba." He said, "I see. When?" I said, "Two weeks. About
an 8." He said, "I suspect we can't evacuate everybody in time.
Stasis?" I said, "For that part of the island, yes. Can't do that to
the water, though. BIG boating area. Any there will be lost, on the
open water, and docked. And the docks, too. Can't have too odd of a
shape for the bubble. We KNOW a lot of people won't sail away, or leave
their boats. We can port some of them, but I don't know if we have
enough people to do all of that in the time needed. If I extend myself
too far, I'll be gone." He said, "Tell the President all that." I did.
He told the Pentagon, and what I had planed.
Then there was the White House press briefing. He started it. Then I
said, "I'll try to do the time stasis for the Southern part of Cuba,
but only if the government there agrees to it. People should NOT be
there when that happens. Unfortunately, the stasis field does not
conform well to complicated shapes, so I can't protect docks and
watercraft that way. Any boats and ships in the area, we will try to
port away. People on them could be injured when they appear in their
new location. There may be a significant drop, because we port to the
surface of the water. We may not have time to lower them gently, if we
have to port too many boats at once. And there is the possibility of a
tidal wave. We have to protect the land from that, which could make the
open sea a little more reactive than usual. That's all I have to say."
I ported to Guantanamo.
I said to the Commander of the base, "You heard?" He said, "I did. We
can't evacuate off-island all in time." I said, "I knew that. Options,
you can try your best, or not. Then there are things we could do.
Contrary to what some might believe, we port individual objects. That
means we port each person individually if they are not in something we
are porting. Trying to do more, could result in smashed people. We are
not a large group, but we can do more than one at a time, with multiple
mental processes. But if we do too much at once, and there is no
telling the threshold, we die. Or they could stay in the time stasis
field. I've tried it with me inside it, but I wouldn't know when to
release it in this situation. No communication through it. My father
did it to a person for a minute, and it didn't harm him. But that was a
reflex action to an attack. I don't know if he would have done that
intentionally. Comments?" He said, "With volunteers, a test?" I said,
"Agreed."
That was set up. 7 military members volunteered. Stasis to last one
hour our time, one second their time. Outside, I started it. They could
be seen to not be moving or breathing. At the end of that time, I
released the field. They were unharmed. Mom said in the air, "I want
you all to know that, if the experiment had failed, my son would have
died, himself. Who we are, cannot survive causing the death of people.
I REALLY wish he wouldn't take so many risks!" I said, "Mom, I thought
we had agreed you wouldn't do this anymore." She said, "I know, and I
apologize. A little." I just sighed. The Commander had a mix of
emotions on his face. So did the others present. I said to him, "I
didn't expect her to do that. Won't happen again. I'm blocking her. I
can live with a pissed off mother better than interference in a
mission. Which she knows. So, going to have people stay?"
He first said, "Wow!" Then he said, "Yes. Most. Some will go, in case
something goes wrong. And we need to man the ships, anyway." I said,
"East, West, or North. Not South. That's a kill zone." He said,
"Understood. Your mother will be helping with the ships when
necessary?" I said, "I hope. Well, after a hug and a kiss." He tried
not to grin. I said, "I'll be back to check on your preparations. Now
the government here." He saluted me. I ported to Havana to meet with
the President of Cuba. I said, "Going to be some shaking." He said, "So
we have heard. Your recommendations?" I said, "All boats and ships go
North. All people South of Las Tunas should be elsewhere. Possible?" He
said, "Possible, but very difficult." I said, "If done, I'll put the
whole area in time stasis, so there will be almost NO damage." He said,
"Oh! We HAVE to do it! But you couldn't do that in America?" I said,
"Not if the earthquake of that kind is on land. Too much distortion of
the land. I release the field, and what would have taken many quakes to
do to shift the land and release the tension, would happen all at
once." He said, "I think I understand. But under the water is
different." I said, "Not always, but the geology here supports my plan.
People can survive in a time stasis field. We just tested that, but for
many of your people, the psychological impact of that, well, we used
military volunteers, and only for an hour in real time."
He said, "Many of them wouldn't believe it happened, and when others
thought of that." I said, "I'm a psychologist. I think of everything in
that way." He said, "More. I feel it. You are enlightened." I said, "I
can't tell you I'm not, but please keep that er, observation to
yourself. The attention that would bring is not good for what we do for
the world." He said, "I understand. I will order the evacuation. You
will help with shelters and provisions?" I said, "I know you had to
selected the locations." He gave me a list, and with some requests. I
said, "Some are now in place. I'm telling some in the other areas to
move out of the way. Er, very loudly. Interestingly, some didn't know
they could jump that high." He laughed very well. I said, "I am often
asked how I can make jokes in times like these. I tell them these times
are the best for what humor was intended to do, release tension in bad
times. And because I WANT to." He laughed some more, and said, "I like
you!" I said, "Er, thanks." We hugged, and I ported home.
Mom said, "I just had to." We hugged and kissed. I said, "I know. I
don't like to make you worry so, but duty calls, and I answer all the
way. Who I am, won't allow anything else." She said, "I know. More to
admire you for." I said, "Got my team ready to do emergency porting.
Ships?" She said, "Will do, but so many, I'll need help." I said,
"Elise. Can match you for the no backtalk thing, any day." She grinned
widely. Elise ported in and matched that grin. I said, "Obstinate
Captains are going to be shaking in their deck shoes. Good!" We mashed
our grins together. George said in the shielded way to me, "I'll backup
where needed, in assignments." I said, "Thanks." I said to all, "Off to
the other islands." I told the governments in Jamaica, Haiti, and the
Turks and Caicos Islands that they were in little danger from the
quake, but will be for the possible tsunamis, but that I would protect
them as much as I could. They should get as many ships and boats as
they can out of the water, or far away from the danger area. They said
they would try. None of us thought they could do much. We were right.
The ship and boat rescuers were VERY busy.
My team was also busy in porting people into the shelters in the
north of Cuba. Some just wouldn't move. The quake hit. There were big
waves. Our protective services worked. There was one expected small
aftershock of about 5, and then I released the time stasis. No problems
as a result of that. When the water was finished bouncing, we ported
all the ships and boats we had ported away, back where they were.
Surprised some people. Then, as expected, some people said they hadn't
needed us to help, that the earthquake wasn't dangerous after all. They
continued to believe that, even after they were shown what the
restraining fields had done with the tsunamis.
I was asked to comment on that. We did a CNN show, with scientists
and psychologists. They did most of the explaining. What most of the
viewers noticed, which made some believe the truth, was the utmost
respect those very accomplished experts showed me. During a commercial,
Don asked me if he should address that issue. I said, "I think you
should. Emotional torture for me notwithstanding, the public should
have an understanding of this situation, as much as they are capable
of. This will help. Here is my list of degrees, and some other
accomplishments." They passed it around. I said, "It's all real, and
the respective institutions will verify that." Back on air, they did
discuss those things. And Don said, "One more thing. Most of the
leaders in most of the major religions have stated that Solomon does
not lie. I think you know we at CNN, and the other major networks, have
been watching for that, just as we did with his father. We have
researchers and scientists check everything. We have not uncovered any
lies." I said to him, "Disappointed?" He was a little embarrassed, and
said, "Actually, yes, a little." I grinned and said, "Good!" Chuckles.
Don said, "What if some people refuse your help?" I said, "I offer to
help the governments, who then authorize and request my help.
Individuals who have problems with that, should take their complaints
to their government. I do believe that people who are successful in
avoiding being helped, may find that insurance companies will consider
the damage that might happen to their property and possessions to be
voluntary, and refuse to pay for repairs or replacement. And if
somebody dies as a result, that will probably be considered a suicide.
If those in authority over their family allows anybody to be injured or
killed in avoiding being helped, they could be charged with very
serious crimes. I may be required to provide a consequence. We know
that some airplanes have crashed, killing people. If the plane you are
on is in trouble, but the crew are successful in landing safely, does
that mean there was no problem? Would you, like most people who know
nothing about the mechanics of flight, require the pilot to ignore the
problem, because you don't want to believe it exists? Would you want to
cause the death of everybody, for your ignorant belief?I know it's
difficult to believe what could and would have happened, but was
prevented from happening, because you didn't see it. That doesn't
change the reality of those who understand this is real. Still, one
might want to wonder about the motives of those who want to deny this
reality, in favor of their own unfounded belief. Should the judgement
of such a person be trusted? Considering that, and similar issues, it
might be in the best interest of practically everybody to accept the
danger is real because it is, and not deny the help that is offered.
The alternative to that is not pleasant for anybody."
They all stared at me. We went to break. Don said, "Wow!" I said, "I
wish Chad were still around. He would be in heaven about this. Er,
oops." Chuckles. Don said, "So strong! Why?" I said, "I don't speak
much this way. I shouldn't be in front of the people all the time. It's
not good for the world. So, to extend what I think the world should
hear, I cause debate. Then others are motivated to add to the
discussion to make it more real to people, and also to bring more of
their attention to the message. People shouldn't always believe what is
said by just one person. But a respected group, that's another thing.
So, I'm finished here today. I leave the field to you fine responsible
people to do what you will with it." I broadcast my love to them, and
ported away.
They stared at where I had been, in awe and shock. They were still
that way when they came back form break. Then the director honked in
Don's earpiece, and he said, "Solomon was finished with what he had to
say, and has left. Well, he works in a lot of places we will probably
never hear of. Let's continue." They did, and it went well. They tried
to do a good job, and they succeeded. I said with an image in the air
after the show was over, "Great work. Thanks."
Hawk said to me, "I'm sure we suspected it when your father did it,
and then you, but to hear you say it, and to others, was still
something of a shock." I said, "If Dawn remembers Chad, I'm going to
LOVE telling her all about it." Mom said, "Really is him?" I said,
"Same spirit, I think." Galya said, "I like that. I loved him." Mom
said, "We all did. Arrow?" I said, "Positive. Rod. Pete's in a new S
Kid. I don't know where Nigel and Race went. It shouldn't matter to us,
but I think we can't help it. The kids are their own people. I know how
it is to always be compared to somebody else alive and loved, and very
respected in the past. Too much of that can be harmful."
I said, "Getting a call. Texas Rangers. Want help with a wildfire.
Should we make it a policy to help with all that are too big to
control?" Hawk said, "I think so. Not the small ones. We need to keep
firefighters in training, and it's ecologically necessary in some
places." We all agreed. I ported to the Captain, and told him our
decision, and the reasons, and said, "But from now on, only as FEMA
authorizes. Got a man there I can trust." He said, "That I agree with.
Great man. You built him, didn't you." I said, "Actually, yes, and
deliberately. Couldn't have done that if he hadn't had it in him."
He said, "True. How will you put out the fire?" I said, "There are
different ways. I could deluge the area, but that could cause more
damage. Who needs a flood of cement-like ashy water?" He said, "Right.
I see you have to really think these things through." I nodded and
said, "I could remove all the oxygen in the area. Out in an instant.
But so would be all life that needs oxygen. The best way is I would
absorb all the energy of the fire into me. But it's too much. You
wouldn't want to be anywhere near me when I explode." He said,
mother. She really dislikes me taking the risks I do." He said, "Same
here. What's your idea?" I said, "I could take all the energy, and
change it into light, and project it into space. Problem is to do that
in real time, without crisping myself. I think I can do it. Maybe a
small test. Got a match?" He lit one. It went out. I said, "Not enough
to show a light, but enough to test the process. I'll start small, and
work my way up. I'm going to port to the fire. No, it won't touch me
through my shield, and I'll be breathing air from elsewhere. Works on
the moon, gotta work here. I'm off." I did all that, and it worked. A
minute later, I said that to him. I said, "But embers might start up
some small fires. They should be on the lookout for that." He got on
the radio and relayed that info.
He said, "Are you managing tornados?" I said, "Keep a secret?" He
said with a grin, "I think you've just answered me, but, yes." I said,
"We can't make that public. We could be in all kinds of trouble for not
doing enough, or too much." He said, "I understand." I said, "And it's
not me who's doing it. My students do it. I don't know which one in
each case, and they aren't telling me, so I can't be made to give them
up. And they will be doing the fire detail, too, after I give them the
technique with safety cutoffs. While I'm the public frontman, I can't
do everything myself that we're doing, and I shouldn't, but we REALLY
don't want to scare the public by causing them to think about how many
there are of us." He said, "Wow! More to this than I thought." I said,
"Not your fault. We have to LIVE it, so we have to think of these
things. Same thing out in the galaxy, too. I don't think many people
here realize that they have the most intelligent and powerful people in
the history of the galaxy, of many galaxies and of many dimensions,
too, right here on Earth, who are real human beings just like they are,
but with a few extra things thrown in." He said, "Wow!" I said, "I have
to agree. Blows the mind. They's why we don't bother thinking about
that very often. Who needs blown minds? Messy." He tried to laugh. I
said, "Gota go. Mom needs a hug." I offered him one, and we did it with
love.
Later, I told the chief at FEMA. He said, "Dumping more work on me?"
I said, "Less, actually. You do get involved with big fires, with
emergency funds and some disaster relief. So, less work now. And you've
got a staff. I don't. Adepts do NOT usually make good administrators.
Oh, and one more thing. Most of the fires have human causes. Not too
hard to find out with time diving. Then you can prostitute, er,
prosecute them. Make an excrement, er, example of them. Oh, crap!" He
chuckled. I could almost hear a ghost of Chad laughing in my mind,
along with a very real Hawk.
END Page
--
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant
|
|