Genesis: Sarah's Landing IV

by Elena Dorothy Bowman

Sarah's Landing Series, Vol. 4

When the Crllion battle-cruiser disables the renegade ship and is in danger of exploding, destroying everything within it's sphere, Andrew teleports its Commander and crew to his ship. The survivors are hailed as heroes and when Pleiades reaches Earth, they ask for sanctuary. However, an influential member of Space Command believes they pose a danger and demand that they be incarcerated in a space prison until an investiagion can determine what to do with them.

With Joshua's help, his sons, Andrew and Adam devise a way to save the alien crew if a judgement goes against them.

ISBN 1-59431-746-1 Science Fiction Romance Mystery

Cover art by David Bowman.

Also available in RTF and HTML formats.



Chapter 1

Queen’s Hospital, Sydney: Safe House,

Northern Territory, Australia ~ 2055 AD

Martha and John Higgins first appeared in a hollow near a hill on the outskirts of Waverly, Australia during the early morning hours. Holding onto one another, they quickly searched the skies but the beam-ship had already disappeared. They were now quite alone. Their eyes still straining skyward caught the sun rising in the azure sky. A sudden sense of comfort and pure pleasure allayed their fears. They looked to see where they were. They were struck by the stillness and beauty of their surroundings. Martha and John checked the hollow as they walked toward the nearby hill silently drinking in the wonder of it all.

Martha stopped, bent down and snapped off a blade of grass, “Look John,” she said gently, “there’s dew on it.”

“Dew?” John echoed. “Haven’t seen that in years.”

“I know, isn’t it marvelous,” Martha laughed.

As they moved closer toward the city admiring their surroundings, they suddenly realized everything was taking on a new dimension. The towering buildings ahead were made of glass and steel. Hovercrafts flowed in and out of the city, airborne rocket sleds were zooming overhead and by the time they reached the city, the streets were filled with people going about their daily pursuits.

“This isn’t the Waverly we knew,” Martha said glancing all around her.

The jumbled thoughts of the passers-by flooded John and Martha’s minds. Holding onto each others’ arms they made their way along the crowded walkways.

“…it malfunctioned. The damn sled had to malfunction today…”

“What did you say Martha?”

“I didn’t say anything…”

“Yes you did, I heard you.”

“I thought it was you.”

“Now why would I…”

“…wonder what Phil meant last night…”

“Phil? Phil who? Martha!”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“…should have called…”

“Martha!” John called out as she stumbled.

“John, stop it, please.”

They stared unbelieving at one another as they pushed forward and shook their heads in an effort to clear them. But the unspoken thoughts of passing strangers continued unabated.

“…I’m telling him today…”

“…Maribelle said she was leaving, well let her…”

“…didn’t get a chance to hear the news this morning…”

“Martha!” John said as she stumbled again, “Hold onto me.”

“John, what’s happening to us?”

“I don’t know.”

The relentless saturation of unwanted thoughts, they were powerless to block, now coming from all directions sent them both reeling against the nearest building.

“…those idiots jamming up the airways that way…”

John looked at Martha, “It wasn’t me.”

“…they’ll kill us yet…”

Leaning against the wall and holding on to one another, Martha cried out, “John, do something!”

“I can’t control it. I can’t stop them!”

Unable to cope they appeared confused, terrified and disoriented. A young couple passing by stopped.

“Is anything wrong? Are you sick? Is there anything we can do to help?”

“Someone call the Constables, these people need help,” the young man said calling out to the crowd that was quickly gathering.

“No,” Martha protested. “We’ll be alright.”

“Don’t think so,” the young man said. “Don’t worry folks, the Constables will look after you?”

The Constables, along with police and ambulance hovercrafts, arrived before Martha and John could utter any further protests. They were bundled into the hovercrafts and whisked away to Queen’s Hospital in Sydney, where they were immediately placed in isolation.

“Please don’t keep us apart,” Martha said.

“Now, now, don’t you worry,” the Nurse said as she prepared Martha for the Doctors. “The Doctors will be with both of you soon. They’ll get to the root of your problems. You’ll see.”

“Where is he?”

“He’s nearby, don’t worry. Now don’t go away,” she smiled brightly, “I’ll be right back.” Martha nodded.

“John,” her thoughts cried out, “where are you?”

His thoughts came back to her, “Near as I can tell, I think I’m next door.”

“They’re coming back. What should we do?”

“Tell them the truth.”