The Founding of Planet Haven

The Founding of Planet Haven

By

Glenn L Erickson

Copyright 2023 Glenn L Erickson

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved

Only the purchaser of this ebook may read it. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another individual, please buy a copy for them. If you are reading this book and did not buy it, or receive it as a paid gift, then please go to Smashwords.com and buy a copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Invitation

Chapter 2: Iceland

Chapter 3: Greenland

Chapter 4: We Meet the Hosts

Chapter 5: Foundation Day

Chapter 6: The First Day

Chapter 7: Decisions, Decisions

Chapter 8: Julie

Chapter 9: 5 Years

Chapter 10: We Meet the Neighbors

Chapter 11: Impact

Chapter 12: John Returns

Chapter 13: A Change in Status

Chapter 14: Weela

Chapter 15: Debate about the Future

Chapter 16: New Neighbors

Chapter 17: 10-Years!

Chapter 18: The New Colonists

Chapter 19: The Travelers Return

Chapter 20: Julie Marries

Chapter 21: Babies Galore!

Chapter 22: The Gift of a Lifetime

Chapter 23: Medical Emergency!

Chapter 24: Recovery

Chapter 25: Future Plans

Chapter 26: A Sad Duty

Chapter 27: Epilog

About the Author

Chapter 1: Invitation

Ben sighed contentedly as he put his tools away, then glanced around to see if he had forgotten anything. Satisfied, he rolled the tool case out to his car and put it in the trunk.

Retrieving the invoice pad from his office supplies case, Ben filled it out as he headed back into the building. Distracted, he nearly ran the owner down.

Dancing back, Ben blurted, Sorry, Mike! I didn’t see you there!

No harm done. Were you able to fix it?

Yes, using a spare Stewart had. I won’t be able to repair it again; the boards are no longer available.

Mike nodded and then turned and led the way into the building. Ben told Mike he had to drop off the service report at the Maintenance Office.

Good. Please see me when you finish with Stewart. Ben gave him a thumbs-up and then disappeared through the door leading into the manufacturing area.

He spent a few minutes with Stuart, the maintenance supervisor, and brought him up-to-date on the repair. They were discussing some other projects when Ben remembered Mike’s invitation. He glanced at the clock and quickly excused himself and hurried upstairs so as not to keep Mike waiting. Dropping his invoice into Judy’s in-basket as he hurried by, Ben noticed her grimace and stopped to find out why.

Why the sour look?

It’s not you, it’s your invoices! Mike’s standing order is that your invoices are to receive immediate attention. And, since it is now, glancing at the clock behind her exactly ten minutes of five, I will have to run this to accounting before they leave.

Sorry, Ben answered apologetically. Judy shrugged and reached for the invoice. Ben continued to Mike’s office.

Seeing Mike on the phone, Ben headed over to his usual seat. As he settled into the chair, he spotted the manuscript on which Mike and he had been collaborating, tossed onto the table near the window. Ben picked it up and leafed through it, re-reading the parts they had debated a few days before. Noticing a new section paper-clipped to the end, he sat back and quickly lost himself in the story.

Judy’s entrance into the office a few minutes later drew Ben’s attention. She handed a check to Mike who signed it with a flourish and then flicked it across his desktop with a finger-tip. It teetered on the edge of the desk for a second before fluttering to the floor. Ben retrieved it and thanked Judy, who smiled and left. Ben eyed Judy’s retreating form. When he looked back, Mike was looking at him with a knowing grin.

Ben blushed and said, Just looking!

Mike chuckled. "She is single you know."

I know. I’ve thought of asking her out, but she’s what, ten years younger than me?

Mike shrugged and said, She doesn’t seem to be dating anyone right now. Who knows! he added with a shrug, You might work something out?

Ben whistled the Matchmaker tune, and Mike laughed uproariously. Judy called out goodnight as she left for the night and the men subsided into silence.

Remembering that Mike had invited him up, Ben cleared his throat and waved the manuscript to draw his attention. Did you have a question or something? You asked me to stop by after seeing Stewart.

Yeah. I have a question. I’ve been debating how to ask it. And when.

Intrigued, Ben sat forward in his seat. Maybe if you ask, we’ll both see my reaction!

Mike chuckled and toyed with a pencil as he stared at the pad of paper on his desk. He sighed and looked at Ben, who returned the gaze with his head tilted to one side.

With a heavy sigh, Mike looked directly into Ben’s eyes and asked, Ben? What if the story we’ve been working on, pointing to the manuscript in Ben’s hand, was true?

The story was about extraterrestrials living among humanity. These visitors had become alarmed that humanity could self-destruct. They were quietly screening people to colonize new worlds.

The story had reached the point where the main character was deep in conversation with a fellow science-fiction enthusiast, unaware he was being interviewed.

Ben looked up at Mike and asked, Just how do you mean, ‘true’?

"I mean literally true."

What? Aliens are living among us and are inviting people to leave Earth for a new world?

Yup.

Really? Why haven’t you said anything until now?

I didn’t know what your reaction would be. I didn’t want you wonder if I was losing my marbles or something.

Snorting, Ben said, True. I would first wonder if you were taking the story too literally, then quietly call the mental health people.

Mike chuckled. "Well, now that we’ve broached the subject, how would you respond to an offer to emigrate from Earth to another planet?"

Seriously?

Yup.

Why would these aliens ask me to emigrate?

Because I think you would be an excellent candidate.

"Um, okay. Thanks. I think. Are you one of these aliens?"

Mike rocked back in his chair and roared with laughter. He quickly sobered and sat forward when he saw Ben’s face.

Sorry, Ben. No. I am not an alien. Almost as an afterthought, Mike added, They asked if I wanted to emigrate a few years ago, but I turned them down.

Mike saw the disbelief in Ben’s face and quickly added, I guess I need to tell you the entire story. He dropped the pencil on the desk and laced his fingers behind his head, leaned back in his chair, and gazed at the ceiling.

I was on vacation, alone, in the desert near the Colorado River. During a hike to an old ghost town I knew about, I overtook an older couple on the trail. They too explored the desert as a hobby. We got along well, and they invited me to eat with them that evening.

After we ate, we sat by the fire and talked late into the night. We told each other our histories and then wandered on to other subjects. I grew to like them.

Mike paused there. When the hour grew late, we agreed to meet the next morning and explore another ghost town that they knew of. I returned to my camp and turned in.

The next day, we met at their campsite. They told me we were going to a ghost town known to only a few people. They asked me to keep the secret too.

Once we started, it took the old man some time to find the trail. We ended up hiking single-file through a narrow canyon for two miles before the trail opened onto an abandoned mining town. As we walked, the couple told me they had learned about the place from friends.

We walked through the town and explored the various buildings that were remarkably intact.

We ended up sitting in an old saloon on creaking chairs around a rickety table. While eating lunch, we chatted. When lunch was over, the old man asked me what I thought humanity’s future would be. I thought it a rather odd subject, but I gave them my honest opinion: I believed humanity was in serious trouble.

When they asked why, I listed the wars, religious conflicts, and other human-made problems we were having, plus the environmental havoc we were inflicting on the planet. They listened politely and only prompted me from time to time with questions. A rather one-sided conversation.

When I ran down, they asked me if I thought there was life on other worlds. I told them it was the sheerest arrogance to believe we were the only inhabited world in the universe. They sat there, smiling, and nodding their heads.

When I finally sputtered to a stop, we sat there and listened as the ghosts of the old place whispered through the gaps in the walls and the broken windows. I was about to suggest heading back when the old man cleared his throat and asked a bizarre question.

Mike paused there and seemed to look back into the past as if reliving the day. Ben sat patiently, enthralled by the narrative. After a moment of quiet, Mike came back to the present.

"Now… where was I…? Oh yeah; the question! Mike smiled, then looked at Ben. The old man asked that, if given the chance, would I emigrate from Earth and be part of a colony. I reacted to the question much like you did just now."

What did you tell them?

Well, I didn’t know what to say at first. When the man saw me hesitate, he suggested I think about it for a while. We then gathered up our stuff and headed back to our campsites.

We continued to talk all the way back. They invited me to supper and to move my camp nearer to theirs. I did, and we sat and talked far into the night.

The next morning, I awoke to find the campsite empty except for my stuff, and a note pinned under my car’s wiper blade. It gave me the couples’ address and invited me to remain in touch. I didn’t think too much more about them until they visited me here. Mike stopped, and sat looking off into the distance.

Ben sat quietly for a while, and then shifted in his seat, which drew Mike back to the present.

Why was their calling on you here so significant?

Mike seemed puzzled, as if he had lost track of where his story was going. He looked thoughtful for a moment before his eyes brightened and he said, They surprised me because I never told them my business address.

He drew a slow breath and continued. I was working late one evening and heard a knock at the front door. I thought it was Judy returning to retrieve something, but then I remembered she has a key. I went downstairs and saw the same old couple standing at the front door.

I was pleasantly surprised and let them in. We renewed our friendship and caught each other up on recent events. After a while, the old man brought the conversation around to the colonization question we had discussed in the desert.

I told him I had thought about it, but that I was too comfortable here to want to go ‘roughing it’ on some new frontier world. He didn’t press me, which I found interesting.

After a few more minutes of chit-chat, they got up to leave. I escorted them to the front door. As we reached it, the woman asked if I would consider helping them find likely people to emigrate. To be polite, I told them I would.

Soon afterward, I received a friendly letter from them, and it included a picture of the three of us sitting around the table in that old saloon!

Ben shivered.

How come I’ve never heard of this before?

Mike looked abashed and answered, I wasn’t sure you’d believe me.

He then added, The story doesn’t end there! I went a step further and sent them the names and addresses of two people. I received a polite note thanking me and heard nothing more. A few months later, I heard one guy I had suggested to them, had joined the Peace Corps, and was heading to someplace in Africa. I never heard from him again.

I received a postcard from Iceland a year later, unsigned. It only said, Thanks. It was in the other lady’s handwriting.

Looking back at me, Mike asked, Well?

Why didn’t you ask to go once you realized they were sincere?

To be honest, I have considered it. I’m just not the adventurous type. I don’t mind camping, but roughing it full time is probably more than I can handle. He paused and then added, You, however, are a prime candidate!

Me? Why?

Well, you’re handy with nearly any technology and you like the outdoors; I’ve heard you speak fondly of camping before. And, Mike added with a wry grin, you don’t seem to have any anti-social tendencies I’ve ever noticed.

Thanks. Ben snorted.

He gazed at Mike, as if to weigh the sincerity of his words. Mike was looking back with a bland expression, as if reasonable people routinely discussed aliens and planetary colonization.

Looking out the window at the gathering darkness, Ben said, If the offer is serious, I’ll need time to consider it.

Take your time! There is no rush. I wanted to pass this by you and observe your reaction. The offer is serious though. Believe that!

He turned back to face Mike. If I decide to emigrate, what do I do?

You tell me, and I’ll pass your contact information along. I don’t know what will happen after that. I will tell you this: If you decide to emigrate, I will help you sell your business and settle your affairs.

Thanks. Ben said, subdued. Well, it is late, and I have an early day tomorrow. Let’s say we call it a night.

Good idea! I need to catch up on a little paperwork anyway. I’ll see you out.

As Ben drove away, he saw Mike watching him drive away, looking downcast, his shoulders drooping.

***

Ben drove home, reflecting on the story Mike had told him. He nearly missed his off-ramp. Snapping a quick look over his shoulder, Ben crossed two lanes of the freeway and coasted up the ramp. Shaken, he drove more circumspectly and pulled into his assigned spot at his apartment complex. Retrieving his mail, Ben trudged upstairs.

After dropping his keys and wallet into an old bowl on the counter, he tossed the mail onto the kitchen table. Retrieving a covered bowl of left-over chili from the fridge, Ben placed it into the microwave. While dinner warmed, he made coffee, chopped up part of an onion, and grabbed two slices of cheese.

When the microwave dinged, he retrieved the bowl, added the cheese and onions, and stirred them in. He poured a cup of coffee and then carried the chili and coffee to his small kitchen table.

Ben dealt with his mail as he ate. It was the usual junk and bills. After dropping the junk mail into the trash, he reached for the remote and turned the TV on.

The news was depressing, and the gazillion other channels had nothing he was interested in, so he left it on the Sci-Fi channel and muted the sound. It was showing a rerun of the original The Day the Earth Stood Still. Having seen it what seemed like a hundred times, Ben allowed it to run while his thoughts drifted back to the conversation he’d had with Mike.

It amazed him he was even seriously considering Mike’s story. He struggled with the internal debate while idly watching the progress of the show. About the time some Army guys shot the main character, he turned the TV off. Retrieving his wallet and keys, Ben headed to his car.

The evening was pleasant, so he rolled the windows down and cranked up the volume on one of his favorite CDs. Ben sang along, unaware that the girl in the car next to him was grinning widely at his efforts to match the lead singers’ key. When Ben glimpsed her in his peripheral vision, he glanced her way. She smiled and waved gaily. Ben flushed red, waved back weakly, and turned the music down.

Letting the incident fade, he drove on into the hills and allowed the soft breeze and the music to wash over him. The drive was a familiar one, so he allowed his attention to wander until reaching the turnout at the top of the hill overlooking the city below. He parked and turned the car off.

Reclining his seat, Ben put his hands behind his head and stared out through the open sunroof at the stars. He mulled over the facts as he understood them, then added bits of his deductions and conclusions.

Life on other worlds was possible. It was sheer arrogance to think Earth was the first or only world on which life had developed. Ben reviewed what he knew about the beliefs of the UFO crowd and the crop circle fanatics. He eventually concluded that any beings capable of traveling to Earth wouldn’t kidnap people from the shallow end of the gene-pool and experiment on them. Ben also seriously doubted that visiting aliens would leave enigmatic signs on rock plateaus or pressed into the ripe grain of a farmer’s fields. That left the only two options: observation from space or on the ground.

Space-based observation would only give a general view of the progress of society. Radio and television are biased towards the intended audience. That left direct ground observation as the only viable means to understand a society. Having drawn that conclusion, Ben tackled the next area of thought.

Why would an advanced people even bother with Earth and humans? He asked himself. Humans are a selfish, violent race that has barely progressed beyond caveman mentality. While we have achieved many advances in science and technology, we have yet to overcome our baser instincts.

Religious beliefs have either sparked or perpetuated many conflicts throughout history. Political differences and disputes over resources kept many societies from beneficial cooperation. Except for a few shining examples that were too short-lived, our history was rife with conflict, wars, and death on an appalling scale.

Carrying the thought further, Ben played the role of a visiting alien, curious about this remote speck of dirt spinning through the void. Since Mike had said the aliens had been here for many years, it seemed reasonable that either early radio signals or the EMP from atmospheric atomic tests had drawn the alien’s attention to this previously unknown world. Now aware of humans, they might be curious what path this primitive species would take.

By appearing human, they could mingle freely and learn about humanity first-hand. As an advanced race, the aliens would soon realize humanity was facing a global catastrophe of their own doing. Wars, disease, famine, pollution, and religious differences were threatening to tear their society apart. The aliens would need to ask themselves: Do we allow things to run their course, or try to influence the course of human progress?

Ben imagined a heated debate in a far-off forum where all species concerned would discuss the effects of meddling in the affairs of Earth. Some would say, Humans must determine their own destiny! Others would point out that too many humans would die before ever achieving social maturity.

After a great while, the consensus would be that while meddling in human progress was not an option, rescuing a small number and settling them on a compatible planet was acceptable. Ben could picture the delegates of each species represented, drawing up an agreement to allow human settlements in their sectors of the galaxy. The delegate from the species directly observing Earth would request no one allow the humans access to their technology. Any knowledge of advanced technology would be disastrous!

Ben allowed the vision to fade as he dropped his gaze to the city below. He wondered if any aliens were living there right now. While reviewing his life, he sat there and enjoyed the view.

He was reasonably content with his lot in life. He was single and had no significant ties to anyone. His family and relations were an independent lot scattered all over the world. Their last family reunion was a flop.

His business was his primary focus in life. He had abruptly resigned from his last employer many years ago over a dispute about system design. He’d struggled to build his business, but never regretted his decision. He was now comfortable and independent. He wasn’t rich, but he was in good health and enjoyed a lifestyle that suited him.

Why would I want to leave all I have achieved, to colonize a new world with a bunch of other people that had turned their backs on Earth?

The thought startled him. Would they be turning their backs on Earth by leaving? Turning the question around, he asked himself, What can I do here to change the course of human society significantly? Sadly, he concluded he was just a tiny part of a massive organism. He couldn’t think of a single thing he could point to as his legacy to humanity.

After serving his country, he went to college, but was a mediocre student. He’d been an above-average employee for his employers and now owned a successful business. He had married, fathered children, and divorced. The children were all off on their own, pursuing careers. The ex-wife had remarried and was living clear across the country. His failed marriage was the only blemish on his life-record.

Ben knew he was the reason his marriage had failed. Since the divorce, he had shied away from any lasting relationships with women. He still dated from time to time as friends set him up, but they seldom went beyond dinner and a movie.

The direction his thoughts were taking was depressing. Up to this point, he’d been proud of his achievements. Now, he belatedly realized that all he was doing was marking time. Pursuing the idea into the future depressed him even more.

As Ben reviewed his life, and realized that he was essentially a place-filler, doing his part, playing out a role, and making a comfortable living while doing so. He concluded he would end his days as an unknown, having accomplished little more than surviving. A few friends would mourn his passing and then get on with their lives. Little changed from knowing him.

Now he was angry. At himself. He had started out in life wanting to achieve greatness. Now, he was just going about his business. A nobody. He wondered if he was even having a positive influence on his friends? Other than paying his bills on time and being honest in his dealings with others, did he matter? That led to the thought: if he quietly disappeared, would anyone notice? Or care?

Somberly, Ben gazed out over the dazzling lights of the city below. He tried to imagine a time hundreds of years earlier when only a few native people had wandered the valley below, hunting and gathering. They could never have imagined the scene Ben saw now. He fast-forwarded history and watched the city below grow from a few modest wooden buildings along a single muddy street to the metropolis that existed now. In his mind, he could see the logical progression from a tiny outpost of humanity in the wilderness to a small town with horses and a few cars, to the city now. The engineer in him could see the progression of infrastructure and facilities. The complexity of it all impressed him.

Imagining the history of just the small city below, allowed him to see where colonization was possible. Once he launched that thought-process, the trail inevitably led to what it would take to establish a colony on a distant world. The organizer in him listed what they would need. The engineer in him designed and discarded several layouts. He didn’t have all the facts, but the small part he could visualize showed him it could work.

Ben’s excitement grew as he realized that he had the knowledge and skills a colony could use. If he emigrated, he could play a significant role in human history.

Turning the dome light on, he reached into the backseat and grabbed a yellow pad from his office supplies case. He then spent the next few hours rapidly scratching out his ideas on what it would take to start a colony, including a list of items he felt they would need on a new world.

During a break in his writing, he noticed that the sky was turning a faint blue in his rear-view mirror. His watch showed that it was nearly 5 AM. The nearly used-up yellow pad of his notes told him it was possible! He could do this!

Hungry, he started the car and headed for the diner he liked down near the bottom of the hill. During the drive, he exulted in the thought he now had a new purpose and enthusiasm for his life!

He pulled into the nearly empty parking lot of the diner, parking near the front door. The bell jangled sharply as he pulled the door open and stepped inside. The cook peered out from behind the counter to the kitchen, and the waitress looked up from her morning paper to greet Ben with warm familiarity. Without asking, she scribbled out an order, clipped it to the chrome wheel for the kitchen and spun it around for the cook to see. The cook didn’t even spare the note a glance; he was already whipping up the usual ham and cheese omelet with hash browns and raisin bread toast.

The waitress set a large glass of orange juice and a mug of hot coffee on the counter in front of Ben as they renewed their acquaintance. The cook dinged the ready bell, and the waitress set the steaming plate in front of Ben with a flourish. She then left to begin her preparations for the day while the cook cleaned his griddle for the morning rush.

Ben relished the omelet as he hadn’t in many a year. He washed down mouthfuls of omelet with sips of coffee and gulps of orange juice. Finished, Ben pushed the plate aside and picked up the morning paper left by the waitress. He spent nearly an hour reading about even more reasons to leave Earth forever.

About 7 AM, Ben left a twenty on the counter, waved a cheery goodbye, and pushed out the door towards his car. As he pulled away, he saw the waitress waving the twenty and blowing him a kiss through the front windows.

Ben called Mike on his way back to the city. Mike was already at his desk.

Hi, Mike. This is Ben. Good morning!

Gooooood Morning Ben! To what can I attribute this early but most welcome call?

I’ll do it.

Do what?

Emigrate.

Mike didn’t answer immediately. Excellent! Care to tell me how you came to your decision so quickly?

Well, I… Tell you what; I’m on my way to your place. If you have a little time, I’ll show you what I came up with.

Sure! I’m just waking up with a cup of coffee right now. I’ll have a cup waiting for you when you get here. The front door is open.

Thanks, Mike. See you in a few.

Ben set the phone back into its cradle and concentrated on negotiating the morning traffic. After parking the car, Ben let himself in and bounced up the stairs to Mikes’ office. He rushed in and started to gush about the events of the night when he spotted a stranger seated on Mikes’ couch. Ben stammered to a stop and turned to the stranger to apologize for intruding. Mike introduced them.

Ben. George Munson here is a friend of mine from back in my rep days on the East coast. George; this is Ben Springer. He has been my technological go-to guy for many years. The two of you have a lot in common!

The two men shook hands and exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes while sipping coffee. Mike brought them back to the subject he and George had been discussing when Ben had barged in.

Ben? George came to me a while back, asking about the feasibility of starting a business like yours in this area. I told him that the conditions were right, but that I had an idea for him the next time he wanted to visit. Well, George had to retire involuntarily a few days ago when his employer closed their doors, so I invited him out to look the area over. With that, Mike gestured to George, who turned in his seat to face Ben more directly.

I have always wanted to have a business like yours, Ben. Mike here says you are considering an early retirement and moving to a warmer climate. Glancing briefly at Mike, George went on. I was wondering: would you like to sell your business to me? I cashed out my 401K and other investments, so I can make you a good offer!

Ben sat staring at George and then shifted his gaze to Mike. Mike was tipped back in his chair, studying the ceiling with a smug grin. Ben turned back to George to find him offering a folded piece of paper. Ben slowly took it and glanced inside. It was a check, made out to Ben, and the offer was quite generous. Ben sat staring at the amount for a few seconds then remembered to close his mouth before looking back to George.

I don’t know what to say! he stammered. "The offer is generous, but you know nothing about my business, or about the work I do. How can you make an offer without knowing about what I do?"

George flushed and looked apologetic. Actually, I know quite a bit about your business. What Mike hasn’t told me I’ve learned from other sources. You have quite a good reputation around here you know! I had little trouble finding people willing to tell me something about you. All good of course. he hurried to add

I have similar skills and Mike will attest to my integrity. I would carry on your business in the same honorable manner you have so well established.

Ben sat there, taking this all in. It gratified him to hear people thought well of him. The resolution Ben had come to during the night, came back to mind. Selling his business would be the way to settle his debts and quietly disappear.

Deciding, Ben looked up at George and said, Done. He stood and extended his hand. George got up from the couch clasped Ben’s hand in both of his, beaming broadly. Shaking with excitement, George turned to Mike, thanking him profusely before turning back to Ben and saying, You won’t regret this, Ben! When do you want to get the ball rolling?

Ben looked to Mike, who merely shrugged and said, The sooner, the better? He turned back to George and asked, Would Monday suffice?

Done! I’ll see you Monday! Ben tried to hand the check back, but George refused to take it. Contract or no contract, I consider the deal done. All we must do is finish the details. I’ll be here Monday morning, and we’ll conclude this. Thank you again!" George grasped Ben’s hand in a firm grip and sailed out the door. Ben heard him exit the front door and turned to watch him drive away.

Ben turned to Mike and said, You don’t let the grass grow under your feet! Do you? Shaking his head, he sat down in his accustomed place on the couch and unfolded the check again. The amount was more money than he had ever held at once. Ever! Shaking his head again, he folded the check and stuck it in his shirt pocket. Turning his gaze to Mike, Ben found Mike looking at him.

What?

Mike just shook his head silently and then allowed a quiet chuckle to escape. You are an amazing man, Ben. Do you know that? Here it’s less than twenty-four hours after I reveal my connection to extraterrestrials, and you’ve sold your business and decided to emigrate. Am I a good salesman or has something else motivated you to do this so quickly?

Ben had a brief flash of concern as Mike spoke. He wondered if he had rushed into this too fast. He looked quizzically at Mike but remained silent.

Mike gazed in wonder at Ben again, then smiled, stood up, and said, Congratulations, Ben. You have taken the first step in what I hope will be a great adventure. I sincerely hope it turns out to be the best step for you. I know for one that I will miss you around here.

Well, If George is all you say he is, then things should still go pretty smoothly here.

A cheery Good Morning! from Judy as she topped the stairs signaled a change in the topic. You contact your lawyer, and I’ll contact my friends in South Carolina.

Ben grasped Mike’s outstretched hand and said, "Thanks, Mike. By the way: you are an excellent salesman!"

Ben turned and left, leaving a chuckling Mike to begin his day. Ben nodded to Judy on the way out and drove off.

Ben made his appointed rounds that day while allowing his thoughts to wander during the transit between stops. During lunch, he called his lawyer and asked him to draw up a sales contract for the business. The attorney asked a few questions and agreed to meet him at Mikes’ Monday morning.

It was Friday night. Since Ben rarely conducted business on the weekends, he was free to plan his upcoming adventure. He called out for a pizza and settled himself in front of the computer to compose a letter to his clients. He also wanted to research for what he felt he would need.

Ben spent Saturday cataloging the contents of his apartment, separating business from personal. He took most of his stuff to a local charity and donated all his small appliances except the coffee maker. Per the lawyers’ recommendation, he made an inventory list of the items included in the sale. The business stuff went his storage locker. By Sunday night, the apartment was looking bare.

The three men met in Mikes’ office early Monday morning. Ben’s lawyer showed up soon after with a Notary Public. George read the simple contract and signed with a flourish, then slid it across the desk to Ben, who signed it with a shaking hand. The Notary signed where he needed to and left with the lawyer after shaking each man’s’ hand.

Ben tried to hand over the keys to the car but George told Ben to hold on to it until he had a replacement. Ben thanked him and then they all sat there for a moment to absorb the significance of the change.

Mike shooed them out of his office so he could get his day started. Ben asked if George would like to visit some clients of his new business, to which George eagerly agreed. All that day, Ben introduced George to clients and handed each of them a letter about the sale of his business to George. That evening, they had dinner and Ben detailed his other customers, some of whom were long-distance.

George brought Ben up-to-date on his history and abilities, while Ben sat quietly and absorbed the thought he was now unemployed. He dropped George off at his apartment and went home and tried to sleep but gave up about 11 PM. He shrugged into a light coat and walked down the street to a small pub he liked and played darts until the place closed.

Tuesday morning, he picked George up and took him to the bank. Ben introduced George to the branch president. They met in his office to sign the forms turning ownership of the accounts over to George. George insisted that Ben withdraw any funds more than accounts owed as a parting gift. Ben thanked George while the astonished banker looked on.

Bens’ phone rang as they were leaving: it was a customer needing help. Ben drove George to his apartment to drop him off. As George got out of the car, Ben handed him the business’ cell phone, the keys to the storage unit, and an inventory listing with directions to the unit.

Thanks again Ben, George said as he got out of the car. He closed the door then leaned back into the window shake Ben’s hand. I’ll call you later if I have questions. Good luck in retirement! And with that George turned and hurried over to his car. Ben drove away, still in shock over the rapidity of the transaction.

As he drove, he realized that his day was now open. He hadn’t had a weekday free in years. Conscious of the checks in his pocket, Ben drove to his bank and deposited them. The size of the deposit caused a small commotion, and the bank manager had to call in the check from George to verify it. He hung up the phone with an awed look on his face and told the teller to okay the check.

Just for fun, Ben withdrew a tidy sum in hundred dollar bills just to have the feel of having a wad. The bank manager tried to dissuade him, but Ben insisted, so they gave him the cash.

Ben drove to a major electronics retailer and wandered the aisles looking at the latest offerings in high-tech gadgetry. He grinned when he realized he had the ready cash to point and say, that one! He then could whip out the ‘roll,’ peel off a few bills and have the new toy delivered.

Having learned the lesson of ‘need’ versus ‘want’ years before, Ben escaped the store with his roll intact. He wandered across the street to a park and sat in the warm late summer sun. A squirrel chattered at him, hoping for a handout, but Ben only smiled at it. The squirrel soon moved on for easier pickings. Bored with the park, Ben went to the latest movie and then wandered down the mall to a new restaurant.

When he returned home, there was an overnight delivery envelope tucked under his doormat. He picked it up and noted that the return address was South Carolina. He unlocked his door and carried the envelope inside. He dropped his keys in the bowl, followed by his wallet and the wad. The sight of the thick roll of bills caused him to grin uncontrollably.

He tossed the envelope on the table and made coffee. While he waited for it to brew, he picked up the envelope and tried to guess at the contents. Curiosity finally got the better of him and pulled the tab to open it. He dumped the contents onto the table then looked inside the envelope before setting it aside.

One item was a note, written in English on the top half of the sheet, and another script he had never seen before on the bottom half. The other item was an airline ticket to Iceland.

The note said to go to an address in Iceland and follow the instructions given to him there. Ben carefully examined the strange script. It faintly resembled languages he had seen from the Far East.

The ticket was for several days from then, so Ben had time to settle things here. He made a list of all his debts and either paid them off on-line or called to pay them over the phone. He then waited two days and canceled every card. As Ben hung up with the last company, he felt freer than he had since he had left high school. He arranged to move out of his apartment and to have a charity pick up his furniture. He called his cleaning lady and asked her to clean the apartment after he was gone.

With all arrangements made, Ben had two days all to himself. He went through an emotional roller-coaster ranging from glee to panic. He wanted to re-consider the sale at one point but sat quietly until the feeling passed. Ben considered contacting his kids, but couldn’t think of anything to say. His ex-wife was easier: she refused to take his calls now she had remarried.

He looked around the apartment and realized that he was done. What remained in the apartment the cleaning lady would dispose of. The car would go to George. He had two whole days left, and no reason to stick around. He packed some clothes into a satchel, grabbed his shaving kit and stepped out of his apartment. He closed and locked the door for the last time and turned the key into the manager. He tossed the satchel and shaving kit into the back seat and headed out into the country, going nowhere in particular.

That evening found him at a quaint rustic Inn tucked away in a tiny mountain village. Ben tossed his luggage on the bed and went back to the dining room to meet the other guests. They sat, talked, and drank coffee until the wee hours.

The next morning, Ben used the Inn as the center-point for a circular drive through the surrounding mountains. He took the time to stop frequently and take in the fabulous scenery.

Back at the Inn, he had dinner with a new set of guests, and they played cards near the fireplace until they left him alone. He wandered off to bed but didn’t immediately drift off. Tonight was his last night as an Earthling. Starting tomorrow, he would begin the journey that would take him further than his imagination had ever dared to hope. He finally slept and dreamed of faraway worlds and strange new skies.

The next morning, Ben said goodbye to the couple that ran the Inn. He drove sedately back towards town and dropped the car off in Mikes’ back lot. It was the weekend, so he dropped the keys into the mailbox and called for a cab.

The cab dropped him off at the airport about three hours before the flight. Ben spent the time at the bar near his gate, nursing a beer. He absently watched the activity going on around him, all the while wondering if he was crazy, or the sanest he had ever been.

Hearing the announcement for his flight, he drained the last of his beer, tipped the bartender generously, and headed to the gate. His last glimpse of the city was when the plane climbed through the clouds. He lay back and slept all the way to New York.

He used the time between flights while in New York to sit in an observation lounge with a good view of the city. He fell asleep on the flight to Iceland.

Chapter 2: Iceland

A flight attendant gently awakened Ben as the plane made its approach to Iceland. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and watched the landing. Once they arrived at the gate, he retrieved his bag and fell into line with the few passengers that were getting off.

Once through customs, he hailed a cab. The Jamaican driver chatted with Ben as he navigated his way to the address Ben had given him. When the cabbie announced that they had arrived, Ben paid the fare and gave the driver a generous tip. The driver was effusive with his thanks and drove away with the window down, singing a lilting Jamaican tune.

Ben stood on the cracked pavement and looked the area over, wondering if he was at the wrong address. He was standing outside a somewhat dilapidated-looking warehouse. The faded numbers over the door to the office matched the address on his piece of paper. Not seeing any further reason to delay, he pulled the door open and stepped inside.

The room was remarkable only for its blandness. The walls had faded green paint over cracked and flaking plaster. There were some worn chairs and magazines in several languages scattered carelessly over a stained coffee table. The linoleum floor was badly in need of several coats of wax. The air smelled of old furniture and dust. A small frosted window and a sturdy-looking interior door were the only other points of interest.

Ben was about to call out when the window slid back, and an older woman with a weathered face peered out at him through thick lenses. May I help you? she asked in thickly accented English.

Yes. Thank you. I was given this address and told me to hand this paper to whoever I met there. She didn’t answer but reached a hand through the window. Ben gave her the paper, and she glanced at it before sliding the window closed with a click. The window re-opened almost immediately, and a younger woman invited Ben to have a seat, then assured him he was at the right place. She then closed the window again.

Ben dropped his satchel in a corner and sat in the most comfortable-looking chair available. Having taken in the scenic wonders of his surroundings, he picked up a magazine and leafed through it.

A few minutes later, the front door opened and a large, sunburned young man stepped in.

Am I at the right address? He was holding a note like the one Ben had had. Ben pointed to the closed window.

Thanks. He knocked on the closed window, turned in his paper, then seated himself across from Ben, looking him over with open-faced curiosity.

Hi. I’m Ben Springer.

I’m Ted Thunderhawk.

They quietly talked for a few minutes until a noisy group of people crowded into the small room. The window snicked open, and the old woman asked for their papers. The new-comers all tried to talk at once until Ted stood up and whistled shrilly. At six feet plus and easily tipping the scales at 250 plus, his mere presence commanded respect. The woman repeated her request for the papers in the startled silence.

Ted sat back down, and the now-subdued group settled into vacant seats. After another small wait, the younger woman re-appeared at the interior door and announced that they all were at the right place and could relax. She then pushed out a small cart with soft drinks and snacks.

Please be patient. You’ll be leaving shortly. She then closed the door.

The buzz of conversation gradually swelled until