"Gods of Lions"

Written by: Erin Weinstock
Novelization verison by: Reba Grayladyfalcon
I don't hold any of the copyrights in this story, and this story was made without profit.
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Teaser:


In the home of Ben Rogers. On a wall in the kitchen a calendar with the date April 1, 2006. Close to the date, is a poorly drawn Saturn. In the bathroom, a man's hand bangs a razor against the sink to shake off shaving cream. Ben Rogers, 32 years old, watching himself shaving in a mirror. After a beat of this, he accidentally nicks himself and he twinges in slight pain. He wipes off the blood and shaving cream.

On the highway is the regular morning traffic jam. Ben sits waiting patiently for the traffic to start moving again. The sky is clear and appears to be a little muggy. Ben bends forward to adjust the volume on the radio to hear the news.

"The high today will be 77 degrees in Tampa, 79 in Orlando, and 81 right here at Cape Kennedy, where in just over an hour NASA will be launching its latest mission," the news announcer said.

"Tell me something I don't know," Ben said softly to himself glancing down at the radio.

"And to a more progressive area of our government, our president will be having his talks with a few top representatives of a few Middle Eastern countries at one o'clock in Washington DC," the news announcer said.

Ben lifts his head off the wheel. "Finally, shut off the darn cell phone, some of us need to be going places," Ben said.

The cars in front of Ben slowly start moving. "But there are only few out there who believe these talks might not be the President's wisest course of action to follow after the recent bombings that have led to these talks being needed," the news announcer said.

At the Kennedy Space Center, in the parking lot just outside Mission Control, two men stand against the building.

"Where the hell is Rogers?" Kevin asked glancing at his watch.

"He'll be here," Peter replied.

"Maybe he forgot," Kevin said glancing over at Peter.

"This has got be the biggest day of his whole life outside of marrying Tammy. He didn't forget, something has to be holding him up," Peter replied watching the parking lot.

Ben's car is just pulling into the lot.

"With the amount of funding that's gone into this mission, Washington will have our heads if ..." Kevin started to say when he noticed Ben's car pulling up.

"Here he comes," Peter said pointing towards Ben.

Ben parks the car, then moves around in it some to get a tag out that he then attaches to hanging off the car's main rear-view mirror. Ben gets out of the car and pushes a devise on his key chain which locks up his car. Ben then runs through the parking lot, towards Peter and Kevin. Ben approaches the pair.

"Relax, we weren't going to launch without you," Kevin says chuckling.

Kevin and Peter turn and start walking towards the main building along side Ben.

"Besides you're the only astronaut who's been trained in how to fly this beast we're about to shoot off," Peter said.

Sitting on it is Ranger 3 looking ready to launch. Ben goes into the ready-room and ready's himself. After he was done he takes the long ride up the side of the Ranger 3. On board the Ranger 3, Ben climbs up into the pilot's seat. Once in the seat and having buckled up, he then hits a number of switches and buttons that almost fully surround him in the cockpit. Once done now with setting up the shuttle and running his check.

"Mocer, I am ready for launch," Ben says.

"We copy that Benjamin, stand by for countdown," Peter replies.

Inside the control tower Peter begins the countdown. "Ten, nine, eight ..." As Peter continues the countdown the rockets begin to flare into life. "Seven, six, five ..." The engines are blasting at full capacity. "Four, three, two, one, Ignition!" Peter calls out loud.

Ranger 3 blasts off the launch pad and leaves the launch pad.

In the air a distance from Ranger 3, a unidentified missile moving rapidly towards the Ranger 3. The missile hits Ranger 3 in a fiery blast that destroys both.

In Mission Control, tear-filled terrorized panic over what has just happened. People crying and shouting over the event. Everybody is like this but three men sitting at their own control modules.

"Why did you do that? That wasn't part of the plan?!" Costh said in a soft whisper.

"This is the day the war happened," Raycor replied whispering back.

"Blowing up the shuttle wasn't the point of this! It was to see what would have happened if the Mission had been successful, it didn't get blown to bits the first time!" Suunta said whispering back to the others.

Costh gets up out of his host Human body to reveal a glowing body that's eyes, lips and nostrils simmer with energy. The others soon follow Costh's action by getting out of their host Human bodies, to reveal the same type of alien form.

"Then we try this again," Raycor said.

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Chapter 1



At the home of Ben Rogers. Ben is standing on a open aired porch staring up at the star filled night sky. A moment later his wife Tammy comes out to join him.

"Can't wait for tomorrow can you?" Tammy asked with a smile.

"No, I can't Tammy. But something is wrong, the stars are all wrong," Ben replied still looking up at the stars.

"Ben Rogers, I thought astrology wasn't your guide," Tammy said.

"No, not the star signs. The stars are all wrong, they're not where they should be," Ben replied with a puzzled look on his face.

Tammy looks up at the stars in the sky. "I see nothing wrong with them. Are you having doubts about the mission, hon?" Tammy asked gently placing her hand on Ben's arm.

Ben glances over to Tammy for a moment then turns his eyes to the stars again. "No, I'm not, I don't see a single constellation I recognize," Ben said.

"Benji there's nothing wrong with how the stars are aligned. It's just you worrying too much. Come on inside," Tammy said taking hold of one of his hands to lead him in the house.

He smiles and takes her hand and goes back into the house. As they enter the dining room, Tammy lets go of her grip from Ben. He smiles at her as she walks away. Then looks back outside for a moment before turning his head away and shaking his head no. The phone rings.

"I'll get it," Tammy yells out from another room.

"Yeah, he's here, it's his last night on Earth for a while, he wants to spend it with family," Tammy told the person on the phone. A moment later. "Yes I know you're family, but we can't get to Chicago right now and you can't come here to Cape Kennedy because the Air Force won't let you," Tammy said. Tammy hesitated for a moment. "It's a shame, but he'll be coming back in six weeks." Tammy listens to the voice on the phone. "You can talk to him. There's no way I'm going to deny him one last talk with his brother before he leaves for two months," Tammy said as she walks over to Ben and hands him the cordless phone. "It's your brother."

"Hi Buck, what's up?" Ben asked. Ben listens to the voice on the phone and after a moment. "Hold up, she wants you to do what?" Ben asked as he listens. "Will there be any side effects?" Ben asked. Another moment goes by. "Not my idea of a fun time, Human lab rat," Ben replies. A moment later. "I'm not a test pilot Buck. I've been fully trained in how to fly it. The first two Rangers were just made to test the design. So really why are you doing this?" Ben asked. He listens to the reply. "Well, could you take a picture for me?" Ben asked.

"What is he up to?" Tammy asked quietly.

"This is that red dress she wore to the wedding?" Ben asked raising his eyebrows with delight.

Tammy flicks Ben's head and walks away.

"Tammy just hit me," Ben said chuckling listening to Buck's voice on the phone. "Cause we've been talking about Jennifer's dress." Ben hesitates for a moment. "Nice to know you'll be watching the launch tomorrow after you wake up," Ben said with a smile. "I love you too man, take care," Ben replied. He clicks the phone off and places it back down onto the base.

The next morning the world is covered in morning dew and the sun has risen so high everything has become well lit. A beetle is scurrying along a railing that moves along the whole of the porch. All of a sudden a spider comes up from the underside of the porch rail and catches the beetle for its meal.

In the bathroom, a man's hand bangs a razor against the sink to shake off shaving cream. Ben watches himself shaving in a mirror. He accidentally nicks himself and he twinges in slight pain. Then he wipes off the blood and shaving cream.

On the highway is the usual early morning traffic jam, the sky looks clear and appears to be a little muggy.

Ben bends forward onto the wheel waiting for the cars ahead of him to move, while listening to the news on the radio.

"I'm not making this up folks: St. Augustine in a few days is due to have a cool snap. Now whether or not that will be affecting this year's orange crops is still unknown. Because hey who knows the future right? Maybe the farmers will get just as many this year, only maybe they'll be getting "yellows" instead of oranges," the radio announcer said.

"Very cute yuh smart alec, got any lime jokes?" Ben asked.

"With the recent accidental bombing in the Middle East I'm beginning to really worry about the state of this nation's military. The army, the air force, the marines, the NAVY. They'll take anyone they can get their hands on! I mean military intelligence, come on! Hi my name's Bob and I uh I want a gun so I could uh uh blow up stuff. You see I got this black snake I really want to get out of my garage. I mean, I mean I wanna kill some of them U.S. hating terrorists. Okay, here's your gun. It doesn't take anything to get in the military nowadays people! We are being protected by a bunch of morons!" the announces says.

"You keep the air force and the NAVY out of this yuh dumb disk jockey!" Ben said as he lifts his head off the wheel to discover after the cars were starting to move a little. "Finally, shut off the darn cell phone, some of us need to be going places," Ben shouts out the window. The cars starts moving a little more.

"After that blast I just gave myself to you guys, don't think I'm not patriotic? Cause I am uh-oh here comes Homeland security! I'm just joking here folks," the radio announcer said.

Inside Kennedy Space Center, in the parking lot just outside Mission Control, Peter and Kevin stand against the building.

"Where the hell is Rogers?" Kevin asked glancing at his watch.

"He'll be here," Peter replied.

"Do you think he remembered the test in addition to the flight?" Kevin asked.

"Now that I can't be too sure about. It's never been part of a mission in the past. Why the guys upstairs waited to the last minute about doing it is beyond me. I mean if he fails it.." Peter's words were cut short when he sees Ben's car pulling in to the parking lot. "Here he comes," Peter said with a sigh of relief.

Ben parks the car, then moves around in it some to get a tag out that he then attaches to hanging off the car's main rear-view mirror. Ben gets out of the car and locks it with a device on his key chain. The car chirps at becoming locked. Ben then runs through the parking lot towards Peter and Kevin. As Ben approaches the pair.

"Relax, we weren't going to launch without you. Did you remember the little something extra about this mission?" Kevin asked.

As the three of them turned to walk into the building. "Yeah I remembered, sheesh and I'm the one who called Buck the lab rat last night," Ben replied.

"Why'd you call your brother a lab rat?" Peter asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"The air force is going to be putting him through some medical experiment today," Ben replied.

"It's the whole government," Kevin said.

Peter makes a couple of squeaks like a mouse, then chuckles.

Inside the lab the testing equipment sparsely set about it, just one table and a few chairs. There are only five people in this room. Ben opens the door and enters.

"I don't believe I'm about to go through with this," Ben said softly.

"But if you didn't think about the loss this will make to the aerospace program," the first Lab Tech said.

"You heard me?" Ben asked looking at the Lab Tech.

"These walls conduce sound very easily," the second Lab Tech explained.

After a moment. "Is there a chance this might hurt me?" Ben asked with concern.

"The chances of that are very highly unlikely, Rogers," the first Lab Tech said.

"But you've never done this before," Ben said.

"Well, to Humans anyways," the third Lab Tech said smiling.

Ben sat down in a chair and glanced over at a machine that had a gas mask coming off of it. "Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better about doing this," Ben said nervously.

Lab Tech four then walks over to Ben and starts prepping the machine beside him.

"This stuff will wear off on me before I'm ready for launch, right?" Ben asked watching the Tech.

"It's meant to kick in fast and leave no after effects so you can operate the shuttle correctly after you're woken up from its effect," Lab Tech five replied.

"Couldn't you guys just freeze me to make the trip seem shorter?" Ben asked.

"That only works in fiction Rogers. Freezing you would crystallize your cells, when you would start thawing all of them crackle and break," Lab Tech five said.

"Good point," Ben replied nodding in agreement.

The forth Lab Tech hands the gas mask to Ben, who takes it.

"Now what I want you to do is lean back in the chair, relax and let us monitor the effect the gas has on you," the Lab Tech explains.

Ben makes an understanding motion and does as he's told, tipping his head back from the chair and cupping the mask over his mouth and nose. After a few moments Ben starts to look sleepy. A moment later he closes his eyes. Then they snap wide open.

The mask falls off Ben's face as he suddenly jolts his head up, and grips the chair he's in, having a coughing fit.

"He's having a bad reaction! Turn off the gas!" The second Lab Tech yells out.

Lab Tech five turns off the gas.

After a few minutes had passed, Ben finally got a good breath. "What was in that stuff!" Ben asked loudly still coughing slightly.

"Oxygen, cryogen, ozone, methalon," Lab Tech three replies.

Ben still trying to breathe right.

"Do you think you're going to be OK? The launch will be happening in just under an hour," Lab Tech one asked with some concern.

Ben glances up at the Lab Tech with a strange look on his face.

"Are you nuts?" Ben says softly to himself.

Chapter 2

Ben is standing on an open-aired porch staring up at the star filled sky. After a moment he walks around the railing and goes out onto the lawn, continuing his stare.

Tammy exits the house and walks up to him. "Can't wait for tomorrow huh?" Tammy asked.

"I can't. But Tammy, the stars are all wrong," Ben replies still gazing up at the stars.

"Ben Rogers, I thought astrology wasn't your guide," Tammy said.

"No, not the star signs. The stars are all wrong, they're not where they should be. And I swear this isn't the first time I've seen them this way before somehow," Ben replied.

"You're just nervous," Tammy said wrapping her arm around Ben's arm.

"Something isn't right here," Ben said in a puzzled voice.

"Too much star gazing that's what. You need to take your mind off your work," Tammy replied taking one of Ben's hands in hers. "Come inside," Tammy said as she started to guide him towards the house.

Ben smiles and follows. Tammy and Ben enter the dining room. Tammy releases her grip from Ben's hand as she walks away. Ben looks back outside again for a moment before turning his head away from the sight and shaking his head no. The phone rings. He starts to walk towards the phone, but stops as Tammy shouts.

"I'll get it," Tammy shouts out.

"Yeah, he's here. It's his last night on Earth for a while, he wants to spend it with family." A moment later. "Yes I know you're family, but we can't go to Chicago right now and you can't come here to Cape Kennedy because the Air Force won't let you," Tammy replied, then listening to the voice on the other end of the line again. "It's a shame, but he'll be coming back in six weeks." Tammy says, then listening to the person on the other side of the line. "You can talk to him. There's no way I'm going to deny him one last talk with his brother before he leaves for two months," Tammy replies as she walks back and hands Ben a cordless phone. "It's your brother," Tammy informs him.

"Hi Buck, what's up?" Ben asked. "Well, this isn't the first time she asked you to do something like this right?" Ben asked then hesitated again. "Thank goodness for that." Ben continued to listen to Buck. "They're going to treat you like a Human lab rat." Ben chuckled softly. "No, they haven't ever done anything of the sort to me, nor do they plan on." Ben hesitated for a moment. "Not in NASA." A moment later. "I've been fully trained in how to fly it. The first two Rangers were just made to test the design. Jenny is the one making you do this right?" Ben asked. Listening to Buck's answer. "I had a feeling. Could you take a picture for me?" Ben asked.

"What is he up to?" Tammy asked glancing over at Ben.

"This is that red dress she wore to the wedding?" Ben asked raising his eyebrows with a grin.

Tammy flicks Ben's head and walks out of the room.

"Tammy just hit me," Ben said chuckling. Ben listened to Buck's reply. "Cause we've been talking about Jennifer's dress. It'll be nice to know you'll be watching the launch tomorrow after you wake up." Ben listened to Buck once again. "I love you too man, take care," Ben replied as he shut the phone off.

It's morning and the world is covered in dew and the sun has risen so high everything has become well lit. A beetle is scurrying along a railing that moves along the whole of the porch, seemingly unaware of a small lizard it's moving up on. Suddenly the small lizard makes a quick action of moving towards the beetle and eats it.

A man's hand bangs a razor against the edge of the sink to shake off the remaining shaving cream. Ben carefully watches himself shaving in a mirror. After a moment, he accidentally nicks himself and he twinges in slight pain. Gently he wipes off the blood and shaving cream.

There is a traffic jam on the highway as usual. The sky is clear but appears to be a little muggy. Inside the car Ben is bending forward onto the wheel waiting for the cars ahead of him to move, while listening to the news on the radio.

"And in further news zoological scientists believe that if the Avian Flu was to hit here in the U.S. Its first victims would very most likely be in Alaska due to migrating geese. Thank goodness all you listeners out there are here in Florida, huh?" the announcer said.

"Always in the warmth of the Human spirit, aren't you D.J. Sunshine," Ben said sarcastically.

"And a little later today NASA will be launching its second shuttle since the Columbia disaster. NASA, I'm told has full confidence in the upcoming mission due to the fact that this mission will be taking place using the first new approved for flight shuttle in over 20 years. The Ranger 3, three? What ever happened to the first two I wonder, eh?" the announcer said.

Ben lifted his head up from the steering wheel and noticed the other cars around himself have started to move.

"Sunshine, I know you can't see this but .." Ben said flipping his middle finger towards the radio. Just then a car honks. Ben glances over at the driver. "That finger wasn't at you, it was at the radio. I'm moving my car okay!" Ben shouted as he started to move the car forward.

At the Kennedy Space Center parking lot just outside Mission Control, Peter and Kevin stand leaning against the building.

"Where the hell is Rogers?" Kevin asked looking at his watch.

"He'll be here," Peter replied scanning the parking lot.

"Yuh know it just hit me, I really think he's the perfect one to fly this shuttle," Kevin said.

"That's because he's the only one that can fly it," Peter replied.

"No, Rogers and Ranger 3, R&R," Kevin says jokingly.

"Funny Kevin, very funny," Peter replies shaking his head.

Peter and Kevin glances out in to the parking lot and sees Ben's car coming.

"Here he comes," Peter says with relief in his voice.

Ben parks the car, then moves around in it some to get a tag out that he then attaches to hanging off the car's main rear-view mirror. Ben then opens the door and gets out of the car and locks it with a device on his key chain. The car chirps at becoming locked. Ben then runs quickly through the parking lot towards Peter and Kevin. As he gets closer he slows down then slowly walks up to them and stares at them in awe.

"Is something wrong?" Peter asked with concern.

"Deja-vu, I feel all I've done this before," Ben replies looking at Peter.

"You've trained but this will be your first time in space. This isn't deja-vu my friend, it's your first real adventure," Kevin replies.

The three men turned and started to walk into the building.

"I guess you're right," Ben replies.

In the prep room are six lockers with a bench in the middle of it. Ben had just finished zipping his flight suit up to his neck. His normal clothes were laying on the bench. Now fully dressed for the launch he picks up his normal wear clothes, gives a little smile at them, then proceeds to stuff them in an open locker and lock them away once they've been set inside. He then goes to the only door leading into the prep room, opens the door and enters the other room.

Inside the Mission Control Room, Peter is sitting at his station with a headset on, looking like he's paying more attention to the headset than to anything else.

"Are you sure?" Peter asked. Listening to the rest of the communication. "Is there any way it can be fixed?" Peter asked as he listens to the reply. "I'll tell him, I'm his best friend, I should be the one to tell him," Peter replied.

Out on the launch pad, Ben is quickly walking out to where Ranger 3 is. In the background another NASA employee gets into an empty car that's about fifteen feet behind Ben, as is another car. Peter drives the car to where it comes to being ten feet in front of Ben's path, and stops. Ben continues walking but now at a slower pace. Once at Peter's car, he's just about ready to knock on the window when Peter rolls it down.

"What are you doing here? You should be back at Mocer where it will be safe to watch the launch," Ben says.

Peter points towards the other car. "You see those men over there?" Peter asked.

Ben turns towards where Peter has indicated to him. "Ya, I see ..." After turning his head to see the other car, his face turns to stone.

A mixed grouping of eight men and women are standing together. They all look like they work for NASA. But three of them have a look of fluttering electricity in their eyes. All of them are talking to one another. Peter is talking to Ben, but Ben's eyes are fixed on the group of people.

"The mission at least for now, they want it aborted," Peter says.

Ben can still see the odd eyes three of them have. He could only hear a soft echo of Peter's voice.

"Where the shuttle first connects with the right booster rocket to it, one of the tiles has a crack in it," Peter explains.

"What are they? What are they doing?" Ben asked with his voice fading.

Peter turns to look at the eight. "My guess is trying to make the mission still go forward today," Peter replies.

Ben's eyes still fixed on the group. "Peter, I'll be back with you in a little, I have to see this," Ben says as he walks towards the group of people.

"The mission is a no go today?" the first woman asked.

"There's no way it can be fixed up soon?" the second woman replied.

"These tiles are special order, I just can't mosey on back to some NASA warehouse get a new tile and come back here to fix it," the first man replied.

"Try this again?" the second man asked looking towards the two women.

Both women glanced at one another and nodded to the man.

Chapter 3

At Ben Rogers' Home. Ben is standing on the open-aired porch, his eyes narrowed at the star-filled night sky. He walks off the porch and onto the grass. Keeping his head still turned upwards he moves around in a circle for more observation. He takes his eyes off the sky and runs past Tammy who was coming outside.

"Ben, is something the matter?" Tammy asked with concern.

But Ben doesn't answer her as he runs past. He runs down the hallway and opens the door to their bedroom. Ben crouches down in front of a bookcase, moving one of his pointer fingers along it, looking for the book he wants. Which he finds a moment later. He pulls it out and looks at the cover. "Advanced Astrology for Space Navigation." He gets up with the book and runs back out into the grass with the book in hand and stops about five yards from the house. He opens the book and quickly flips to the page he wants. Stares at it for a moment, then turns his gaze to the night sky.

"I knew it!" Ben shouts loudly.

He closes the book, still staring up at the sky. "None of these stars should be here. None of this should be possible, so how could this be?" Ben asked.

Tammy walks out onto the porch. "Benji, you have a call from your brother," Tammy informs Ben.

"Tell him I think it's a bad idea, even if she will wear that dress for him," Ben replied.

"What?! Ben, what are you talking about?" Tammy asked confused.

Ben turns his attention away from the sky and onto Tammy.

"You don't know?" Ben asked.

"I don't know what?" Tammy asked even more confused.

"The red dress. Are you going to hit me now?" Ben asked.

Tammy puts the phone to her ear. "Are you sure you want to speak to him now, Buck? He's acting like a FREAK," Tammy says glancing at Ben.

At Ben Rogers' home. It's morning and the world is covered in dew and the sun has risen so high everything has become well lit. A beetle is scurrying along a railing that moves along the whole of the porch, unaware of a small bird that's just landed on the railing a little up from it. The bird gives a couple small hops then bends down and eats the beetle.

In the bathroom a man's hand gently bangs a razor against the side of the sink to shake off shaving cream. Then comes to rest on the sink. Ben stares into the mirror.

"Not today," Ben says as he places the razor down onto the edge of the sink. He proceeds to start wiping the shaving cream off his face.

On the highway the usual early morning traffic jam, the sky looks clear and appears to be a little muggy.

Ben is listening to, "It's the End of the World as We Know It" and is half-assed singing along with it. A short while into this he notices the other cars starting to move around him. Ben stops his singing and taking hold of the steering wheel.

"Hello, this is D.J Sunshine, and I say it's time that people who use their cell phones on the road get locked up and, I'm just kidding here folks!" the announcer says jokingly.

Ben starts moving the car with the rest of the traffic.

In the parking lot of the Kennedy Space Center, just outside Mission Control, Peter and Kevin stand leaning against the building.

"Where the hell is Rogers?" Kevin asked glancing at his watch.

"He'll be here," Peter replied watching the parking lot.

A moment later. "He does know it's today right?" Kevin asked looking over at Peter.

"This is one of the most important days of his whole life, he knows it's today," Peter replied still scanning the parking lot.

A short time later.

"I can't wait out here for him, I need to get to Mocer," Kevin said as he turns and walks inside.

Peter leans against the building. After a moment Ben's car comes into the parking lot from the side entrance.

Ben's talking softly to himself. "Kevin isn't there," he said to himself.

"Peter!" Ben shouts.

Peter turns his head towards Ben at having heard his name called. At the same time Ben is walking towards Peter.

"Ben Rogers, where in all of creation have you been man? You haven't forgotten have you?!" Peter asked with a concern in his voice.

"Actually I think somehow I'm remembering more than I should," Ben replies. Ben stares inquisitively at Peter as he's walking up to him.

"What's wrong? You're looking at me kind of funny," Peter asked.

"I don't know what's happening. I need to see your eyes," Ben replies as he walks up closer to Peter.

"What?" Peter asked with a puzzled look on his face.

Ben gets close to Peter's face and looks it over. Peter backs up as Ben is starting to worry him with his closeness.

"What are you doing?" Peter asked taking a few steps back.

Ben backs away. "Finding out if you're Human," Ben replies.

"Are you taking any drugs I should know about?" Peter asked.

"There are aliens here, their eyes look different than ours," Ben replied. Ben looks around the area then back to Peter. "I need to talk with someone about all this. The press will start arriving here soon for the launch. Could we talk somewhere else?" Ben asked.

"By all means we should be talking about your mental health somewhere else," Peter replied. Ben walks quickly into the building followed by Peter who has a very perplexed look on his face about his friend's actions.

Inside the prep room Peter is sitting on the bench looking deep in thought, while Ben is standing against a locker.

"Tammy doesn't believe me," Ben says.

"I don't believe you either," Peter replies.

"Haven't you looked up at the night sky lately?" Ben asked.

"No, do radar screens count?" Peter asked.

"I don't event think we're in the galaxy we should be in, Peter. I wish I knew how that fact is even possible but I don't," Ben said pacing the floor.

"I have an idea how that could be possible," Peter replies.

"How?!" Ben asked turning his attention back onto Peter.

"Have you been reading or watching a lot of science fiction lately?" Peter asked.

"Pete, will you please take me seriously," Ben said.

"That's a fact that's kind of hard to do when you're handing me a story of you've found B.E.M's working for NASA," Peter replied watching Ben's facial expression.

"They're not bug-eyed monsters. They look like people but their eyes look like bright TV static!" Ben said.

"I wouldn't go repeating this claim of yours to anyone else if I were you. Because not only would they abort the launch today, but they'd also lock you up in the funny farm," Peter said.

"You think I should be locked away?" Ben asked looking Peter in the eyes.

"I'm your friend, I'd never send you off to a nut house. I just think you should keep this all to yourself and not tell others who would send you off," Peter replies.

Ben looks down at the floor and ponders what Peter had just said to him.

"Oh okay, if you think that's best?" Ben asked.

Inside Mission Control Peter is sitting at his station with a headset on. That he starts taking off as he sees Kevin coming towards him.

"Is something the matter?" Peter asked.

"You said you met up with Rogers when he finally came in, right?" Kevin asked.

"I did," Peter replied.

"Did he seem to be acting strangely towards you?" Kevin asked.

Peter is starting to look very concerted.

"Why are you asking me this?" Peter asked.

"Because I've heard rumor he's been eyeballing everyone he's encountered today really oddly. Is there something wrong with him he told you about that the rest of us don't know about? Because this behavior of his has everyone highly questioning his mental fitness to go through with the mission," Kevin replies.

"Oh no," Peter says hanging his head.

"What's going on?" Kevin asked again.

At Ben Rogers' home, another star filled night sky.

"Not again," Ben says looking up at the stars.

Buck is standing next Ben. "Not again what?" Buck asked.

Ben turns to Buck. Ben's face then turns to shock at seeing Buck.

"Well this is different," Ben says.

Chapter 4

Ben and Buck walked into the dining room from outside.

"Buck what are you doing here? I really wasn't expecting you," Ben said.

"We've been training for tomorrow for three years, Benji. There's no way I was ever going to let this mission we're about to face, not have a good send off," Buck replied.

"We've" been training for this mission for three years?" Ben asked confused.

"Huh?" Buck replied cocking his head to one side.

"We've been training together for this mission? When? What are you doing on this mission!?" Ben asked.

"Are you okay?" Buck asked with concern.

"I .. I'm sorry, should be taking Peter's advice right now and just keep my mouth shut," Ben said looking away.

"It's okay Ben, you can talk to me," Buck said placing his hand on Ben's should.

Ben takes one of the chairs that line the dining room table and sits down in it, then glances up at Buck. "Buck, this is something I can't even talk to you about," Ben says is a weak voice.

"Well, when you feel you can talk to me about whatever it is, let me know okay?" Buck replied in an understanding voice.

"Okay," Ben replied in a soft and weak voice.

It's morning and the world is covered in dew and the sun has risen so high everything has become well lit. A beetle is scurrying along a railing that moves along the whole of the porch. It makes it to the nearest support beam, then proceeds to climb up it. A small bird lands on the railing, sits there for a few moments then flies off.

In the guest room of Ben Rogers. Buck and Jenny are sound asleep in a king sized bed. The bedroom door opens slowly and Ben enters. He walks softly over to the bed and begins patting the top blanket.

"Get up, come on get up. We need to leave now." Ben hesitates for a moment to see if he gets any reaction. Not getting one he starts to pat the blanket even harder. "Come on, if we don't leave for the Kennedy Space Center now we'll get stuck in a traffic jam," Ben says in a louder voice.

Buck gives a moan.

"We need to go now!" Ben shouts.

"It's too early," Buck replies in a groggy voice, not opening his eyes.

"It's five in the morning," Ben informs him.

"That's too early," Buck replies.

"Trust me the highway is going to be packed. You don't want to miss the launch do you?" Ben asked.

"I'm going." Buck gives Jenny a little nudge with his nearest arm to her under the covers. "Jen, Jenny wake up honey," Buck says softly.

Jenny gives a little noise of acknowledgment.

Buck turns over in the bed then opens his eyes. "Aren't you going to shave first before we go?" Buck asked looking up at Ben.

"No, I'm not going to shave this morning," Ben replied.

"Come on, you don't want to make yourself presentable for this?" Buck asked looking at Ben's face.

"It isn't worth a bloody razor," Ben replied.

Buck sits up in bed. "What?!" Buck asked confused.

"I .. I haven't had some good luck shaving lately. Is she going to be going?" Ben asked looking down at Jenny.

"I'm not going to get out of bed till you leave this room, Ben," Jenny says in a tired voice.

"Why not?" Ben asked.

"Because only your brother can see me get out of bed, that's why," Jenny replied with a smile.

Ben giving the look of he doesn't want to leave. "Okay, I'll leave," Ben says. He turns and walks out of the room.

At the Kennedy Space Center in the parking lot just outside Mission Control, Peter and Kevin are leaning against the building.

"Here he comes," Peter says pointing towards Ben's car as it enters the parking lot.

Ben parks the car, then moves around in it some to get a tag out that he then attaches to hanging off the car's main rear-view mirror. Ben, Buck, Jenny and Tammy get out of the car and Ben locks it with a device on his key chain. The car chirps at becoming locked. The group starts heading towards Peter and Kevin.

In the elevator on the launch pad, Buck and Ben are moving up in it to the port hole that will let them enter the shuttle. As they're moving Ben casually looks down off to the side of the elevator. Through the caged elevator Ben can see multiple cars and people standing in a group below some holding cameras. Three of the people have the strange eyes, a man and two women.

Ben hits the button that stops the elevator. "That's it!" Ben shouts.

"What are you doing?" Buck asked.

"Before we blast off into outer space for six weeks I need to know what those aliens are doing here," Ben replies as he hits the down button. The elevator starts going back down to ground level.

"Aliens? Ben, are you doing something I should know about?" Buck asked with a concerned voice.

Ben doesn't answer as the elevator proceeds downward.

"Ben?" Buck said loudly watching the expression on Ben's face.

The elevator comes to a halt when it's on the ground. Ben opens the shaft door and walks out to the crowd. Buck stays in the elevator, looking puzzled by his brother's actions. Ben walks right up to Costh who's in the man's body.

"What are you doing here!?" Ben asked looking Costh in the eyes.

"What do you mean, what am I doing here?" Costh asked.

"I can see you, your eyes! Somehow I remember, I think the gas did something to my brain so I can see you! I know this day has happened before! I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON!!" Ben yells loudly.

Costh gives Ben an inquisitive look then walks away from the crowd. The Human body it's inhabiting it walks out of, leaving the man standing still where the alien left him. Then Costh turns to face Ben.

"The others, myself, we need to see what would have happened," Costh replies.

The ladies with the strange eyes are now walking away from the crowd to join Costh in where it stands. The rest of the crowd just stands staring at Ben.

"What do you mean, what would have happened!?" Ben asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"The mission never was launched. The war prevented it from occurring. You Humans back in the early 21st century, you hadn't moved far into space at that point. If Ranger 3 had been launched you might have advanced to being further along into space exploration than you have by now," Costh replied.

"Back in the 21st century?! What war?!" Ben asked confused.

Woman one steps out of her human host, leaving her in her place as it does this.

"World war three, it happened over five hundred years ago on the day your mission in the Ranger 3 was going to be launched," Suunta explained.

"What!? How is this possible?! How are you doing this!?" Ben hesitated and looked down at the ground for a moment then glanced back up at the aliens. "Is this, is this Earth!? Am I on Earth?! The stars in the night sky don't look right, how did you do that!?" Ben asked.

"This isn't Earth. This is a planet we made to resemble Earth, it is over eighty thousand light years away from any alien settlement and well past where any species from Earth has ever traveled. You are not Benjamin Rogers, you are merely a copy we recreated to have Ranger 3 complete its mission, which we have yet to see it succeed in," Raycor said.

Ben in shock from the news. "I'm not myself! I'm a copy! A person that's been dead for over five hundred .. WHY?! WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE AFTER FIVE HUNDRED YEARS TO DO SUCH A THING!?" Ben yells.

Suunta turns towards Buck. "We noticed what your brother has been doing in this century. He is a most interesting man. We are the Jenka, we are the only ones in this universe that can make whole worlds and life to suit our needs," Suunta says.

"Buck is alive in the 26th century?! How is that possible? Wait, that man! He isn't a copy!?" Ben asked pointing off towards Buck.

"Everything you see around you is a copy, none of the beings you see around you are their originals but us. The real Buck Rogers is alive in this century and that fact should be of no concern to you. Now return to the shuttle, we don't want to try this again!" Costh said.

Ben open mouthed and in shock for a moment heads back for the shuttle.

"Maybe we shouldn't be doing this today, Ben. You just shouted into thin air," Buck said as Ben got back on the elevator.

Ben closes the elevator door and presses the button for them to go up. The elevator starts moving. "No, we are going to do this today. Better late than never," Ben replies looking down at the aliens.

In the cockpit of the shuttle, Ben and Buck are strapped in their seats listening to Peter's voice.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. Ignition!"

The aliens stand and watch as the shuttle races into the sky.

"You know Raycor, this whole thing with Earth's space travel has become boring. He knows what we're doing," Suunta says.

"You're right, lets see what would have happened if the Loumis had never formed the Thorcomen Defense Administration," Raycor replies.

"Sounds like fun," Costh says with a smile.


Return to Earth