The Debriefing: Chapter 10
Yoli checked back with Bowie, “Pancho, you okay?”
Bowie looked up at Yoli, “Yeah, I just need to get back down on the planet and to San Antone.”
Yoli smiled, “Yeah, I understand. You and me both brother.”
Now Bowie smiled, “How about me and you hit the Alamo and then the Mai Tai club. It'll be great.”
Yoli had an enthusiastic, “Oh yeah. I’m with ya buddy.”
It was decided Hepwater would remain with the mother ship and perform maintenance while everyone went to the island. The doc was taking samples and said, “The cell deterioration seems to have stopped now that we’re back in our universe. We’ll need to do further tests though. If we’re going to travel like this on a regular basis, we’re going to have to find a solution to this.”
No one cared. They all wanted to get to the island and back home to the mainland. Bowie couldn’t get seeing Emily out of his mind. The Baby descended gracefully into the atmosphere and headed for the island. Yoli made a great descent and saw the C-130 on the runway as they approached. He looked at Bowie, “Skipper, we’ll touch down in a few seconds. The C-130 is waiting to take us back to the mainland.”
Bowie looked at Yoli, “Thanks buddy. I’m ready to go home. Meet me in San Antonio. I’m going to the Grand Hyatt.”
Yoli acknowledged as they touched down and Davis ran on the ship, “What happened. How did it go?”
Bowie grabbed Davis by the collar and shoved him up against the wall of the ship, “Why didn’t you tell me about other things that could happen?”
Davis was shocked, “We didn’t know! What did happen?”
Bowie let him go and looked down at the floor, “I saw my dead wife. I looked her in the eyes and kissed her. Then I had to leave her there. I lost her again!”
Davis was still upset, “We didn’t know. We couldn’t anticipate any of that. We sent Jana along to see what effect our going there would have. There must be an effect about the fate of God and science. I don’t know. Just relax. We’ll go back to the hotel and talk about everything that happened.”
By this time Bowie was completely beaten down. He slowly shook his head as he walked away, “I’m going home.”
As everyone exited the ramp of the Baby and at the bottom was the doctor collecting blood samples from everyone. All the crew members gave samples before they left. It just took a second and everyone complied before getting on the C-130.
All the crew got on the plane except Hepwater. He was on the Janus ship working on things until they sent the Baby for him or went on another mission. After all, Hepwater was completely dedicated to scientific exploration and everything else was useless to him.
Bowie just sat there and stared straight ahead. Yoli sat next to him, “Pancho, you okay?”
Bowie was like a zombie, “Yeah, I just want to get back to San Antonio and the Alamo. I need to see if everything is as we left it.”
Yoli nodded, “We’ll be there soon and check everything out.”
The C-130 flew to southern California and landed at about 8:00AM. Everyone got off and Davis said, “Everyone to the hotel for a debriefing.”
Bowie said, “Nope. Talk to Jana. I’m going to San Antone. I’ve had enough.”
Davis looked at Bowie, “There was an incident, and we need to talk about it.”
Bowie again got in Davis’s face, “I just left my wife behind for a second time. I’m really not in the mood to talk about it.”
Davis was staring into Bowie’s eyes, “I’m sorry you had to go through that. We need to know though. It’s important you tell us.”
Bowie backed off, “Okay, but I need to get home.”
Davis said, “We’ll make it brief, and you’re done. The money is in your account along with a bonus.”
“Okay, but I really need to get going.”
Davis acknowledged and the scientific crew of Olinick, Miller, and Powell along with Bowie loaded into a long black limo. They drove to the same Oceanside hotel where Bowie had been interviewed. They went up to the same suite and sat down with margaritas, salsa, cheese dip, and chips.
Davis had an empathetic look on his face, “I understand there was a problem. Colonel Bowie tell me what happened.”
Bowie was getting emotional again, “Well, the planet was earth like, as you showed me. We went down to check it out. The place we landed in was what we would think of as Texas, around an area where Houston would be. The technology appeared to be equivalent to the 1950’s on our earth. There was a war going on. A civil war. The war we fought in the 1860’s to free the slaves. They had different names for the black slaves, but it was the same thing we had. We got into the middle of a war and had one of our mercs wounded and captured. They took him to a nearby hospital and I went in to get him out. I had the other mercs and Joe with his drones as backup.” Bowie was now getting emotional, “That’s when I saw Emily. I looked into her eyes. It was her. When I asked her about her parents that’s when she got upset. She wanted to know how I knew about her parents. I guess some of the stuff was the same.”
Davis quickly looked at Jana, “What the hell? It’s a parallel universe?”
Jana had no answer, “Apparently. We have no proof of anything.”
Davis was avid, “Well, if there’s a woman who looks and acts like his wife, and then he throws her up against the wall stares into her eyes and kisses her. Bowie knew her parents name and situation I’d say it’s a good bet there are people on the planet exactly like us and parallel.”
Jana was thinking, “Yes, but you say parallel. This took place in what would’ve been in the 1950’s on our planet so it couldn’t have been parallel. A universe parallel to ours would be exactly like ours with a few variations. The year would’ve been 2023 and the people would be doing the same thing. Emily would’ve been dead. We need more information. There appears to be some kind of parallel but not exact.”
As Jana said Emily would be dead Bowie put his face in his hands and was about to weep. He held back and looked up, “I don’t know what’s going on but I wonder if there was another me or another of any of the people we know. I don’t know but I think we need to look at what we’ve done.”
Davis looked at everyone, “Okay, we’re done. Everyone go home and get some rest. Colonel Bowie will you be available for future expeditions?”
Bowie looked at Davis, “I’m not sure. I’ve got to get over this first. Contact me when you’re ready.”
Davis handed Bowie a cell phone, “This phone can’t be hacked or tracked. We can talk freely anytime you want. I’ll warn you before I call so you’ll be prepared. I’ll text “moonglow” when I’m getting ready to phone. If you need me, do the same. I’ll see you later. You did a great job, and I thank you.”
Bowie nodded and walked out the door and headed to the airport. He called ahead and had his plane ready for the flight. He arrived and the crew had everything set. He took off and headed for Stinson field in south San Antonio.
Bowie arrived at about 12:00 noon. The first thing he did was call his parents. His mom answered, “Hello?”
Bowie said, “Hi mom. I’m back.”
She said, “So soon? I thought you would be gone longer. I’m so glad you’re back. Why don’t you come by. I just baked a German chocolate cake.”
“That sounds great. I’ll be over in a little while.” Bowie was relieved, everything seemed normal.
Bowie drove to his parent’s house satisfied everything was fine. He pulled up and there was a small fence around the house that wasn’t there before. He started to get a bad feeling. He walked up and went into the house. His mom came out of the kitchen with a big smile and hugged him. She was an older short round woman. She had short gray hair, and a sunflower dress with an apron on. The furniture was not only different but rearranged differently. Bowie said, “When did you get the fence outside mom.”
She had a funny look on her face, “Jimmy we’ve had that fence for years. Are you okay?”
Bowie decided to go with the flow and not even mention the furniture, “Yeah, I’ve had a tedious few days. I guess I’m having some issues. Anyway, where’s that German chocolate cake?” It bothered Bowie though. Something was wrong. He went to the kitchen as his mom gave him a big piece of cake and they talked. Bowie’s dad came in and everyone made small talk. Bowie said nothing about the expedition. It all seemed normal.
Bowie left his parents and went downtown to the Grand Hyatt. He checked in and went to his room. He settled in and got some room service. After the sun went down, he decided to go to the Alamo and then hit the Mai Tai club. He was still troubled by things at his parent’s house that were different, and he couldn’t explain.
Bowie walked the several blocks to the Alamo and sat down on the half wall right in front. This was home. It made him feel good. It was solid. He sat there watching the shrine for a while and then decided he needed a drink. He walked towards the Mai Tai club.
Bowie descended the stairs and saw Mike, “Hey Mike, how’s it going?”
Mike turned around, “How are you doing tonight sir.”
Bowie figured he was being pranked, “Really, that’s all you got? How am I doing tonight sir?”
Mike looked at him with a perplexed look, “Yes sir. What’s your pleasure.”
Bowie said, “Come on man, it’s me. Your buddy remember?”
Mike was now looking at Bowie as if he was crazy, “Sir, I don’t know you. If you want a drink let me know. Other than that, get out.”
Bowie was now getting the same feeling he got when he confronted Emily in the other Galaxy. He began to lose judgement. He decided to seek out the one thing he knew. He asked Mike, “Where’s Nancy?”
Mike was now getting upset, “What about Nancy.”
“Nancy, the owner. Where is she?”
Mike said, “Look amigo, I don’t know who you are, but I own this bar. Nancy sold it to me a few years back when she got married. I haven’t seen her in some time.”
Bowie got the bug eyes as he stood there and stared straight ahead. What the hell was happening. He ran out of the club and back two blocks to the Alamo. He sat there for quite a while on the wall trying to put everything together. He couldn’t understand. It was getting late, and he decided he needed a drink. He got up and was going to walk towards the river. There was plenty of alcohol on the river at many locations. As he stood up, he heard a soft voice behind him, “Jim, are you okay?”
He quickly turned around, and it was Jana. He walked to her and sternly grabbed her shoulders and pulled her towards him. He gently kissed her, and she hugged him. They kissed for several seconds, and he looked into her eyes, “What are you doing here?”
She said, “I made a quick trip home and found things were different. I’m having some issues with the way things are with my family and friends. I thought you might be having the same problems. I wanted to make sure you’re okay after all you’ve been through. I jumped back on Davis’s plane and came here.”
Bowie was still staring into her eyes, “Yes, I’m having issues. My parents seem alright, but the house is different. I go to the Mai Tai club and a buddy of mine doesn’t know who I am. I was talking to a close friend of mine who owned the Mai Tai club before I left. We were friends for years and I thought we could hook up when I got back. The guy at the club told me she sold it several years ago and got married. It’s all a big mess.”
Jana stared back, “Yes, I’ve had some different situations of my own. The house my parents live in is remodeled on the outside and the dog doesn’t recognize me. She usually runs and jumps on me with her tail wagging. This time she acted scared and ran off around the side of the house. My friends either don’t know me or remember different occurrences in our lives. Davis flew me to Independence, Missouri, that’s where I’m from. I stayed there awhile and decided I needed to leave. I wanted to see you. I figured this would be the best place to find you. Plus, I wanted to be with someone I knew. I hope you don’t mind.”
Bowie stared at the Alamo, “I don’t mind at all. I can’t tell you how glad I am you’re here. We need something solid to lean on. I don’t know what happened, but we definitely affected something.”
Bowie smiled as he was still looking at Jana, he couldn’t help but kiss her some more. They hugged and stood there for a while contemplating what had happened.