Legend of Oria 1: Initial Contact (31 page)

Martello began looking for a good place to land his chopper or drop into the river directly below.  It was too dangerous to drop Martello off where Karen fell into the river.  A more calm location was required.   The pilot found such location about a ½ mile from the accident scene and signaled Martello that it was time to jump.

Martello changed into a swimsuit, grabbed some equipment and jumped 10’ to the cold river below.  Immediately Martello felt the bite of the cold water as he hit the river’s surface.  The current was quite strong even though he landed in what appeared to be a pool of water.  The Captain struggled for what felt like an eternity to reach the safety of shore.  From there, he ran up the shoreline plowing through shrubbery and small pockets of water.  His heart was pounding and his chest felt like it was about to explode.  The rough terrain drained every bit of energy out of Martello.  His normal physically powerful body felt overwhelmed from the outburst of energy and lack of exercise.  It had been awhile since he had engaged in any heavy field operations. 

Martello was breathless when he finally reached the location where he saw Oria beach the canoe.  The canoe was empty and any trail of Oria was gone.  Martello began a slow painful trip through more briars, shrubs, and rocks towards the accident site.  He hoped to reach Oria and Karen by surprise and take whatever actions were necessary to prevent further harm to Karen.  In spite of his intense dislike for Karen, he had a strong physical attraction to her.  This complex set of emotions somehow provided Martello additional energy and motivation, driving him through the torturous trip to where he last saw Karen.

Breathless, he finally reached the spot where he last saw Oria and Karen.  His body had countless cuts and bruises from plowing through the thick underbrush and thickets.  He fumed with anger at Oria when he saw a trail of blood leading into the dense woods lining the shoreline.  Why didn’t Oria stop and signal for help.  He couldn’t have been that blind not to see his helicopter.  Karen must require medical attention.  The bloody trail led only a short distance into the woods where it simply vanished.  Martello could found no trace of either Karen or Oria.   

Martello angrily hailed the chopper pilot with his portable radio and demanded that the pilot patch him directly through to Colonel Johnson.  When Johnson heard Martello’s story, he also became enraged.  He ordered several more choppers equipped with infrared sensors to assist in Martello’s search for Karen. 

Meanwhile back on the Hercules, Oria and Borella anxiously awaited for Turrani to finish with Karen.  Commander Turrani was true to her word and entered the waiting area after approximately 20 minutes.  She told Oria that Karen was well, but sedated, and ready for her transport back to Earth.

When Karen came to, she was laying down with Oria sitting over her holding her hand and waiting for her return to consciousness.  She looked up at him and exclaimed:

“Hi, what happened? Where am I?”

“Karen, you had a little accident.  You should be fine now.  You just gave us a little scare.”

“Man, the last thing I remember is shooting down to close to the shore and then total blackness.”

“That’s about what happened.  We came to close to the shore where a branch struck you and knocked you out.  Are you feeling ok?”

“A little groggy, like I was drugged, but other than that I feel 20 years old again.”

“Then I take it you’re up to continuing our trip?”

“Absolutely, but if I had a concussion, maybe I should see a doctor.”

“If you want; Karen, I think you will be fine.  Besides, where would you find a doctor out here?”

“Probably not, particularly a military doctor -- other than feeling groggy, I feel better than I’ve ever felt.  Even the groggy feeling is starting to wear off.  This is weird.  The chronic soreness in my knees is gone.”

“Karen, you’ll be fine.  I’ve had extensive medical training for trauma, and I’m even a certified doctor.   While you were unconscious, I examined you and had your medical problems treated.  I assure you, your concussion won’t be a problem.”

“Oria, you never cease to amaze me.  What haven’t you done?  You’re a fighter, a physicist, and now a doctor?”

“Almost, I’m not a physicist or any sort of scientist.”

“Do you really expect me to believe that after your presentation at the symposium?”

“As you should know by now, my life is fairly complicated.  I’ll be able to tell you more at a later and more appropriate time.  Let’s get going.  I don’t think Ratface will be expecting us here.”

“Ok, let’s get back into the river.  You don’t give me many choices other than to trust you.  As long as I’m going along with your story of not being a scientist, I may as well trust your medical judgment.”

It didn’t take long for Captain Martello to spot Karen and Oria as they entered the river.  He was surprised to see Karen looking in such good shape.  It didn’t make sense.  Martello had witnessed the accident first hand, complete with Oria’s rescue and the trail of blood.  The entire incident was even on film.  Martello’s analysts would have to study the film later.

It was close to 1PM when Oria and Karen decided to do something about their growing hunger.  Karen paddled the canoe over to a wide-open area on the south bank where Oria jumped out and secured the canoe.  Karen grabbed the canvas bags containing their lunch and spread it out on a blanket.

After securing the canoe, Oria walked over to Karen and joined her on the blanket.  It was hot and sunny so Karen decided to remove her t-shirt revealing her new bikini top. 

Karen looked up and saw Oria staring at her.  She smiled at him and said, “Are you ok?” knowing that she had caught Oria’s eye and she was savoring every moment of it.

‘Uh, yes, I’m fine.” Oria replied with a slight stutter. “That was some ride we took this morning.  I’m glad you’re doing so well considering your accident.”

“Me too; it’s really strange though.  Other than knowing I blacked out, I feel incredibly well.  It’s as if someone magically made me ten years younger.”

Oria smiled and said, “I’m glad you feel so good.  Other than that accident you looked like a real pro in the water.”

“You didn’t do so bad yourself.  I’ve been canoeing competitively for years.  What’s your excuse?”

“If you recall, I grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  We went canoeing nearly every day on the Choptank with frequent trips into the Bay.  In addition, several times a year my father led small expeditions up the Bay into Pennsylvania.  I was practically born in the water.”

“It sounds like you had an interesting childhood.  Do you still live near the water?”

“No.  The only time that I get into a boat now is, if I’m lucky, a few times a year when I’m able to get some time off.”

“I know what you mean.  My primary assignments have been in Florida.  There’s not much white water down there although I guess you can relate since there isn’t much white water on the Eastern Shore either.”

“True, when I grew up, we found travel to the mountains both difficult and dangerous.  We only went once or sometimes twice a year.” Oria paused; he had a depressed look on his face.

Karen saw his frown and changed the subject. “I guess we can head down river a few more hours and get Ratface to pick us up there.”

“Sounds like a plan -- I see that you and Ratface are fond of each other.”

“You could say that.  Ratface saved my life once on a military operation.  When I found out he was into white water canoeing, we hit it off pretty well.  He’s been sort of like an older brother to me since.  His wife even welcomed me into their family.”

After finishing lunch, Karen packed everything back into the canvas bag and stowed it in the canoe.  As she worked, she kept glancing up at Oria and couldn’t but help be amazed at how he walked through the woods without ever making a sound.  Oria walked and moved never making noise or leaving a trail.

Meanwhile, Martello had returned to his chopper and continued monitoring Oria and Karen’s trip.  The preliminary results from the analysis of film footage of Karen’s accident were just starting to arrive along with an order from Colonel Johnson to call him back at the Operations Center.

“Colonel Johnson, I just got back.  I’m told that you have some reports back from the analyst.”

“Yes Captain.  Something here doesn’t add up.  Our analysts claim that Major Brown should be dead.  The blow to her head threw it back hard enough to snap it.  You can see it and the break in the film footage; if breaking her neck wasn’t sufficient to kill her -- than the blunt force trauma to her head should have killed her.”

“Colonel, I don’t know how that’s possible.  I just saw her looking as healthy as ever.  Right now I can see her running rapids like a pro.”

“Exactly Captain; Oria must have healed her much like he healed the Ocean City victim.”

“Well, that’s great; however, I don’t buy into the Ocean City story of Oria being a god.”

“Neither do I Captain.  He must have access to medical capabilities as amazing as his knowledge of high-energy lasers.  We must find out more about this man.”

“Colonel, I also don’t buy the Creyte notion that he is some sort of alien criminal either.  Everything he has done has been positive.”

“Yes Captain, it does appear that way.  However, we must be careful that he’s not setting a trap.”

“Yes sir.  I will keep on top of the situation.  Is there anything else that I can do for you?”

“No.  That will be all for now Captain.”

After several more hours of canoeing, Karen and Oria reached their pickup point.  Karen reached into one of the watertight bags and retrieved her cell phone.  She punched in Ratface’s number.

Ratface was sitting on his bench overlooking the river when his phone rang.  He was relieved when he heard Karen’s voice.  Numerous reports had come in indicating that the river currents were much more vicious than usual.  If he had any idea of how rough the river really was, he would never have let Karen head downstream in the canoe. 

“Karen!  Boy, I’m glad it’s you.  After you, left I received reports that the river was particularly rough today.  Also, some military spooks were hunting for you.  Are you in any trouble?”

“No Ratface.  I just forgot to tell you about them.  It’s kind of complicated.  Captain Martello and I are sort of on the same side.  I can’t tell you anything else.  However, we are ready to be picked up at are usual pickup point.”

“Ok.  It’ll take me about an hour to get there.  See you in a bit.”

Karen turned to Oria and said, “He’ll get here in an hour.  We can chill here for a while or climb up that overlook and enjoy the view.”

“I’m up to it, are you?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t have suggested it if I wasn’t up to it” she added in her thoughts, “you moron.”  Karen really liked Oria, but he sure could come up with dumb comments.

Oria and Karen raced up the trail leading to the overlook.  Karen was exhausted when she reached the top while Oria was hardly breathing.  Karen was amazed.  Who is this man, some sort of Olympic athlete?  Karen then collapsed and laid down staring up at the sky.  She was really enjoying herself.  She did not want this adventure to end.

Oria lay down next to her lightly brushing her side and stared up at the afternoon sky.  There wasn’t a cloud anywhere in sight.  Deep down Oria reflected on the ordeal facing him.  These thoughts were in stark contrast to the pleasure that he was currently enjoying.  Oria couldn’t remember a time when he enjoyed himself as much as now.  He wrestled with the need to temper his desire to share everything with Karen with the need to wait until more of his plan was in place.  The less Karen knew at this point, the better for her.  He did not want to place her into a position of divided loyalties.

Ratface showed up at about 4PM.  He suspected Karen had lead Oria up to the overlook.  He knew it was one of Karen’s favorite spots to hide, and relax.  He sneaked up on them and then in a loud voice roared “Ok children, time to go.”  Ratface then burst out laughing.  He loved to sneak up on Karen and startle her.

Karen shot Ratface a dirty look.  “You ugly jerk; you know I don’t like being startled.”  Karen then let loose a short laugh; she and Ratface had been playing this game for years.

The trio headed for Ratface’s truck.  Ratface had an old army hummer that he used for getting around.  They drove back to the canoe rental place, picked up Karen’s car, and headed back to Ratface’s house and cleaned up.

When the bunch arrived at Ratface’s house, the smell of stew was thick in the air.  Ratface’s wife, Wanda, was preparing supper. 

At the sound of her husband’s truck, Wanda quickly ran onto the porch.  Smiling broadly at Karen, the two women hugged.  When Ratface and Oria finally caught up with Wanda, Karen was already heading to the shower.  After Ratface hugged and kissed his wife hello, he introduced Oria.  Wanda smiled warmly at Oria and welcomed him like an old friend.

Wanda then asked Ratface and Oria to get some firewood for the stove.  The two men then left and headed to the wood yard.  On the way, Ratface turned and faced Oria and in a cold and stern voice said, “It looks like Karen is starting to like you.  She’s very important to me.  You seem like a nice person, but if you hurt her, I’m coming after you.  Do you understand?”