The Advent Of Smouse - Chapter 3

Here we are again.

Welcome back for chapter three.

Settle down,

Perhaps close your eyes,

And let's begin.

Chapter three,

The journey.

Angelica Smouse and Mentor are frantically making preparations for the journey to Earth.

The departure schedule has been brought forward because Ag has just informed them that Madrog had briefly reappeared and disappeared again in the same location.

It is vital that Smouse and Mentor leave as soon as possible.

Mentor checks things off as Angelica loads them into the space orb.

Smouse haphazardly gathers the equipment they need to optimise the communication system and for the space orb to navigate them through space.

He and Mentor both wear a thought communiconnector disc on their chests.

Smouse also wears an optic fibre scarf which amplifies the message signals received by his tail.

Once on Earth,

Both he and Mentor can travel unnoticed by absorbing light rays and only reflecting the rays of the objects around them.

Other pieces of equipment include a Tron detector to find the sources of energy being gathered by Madrog and an energy beamer for their return journey.

The space orb is about a metre in diameter and perfectly round.

Its surface is constructed from diamond coated pure corundum and tungsten with an almost silver-blue transparent quality.

There is no obvious entry hatch.

When necessary,

The wall expands and separates,

Creating an opening.

The interior has ample room to accommodate Smouse and Mentor and to allow them to move around.

Ergonomically designed storage lockers are neatly fitted within the space orb's curved walls.

The control centre is strategically placed at the heart of the space orb for easy access.

Within this is a very complex communication system which connects them to each other,

Ag and Angelica.

The navigation system allows the space orb to travel light distances by folding time and space as it is guided along an intergalactic energy beam.

As Mentor and Angelica conduct a final check,

Smouse,

Who has been doubtfully surveying the small supply of provisions and snacks that Angelica has included,

Suddenly disappears.

Mentor and Angelica stop mid-stream,

Surprised and bewildered.

They're almost ready for take-off.

Just as quickly as he left,

Smouse reappears,

Struggling with a large box filled with bottles of water and whisky and a jar of peanut butter.

Smothering her amusement,

Mentor assures him that water,

Whisky and peanut butter are easily obtained on Earth.

Angelica gently confiscates the box.

She makes one last quick scan of the space orb and its contents and picks Smouse up.

I think we're all set to go,

She pauses.

Something is niggling her in the back of her mind.

Something is missing.

She studies Smouse questioningly.

He returns her gaze wide-eyed and innocent.

Mentor is on to it immediately.

The guide,

She suggests.

Smouse looks sheepish.

He slowly produces a very tiny book from within his scarf.

Angelica is cross.

She smartly puts Smouse down and admonishes him.

This is serious stuff,

Smouse.

No more games.

It's hard enough letting you go without me.

Tears well in the corners of her eyes.

Smouse is instantly remorseful.

Angelica apologizes profusely and Angelica gathers him into her arms.

Smouse lightly wipes away the tears with the end of his scarf.

Finally satisfied that they are ready,

Angelica alerts her grandfather of their imminent departure.

Ag and Pax arrive in an instant.

Ag issues last minute instructions and they exchange hugs.

Angelica holds Smouse up to her face.

Take care,

She whispers.

We're depending on you.

Smouse gives a solemn nod and twitches his whiskers against her nose.

He and Mentor settle themselves into the space orb.

They wave farewell to Ag,

Pax and Angelica who step back to give the space orb space.

Mentor activates the navigation system.

There is a sudden whirring sound and a spiral kaleidoscope of colors fills the air.

The space orb is gathered into the energy beam and swept into the stream of time.

The space orb travels in a brilliant blur of white and pink light as they fold time and space guided by the energy beam.

Through the transparent shield of the space orb,

Smouse watches in wonder as galaxies come and go.

One moment they are in the darkest of space in what seems like absolute silence and stillness and then there is a loud roar as stars and planets stream past,

Creating a magical blur of color and light.

Throughout the journey,

The pressure within the space orb remains constant.

Snug within their safe cocoon,

It seems to only take a blink of an eye before the space orb is within the beautiful spiral galaxy known as the Milky Way.

The Milky Way is estimated to contain between 100 to 400 billion stars and more than 100 billion planets.

Earth's solar system is located in a small spiral arm called the Orion Arm.

From here,

It is just another blink of an eye before the space orb enters Earth's solar system.

Smouse is mesmerized by the beauty of the planet.

It looks like a large blue marble in which intense shades of blue are covered with swirls of white.

Patches of green,

Yellow and brown appear and disappear.

As they drift closer,

He can distinguish water and landforms.

Mountains and plains are visible beneath the water and upon the land.

The range of colors expands.

The blues become seas,

Lakes and rivers.

The reds,

Greens,

Yellows and browns become trees,

Shrubs,

Flowers and grasses.

It reminds Smouse of home until the towns and cities come into view.

Many of these don't blend into the landscape like those on Imperium.

He suddenly realizes Mentor is speaking to him.

We're getting closer,

Smouse.

I'll need some directions,

Please,

To pinpoint a suitable landing position.

Immediately it enters the Earth's atmosphere.

The space orb changes color,

Reflecting the colors of the planet.

If anyone noticed it,

It would appear as a sharp flash of sunlight.

It immediately adjusts to the Earth's pull of gravity.

Mentor activates the resistors to slow their entry down as Smouse fine-tunes the 3D luminal probe.

He quickly relocates the last sighting of Madrobe and with the bearings for the spot searches for a safe,

Inconspicuous landing site.

It needs to touch down close,

But not too close to the location.

The space orb is most easily camouflaged in water.

Mentor points to a secluded cove close to the red cliffs.

Smouse nods.

The air pressure is good.

Plenty of CO2.

Daylight?

It's cloudy,

So observation of their descent should be minimal.

Under his guidance,

Mentor guides the space orb to a safe anchor in the waters of Port Phillip Bay.

The space orb settles on sand in a very deep,

Permanent pool at the base of the red cliffs.

Smouse examines the state of the environment.

The pool water is very clear,

Providing excellent visibility,

And a large overhang of rock,

Which backs into a concealed cave,

Protects the space orb from prying eyes.

Under most conditions,

It's transparent to human eyes,

As it only reflects the same colors of its environment,

But it's still important to take all precautions possible.

From inside the space orb,

Smouse and Mentor watches the sand eddies swirl and settle.

Tiny crabs scuttle for safety.

Clusters of shells cling to the enclosing rocks,

Which are capped with red,

Green,

And brown algae.

Small rock-pool fish,

Intrigued by this alien intruder,

Swim close enough to eyeball Smouse and Mentor before resuming their circuit.

Satisfied all is well,

They inform Ag and Angelica that they have accomplished the first part of their mission.

They have arrived safely.

Mentor then sends up a fine ocular probe.

Beyond the red cliffs,

Although it's early evening,

The beach is quite busy with people walking their dogs.

Despite their ability to transmute and blend with the environment,

They decide to wait until dark to reconnoiter the area.

Dogs are more sensitive than their human companions,

And more likely to pick up their presence.

That's all for now.

See you next time for Chapter 4.