Spacepod, trans-galactic mission to planet earth, interrupted by meteor shower. System now three-quarters inoperative. Repeat. Coordinate H4202, A5360, N1430. Time reference: outer zone 2S. Request immediate aid. Repeat. Request immediate aid.
Time travel is frightening. When you rush back in time, it’s like riding a roller coaster backward...only faster! You can watch the universe through your private porthole. You see stars born and die, you see planets spin into space, comets come and go, supernovas exploding and all the time, you’re not even there. You are but pure energy, counting down in time until you stop.
It is the year 2037, Twenty years since I graduated from Holy Child Educational Center. It was only two decades ago but it might just as well have been 2 centuries ago because my spaceship travels ten times the speed of sound that I reached the age of 18 years old in just three days , two hours and 2 seconds.
So many events happened in the universe since March 2007. You could say there was a cataclysmic turn of events. Pollution of the air, water and land happened on earth. Toxic levels built up quickly and little care and attention was given to what was going on. Luckily, by the time the planet became almost inhabitable, by some sheer force, the other planets in the solar system started to cool down and became livable. Space travel became possible and affordable. The greatest problem of course is tracking down friends when you don’t know in which part of the universe they are in now.
The Batch 2007 of HCEC promised to meet again after 25 years. That’s five years from now. So I figured, I can locate my batchmates before that time arrives.
Did I mention that I’m now living in Andromeda? For 6 years, I served as their Flotilla Commander (the equivalent of the President in a country) Since my term has just ended, I decided to take a pleasure trip and look for my classmates and friends.
The inspiration to look for them was actually triggered by an intergalactic wedding invitation which I received from Atty Eric Rombano from Jupiter , who is about to be married to Dr Christine Joyce Lanuza. Their reception is to be held in Mars, where apparently Joyce lives.
First, I think I have to see my itinerary. I planned this one so I can save on fuel and time, which are both precious in this part of the universe.
Before going to the solar system, where I’m sure most of my friends are living, I plan to drop by some people who also lives in my galaxy to remind them about the reunion, There’s Dr Ria Napoles , a pediatrician, Dr. Samantha Zagada who is now an archaeologist and Atty Jezyl Antonette Lomitao, a prominent corporate lawyer … she just bailed me out of a financial catch-22.
Then, I’ll go to the milky way. Somewhere in the middle, I’ll have a stop over at the Bautista-Otares luxury hotel and spa owned by Karen and Christine Faye. It’s time also to say hello to Capt. Gerhard Gilles Guanzon , Milky way’s most admired pilot who is staying at the hotel everytime he is assigned there.
Then, off to the rim of the milky way where the solar system is located… I’ll start looking from outside in. According to my intergalactic computer-census, several of my former classmates now live in Pluto. There’s Capt. Marco Pim Kaales, a space pilot, Capt. Acewin Realco , seaman extraordinaire, Gen. Marwin Cruzata, their Defense Minister, Dr. John Philip Nadal , now a neurosurgeon, John Arvin Reola, the multimillionaire, and of course Bishop Darren Trinidad, DD, the head of the church in that planet.
Next destination is Neptune. If my memory serves me right, the brilliant heart specialist Dr Wilson So lives there and according to his e-mail, Marc Jarrell works as a nurse in a hospital which was erected by the Buenaflor , Orias and Associates , owned by Arch Kier Orias and Engineer Allen Vincent Buenaflor.
In Uranus, I’ll drop by the clinic of my favorite paediatrician, Dr Christelle Fucio. It lies next to the block where nobel peace prize winner Dr. Carlo Antonio Lanuza lives. Then maybe, Sr. Inspector Matthew Bebonia still lives there because the last time I heard , he was chasing this intergalactic terrorist, so he might still be on a mission with his partner Detective Joemel Neri. In my opinion, they need the assistance of Professor Jeremiah Berina who just patented a UPRS (Universal Positioning Roaming System)
Time to visit one of my favorites: the planet Saturn where Nyce Ann teaches in one of the exclusive schools for Saturnians built by the talented Engr John Richard Walker. Incidentally, he also built the Saturn General Hospital where Monica Nueva works as the head nurse.
Next stop will be the Great planet, Jupiter. Aha! Time to visit the groom. According to Eric, two of his ninongs will be Judge Dan Loquias and Senator Paul Kevin Filio VII. And according to the Milky way gazette, Fergie Simbulan the GBA (that’s Galactic Basketball Association) champion is also there for an inter-star tournament. The celebrated poet, Ms Mary Joy Labenia with her accountant Ms Venice Billones will also be there for an engagement party to be held in honor of Dr Chester Bearis, the brilliant psychologist and Dr Ruvie Ann Ballester, the famous geologist. Ms Denise Pearl Solares, famous writer will be her bridesmaid.
After that, I’ll pay a visit to the red planet, where my Martian friends live. There’s the bemedalled Lt. Gen Paulo Roxas, John Mel Requiero who topped the board exam for nurses, Atty Jobelle Christine Imperial, Dr. Ivy Concepcion Quiapo who works with Nurse Jhamee de la Rosa and Nurse Jennimie Fleur Bernales. The famous balladeer, Jonriel Besinio who won a platinum award for his album: Memoirs of Jesha , is having his concert tour there, too.
Speaking of whom, I wonder where Jesha is. Last time I heard, she was awarded the most outstanding gynecologist in the solar system!
At last, I’ll see planet earth again. But according to the earth guard, Major Jan Lloyd Caballero, the earth is undergoing a major renovation. So, instead, I’ll just go to the moon where awarding ceremonies are usually held .
The video discs on the spaceship flashed random pictures. Interesting. Four nurses will be given the Globe Service award : Clemerry Anne Aranas, Jonna Liah Sena, Jessa Kris Ong and Denisse Lavapie. Celebrated artist Mary Allaine Alcomendas is holding her 12th art exhibit. Congressman Roman Anthony Ladaw holds his anti-terrorism campaign. Hmmm… I think, RA mentioned that General Jeff Tino has been assigned there very recently in preparation for the concert of the universal diva: the incomparable Britley Anne Pornillos.
Venus is still the hottest planet , it still amazes me why Dr. Brenn Resoco lives there. Is it because of Nurse Katrina Denisse Lanon who chose to be assigned there?
Well, well, well… what do we have in Mercury? An airstrip owned by Capt Carl Gorgonia! I .hope Dr. Ervin Taburnal was not pulling my leg when he told me this.
Now this is getting weird. Who has the audacity to live in the sun? But somehow, Engr. Zanerey Rada is happily settled on the photosphere.
At least, I know where they are. What baffles me most is the location of the rest of my batchmates. Arch Daniel James Nacario is designing a new mall on one of the red stars. Dr. Christopher Zubiaga is on duty on one of the orange stars as a Computer Analyst. And what is a fireman doing in Rigel, one of the hottest stars in the universe?… but apparently, that’s exactly where Lorenzo Rellosa III is. Jeffrey Ramos is on a mission to climb the tallest mountain in the universe… where is that? Dr. Gioseppe Bobby Naceno’s last e-mail told me that he is about to go to a place that no one knows… where is that? Now this, tops it all…fleet admiral Kurt Russel Baradi is assigned to another universe? WHERE IS THAT?
I’ll never know if I’m just seated here. So, I’d better start my journey. I flicked on the buttons on my control pad which will catapult me to another galaxy in 45 seconds! First, there was a whining sound. Then, the sound increased in intensity... it actually changed in pitch and suddenly, the energy transformed into light...then there was a quick pulsation and I jumped into hyper-space with a rush almost unbelievable in its intensity
But wait! Where am i? Amazing! Incredible! The sight that met my eyes when I landed on … I did not expect to find black holes on my trip. I did not prepare for this! So, I drifted in space locked in an orbit. I felt so alone and desperate but wonder of all wonders: my equipments still work… except for the clock. It stopped. Then I realized that time does not exist in this void.
I stayed suspended in space, half-awake, disoriented from the impact. Suddenly voices from afar jarred me awake. Turned out that they belong to Dr. Ernesto Cortez and Dr. Jennifer Daza who are on a medical mission in the black hole. While I was recovering from the shock, they called Dr. Marven Ramos, former navy seal but now specializes on fixing spacecrafts.
While my spacepod was reconstructed, we had a long chat. We reminisced the old days. Finally, it was time for me to move on after I extracted a promise that they will be attending the reunion. Now, apparently, it’s so hard to contact someone who is in the blackhole and so, Dr. Ramos gave me an amberstone which turns out to be a supertransmitter. He said, they could get in touch through that stone.
With all the remaining energy resources, I propelled my craft away from the black hole. Strange things started to happen at once! First, all the dials on the command console reverse and spin back to zero readings. Then, my hair stood as rigid as broom sticks and a frightening dizziness overcame me.
Hitting reverse engine and power output buttons frantically, I felt the space pod tumble wildly as if out of control. Then, there’s a period of calm, quickly followed by more tumbling….
I kept on accelerating. Things begin to blur.. the outline of the control console became indistinct... then almost as soon as it began it stopped .
Then, I am awake, wide awake. I glanced at the control console, checked the graph, navigational computer and realized that I was looking at my bedside table with my alarm clock, cellphone and gameboy... that all is well, that I had simply passed into a programmed sleep period which has produced the dreams of nebulae showers...
I’m back to the present... but wait, what is this that I’m holding in my hand?... An amber stone! Now, I wonder...
Delivered by: HD de Castro/ HCEC Soiree 2007
all rights reserved: mgrj 2/8/07
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