Trees Hold Up the Sky 1 William James Johnson

Impossible to explain to someone who has no faith, innocent natives of the Amazon rain forest believe their life source comes from the dense forest canopy, and are terrified their sky will fall if the bulldozers continue ravaging the giant trees.

Capitalists, with their powerful machines grind onward, devastating 30,000 acres a day. Worshiping the God of progress, they wreak havoc on the underdeveloped countries, despoiling them like they have done in their own land, where their spewed poisons in the air and water, silently mutate future generations. Not only will the annihilation of this hemisphere's organic purifier end these primitive lives, but unable to renew itself, the resulting toxic atmosphere will eventually destroy the garbage maker.

Nature is the only truth. Contravene its laws and it is unforgiving.
_________________________________
Jess Martin hurried up the steps to the office in the tower at North Western University. Although his own work was only an hour away at Roosevelt College in Farnwell, he had not been back to his alma mater since the reunion ten years ago. Now a world figure on the scientific stage, he still took on assignments with the zest of a child beginning a new adventure. His old mentor, Dr. Joe Frum had sent for him, and as far as Jess was concerned, a request from Joe, was like an order from anyone else.

"Come in Jess. You know Professor Newton?" Jess Martin extended his hand.

"Never had the pleasure Professor, but I feel like I've known you for years."

"Oh! How's that?"

"Your adventures...All those reports in the Journals. That's exciting stuff. I try to read everything I can get on you."

"That's flattering Doctor. I've kept pretty close tabs on your work too. Not many men have had the skill to interpret the symbols of past civilizations like you." Frum smiled as they seemed to ignore him.

"Don't mind me," said Frum.

Doctor Joseph Frum was commissioned by the Inter-American Affairs Department to coordinate the archaeological discovery made by Newton and his staff in the Colombian grasslands near San Fernando de Atabapo. The Altamira cave paintings in northern Spain, were insignificant compared to the massive pictorial graphics found inside the Columbian mountain. Eager to capitalize on this historic find, the cultural minister in Bogota promised his government's support in analyzing the mural.

Aware of his life time commitment in his search for origins, world renown Jess Martin was Joe Frum's prime candidate to study these ancient hieroglyphics.

"Sorry Joe. It's just that I'm a fan of Doctor Newton and his South American adventures, and meeting him like this, is a real treat."

"I'm only kidding. I'm delighted seeing you two hit it off so well."

"When you called, it sounded pretty important."

"Anything that can help us better understand our roots is important," said Frum.

"Then you're going to like my latest project," said Jess.

"What's that Doctor?" asked Newton.

"Please...call me Jess."
"Okay...and Hank suits me fine. Now what's this thing you're working on?"

"We're studying the tablets which were brought back from Kargil. At first we thought they were primitive prayer tablets, but it's beginning to look more like they may be a link with a super intelligent race that existed over five thousand years ago."

"Kargil is in Kashmir isn't it?"

"That's right. Our party had to use Sherpas to get there. It's been a long haul."

"Well I'd like to hear more about these tablets, but that will have to wait," said Newton.

"Hank's party has made a very important discovery in Colombia," said Frum.

"Don't tell me you're going to say you found tablets too."

"Better than that. We've discovered the opening to a vast cave, large enough to accommodate a sizable population."

"The legendary cave of the Aztecs?" asked Jess. "The one where 17,000 natives disappeared during the Spanish conquest?"

"That's what we think. Only our cave goes back much further in time."

"Oh! How much further?"

"Carbon dating places the pigment used in the cave paintings at over 500,000 years ago."

"What! Half a million years?"

"That's right. It has several symbols carved right into the surface of the walls, some in bright colours, others mere scratches in organized patterns, much like the carvings at Karnak."

"And they've lasted all this time?"

"The cave apparently protected the symbols from the elements."

"As you know Jess," said Frum, "we're all worried about the massive development going on now in the Amazon region. Heavy machinery is tearing up thousands of acres a day, with no concern about the devastation to the native population, or the archaeological possibilities. Hank and his party have spent several years in Colombia, trying to locate this ancient civilization rumored in legend to have been cave dwellers. They've been trying desperately to explore this area before so called progress destroys everything.

"You can understand how we all felt when his coded message came. I was given the message to decipher, and when I learned the first word of the message was 'cave', you have no idea what a rush it gave me. Then when it said it was enormous, filled with artifacts and symbols, I knew my fondest prayer had been answered."

Jess Martin was excited about the news, but puzzled he had not heard of it before this. "I'm surprised the media hasn't gotten a hold of the story."

"We aren't ready to let it out."

"How come? It seems in the past, events like this were deliberately leaked to the press to get an increase in grants. With this present administration, I'm surprised you haven't been on every talk show in the country."

"We've got to keep the lid on Jess until you can give us some idea what all those symbols mean," said Hank.

"What are they? Pictures? Shapes?"

"I'm no expert in symbology, but what I have read about your work, I'm quite certain, the symbols are a map of some kind, which could lead us to even greater discoveries."

"Why a map?"

"Some of the shapes on the walls relate to the exterior terrain, up to a hundred miles away. We have a geologist in our party, and he's done extensive traveling to coordinate our discovery with known landmarks. Do you realize this is the oldest form of communication ever discovered on earth? If you can break the code, we'll have a better idea of our origins."

"And isn't that what this is all about?" asked Frum.

"Bring any pictures with you?"

"I was going to, but Joe felt that if I whetted your appetite, you'd be more likely to join our party. With pictures, there was the chance you would remain here and do your study of the symbols out of context."

"Possibly. But then I would have my computer to assist me in the imaging. I'm surprised you haven't any pictures. Don't get me wrong. I'm not criticizing you. I'd have done the same thing. It'll be a few months before I can get away. I've still got plenty of work to do on those prayer tablets."

"Washington has already given you clearance to go with Hank. The tablets will have to wait until your return."

Jess sensed he was not being given the whole story. This sixth sense was probably why he was so adept at breaking codes.

"Okay fellows. What is it you're not telling me?"

"What do you mean?" asked Hank.

"There's more to this than studying some marks on a cave. What's it all about?"

"I told you he'd sense we were holding back," said Joe.

"Then who is going to own up?"

"I will," said Hank. "I was afraid if I told you what I had calculated from the symbols, you might not take on this assignment."

"So. Let's hear it. You owe me that at least."

"As I said Jess, I'm no expert. But I think the symbols were put there by aliens."

"As in people from another country?"

"As in people from another planet."

"Another what?"

"Planet," repeated Joe. "That's why we're reluctant to speculate."

"You're saying space creatures put those marks on the cave walls?"

"Like I said I'm no expert."

"Then why are you speculating like this?"

"Whoever did this, knows the mathematical relationships of Pi, the Einstein theory of relativity, and a formula which connects all the energy theories into a unified force."

"You sure this isn't some kind of hoax to discredit your discoveries?"

"I've only scratched the surface. I haven't even told you about a formula which seems to make use of the earth's magnetic field for space propulsion. The government has classified this project Top Secret."

"Leave it to the bureaucrats."

"You can't blame them. If word got out, the whole area would be swamped with scientists from all over the world. We don't want a mess like what happened in the Antarctic. Besides like I said before, we really don't know what it all means, and may never know the whole truth. We need you there, and we need you now."

"Why is the government interested?"

"If these formulas will help us gain a better understanding of space travel, they want to have first claim on them."

"The government is calling this the Atabapo Project," said Joe. "The main base is in San Fernando de Atabapo."

"Okay. Let's be realistic. Let's say I agree to go. How much time do I have to prepare?"

"Yesterday would have been fine. It really is that urgent. But as you say. Let's be realistic. I know it's going to press you, but I'd be awful pleased if you could be ready to leave with me on Monday."

"Monday! That's only five days"

"You've got to make it Jess. It'll sure make everything a lot easier."

"Okay. I'll give it my best shot."

"And I've got to stress how important it is you don't discuss anything about today's meeting. Not even with your wife."

"Oh great...I'm leaving for South America in five days and I can't explain anything. Martha isn't going to take too kindly to that. That's how I lost my first wife."

"Tell her you've been asked by the government to negotiate a University swap with the languages department in Bogota. You can say you had to go on little notice because there is a Professor we wish to get here in America before some other country gets him."

"You don't know Martha."

"Joe's right Jess. Even Martha has to be kept out of the picture."

"And when I don't return in a week, then what?"

"I'll explain you've been sent on a special government mission to work on codes. You've done this before. She'll understand."

"Oh yeah...of course. University wives always do."

"Don't worry about clothing. We've got everything you'll need when you get there."

"How about a computer?"

"Got the latest IBM."

"Equipped with a modem so I can keep in touch with my staff back here."

"All of it. Carte blanche. You need any of your staff, we can arrange for that too."

"Just one. Laura Mason."

"She's the one who led that expedition to Kargil," added Frum.

"That's the one. Brilliant woman."

"Damn fine looking too if I remember correctly."

"Well, I'm sure not going to hold that against her," said Jess, smiling.

"This woman, Laura Mason. Married or single?" asked Newton.

"Recently split. Her husband wants her to be there when he gets home from work, and Laura isn't that kind of woman. I've never met anyone as dedicated to her work. She'll go until she drops."

"Sounds like the kind of scientist we need," said Newton. "I'll leave it to you to contact her and have her prepare to go with us."

"How much can I tell her?"

"Only what you think is essential to get her to join us."

Jess stood up and extended his hand to Frum. "Thanks Joe for asking me. And Hank, let's hope this is the beginning of a long and exciting adventure."

After he left Joe turned to Hank and spoke in a low voice. "Think we should have told him the real reason you got no pictures?"

"There'll be plenty of time for that later. I got what I came for."

Jess ran down the tower steps three at a time, anxious to notify Laura of her new assignment. He had not been with her when she went to Kashmir, but that had not stopped him fantasizing what it would be like being with this stunning woman on a true adventure.

Driving back to Farnwell he dreamed of sitting beside her, the fire illuminating her marvelous face, his arms around her, shielding her from the cold night air. He sneaked a peek at himself in the rear vision mirror. Tiny flecks of grey had sprouted around his ears the last few years. His face still looked young.
At forty one, Jess Martin still felt the need to prove his desirability occasionally with one of his female students. Handsome in a rugged sort of way, and absolutely brilliant when it came to academic work, he had no difficulty charming the hopefuls who would do anything to be selected to do their post graduate studies under his guidance.

Laura had achieved her Doctorate at Shanghai University, and had worked with the United Nations Cultural Committee before coming to Roosevelt College to head its Archaeology Department. Jess was the Dean of Languages at Roosevelt, and spent most of his time with his small staff in Cultural Coding, studying documents and artifacts brought to the College by Laura and her staff.

Now in her early thirties, Laura had been married to a tax specialist who worked in the accounts department of Roosevelt. Tired of trying to make a homebody out of her, their stormy eight year marriage ended, when Dan Mason fell in love with his assistant, Fred Harms. Dedicated to her work, Laura made no secrets about the fact she still had room in her life for romance if the right man came along.

In the lobby of her condominium Jess pressed the button and waited. "Who is it?"

"Me Laura...Jess Martin."

He heard the buzzer and pushed opened the heavy door. As he got off the elevator, Laura was waiting in the hall for him.

"What a pleasant surprise."

"You haven't heard the half of it yet."

"Of what? You really are excited."

"How would you like to take off on an adventure in the jungles of Colombia?"

"What...?"

"It's up to you Laura. I've been asked to go to Colombia with Dr. Newton, and if you want to come along, be my assistant, all you have to say is yes."

He marveled at how attractive she looked in a pair of tight jeans and Roosevelt sweat shirt. She led him into her living room and sat on the comfortable art deco couch, tucking her bare feet under her.

"Can I get you something to drink?"

"Not now. Thanks."

"So. What's this all about?"
"Newton has discovered a cave with ancient symbols he wants decoded, and I thought you might like to get in on it with me. I sure could use your help."

"Tell me more."

"Apparently carbon dating places it about half a million years ago."

"What...?" She was astounded.

"That's what I said when he told me. This is the oldest communication ever recorded."

"Oh Jess...What a tremendous opportunity."

"Those are my feelings exactly."

"Of course I'll go. When is all this happening?"

"We leave Monday for Bogota."

"Monday...but. What about my staff ? That's practically no warning at all."

"Joe Frum has probably already told them. Just in case he hasn't, you better get on the phone and get the ball rolling."

"This is fantastic Jess. Honestly, it's absolutely fantastic."

She put her arms around his neck and kissed him warmly. "Thanks for thinking of me."

"I've done a lot of that."

"Would you like that drink now?"

"Take a rain check on it. Gotta face Martha with the news. If you need anything, call Frum. He's got all the gen. I don't want Martha to know about you coming along. I'm going to have enough problems as it is."

"Thanks again Jess. I'm so excited."

"There's even more. But it'll have to wait."

Read other novels by William James Johnson at www.noozoon.blogspot.com