Grand Adventures Along the Anova Trail with Mason and Bella

The Mother Road Part 8

The Mother Road

Mason, Bella, and Mac flew to just outside the city limits of the northcentral Texas town of Mineral Wells, where MELCOR North America Central Command is located, the entrance of which is in the side of a mesa. Fenton brought the Ariel III to a gentle stop inside the facility and bid them all farewell. Mac brought them around for a quick tour then introduced them to QM Joseph Turner who usually kept a collection of off-road vehicles, a few touring cars and, on this occasion, a set of three Indian Chiefs. The first was a 2017 in pearl white with blue trim and buckskin saddle bags, Bella fell in love immediately. The second was a 2018 Vintage in silver and black that Mac solemnly walked over and leaned on as to say, "hands off". The third was no eye sore, all Mason could say was, "Whoa." The 2019 Roadmaster in gray and black with a faring that should have missiles was a complete badass. "What you have in mind Heir Mac?" asked Mason looking over his shades at his bike. "It's your call there Mason. I'm just along for the ride." said Mac.

The Quarter Master clapped his hands together and said, "So, let's get you all fitted with the right gear, shall we?" He led them to a huge collection of leather jackets, pants, helmets, and boots that the three tore into like kids in a toy store. After they made their selections, they stood in front of a large mirror to admire themselves. Mac twisted his modifier to a black dude with a massive beard. Mason to a tattooed white guy with a Fu Manchu and Bella an Asian girl with a long braid. "Let's hit the road." said Mac folding his arms. "Just remember, these bikes are company property, keep 'em clean an pristine, please!" yelled QM Turner as they revved their engines. Mason smiled and gave a thumbs up as he let out the clutch an chugged forward to an ungraceful stop. Mac and Bella fell out laughing. Mac yelled, "Don't worry Mate, they're in the hands of total professionals." Mason fired it back up and engaged first gear, turned on the stereo that happened to be playing Highway to Hell by AC/DC as he took off. Mac and Bella looked at each other and shook their heads and were off to catch Mason. QM Turner watched on in angst as he mumbled to himself, "Somehow I'm not comforted by that."

"Fenton, pick us up please." With that a portal opened in the middle of the road and all three drove into the ship's bay. Fenton piped over the comms, "That was a glorious venture. However, I imagined it to be considerably longer than that." "We're off to Chicago where we'll start the trip down the Mother Road." said Mason. Bella gasped with joy, "Route 66? Oh, Mason, that will be epic, good call." Mac nodded, "Last time I hit the Mother Road was 1961. It was me and Seraphim Manotia in a brand-new Eldorado, it was one of the best vacations I ever had."

Fenton was over Chicago in no time where he hovered over the famed strip of concrete and waited for the right moment to open the portal. "Prepare for departure in 10 standard seconds." said Fenton as they started their bikes and waited for the aperture to open. With a swish and a swirl of light, the portal opened and they rode straight through and onto Route 66 and off to a new adventure.

The three brilliant Chiefs gleamed and glinted in the sun as they rolled. Mason and Bella reached across and did a high-five just as Mac blew by holding up both hands into the air and blaring Mr. Blue Sky by ELO, it was epic.

They rode for a few hours before coming across a pack of a dozen or so fellow bikers who waved and urged them to join up with them. This they did until the first fuel stop where the trio greeted the group, a Route 66 fan club from Norway. Mac secretly upgrading their joy and physical health, before they were off again down the magical old route to a place just outside Area 51 where they were picked up by Fenton. There were more things to see!

On the Ariel III, after visiting the sites of Nan Madol, Easter Island, and a fishing trip to Mexico, the three travelers sat in the galley while Mason prepared tea. "How many resets until the current period?" asked Mason handing Mac a cup. "Three total, four if you count the ice age time barrier as a reset, which I suppose it was. Let's see, we had rapid continental drifts, multiple meteor strikes, plagues, glacial creep, the moon thing, which caused a plethora of issues including massive upheaval, super volcanos, tremendous flooding, you name it. We dealt with the Watchers and the Nephilim, the Rebellion, which includes Adam and Eve up to the great flood. We have had several updates and two pauses as well. And here we are." he said raising his cup. "Yea!" cheered Mason and Bella shaking their heads. Mac laughed, "You two are marvelous. I am so glad the Sovereign De Ariel asked me to meet you!" "We're glad you said, yes!" exclaimed Bella putting her arm around Mason's waist. "Alright, I must get back to my duties before they send out the hounds." said Mac with a sigh. "Machiventa, we cannot thank you enough for sharing your experiences and your extremely valuable time with us." said Mason. "If I had not already enjoyed an extended time off, I would love to visit Anova with you. It never ceases to amaze." he said taking a bag full of Urissa rolls from Fenton. "With our sincere gratitude." said Fenton stepping back and bowing to the Melchizedek Master. Mac just laughed and said, "Thank you my friend, Fenton. How thoughtful! Keep these two in line. Will you?" said Mac jokingly. Fenton's face glowed pink as he tilted his head back and laughed. "Keep these two in line?! You know as well as I that is far beyond my programming. By the way, we are upon your destination, Master. You may depart at your convenience." said Fenton taking his leave back to the helm. "He is so sassy!" said Mac with a giggle. "We'll see you to the portal." said Bella as she filled a small knapsack with Sortusis Cheese and Caviar. "Nonsense! You two must accompany me to our North America Headquarters! You have to see our operation as the capstone to my presentation; it is quite astonishing and I would love to introduce you to the staff. For a moment, please." he said batting his eyes. "Oh, how could we refuse after that speech." said Mason rolling his eyes. "Let's do this." laughed Mac as he followed the couple to the portal.

Stepping into the receiving station at MELCOR,

N.A., (North America) located thirty meters below the Stanton-Davis Homestead Museum in Connecticut; Mason and Bella were stunned by the exuberant welcome until they realized it was for Machiventa standing behind them. Mac stepped forward waving and shaking hands with the gleeful staff. "He's a popular figure around here." whispered Mason to Bella. Bella giggled and said, "You think?!" Mac held up his hands to get their undivided attention, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for such a grand welcome! My heart is filled. At the end of my sojourn, the Grand Sovereign of Rantulia contacted me and asked if I would take the time to meet two of the finest personalities the Father has bestowed upon Creation. After spending several days of showing them the sites that mark many of the milestones this blessed rock has endured; I must agree with his majesty. I would like now to introduce to you a couple I have come to adore. All the way from our allied sector of Rantulia; Captain Mason Torvall of El-Nom and the esteemed Commandant of the Melchizedek Institute of Thaikeau, Isabella Rush!" The staff drew a deep breath of awe at the presence of the two representatives of Rantulia and gave them a hearty round of applause. "Thank you, Machiventa for such a gracious introduction. Mason and I are humbled at the hospitality and affection we have encountered throughout Monmatia. The rich history of this system is paled by the goodness of the Fathers presence within His people. From the depths of our heart, we appreciate your dedication to the Celestial Incepts of this world. If the care you have shown us is but a fraction of that which you give them; we are comforted they are in good hands. The Father go with you all!" said Bella to a rousing round of applause.

Mac gave them both a hug and enthusiastically showed them the facility. One of the more interesting features of the facility was the rapid pod port that served the upper east coastal region of North America. There was one tube that caught Mason's eye, it was simply marked, Atlantis. He looked at Mac with a raised eyebrow and pointed to the sign. Mac laughed and said, "That's a bit of a joke we like to play on visitors. However, that tube runs to an underwater base just off the coast of Ireland. In fact, it's one of the first tubes installed. The base was built by the Anovans as a retractable aerial base. That changed when the waters rose. It still rises to sea level for maintenance from time to time. The ancient locals created a legend around it. They called it Brasil." "Hy-Brasil?" asked Bella. "Yes, that's the one." replied Mac. Bella laughed and shook her head. "For the love of Pham." Bella, still chuckling, looked twice at a large, framed photo of an Earth-like world with white rings. "That is exquisite! Where is this world?" she asked as they all gathered around it. "This is Monmatia 3, Urantia." said Mac as he looked at the picture with affection. Bella and Mason looked at Mac and just blinked in silence. "Seriously! This is Earth! Before the Anovans brought their wondrous, 'Attractor' machine along." he said. After a long pause Mason said, "And?" "And the machine worked too well. It started pulling in the ring material at a tremendous rate then the formation began 'feeding' on its own. Within months the moon grew to half its current size but only a couple of mega meters from the planet. That was when the horrors began." Mac said with a sadness as he reached to touch the image. "The Anovans were horrified at the error. Not half as horrified as those whose civilizations were destroyed by it." "Oh, Mac." said Bella with sympathy. "I came along shortly afterwards to begin healing the lands." said Mac now lifting his head with pride. "You and the company did an amazing job. The world is stable and beautiful." said Mason. Mac turned and looked at Mason with a grin,
"True, but it looked a lot better with rings." Bella and Mason just laughed.