BALENN

Chapter 2 The Cyclotron Building U.B.C.

The caravan pulled up to the cyclotron building. Bo was looking out the vent. It looks like this is it. I don't see any traffic. The whole place looks deserted, except for our caravan, said Bo. The sound of someone opening the van door broke the silence. Well, we are here, said Allen, as he jumped up into the van. I hope you guys don't mind putting the net over yourselves again? Just in case there are others around. They did not reply, but pulled the net over themselves, while Allen secured their hands. Your objection is duly noted by your absence of approval, said Allen. This should be the last time we need to do this. The rest of the hunting • party were waiting outside the van, in the rain. They were waiting to get one last look at their captives before heading to their respective homes with the news. Allen came out first. The Ehesti struggled to climb down, while being held together by the net. It was an awkward maneuver, but they all jumped at once and got it done with a thud. Some of the on-lookers grabbed at the visitors, pulling out bits of hair to take home as souvenirs. Frank seeing this, was embarrassed. He angrily shouted orders to speed up the parade and in a few seconds everyone was inside. The Ehesti were taken into their new home or jail, as Beem had put it. The door was closed behind them. Allen and Frank stayed inside and locked the door so no one else could get in. Well, here we are, said Allen, telepathically. This is your new home for a while. It was assumed that the thick concrete walls and the overhead cyclotron would keep you from escaping. I can see you are still skeptical about our powers, said Beenan. Watch, he said and instantly he disappeared. He re-appeared outside the building. He waved to the people that were still there and re-appeared back in front of Allen and Frank. All of this occurred within three seconds. Not long enough for anyone to absorb what had happened, but long enough to put to rest any doubt Frank or Allen had. Thanks for that demonstration, said Allen. I know the power of your belief system, said Beenan. It is hard for you humans to believe anything without, what you call "proof." Now we can continue on a better level. Frank remained mostly silent, as if he knew that they were talking telepathically. He was more shocked by Beenan's demonstration than Allen was. He was even beginning to doubt if he had really disappeared. I think Frank is still unsure, said Beenan. Ask him to go outside the building and question the people out there. Tell him to ask the people what they saw. Allen relayed that verbally to Frank.

Frank went outside reluctantly, he was being given the bum's rush. When he got outside and heard the commotion, he walked over to hear it. Sure enough, they had all seen Beenan appear for two seconds. Frank then realizing that someone might have doubts about how securely the visitors were held, suggested to them that it was only a projection. A power the visitors have which we don't yet, he explained. Rest assured, they are being held safe and sound, he said. The men accepted Frank's explanation. He was their leader, so his word was gospel. They were quite familiar with holograph projections. This was probably similar. Frank rushed back inside to be with Allen and the visitors. When he returned, Allen was busy showing the Ehesti some of the functions of the room. There were no windows. There were two cameras monitoring their actions, from an outside control room. You may turn the cameras away from you for privacy, any time you wish. We will learn much more about you though, if you leave them on. The temperature can be controlled by you here, he pointed to a thermostat. Your minimum is minus fi ve Celsius and maximum is twenty-five Celsius. Lighting is variable also from this control switch. All the furniture was of giant size, to accommodate the eight foot creatures. The ceiling was ten feet high. Allen then directed their attention to the TV sets along the wall. This is your language course you were asking about. You press this button to hear the words depicting the image on the screen. This camera shows homes, this one fruit, this once action, this one vegetation, etc. You should be able to learn most of our language from these TVs said Allen. If you want more information than what is here, just ask. We have an unlimited supply of information for you about us.