Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Transformed Francis

Francis Timothy was in his office waiting for the long

night to be over ..He was thinking about how cleverly and

swiftly things were taken care . He had underestimated his

son all along…His attraction to publicity had already

placed him in a very dangerous situation and he thought he

had not learnt any lesson from his experience . He was

almost certain that he would have called the media ,if he

had not warned about the problems..

He was wondering who would have hit the masked men ..

he did not see anyone but yet all of the armed men were

assaulted in no time .. If his son and friends had not done

it, who would have done it! Was it some kind of

witchcraft…? He knew witchcraft was something that

was not so uncommon in this part of the world.. He had

experienced these kinds of abnormal activities while he

was with Oliver..

Perhaps ,his ancestors were still around this place and

protecting him.. he looked at all his ancestor’s photos

hanging on the walls ..and he was certain they were

smiling! He averted his eyes and moved away crossing

himself..

1

36

He recalled that his son was not very astonished about this

abnormality.. to think of it Redim did not make any

remarks about this when they met afterwards .. so they

knew something that he did not know! Only his wife was

so shocked and still had not come out of the shock..

Then he realised , his son was capable of dealing with any

problems.. He decided to help him all he could and for a

change take a back seat.. let his son tell him in his own time

.

.if there was something to be told , he would tell him . he

would not pry it out of him..

There was a knock and Frank entered . Francis was happy

to see his son and he asked about the villagers ..

‘The villagers are in the hall and in the guest rooms ..’ he

said and continued , ‘ dad I need to talk to you but father no

media… No one should come to know of this as my word

of honour was given ‘

Francis was alarmed if his son was involved in any

criminal activity and thought better of it .. ,

‘Frank , I really don’t want to know anything.. I trust you

completely and if you have given your word of honour that

you would keep a secret , then I advise you to respect it’

Just ask for any help without giving me any explanation ,I

will help you ..I can understand your dilemma’

Frank was so touched..and he went and hugged his father ..

1

37

‘

dad it means a lot to me .. I need to get some information

about the recent news from NASA regarding the radio

message from space.. I am planning to go there personally

to find more about the possibilities of connecting with

extraterrestrial species . But I need to go tomorrow and if

you could arrange me to meet someone there and ask your

secretary to make my travel arrangement to USA….’

His father laughed , ‘ you don’t come and ask for simple

things .. well I do know one of the scientists in NASA

whom I had helped in his earlier years .. I don’t want you to

go alone .. Why don’t you go with your friends .. Dr Redim

seems to be a level headed girl and Richard has already

proved his loyalty to you .. take them with you.. I will make

arrangements’ ..He picked up his phone and Frank thanked

his father and left..

Frank went in search of Richard and as he guessed Richard

was there in the kitchen. He was sitting there with Redim

and Mary and having tea .. He joined them ..Mary brought

him some snacks and she excused herself.

Frank asked , ‘ Richard ,do you have your passport..?’

Richard looked surprised and he said, ‘ yes Frank , few

years back my uncle found me a job in Singapore and got

my passport.. Only I never went anywhere..’

Redim asked, ‘ why ? all of this interest in his passport?’

1

38

‘

not only Richard , but yours too.. Instead of sitting here

and trying to solve a puzzle, why don’t we go there and

find about the source of the message’

‘But it would take at least a week or more to arrange visa to

go to USA .. I cannot hang around here for so long..’

Frank smiled and said, ‘ I am talking about tomorrow.. dad

has offices in USA and the standard procedure to travel for

the personnel is simple .. the office takes the responsibility

of inviting anyone as they have been given the permit to

bring their workers .So I expect to get through the embassy

formalities in record time . but let us wait for Dad’s

confirmation’

Redim was enthusiastic, ‘ I am ok with this then.. Only I

had to see if I had packed everything or need anything ‘

Frank and Richard both had to laugh..

‘

I thought ,only Richard will be worried as he didn’t come

prepared ..but of course a lady would think of it

first..Richard you need not worry ..I will ask Mary to pack

something .. You go get suitcase from the guest room wall

cabinet..’

They both left laughing… Frank wanted to do some

research before going there .. He thought it would not be

difficult to get the details of the radio signal but getting the

exact coordinate and other details would not be so simple ..

1

39

He must have a plan B…He thought of Re and really

wanted to help them.. But they had not asked for any help

so far ..the Link glowed and he could feel the slight vibes.

He climbed the steps two at a time and entered his suite and

locked it..

He sat on his bed and concentrated ..Re wanted to come

and see him in person .. he agreed and asked him to come

as soon as possible..’

Re was in front of him even before he could finish the

sentence Re transfigured himself like a colourful macaw

and preened himself delicately.. Frank was amazed at his

ability to appear in seconds ..

Re said without any preamble , ‘ I have a proposition for

you.. you know we are in transit to unknown destination ..

if you find us a destination , you will be the richest man on

earth .. the treasure we have been guarding for the past

thousand years would be yours ‘

Frank was little annoyed .. He was ready to help them for

nothing but he reminded himself that they were not humans

.

Frank said simply , ‘ yes of course … but you know I

have already decided to help you..’

‘

We know it… we would like our team to accompany

you.. to wherever you are going .. they may come up with

the answer easily if you give them the direction.. We have

1

40

been visiting places that you call as China, America,

Europe , Russia and of course this country’s space research

centre as well the world research organisation in

Switzerland . But the set up was very primitive . We had

even visited the space station along with Russian space

craft Soyuz and stayed there ..’

Frank thought for a while.. It would not be difficult to take

them ..They might come in handy in the time of need..

Moreover they would know what exactly they require .

Frank was about to agree to him when there was a knock on

the door.. He looked at Re and he disappeared in a fraction

of a second…

He went to open the door . His father looked excited and

entered his room and said . ‘ everything is taken care of

.

.you three are going to USA tomorrow from the nearest

international airport via Dubai .. You will be received by

our PRO ArulRaj at Orlando international airport. He will

take you to your accommodation and help you in all the

arrangements..Later you will go to the NASA branch in

Florida where you will meet Dr. Ashwin Vasudevan..he has

been briefed about your visit. Well ... I think I have done

what you have asked.. you will be met and given with all

the necessary papers in TRV airport and you people are

expected by noon tomorrow…’

Frank was impressed , ‘ thank you so much dad .. it is

amazing that all these have been arranged by few phone

calls in a remarkable time ’

1

41

‘Son , it is not what you know or what you have

matters..It is who you know matters .... don’t worry about

The seekers anymore ..I will make arrangement for the

captured men to be taken by the Interpol .. Well. now you

take rest’ He left. After giving him all the contact details .

Frank felt as if he was in the middle of a cyclone .. He

locked the door after his father left and again Re appeared .

Re said, ‘ a group led by Zo will accompany you and don’t

search for them as they will not be seen .I will be in touch

with you so don’t leave the link here’

Re left ..

Frank was wondering if it his misfortune or his fortune that

brought him these responsibilities. He and friends had to be

in the airport by noon if so they have to leave here by nine

in the morning after breakfast as the airport was only three

hours drive ..he got his favourite carryall and filled it with

the entire essential ,hoping the other two would have done

the same . he had a disturbed sleep ..

*

**********

1

42