Quazum

WHERE ARE YOU 258

Sheriff Neil and four other policemen were being led through the downtown area by the homeless man. Police looked down the empty alleyways and were carrying batons with guns in their holsters. Homeless guys and d**g users ran down the old streets and up the dirty alleys when they noticed the cops.

“This is the street,” finally said the homeless man as he pointed down the empty alley. “That ghost was lying down there with that human guy you called Ben. And then the ghost just attacked us, for no reason.”

The group of policemen turned down the alley and walked slowly along looking carefully at the dirty sidewalk for clues. They shined flashlights at the litter and dirty walls of graffiti.

“You sure it was this alley?” asked one police officer as he ripped the blanket off of a homeless man and kicked him in the side.

“This is the place. I know it is.”

“And the ghost went up the side of this building?”

“It climbed up the wall the bleeding man you showed me.”

“I see some blood, Sheriff,” yelled one officer as he shined the flashlight on the wall.

“Get a sample,” said Neil as he looked around the alleyway. “How can we get up to the rooftops of these buildings?”

“There’s got to be access from inside.”

Neil and the group of policemen turned and quickly ran around to the front of the building. The receptionist seemed confused as Neil walked up holding out his badge. “We wanna investigate the rooftop.”

“The roof? Do you have a police warrant?” asked the confused receptionist.

“I’m the Sheriff. I don’t need a warrant.”

“I don’t think I can just let anyone in. This is a private company. We do not give permission for any unauthorized investigation.”

Sheriff Neil ignored the receptionist and hurried to the staircase followed by other policemen.

“Excuse me!” yelled the confused receptionist.

When the exhausted cops got to the top of the stairs, there was a door with a small sign saying, “Rooftop”.

With guns drawn, Neil forced the door open and walked out onto the rooftop. The policemen walked around looking for any ghost-like signs of possible criminals. When Neil got to the edge of the building, he looked over the side and could see the gutter and brick that was used to climb the side of the building.

Other policemen examined small articles of torn clothing at one end of the rooftop where Ben and Quazum were hiding. “Sheriff? I see some torn articles of clothing and more blood stains.”

Another policeman ran over. “Someone bleeding was definitely on the rooftop of this building within the last few hours.”

“Get blood samples and identify!”

“Yes sir. We’re on it.”

“Ben?!” yelled Sheriff Neil as he looked around the city. “Ben Thomas? Where are you?”

“You think the ghost took him?” asked a confused policeman.

“I want a complete All Points Bulletin put out for a search for Ben Thomas,” yelled Neil. “Any sightings or info of possible location of Ben Thomas will be brought to my attention.

* * *

Rico, drove the cab quickly up to Grocery Mart, and Dr. Palmer opened the door saying to Rico again, “Keep the meter running. I’ll be back.”

“Not a problem, sir. Take your time. I’ll be waiting right here.” Rico pushed buttons showing the rising cost of the trip, then leaned back and turned up the radio.

Dr. Palmer walked into the store, looked around, then walked up to one of the workers. “Excuse me. I want to know if you recognize this face?” Palmer held up the picture on his computer phone taken of Lacy dressed in an exploration suit.

“Maybe,” answered one of the grocery workers. “She looks a little familiar.”

Dr. Palmer pulled more pictures and video up on his computer showing Lacy in uniform laughing and smiling. “Her name is Lacy Meaux. She used to work with Space Exploration in California.”

“And she was shot by police in her own home,” said the manager as he walked up from behind. “I heard about that, but I didn’t know she was a scientist.”

“Yes,” answered Palmer. “What can you tell me about her?”

“I think that girl’s been coming here about once a month, always wearing a hat and glasses. She didn’t talk or say anything. She’d just buy a couple of simple things like spices...”

“Salt?” asked Palmer.

“Yeah! And rice and bread and beans... Stuff like that.”

Another worker added with a laugh, “And she didn’t look nothing like the happy girl in your video.”

Palmer nodded politely, then turned back to other workers, “I’m also looking for information about the ghost sighting in your store. What can you tell me about that?”

“Oh,” said the manager. “Everyone’s been asking questions about that.”

“Can you give me more information about what was seen?”

“I know it scared the crap out of Nancy over there. That I can say for sure.”

Palmer looked over to see Nancy, the nervous cashier ignoring the attention. Palmer then walked over and asked directly, “So you witnessed the motion and you heard things?”

“Yeah,” yelled the store manager. “She saw lots of things that no one else saw.”

Nancy continued checking out a customer and ignored the attention. “I don’t want to talk about it. News and cameras have been asking questions, and everyone’s making fun of me. I’ve had enough. I ain’t seen nothing I ain’t already explained.”

“I’m not from the news,” answered Palmer politely. “I believe what you saw and heard was real. I want to hear more detail of what you witnessed.”

Nancy looked nervous as everyone looked on waiting for an answer. She reluctantly finished checking out the customer, and put up a chain. “Sorry Mam. This aisle is closed.” Nancy then led Palmer down the aisle where she saw Quazum and stood nervously with her arms crossed.

“I read there were unexplained sounds. Can you tell me exactly what you heard?”

“I saw something move and heard noises. I just walked over here to see. It was a ghost that climbed up shelves and then rode out on a shopping cart. That’s all I know.”

“Yes. I’ve read about the motion you witnessed. And the ghost took salt right off the shelf, and then the unexplained rolling cart,” said Palmer. “But I want to know about the sounds you might have heard? Specifically.”

“I don’t know. It sounded like this ghost had a normal voice, maybe like a little boy’s voice... But there was no one there. I swear.”

“Do you remember anything specific? What did the voice say?”

“It was just strange sounds. Ghost sounds.”

“Did you understand anything? Any words?”

Nancy looked around trying to remember. “I think it said something that sounded like...” Nancy then paused and looked around. “It sounded like ‘Quazum... My name is Quazum’.”

“Quazum?” asked Dr. Palmer in surprised voice. He then stared at Nancy thinking about what that might mean. “Quazmopolis?”

Nancy got defensive, “I don’t know. There was yelling and everyone running up and down the aisles. I don’t know for sure. That’s just what it sounded like. And I’m not sure about anything! I’m just guessing!”

Palmer turned around and quickly began walking towards the grocery exit. He was deep in thought.

“Where are you going?” yelled Nancy. “Does ‘Quazum’ mean something?”

Other workers noticed Dr. Palmer hurrying out deep in thought and yelled, “So do we have ghosts in our store? Do you believe her?”

Dr. Palmer didn’t answer but continued out to the taxi and climbed inside. The car then sped away.

* * *

Sheriff Neil was hurrying down the hall towards his office and was surrounded by confused policemen. “Hey Sheriff?” asked one officer. “What do we tell all the reporters?”

“These guys are shoving mics in our faces and asking weird questions,” yelled another cop. “What do we tell them?”

Neil finally stopped and turned around. “You don’t answer any specific news questions. It’s just, ‘We’re investigating’. That’s all you need to say!”

“But sheriff, do we have more information?”

“We’ve got claims from g**g members downtown, and people around the city claiming more ghost sightings. We’re investigating,” answered Neil.

More policemen followed, “And more people saw ghosts at the graveyard!”

“And ghosts in their attic!”

“I think people are just trying to get attention.”

Neil continued into his office and slammed the door behind him. He sat down and went through stacks of unexplained information involving ghost sightings on his desk. Police officers watched through his window before Vera knocked and politely opened the door.

“What do you want? I’m busy.”

“I don’t want to bother you, sir. But I just got new information about another sighting.”

“Great,” responded Palmer sarcastically. “What’s this one?”

“It was at a motel. Witnesses saw a man walking through the motel lobby with ‘ghost-like’ sounds coming from his suitcase.”

“That’s it? That’s a ghost sighting now? What else?”

“He was in his thirties, and he reportedly paid with cash. No identification.”

“So, an average guy checked into a motel and paid cash. That narrows it down to half the country. What else?”

Vera flipped through pages in her notebook and continued, “Well, we’ve been continuing the investigation of the Meaux property in the Back-Bayou, and the old cabin owned by Gabriel Meaux.”

“Anything new?”

“There were lots of interesting unexplained items.” Vera read from the file. “First, police found a fifteen-year-old car in the back of the cabin covered in tree branches and leaves.”

“Did they trace it?”

“The car was registered to Miss Lacy Meaux. But it was still registered to her home in California. It’s hardly been driven.”

“What else?”

Vera continued reading, “Investigators found solar panels on the roof of the cabin.”

“Solar panels? Meaux was using solar energy? Did these panels even work?”

“They looked homemade... Parts came from various companies in different colors, sizes and shapes. We don’t know where he got them or who installed them.”

“I know Gabriel Meaux didn’t build them. His daughter must have done it. What else?”

“Well, there’s a pet bird and a little pet fish.”

“What are they eating?” asked Neil with a laugh.

“It seems there’s a machine that continues refilling their food.”

“Wow... More Space Exploration technology. What else?”

“Reports are coming in now that there’s another unidentified man going through the city in a taxi cab asking questions about the Meaux family.”

“Is he a reporter?”

Vera read from a document she pulled out. “We don’t have a name but think he’s from a government agency in California, Space Exploration. He talked to men at the funeral home and employees at Grocery Mart, trying to get information about Lacy and the ghost sightings.”

“Find that man,” replied Neil with confidence. “I want him arrested and brought in.”

“We have no documented records, and no videos or photos.”

“Just get him in here. I want to talk to him.”

“I’ll put the word out.” Vera scribbled on her pad before getting up and walking out.

Sheriff Neil immediately spun around to his computer and began typing information when the computer spoke up, “Injury to man eating breakfast in downtown alley may have been serious. Local hospitals have no reported stab wound victims and no emergency room visits for bleeding cuts. Blood type of man is ‘O negative’, which is rare but applies to many citizens of the Back-Bayou.”

“What about Ben Thomas?”

After a few seconds, the computer answered. “Ben Thomas worked as a used car salesman in California. Prior to that, he was an explorer at the Space Exploration Agency which is paid for and managed by a Dr. William Palmer. More recently, he accompanied police at the home of Gabriel Meaux, where he and daughter Lacy were shot and killed.”

“What’s Ben’s blood type?”

“Registered blood type of Ben Thomas is O Negative.”

Neil began clicking on pictures and scrolling through information on the computer screen when his door swung open. Neil spun around and looked up in anger as Dr. Palmer walked over to the front of Neil’s desk.

“Hello Sheriff Neil. My name is Dr. Palmer.”

* * *

Quazum was sitting on the bed with the large computer flat screen. He pushed buttons and dragged computer boxes around on the screen and typed in questions. The computer continued speaking, “Quazmopolis temperatures seem to vary most greatly along the northern hemisphere. Readings have shown numbers peeking at two hundred degrees with lows of fifty-seven below zero degrees Fahrenheit.”

Quazum listened curiously, then pushed more buttons. The computer continued, “Due to the weight of the hard rock surface, scientists fear that fresh water may not be accessible on the surface.”

Ben then stepped out of the bathroom wearing a clean motel robe. He was clean shaven, and his hair neatly brushed. Ben walked over to the other bed and lied down exhausted.

Quazum continued studying the computer and pushing buttons. “New mission to Quazmopolis is scheduled for take-off in two days. Scientists hope to create a new form of life with Arid Cacti plants, capable of surviving extreme temperatures. Studies will also examine unexplained motion detected by radars of nearby satellites.”

“Hey, it’s kind of hot in here!” said Ben. “Is the AC not working?”

“I’m fine at any temperature.”

“Do you mind if I turn it down some?” Ben walked over and examined the digital reading on the hi-tech pad. “Proper room temperature for humans is in the seventies!”

“I’m fine with daytime temperatures in the upper one fifties, or the negative twenties.”

“How about we round off to about seventy-two?” Ben adjusted the temperature and walked back to his bed. When he lied down, his injured arm bumped the bedside table, and he moaned in pain, “Ow!”

Quazum put down the keyboard and rushed over to examine the wound. “I’ll put a fresh wrap around the cut using the motel medical kit.”

“I don’t know how you did it, but these cuts have already healed so much. Those were deep.”

“Looks like all is healing properly. No permanent damage.”

“What’s the life expectancy of your species? Do you have any idea?”

“I believe with my fast metabolism and self-healing epidermis skin; my species matures at a younger age and lives a longer lifetime.”

“Maybe you could just pursue a career in medicine here. Ever think about that?”

“I won’t need it. When I get to Quazmopolis, I will live in comfort with my true family. And damaged body parts of the reptile species can grow back as good as new.”

“I can get you to Quazmopolis, but we’ve got to work together. Your mom and I were a strong part of the Space Exploration program, and I know I can get you in there with all the explorers!”

“I don’t like human scientists exploring my natural home. It could do harm to Quazmopolis and the beings like me.”

“Yeah, maybe this can be the last mission.” Ben then stopped and looked up. “Why do you think you were sent here? Why would your family implant you into a foreign body? Maybe they wanted to expand the Quazmopolis species to another planet?”

“I don’t know,” answered Quazum. “I just want to return home and start over.”

“Maybe Space Exploration could have meetings with leaders from Quazmopolis? Maybe you can be like a representative with the United Nations?”

“They do not want life on Quazmopolis to be exposed. They are hiding from human invasion.” Quazum seemed to be depressed before looking up with pride, “My mission is to protect the members of my true race.”

* * *

Dr. Palmer sat down in the chair in front of Sheriff Neil’s desk, took off his hat and placed it in the side chair as he looked around the dirty office. Vera, the receptionist and secretary, stood at the doorway watching curiously. “He forced his way in. I couldn’t stop him!”

Palmer turned to Vera. “You may be excused. And close the door.”

Vera looked at the angry face of Sheriff Neil as he motioned with his hand. She then turned and walked out and closed the door behind her.

“I know about you,” said Neil as he looked Palmer in the eye. “You’re the guy that’s been snooping around town, asking questions, interrogating locals, and making accusations.”

Dr. Palmer opened his briefcase, pulled out his personal computer and began reading from files. “What can you tell me about the sightings that have occurred throughout this city since the murder of Gabriel Meaux?”

“Ghost sightings? Is that what this is all about? All I know about ghost sightings is what’s on the news, and Meaux was not murdered.”

“What is the connection of the Meaux family to the ghost?”

Neil was annoyed and began getting defensive. “Sightings of unidentified ghosts are not something to concern the Back-Bayou Police Department. We don’t waste our time on that stuff. Is that all you got?”

“I’m looking for information about an explorer from Space Exploration in California who worked with local police,” replied Palmer. “What can you tell me about Mr. Ben Thomas?”

“I know about Ben Thomas. He ain’t no scientist. He’s been selling used cars and just pretending to be a scientist since he got here.”

 “I’m aware of the current employment status of Mr. Thomas, but he was once a top man at the SEA office. He was also engaged to another scientist, Miss Lacy Meaux. She was living with her father before being shot by your Back-Bayou Police Department.”

“Yeah? And I know Lacy Meaux and Ben Thomas both quit your organization,” replied Neil. “These are not respectful scientists. They’re two ex-employees of yours that I should be prosecuting.”

“What about Gabriel Meaux?”

“Meaux? He was just an old private Cajun living in the swampland, with his own private still and moonshine operations. And his daughter was using her science knowledge to aid in his prehistoric lifestyle.”

Dr. Palmer thought for a second before looking up. “Why was Lacy shot?”

“She was shot because she fired at one of my officers. It was self-defense. Her dad shot a pistol at one of my officers... That all started after a peaceful confrontation.”

“Yes, I heard about the confrontation.” Dr. Palmer looked around the room and back to Sheriff Neil. “I also know a four zero five magnum pistol, the same g*n used by your police force, was found in the left palm of Gabriel Meaux, after his unlawful shooting. And he was right handed”

Sheriff Neil then stood up and yelled, “That’s bullshit! I can arrest you right now!”

“What is the latest information on Miss Lacy Meaux’s health?”

Sheriff walked around his desk and continued, “I told you. She took a bullet to the head. She is now brain-dead, and her body is in the Memorial Hospital in the city. Last I heard, she was being kept alive by computers.”

“Why was she shot?”

“Miss Meaux’s shot was in defense after firing at innocent police officers who just asked questions. That’s all.”

“She fired a random shot at a group of policemen surrounding her?”

“I got a dozen witnesses who saw Miss Lacy’s transgression. It’s law number three one four six on our books. Any citizen that fires a g*n on questioning police officers is subject to retaliatory gunfire.”

Palmer smiled. “You claim that Lacy Meaux began firing on peaceful officers asking questions?”

“Police gunfire was in response to the bullets she fired.”

“Can I speak to the officer that shot at Lacy?”

“Hell no! My officers are all trained and prepared for confrontation. I won’t allow you to try and frame one of my deputies!”

“Okay. Thank you for all your help, sheriff.” Palmer then picked up his hat and walked towards the door.

“Hey! Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m done with you, Neil. You know nothing, and are unwilling to cooperate.”

“That’s bull! I could have you arrested right now!”

“On what grounds?”

Neil looked confused, “On the grounds that you showed disrespect to the sheriff.”

“I have no respect for the entire Back-Bayou Police Department, or its sheriff. I plead guilty to that. Only be prepared for a major lawsuit for ‘Unlawful Arrest’, ‘Invasion of Privacy’, and ‘Double Homicide’.”

Vera and the group of police officers looked surprised when the sheriff did not respond.

Palmer then walked out the door putting his hat back on his head. “Good day, Sheriff Neil.”

* * *

The group of SEA scientists were racing around and typing on computers in the Space Exploration headquarters.

“Where’s the information on the Quazmopolis mix of rock on the west side of the continent?” asked Chris, as he typed on the computer.

“We found four new combinations of elements,” answered Oliver. “Documentation of a variety of molecules is on SEA landmass drive.”

Computer then announced on the big screen, “First grain rock was shown to be a variety of slow crystallization of magma elements. Original colors from Quazmopolis were composed mainly of quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of mica, amphiboles and other minerals.”

“I don’t expect to find any new chemicals worth travelling across an entire galaxy,” said Pilot Jenkins as he walked over. “This assignment is all just a mission to plant cactus.”

“It is ridiculous,” commented another scientist. “If we were trying to save some planet life, this whole thing might make a little more sense.”

“Just finish answering the documentation questions,” said Chris. “We will be sending out the new press release tomorrow before take-off.”

“Average daytime temperature this week has been close to one sixty,” said Chris.

“Palmer said it’s one forty in the area we’re going, with a possible source of salt water,” yelled Pilot Jenkins.

“We’re still flying into a burning hot solar system.”

“And trying to walk around weighing more than 300 pounds,” mumbled Oliver.

“Oh, that’s right,” said Chris with a laugh. “I forgot about that.”

“As long as payment for the Quazmopolis mission is coming out of his pocket, then I’m happy to explore,” answered Pilot Jenkins. “We can make ‘weekly’ expeditions.”

“Yeah, that’s true,” said Chris before turning to Alice. “Hey, did you find out anything more about Lacy Meaux and Ben Thomas?”

“Dr. Palmer said he’s just trying to help out the Meaux family. But he promises to return in time for the Quazmopolis departure.”

“We’ll see about that,” answered Chris with a laugh.

“He’s cutting it awfully close. That’s for sure.”

The master phone line then rang, and Alice walked over surprised. “This call is coming from a police department in Louisiana. It might relate to Dr. Palmer.”

Alice picked up the phone and looked curiously around to the SEA explorers. “Hello, this is the Space Exploration. You’re Sheriff Neil? From the Back-Bayou? What can we do for you, sheriff?”

Neil was sitting in his office holding the phone and was surrounded by police officers. “I want to know about the man financing your headquarters. What can you tell me about your lead scientist Dr. William Palmer?”

“Well, Dr. Palmer is in charge of Space Exploration,” answered Alice. “He is trying to help former scientists from the agency in Louisiana, but he’s also sponsoring our scheduled mission to Quazmopolis.”

“What’s the mission?” asked Neil. “What’s Dr. Palmer looking for here?”

Alice typed into the computer and read from the screen. “Mission will leave in a Solar Jet Caravan carrying ten scientists and conducting exploration of a moon in the Kepler solar system, Quazmopolis. Mission will also be planting Arid Cacti Plants, first life on Quazmopolis...”

Neil read information from his computer and continued, “Were Lacy Meaux and Ben Thomas fired after that mission, or did they quit?”

“No one was fired,” replied Alice. “Previous mission is all documented with information accessible on the SEA website.”

“I want to know,” demanded Neil. “Was their sudden departure due to a crime? Or a disagreement with the Space leader, William Palmer?”

“It was a mutual separation.” Scientists looked on curiously as Alice opened and searched through files on the computer, “Lacy left due to personal reasons, and Ben pursued another career after the mission.”

“Selling cars, right? I’m sure that’s why they cancelled the big wedding too. Is that true? I believe they were both fired for some undisclosed crime?”

The group of scientists continued listening intently before Chris spoke up. “Who is this guy? Can we check on him?”

Jenkins also jumped in, “Tell him he will be reported to the California National Guard for demanding classified information.”

“How much is the new mission costing? Can you tell me that?” asked Neil.

“I have already told you. I am not allowed to disseminate specific information. We will post a full report tomorrow before takeoff. And all information for the new mission and scientists will be disclosed then.” Alice finally pushed the button and slammed down the phone.

Sheriff Neil smiled and continued reading from his computer, then hung up and walked out to the large room of police officers.

“Okay guys, I want a full investigation of the history of Gabriel Meaux’s family, his daughter Lacy, Mr. Ben Thomas, Space Exploration, and all links to ghosts sightings around the city. See what you can uncover.”

Police officers seemed confused before Neil turned and headed back into his office.