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 five 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.

Beenan decided to try one of the televisions. He¹ went over to the screen with the picture of the lemon. He pressed the button and the words came out; fruit -lemon, 1-e-m-o-n-. Beenan tried to say it. It came out at about twelve hundred cycles per second. It sounded like the correct word, only spoken by a soprano. Then he went to the action television. He dialed in a .scene where one human was giving something to another. He pressed the button and the word "G-i-v-e-" came out on the screen. It than showed the object changing hands and focused on the recipient. The work "T-a-k-e-" came out. It started over "Give - Take." Beenan turned to Allen and said "give lemon" in his soprano like voice. Everyone laughed. Allen got on the intercom to the kitchen. Send us one lemon he shouted. An instant later a lemon rolled in on the tray. He handed it to Beenan and said "Take lemon." Beenan took the lemon and went to the camera where a person was eating. He pushed the button and it said "E-a-t-." He then proceeded to take a huge bite of it. The shock was overwhelming, when the acidy fruit hit his taste buds. He reacted by throwing the lemon on the floor violently, as though it had bit him. Everyone laughed and laughed, including Beenan.

Beem then went over to the food TV and turned it until the Avers shrub came into view. He pushed the button and the words "Mountain Avers" came out. He pushed it again twice, to hear the words real good. Then he went over to the intercom where Allen had asked for the lemon. He pushed the talk button and said "Mountain Avers." In an instant, down came a small plastic package of Mountain Avers, with the needles and bark already removed. Beem opened the bag and tried some. His face lit up. Everyone laughed again. This was going to be a pleasurable stay after all, thought Beem.

Bo was trying out the giant furniture. It was very comfortable. Try this chair, he said to Beem. Beem walked over, sat down, stood up and sat down again. Very comfortable and easy to get in and out "of, he said. A little better then the stool we had around the campfire. He turned and rested his arms on the table. That too was about five feet high, but just right for them. We do not have anything planned for you guys until the day after tomorrow, when we would like to interview you and ask all kinds of foolish questions, said Allen. In the meantime, have a good rest and enjoy everything. It will help greatly if you learn our language as quickly as possible. Beenan replied, I agree Allen and don't forget about the clairvoyants, We will need as many as we can get, to verify the translations. I suspect that by the time you are ready for the interview, we will know your language enough to converse verbally. I hope so, replied Allen. There are many people, including Frank here, who would like to communicate with you. I will be back tomorrow morning early. There is a night shift working, so if you want anything, find the words and ask as best you can on the intercom. Someone will help. Allen and Frank bid the Ehesti farewell and went home.

Beem climbed on his bed and lay down. It was truly comfortable and it gave off a pleasant aroma. Bo and Beenan watching this decided to try their own beds. All the beds were identical except for the color. It wasn't too long before they were all fast asleep. It has been a long day and an eventful one, thought Bo, as he drifted off to sleep.

The girls were watching through one way glass, assuming that the visitors would see only one way also. Beenan opened his eyes while still lying on his back. He sensed that there was someone watching. He sat up and looked directly at the girls, as though there was no one way glass. The girls were startled. He can't see us, can he, asked Marie?

 Time for a coffee break, said Marie, as she jumped up and headed for the coffee machine at the rear of the room. Sarah had brought her own lunch in a bag. She reached in and pulled out two carrots. She was about thirty five years old and a little plump. The carrots were part of her diet. Want to share a. carrot, she asked? No thanks, said Marie. Have you got any doughnuts or cookies? Very funny. Our visitors sure don’t seem to eat much do they, asked Sarah? There is some bark over near Beem's bed, so I think he was eating. Did you notice their eyes, when they were awake? Sort of glassy and bulgy. Did you notice a tiny red dot in the centre of the pupil? No, I didn't, are you sure? Almost positive, said Marie. It is very tiny but if you look closely, it's there.

The rest of the night went by without event. Marie noted that the Ehesti snored just like humans. She also noted that the outline of their physical shape seemed to faded in and out, while they slept, like a bad signal on the TV screen. It was a barely visible change, so she didn't even mention it to Sarah. Sarah noted the number of times the Ehesti moved while they slept. They seemed to dream like humans too.

At six a.m. the alarm went off and Allen awoke. He was up and in the shower within two minutes. A definite record, said his wife. He remembered to phone his clairvoyant friends, Sheila and Rita. Sheila was awake already. She was overjoyed when Allen asked her to help out. This would give her the publicity she needed badly. Rita was still asleep and Allen's call woke her up. She was in a grouchy mood, blaming Allen for the rude awakening, but she soon mellowed when Allen told her why he had called. That was settled then, he had at least two clairvoyants he could count on.

Back at the University, the reporters and television crews were already trying to get into the lab where the girls were working. Marie had a bar across the door. Let us in. The public has a right to know about your discovery. They tugged at the door, but the bar held. I am so nervous, said Sarah. It reminds me of the lynch mobs scenes in an old western movie. No one gets in, shouted Marie, until Frank or Allen or a person of control says it's okay. Now get away from the door. Marie was frightened too, but she was also mad at their rudeness and inconsideration. She wished she had a shotgun like in the movies. Frank had told his crew to be there by seven a.m., so it would be at least an hour before they arrived. The regular university staff would arrive at 8:30, so the girls had to wait at least an hour for Frank and two hours for the U.B.C. crew.

Allen was dressed and eating his breakfast already and it was only 6:15. He was half an hour early. He gobbled down his toast, jumped up, grabbed his jacket, kissed his wife and hurried out the door. His little car started right away and he was on his way. His normal procedure on arrival was to park his car in the parking lot, but this time he decided to drive directly to the cyclotron building. As he approached the cyclotron building, he was astonished to see all the press and TV cars. Oh no, he thought. I hope the girls were able to hold them back. He had no room to park so he double parked directly in front of the main door.

The front door was open and it should not have been this early in the day. No one was on the main floor. He dashed down the stairs, almost slipping. Outside the lab door, gathered there like a mob, were approximately thirty people, all talking at once and no one listening. Allen went down into the crowd, trying to act like one of them. He slipped passed them and continued down the corridor. He made a left turn at the first pillar. He had his hand in his pocket with the key already in it. As he approached the door that they had entered earlier with the visitors, he glanced back to see if anyone had followed. No one was there, so he quickly unlocked the door, jumped inside and locked it behind him, all in about three seconds.

Beenan, Beem and Bo were still sleeping. Their room was sound proof, so the commotion outside was not heard. Allen tip toed by them and opened the door leading to the lab. Thank God you are here, said Marie. We were scared out of our wits. If we hadn't put the bar on the doors quick enough, those reporters would be in here now. Some of them were down right rude. I should have anticipated this, said Allen. You girls reacted just fine. I will take care of everything. On the north wall of the lab, there was a. retractable ladder used by the maintenance people to get into the wiring up there. Allen went to the ladder. He climbed up and into the crawl space above the ceiling. He crawled about six feet and opened the trap door leading into the hallway below where the reporters were.

 Hey down there, he called. Everyone looked around. Over here, he shouted. The crowd drifted towards the opening in the attic. My name is Allen, he shouted. I am the professor who is involved with the project. We have in captivity, three Sasquatch, as you probably already know, we are in quarantine here. Until such time as we are sure that there are no organisms present that might be harmful, we cannot allow anyone or any equipment in. Please return this evening at 7 p.m., when we will have more results from our tests. If all tests are negative, we will let you in for some pictures. Until then, no one gets in, do you understand? They all started to talk at once again and drifted slowly back up the stairs and out. Allen retreated back inside and replaced the cover. He climbed down the ladder and replaced the lid. That should hold them off until tonight anyway, he smiled to the girls. Great, now we can go home, said Sarah. You had better sneak out the back way. You are supposed to be in quarantine, remember?

By now, the Ehesti were awake and watching through the glass. Allen was looking at the logs that the girls had entered. He was impressed. The girls had managed to observe many details that he and the others had overlooked. Of course, the girls had real live specimens to work with. Until now they had to rely on photographs and the word of eye witnesses for their information. Allen skimmed over most of the information, until he came to the notation about the eyes of the Ehesti. Sarah hadn't noticed much change in the eyes, but Marie was more curious and she had some interesting notes. There was also a notation on Marie's sheet that "the dot seemed to enlarge as the lights dimmed".

Allen went back into the room with the Ehesti. Much to his surprise, they were all up. Beem was eating. Bo and Beenan were in front of the TV screens, learning more of the English language. Good morning he said telepathically. Beem answered back telepathically, but Bo and Beenan said "Good morning verbally" in their high pitched voices. That made Allen grin. Wow, he said, you guys are sure fast learners, what is for breakfast, Beenan asked meticulously? And what is to sip, asked Bo. Beem interjected with "Food and Water." Everyone laughed. I am not sure how to talk to you guys now, said Allen. Maybe a little of both, smiled Bo.

Beenan went back into telepathic language, what about other clairvoyants, he asked? Will there be any arriving? We have scheduled a one hour press conference this evening at 7 p.m. I hope this is okay with you? There will be television cameras and. about thirty reporters. My two friends will be here for sure. Their names are Sarah and Rita. I spoke to them last night on the phone and they are very anxious to help out. That’s great, replied Beenan. We should have more if you can get them. The more people that verify our translation, the more the public will accept it. I intend to saturate myself with your language today. When your reporters ask me questions this evening, if the questions are simple enough, I will answer them verbally. In two weeks of your time, I should be fluent enough to handle all questions verbally, including the deep philosophical ones. What about you Beem, he asked.'' I am not that anxious to learn your language, he said, but if Beenan is able to converse verbally, that should be enough for now. I am learning some, but at my own speed for now. That is not to say that I won't surprise you later. Okay pal, he said verbally? Okay pal, smiled Allen. I will be learning right along with Beenan, said Bo. Bo was beginning to sound almost as good as Beenan.

The door opened. In walked Frank and Orell. Allen, did I hear our friends conversing verbally, he asked? Beenan broke in. Good morning Frank and Orell. My name is Beenan. Pleased to meet you. Frank went up and shook Beenan's hand. It was Orell's turn. He felt ashamed of his fear. He reached out and grabbed Beenan's hand. Hello Beenan, he said. I apologize for the way I treated you on the mountain. I was awfully scared. Do not fret, said Beenan. If it was not for you, we might not be here. Orell smiled. After the interview tonight, we can stop the charade about our being captive, said Bo. I’ve will put on a display to prove our abilities. Good idea, replied Allen. I do not like trying to fool anyone. We should soon be able to provide you with bigger and better living accommodations too, said Allen. Well, said Frank, we have lots of preparations to take care of before tonight. Let's get busy. Are you coming with me Orell? I would like to stay and maybe help Allen, if I could, he asked? Okay, said Frank. I will be back around lunch time to pick you up. Frank left, closing the door quietly.

Bo went over to the food machine and ordered rose hips. A little bag tumbled down with about fifty rose hips in it. He began to snack on them like popcorn, as he meandered back to the screens to study more English. Let me try one of those, asked Beem? Sure, said Bo, as he tossed one across the room to Beem. Beem savored its taste. Picked in late October, I suspect, said Bo. I like them better in mid winter, when the severe frost softens up the seeds. Beem went back to eating what was left of his avers roots. There was a mess of sticks and bark all around his bed. Haven't you noticed how humans, like to be clean, said Beenan to Beem? Look around you, yours is the messiest place in the room. I am not human, said Beem. I don't have to be clean. You don't have to do anything, including being here, said Beenan. I think it would be a good idea to conform to their life style when we are here, don't you agree Beem? I get the point, said Beem grudgingly. He bent down and began to brush all his mess into one little pile at the head of his bed. He was going to stop there, but Beenan was still staring at him. Okay, he said, as he picked up the pile in his huge hands and took it to the garbage chute. Satisfied? He murmured. I would have cleaned it up if you had not, said Beenan. Thank you.

How are we going to explain our anatomy, in this language, asked Bo from across the room, where he was sitting in front of one of the screens. There are no words for some parts of our body. We will have to make up words, said Beenan and try to explain as best we can. What about a word for our molecular manipulation, asked Bo? That will be one of the first things we will want to explain. Think of a word for that Beenan, said Bo. How about (molansfer), combining the words molecule and transfer. It will be known as our Molansfer Power, sounds great, said Beenan, as he studied English along side Bo. I think maybe we can simply call it transposing. That's a good word, a little vague, but easier for everyone to use than molansfer.

All this time, Orell was sitting on one of the huge chairs, staring mostly at the Ehesti. He was thinking about the incident earlier on the mountain, where the cave moved. Beenan could read his thoughts about that, so he tried to answer him telepathically. It was no use. Orell's block was too strong. Beenan turned around and looked at Orell. Orell, he said verbally, we will answer about the cave after we learn your language a little better. How did you know what I was thinking? You can read minds, can't you, he asked? Yes, sometimes, said Beenan. I am getting out of here, Orell mumbled. Even my own private thoughts are not private anymore in here. He left in a huff, ashamed of some of his thoughts that they might have read. Allen was able to read some of Orell's thoughts, but when Beenan responded telepathically to Orell, it sounded like a loud speaker inside of Allen's head. I heard all of that Beenan, he said and I think you did the right thing. Orell will have to come to terms with his own conscience. He then picked up his clip board and said "see you later" verbally. They all answered verbally "see you later alligator." They all laughed, Allen was pleased. They were learning the language so fast, that they even knew how to tell jokes.

On his way out, he ran into Orell who was waiting for Frank. Orell, has Frank not shown up yet? No, Orell said, under his breath. Don't be mad at our guests just because they read your mind, said Allen. Many humans have that capacity also. Even me! You!? You can read minds? Not quite. Just minds that do not block me out. Could you teach me how to do that. It's a long process, but if you have the time I will give you a name and address of someone who teaches. Please, said Orell anxiously. Allen handed him a card with the information on it. See you later, he said, I have lots to do. Frank was just arriving to pick up Orell for lunch. Frank spotted him just as he was pocketing the note from Allen. Orell jumped into the truck with Frank. He had a big smile on his face. What are you grinning about, asked Frank? Is it about that note I saw Allen pass to you? As a matter of fact it is, but I don't know if I should tell you. Okay, don't tell me, he smiled. There was a lull in the conversation for three minutes. Orell couldn't keep it secret any longer. Allen gave me the name and address of someone who teaches telepathic communication. I didn't know you were interested in that, said Frank. I wouldn't mind learning that myself. Maybe we can go together. Good idea, said Frank, where should we eat? MacDonald's!? Why not, laughed Frank.

Back at U.B.C., Beenan and Bo were learning quickly. Beem was not as enthusiastic. He learned all the words connected with food and eating, but he was slow learning the rest. Beenan was also busy putting together sentences he was going to use during the interview that evening. They would definitely ask him about where they came from. They agreed, it’s called "Balenn".

Human eyes could not see the Ehesti in their real forms, so it would be quite difficult to explain their existence using physical references. He searched for words that would at least come close to depicting what he wanted to say. There was no word for the way things looked on the astral plane, but words like "hazy and smoky" came close. Beenan was getting to the point where he could read a book now. Soon, when he could read faster, he would read philosophy and science books that might help him.

Beenan and Bo had now taken to talking to one another verbally, in order to practice their new language. Beem picked up on the clichés and one liners. He came across the word "funny", while studying and he wanted to learn more about it. Laughter was common to both humans and the Ehesti. If he could make people laugh, he thought, that would be quite an accomplishment. He discovered slang also, while learning about humor. Get with it you guys, Beem uttered. That's the bottom line? Far out man, melt down, melt down, he went on and on. Bo and Beenan laughed hysterically. He who laughs last, laughs best, said Beem, laughing right along with them.

Allen had just finished his lunch and the next thing on his list was to verify that his clairvoyant friends would be at the lab at 7 P.m. for the interview. The pay phone was busy. He decided to wait a while, hoping this guy would get off the phone soon. He spotted a newspaper rack. He decided to buy a paper. There on the front page was a photograph of Beenan. The only time this photograph could have been taken was when Beenan transposed outside for a second, to prove that he was not captured. Above Beenan’s photo were the headlines, "Sasquatch finally captured?" with a large question mark after it. That guy must have been fast on the camera trigger, thought Allen. Judging by the size of the photo, the camera man must have been quite close. The photo was a little fuzzy, so the picture was probably taken just as Beenan was beginning to transpose back inside.

The phone was now vacant, so he rushed over to it to make his calls. After being assured of Sarah and Rita's attendance, Allen decided to get right back to the lab. He took the newspaper with him to show Beenan. When he got back, there was the mob of reporters again outside the front door. He decided to use the back entrance. A couple of reporters were waiting there too. He had to confront them to get by the door. He got his key ready in his right hand and proceeded. As he approached the short, red haired reporter said, "hey", I know you." You were the professor talking to us from the attic this morning. You gave us some "baloney" about quarantine. What about the quarantine? If it is safe for you to be out, then obviously it is safe for us to go inside. Right? Not yet, said Allen. In a few hours you can come in with the rest of the reporters. Not until then. He opened the door and the reporters barged in with him.

Allen signaled the guard at the end of the hall. When the reporters saw the guard coming, they left voluntarily. Allen headed downstairs to the cyclotron room. When he arrived, everything was quiet. The Ehesti were busy studying on their screens. Beem, having seen the reaction to his clichés and one liners, was busy learning more. He had only learned the fundamentals about the language, but he was well versed now in slang and modern trendy sayings. His intention during the interview was to answer as many questions as he could, using this humorous information he had just learned.

Rose hips, said Beem, into the food machine. In seconds the package came down. In case you have not noticed Allen, we do not eat as much as you do. We just have light snacks of high energy food occasionally. Yes, I have noticed, said Allen. I assume you will explain all of that at the interview this evening also. The reporters are already arriving. We have set up things in the Board Room upstairs for the interview. There is much more room up there and we can watch them better from the podium. These news people are full of tricks. You may not have come across the word "sensationalism" yet, but that is what the news people use to outsell one another with their coverage of the same story. The more sensational a mundane story sounds, the more likely people are to buy it.

Beem looked confused, but Beenan was well past that stage in his learning. Do you guys want us to prepare you for the bright lights, etc., asked Allen? How would you do that, asked Bo? With make-up and chemicals that will absorb the perspiration. I don't think we need any of that, said Beem. You could brush out our hairy bodies though, said Bo.

Allen was still taking care of last minute preparations from the lab next door. He had his supper sent in. It was Chinese food. He carefully went over his check list as he munched on spare-ribs. He was trying to arrange a welcoming committee to put on some kind of show to welcome the Ehesti. Three other professors agreed to take care of it for him. He finished his supper.

   Click here for chapter 4