ENCOUNTER by Hep Aldridge (bill gates books recommendations .txt) 📕

“I have been giving your situation and request much thought and have come to a decision. I do not believe your world is ready for much of the knowledge kept in the library at this time, but I am willing to revisit your specific requests at a future date. I want you to know that I appreciate everything you have done since you have been here. I think you have learned much during your stay, but you will leave many of those memories behind when you leave. I am sorry, but it is for your own good and that of your planet.

“We understand that, Jeannie,” I said rather glumly, “and agree up to a point. I would ask, though, would it be possible, at a time of your choosing, for me to bring back an expert in one of the many disciplines we have explored here to learn more that could benefit our world?”

After a slight pause, she replied, “I will consider that request. The library was left here to help mankind, not to be hidden away forever, so your request is not out of line, but as I said, the time is not yet right. You will need to trust my judgment on this.”

“How will we know when the time is right?” I asked.

“Now that you have restored full power to the Citadel, my abilities have been restored as well. I promise I will let you know when the time is right,” she said with one of her enigmatic smiles.

“So, there’s nothing we can leave here with that will help our world?” Doc asked with frustration in his voice.

“I did not say that. I have observed many things about your world since my powers beyond the cloak have returned. Your peoples’ excess and lack of acceptance for the care of this planet is killing it. I can help with that and will do so. Water and air are being polluted at an unacceptable rate. Overpopulation, deforestation, and misguided use of soil chemicals are also adding to the destruction. It is imperative that you reach out to the stars and begin finding new planets that will support life while at the same time saving your Earth.

“That’s kinda our point,” Dimitri said, “without access to your knowledge of interstellar travel and how to harness this energy you use, no telling how long it will take us to become a true spacefaring civilization.”

I could tell things were getting a bit testy amongst the team and jumped in,

“If we knew how you prioritize our issues and how you can help, and if we had some idea of a time frame with which to work, I think that would be a good start. We understand that all the problems that we could use your help with can’t happen overnight and may take many years to come to fruition. I think what we need, with all due respect, is a commitment that access to the library’s vital information will be forthcoming, at a time of your choosing, of course.”

There was a long silence, and finally, Jeannie spoke, “I understand your desire for technological advancement and its benefits. However, there are technical and socio-political building blocks that must be put in place before reaching your goal, and those take time. I have learned many lessons while on this planet. But in some critical life-sustaining components of existence, it seems time is the one thing you may be running out of, so let me say this. Yes, I will help you start on this journey. I will provide you with technology that can be introduced into your world to immediately help with your planet’s many pollution issues, encompassing serious degradation in air, water, and soil. This will help stabilize a foundation critical to all countries and people on Earth. Once that is accomplished, or at least well in motion, you will be able to build upon that stability to tackle other significant problems. Together, in the future, we can discuss that prioritization. In the meantime, I can also subtly help with discreet support for peaceful advances in your space exploration science. All these technologies I reference may be implemented covertly without divulging their extraterrestrial source. Or you may create a way to have them become discoveries made by your scientists; it’s your choice. I will monitor the world’s reaction and then decide what follows. In the future, we will continue to discuss the right time and what other individuals to welcome into the secrets of the Citadel.”

I looked around at the team and saw understanding and acceptance on their faces.

“Colt,” Jeannie continued, “the future of this endeavor becomes your responsibility, you and your team. I have come to know and respect each member of your group. They are courageous, smart, resourceful, and dedicated to you as their leader. I think, together, you will make the right decision on how to proceed.”

I felt the blush rise to my cheeks at the compliment, and at the same time, thought, no pressure Colt, just the fate of planet Earth hanging in the balance.

Clearing my throat, I said, “I think we can all agree to that as a start,” and received assent from the others.

“So, you will be able to monitor us and our progress?” O’Reilly asked.

“Oh, yes, and much more. Colt, you will be my contact. I will work through you on the dissemination of information, that is if you agree?”

“I agree,” I said quickly with a smile. In fact, the entire team was smiling with expressions of relief, understanding, and genuine gratitude. Jeannie nodded, and once again, in her mystical way, disappeared from our sight.

“Now, that I can live with,” Doc exclaimed. “That’s a real, long-term plan that I think we can make happen.”

“I agree,” Joe said, “that is one smart lady.”

O’Reilly quipped, “Ya think!”

“It sounds to me like when we leave this place, we won’t be saying good-byes,” Dimitri added, “in fact, it sounds like Risky Business may have just added