Eric was what is known as a child prodigy. He graduated from high school at the age of fourteen. He was accepted at MIT on a full scholarship. He got his PHD in physics at the age of eighteen. After graduation her returned to his childhood home. His parents owned two hundred acres of orange groves.
Since he was six years old his favorite time was spent sitting in the back yard looking up at the stars. He wondered what wonderful things were out there. Space travel had only advanced to exploration of the solar system. He wanted to explore more. He felt that he was born at the wrong time. In time to wonder what was out there, but too soon to explore.
He had often discussed it with his parents but they didn't share his dream.
While he was waiting for answers to the resumes he had sent out he helped his Dad with the farm work. One night while he was looking at the stars his Dad came and sat beside him.
"Beautiful, aren't they son. Amazing things out there. More than we can even think of."
"I know it won't happen, but it's my dream to go out there and find things. Amazing things."
"There's a man coming in a few days I want you to meet. He's been here before but you've never met him. I think you'll find him very interesting."
"What does he do, Dad. Is he an old friend or what?"
"I guess you would call him a buyer. We've been doing business for many years. He comes every so often and buys some of our oranges. But that's not why I want you to meet him. You'll understand more when he gets here."
"You make him sound very mysterious."
"He is. You'll see."
******************
Three days later Eric is jolted awake by his alarm. He gets dressed and wanders to the kitchen. His Dad is sitting there drinking a cup of coffee.
"Mornin, Dad. What's on tap for today."
"Gonna be a big day today."
"Really. A surprise of some kind."
"Yep, I think so. Pour yourself a cup and I'll make you some bacon and eggs."
Eric sips his coffee wondering what the big surprise is. Not many new things happens on a farm like this. Sorta like Groundhog Day. You notice that things change with the seasons.
He finishes breakfast and his Dad speaks.
"Come out back. I want to show you something."
"Is this the big surprise."
He just smiles as they walk out the back door.
"What do you see, son?"
"Umm the back yard"
"Hon, come out."
An object appears that looks about the size of an SUV. A door opens and a small man walks out. He is about four feet tall. He looks very humanoid but with subtle differences.
"Son, meet Hon. My old friend and business associate."
Eric's mouth has dropped open. He looks at his Dad.
"Hello, Hon. Nice to meet you."
"Eric. I've been waiting a long time to meet you. Please don't be too shocked at my appearance. We'll have a nice talk and I'll explain everything."
"Yeah, that would be great."
They go in and sit at the kitchen table. Eric notices that Hon has an orange. His Dad pours two cups of coffee and sits. They watch Hon as he peels the orange. He separates all the segments and lines them up in front of him. He leans down and smells them.
"My treat for the morning."
He picks up one slice and pops it in his mouth. His eyes close and his head leans back. He bites down on it and shivers. He slowly chews it up and swallows it. He keeps going till all of the orange is gone.
"Good crop this year, my friend. The best in a long time."
"Maybe I should raise the price on you."
"Spoken like a true business man. These are worth what ever you ask. Just name your price."
"I'll keep it the same. I don't want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. We've been at this too long for me to take advantage of you.
"I'll want three thousand of your pounds this time. The demand is great out there."
"Dad, what the hell is going on here.
"Hon buys my oranges and sells them. We've been doing this for years. He pays me in gold."
"Eric, lad. Let me explain. I'm from the planet Alderon in the Andromeda galaxy. I'm a trader. I love making a good deal. This is the only planet I know of that has oranges. There are places that will pay a handsome price for them. I discovered them about two hundred years ago."
"Andromeda galaxy? That's thousands of light years away. How do you travel such great distances?"
"We have technology beyond anything you can dream of here. Your planet is still using oil for your energy. Space and time are irrelevant to us. It's hard to explain to someone of limited knowledge. I don't mean to be condescending, but you wouldn't be able to grasp the concept. Your planet will eventually evolve enough to understand it if you survive."
"What do you mean by survive. Are we doomed to extinction?"
"Not necessarily, but extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception. Many civilizations have gone extinct even here on your planet."
"Can you save earth from that?"
"No. It's an unwritten law. Space time travelers won't interfere with a planets evolution. It would cause more harm than good. For example, if we gave you our power source it would throw your planet into chaos. Everyone involved in your energy fields for their livelihood would be left out. Millions would be with out work and be unable to buy food. Your leaders wouldn't know what to do."
"What is the most prevalent cause of extinction?"
"Natural causes like a meteor strike or a large solar flare. The warming of you planet now may cause it. Your leaders are becoming aware of it and may act in time. The one that bothers me the most is not surviving the use of artificial intelligence. We could warn your leaders but they wouldn't listen. Your scientists are aware of the problem. Time will tell if your leaders will listen."
"How old are you in earth years?"
"Roughly six hundred and fifty. But age is irrelevant too."
"It isn't natural for you to live that long?"
"No, I have a regeneration technology on my ship. It keeps me young. My natural life span is about one hundred of your earth years."
'My mind is going crazy with all of this. I couldn't see your ahh vehicle in the yard. You must have some sort of cloaking technology."
"Yes. That's my shuttle craft. My ship is on your moon now."
"Try this for crazy. How would you like to come with me. We can go to places you can't imagine."
"Umm, oh, ahhh. I don't know what to say. All of this is overwhelming me. Yesterday I was a college graduate waiting for answers to my resumes. Now all this has hit me."
"I understand. I'll be here for a few days. We can talk more. You don't have to decide now."
"Damn, Dad. When you said surprise you really meant it."
"Son, this is your dream. Here's your chance to live it."
*****************
I stood watching the rear view screen. The the solar system slowly faded into nothing. The only home I ever had was back there. I looked at the forward view screen. The thought hit me; out there is my dream and my destiny. I shivered as goose bumps popped up.
Hon was watching me with a big smile.