Chapter 4

A space ship landed! This wasn’t a flying saucer but a ship like the shuttles that used the equivalent of a landing field. In the other direction from where Elena and I had entered, there was a plains area close to the village. The ship landed there.

A number of us met the ship’s personnel when they exited their ship. They were “men” wearing space suits. I watched them test the air. One of them opened his helmet. Well, it looked like a “he” so I hoped that it was. The hair was short and the face was lightly bearded. The chest seemed flat. I saw what looked like a U.N. parch on one arm and the British flag on the other arm. The helmet was now over his shoulder. I stepped out and said, “Hello. I’m Josh Donaldson. Who are you?”

I got a serious stare. His voice said, “You-you speak British?”

I said, “Yes. I was from America when I mysteriously showed up here a year ago. Where and when are you from?”

“I am Major Horatio Nash of His Majesty’s Royal United Navy. We are from earth in the year of our Lord, two thousand, five hundred forty-three.”

I responded, “I am Joshua Donaldson. A year ago, I was on earth living in the United States of America in the year Twenty nineteen. The British empire was only on the island of Britain. The U.N. stood for the United Nations based in New York City in my country.”

“Mister Donaldson, it appears we share some history in a way. We will need to talk about that later. How did you get here?”

“I was sleeping in bed and thought I rolled off and fell. I found I was not on the floor but on a forest floor. That was just over a year ago. Where do you think this place is located?”

“That is a strange question but this is the planet, New Wales. It circles a star named Tau Ceti. It’s twelve light years from Earth.”

Elena was listening but not understanding since we were using English which she only understood slightly. She was becoming upset. I grasped her hand. “Gentlemen, this fine lady is my wife, Elena. She doesn’t understand the language since teaching her how to speak English was less important than me learning her language. I never expected to use English again.” I smiled at Elena. “We are very happy and have built a home together.” I then told Elena what I said. She put her head on my shoulder smiling.

With that, we started a new phase to our lives.