Last Hope for Earth Read online

  Last Hope

  For Earth

  A Superhero Epic

  Jaime Mera

  Copyright © 2017 Jaime Mera

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: 978-1-941336-28-1

  ISBN-10: 1-941336-28-0

  Dedication

  I dedicate this last book to my family and blessed long life friends: Robert Bernabo, Scott Quint, Patrick Lawrence, Rich Richardson, Aaron Martinello, Jay Crawford, Luis Monsalve, Kevin Daugherty, Lee Forrest, Mark Gallagher, Mike Richards, Joe Block, Andrew Sullivan, and my brother Diego. The superhuman science fiction series was a dream of mine since I was a teenager; I hope everyone enjoys the epic story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  God bless you all

  List of Characters

  Eduardo T. Ramirez – South American Councilmember; Founder of the Federation

  Estabon Ramirez – South American Councilmember; Co-Founder of the Federation

  Andres Pobles – South American Councilmember of the Federation

  Diego Gonzalez – South American Councilmember of the Federation

  Jose Begestano – South American Councilmember of the Federation

  Ramus / Gunter Smiles – Mentalist and ex-member of the Emerald Legion

  Captain Adriana Soto – Captain of the Battle Fortress Pegasus

  Captain Alejandro Javier – Newly appointed Captain of the Starship Andromeda

  Commander Rick Isol – UFS Tarsus, Targeting Officer

  Commander Gloria Sanchez – UFS Tarsus, Security Officer

  Commander Heather Jorge– UFS Tarsus, Communications Officer

  Captain Dante Ruiz – South American Personal Security Detail Leader

  Lieutenant Gabriela Bega – South American Personal Security Detail Bodyguard

  William Smith – South American Spy and superhuman, North America Region

  Mary Smith – South American Spy and superhuman, North America Region

  Carlos P. Hernandez – Captain of the South American naval cruiser, Doris

  Luis Meza – Lieutenant Commander of the South American cruiser, Doris

  Lieutenant Roberto Alejandro – Beta Team Leader (South American special operations team)

  Master Sergeant Rivera – Assistant Beta Team Leader

  Master Sergeant Voles – 17th Armor Legion Scout Leader

  MG Brenda L. Weatherly – Commander of 3rd Special Forces Task Force Serra

  Sergeant Randy Jennings – Sniper and Brenda’s Bodyguard

  LTG Collin Baxter– Commander of the Mideast Coalition

  Honorable Cory Palmer– Secretary of the Defense

  -----

  Creator / Richard Octavian – Leader of the Eternal Champions

  Isis / Elizabeth A. Octavian – Member of the Eternal Champions

  Night / Larcis G. Draven – Member of the Eternal Champions (2nd in command)

  Mirage / Cindy S. Owens (Samantha Brooks) – Disciple of Joshua and member of the Eternal Champions

  Erica – Member of the Eternal Champions (Super Artificial Intelligence computer)

  Robert Dilinger – Head security guard for the Octavian Farm

  Becky Ellington – Head veterinarian for the Octavian Farm

  King Etron / John Goodman / Mindseye – King of the Argonian Empire and member of the Eternal Champions

  Queen Neeva / Susan M. Goodman / Pandora – Queen of the Argonian Empire and member of the Eternal Champions

  Randolph Maximilian – Director of the Special Investigation Agency (SIA)

  Brian Nevis – SIA agent, Special Security Unit

  Riva L. Asher – Retired SIA Agent, Daughter of Gina Asher,

  -----

  Joshua A. Marks – All-Powerful Superhuman

  Jenny Livingston – Homeless Runaway

  -----

  Stargazer / Steve Messer – Leader of the Five Ghosts, nicknamed “Star.”, ex-CIA agent

  Ghost / Albert R. Hansen– Member of the Five Ghosts, ex-mathematician

  Rat Bastard / Gus Madex – Member of the Five Ghosts, ex-drifter

  Spot / Aaron Fisher – Member of the Five Ghosts, ex-sniper (Alias: Abaddon, Ra, Set, Solar)

  Master / Benjamin Dempsey – Member of the Five Ghosts, ex-student

  -----

  Matthew / Hawk – Leader of the Guild without a Name (other aliases –Fredrick Malleson)

  Valerie / Hummel – Member of the Guild (2nd in command), procurement specialist (other aliases – Loren Malleson)

  Lee Frost / Alpha – Member of the Guild , Disciple of Joshua

  Diana / Venom – Member of the Guild, infiltration specialist (other aliases – Vicky Hammon)

  Kyle / Sia – Member of the Guild, technology specialist (other aliases – Kenji Saitou)

  Cynthia Saitou / Evergreen – Member of the Guild, cleaner

  -----

  Quatris / Scott Emerson – Leader of Energy, Fire and Light (EFL)

  Hellfire / Rick Alexander – Member of EFL (2nd in command)

  Starfire / Rebecca Emerson – Member of EFL

  Starlight / Lynda Alexander – Member of EFL

  -----

  Datan Varken – Dictator of Australia

  Field Marshal Zumari – Pylaxian Liaison

  Director Timothy Quinn– Tantalized Android Programmer and Force Generator Director of Operations

  Admiral Expeeior – Pylaxian fleet admiral of the Jendra Armada

  Colonel Peter Cornelius — US Astronaut and ISS commander

  Lieutenant Colonel Milan Golubova — Russian Cosmonaut and communications specialist on the ISS

  Published Books

  A Superhero Epic Series

  Creator (2004, 2014)

  He Is Known as Ego (2006, 2014)

  Guild Without a Name (2014)

  The Galaxy Is Ours (2014)

  Masterminds (2014)

  Superhumans From the Past (2016)

  Ultimate Assassins (2016)

  Last Hope for Earth (2017)

  Non-fiction books:

  Jesus and the Paint on the Wall, What Do People Live For? (2012)

  Doomsday Prepping and Survival, From Civil Disturbances to

  Biblical Proportions (2014)

  How to Write eBooks & Printed Books:

  Traditional and Self-Publishing (2016)

  Chapter 1

   --- 

  A Brother’s Dream

  Broad Acres Elementary, Silver Springs, Maryland, December 9, 1960

  The opened window shades revealed the inner courtyard of the school. The sky was bright blue without a cloud in sight. The remains of colored leaves were scattered across the courtyard’s brownish green grass, wooden benches and almost leafless trees. It was warm inside the classroom, as a heated classroom should be in early winter. Estabon’s brown eyes fixed themselves on a Blue Jay clinging to a tree branch. He loved bird watching among many other hobbies and this was an opportunity he could take in before the start of Christmas break. Kimberly sitting next to him noticed a lack of attention to Mr. Hendricks, the fifth grade teacher.

  The Japanese-American girl stared at him wondering what was going through Estabon’s head, seeming to be distracted away from the teacher’s break time Christmas story. She looked at Mr. Hendricks, immersed in the story at the moment, but she knew in due time he would notice Estabon’s daydreaming. The year was coming to an end with many things on the minds of the students. The Temptations and Beatles were high on the list which rocked the early part of the year. However, Estabon was diverse into all subjects to include the rising lore of science fiction and the political arena. He kept many things to himself with few friends really knowing his very broad knowledge base. He was a gifted student and was in the process of being advanced through the
grades with promising scholarships to universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard.

  The wonder kid was one of a few in the nation, but Hendricks’ wrath would take no prisoners.

  “Mr. Ramirez, would you like to tell the class why you seem to be more entertained looking outside, or would you like to finish the story?” Hendricks’ mustache lifted with an intimidating grin.

  Kimberly nudged Estabon’s ankle with the edge of her shoe.

  Estabon quickly turned to her, then towards Mr. Hendricks. “I’m sorry Mr. Hendricks; I was looking at the Blue Jay on the tree.” His thoughts wondered, wishing he could guess what his teacher wanted to hear.

  “I take it you can’t finish the story, but maybe you won’t have any problem finishing….”

  “I can finish the story Mr. Hendricks, there’s no need for detention.” Estabon blurted in surprise.

  Mr. Hendricks lifted his strong chin with a squinting eye. His natural hairstyle look was a change to the conk trend around the country. “Alright, Estabon. The room is yours.”

  “The next morning, they found the little girl dead from the cold, her tiny body half buried under the snow. On her face she wore a smile, and nobody could guess what she had seen that night, or know she and her grandmother had gone up to be with the stars. The end.” Estabon spoke with confidence seeing the words from the book, The Little Match Girl, through Mr. Hendricks’ thoughts. He looked at Hendricks and the rest of the students in a slow panning scan.

  Multiple thoughts jumped into Estabon’s mind, but they weren’t his. Hendricks was wondering how Estabon was able to finish the story, word for word, out of the book from halfway across the room. Cathy and several other students were impressed by Estabon’s smartness. Todd, his best friend, thought about how he was going to get home and see how his homemade scientific experiments were coming along. Kimberly was confused knowing for a fact he was in lala-land ever since the story began. Two students were thinking how sad the story was; the little girl dying in the cold.

  Estabon looked at Hendricks. “That was the end, right?” Is all he could say in fear, as many thoughts continued to forcefully squeeze in between his own thoughts.

  “Yes, that’s the end. But that’s no reason to not pay attention; it’s a courtesy for the speaker to be able to see that you are listening.” Hendricks’ spoken words closely matched his thoughts and were organized. But the students’ thoughts around him were jumping from one subject to another after Hendricks’ announcement. “Now, everyone take out your journals and we’ll begin English in five minutes.”

  Estabon sat still as overlapping thoughts poured into his head. With wide eyes he turned to face Kimberly. She and Cathy were talking about the essay assignment due at the end of class; but Estabon could visualize both of their mornings as if he lived them through their five senses. Memories of coming through the west entrance double aluminum doors, going to the classroom, taking exams, writing and studying, eating lunch and the rest of the day until the present. It was suffocating as twenty six additional different memories of the day and beyond took over his own thoughts; making him hyperventilate.

  Estabon looked down at his desk, grabbing his chest and neck. The room slid to the side; hearing Kimberly and Todd yell in alarm as he felt the cold wooden desk’s edge and carpeted floor on the side of his head; blacking out.

  Washington Adventist Hospital

  The pale white wall and corklike ceiling rectangular panels made the small room seem large and cold. A blanket over his body kept some heat from escaping as Estabon leaned back into the pillow. His eyelids felt light but his eyeballs stung with minor pain on every blink. The attending nurse standing over him dabbed away excess eye drop solution from the edges of his eyes and cheeks.

  “If it stings too much let me know, but it should go away soon.” Nurse Thompson’s white uniform endured long stressful days, but her slender frame and facial dimples suggested a positive attitude. She placed the solution bottle on a tray off to the side and checked his vitals on the monitor.

  Estabon tried not to blink, but was more worried about his blackout a few hours ago. Tests after tests revealed nothing, but thank goodness he could think in peace. He thought it was a dream, but the reality of the hospital room, staff and mother speaking to office staff outside the room confirmed it was real. His one hour unconscious state not responding to medication or other means also made reality into a nightmare. His father was on his way, but aside from fatherly love, he provided little comfort in answering his many questions and preventing a future lurid and frightening episode. “I’m hungry.” Estabon’s stomach churned.

  “I’ll see what I can do.” She checked the schedule by the foot of the bed.

  ‘His mom chose chicken dinner. It will be here in thirty minutes. I’ll see if I can get them to bring it now.’ Estabon saw her thoughts with retching fear.

  “I will see if I can get you a chicken dinner right now, if that’s okay with you?” The nurse said; Estabon breathing deep, concentrating on pushing her thoughts away.

  “Is everything okay?” She moved back by the side of the bed with inspecting eyes.

  “Yes, I’m just hungry. I like chicken.” Estabon put his hand on his stomach and breathed naturally, seeing she would stay longer if he didn’t pretend to be well.

  “Okay, sweetie, I’ll be back soon.” The veteran nurse smiled and left the ten-by-ten foot room.

  Estabon leaned on his side and hugged the pillow tight into his head; pulling up his knees into a half fetal position. Ms. Thompson was outside past the door but her thirty-one years of uncensored memories and experiences poured into his mind. Her current thoughts faded but were replaced by Peter Brooks, an elderly man in recovery, and Isabel Gutierrez, recovering from eye surgery. A nurse and technician’s thoughts intermingled with theirs as if stepping into his mind and stepping out; fading as Nurse Thompson’s thoughts did. The surface thoughts of the two patients beyond the walls became memories and experiences he couldn’t keep from seeing.

  “Stop…Stop…” He muttered under his breath. The memories slowed down a little and skipped some years, but there was no escaping him knowing the deepest secrets in their lives. Of all the knowledge he learned over the years, it paled in comparison to the information dumped onto him by these three people in less than a few minutes. Memories started to mix together, making him woozy.

  He inhaled heavily and stared at the cream white woven pillow case fabric. He tried to empty out his mind by focusing on the color and his hunger. The hunger intensified a little, but so did the memories. Isabel’s first job interview and Peter’s wedding experience lingered, with constant surface thoughts of the two patients and people walking by the room. He felt lost and trapped in a sea of thoughts he couldn’t control, wishing he would blackout again.

  The door opened giving him little warning as he straightened up; looking towards the visitor. Eduardo, his brother, slowly walked towards him. His black hair curled at the tips down to his ear lobe. He still wore his basketball jersey, dried sweat marks running down his chest. His natural tan and muscular physique attracted the young women; but it was his charm that boosted his popularity in and out of high school. He wasn’t smiling as usual and seemed to have heard bad news from the doctor. “How are you brother?”

  His words and thoughts exactly matched what Estabon saw in his mind. “I came here once I knew.” Eduardo’s mouth didn’t move. “Don’t worry Estabon. You can control this, but you need to trust me. I know what you’re going through. You’re reading people’s minds to include their memories since they were born. I need you to focus on me and I will show you what happened to me last year when I went mountain climbing.” Eduardo sat on the side of the bed next to his younger brother, holding a sweatshirt in one hand off to the side.

  Estabon focused on his thoughts seeing Eduardo going through the same sudden nightmarish experience, except it was out in the middle of the Colorado Mountains with a handful of friends. “Tr
y not to fight it, but you need to make a castle and world full of castles. Place the memories of each person in a room of the castle. You can select what you want in there. The stuff you don’t want; put outside in the backyard. In time you will be able to intentionally forget information placed there. If you don’t, the memories will be all over your mind like they are now. So; start imagining a castle and put Shannon, Peter and Isabel’s memories inside of it. You can move memories around once they’re all there. Add people from the hospital as you go along. It will take practice to be able to do it in seconds.” Eduardo’s reassuring thoughts helped ease his nerves.

  “Why did this happen?” Estabon thought with Eduardo clearly hearing it as if his ears heard it.

  “I don’t know why, but I have learned so much over the year. In time you will see all the memories and experiences of thousands of people that I have already seen.” Eduardo replied as their mother entered, followed by Nurse Shannon Thompson.

  “Wow.” Estabon said, as Eduardo’s entire world of castles poured into his mind becoming part of the small castle he just created. His mom’s and father’s histories were transparent to him now. The knowledge was well organized placing all happy moments together, sad moments to the side, facts in another section of each room, misconceptions and common knowledge in one room all by itself.

  “How are you honey?” Lucy, his mother, asked; walking to the other side of the bed. Eduardo getting off the bed and moving out of the way as Nurse Thompson placed a tray of food on a rolling table.

  “I feel good.” Estabon smiled; new thoughts and memories immediately moving into areas within the rooms of his new castle and world. His own thoughts taking center stage.

  “That’s very good, I didn’t think about you using my world to start from.” Eduardo smiled but said nothing audibly as he scooted back behind Shannon.