Return of the Light Prince

2

Michael’s Country Homestead

in the Australian Outback

The date, 14/07/2025

‘Beep’—my message monitor sounded its usual rhythmic tune. I had just come into the lounge to relax after closing the barn door, and ‘Fred’ my wall-size communication screen came on. It was David.

‘I’m sorry, Dad. We’re not going to be able to make it for your anniversary. Megs has missed the connecting flight, and we’re still waiting for Filly. We’ll bed down here and catch up with you tomorrow. Love from us all, Dave.’ Dave, Megs, Filly, and their kids were the only family I had left. I shut the message beeper off as I rummaged around, looking for some matches to light the open log fire. It seemed to be getting colder now for this time of year, and there were signs of an early storm building up. While lighting a cozy fire, ‘Fred’ beamed up my favourite image of Janet and the kids, which started me remembering how lucky I am. We have shared many happy times while growing up together. At seventy-five, one has a lot of past to look back on. I’ve had a wonderful life really with two caring children, who even now still love me, and at my age, that’s worth something.

My lovely Janet passed away just four years ago now, and photos, diaries, and a fading memory were all that I have left. It hadn’t always been easy bringing up the kids. There was a momentary pause as I looked out the window. I’d closed the barn door just in time as the lightning was now coming over the horizon.

The alarm near the stove sounded out, reminding me my hot chocolate was ready. It was 6.00 a.m., and now with a hot chocolate in hand, I loafed in my favourite lounge chair next to my warming fire. David’s message had started me thinking. I began going through my records and remembering the excitement in my past one more time. I had an unrelenting quest in my youth to find out the origins of my genetic heritage, and I was astounded at the way this quest was given a new lease of life. Although I returned early, and a part of me really regrets it, this adventure elevated excitement to a new level for me. Meeting WIL started many years ago when I had reached a low point in my life as someone dear to me had passed away. My quest, though, started long before that in my university days with a recurring dream—a passionate dream that appeared, well, impossible at the time; nevertheless, I believed in myself. My own convictions were all I had then, and the experiences that followed just seemed unbelievable, even to me now when looking back. It all happened, though, sure enough, and as I closed my eyes, my mind drifted back through time.

Travelling back, I stopped to remember a favourite place where I appeared unseen and unnoticed, watching the excited activity on the opposite side of the road. A crowd of scientific staff and police officers were checking many sets of footprints and tyre tracks where I had left my car. All regular traffic was being diverted from this area. My car had since been towed back into the friendly little town where David and I originally met Janet. The sight of the car coming back to town undamaged and covered in a shroud of secrecy was a mystery to Jim at the local garage, who, having taken off his hat, was scratching his head. There was no sign of an accident, mechanical failure, or driver fatigue. The car just seemed abandoned. Added to this, the interest of all the scientific community had everyone in this sleepy little town intrigued.

Farther and deeper I went back as I remembered many others who also became a part of, and involved in, a thrilling and inspiring mission that would change the lives of us all. The explanation for natural diversity and the descent of man on Earth, as I found out later, seems so simple when I look back now. I just lacked the courage to share it with others and lived in fear and isolation like a reclusive soul, except, of course, for the support of my close friend Oats.

3

Convention Complex

on Kendagon

This encounter began for the others within a distant system known to many, and by many different names. The centre of this system is a massive sun-sized celestial body whose inhabitants are manifestly complex in the depth of their cultural backgrounds and in their compassionate nature but with one defining character. They shared a Kindred Spirit. So our mission began then on a sleek transport craft carrying the final-year students back from the distant and ancient Choiral Moon of Candon. It is a magical place—a substantial planet in this system’s outer reaches with large densely populated provincial areas surrounded by giant surface-controlled air bubbles. This was mainly due to the low temperature and thin atmospheric conditions on Candon.

These bubbles were massive force fields to protect and preserve life. The inhabitants of Candon were absorbed in their ancestry and traditions, with a very warm relationship between themselves and the other planets in the system. Their national language was a series of harmonious tunes, and this beautiful music permeated across the realm. As the ship coming from Candon entered the inner domain of the gigantic KS 10:43 star group, Kindred Spirit’s group of ten stars in close proximity with forty-three major orbiting bodies, the harmonious musical sounds between the communicating students suddenly began to translate.

‘Must be an important mission with the conference coming,’ observed Herron. Mharn looked on, listening anxiously.

‘Yes,’ wondered Kendu with hope. ‘I wish it was me going,’ he added.

‘You might well be going, Kendu,’ Mharn agreed with encouragement. The three friends from different provinces laughed as the excitement built.

Keenly awaiting their class, the murmuring from all the students in the transporter came to a hush. Coming into the foreground was Kendagon, the sixth planet of eleven major bodies that orbited the great milky planet/sun of Kindred Spirits. Kindred Spirits was the homeland of WIL’s ancestors for several million years since their time began in our galaxy. The transporter landed within the large compound of the Music Academy of Higher Learning, and the student graduates materialised and settled quickly. Their faces beamed with buoyant energy as they took their places in the auditorium. They wore simple cloth robes with a thinly braided twin red band around their right sleeve to show their senior student status. Once coming to order, their teacher’s vision appeared on a dais as an image. The elderly master, with his wisdom and guidance, turned to his eager class, who were excited about the forthcoming Galactic Counsel Conference.

‘We have been asked to select a student for a mission assignment,’ he announced slowly in measured tones.

Many of the students were aware that the next conference will be held on Kendagon. The students, the best from their regions, had been researching inner self-truth leading to advanced mind power. The reason for the excitement, apart from the honour for Kendagon, was the enormous cultural exchange that would take place among conference delegates.

‘Our galaxy’, the master started, ‘hasn’t had the privilege of host since the last rotation of Troth or about five thousand eight hundred years in destination time equivalents.’ Troth was the most distant planet in their system and had the longest rotation cycle recorded. ‘Federation conferences’, he continued, ‘are held approximately every twenty years for the two hundred and ninety advanced galaxies in our region. Twelve of these delegates are chosen to be the supreme ruling counsel for the next twenty-year period. The peace and stability, which is felt among the member galaxies, is largely attributable to the confidence in the wisdom of the current ruling counsel.

‘One of the main goals’, he continued after a pause, ‘of counsel members is to help develop races in emerging planetary systems, particularly where there is a threat to their survival. The current counsel members have been re-elected unopposed for the last seven hundred and forty years, and WIL has been the counsel leader for the last seven thousand years. Each of these counsellors acts with enormous power and authority to resolve issues and conflict. This power flows through from WIL’s authority and revered status, which has never really been fully understood. The counsel’s ultimate power is the power of will. The imposition of council will can create and inspire destiny with absolute trust.’

Kendagon, as host planet for the forthcoming conference, was preparing to welcome on a grand scale delegates from millions of nations. Preparations were well under way, and part of the process was about to unfold for one fortunate student. In the deserted great hall, Sun-Ky, one of two executive officers to the ruling counsel and the leader of all people on Kendagon, materialised, to discuss developments in the lead-up to the conference.

‘Is he ready?’ inquired Sun-Ky of his number two in command appearing directly after him.

‘He seems rather young with no mission experience,’ remarked Randor.

‘That is of little concern. As unification officer, he will have WIL’s ship to protect him, and Captain Champion wants to bond with him before he begins active service,’ confirmed Sun-Ky.

As Sun-Ky spoke, a complex multi-dimensional astronomical directory came into view. Using mind power, Sun-Ky searched three-dimensional star groups with images of geographic regions being broken down to find the source of his interest.

‘Is it a compassionate mission?’ queried Randor in a conversational way while watching with great interest.

‘Gena again,’ replied Sun-Ky.

‘Do you mean they have found some more of it?’ queried Randor, sounding a little amazed. Randor had long been a student of galaxy records, and the history of Gena was chronicled in the teachings of the systems past.

‘Yes, galaxy level 768, quadrant 4, system 141 is in its path, again,’ Sun-Ky replied.

On the image in front of them, system 141, near the edge of the galaxy, came into view—first, the whole system shown as a three-dimensional image and then zooming in on the third planet which descended in equilibrium as an image with its moon.

‘Have the counsel’s objectives with Gena developed further?’ Randor was becoming a little intrigued and confused.

‘There are several objectives, and further important information has recently come to hand,’ confirmed Sun-Ky while still respecting some information confidential to the mission’s success.

‘Have we been there recently on a mission at this level?’ queried Randor.

‘One rotation of Troth’ was Sun-Ky’s quick reply. Randor then observed,

‘Their relative outlook would not have changed much then.’

‘A little. However, a scheduled return visit had not been planned,’ agreed Sun-Ky. The image of Sun-Ky and the other officer vanished into thin air.

4

Academy of Higher Learning

Mharn, who was a debating champion from the Kingdom of the Voices on the Choiral Moon of Candon, was in the final stages of formal learning on Kendagon. Mharn was studying the four truths of self-interest: self-control, self-discipline, self-reliance and self-respect.

‘I can’t believe it. I’m going on a command mission with WIL’s ship,’ Mharn screamed out happily to himself. Mharn stood within a group of his friends. He had struggled with a great commitment and determination over many years for this chance and this moment. As his eyes passed between two of his friends, he noticed the image of Karina, the beautiful Choiral Moon princess, appear and take form. She was about twenty metres away, and she immediately turned and smiled at him. He smiled back, a little unsure but elated. Her smile alone lifted his excitement to greater heights.

‘You deserve to go, Mharn,’ remarked Herron. Mharn changed his attention back to Herron momentarily.

‘Yes, well done, Mharn,’ agreed Kendu sadly. Mharn and his two friends stood talking in the foreground of the night light from several large planetary bodies surrounded by the bright cosmos background.

Mharn looked back in the direction of Karina, who had disappeared from view only to turn up next to him. Kendu and Herron bowed in acknowledgement of her presence, as did Mharn when turning around in surprise. The whispering murmur from the larger crowd of students gathered in the area fell quiet at the appearance of the princess.

‘You honour us with your presence, Princess,’ Mharn murmured quietly with adoration.

‘It brings you great credit, Mharn, for our kingdom and our planet that you represent us here on Kendagon.’ Karina looked caringly at Mharn with focused eye contact while continuing, ‘That you are now chosen to go on a mission with the Corillion, my father has asked me to pass on our kingdom’s sincere admiration and affection. This I cheerfully do,’ she whispered, fondly smiling, as she looked deeply into his eyes. Mharn was caught for words at the sight of Karina and the attention she was giving him. She was the most beautiful, the most exquisite creature from the kingdom. ‘I wish you well, Mharn. I will be very interested to hear of your adventures on your return. You will call on me, won’t you, Mharn?’ Karina added as her image slowly vanished, smiling proudly.

‘She’s lovely. What a revered moment! What a cherished moment!’ Kendu declared out aloud with longing.

‘It is a great honour to have been chosen by Captain Champion, Mharn,’ Herron said, happy for Mharn but clearly disappointed. Mharn was still dreaming about his vision of Karina. He had tears welling in his eyes. (‘You will call on me, won’t you, Mharn?’) Karina, like her mother, Queen Resenda LeGllen of Candon, was a regal beauty.

‘Why doesn’t WIL just destroy Gena?’ Herron was perplexed.

‘You know WIL believes in cultivating the greater power of good in all,’ advised Kendu. Mharn collected his thoughts.

‘I’ve got to go and meet Sun-Ky for a further briefing in the great hall,’ Mharn recalled, and with that his image vanished, leaving his two friends looking on. Mharn was waiting in the still deserted great hall when Sun-Ky’s image materialised, and Mharn stood to attention. Sun-Ky was an elder statesman and spoke softly as one who commanded absolute admiration and respect.

‘You will be going to system 141 near the edge of the galaxy to a planet they once called Land between the rivers and since renamed Earth. Have you been briefed on this mission?’ Mharn was filled with excitement.

‘No, sir, not fully, sir,’ replied Mharn as he relaxed a little. Sun-Ky held up his hand briefly to impart basic mission knowledge. A rotating vertical circle of light energy surrounded them momentarily.

‘I believe you’ve been there before, sir?’ queried Mharn after a further moment. ‘Yes, ahem,’ Sun-Ky continued on, clearing his throat and without explanation. ‘Mharn, about three million years ago, an asteroid swept past the confinement moon of Gena. The asteroid became contaminated before it disintegrated, causing fragments to be spread all over the galaxy.’ Descending from the dome-shaped ceiling above, there appeared a multi-dimensional vision of the Gena planet three million years ago. You could see the giant asteroid had been menacing the Gena population for several days, risking collision when it swept past missing by seconds. The pressure was too great and the giant spinning asteroid came apart as it disappeared into space.

‘Another remnant of this dark force has been found heading towards system 141,’ confirmed Sun-Ky.

‘What are the beings on Earth like, sir?’ Mharn was becoming more excited.

‘They have come a long way. Their anatomy and physiology evolved like ours. Your studying of the four truths of self-interest will be of great help to them now. You have your departure schedule?’ Sun-Ky had an imposing position of authority.

‘Err, yes, sir,’ confirmed Mharn a little nervously.

‘You will be briefed further by First Officer Lyyn, and you will report on this mission to Captain Champion,’ Sun-Ky concluded with a more friendly tone.

‘Yes, sir,’ Mharn acknowledged respectfully, standing to attention again as his robes were then replaced with those of a junior staff officer by Sun-Ky with a wave of his hand. As Sun-Ky’s image evaporated, Mharn felt the vitality that emanated from the ‘Corillion’ fill his spirit. Mharn was to leave immediately and would not see his friends until the mission was over.

5

Boy’s Boarding School,

in the Australian Outback

I sat there reminiscing as my eyes started to swell. It was the first real chance my son David and I had to enjoy ourselves since my wife Wendy passed away. For the first twelve months after Wendy died, I didn’t feel I wanted to go on any longer. I had difficulty keeping David’s spirits up and felt he would adjust better in a parent-free environment. So David virtually grew up in boarding school while I was trying to get my life back together. That was two years ago, and this holiday is going to be all about us having some fun. I had been waiting in my car at the school gate for about half an hour when the boys started to emerge from their dormitories. During the initial confusion, my mind drifted back to my happier early days at the old Lonsdale Laboratory and my impossible dream. It was early evening and through the plate glass window at our lab I could see many heavenly bodies.

‘It’s one of life’s great tragedies,’ I sounded out.

‘Eh, what is?’ questioned Oats. He was completely absorbed in his work. John Bran was my long-time room-mate at university where we studied science together, and he was also the best man at my wedding to Wendy. Our classmates had all nicknamed him ‘Oats’.

‘That the older we get, the more we realise how little we really know,’ I added. ‘You’ve been gazing at the stars again,’ Oats replied while adding liquid to his beaker and checking his instruments.

‘Oats, I know other scientists have talked about it, but what if… what if you really could—’ and then,

‘Oh, it’s all rubbish, Michael. It won’t happen in our lifetime,’ interrupted Oats. ‘ . . . really could actually do it?’ I continued without distraction. ‘Think about it for a moment, Oats. How much there is to find out, and how little time we really have as individuals in the vastness of the timeline.’ I ignored Oats’s dismissive remarks as I was caught up in my dream, my life’s pursuits, and my spiritual connection with the cosmos.

‘What do you mean?’ Oats questioned, still focused on his beaker and raising his interest level for a moment.

‘At the speed of light, Oats, how long does it take to cross the Milky Way?’ There was a stir.

‘Oh, about a hundred thousand light years,’ Oats agreed.

‘To get to Andromeda?’ I queried again.

‘Oh, about two million light years,’ Oats added. ‘Why, what are you saying?’

‘That’s about twenty-five thousand lifetimes just to get there,’ I reflected sadly. ‘In one lifetime we might live for eighty years and, if lucky, see some of our world. What if we could live for a thousand years and see a hundred worlds. Have you ever wanted to explore the stars, then felt trapped by an earth-bound body?’ I challenged, fascinated as I looked out the large plate glass window at the cosmos.

‘But we are, Michael. It’s just a dream, mate,’ Oats added with a crushing note of reality. ‘Yes, our science has tried to deal with this issue by trying to change space travel to accommodate our body,’ I acknowledged.

‘So what’s changed, Michael?’ Oats queried.

‘Human life as we see it breathes, consumes, excretes, replicates, grows old, and dies. I believe there are many alternative life forms out there,’ I added with a firm belief in my dream. ‘To explore time, distance, and racial and cultural evolution, we need to be able to change somehow,’ I reasoned.

‘Yes, I agree, Michael, but it still won’t happen in our lifetime,’ Oats added with some conviction, after looking up from his beaker.

‘To live life beyond life as we know it,’ I concluded. Regardless of Oats’s views, I dreamt on while gazing at the heavenly bodies in front of me.

6

Holidays with David

The audible mutter of two or three hundred children with broad smiles suddenly erupted. Multiple conversations about a variety of holiday destinations bubbled through from their cheerful faces. I drifted back to the present as I heard a tapping on the window. It was David surrounded by a small group of his friends. David was an intelligent young man now with a mixture of good humour, keen insight, and perceptiveness. There’s no doubt he still missed