Worlds Without Number (4)

Worlds Without Number (3)
Worlds Without Number (2)
Worlds Without Number (1)

Tom was escorted to a small room which resembled an examination room at a doctor's office. The group that escorted him immediately began removing his protective clothing, and placing it into a large container. They did not stop until Tom was completely naked. Tom did not resist. The container was sealed after all of Tom's clothing was placed inside. The leader took the 3D holographic display, and the group left him alone. The room had a glass window in it, and as Tom looked through it he saw the faces of the planet's inhabitants for the first time. They appeared perfectly and completely human!

In spite of his nakedness Tom walked directly to the window, almost to the point of pressing his nose against it. Sure enough, two eyes, two ears, a nose and a mouth. If he did not know better he would assume he was on earth. After a few moments he tried to motion with his fingers his observation that he and his hosts shared the same features. While the observers did talk and comment to each other, they did not appear to share Tom's interest in charades.

Tom felt a large amount of air movement in the room, which became a strong wind. It blew his hair around, and he had to brace himself to keep his balance. After several seconds the air movement and the associated noise stopped. The people that were watching him left the window area and in a few seconds entered the room. Perhaps he had been pronounced clean.

They guided Tom to the middle of the room and had him sit on the examining table. Tom was poked , prodded and scanned for several minutes. They took a sample of his blood and saliva. One of the people handed Tom a small cup, and with the shameless efficiency that only a scientist could muster, pantomimed peeing in the cup. Perhaps they were more interested in charades then they initially appeared.

Once they had all the information they wanted they left the room and closed the door. A few seconds later an individual returned, and handed Tom a plain white jumpsuit type garment. Tom gladly put it on. One size did not necessarily fit all. The individual left and Tom was alone again.

Nearly an hour passed when a small group again appeared at the window. They were obviously talking about Tom. He was getting a bit nervous, and wondering what would happen next. This small group left the window area, and the door opened. They motioned for Tom to follow them, and he did.

They lead him to what looked like a small one-room apartment. One member of the group showed him around, and attempted to describe the room. After a few words, he seemed to realize the futility of his description and stopped giving it. After a few awkward moments the group left him in his new home. What now?

Tom began to review his eventful day. He had been met initially by what he guessed were military men of some kind. There had not been any obvious media presence - did the general public know he was here? The planet seemed to be a couple of centuries behind earth in their technology, but they weren't fools. They had taken reasonable precautions with him.

But these were human beings! Just like him! The thought brought him an unexpected relief. Tom had imagined being met by all manner of strange creatures. But the fact that this planet was inhabited by human beings was fascinating. What did that mean? Do evolutionary processes generally yield common results that are more likely than others? If the human beings were the same, would the plants and animals be the same as well? Surely not everything in this world would be the same.

Does the fact that there are humans here prove that God exists and creates men in his own image? Were these people children of God? Children of Elohim? Would there be Christianity here? Would the 'church' be here? Would they have a prophet? What of their scriptures - if they had any? Would there be a creation story similar to Genesis? A fall? Would they have their own savior - or would Christ be their savior as well?

What are they going to do with me?

Tom laid on what seemed to be the bed, put his hands behind his head, and stared at the ceiling. Why were his thoughts so centered on religion? It had been a few years since he had thought much of it at all. But no matter how much he tried to focus on the real purpose of his mission, his mind would go straight back to the religious implications of what was happening. Was the church true? If it was true on earth, would it not also be true here?

His mind raced for hours. He did not sleep much.