Just Passing Through
Short Stories
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
In a clipped, measured accent Major V-119 said, “Hark, general; the crew grows restive. How long must we remain in orbit? Verily Sir. I beseech you to make contact.” With similar clipped accent General W-355 replied, “Anxiety dulls lucidity, major. Be brief, for I am presently restudying the ‘Old Report’ and ‘Recent Addendum.’ Upon completion I shall seek the crew’s mind; thence will the decision follow.” “I know no other choice but to land,” The major said. “So long have we hid in this orbit and durst not peep out, and all the while our planet expires.” “That we must find a new home planet lies beyond dispute. Whether it be Earth remains the question.” “Shall the crew’s opinion carry weight?” “Please, Major: will, not shall. Let us not trample the hallowed language of Shakespeare.” The major cringed. A smile cutting across his silvery-white face, the general said, “According to our commandments for planetary exploration, the decision falls upon the commanding general; however, the crew’s opinion will weigh heavily.” Then in a more conciliatory tone, “I share thy feelings, Major. We all grasp the gravity of our plight. And so, with thanks and pardon, I do dismiss thee to thy station, that I may complete my task.” “I do entreat thee to decide favorably and with haste, Sir.” “Duly noted, Major.” Turning away from Major V-119 the general turned to the summary page of the “Old Report,” dated 400 Zyzytia years earlier (ca. 1,000,000 Earth years). Translated into current English it read: “Earth thus appears to be the best candidate of the planets thus far explored. Though none seems entirely satisfactory, Earth’s salubrious atmosphere and temperature will require few adjustments. The most troubling issue with Planet Earth is its inhabitants. Only a few species of ants, bees, and other insects exhibit sufficient complexity, intelligence and social ability to interact cooperatively with Zyzytian settlers. The crude and hostile primate species we encountered demonstrate little potential for positive interaction.” The “Recent Addendum” describes a more recent orbital scan taken 410 Earth years ago): “Species evolution has occurred more rapidly on Earth than on Zyzytia, probably due to the higher revolution rate about its sun. Accordingly, one of the primates described in the “Old Report” has evolved into a relatively intelligent species that now dominates the planet. Called Homo sapiens, that species is extremely competitive and belligerent. Furthermore, their devotion to intellect-stifling religious beliefs has led to relentless wars of conquest over most of the planet. In fact, warfare became the driving force on Planet Earth when Homo sapiens appeared, which was after the “Old Report” was issued. “Given these findings we urge extreme caution. Careful contact by an exploratory delegation is recommended before making a final determination to land.” As he read, General W-355 made notes for the forthcoming meeting.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Just Passing Through explores the many ways people face life’s troubles. Though scientific ideas have forced their way into some of these stories, the focus is on the characters’ lives: A loving mother dictates her son’s life as a despot … a priest discovers he has sinned … two recent widowers find their mutual attraction disturbing … a watchmaker learns the exact date of his death … a man sees the world collapsing and cannot decide if he is hallucinating or losing his mind; perhaps he can reverse the collapse … beings from a distant planet plan to settle on earth. Several stories are nonfictional, personal memoirs.
About the Author
Jack Fernandez received the Ph.D. degree in organic chemistry from the University of Florida in 1954. After a two-year tour in the U.S. Army, a one-year postdoctoral at Duke University, and three years at the Tennessee Eastman Co., he began his academic career in 1960 at the University of South Florida as a Charter Faculty Member. In 1995 Jack retired from the USF Chemistry Faculty. During his thirty-five year tenure he published over fifty research papers and five chemistry textbooks, and he directed the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees of dozens of students. He received five awards for outstanding undergraduate teaching. In 1966-67 he lectured under a Fulbright Grant in the University of Madrid, Spain and in the National University of Colombia in Bogotá, Colombia during the summer of 1977. He retired as Chair of the USF Chemistry Department. On retirement he turned his creative efforts to fiction. Besides occasional newspaper articles, he published a trilogy of historical novels centered on Tampa’s Latino community: Café Con Leche, Conquistador, and Viva Matilde. Those books brought him local recognition, awards for his contributions to local history, and many speaking invitations. In addition to historical fiction, Jack published a collection of stories focused on academia titled Professors and Other Misfits. Jack was born and reared in Tampa, Florida. He and his wife have three sons, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.