Earth To Nole: Return of the Prince

by Lomash, Kumar

  Kevin was excited to be among the scholars. He enjoyed talking to them a lot. Although he didn’t fully understand why each and every one of them wanted to leave their contact information with his guards, he liked the attention he got from them. Usually, he had felt that people with knowledge, like scholars and scientists are difficult to get access to. He had tried engaging with such people in the past but failed frequently. Scholars and scientists were mostly busy with what they did and seldom entertained stray queries from enthusiasts like Kevin who were looking for answers. He respected such people a lot but also knew them for their absenteeism and closed nature. Now that he was surrounded by them, his curious self rejoiced thoroughly.

  They talked about the real problems Igogo pointed out earlier and how those can be solved. The chronomists among them had ideas on market reforms which could fix their economy, the scientists wanted to look into evolutionary mechanism of jaks and compare that to the humans while the physicists wanted to research cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. Kevin could understand these motivations very well. They were similar to those of humans, although much more advanced. Kevin also realised while talking to them that they thought very highly of Boriri. Some of them were even taught by him when he was a visiting faculty to their schools. Others trained under him when he was in the planning department. And almost everyone had read his papers on chronomics. Kevin realised that Boriri was a legend among the academists.

  He talked to them for almost an hour and lost track of time. He didn’t realize that Seriri was getting bored and growing jealous of his current company. One of his guards prompted him discretely that it was time to move on. He needed to spend some time with other groups as well. It was hard for Kevin to disengage himself from such intriguing conversations but he took their leave and promised to invite them for deeper conversations later.

  As soon as he started to walk away, Moriti appeared again and got hold of him. Seriri didn’t find it acceptable and intervened.

  “Where are you taking him now? He just spent the last hour talking to your friends.”, Seriri asked Moriti.

  “My friends?”, Moriti was mildly shocked, “They were not my friends, they were Boriri’s. I had to introduce him to them. After all he has to appoint several of them into ministries in the coming months.”, Moriti explained calmly. She expected Seriri to understand.

  “What?”, Kevin asked. He looked confused.

  ‘Where is Keele? This looks like one of those ‘explain it to Kevin’ moments.”, Moriti giggled.

  “Here I am.”, Keele appeared suddenly from nowhere.

  “Do you always keep eavesdropping on our conversations?”, Seriri asked Keele. She still was a bit on the edge.

  “Not just yours, I am hearing all of the conversations. Recording them, analysing them and dropping only those which are illegal for me to analyse.”, Keele boasted.

  “Then you already know his question, right? Why don’t you get started, we don’t have all night.”, Moriti said with a smile.

  “The elections are in six months Kevin, and if monarchy wins then the best researchers, scientists and scholars would need to be appointed for the ministries. It’s a meritocracy, remember?”, Keele said to Kevin.

  “Oh! Now I understand why they kept dropping their visiting cards with my guards.”, Kevin understood the connection now.

  “What visiting card?”, Seriri sounded confused.

  “He means contact information.”, Keele explained.

  “But how do I select among them? I am not an expert!”, Kevin asked.

  “You should begin with appointing a prime minister, Kevin. Someone who is an expert in such matters. You can select anyone, they need not be an elected member of the panel. In fact, there would be no panel all. It’s just you.”, Keele said.

  “So, a king’s job is to nominate people with merit for all ministries, that’s it?”, Kevin asked.

  “Yes, although that is a very simplistic view of his responsibilities. Remember that they report only to you so you are responsible for what problems they work on and how much they spend solving those problems. You own the priority, the resources and the results.”, Keele said.

  “But I don’t know how to do all of this.”, Kevin honestly pointed out the obvious.

  “We know. That is why you have to nominate a prime minister first.”, Moriti repeated what Keele had already said.

  “Who? I don’t know anyone.”, Kevin seemed confused.

  Keele smiled. He said, “So you are saying you don’t know anyone who is an expert in hum matters. Someone who enjoys a lot of respect from all scholars and scientists. Someone who has experience of working in the government and has proven in the past that he has good intentions for the hum society.”

  Kevin realised that the task was rather easy for him. He asked, “Would he agree?”

  Moriti jumped, “Our society needs him now more than ever. Don’t worry, I will convince him.” She said confidently, then she added, “Now let’s go. Karbaka is waiting for us.”

  “Karbaka? is that a person’s name?”, Kevin asked.

  “Yes, it is a common name among hums. I can understand why you are confused, it is also the name of our star system.”, Moriti explained.

  “Who is he?”, Kevin asked.

  “Your flight instructor.”, Moriti replied. “Boriri has requested him to teach you.”

  “Did you tell Boriri that I am not comfortable flying?”, Kevin asked as they walked around looking for Karbaka.

  “To be honest, it was my idea to hire an instructor for you. Boriri has no clue how important it is.”, Moriti confessed. She said, “Royals have always been great flymen. I don’t know if you would ever be able to fly neurojets like them but at least you should be able to fly normal vehicles. Being a royal is not easy, Kevin. It includes doing things for appearances sake too.”

  Seriri and Keele agreed with what Moriti had to say. Kevin was voted out. He agreed to give it a try. Soon enough, a short, well groomed man walked towards them.

  “Prince Kevin, I am Karbaka. I will be your flight instructor.”, he said.

  “Good evening, Karbaka.”, Moriti greeted him. Keele and Seriri stood in silence as Kevin, Moriti and Karbaka started talking.

  “Prince, I know how you feel about flying. Trust me, you are not the only one. There are many who do not like flying, but it is a necessity these days. You have one of the finest vehicles in your garage. Most of them are autonomous and need very minimal skill. There is nothing to be worried of.”, Karbaka tried to persuade Kevin.

  “Sure.”, Kevin agreed.

  “Only the autonomous ones? What about the neurojets? Shouldn’t we give them a try at least?”, Moriti asked.

  Karbaka looked at Moriti with astonishment. He expected her to know this but she didn’t. He went closer and said, almost whispering to her and Kevin. “Prince would never be able to fly a neurojet, madam Moriti. He was not born here, was he?”

  “Why should that be a problem? He belongs to the genepool. I hope you are not doubting his lineage.”, Moriti asserted.

  “Please forgive me madam Moriti if I have offended the prince, but I do not doubt his skills or his lineage. We have a technical problem, instead.”, Karbaka explained.

  “What technical problem?”, Kevin asked. He was now interested in knowing why he would never be able to fly a neuroject. There is something about forbidden fruits. They appear infinitely more sweet once you are told you cannot have them.

  “Flying a neurojet requires a brainmap. It's a configuration unique to every body. This configuration maps brain signals to the neurojet’s main controller. Without a brainmap, the prince won’t be able to communicate to a neurojet at all.”, Karbaka said.

  “So? Why can’t we get his brain mapped now that he is here?”, Moriti asked.

  “It is too late for that, I am afraid. A brain can be mapped only till five years of age. Preferably it should be done within the first 6 months of birth. The royals used to do it on the
first.”, Karbaka replied. He sounded helpless.

  “That’s ok, Moriti. I would be more than happy if I can fly the simpler vehicles. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”, Kevin tried to console Moriti who looked quite sad on hearing all this.

  Deep within, Kevin was a bit disappointed too. He had always loved playing with gadgets and machines. Hearing that there is something he would never be able to do had to hurt him at some level. Even if it was about flying.

  “Have you driven vehicles before, prince Kevin?”, Karbaka began with his usual queries.

  “Please call me Kevin. And yes, I love driving. I believe I am better than most of the drivers.”, Kevin replied honestly.

  “That is great. Then you know how to control a machine’s movements. Flying is only marginally tricky. We will have fun. Tomorrow morning at six?.”, Karbaka smiled and prepared to walk away.

  “Make that seven. This has been a long evening.”, Kevin said.

  “As you wish, Kevin.”, Karbaka smiled as he walked away.

  Kevin looked at Moriti and said, “Are you serious? Me and neurojets?”.

  “Why not? You would have made a fine flyman.”, Moriti insisted, still sad from the earlier revelation by Karbaka.

  Kevin enjoyed the compliment. He accepted it quietly.

  “What now?”, Seriri asked.

  “Let’s try the wine, now.”, Keele said. He waved at a housebot who was serving drinks nearby.

  Moriti realised it was time for the boys to begin their own party. She said, “I will leave now. Seriri, are you staying?”

  “I guess I will leave too.”, Seriri said while looking at Kevin. She hoped Kevin would stop her but Kevin had no such intentions.

  Moriti and Seriri left. Keele ordered a glass of wine for Kevin and they both sat on the patio as the last few guests left the hall. Kevin saw the vehicles lifting off from the parking ground, one after the other. He said, “This all looks like a dream.”

  “A good one, I hope.”, Keele said.

  “A fantastic one. I never even dared dreaming being part of an alien civilization. And now I am supposed to lead one. How did that happen?’, Kevin wondered.

  Keele smiled. He knew how Kevin felt.

  “This is a great wine, Keele. I don’t know why you people drink that stupid wake?”, Kevin asked rhetorically. He asked for another glass to the housebot who stood nearby.

  Finding that he was now alone with Keele, Kevin finally asked what he had been meaning to for the last couple of hours, “Why is Igogo so popular when we know that he is evil?

  “We don’t know for sure that he is evil, Kevin. This is only something Boriri and a few others believe.”, Keele replied.

  Kevin didn’t understand why someone so mature like Boriri would accuse a popular leader without sufficient reasons. He asked, “Why does he believe so?”

  “He came up with this theory after Soboro died. He made a lot of efforts to get an enquiry started against Igogo and other members of the panel but there was simply no evidence against them. Everyone took Boriri’s claims lightly and rejected it as his emotional outburst. After all, Soboro and Boriri were known to be close.”, Keele recalled.

  “Tell me honestly, Keele. What do you believe?”, Kevin asked.

  “I don’t have a subconscious, Kevin. I don’t know what to believe in. All I can say is that Boriri’s theory is consistent. It could be true but there is no evidence to prove it.”, Keele replied.

  “So, Igogo could be completely innocent. No one tricked humans to come to Nole. No one was trying to kill me. It all can be just one man’s miscalculations.”, Kevin said.

  “It could very well be. But then it would be his first.”, Keele responded.

  Kevin kept drinking from his glass. He realised that Igogo’s case was not as black and white as he thought it to be. Overall he was confused, whether to enjoy being the prince in an alien civilization or worry having an enemy as strong and witty as Igogo.

  4. Identity

  In the morning, Karbaka waited for Kevin in the big hall. It was the same hall from last night where the gala took place. He walked around the perimeter of the hall and looked at the paintings and portraits hung on its walls. He looked at them with utmost respect and appreciation in his eyes. Just then Tomiri was passing by when he saw Karbaka going around.

  Karbaka saw Tomiri and said, “Aah, proctor! Finally, you have an employer.”

  “So do you, instructor.”, Tomiri responded.

  “I was never out of work, my friend. I teach non royal students too, remember?”, Karbaka responded. A friendly war of words waged between the two. They both were enjoying it. Clearly, they were old friends.

  “Do you think he could be as good as the royals?”, Tomiri asked with some interest.

  “Given the fact that he has the same genes, the same machines and the same instructor, why not?”, Karbaka said optimistically.

  “Good to have you again in the palace, my friend.”, Tomiri said.

  “I am glad, I am here. I never thought I would see a royal vehicle fly again.”, Karbaka confessed.

  “Should the prince be notified of your arrival?”, Tomiri asked.

  “He has already been informed. I took the liberty of asking a housebot to inform him.”, Karbaka said.

  “Why don’t you sit down. He might be late.”, Tomiri said.

  “I don’t think so.”, replied Karbaka. He saw Kevin at a distance walking towards them. Tomiri turned around and looked in the same direction. He was pleasantly surprised that Kevin was on time. Tomiri realised that it had been long since he saw someone wear a flying suit. He said, “who knows, maybe he really is who they say he is.”. He then walked a few paces towards Kevin and offered to help him put on his flying suit properly.

  “Prince, may I help you with your suit?”, Tomiri said to Kevin.

  “Sure, I guess I need it.”, Kevin said with an honest smile. He knew he was not wearing it properly. Tomiri went around him to adjust his clothes.

  “Good morning, Karbaka!”, Kevin greeted his instructor.

  “Good morning, Kevin. How are you feeling today?”, Karbaka asked.

  “Good.”, Kevin replied.

  Karbaka asked, “Shall we begin then?”

  Kevin thanked Tomiri as he began following Karbaka towards the royal garage.

  Karbaka and Kevin walked out of the hall and through the gardens and fountains came to a building called ‘garage’. Karbaka asked Kevin to stand in front of the door and put his wrist through a hollow cylindrical opening in the wall. Inside the opening there was a handle which needed to be turned clockwise. Kevin was easily able to turn the handle which caused the door to slide open.

  “This door has not been opened in centuries.”, Karbaka said with excitement.

  Kevin walked into the door as the lights turned on one after the other illuminating the inside of the garage. The building was not very high but was spread over a very large area. One thing was clear to Kevin about the royals, that they loved flying. Dozens of vehicles of varying sizes were parked inside the garage. While Kevin gasped at the coolest collection of flying vehicles he has seen in his entire life, Karbaka walked straight to a particular one. It was small vehicle no larger than a 2 seater hatchback. It had aerodynamic shape, much like that of a car but no tyres. The bottom was flat, oval plate with rubber coating on the side which rested on the ground. The rest of the vehicle’s body appeared to be metallic.

  “This is a C-200. The most common flying vehicle on Mone at this time. This vehicle is fully automatic but can also be flown in a manual mode. The best thing about this vehicle is that it can fly as low as 3 feet from the ground. Most of the larger, more powerful vehicles need at least 50 feet of ground clearance to get into fly mode.”, Karbaka explained.

  “How do you get to 50 feet without flying?”, Kevin joked, he found Karbaka’s statement confusing.

  “Let me explain. When a vehicle lands or takes off, it is in hover mode. Usually rapid lateral movements ar
e not allowed when a vehicle is hovering. This is mostly to do with accident prevention. Most of the vehicles you see around here have fly height of 53 feet, except for this one. This one has a fly height of 35 inches, which is just shy of 3 feet. I think we should start from here since you already know how to drive. At 3 feet this would be much like driving wheelers.”, Karbaka clarified.

  “After you.”, Kevin hesitated. He wanted Karbaka to lead.

  “I cannot do it. The vehicle is in standby mode. You need to activate it by placing your palm on the door handle.”, Karbaka explained.

  “Ok.”, Kevin placed his hand on the door handle. Nothing much changed, except that the vehicle lifted a few inches into the air.

  “Great! Congratulations on finishing the first step.”, Karbaka tried motivating Kevin.

  “Oh, come one. Don’t treat me like a kid.”, Kevin felt belittled.

  “Do you want to drive?”, Karbaka asked.

  “You mean fly?”, Kevin asked with a smile.

  “Yes.”, said Karbaka.

  “Yes, I think so. This one seems pretty harmless.”, Kevin said.

  “Go ahead, then.”, Karbaka said.

  Kevin sat on the seat and followed simple instructions from his instructor. He took the vehicle out through the small garage entrance. Karbaka told him that for larger vehicles there is another door in the roof of the building.

  Kevin began enjoying the flight within minutes of starting. It was very similar to how he drove vehicles in his colony but flying was much smoother. He took it inside the palace, through the large hall and the corridors. He flew it to his room but couldn’t take the vehicle in because the doors were not wide enough. He also visited the large kitchen which looked like it was built to cook for hundreds of people but was mostly empty. Finally he reached the library. He had seen a glimpse of it when Keele took him on the tour of the palace but never realised how enormous it was.

  The library had many sections, divided by walls running from the floor to the ceiling but not quite touching it. The wooden walls had large gaps towards the ceiling, probably to allow the free flow of air across the sections. Most of the inner sections, which Kevin was visiting for the first time today, appeared to have old books, maps and diagrams. He made a mental note to come back later and look around. He had always been fascinated by old and archived documents. Who knows what secrets lie within these walls, he wondered. After all, this was the library of the royals, who were known for their adventurous and curious nature. He flew through the gaps in the walls trying to observe as much as he could in the faint light of the vehicle. Finally he exited from the same door he had entered from.