The Long Sunset

by Jack McDevitt

  Awake, my heart, and sing!

  —Paul Gerhardt, Morgenlied, 1648

  Hutch activated the control panel and lights came on. Her Washington Hawks baseball cap had slid off her seat onto the floor. She picked it up and put it on and felt a joyous charge surge through her body. It was wet, but who cared? “Go, Hawks,” she said, and sat down. “Tasha, you there?”

  “Good afternoon, Captain. It’s good to see you.”

  “It’s a beautiful day, Tasha.” She’d been holding her breath. “You too, kid. Can you connect us with Barry?”

  “Negative, Captain. He should be out of range.”

  “Okay. Do we have any new problems?”

  “Some minor damage to the left wing. Nothing that we can’t manage when we get back to the Eiferman. Be careful, though, in the meantime. No high velocity. I am happy to know you’re okay. Where have you been?”

  “Long story. We’ll talk about it later.”

  Derek was still on the beach, shaking hands with Arin. But his eyes were on her. She gave him a thumbs-up and he visibly relaxed. Kwylla was standing on the port side of the lander, pressing her hands against the hull. Ken came inside and sent her a questioning glance. “So far, we’re fine,” she said.

  He took a deep breath. “Thank God.”

  She got out of the chair, retrieved the couplings—which she’d placed on the seat beside her—and went back outside.

  “Need any help?” asked Derek.

  “I’ll let you know.” She opened compartments in the right wing and the undercarriage, and replaced the couplings while the Volarians came forward to watch. Tasha reported they were okay, and she closed the panels while the Volarians gurgled and laughed and waved their arms. She waved back. “You guys,” she said, “are something else.”

  They understood. Several called out, Bora hycut, Parsilla. Good-bye.

  She climbed back into the lander. “I’m becoming seriously fond of them, Ken,” she said as she eased into her seat. “We all set, Tasha?”

  “Everything appears to be good, Captain.”

  She tapped the start-up and, despite Tasha’s assurance, was relieved to hear the engine come on. “Let’s hope we don’t have any more problems.”

  Derek brought Arin into the cabin and invited him to sit. He did, pushing into the seat beside her, which of course was much too small for him. But he smiled contentedly and looked around, obviously impressed. Then he asked a question. It was clear enough. Will everything be all right now?

  Hutch nodded. “We’re good.”

  The smile widened. He took a deep breath and said something more, probably along the lines of how he had to be going, or maybe good luck. He shook her hand and squeezed back out through the airlock.

  Outside, Sara had arrived and was talking to Kwylla and Beth. They looked at the lander and talked and embraced. It almost seemed as if they were all old friends. Hutch assumed that was true between Sara and Kwylla, but it seemed unlikely that Beth had ever met Sara. Hutch went back out to join in the fun. The crowd of Volarians continued to wave and laugh. “Are you waiting for me?” Beth asked.

  “Take your time. We aren’t going anywhere until we see Barry.” She took a minute to say good-bye to the truck drivers. And to Korsek.

  Then Derek was beside her. “Well done, Hutch.” He looked around at the crowd. “One thing before we leave. Korsek has a connection with someone who wanted them to keep us here until he had a chance to see us. Whoever that is, he’s on his way. He didn’t want the trucks to be used until he gave the okay. I guess he thought that once we got the lander back, we’d just leave and they’d never see us again.”

  “Who are they talking about?”

  “As nearly as I can make out, he’s an academic of some sort. Or possibly what passes for a scientist here. Something like that. Anyhow, he’s coming. But he’s on a ship. Due in tonight.”

  “Okay. So, let’s come back tomorrow. We owe them that much.”

  “That’s what I told him.”

  • • •

  They wasted no time attacking the food locker on the lander. Hutch couldn’t recall when beef vegetable soup and corn bread had tasted so good. They went at it with such energy that little was left when, twenty minutes later, they lifted off. The crowd had remained, apparently eager to watch the lander work what must have seemed like magic.

  Hutch could not have been happier to see the Eiferman. Tasha took the lander on board; they greeted Wally and told him how grateful they were he hadn’t given up and left. Derek said he’d arrange some sort of award. And Wally laughed and said how happy he was to have them back. “I thought you guys were gone,” he said.

  Hutch wasted no time showering. She threw her clothes into the washer and promised herself she’d keep the bathing suit. When she finished, she made for the bridge. Below, the ocean glittered in the sunlight. “Barry,” she said, “you been all right?”

  “Yes, Captain. But I will confess I was concerned. Wally and I did not want to go home alone.”

  “Well, I’m glad you waited.”

  “We would not have left you.” He said nothing more while she checked the instruments and surveyed the night sky. Then: “Captain?”

  “Yes, Barry?”

  “I’m glad that you have returned. I was worried.”

  • • •

  Derek didn’t think it would be a good idea for anyone other than him to meet with the Volarians. “We just don’t know what might happen. We don’t know anything about this guy who’s coming in. It’s probably okay, but let’s just not take any more chances.”

  “But Arin must know him,” said Hutch.

  “I don’t care. I’ll go down. Everybody else stays here.”

  “You need an interpreter,” said Ken.

  “I’ll be okay. I’ve been working on it. If I can’t manage it, you’ll be on the commlink so you can translate.”

  “You planning on flying the lander?” asked Hutch.

  “I was planning on just letting Tasha handle it. But that’s probably not a good idea. If something happens, we don’t want to lose the damned thing. So, you take me down, but stay inside.”

  • • •

  Hutch was still in her seat when she woke in the morning. She checked to make sure her laser was in the storage cabinet. They’d had nothing but good vibes from the Volarians. But Derek was right. Play it safe.

  She went back through the passenger cabin, where Ken and Beth were enjoying pancakes and scrambled eggs. “Looks good,” she said.

  “They’re delicious.” Ken had never looked happier. “When I finish this, I’m going to go for some sticky buns.”

  “He has to get used to the ship’s menu again,” said Beth.

  “Sounds like a good idea.” She settled for one of her standard breakfasts: grapes and two pieces of cinnamon toast.

  “When are you and Derek going down?” Beth asked.

  It was now shortly after sunrise on the island. “In a few hours.”

  Ken took another swallow of his pancakes. “Be careful down there, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  Beth smiled. “I can’t recall the last time he enjoyed his food so much.”

  “You think,” he continued, “there’s any real chance they might try to grab you and Derek?”

  “Not really.”

  “Pity. It would make a great scene if you guys had to shoot it out with them. Nothing’s more boring than friendly aliens. You guys will be carrying weapons, right?”

  “Yes. But we’re not going to need anything.”

  “I’m just kidding. I’m so relieved to have gotten back here, I’m not thinking straight.”

  Wally came in with a set of new commlinks and distributed them. “I missed being able to talk to you guys. Stay out of the water, okay?”

  • • •

  Derek carried a laser. “Priscilla, if anything unexpected happens,” he said as they started down, “just leave. No heroics, right?”

  “Okay.” H
e was using her given name again. Everything was back to normal.

  “Stay in the lander. Don’t leave it under any circumstances.”

  “I thought we weren’t worried.”

  “We’re not.”

  They dropped down into the clouds and came out over a blue, sunlit ocean. Nothing moved across its surface. “We’re about fifteen minutes away,” she said.

  “Okay.”

  She handed him a commlink. “Take this with you. I’ll make sure everything gets back to Ken. Barry’s going to keep them in place overhead so you won’t lose contact.”

  “Okay. Good.”

  More clouds showed up as she took the lander lower. Then the island appeared on the horizon. “We don’t really know anything about who runs things here,” said Derek. “We’ve met Arin and Kwylla, and Korsek, and a few people on a beach. And that’s about it.” He obviously had been having second thoughts about the meeting.

  “This feels like the same conversation I had earlier with Ken.”

  “We think Arin’s a cleric of some sort. If that’s true, what kind of religion do they have? Do they believe in a god who supports honesty?”

  “Derek, my folks trained me never to bring up religion with people I don’t know very well. I think you should just leave it alone.”

  Derek grumbled something under his breath. Then: “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

  “I can tell you one thing about them. They’re pretty smart.”

  “Why would you say that? They don’t even have aircraft.”

  “I’m surprised they have any technology at all. Look at them: They live on a bunch of islands scattered all over the globe. But they have electricity and cars. And wind farms. How’d they manage that? In a place where there could never have been a Britain. Or an Athens. Where any genius who came along would have found herself almost stranded in the middle of the ocean.”

  “I know. But they also probably didn’t have to worry much about invaders. I’d think it’s a great place to be a genius. You just hang out on the beach until you think of something.”

  Hutch decided to concentrate on her approach to the island. Let’s not get careless and have another incident. The beach appeared, grew larger, and the inhabitants became visible. It was crowded, just as it always was. Some of the Volarians looked up and waved. To the north, the temple rose out of the forest. And she saw the cottage that had been their home. She descended almost to treetop level. The parking area was clear of cars.

  She eased onto the lot. “Take care, Hutch,” he said. “Wish me luck.”

  He unbuckled and headed for the hatch. “Derek,” she said, “wait.” He’d left the commlink on the seat. She picked it up, turned it on, and handed it to him.

  He smiled, said something about being dumb, and hung it around his neck. Then she kissed his cheek. “Have a good time.”

  He climbed down to the ground. The cottage door opened and Arin came out. The two clasped hands and their voices came in through the commlink. Hutch heard them laughing.

  Then Arin noticed her. He looked puzzled. He started toward the lander, but Derek told him something. He was using Volarian, so she couldn’t make out what he was saying. She guessed he was trying to make it sound like a mechanical issue. It ended there. Arin waved and they went inside.

  Kwylla was waiting. Korsek was seated in an armchair. And there was a fourth Volarian. Despite the impression they’d gotten earlier about Korsek’s academic associate, she was a female. She rose from the sofa and greeted Derek with a broad smile.

  “Tasha,” said Hutch. “Turn on the scanners and let me know if anyone comes close to the lander.”

  “Got it, Captain.”

  Her name was Riki, pronounced with a grinding of the teeth. Her flesh was lavender-colored. Her general manner and the methodical way in which she moved suggested she might have been considerably older than the others. But her enthusiasm level was obvious, and any concerns about safety that Hutch had entertained went away. Riki made room for Arin to sit down, turned the lampshade so that she could get a better look at her visitor, clapped her hands, and let go with a single word that Ken later interpreted as wonderful.

  She was tempted to go to the cottage and join the conversation but knew that would be foolish. Jake Loomis, her one-time training officer, had told her that she should trust her instincts, but not too far.

  They tried to talk, and there was no question that it was a challenge, but it went okay. They all understood the problem, and their struggles became a source of laughter. Early in the conversation, they asked Derek a question by leading him outside, pointing at the lander, and raising their hands at the sky in obvious confusion. Arin tried to translate, but in the end it led nowhere. Ken, listening in, said he couldn’t get it either. But the meaning was obvious to her: Why isn’t Parsilla joining us? It didn’t matter. Derek and his hosts were enjoying themselves. Derek kept them outside and pointed toward the sphere at the top of the temple and probably tried to look puzzled. What did it represent?

  Arin used his hands to create a spherical shape. Then he pointed at Derek, at the others who were present, and looked toward Hutch, who was plainly visible through the cockpit window. He formed the sphere again and moved his hands to indicate they were all inside it. Derek tried to say it in Volarian, but Hutch understood. “We’re all in it together.”

  • • •

  They went back inside the cottage. Hutch sat staring out the window at the cupola and the sphere. How on earth could they ever leave these people to be taken out by the black hole?

  Her attention wandered away from the conversation until suddenly Derek was speaking to her “Hutch, I think they would like to go for a ride.” She thought he meant in the car. Until he continued after a long pause. “That okay with you?”

  “In the lander?”

  “Yes. Of course.”

  “You sure about that? None of these people have ever been off the ground before.” She wasn’t even certain they’d all fit in the cabin.

  “Why don’t you let me worry about the details?”

  “Okay. You’re in charge. You don’t see any weapons, do you?”

  “No, Hutch.” He couldn’t keep the annoyance out of his voice. Did she really think he could be that dumb?

  “Sure. Bring them on board.”

  • • •

  She got out of her seat, tucked the laser into her sleeve, and waited inside the airlock. Riki, the academic, entered first, extending a hand as she came through. Hutch took it in both of hers and greeted her with a smile. She squeezed into the back of the lander and sat down.

  Korsek reached the foot of the ladder and hesitated. He looked for a long moment at Hutch, who greeted him. “Rakul, Korsek.” He gave no indication of having heard her. Then she realized that he was probably afraid of a vehicle that flew. She mustered the limited Volarian she had at her disposal and told him it was okay, that he would be perfectly safe. And she couldn’t help thinking how that sounded to a guy whose only knowledge about the lander was that it had already crashed once, and she’d been the pilot at the time.

  His eyes widened. But he climbed into the airlock, followed by Kwylla, who made no effort to hide her pleasure at seeing Hutch again. They embraced.

  Everybody was able to squeeze on board. But it wasn’t going to be comfortable. She closed the hatch and Derek showed them how to secure their belts. “We need a bigger lander,” she said.

  He nodded. But everyone seemed okay.

  She activated the AG unit and lifted off. The Volarians gasped.

  “Take it easy,” said Derek.

  She took it up as slowly as the system allowed. They needed a few seconds to clear the trees. Then someone behind her was laughing. Riki.

  Hutch circled the temple and turned toward the sea. The hilarity got louder, they started clapping, and even though she couldn’t understand much of the vocabulary, it was easy enough to read the emotions. They were laughing at their own frightened reactions.

>   And Kwylla started to sing.

  • • •

  The merriment never stopped, and it rapidly became as entertaining a half hour as she could remember behind a set of controls. They soared through clouds, skimmed over the ocean, descended near a sailboat, allowing her passengers to wave while one of the boaters was so startled he, or she, fell overboard. Hutch circled the area until he was hauled safely out of the water.

  She took them across the beach, although remaining at a substantial altitude. “We don’t want to startle anyone again,” she told Derek, confident that her passengers understood.

  He was about to respond when they all heard something in the rear of the cabin. “Heads up, Hutch,” he said. “Korsek’s out of his seat belt.” An aircraft that depends primarily on antigravity tends to be more subject to wind activity than more primitive vehicles. Hutch did what she could to maintain stability while Derek released his own belt, went back, and got Korsek locked down again. Korsek said he had no idea how it had happened. But he was laughing about it.

  And finally, it was time to go home.

  She flew them back to the temple, set down in the parking area, and opened the hatch. Arin, seated behind her, reached up and put a hand on her shoulder. “Will we see you again, Parsilla?”

  She glanced at Derek, who nodded.

  “Yes,” she said. “We’re going to be doing some local sightseeing. We’ll be back to say good-bye before we leave.”

  Getting free of the seat belts became a struggle. But they eventually managed. They were obviously relieved to climb out of the seats and start for the door. But each paused, glanced down at her, and said, in English, Thank you. Kwylla added a kiss. And Riki said something that Ken later translated as being honored to meet someone of historic significance.

  Priscilla’s Journal

  That island is the kind of place I always thought I’d like to have available for retirement.

  —Friday, May 2, 2256

  29.

  Nature will always maintain her rights, and prevail in the end over any abstract reasoning whatsoever.

  —David Hume, Essays Moral and Political, I, 1741

  I just don’t see how we can ride away and leave them here.” It was Hutch’s first comment when she closed the hatch.