The Collective

by David McCahan

  The ‘Egg’ decelerated and came to rest neatly next to the entrance to the shuttle. Without a sound the egg shell split cleanly on a horizontal line on the side and opened like a clam shell. A small section on the side of the bottom half lowered like a ramp and a dozen of the Collective in physical form walked off the transport.

  The Collective were a race of bipedal humanoid beings. Their resemblance to the ‘Grey’ aliens from the old UFO lore was a bit uncanny. They were slightly shorter on average than the Columbia crew, standing around 5 ½ feet tall, slender with a grey hue to their skin. They had large green eyes, small nose and mouth. The difference between them and UFO legend is their hair. They all had the most beautiful amber (seemed to be a favorite natural color on this planet) waist length flowing hair.

  We listen to you. We have come for you to be careful. We allow you what tests you want to do.

  “We listen to you. We thank you for visiting. We thank you for allowing us to be careful. We thank you for your patience.”

  We listen to you. We see good with your careful. We see you wish to do no harm to us. We are one on this.

  “Please follow us. We will finish the tests soon.”

  Without another word Glory nodded to Rhonda that they were ready to proceed and they entered the tents. The medical team quickly took saliva swabs and Greg set to process them for biological threats and also begin a genome construction. Each of them also had a full body scan done. This helped to correlate the genome results and complete the genetic profiles. They were cooperative and even a bit curious as to the technology and personnel performing the tests. In all they completed the tests and had the results in just under an hour.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we have confirmed what the Collective had already determined and that is the planet and especially the intelligent inhabitants of Eden, pose no biological threat to us and we pose no threat to them. You can take off the sweat suits. Would one of you ladies relay our findings and gratitude for their patience with us?” Rhonda said while opening her suit and taking a deep breath of Eden air gratefully.

  The next six weeks Columbia and the landing site on Eden were a bee hive of activity. Fully 1/3 of the crew and 500 of the Marines were designated as colonists. A small city of prefab construction housing along with two small power plants (redundancy), water supply system and waste treatment/recycling systems were completed. The colonists were located planet side and initial supplies laid in. The Collective were ever present in the settlement and of considerable help. Instead of needing heavy equipment to move structural components in place several of the Collective would focus together, pick the components up using telekinetic abilities and set them neatly in place much quicker than machine power could have.

  Glory and Jeff were on ground together reviewing the construction towards the end of the sixth week. A large wall on a warehouse under construction was about to be hoisted into place. As usual several of the Collective were offering to lift the wall.

  Would you join us in placing this component?

  “We have never tried but are honored to join you.” Glory was surprised by the request. She had been working to learn to use the telekinetic ability they assured her was within her grasp but had not quite managed it. Also to join with a group like this was something she had not thought of. One thing she had learned over the last couple of months was not to doubt the Collective. Maybe they thought that by experiencing the movement in thought she would learn what she could not on her own. “We listen to you.” She thought.

  We listen to you. Feel the component close. Feel the smallest part of it. Follow our thoughts to the small parts.

  Glory could sense and follow their focus. The small parts were at the atomic level. She was with them in the wall.

  Think of the small parts as lighter and lighter.

  They didn’t really change the atomic structure but they changed the gravity pull of the atoms. Almost like wrapping the wall in a gravity bubble, not unlike how Columbia was wrapped in a gravity bubble. The wall was now very light. It had almost no mass in the local gravity.

  Now think of where the component should go and how it fits. Think of it being properly in place. Now withdrawal from the smallest parts. You have moved the wall. We only guide you. We did not move the component.

  Glory was astonished by what they just thought to her. If she didn’t absolutely trust that they were incapable of lying she wouldn’t believe it, but she thought about it for a second. She MOVED the wall with her mind. She could do it!

  “We are grateful for what we learn from you.”

  You learn very quickly.

  Glory then turned to Jeff. “They had invited me to join them while they moved the wall into place, or at least that’s all I thought I would be doing, observing so that I might figure out how the telekinetic part works. They had me follow them to feel the wall at the atomic level. They then said to feel the wall at that level to be lighter. Essentially create a gravity bubble. Then they had me see the wall in place and then withdrawal from there. Jeff they walked ME through lifting that wall in place. They observed and I moved it. This is so amazing.”

  “I know you said they don’t lie or even joke but you’re sure about this?” Jeff asked.

  “I had to review it in my mind but yes, absolutely, they taught me how to move objects with my mind!” Glory was overjoyed to finally get it.

  “Well don’t just stand here, go with your friends there and practice.” Jeff said motioning her in the direction of the next section of the wall.

  Glory, and the rest of the crew that Doctor Evans had indicated with the physical attributes to have Psi abilities, spent a considerable time with the Collective working on the settlement construction and just listening and learning from them. The number of personnel that could actively manifest these abilities were growing in number and strength. Glory had just exited the shuttle that had born her down from Columbia to the landing site and she saw one of the Collective walking her direction. This one was familiar to her and they had spent a great deal of time together working to expand her horizons. She privately had given him the name of ‘Saoi’. In Gaelic is pronounced See and roughly translated to ‘wise one’. She had to admit that she was quite comfortable with his company.

  Good Morning Glory. How are you feeling today?

  That greeting stopped her in her tracks. Did he just acknowledge her as an individual? This was a totally alien concept to them. Seeing that something was wrong Saoi continued

  I’m sorry, did I get that greeting wrong?

  Glory finally overcame her surprise and replied “Your greeting was perfect. I just didn’t expect the acknowledgement of individuality of my name and person.”

  You have learned much and very quickly, but we have been learning as well. We have always been one and that has always taken precedence. The person has never been the focus or concern. We observe your culture and it is an interesting study.

  “One thing we humans are not is dull. You never know what to expect from us. I suppose that is both a blessing and a curse of living as individuals. You live such a peaceful life here and I’m afraid that by us being here will causes changes in your society that are not all for the better.” Over the months at Eden the communications between species had become much more relaxed and free flowing but even so this conversation was a major leap in complexity of dialogue.

  Yes, we live a peaceful life but we have been concerned for some time that there is something wrong. You have not seen any children in the settlement. This not because we have not brought any children, it is because there are not any children in the Collective.

  “But the biological scans and genetic modeling of your people do not show any infertility or sterility.”

  There is no problem with us physically. As you said we live at peace and we have lost the drive to produce and change. When life seemed perfect we became content. Observing your people, we have begun to examine our life. We do not know if all change will be good but we are
seeing change just the same.

  “We have been curious about the makeup of your society and social interaction but have respected your privacy and only know what you have shown us or told us. Can you tell me some about your society?”

  There is not much that you do not already know or have guessed. We join together as almost a single mind. It is very rare that there is any difference of opinion but not unheard of. When that occurs we all focus on that issue until we become one on that. Food is plentiful and climate favorable and so we have an easy life of mental contemplation. Since we are all one, we have millions of minds to keep us company. In this contemplation we have forgotten physical needs and associations. The idea of a physical joining just became unheard of and unseemly. When you are totally satisfied mentally there are no physical needs. We have in fact lost some in recent times to separating from their physical form and leaving our home and going to explore space and then never returning. So we have not produced any offspring in centuries and we lose a member every year or two. You could say in many ways we are a dying race. It may have taken a couple thousand years but unless we rediscovered a purpose to maintain our physical form I believe we would have separated and left over time.

  “I don’t know how to react to that. You lead an idyllic life but at the same time it is a sad ending. I get the feeling that we may have upset your Eden somewhat and that things may have changed some for the Collective?”

  Things have certainly changed for the Collective. Helping your crew to learn to communicate with us and discover latent abilities has been much like teaching children. It has brought a newness to our lives and ignited a desire to find more.

  “More?” Glory asked

  We are asking ourselves if there is more to life. We are exploring our planet, each other, your race, everything. We are looking for new experiences and this has revitalized us.

  “We still have much to learn from each other. “

  At that point Glory received a message from Columbia to return at once for a briefing from Astrometrics.

  “It looks like we have the report on the possible invader that we have been waiting for. I’ve been called upstairs for the briefing. Would you like to join us in the meeting so that the Collective will get the information at the same time our command staff does?”

  Yes, I would like that very much, Thank You.

  Glory caught that he referred to himself in the first person rather than as the Collective. Change is certainly an understatement.

  “Well then let’s take a seat in the shuttle here and see what we have learned.”

  Glory motioned to the shuttle and then helped Saoi into a seat and made sure he was secured before taking a seat herself. “Well Lieutenant I’m needed back on the ship. Can you take us up please?”

  “Yes Ma’am. Good timing, they just got the shuttle unloaded so we’re good to go. Closing hatches, we have clearance from Columbia, hold tight.” Lt. Sato lifted the shuttle off the landing pad and headed for space. Fifteen minutes later the shuttle set down in the landing bay.

  When the bay pressure equalized he opened the personnel hatch and Glory and Saoi were able to exit and head for the Commander’s Conference Room. Glory and her guest were the last to enter owing to the fact that she was the only one of the senior staff planet side when the meeting was called.

  “Sorry to keep you all waiting. We got here ASAP but shuttles only fly so fast. General, I hope you don’t mind that I invited a representative of the Collective along since this certainly concerns them.” Glory asked Jeff as she and Saoi took seats at the table.

  “Actually that is an excellent idea. Welcome.” Jeff said to Saoi. He may not have any Psi abilities but while the Collective could not speak because of the lack of vocal chords, their hearing is excellent and they picked up English quite quickly. If Saoi had anything to add to the meeting Glory would have to relay but he could follow the briefing fluently. To acknowledge the greeting Saoi simply nodded his head to Jeff.

  “Now that the gangs all here let’s get to the details.” Jeff began the meeting. “Captain Anderson if you please.”

  “Thank You General.” Bonnie began and then keyed a stellar map on the main screen. The image showed a tactical presentation of Epsilon Eridani along with Eden, Columbia and the track of the object and possible invader craft. “We have been tracking an object for close to three months now. Up until this point there has been too much distance between us to clearly identify the composition. As I said up until now.” At that she changed the image to an enhanced image of a spacecraft along with projected technical specifications. “This is a composite image put together from gravity sensor scans, radar, spectral analysis and now direct observation from a probe we launched as we established orbit. As you can see the ship is quite large. While she does not have the volume of Columbia the actual ship’s mass is roughly our equal. We have no idea if they have any armament and they are considerably slower if their current speed is any indication. In other words, we have confirmed it is a large ship and that’s about all at this point.”

  At that Bonnie looked to General Fitsimmons to see if he had any questions. “Bonnie how long until the probe is close enough to gather more definitive information?” Jeff asked.

  “The probe is close enough for images but it’ll be another week until it can get in range for more intensive scans Sir.” Bonnie replied.

  “Nav how long would it take for Columbia to intercept, on Ion propulsion in system, and where would we come to intercept?” Jeff asked Eva Svenson.

  It took a few seconds for her to receive the reply from the Navigation systems and then replied “Columbia could intercept the alien ship in roughly five days time, considering one day on Ion to exit the Heliosphere and the four days at 10 C on Grav Drive and so intercept in roughly 640 Billion miles past Heliopause, Sir.” Eva reported.

  “Colonel Callaghan do you have a status update on the settlement construction?” Jeff requested.

  “Yes Sir. Phase II is ahead of schedule and will complete in about a week. All personnel quarters have been completed and all colonists have been transferred to Babylon. Also permanent supplies have been transferred and all equipment needed to complete construction is onsite. In short they have become self-sufficient.” Glory reported.

  “My feeling is that Columbia should break orbit ASAP and meet the incoming ship as far from Eden as possible and determine their intentions if at all possible. What are the Collective’s thoughts concerning this?” Jeff asked Saoi.

  As Saoi experienced the briefing he had relayed those observations to the Collective, so when Jeff asked their opinion there was no delay in the reply. As he sent the thoughts to Glory she spoke for them “The Collective agrees with General Fitsimmons’ assessment of the tactical situation. We feel that Columbia should proceed but we suggest that a number of us accompany your crew. We suggest 40 of us. When you get close we can visit their ship in spirit form along with some of your crew and determine their intent. You should not bear this danger alone. We are friends and we should face this together.” He concluded.

  “I was hoping that the Collective would feel that way. If you could assemble your volunteers at the landing site in Babylon, we’ll dispatch shuttles to bring them onboard.” Jeff was saying but at that time he was interrupted by an urgent message from C&C. He keyed the main screen and Captain Jason Everret appeared on screen. “Captain, your message was marked urgent. So what is happening that the Space Boss needed to interrupt the meeting?”

  “Sorry to interrupt Sir but what appears to be four of those egg shaped transports, if I read the reports from Eden correctly, are approaching Columbia. I cannot contact them to direct them. How should I handle this?”

  Jeff turned to Glory and Saoi with a raised eyebrow. Glory glanced at Saoi for an instance and then giggled. “I’m sorry Sir. In order to expedite our launch the Collective took it on themselves to transport their crew to Columbia. It just seemed the right thing to do and so here they are. Looking
at the manifest it appears shuttle bays Delta 14 through 17 are empty at this time. They don’t have enough oxygen to wait very long so perhaps we should just go with the gesture and welcome them aboard?”

  “I could swear that he looks to be amused at this. I think you’re a bad influence on them Glory.” At that Jeff looked back to the screen. “Well Captain what are you waiting for? You heard the Colonel. Open Shuttle bays Delta 14 through 17, alert the quartermaster that we have 40 guests and arrange a greeting party to help get them settled.”

  “Yes Sir. Thank You Sir. Everret out.” At that the Captain closed the video as quickly as he could.

  Jeff turned back to the Saoi chuckling to himself and said “I’ll grant you that is excellent efficiency. Something our Glory here excels in as well.”

  Index

  Chapter 10 – Enemies

  With the colonists settled in Babylon and 40 members of the Collective settled in quarters on Columbia the crew began to break orbit to intercept the alien ship while still outside of the Epsilon Eridani solar system. In the C&C Center pre-launch checklists were being completed.

  “Engineering status?” the General queried.

  “All fusion ready at full capacity, all gravity drives ready at full capacity, all Ion drives ready at full capacity. Engineering is go Sir.” Javier reported.

  “Navigation status?”

  “All control systems report ready, all sensor systems go except those at node 45, surrounding systems covering with overlap in that area, course plotted, verified, and ready to activate at your command Sir.” Eva Svenson reported.

  “Colonel Callaghan?” Jeff new that Glory was running her own systems checks and verifying everything as it was reported to General Fitsimmons. With the Collective onboard he also knew that she was in communion with them and that they were stretching out to make sure that all was well with the ship and in near space around them. Even without that link he still trusted her systems check more than anybody else’s.