by Devon Shubin
She looked at him with a serious face and replied, “It does, and before this is all over you will see that Inspector. Because I believe that everyone deserves to live the life they choose.”
Mizpah broke the tension by hovering back into the bridge playing ‘Viva La Vida’ by Coldplay. Alegna looked at the synthetic creature and walked away. The Inspector watched her walk down into the hallways to another section of the guest quarters.
He played with a coin he had purchased two years ago, on Underlay Lask. It was ancient and the inscriptions were faded. He flipped it a couple times in the air, catching it and repeating. The song continued playing at a moderate level as Mizpah floated around the room. He looked out into the windshield at the planet that grew larger and larger, exposing the greenish sea and the small islands that grew as they closed in on the atmosphere.
The digital screen came on and the Presidents chief of staff appeared. “Inspector, you may not remember me, but I am Hurray. The Presidents chief of staff. We are happy you are here to provide our protocol from your last visit.”
“Yes, I remember you Hurray. This is just a follow up routine call. There should be no problem. I am sure.”
“We hope not Inspector. Tide is rising and there is two hours of land time left in the southern hemisphere. Would you care to dock in the Northern section at the Capital for the night?”
“That would be most helpful Hurray. Can we briefly visit with the President herself?”
“She has requested your presence at dinner. Please dock at 2234 on the Presidential concourse.”
“Very good. I have an assistant I would like to bring. Do you think that would be permissible, she is Yiskuliang?”
Hurray thought about it for a moment and replied, “I do not think that will be inappropriate Inspector. We look forward to your presence tonight.”
The transmission ended and Hurray was gone. The Space Traveler looked down the hallway where Alegna went and he wanted to share the news with her, she was going to meet her President! Mizpah floating in the corner of the bridge said, “I have another favorite song to share with you Inspector.” He smiled at the synthetic star man and nodded his head yes. That was the signal Mizpah needed to start the next song.
The ship lowered on the concourse as one lonely Yiskuliang waved them in with long red stings that spread across the sky. The President looked out his window of the three-story building built into the side of a hould. He watched as the Space Travelers enormous ship had room to dock on the ground. Now, what is a hould you may ask. Well, if you were here with our Space Traveler you would see twenty to forty-foot-tall mounds of rock stretching up to the sky. To you, an earthling, it would look like a large straw, but to the Yiskuliangs it was sanctuary. It protected them for the incoming daily tide.
Meanwhile, the Space Traveler knocked on the guest quarters where Alegna was in. She hit the open panel on the other side and the door slide to the left side of the wall. “Everything O.K.?” She asked him.
“Yes, I have very good news for you. Can I come in?”
“Of course,” she said as she stepped back wards, “It’s your ship Captain, I’m just a guest.”
He walked inside the room. “Captain? I have not heard you call me that before. Tell me, how would you like to meet the President?”
“You mean, my President?”
He shook his head yes, “Yeah, she is waiting for us upstairs.”
Alegna was in shock. She held her mouth and gasped, ‘I-I” she could not get it out. It was not every day that the twelve million plus Yiskuliang’s can meet their leader. He smiled at her as Mizpah, nosey as ever came floating down the hallway to see what they were up to. “Have you ever heard the song-”
“Mizpah!” the Space Traveler said to him, “not now, O.K.?”
Mizpah was still smiling. He was always smiling. The Space Traveler turned to Alegna who looked as if she had just won a billion-dollar sweepstakes. “I’m serious Alegna. She is waiting. I think we should go now.”
Her eyes wide and bright. She was shaking her tale, which he did not care for, was twisting in the air. He reached out to hold her hand and she took his. He escorted her out of the room into the hallway. Stuttering, “Is..this..real?”
It is,” he chuckled, “just stay cool, and we will have a nice time. No political talk though O.K.?”
She agreed by shaking her head yes. He continued escorting her down the hallway to the exit door that was already open. Mizpah was standing there waiting for them. The Space Traveler commanded him, “Mizpah, you stay here and guard the ship.”
Mizpah had its typical smile, but did not speak. The Space Traveler gently pulled Alegna down the ramp of his ship where she could smell the clean air of Underlay Lask. The high tide ended ten hours ago, washing the beaches clean. There are no birds on this planet. No flying creatures of any kind as they would not last long. Some tell the myth that the planet was not always under this type of magnetic pull, but it was a docile planet with giant reptile creatures that flew over land and sea. The great stories are still passed down to this day regarding the hunting of such beasts. Now, they are only legends.
Alegna looked out at the afternoon sun that glowed blue bright, casting rays of white light that illuminated over the horizon. She was glad to be back home. He looked at her and knew she was in a dream state. If he was to make a move on her, now was his chance. But it was not the right time he thought. And he was right, because soon they would have dinner with the most powerful being on the planet, President Ashila.
“Come on,” he encouraged her as they swiftly walked across the tarmac and toward the Presidential hould. “She is very easy to deal with, I promise you.”
Alegna’s eyes widened again, “You’ve met her before?”
“Every time I come. She requests my presence to keep close relationship with the United Systems. Sometimes, a face to face is better that a video transmission,” the Space Traveler explained.
“What is she like?” Alegna asked with a silly grin. “Is she gracious? Thoughtful? Kind? Compassionate?”
He laughed, “She is all of the above. Try not to worry. You’re going to have a good time I promise. Just remember, no political talk. I am here to help with the problem they had two years ago, not the rituals of government.”
Alegna looked at him crossed. “Two years ago, what happened two years ago?”
“Nothing,” he replied, trying to blow her question off as they walked inside the Presidential suite.
She stopped him by pulling his arm. “Ouch!” He yelled. She was indeed strong he thought, for a female.
Standing on the marble floors she asked him again, “What happened two years ago, Inspector?”
“Alegna, its confidential. I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to. Now forget about it and let’s go meet with your Pres.”
“Pres.?” she frowned, “What?”
“Your President. Pres., you know, short for President.”
“What does short mean?”
He looked at her and remembered that he was on a planet full of Yiskuliangs who could not think outside the box. They were a righteous people. A loyal people. But they were one track minded, consumed by the quality of graciousness. Never ask a Yiskuliang to do two things at once. It may melt their brain if they tried. Anyways, the Space Traveler continued ushering the very strong woman by her petite little hand down the hallway to the elevator. A guard stood at the door. “Going up?”
The Space Traveler shook his head yes and Alegna curled up next to him, burying herself under his arm. He knew she was overly excited to meet the President and he wanted to make sure everything went as smooth as possible. The door opened and the guard escorted them inside. After the door closed the car lifted and they were on the top floor before she knew it.
“I’m so excited,” she squealed.
He looked down on her and smiled, knowing he could bring her happiness. The door opened and the guards extended his hand. President Ashila was standing i
n front of her desk with her hands folded behind her back. In her culture, she wore clothing representing a dignitary. Her coat was tight fitting, scarlet colored, her pants flowed down to what appeared to be like tuxedo suit tails. She was beautiful, to the Yiskuliangs that is. Alegna was star struck. In case you do not know what that means, it is not a space phrase. Instead, it is when you see someone famous in person and become frozen or act like a complete idiot.
The Space Traveler looked down at her as she was crushing his bicep now. “Come on,” he said with a wince smile as he slowly walked her toward their waiting potentate.
Alegna’s eyes were in a trance, fixed on President Ashila exclusively. The President was just as Alegna pictured her in her mind. Hands folded in front of her, standing in her office proud and dignified.
“Greetings Inspector. Who have you brought to share dinner with us?” President Ashila asked him.
“President, this is Alegna of Koonguj. She saved my life on Cudat Col. She is very gracious.”
The President frowned, “Cudat? What were you doing on Cudat? They are a sly people I must confess. My dealings with their leader Mossilio has been less than promising. But enough talk of diplomacy. Let us have dinner and talk about our lives outside of working relations. Come.” She pointed her hand toward a large round table with four chairs.
The Space Traveler bowed his head to her and Alegna continued staring at the President as he pulled her toward the table. “Alegna,” he whispered to her, “It’s going to be fine. She is just another being like you or I.”
Alegna finally snapped out of it and whispered back, “She’s the Pres.” He could not help being humored by her sweet innocence.
All three sat down at the table and a waiter, wearing an all-black uniform approached them. He did not say anything yet as he waited for the President to preside over the meal.
“We have one more guest arriving and then we shall begin the procession.” The President explained.
A second or two later and the elevator door opened. A tall handsome Yiskuliang walked in the President’s office. The President smiled when she saw her son walk into the room with a freshly wrapped bouquet of seagrass. She stood up from her chair and both Alegna and the Space Traveler quickly followed suit.
“Joskan, I am glad you could join us this evening, my son. Dinner will be served after the procession.”
“Mother,” he said as he walked around Alegna and gave President Ashila a kiss on her cheek. “I would have skipped the tests for our dinner.” He gave her the bouquet of seagrass. “Here mother, this is for you.”
She looked at the seagrass bouquet and smiled, “did you trim these from the depths of Ondolispian?”
Joskan smiled, “You know I did mother. We have been at great lengths and have lost many men battling Vog. But these are for your graciousness.”
When Alegna heard that name, her heart sunk and she shuddered inside. She forgot all about the Presidential meeting and her handsome son. The name Vog will send shivers down the spine of any Yiskuliang in the southern regions. She had encountered the vile monster when she was a teenager, visiting her uncle and aunt on the beaches of Ondolispian.
Twenty years ago, on a summer afternoon, the beaches of Ondolispian were filled with Yiskuliangs who were playing with the young ones, collecting sea food washed up on the shore and enjoying the safety of the late morning now that Vog had come and gone. Her cousin Lye’eah was skimming the shores on her stomach, collecting mask shells. She put the black mask shell on her face and made a goofy sound chanting, “I am Vog! I am Vog. The dominate!” The reason they are called mask shells is that they fit the typical face of a Yiskuliang and have large openings where their eyes are and a carved-out section of a small mouth.
“Stop Lye’eah! You’re not Vog the horrifying.” Alegna said as she picked up a mask shell and placed it on her face, “I am Vog!” She pretended. They laughed and chased one another along the beaches. They stopped when the loud horn signaled from inside the city. From the tallest watchtower that sat erect on a hould, was a fire that blazed.
“Oh no!” Lye’eah cried, “He’s come back!” She looked toward the endless waters and grabbed Alegna’s hand running from the beaches into the inner mainland.
“The monster already came this morning to feed, why is it back again?” Alegna asked her as they ran.
“Who cares! Just run and hide.” She commanded her cousin as they ran up the hillside around a valley. “They said the beaches were safe this afternoon!” Alegna lamented. Hundreds of Yiskuliangs were scattering across the shores and heading into the inner mainland. But it was too late for some. The fifteen-foot-long grey arm sprung from the waters and grabbed two older male Yiskuliangs.
Before he rose fully from the water he pulled them to his face and spoke as the waves crashed around his neck, “ONLY THE FOOLISH ARE TO BECOME FOOD FOR THE WISE!” The two males screamed in fear as Vog’s breath punished their sense of smell. Before they could faint, he opened his mouth exposing his bristle teeth. Falling sea creatures landed on his black tongue and down into his throat. He next placed the two male Yiskuliangs inside his grotesque mouth and closed it.
Crawling up out of the sea shore he stood on his two hind legs and roared, “WHERE ARE YOU LYPTNUL!” The beaches were empty but that did not stop Vog from walking onto the land. Stomping his enormity, his webbed feet left dinosaur size imprints in the sand as he swung his tale up and down. He came into the city that morning and devoured the helpless citizens. There were many brave males who challenged him. With swords, spears, hatchets and sling shots. Hundreds attacked him that morning, but it was to no avail. Vog smashed the Yiskuliangs and ate them one by one until he was done.
And when he was full, he would pull them out of their apartments in the houlds and throw women and children up into the air a hundred, some two hundred feet in the air and watch them implode on the hillsides of the houlds. By the time the morning of carnage was over the houlds were now painted red with the blood of his victims. It was a day Underlay Lask would never forget.
Alegna still remembered the horror as if it was yesterday. While she hid in the bushes, she watched the giant sea monster walk away and dive back into the waters. She had never been so frightened in all her life and now those emotions were creeping back inside of her. She promised herself she would never face Vog again and so she has never come back to the southern hemisphere since that day.
Today, the area has become a testing ground for young Yiskuliangs who try and prove their worthiness by challenging Vog. And he loves the challenge. He mocks the Yiskuliangs, looking for someone to prove they are ‘Lyptnul,’ which means gracious male. The Yiskuliangs entire code of conduct was based on being gracious. Vog ridiculed them for their beliefs.
“Joskan, please meet the Inspector from USHA and his assistant,” the President said as she held her palm to Alegna.
“It is a pleasure to meet you Joskan. I’m curious though, why are you battling this creature, Vog?” The Space Traveler asked him. Before he could answer, the President interrupted.
“Come,” she said, “all will be answered at supper. Let us sit down and start the procession.”
They all took their chairs and sat in them around the table. The waiter held out a silver bell and the President took it from his hand and rang it three times. “Millennials gone and we have lived and for millennials we will grow. Our society is strong, our people are gracious.”
Joskan and Alegna mimicked her hymn as the Space Traveler tried to quietly make the words out without them hearing that what he said was all wrong. Alegna smiled at him and then placed her eyes back on the President.
Salad seaweed was served and a creeping crab-like creature popped his head out. Joskan grabbed the creature and tore it in two. “Mother,” he offered her the creatures lower section. She waved him off. He offered it to the two guests and Alegna was so uncomfortable she accepted the crustacean with a nod of her head. Joskan sat it down on her plate and smiled.
“Inspector, you were inquiring of our battle with Vog.” Joskan stated, “Do you know who Vog is?”
As the Space Traveler reached for the tongs to grab seaweed salad and place it on his plate, he answered him, “Only what Alegna here has mentioned. I know he is the last of his kind, he’s enormous and he has a fascination with torturing your people.”
“That is a fair assessment of our ancient enemy. What you left out is that he cannot be killed. He is too crafty for us. We have tried for many years and it is to no avail.” Joskan explained as he started eating on his half of the crustacean creature.
“You have technology here, weapons-”
The President jumped in, “Yes, but we dare not use them. Not after the great war that is.”
“Yes, I understand Ms. President. I had an idea that may help you, but it’s not why I’m here. I was thinking that since Vog is invincible on land, why not destroy him at sea. My ship is larger than the beast, and my boosters can be used as- “
