They had indeed landed on Earth and much sooner than expected.
Syra called a meeting with all the citizens about the Zhian Sphere and all stood in attendance, even the bots assigned to them stood there.
Syra explained to all over the core com systems, that due to some issues with maintaining the spheres position and shrouding, continued orbit became riskier.
Since Syra had already established a landing spot, it had been decided to land now rather than later.
Once settled in, no one was in a hurry to leave the sphere and were happy to be where they were. They could continue their learning of the many languages, customs, and culture of Earth.
The Zhianites were a peaceful race that took their time and contemplated every move before making it. However, the speed of which they tackled a problem was faster than the human mind could process its thoughts.
The landing site was the perfect spot and accommodated the sphere perfectly. All systems were operational and anything that approached the vessel would be deterred one way or the other. They would remain virtually invisible until such time of their choosing.
Syra returned her pod to its docking position with the sphere and was happy to be home again!
Observations of Earth were in full operation and the council was working on a potential contact of Earthlings. This would be a sensitive matter and one not to be taken likely.
A few days later, according to Zee10’s Earth time, which he found utterly confusing, calculated that they had been on Earth for approximately three months. Syra was just about ready to take her journey across the land and was ready.
All citizens had now had the appropriate amount of sun time and looked healthier than he had ever seen them, Zerk observed.
The sun was also one of Syra’s biggest concerns. Yet, each citizen slowly adjusted and looked amazingly healthier and happier.
When Zee10 calculated their age according to Earth time, they would be about 25 years. This put them only a few passes older than they were on Zhian!
The citizens were used to the confinement. It’s how they lived on Zhian so there was no adjustment to the sphere needed.
In a short time, they were on Earth, the females began to go through changes they had never experienced before. None had known or experienced it in their lifetimes.
The medical bots had to explain it to several of them that they had become with child. They would be the first to give birth to a Zhian on the Earth and would do so in approximately 6 Earth months.
These Zhian citizens were the last ones born on Zhian and it took a trip to Earth to save their race. If nothing else happened and they left Earth in the near future, it appeared Earth’s atmosphere was what the Zhians needed.
None of the citizens of Zhians Sphere had a desire to go outside the Sphere but went reluctantly when they were ordered. It would take a long time for them to adjust to the openness of the great outdoors, something none had experienced. Zerk ordered a new program to be installed in the holocom chamber that would help the citizen adjust to Earth. The program was not used much at first but did catch on as time passed.
Zee10 was sent out to explore the area on foot, avoiding all contact with humans. The area was so remote he didn’t expect to see any humans and was looking forward to adding information to his already huge database.
Ohtron flew above Zee10 as he hiked through the mountainous terrain and was recording his reactions to his new environment.
However, although Zee10 was fearless, a snake fell on his shoulders and he squealed, and Ohtron observed that his leap was exactly three times his height!
It was reported back immediately that Zee10 had experienced a new emotion and Syra could not help but laugh at Zee10’s misfortune.
It was time and the first Zhian child was born on Earth and all citizen of the Zhian Sphere rejoiced! A short time later another was born and then the third.
Mating between Zhianites was random and no formal union was expected. However, it was not unusual for them to mate for life when a union was decided upon. It had been different in times past, but with no new births, the freedom to choose multiple partners was encouraged.
Zerk and the council had been studying this phenomenon of sudden pregnancies but had not pinned it down yet. The only thing that had changed about the citizens since they left Zhian was they walked upon Earth’s soil and now they are procreating!
Syra called upon the council and had a suggestion which was well received. To replace all recreational holocom chamber programs to allow only Earth-like programs and it was done immediately.
The next new program was for the young mothers and their children.
The private living quarters of those young mothers were adjusted to accommodate the new Zhianites now living aboard.
After being on Earth for approximately one Earth year unnoticed by Earthlings, Syra felt it was time she and Zee10 go out on a mission of peace. They had considered a lot of information through their research and felt it was time.
Her plans certainly changed once the Zhian Sphere had to land. Syra knew she could have already covered much land and would have met a lot of humans by now.
It was time to search for someone they could contact that they could trust. They would be gone from the Zhian Sphere for some time but would be in constant contact with the council.
The pods were designed as living quarters as well as transportation with all the state-of-the-art technologies the Zhians had.
It could shift from one design to another upon command, so it would fit into the environment and not stand out.
Syra had taken a liking to a recreational vehicle that was her living quarters, transportation and anything else they would need.
It was agreed from the research on Earths vehicles, that one that would not stand out or bring unnecessary attention would be an older model such as the 1993 Holiday Rambler Imperial class A. Such a recreational vehicle would be referred to it as an RV and Syra would have to get used to that and not refer to it as her exploration pod!
These recreational vehicles or RV’s were noted in Earth’s history as being very popular and would make an excellent vessel to act as a disguise.
On the outside, it would appear as such. But on the inside, it would be anything and everything they needed with capabilities to fly or anything else should it be necessary.
The retrofitting began and Zee10 and Syra watched the progress almost daily as both made suggestions on what to add to the RV.
The one thing Syra loved was the holocom image of her in the driver’s seat. But it was suggested they also have Zee10 in it and have them rotate the duty as a driver on occasion, so they would not bring unnecessary attention by anyone. While the vehicle was in motion, she would still be sitting at her command center or moving about the vehicle.
Cameras were installed in multiple places and were capable of offering images from underneath the vehicle, on all sides and above the vehicle as well.
The power source would be one blue crystal and one opaque crystal. The source of power would allow the vehicle to move at any speed necessary on the ground or above it. Weapons were installed which required the red crystal but would only be used as a distraction.
This combined power source of the blue and opaque would allow a fully functional shrouding to give the illusion they are an RV and not reveal the true nature of the vehicle.
This same option would also allow the RV to shapeshift should that be necessary as well. A few other surprises were installed neither Syra nor Zee10 would be aware of until it was necessary to reveal it.
Retrofitted with the lift-off and speed similar to the Zhian Sphere, they could appear to be invisible at takeoff to the human eye.
Ohtron would attach himself on the back of the RV’s ladder like a “blue boy,” which is a portable sewage tank. This way, he could release himself from the vehicle and be in any direction immediately if it becomes necessary. Using one power source for both the RV and Ohtron would be an efficie
nt use of power.
As this project seemed to keep growing, it was necessary now to transport the vehicle outside and in shroud mode. Only the Zhian mechanical bots could see the vehicle and work on it.
No one could see wasting that nice little Jeep Ohtron had worked so tirelessly on and they transported it back to where they found the original and placed them side by side. The Jeep would be there hidden should they ever find they needed a regular Earth designed vehicle.
It was critical that the Jeep not be seen from Google Earth cameras, which would bring suspicion to the area, and so it was well disguised!
The RV was just about ready, and their first route was being plotted when Syra noticed two small creatures hanging around.
Those creatures knew exactly what was going on and were not afraid. All day every day they hung around the RV wanting to go inside. Even though it was in shroud mode, the creatures sensed it was there and tried relentlessly to get inside.
Syra ran their images through the Image Identifier to see what they were and ran a complete genetic makeup of them to find out why they were so attracted to something you could not see. How could they see the RV? She wondered.
This could be a potential problem and they would need to know how to address it.
Research began immediately on how to address what Earthlings call cats and dogs. They seem to be the more popular creatures Earthlings favor and are popular companions to travel within their RV’s.
The Zhian Council had suggested that they place these creatures in holocom format and install a new program. Zee10 agreed this option could be useful if they needed a cat or dog present for whatever reason.
This was the last fitting the RV needed, and they would soon be able to launch.
After some time on which route to take first, a decision was made, and the trip would soon begin.
All over Zhian Sphere, citizens were excited. Syra and Zee10 would be able to travel amongst other humans and be virtually unnoticed if they so choose.
They had trained well for this mission and it was important to be well prepared and well versed in the knowledge of any area they would be traveling through.
The first test of the new vehicle was to see if they could deter creatures from the vehicle, so they would not draw unnecessary attention.
When the cats reappeared, the holocom aboard the RV automatically displayed the image of a growling dog and the cats exited in such a rush, Syra wondered if they had some sort of hyperspeed!
This would be her and Zee10’s last day in the Zhian Sphere until they returned to it. That would be some time as they had a lot of places to explore and to learn from Humans. All the while, hoping to meet the right human to make official contact with. This was always in the back of their minds.
Everyone was in awe over the new RV and wanted to take a ride in it, but the citizens were afraid of being outdoors in such openness.
The confinement of the RV would help, but it was just too close to the outdoors, and none were ready for that any time soon.
Syra visited the small ones born on Earth and they were growing quite rapidly! Their education started at birth, and already they were amazing to see their progress.
When everyone said their goodbyes and wished Syra and Zee10 much success they boarded their newly retrofitted vehicle and soon all that was left of them was the dust they left behind as they traveled a path a few inches above the ground.
book one
Chapter four
Syra’s vehicle settled into Earths highway 95 and cruised a slow painful speed that was noted on the signs along the roadside.
They were headed west on 95 and then turned south on 78 which according to the information they had, it was the Idaho Oregon Nevada highway and it was scenic, to say the least.
A Rome State Airport was noted and would be marked as an emergency landing should they ever need it. Much of the terrain in this area was excellent for landing in an emergency and it was clear to Syra she had made the right choice.
With no human eyes or recording devices homed in on them according to the core system, the shroud was turned on and they lifted off and upward across the skies to get a better visual and cruised for a while before leaving there for a more populated area.
From out of deep thought Syra stated, “We should travel to the state of Florida. Everyone who travels in an RV goes there,” and Syra went on to say, “We must appear as though we are on vacation and should act accordingly.”
“What if someone asks us where we are from?” Zee10 asked.
Syra answered, “Simple, we will tell them we are from Canada!”
“Then I am ready, let’s go,” Zee10 replied.
Along with a long stretch of what was called an Interstate, number 10 going east had lots of opportunities to stop at rest stops and there were some campgrounds along the way. Perhaps they could meet and exchange pleasantries with other fellow travelers, thought Syra.
“You know, I have noticed you are changing a lot, Syra” Zee10 stated without any emotions at all.
“And you are not?” Syra replied!
After traveling for a while and getting quite bored, Syra had never felt this way before. She began babbling and this was noticed by Zee10.
“Are you trying to carry meaningless idle chat?” Zee10 asked.
With a look of utter surprise, Syra batted her eyes a few times, then continued to think out loud and ignored Zee10!
“Syra, have you ever eaten any human foods yet?” Zee10 asked.
“Actually, no I have not. Maybe I should request some from the nutritional charge system!” Syra went on to say, “I will need to get used to their foods too.”
She sat at her nutritional charge system monitor and began to order foods humans say are most sought after according to her information. But there simply was just too many to choose from.
She requested a slice of pizza because it looked interesting. Since Syra had never chosen food by smell or looks, this could become a mess. It had quickly turned in to a pile of food the nutritional-charge system had tried to mimic but had never had a real sample to go by!
As soon as they saw a little diner, they pulled over to it and parked. All systems were shut down as far as appearance went.
Both suited up in clothing they had seen other humans who dressed in casual wear and would fit right in.
“Are you sure this is where you want to make your first contact with humans?” Zee10 asked.
“Oh, I expect to make many contacts but none official for quite some time,” Syra replied.
“But I cannot consume foods,” Zee10 stated.
“No one is asking you too. Just say you are not hungry!” Syra replied.
Both had seen many images on human interaction in the holocom chamber at restaurants and knew the mannerism they should have. Or so they thought.
When they stepped inside the old Greasy Spoon Diner, they were both greeted by a hostess chewing bubble gum. “This way and hurry it up, I don’t have all day!” Brandi then went on to say, “Booth or table?” and before they could answer, “Cat got your tongue?”
They were immediately seated, and menus were dropped on the table.
“Don’t ask what the special is today, if you didn’t read the sign coming in, you’ll pay the full price!” Brandi exclaimed.
A few moments later, Brandi sloshed warm glasses of water on the table in front of both and walked away.
She then turned back as if someone was talking behind her back and said, “Don’t complain, the ice machine is broken!”
At this point, Syra was almost afraid to say anything. So, she waited for the waitress/hostess to come back. They sat there for an hour waiting and would have continued to wait as instructed according to the holocom chamber out of politeness.
“You still here? Why you not flag me down and order food. You must not be hungry!” Brandi declared.
She grabbed two cups of very thick stale day-old coffee and sat down at the booth where she had seate
d them and formally introduced herself and ask them to do the same.
“My name is Syra and this is Zee10,” Syra said.
“Sarah?” Brandi asked.
“No, Syra!” Syra replied.
“Oh, and you are Zee10?” Brandi asked.
“Yes, I am Zee10,” Zee10 replied.
“Well honey, you are no doubt a ten! Good lookin man, you two married?” Brandi asked inquisitively.
“Oh no, we work together,” Both Zee10 and Syra said.
“So, where you two kids from?” Brandi asked.
“Canada,” Both answered at the same time.
Brandi got up from the booth and said, “coffee’s free!”
Syra laid money on the table and she and Zee10 went out to the RV and boarded.
“So how much tip did you leave her for the free coffee?” Zee10 inquired.
“Oh, it had one and three zeros on it, why?” Syra asked.
“I think you may have over tipped and this could be seen as suspicious activity to the authorities,” Zee10 stated.
“Then we need to leave as quickly as possible Zee10!” Syra answered back.
The RV was parked with the front against the fence and they needed to be pointed in the other direction in order to leave quickly. So immediately without thinking, Zee10 made the correction by pressing a button which switched the front for the back of the vehicle into the proper direction and off they drove!
They proceeded down highway 10 for some time and pulled over to a rest area so they could regroup and decide what their next move was. They also knew they needed to get off the main road in case they were being followed.
After some discussion, both agreed to stay off the main highways was probably best. And so, they plotted a trip through many small little towns traveling south on the west coast in Florida.
With each stop, Syra learned more about humans, their interaction and culture. After dozens of stops, it was noticed that they had brought much attention to themselves when they tuned in to the networks for news and saw their RV flip end to end at the Greasy Spoon Diner!
The Chronicles of Syra Omnibus Page 5
