by Derek Baker
It occurred to me on the trip there that I might have to endure something similar to what the Wendran doctor aboard the Tinzyick had put me through. However, these Martians seemed to be very sincere creatures; Chym had never given me a reason to doubt his word or his intentions. It would seem pointless to rescue us and then subject us to torture. Unless they wanted something from us. How could I let Chym stand as example for how his whole race acted? Maybe the Martians were ones really planning an invasion.
Give them a chance, Delvon, I thought to myself. You can’t just go around being suspicious. That’ll get you nowhere. You’ll just be unhappy and paranoid. You’re best off just trusting these guys unless their true colors turn out to be something horrible.
In the meantime, I was experiencing quite the sensation from the weaker gravity of Mars. The false gravity that our suits gave us on the Wendran scout ship had given a pull with a similar strength to that of Earth’s. While I had experienced zero gravity without the suit, this weak pull that kept one on the ground was new. Even the air felt different than it did on the ship. It proved almost difficult to get a deep breath. How I was able to breathe in the first place was a mystery in of itself.
The hospital was a dome-like structure with pillars that supported its weight. Its windowless, marble appearance made its distinctness from its neighboring buildings evident. Driving up the parkway that led to its main entrance, Alexander asked our new companion Gikkus: “How long is this going to take?”
“It will take the remainder of this afternoon, I imagine. Please refrain your worries; there will be nothing that will cause you harm, my friend.”
With this reassurance the rover stopped and a Martian valet helped us down. Presently two Martian soldiers who were assigned to us as guards joined our sides and escorted us to the open-air entrance to the medical coliseum.
Once inside we went through the front waiting room up to the reception counter. There a short, feeble Martian greeted us in the Martian tongue and Gikkus translated for us. Not all of these creatures conveniently knew English. We each received a card with a strange symbol that was apparently a room number to which Gikkus escorted us.
The layout inside of the building was organized in such a way that all of the important rooms where surgeries and research took place were placed in the center, with the patient rooms around the edge of the circular structure. I was starting to see a pattern in how Martians built things.
We started down the hallway for our assigned rooms. About halfway there, I suddenly heard a strange rhythmic noise coming from within one of the rooms. My ears perked up trying to determine its source. It got louder until we came up to the room where it was coming from. Unable to stifle my curiosity and suspicion all in one, I broke away from Gikkus and Alexander before I could be stopped and burst through the door from which the sound was coming and witnessed a sight that I can’t with all effort erase from my memory.
There, lying on the bed, were three Martians that each had their own distinct physical features in the bodily region that counted. While I’d rather not go into detail, it was obvious before I received an explanation that I was looking upon the process by which Martians reproduce.
My entrance put a quick stop to their action and the three sprang their heads up in my direction. All four of us were dumbfounded and I was vaguely aware that my jaw dropped.
“What have you done!?”
I turned around and Gikkus’ face looked much like the three behind me. With a quick jerk, he pulled me out of the room as fast as I had stumbled in. He slammed the door behind me.
“I…I’m sorry,” I stumbled out before anything else could be said.
Covering his face with his hand, Gikkus looked as if he was suppressing deep rage inside. He was trembling, and I was more scared than I had been since my arrival. Finally, after a couple tense minutes of this, the head of the Reception Department revealed his face and looked like nothing at all happened.
“It’s fine,” he breathed sharply, “you could not have known.”
I sighed the deepest breath of relief I could make in the thin air.
“Were they…?”
“What you just saw was the manner with which Martians create new life,” he said.
“Okay, then why were there three of them?”
“Martians are a peculiar race in the sense that there are not two but three genders.”
“Three?” I had the most puzzled look on my face.
“Yes, three. While humans need only two sexes, the function of producing an egg and carrying the baby is split in our race. The Abb produces the sperm, the Nei produces the egg, and the Eto combines the two in the womb and carries the baby.”
“I…suppose that makes sense. If you don’t mind me asking, do you Martians ever, you know, perform those acts for pleasure and not just reproduction?”
Gikkus gave me an intrigued look. “Well, yes, for pleasure sometimes; but reproduction is a procedure that we require by law to be monitored in our medical facility by a doctor.”
“Huh… well I hope I didn’t interfere too much with the process.”
“I will see to them after I have delivered you to your rooms.”
Hoping for the best, I left the area and proceeded to my examination room. Fortunately everything went well, though I did receive a painful set of shots designed to vaccinate me from Martian diseases. The exams were a means of seeing how fit and healthy I was. It was great to see how much less I weighed on their scales compared to my weight on Earth. All in all, Alexander and I came out in decent shape. On the way out of the hospital I saw much to my embarrassment the three Martians I had walked in on earlier. They weren’t ashamed in the least bit, however and they apparently didn’t blame me for my curiosity, though I would’ve.
Now getting back into the rover and dressed in the typical Martian garb, which consisted of solid-colored brown long sleeve tops, insulating grey pants and flat, pointed black footwear, Gikkus took us into the busy, almost chaotic downtown district where all of the government buildings could be found. The towers above us came nowhere close to reaching the top of the deep cavern in which this grand city was built. There wasn’t really a horizon to be seen here, only the dimly lit rows of houses on the walls of the sphere. Since there was no sky up above, it was almost like being inside in the biggest room imaginable. However, it never felt stuffy, somehow the Martians kept the area very well ventilated and cool. I never felt sweaty or too cold, though. It was like the Martians had perfected the climate to being the most comfortable temperature.
Seeing as Gikkus was the head of the Receptions Department for the government of Mars, he escorted us to the large, rectangular building where he made his living a few blocks away. The windowless vehicle revealed us to the citizens on the streets, making us the prime target for bewilderment as time and time again we saw fingers pointing our direction or meeting the gaze of some Martian child. Since the incident in the hospital, I was feeling less bold, more cautious. To my advantage, though, I could now distinguish between the three Martian genders with ease. Chym and our companion Gikkus were both Abbs, the equivalent of the male. The shorter soldiers I had seen when we landed could none other than Neis, the females. I realized halfway through my examination at the hospital that my doctor was an Eto, the strange third gender that carried the babies. Etos were the shortest of the genders, with plumper bodies that looked as if they were almost designed for child bearing.
The Receptions building was the closest thing the Martians had to a hotel, and this was where Alexander and I were each given our separate lodgings for the Martian night.
“Tomorrow, Chym will be picking you up and taking you to the Capitol building where the Martian legislature will be hearing your case and deciding how best to handle the oncoming Wendran invasion of your planet,” Gikkus said as he was starting to turn to leave.
“I thought it was pretty obvious that Mars wants to protect Earth at all costs,” said Alexander, with a frown forming.
<
br /> “Chym’Buk’Tai thinks optimistically. A verdict has yet to be reached in the legislature. I sympathize with your plight, therefore I wish you two the best of luck tomorrow,” and with that Gikkus left us to return to his home somewhere on the outskirts of the city for the night.
Perhaps Martians weren’t so different from humans. It seemed like Gikkus had a day job he went to everyday. He’d take his rover from his house to work and then back home each evening. I wondered if he had a family. With three genders, did marriage as we know it exist? Was there a bond between three instead of two? Did children even live with adults? I realized that after being with Chym for the long space voyage to Mars, the topic of family had never come up. I would learn more about Martian society with time.
I got myself ready for bed and then laid down on the bed provided for me. It was somewhat difficult getting comfortable when I weighed less than half my normal weight on Mars, yet with some effort I felt myself starting to drift off. Just I was about to fall asleep, the door to my private room opened. My eyes were still closed as I tried to distinguish who it was.
“Delvon,” whispered the voice. It was Alexander.
My ears perked up. “Yeah?”
“You ready for tomorrow?” He slipped through the crack.
“I guess. You?”
“I’m just curious as to how it’s going to happen. I mean, how are we going to get the point across?”
“I’m sure Chym’s got it figured out. His dad’s the man in charge. It’ll work out, man.” I was wide awake now.
“Well, I mean, you heard Gikkus earlier. We can’t even speak during the hearing. I’m worried. What if they decide not to do anything about it? Are they just going to dump us back on Earth and let us go about our business until we’re destroyed!? That can’t happen, goddamnit!”
I drowsily nodded my head. “You’re absolutely right, man.”
An uneasy silence filled the room. I felt sleep coming back.
Alexander turned around and walked briskly out the room.
I should go after him, I thought. It was obvious Alexander didn’t see things like me. I felt for sure that it wouldn’t be a problem convincing the Martian people to go to our aid. They were already at war with the Wendrans anyway. I lay back down for a moment considering consoling my friend, but never made up my mind as my eyes had their way and closed for the night.
The next morning the tenseness that rested between Alexander and I continued as we ate breakfast in silence in the lobby of the Receptions building. Chym picked us up to take us to the Capitol building.
“Here are some pads for you to write down your testimonies. I apologize for the lack of sufficient time for preparation,” he said.
I heard a sigh escape Alexander’s lips. Sensing his irritation, Chym tried reassurance, “I think with the help of Shri’Buk’Tai and the hardships suffered at the hands of the Wendrans, we will be successful today.”
Alexander didn’t look convinced, but I took the tablets from the Martian and began writing my story.
“Wait a minute,” I cried, “can you even read our language?”
“Yes, it comes with speaking. I will be the one to read the testimonies, don’t you worry.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
To the Martian Grand Assembly:
My name is Delvon Galihue. I come from the city of Baltimore, Maryland in the United States of America. I would like to tell you about the experiences that I have gone through in hopes that it will help persuade you to see things from my point of view. I had a normal life on Earth nine months ago; I had parents and a girlfriend, and I really loved looking at the stars. My friend and I decided one night to go out and look at them when all of a sudden a space ship landed not too far away from us. Don’t forget that we average humans had no idea any intelligent life other than just us even existed until that night. Letting our curiosity get to us, my friend Alexander and I decided to take a look. Before we knew it, we were captured by the horrible, vile aliens, known as the Wendrans that occupied the ship. A few weeks ago, I woke up on a Wendran mother ship not having a clue as to where I was. I had been asleep for almost nine months. Soon I, along with my friend, became the subject for experimentation by the doctor aboard the ship. After suffering their torture, they confined us in the ship’s jail until Chym’Buk’Tai rescued us and we made our flight back here to Mars. Chym has told me everything: about the Wendrans planning to invade Earth, about their culture as well as yours. He told me of the love the Martian people have harbored for Earth. How you’ve treasured our beauty and culture. How you fought so valiantly to defend us from destruction in the past. The call to do that has come once more. Sure, it’s been over two thousand years since that happened last time, but I assure you it’s good for everyone to resist the Wendran onslaught that will befall Earth. Everything I have ever known and loved was on Earth; I couldn’t bear to watch it be torn apart by a power hungry race that knows no appreciation for the things we humans hold dear. If Mars wants to stand a fighting chance against the Wendrans from here on out, they must help us and together, Earth and Mars can stand as sister planets united against a common enemy. Thank you.
As Chym finished reading aloud the final words of my written testimony to the Martian legislature, all was quiet. The room was immense, like the rest of the grand structure. The walls were littered with fabulous paintings and murals that showed off the artistic capacity of the ever intelligent Martians. The ceiling was supported with marble pillars that looked almost soft to the touch. On the floor were rows of desks and chairs occupied by the highest lawmaking body on the planet. Our case was looking grim. Even with the insistence of Chym’s father, most of the faces and minds in the legislature remained unchanged in the chamber. The tall, proud looking Martian that was the Prime Minister stood at the front of the group with his intelligent features that resembled those of his son. We stood below his pedestal waiting to see the outcome of the hearing. Whether or not to go so far as to set up defenses on Earth in hopes of quelling the Wendran invasion was the question. It would require revoking the doctrine of not interfering with our planet, something conservative Martians were not too keen for. The general thought was that Mars could take care of itself, though Chym believed the red planet would be the logical subsequent target.
A senator rose from his seat towards the front. “After hearing both testimonies, I fear that the ignorance that so cripples the human race would render it impossible to prepare an entire planet for war in time for the Wendran invasion. Our intelligence believes it will occur in about six months by Earth time. Surely such a feat would be unthinkably attainable. In that same amount of time we could be fortifying our own defenses in preparation for when the Wendrans decide to attack us. It would only seem logical to do as such.”
A murmur of agreement rose in legislature. Alexander and I remained silent by law.
“We must at the least try, Senator Yok’Wen’Tai,” urged Chym.
“You read both of the letters, and both confessed to the inadaptability of Earthlings. I find it useless to even attempt it.”
The grim faces that lined the rows once more rose and fell in assent.
“I ask this then,” bellowed the thundering voice of the Prime Minsister behind us, “what will become of these two humans that stand before you today? Will they be sent back to Earth to meet their doom or will they find asylum here in the city of Tai?”
I couldn’t believe it; nothing was going to be done. These Martians cared more for their own security. My life wasn’t spectacular before my abduction, but the thought of never seeing Earth or my parents or even Claire was unbearable. And now, to make matters worse, these Martians were debating on letting that past life become nothing more than a memory.
The Prime Minister’s question brought a swarm of argument throughout the chamber. Everywhere different exchanges between the senators were arguments over whether or not to let us die.
I looked over to Chym, who was calm as always, and then to Alexand
er. His face was turning red with anger as he watched the scene before us. He was about to lose it.
“STOP!!!!”
The voice was so loud and sudden that no one was prepared for it. Instantly all was quiet and every head in the entire chamber turned towards its source: Alexander.
Once he had everyone’s attention, he continued: “Can’t you see you are digging your own graves!? The Wendrans have not met defeat at any point in this war. After taking over Earth and annihilating the human race, the Wendrans will only be stronger and will have the perfect place from which to launch an attack on Mars. You people won’t stand a chance if that happens.”
My friend climbed up on top of the Prime Minister’s pedestal and stood beside him, now towering over the assembly. “You say we humans can’t adapt? Look how far we’ve come! When you were known to us we were still in ancient times. We have done so much all by ourselves since you left us. We conquered nature and built great cities just like Tai that carry just the same amount of awe. We built cars, trains, and planes that helped us travel around our planet with ease. We discovered DNA and how to alter genetics. We have been in a dark age for the last few generations, sure, but only something like the knowledge of the visitors could help us overcome our superstitious ways and pull us towards a brighter future. That’ll never happen if you don’t do something about it! Think of what a United Alliance of Planets could do if we gathered enough force to fight back against the Wendrans! You are the only thing that stands between them and supreme domination! Do you want to be enslaved for the next hundreds if not thousands of years!? Well, neither do I! Believe in us, Martians! Believe in humanity!”
