She held his hand tightly and felt his pain. “I do to,” she said.
“Promise me Celi, that even if I die you’ll find the cure,” Brian said. “I need to know my people won’t die like this.”
“I promise I will,” Celi said.
“Good.” He tried flexing his right arm and found it was numb. “You can give me whatever medicine you want now. Also, I need to know how to deactivate this arm.”
“Open the program panel and press the largest button three times in sequence,” Celi explained before filling the injector with some fluid. She injected him in the neck without one hint of pain from him. “I’m sure you’d feel better if Seles was here instead of me.”
“No, I wouldn’t want her to see me like this,” he turned his eyes away from hers, “I don’t want anyone seeing me like this.”
“You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
“I’m not ashamed, nor is it pride,” he said. “I just want to be left alone. I feel like I’m a burden to you and the crew. I never wanted to be a burden to anyone. Especially not like this.”
Celi squeezed his hand. “You’re not a burden,” she said. “If that day comes I’ll tell you, alright?”
“It’s a deal,” he said.
Chapter 27 - An Oasis in Space
“This is getting really boring,” Baed said while chewing on an emergency ration. “I know we have enough of these to last us another six months, but still.”
Jesela stood at the back console while chewing on an emergency ration as well. “It’s been three months since our journey began. I’m surprised we’ve managed to get this far.”
Jesela grabbed a bottle of water and handed it to Baed.
“Thanks,” Baed said. She took a sip. “We’re half way home now.”
“But I agree on this issue,” Jesela said. She held the ration in her hand with disdain. “These fulfill all of our nutritional requirements for the day. I’m starting to think nutrition is overrated.”
“It’s been two weeks since we ran out of fresh fruit and vegetables,” Baed said. She made sure the ship was flying normally. Jesela walked back up to her console while chewing on her meal.
“Huh,” Jesela said before stuffing the rest in her mouth and slamming a gulp of water as she checked something.
“What is it?” Baed asked. “It’s not like you to rush a meal.”
“We’re picking up some kind of signal from nearby,” Jesela searched the bandwidth, “Looks like an old fashioned radio signal.”
“Where’s it coming from?” Baed asked as she called up the star map.
“On our current path we should reach the solar system the signal is originating from in five days,” Jesela said before pointing out the origin on the map.
“Why didn’t we pick it up sooner?” Baed asked.
“It’s because we’re close to the center of the galaxy,” Jesela explained. “The large number of black holes and heavy stars are causing signals to move strangely. The other explanation I can think of is the radio signal is coming from a race that’s just discovered radio technology.”
“Do you think I should contact the other senior officers?” Baed asked.
“No,” Jesela answered. “If it’s going to take us five days to reach we shouldn’t interrupt them while they’re resting. I know for one I’d be rather cranky if I had to report to duty just for this.”
“You’re right,” Baed said. “Brian’s not doing so well these days. It’s a miracle he’s even walking right now.”
“It just proves how advanced our medical technology is,” Jesela said. “As long as one isn’t vaporized they stand a good chance of surviving.”
* * *
Grigon stood in the launching bay while a number of Kalaidian engineers checked the Raknas’ systems. He was at the base of a nearly finished silver colored mobile suit. Looking up he noticed Brian standing next to him.
“You surprised me,” Grigon said.
“Didn’t mean to,” Brian said. “Couldn’t help but notice how fast this is being built.”
“In a few weeks I’ll install the main drive system. All that’s left is the fine tuning,” Grigon said. “How are you feeling today?”
“Better than usual,” Brian answered. “Celi has gotten better on figuring out what can keep me upright. I think she’s also getting closer to a cure.”
“I’d rather this story end with you in it Brian,” Grigon said. “I didn’t spend all this time roaming the edges of the galaxy to not see your success.” He noticed something on the console. “What might this be?”
“What is it?” Brian asked.
“Jesela and Baed started detecting radio signals from a nearby star system. According to the map she sent we should be there in a few days.”
“I wonder if the Greys know about them,” Brian said.
“For sure,” Grigon said. “Now whether or not they’re considered a threat or not I can’t answer. This is on the edge of their territory, so they may not care much for whoever this species is.”
“From what we’ve seen the Greys eliminate races on the verge of space technology,” Brian said.
“Yes, they certainly do take care of business in that regard,” Grigon said. “But not every species in this part of the galaxy has been wiped out. The Grey’s area of control may be shown to be nearly half the galaxy, but in reality they only control around a third. They have plenty of blind spots within their territories.”
“What exactly are we getting on the signal?” Brian asked.
“Nothing but scratchy old code,” the old Malcovin said before playing it. A series of bleeps and blips began.
“Sounds a lot like Morse code to me,” Brian said.
“What’s Morse code?” the old birdman asked.
“That’s what communication like this is called on my world,” Brian explained. “The sender sends out a series of dots and slashes to form a message.”
“Now that you mention it I do remember hearing about something like this.” Grigon paused. “Quite simplistic when you think about it.”
“Yeah, that’s what Morse code was for,” Brian said. It was cutting edge technology only a hundred years ago.” He looked at the console. “Now I’m really interested in hearing what kind of species this is.”
“We will know soon enough,” Grigon said.
* * *
“We’ve successfully jumped into the system,” Baed reported. Next to her was Zae. Behind them sat Brian and Celi, while Jesela and Meldi stood at the top console.
“We’re recording all signals,” Zae said.
Jesela looked over the vast amount of data incoming. “No doubt now, this is definitely an advanced race.”
“How advanced are we talking about?” Brian asked.
“From what you’ve told me Brian they’re about where your people are at the moment technologically,” Jesela said. “I’m detecting complex communications systems as well as an electronic world wide data network.”
“From what I can tell they have no orbital defense systems,” Meldi said. “They have several artificial satellites in orbit.”
“Start putting their communications through the translator,” Brian ordered.
Zae turned to him. “Are you sure about this?” she asked.
“I know all about protocol in terms of communication with less advanced races,” he said before standing up. “The Edict of Geluke Don wasn’t put into place lightly. But something’s bothering me.” He stood in thought. “Check to see if any of their messages are being specifically sent into space.”
“Alright,” Jesela said. She looked over the communications for a moment. “I think we’ve got something.”
“Can you translate it?” Brian asked.
“Already done,” Jesela said. “It’ll only be in text though.”
“That’s fine,” Brian said. On the main monitor there was a large amount of text.
We call ourselves the Braiden. For nearly a hundred years we’ve been s
ending messages into space in hopes of contacting another race. If this message reaches you, please know we’re asking for help. Our homeworld is the third planet in our solar system. Until a hundred and fifty years ago it was the only inhabited planet in our solar system. That was when they appeared and began changing the fourth planet. At first our scientists and astronomers were amazed at what they were seeing, that was, until recently. The beings who’ve taken the fourth planet will not respond to our communications. They’ve never sought to communicate with us either. Fifty years ago a number of the people of our world began experiencing strange lapses in time. Unknowingly they were being taken by those strange creatures. The horrors they describe are unimaginable and they’re appearance even more so. The creatures we speak are small, with grey skin and large black eyes. We have no name for them other than the Strangers. We don’t know where they come from or their intent. What we ask is for another race, any race, to tell us who they are. If they’re a threat tell us and please, if possible, help us. Within this message we’ve encoded a large amount of data from our people, including language, culture, technological advancements, historical events of note, etc. Please, someone out there hear this call. We pray to the gods you find us soon.
There ended the message. Jesela called up their genetic data which also contained a vast number of images of their people.
“That’s incredible,” Brian said while staring at the image of the Braiden. They stood the height of a Kalaidian with a light brown or black or red fur covering their arms and legs. Their faces looked equine in nature, almost like a cross between a human and a deer. Their two legs were reverse jointed with cloven feet, while their hands had two large fingers and an opposable thumb. The males grew facial hair and had small horns emerging from their heads. “If I was to peg them I’d say they look a lot like satyrs from Greek mythology.”
“They look a lot like Mikikas from our ancient legends,” Baed said.
“This is their homeworld,” Jesela said before calling up its image.
On the screen were two hemispheres that showed their planet had five major continents. Two were locked in the polar ice caps, while the other three were stringed along the equatorial regions. The three continents had a large mixture of forest and mountains with little desert or wastes showing.
“It’s like a shining green emerald mixed with the ocean blue,” Zae said.
“How recent is this message?” Brian asked.
“This was sent out less than three months ago,” Jesela answered.
Meldi looked up from the files she was looking through. “It appears their government is a unified world nation,” she said. “Their military appears to be small and limited. They have extensive solar arrays on the surface of their planet. I’m also detecting a number of nuclear power systems.”
Jesela called up another image. “This is the fourth planet according to the data.” On the screen appeared two hemispheres like the first one, but the image couldn’t be more different. The planet was two thirds the size of the Braiden homeworld with dark clouds enveloping the planet’s surface. Around the planet was a massive solar power ring. “According to the data provided the atmosphere below is being artificially created.” Jesela displayed an old image in black and white from a century before. “This is what it looked like a hundred and ten years ago.”
“Incredible,” Baed said. “In only a century the Greys created an atmosphere that thick. It’ll be less than a hundred for life to be able to live on the surface. I‘ve never seen atmospheric adjustments done is such a short period of time.”
“Are you sure it’s the Greys?” Zae asked.
“Yes, look at these markings,” Celi said. She displayed them up on the screen. All over the orbital ring of the fourth planet were purple hieroglyphs.
“I say we pay them a covert visit,” Grigon said over the com. “I know interstellar law prohibits contact like this but they’re asking for help.”
“Agreed,” Brian said. “Are you alright with that?”
“Under normal circumstances I’d object,” Zae said. “But these are hardly normal circumstances. They’re actively asking for help and rightfully so. We’ll approach covertly as to not excite the Greys and make contact with their government leaders.”
“Alright then, it’s decided,” Brian said. “Set course for Braiden Prime.”
“Yes sir,” Baed said. She flew the cloaked Avoni towards the green and blue planet. The Vomada followed at the same speed.
Chapter 28 - First Contact
What a strange vision. Lumiar thought as she awoke to the sun shining down into her bedroom. Her home consisted of a series of domes emerging from the ground with most of the structure below the surface. Hidden cleverly amongst the trees were numerous solar panels and wind turbines. The capital city of the Braiden was vast and covered a great amount of territory, though it had little impact on the natural environment other than the few roads needed for foot traffic. Hidden within the trees light speed rail systems flowed silently. At this time of the morning parents escorted their children to school before heading off to work for the day. Lumiar stood up and watched life unfold outside her window. A number of those walking by waved and said good morning to their High Priestess, the leader of their world nation.
Lumiar Wavecrest stood at the same height and general proportions as a Kalaidian, with long red hair flowing from her head. On her arms and legs the red fur showed. She wore a simple green piece over her body similar to a toga. She closed her eyes, deep in thought. If feels like a great storm is on the horizon. She looked at the sky where the fourth planet would be. I wonder if the Strangers will ever say anything to us. We’ve been trying to communicate since we were able to a hundred years ago and still, nothing. What’s this feeling of trepidation I’m having right now? She clasped a gold and emerald torc to her right arm. Official duties come before meditation on the matter. The gods will tell us when the time is right. She closed her eyes and joined her hands before saying a prayer. A frantic knock on her door broke the silence.
“I’m sorry to interrupt you my lady, but I have urgent news to report!” Fran Molediver, the Minister of Intelligence shouted.
Lumiar went to the door and opened it to find a flustered Fran. He had black hair and small black horns with a light beard and mustache on his face. He wore a black shirt and leggings. His rank within the government was a badge on his shirt.
“You seem quite excited Fran,” Lumiar said. “Please, come in.”
Fran stepped in. “I’m sorry to ask this but can you close the windows? I have something to show you my lady, something of the utmost importance.” From a pocket in his shirt he pulled out a small computer drive. Lumiar closed her windows and put down the shades for privacy. “This morning we received and encoded message from space. Someone has heard our message.”
“Is it the Strangers?” she asked.
“No, they don’t identify themselves as such,” Fran said. “As matter of fact they explain as much in this message.” He went to the computer and uploaded the message. “They sent us a video file using our own encoding systems. It looks like they took care to not broadcast this to the general public.”
“I don’t like hiding things from the people,” Lumiar said.
‘I understand, but this seems to be a matter the aliens wish to keep secret,” he said. “Please watch the video and you’ll understand.”
Fran turned the video on. On the screen appeared the bridge of the Avoni with Brian standing at the center. Zae and Baed sat at their stations with Jesela and Meldi in the back. Celi stood next to Brian.
“This is a message to the leadership of the Braiden. We’ve chosen to use this method of communication for now because the beings you refer to as the Strangers are hostile aliens seeking the destruction of all races who don’t obey them. I know hearing this may alarm you, but I assume that if you’ve attempted communication with these beings and found no solace in a reply then you’ve assumed the worst. We’re here n
ow to answer the call you so desperately have sent out into space. I’ll start with introductions. My name’s Brian Peterson, Lieutenant Commander and acting captain of the Independent Kalaidian vessel Avoni. I’m human and I come from a world called Earth.” Brian pointed to the ladies in front of him. “This is Lieutenant Commander Zae and Lieutenant Baed, my first officer and helmswoman.” He pointed to Celi. “This is my chief medical officer Lieutenant Commander Celi. And finally, the two ladies behind me are Lieutenant Jesela and Lieutenant Meldi, my chief engineer and head of security respectively. All of them are Kalaidian and come from a homeworld called Kalaidia. There’s a second ship traveling with us whose owner is named Grigon. He’s a Malcovin and comes from the planet Malcov. As a courtesy and show of our willingness to be honest with you we’ve sent an encoded genetic profile of each of our three distinct species. As you may have surmised we’re but a small number of the innumerable species of intelligent races existing within this galaxy. We were brought to this area of the galaxy by an accident in our gravity drive, the device we use to power our ship’s systems as well as travel between solar systems. Our journey has been long and hard with many battles with the creatures you refer to as the Strangers. Currently we’re in stealth mode in orbit of your planet. To be blunt our motives may be on the selfish side, we acknowledge that. What we seek in return for aiding you in this endeavor are a few basic things. Our journey has been many months without a chance or place to replenish our food and water supplies. Given we only have a hundred and nine crew members what we ask for isn’t much. If possible I’d also like to ask your leader or leaders if they would be kind enough to meet us in person. Preferably a place as secluded as possible. We don’t want to upset your population in any way while we’re present. My hope is we can reach an understanding of each other as rational beings. We’ll remain in orbit for one of your standard weeks. If you don’t contact us by this time we’ll assume you don’t desire our presence and leave accordingly.” Brian clasped his hands like Lumiar had done earlier and closed his eyes. “We pray the gods always show you favor, bless the land, bless the air, and bless the waters of Braiden.”
Heaven Saga 3: Sojourn Into Despair Page 16
