by A. D. Nance
SALENA
My Stars and Other Highlights part 6
Copyright 2014 A. D. Nance
All rights reserved
except for small portions which may be used in reviews or promos
CONTENTS
9: Salena
Next: Light In the Cave
SALENA
Eldon’s life was about to enter a new phase and change him forever. Up until now in his young life he was happy with exploring the galaxy with his associates of like backgrounds and ideology. Even so, he had not formed any close relationships since he had lost Datar in the star desert. He knew he had an intense interest in the metaphysical or supernatural, which he preferred to call the supranatural. That meant he was interested in unseen forces or evidence of the Source, not simply for the sake of being outside the physical norms. The most recent SS Dome had opened his mind to how the Source or Creator is active throughout the known universe. Also Eldon was learning that he had an inclination to the qualities that were considered higher by some, and alternative by most, in Hearthites, such as love, mercy and humor. He was not content with the status quo of the cool formulized behavior of his people. At the same time he knew that falling victim to extreme emotion and passion was not good either.
In Eldon’s Earth domestic life was rather mundane. Emotions were rarely if ever shown. If two people, whether they were of a different gender or the same gender, wanted to be together, they formed a partnership. There were no binding obligations attached to it. However, if they wanted to procreate or have their own children, then a marriage was performed which was called a permpar. These were quite often arranged years in advance by the family heads. Every aspect of life was controlled by the state until a certain age or status was reached. A permpar or permanent life union with a radically different life form was not recommended and did not receive support from the state. But in the current century of Earth, partnerships or friendships with other life forms and cultures was becoming more common. And now Eldon’s involvement with the Singsords was helping him to think outside the box of Hearthite deportment. Gradually he was realizing his need for companionship, if not of a mate, at least of a friend or partner. He wondered ‘Where is the one for me . . . the one that thinks along the same lines . . . the one that will work with me to reach the same goals? I want a special friend. How do I start looking?’
He did not wonder about it too much because his service as a full-time Singsord now was a fulfilling living. Also he knew that as long as he remained a full capacity Singsord, he was prohibited from forming a permanent life union or permpar with anyone else. Singsords take an oath to be fully dedicated to their cause and not to take on side responsibilities. Of course there were many partnerships among them. But Eldon felt an inner longing to form a union with someone of the opposite, female gender. He did not know exactly where it came from. Perhaps it was rooted in his planet’s ancient past. Somehow it was stirred to life in him, and was another quality that made him unique among the Hearthites of his time. He was now about to make that rare find that would change his life.
It was now GT-A80.9-11-6492-0.5, being the galactic time – a more accurate way to record time. All around the galaxy it was quickly replacing the old stardate system. It manifests 4 different measurements: sector, dimension, motion or rotation of the galaxy, and energy reading of space.
Eldon and Sodonara 192022 had just completed an assignment on Valenyez in San Juanuluz Citadel. They had captured an informer to the Dark Lords. Sodonara was called away immediately afterwards, so Eldon was told to make the report to their contact himself.
Eldon arrived at Don Viejo’s dwelling without incident. Normally, Eldon would make a quick report and leave. But in this case Eldon did not mind staying a little longer to visit with the old man who was very gracious and a little lonely. Besides, Eldon was fascinated by his collection of old photos of various representatives of differing civilizations united together seeking the Source. They were said to be from a time long ago and far away.
Don Viejo sent one of his messenger birds to tell his ‘escribor’ or secretary to come. He used these birds for communications because he did not want any ‘zingtec’ or automated technology in his home. He believed in doing everything by hand and without zing or electricity. This, he said helped him to remain safe and pure. But because of his age and a disease that gradually was crippling him, he needed an assistant to help out and take down his notes. The escribor, whose dwelling was not far away, arrived within minutes.
Upon arrival, the escribor promptly removed the messenger bird from a pocket and then removed his own fly-skin coat. The form was feminine and somewhat smaller without the flight suit. She removed the head cap to release her shoulder length hair.
“This is Salena, my assistant,” Don Viejo said to Eldon. Eldon nodded but said nothing. “Eldon is the SS agent I told you about, Salena. He has a report for us.” She then sat at the table, grasped the pad and pen and said, “Muy-puy, (if you please) I’m ready.” She was clearly exited about taking her first report from a Singsord in person. Although, she was a little unsure of what to say, so she got to the work at hand right away. Eldon too was unsure in this situation, and hesitated. Don Viejo assured him, “It is alright my friend. She has passed all the SS tests. She is a trustworthy believer.” Relieved, Eldon proceeded to give the report on his mission as they all sat at the table.
Salena was the fastest hand at dictation Eldon had ever seen. She wrote down every word without abbreviations. At a few points Eldon just stopped and stared, not only at her writing ability but at her appearance as a whole. Then she would say, “Continue please.” And he would be a little embarrassed and jolt himself back to where he was in the account. Eldon now began to notice a few things about Salena’s appearance that were particularly appealing to him. Besides her serious attitude and proficient dictation taking, she was very physically attractive to him. Her dress was simple and modest. Her black hair being clean and neat, was not styled to attract undue attention. Her brown eyes were like the twinkling jewels of Imperion to Eldon. And he thought he saw her smile once. This was a rare Hearthite trait alluding to other rare qualities inside. Eldon did not know much about the people of Valenyez except that some were more like Hearthite than others. The old man Don Viejo was content to watch and then just listen as he attended to his birds and plants.
When Eldon finished his report, he just sat there trying to think of something else because he did not really want to leave. Then Viejo asked, “Can you stay for a meal?” But Eldon had to say, “I would like to but, another time, I should return to the Dome for another assignment.”
“Can you choose what places to go for your work?” Salena asked.
“That may be possible,” was Eldon’s optimistic reply.
“I think you will be back again. We will look forward to seeing you again, Eldon,” Viejo confidently stated patting Eldon’s arm. Then something occurred to Eldon. Some agents are sent to certain planets or get certain missions because they know or have more experience with some cultures or civilizations. So he said, “If I learned more about Valenyez and the people here, it would be more likely that I’ll be sent back.” This drew an immediate response from Salena. “I could show you around the valley and also Cardẽno del Rio. I know some people in the Office of Seguros and some business people.” “That would be fine. I would like to do that Salena. I will contact you soon. Goodbye my friends,” Eldon said with some elation.
He was very happy that Salena was so willing to help him get to know the area. As he left Valenyez, he was flying a little higher and lighter than normal because he had a really good feeling about her. He knew he had found a rare treasure indeed.
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nbsp; It was not until a solar year later that Eldon was able to return. He found himself thinking about Salena often and he made regular communica
tions to her and Don Viejo. His next visit was on his own after a mission of SS within 25 light years. He made the trip at his own expense on his personal time.
The INTREB gate in Cardẽno del Rio was situated in the center of the city. As soon as Eldon exited the building housing the gate, he was struck by the view of the Council Domicilio. It appeared as an ancient castle in the midst of a modern city. It had housed various government offices for generations. Although the outside had been preserved as it originally was, the inside was modernized. All around, the distinctive ‘V’ shape was in evidence, even in the architecture of the buildings. Eldon had seen photos, but the real thing was beyond his imagination. Especially the so-called CAB-ayos were a unique sight to Eldon. They were ‘cabs’ or conveyances with the head of a horse or a similar creature on the front of them. They floated silently between buildings by modern technology, yet were a tribute to the past when such animals were
