The Simpleton QUEST

by Mark Wayne McGinnis

  “Who did this?”

  His first officer and the coms officer exchanged a knowing glance. “The First Officer on the Dubon reported it was the Humans; the same ones helping the Pashier. Led by Captain Cuddy Perkins.”

  Norsh let the news sink in for a moment. Taking in an enormous breath, he slowly let it out through exposed teeth. “Of course, it was,” he said, staring unfocused toward the display; at the raging battle, taking place all around them.

  “Prepare the fleet for departure.”

  “Eminence?”

  “We will leave immediately…at once. Let the fleet know the change in orders.”

  “Sire…the ongoing battle…the Gulk…our orders from the council.”

  Norsh’s eyes regained their focus—laser-like focus directed toward his first officer. With blinding quickness, he used an upward swiping motion—his right claw fully extended, like four protruding daggers. The first officer watched as his innards flopped out and onto the deck. Disemboweled, he died standing there, watching it occur, then crumpled down into his own gore.

  Chapter 43

  Cuddy had no idea how the ones below would react to a spacecraft descending upon them from high above. There was far more he didn’t know about the reclusive Howsh or, more accurately, the Jahin, than what he did know. Maybe they’d run around crazed, shouting the sky is falling! The world is coming to an end! Or perhaps they already knew of their ship’s impending arrival; had been alerted via the empyrean expanse and those emerging from the heritage pods, or whatever the pods were called on Camilli-Rhine 5 in the Kwo System.

  The small team had assembled within the airlock within the lower deck. Cuddy felt the Farlight’s rapid descent in the pit of his stomach and reached out, grabbing ahold the bulkhead for balance. The others, Jackie, Kyle, and Tony, looked apprehensive. No one had spoken a word since Cuddy’s earlier heated words with Marzon on the bridge. The giant Howsh had been adamant—not only demanding to be part of the team but to be armed, as well. Cuddy wasn’t totally sure why he didn’t want Marzon along, but perhaps it was due to Marzon’s more violent nature. The upcoming visit was supposed to be a peaceful first encounter.

  “Do you think we’ll get him back?”

  Cuddy glanced up to find Jackie staring at him. “Brian? I don’t know. You heard Tow’s words just the same as me. But some part of me thinks it’s…I don’t know, far-fetched, maybe?”

  Jackie nodded looking resigned. “Me too, I guess.” She diverted her eyes, staring down at the deck, as Kyle shrugged, uncommitted. Cuddy didn’t want to mentally dwell on how close his brother was standing to Jackie. Were they a couple?

  “If they are expecting us, I hope they’ve prepared something.”

  Cuddy shook his head, questioning—not getting Tony’s meaning.

  “Like a feast…or a barbeque. What do you think these creatures eat, anyway?”

  “I’ve no idea, Tony,” Cuddy said.

  “Maybe they eat insects. If that’s the case, forget it. They can do what they want with me. I ain’t eating no fucking beetles, or things, like scorpions. No way!”

  Jackie’s lips twitched at his comment. Cuddy stole a look at her face for a few clandestine seconds. Standing there in the partial shadows in that particular moment of time, she had never looked more beautiful to him. Which only made things worse as more and more lost memories returned to him. He inwardly referred to those years as the innocent years. A time when he truly was innocent—forever age seven. Always none wiser, nor more informed, at least mentally, than he was on that fateful day when he fell head first to the barn floor below. What he now was slowly discovering was how much pain was embedded in those lost years. Short-lived pain, since—within a few short minutes—he’d forget everything. Like an automatic reset button, constantly pressed, the pain would quickly be gone and he was back to being age seven. Yesterday, Cuddy mentioned to Jackie some memories from the innocent years were returning. Not everything, but still a lot. Her reaction was immediate. Embarrassment. Guilt. Maybe regret? Today, it seemed light years separated them. He turned his attention to Kyle, hoping she hadn’t relayed to him what he’d told her in confidence. Kyle didn’t need to know. Things already were strained enough within the team.

  Suddenly the landing thrusters noisily engaged. Within the confined space, they sounded intensely loud. Tony made a face, saying something undecipherable over the racket, and Cuddy found himself smiling though he didn’t hear what was said—Tony was usually funny. The ship abruptly landed. When the outer hatch began to rise, he watched as the gangway was lowered through the partial opening.

  Cuddy was just about to step forth, out into a whole new world, when another internal hatchway slid open. Spilor, entering the airlock compartment, wore a placid expression. “I have decided to join you. Would that be acceptable, Captain?”

  Cuddy tried to come up with some reason to tell the awkward robot, “No,” but couldn’t think of one. Perhaps having it tag along would prove useful. Undoubtedly, Spilor could explain certain aspects of the world and its inhabitants. Cuddy, giving Spilor an unenthusiastic nod back, said, “Try not to draw too much attention to yourself.”

  First out of the hatch, Cuddy stood at the top of the gangway and surveyed the surrounding landscape. He’d decided earlier to land the Farlight approximately one-half mile from the small village, positioning the ship closer to the heritage pod, sited at the far edge of the village. Glancing around, he found no one waiting for them. As he descended the ramp, he momentarily questioned his own judgment about being unarmed. Nevertheless, in any event, would he be able to shoot—perhaps kill another being—as easily as Marzon could? He didn’t want to even consider it. Soon enough, they’d know if his decision was the correct one, or not.

  The surrounding terrain was certainly Class A. Somewhat earthlike, but with one significant difference: The smell. The scented air seemed somewhat bitter, like certain plants or trees were emanating a distinctive pungency. Not entirely awful, just different.

  Cuddy waited at the base of the gangway for the others to descend. Everyone wore matching, light-blue jumpsuit-type, uniforms. On board the Farlight was something called the fabrication berth. Cuddy had briefly explored the large lower deck compartment days ago and found it both complicated and fascinating. Later, Spilor explained the area’s main purpose. As its name implied, many things were fabricated in there—clothes, food stores, even the construction materials for ongoing ship renovations.

  “No sign of any fur-balls?” Tony asked.

  “Well concealed…but they are all around us,” Spilor said.

  Then Cuddy caught movement within neighboring trees. He wondered if what he would see would jive with his expectations and akin to Tony’s comment: Fur-balls—large and lumbering.

  Spilor, standing rigidly alert, looked off toward the Farlight’s left. “There, coming from Camilli-Rhine 5’s directional northeast, seven individual Rahin are approaching.”

  A definitive stillness blanketed the nearby woods.

  “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea,” Tony said under his breath.

  “I’ll second that,” Kyle muttered, just as quietly.

  “Look!” Jackie said, pointing at the arrival of a small contingent of Jahin. “Oh my God…” she expelled, wide-eyed in wonder.

  Cuddy was speechless. Mentally acknowledging that the seven beings approaching were a similar species to the Howsh, judging by both size and basic form. But any other similarity stopped there. Beyond doubt, he’d never witnessed more beautiful creatures—either back on Earth, or anywhere else, for that matter. Whereas the Howsh were covered in a dense fur—typically matted and dirty—these Jahin’s bodies were covered in perfectly straight hair—like shimmering manes. Their hair was at least a foot-and-a-half long, some the color of fawn, or as black as obsidian, and others so silvery they reflected back any in close proximity to them. Their facial bone structure was different too…far more refined, less bearlike…more something else.

>   The largest of the seven Jahin moved to the front of the group then proceeded forward while the others stayed back. There was no fear or hesitancy in his steady gaze. The presumed leader, a male, had magnificent silver hair. Cuddy wondered how the communication between them was going to work. Perhaps Spilor would be able to assist with that. But were they even intelligent enough to converse? he wondered.

  “Where is the sprout?” the Jahin asked him disapprovingly, in heavily accented English.

  Chapter 44

  Cuddy stepped forward. “I am Captain Perkins. May I ask who I am speaking with?”

  “I am Dramin, leader of the Blue Forest clan. We have been expecting you.”

  “Then you know why we are here—”

  Dramin cut him off, “Yes…of course. The emergence of the human-Pashier mutant.” Dramin raised his snout, as if sniffing the air. “You are one…a mutant…as well.”

  Cuddy nodded in assent to his statement.

  Dramin’s attention turned to the Farlight. Again sniffing the air, he said, “Those savages are not welcome here…should never have come here.”

  “You speak of the Howsh? The ones onboard the ship?”

  Dramin’s nostrils flared. Abruptly thrusting out both claws, like a small toy being tossed aside, the Farlight skittered across the ground—ending up thirty or more feet from where it first landed. Dust billowed up all around the vessel.

  Cuddy did his best to rein in his anger. Dramin’s sudden TK action easily could have fractured one or more of the ship’s landing struts. He pictured Marzon inside, now readying to fire on the small contingent of Jahin. Cuddy raised an open palm in the direction of the ship and shook his head.

  “I strongly advise you not to do that…or anything like that, ever again.” Cuddy spoke with as much authority as he could muster, knowing his telekinetic powers were no match for this Jahin leader. But hopefully, Dramin didn’t know that.

  Ignoring Cuddy, Dramin said, “Send out the sprout. I wish to see that renowned ancient being for myself.”

  “Look…that’s not going to happen,” Cuddy said. “The sooner we retrieve our crewmember, the sooner we’ll be out of your hair.” Cuddy caught Jackie’s eye, right after using that too familiar human colloquialism. Referring to the Jahin’s hair was probably a bad idea.

  “Interesting. You fear for the sprout’s wellbeing, but here there is no need for that. She is safe amongst our kind. She is Omnitoll…a revered sacred being. Her presence is the only reason you can walk our land…breathe our air.”

  About to stand his ground, Cuddy noted he was already too late, as Haffan scampered down the Farlight’s gangway. Damn it!

  Excited murmurs erupted from the Jahin. Each—including Dramin—bent to their knees, bowing with lowered heads.

  Haffan seemed not to know what to make of the spectacle. Hurrying over to Cuddy, she took his hand and stared up at him. “Why are they doing that?”

  “Apparently, they know who you are…who you were in the past.”

  She stared at the group of genuflecting beings then noted, “They have pretty hair.”

  Like so many times before, Cuddy marveled at Haffan’s odd mix of both childlike and adult behavior.

  “How long are they going to stay all bent over like that?”

  Cuddy shrugged, and Tony suggested, “Tell them to get up, Haffan. Ask them if there’s anything to eat around here.”

  Ignoring him, she bent over sideways, trying to catch Dramin’s eye. “Hello? You can get up now. You can stop doing that.”

  As the leader of the Blue Forest clan stood, the others followed suit.

  Kyle approached Cuddy’s other side. Keeping his voice low, he said, “Um…I don’t know about you, bro, but this doesn’t seem right.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s too much about the kid. We’re here only to get Brian then get on with our mission.”

  “Copy that, but we’re in no position to make demands. I don’t think Haffan’s in any real danger. If her presence helps things to move along…”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. It’s only that…” Kyle looked around, “this place creeps me out a bit. Like, it’s not what it appears to be.”

  Cuddy couldn’t argue with that.

  “So what now?” Jackie asked.

  Haffan, releasing Cuddy’s hand, approached the clan leader. “Can I ask you a question?

  Dramin bowed his head obviously star-struck by Haffan’s near presence—a dramatic demeanor change evident from only moments before.

  “Have we met before? You seem familiar. Perhaps at another time?”

  Flustered, Dramin was momentarily speechless. “I did not presume you would remember. So much time has passed…so many different lives.”

  “You weren’t very nice back then, I remember that. I hope you’ve changed…and for the better.” The child’s reprimand was acknowledged with a pained expression. What the little Pashier thought of the clan leader mattered very much to him.

  What a strange situation, Cuddy thought. Most humans thought in terms of one life. One existence.

  Jackie asked, “Haffan…how did the Pashier and Jahin…um, first cross paths?”

  “Good question!” Tony said.

  “There is a neutral dimension within the empyrean expanse. Most do not know of it…do not travel to it. Mixed sorts of beings are found there. Different races, breeds, from all over the universe. Not a place you’d want to be if you don’t know your way around. It’s where Tow recently connected with other Jahin, in order to set up this meeting. Twelve hundred years ago, I met this Dramin character. I wasn’t impressed then…not so sure I am now, either. Just being real,” she said with a half-smile, glancing at Tony. Undoubtedly, she’d picked up the phrase from him.

  The Jahin seemed to be growing impatient. After the abuse afforded to the Farlight, Cuddy thought screw-’em.

  Dramin, stepping forward, said, “The Constant Ritual shall commence soon.”

  To which Spilor leaned over and added, “That is the equivalent of the Ritual of Awakening, which you are familiar with.”

  The clan leader eyed the robot, as if noticing Spilor for the first time. “No technology! We do not welcome technology of any kind here. Send the metal man back to your vessel.”

  What an obnoxious attitude, Cuddy thought, having just about enough of it. Before he could respond in kind, Haffan said, “That’s Spilor. You need to show him respect. Where I go…he goes.”

  “In your face,” Tony said, barely loud enough to be heard.

  Kyle said, “Cool it, Tony…I don’t think we want to go up against these guys. Have you looked at their claws? Twice the size of Marzon’s.”

  “You will come now…a feast is being prepared. The mechanical man can wait nearby…at the surrounding tree line to our village.”

  The group of Jahin headed into the woods, their long manes swaying back and forth in unison. The sight somehow reminded Cuddy of glistening, flowing, waterfalls.

  * * *

  Close to 200 beings were present. Apparently the same assemblage of Jahin they’d observed from the Espy table, back on the Farlight’s bridge. Low tables were setup in the shape of a large U, and a telekinetic bucket brigade of sorts was being used to transfer big trays of food from another area of the village. The various aromas, coming off the platters as they passed by him, were tantalizing. Cuddy’s stomach was already growling. Tony, keen to know what they’d prepared, reassured him there didn’t appear to be any insectile dishes on the menu.

  “I guess we sit on the ground and cozy up to the tables; it’s kinda like a Hawaiian luau setup,” Jackie said.

  Cuddy wanted to ask her whether she knew that from personal experience. Thinking better of it, he decided he didn’t want to know, if, or with whom, she’d ever gone to Hawaii. Hell, until a few days ago, he’d never even think to ask her a question like that.

  Every villager was busy—with a specific job to do. No idle hands. Standing aside with h
is team, out of the Jahin’s way, made Cuddy feel he should be doing something useful. Helping them out in some way. As an idea occurred to him, he wondered if it would be presumptuous of him to volunteer what he was thinking about.

  “Kyle…can you help me do something?”

  “Sure, what’s up?”

  “Come with me,” Cuddy said, heading away.

  “Where you guys off to?” Jackie asked, suddenly uncomfortable at being left alone.

  “Can I come too?” Haffan called after them.

  “Stay with Jackie and Tony. We’ll be right back,” Kyle yelled over his shoulder.

  Chapter 45

  Cuddy nearly careened into the robot, standing idly at the tree line. “Stay here, Spilor. Keep watch over Haffan, Jackie, and Tony. Alert me if you think they’re in any kind of danger. Any at all.”

  “Yes, Captain Perkins…”

  Cuddy and Kyle continued their jog through the wooded landscape in the direction of the ship. Unless he’d specifically searched for them, Cuddy wouldn’t have noticed the Jahin lurking in the trees. Most likely vigilant sentries, standing watch at the perimeter of the village while keeping a close eye on the Farlight.

  They reached the ship and headed up the gangway.

  * * *

  Seated together at one of the low tables, Jackie tried to stifle her annoyance with Cuddy for being left alone with Tony. As usual, he was talking incessantly though mostly to Haffan. She gazed off toward the trees and thought she spotted Spilor. Squinting, she was pretty sure of it but even that didn’t reassure her.

  “Did you hear me?” Tony asked.

  “What? No, sorry,” Jackie replied.

  “I said, don’t you think it’s strange there aren’t any little offspring…what do they call them…sprouts, around here?”