The Simpleton QUEST

by Mark Wayne McGinnis

Hmmm, an interesting observation, she thought. Another item to add to the creepiness of the place. “What do you make of that, Haffan?” she asked.

  Haffan shrugged, seeming unconcerned. “Sometimes it’s just a preference, to return fully grown. Pashiers like to mix things up once in a while. A sprout one life and a full grown adult, or an adolescent, in another. But that’s not the case here…you’ll see.”

  “What age do you think you’ll come back at next time?” Tony asked.

  Haffan took several moments to answer him. “Right now, I’m making the best of this life, Tony.”

  There was new commotion at the center table—middle of the U—where the platters of food were being placed. Dramin leaned over every dish, in turn touching them, then raised his sticky claws to his lips—like he was passing on a kiss to all the offerings.

  “Yeah…that’s real sanitary…” Tony mumbled.

  “It’s obviously some kind of blessing,” Jackie said.

  Other Jahin were now starting to take their seats, an equal proportion of females to males. And once again, Jackie was struck with their beauty. Both elegant and dignified in manner, they certainly weren’t gracious. Nary one had come over to welcome them to the festivities, though she certainly felt scrutinized, given a lot of sideways glances and stolen looks—murmuring between the female Jahin.

  Until then, Jackie hadn’t paid any attention to what the various food items were. Now, with the platters all laid out, each dish was easily distinguishable. Mounds of something, perhaps akin to rice, though the color and shape were off. Also heaps of different vegetable-looking dishes, maybe distant relatives of broccoli or cauliflower. But mostly set out were what appeared to be various stacks of meats. The similarities to a luau feast were growing. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear she was looking at a platter-full of Kailua pig, typically cooked in an underground oven. At least on the island of Kauai where she’d experienced the whole Hawaiian luau-thing. Her mind flashed back to an intimate week in paradise, her first break from college, when Brian whisked her off to the islands for a romantic getaway. She thought about Brian—how he’d changed from the person she’d first known. Or maybe she hadn’t minded his self-centeredness and arrogance back then. Being young and adventuresome, she just didn’t care. She stared at the heritage pod in the shadows—not far from Spilor standing at the tree line. Would Brian emerge from the pod different? Would it matter, complicate an already confusing situation?

  Startled, she didn’t notice Dramin’s approach until he loomed over her. “Where are the others? The feast is about to start.”

  “I think they’ll be right back. Any moment now, for sure…”

  Disgruntled, Dramin looked toward the trees, toward the heritage pod setting there.

  “May I ask you a question?”

  Without looking at her, Dramin replied, “Ask…I’ll decide if I want to answer.”

  “How is it you speak our language? I can’t think of when you would have the opportunity to learn it.”

  “Within the Empyrean Expanse, of course. I have met other humans there…those transitioning. Fascinating creatures. You are the first I have met on the physical plane. Odd, your kind is so forgetful about your previous life cycles. Even odder, you do not emerge from pods and, learning the particulars of how you are…born…a most disgusting process.” With that, he turned and headed back toward the head of the table.

  His few sentences gave Jackie something to think about—much to consider.

  Table chatter increased dramatically when all heads turned toward the tree line. Jackie too did a double-take, watching as the familiar old heritage pod hovered several feet off the ground and steadily moved toward them.

  “I was afraid of this…” Haffan said.

  “What?” Tony asked.

  “That Cuddy was going to bring out the heritage pod from the Farlight’s hold.”

  “I’m sure he means it to be a nice gesture…a gift of sorts,” Jackie said, appreciating Cuddy’s thoughtfulness. She’d never considered the idea herself.

  She studied Haffan. “Why wouldn’t the clan…” Oh no…was this a Jahin pod or a Howsh pod? Did Cuddy have a clue about the potential risk he was taking?

  “This could be bad, huh?” Tony said.

  Jackie didn’t answer—just stared wide-eyed as the ancient heritage pod arrived closer to them, with Cuddy and Kyle not far behind. As the pod lowered onto a nearby clearing, silence fell over the crowd. Dramin, standing at the head of the table, stared with rapt attention, his expression unreadable.

  Chapter 46

  Halfway back, Cuddy had the same realization as Jackie, that the pod might not be Jahin. His supposed a well-intended gesture could backfire. But there was an easy enough way to find out—and he had. He thought back to his brief telepathic conversation with Haffan:

  Can you do me a favor?

  What kind of favor?

  The kind you say yes to and help me out. I need you to tell me if this heritage pod, the one from the Pashier hall exhibit on Darriall, is Howsh or Jahin.

  What if it’s a stupid question?

  Just answer me, Haffan…we’re nearly there.

  Eight thousand years ago there was no distinction between the two. From my own recollection, the Howsh looked and acted far more like this Blue Forest clan than those sitting around within the Farlight now.

  Brought back to the present moment, Cuddy gave Kyle an appreciative nod for helping him guide the pod over the last half-mile of terrain. He then walked directly over to the U-shaped grouping of tables. Coming to a stop he bowed his head, then stood up tall. “I bring you an ancient artifact. I apologize in advance if it is not to your liking, or if it represents to you some kind of insult…that is not my intention, I assure you.”

  Dramin, standing, was studying the pod with interest. He tilted his large head to the side, the way one did when appraising a potential new car purchase.

  “You bring this to us…as a gift?” he asked.

  Cuddy exchanged a quick look with Jackie, noting her concern.

  “If you will accept it, yes?”

  The Jahin leader moved around the tables and strode toward the pod. Cuddy realized how pathetic the old pod looked—especially compared to the one they’d just passed at the tree line. That pod stood perfectly upright—had wide, healthy-looking, leaf fronds. Thinking back, he and the other crewmembers never considered the old pod actually real, let alone alive. This was a terrible mistake…

  Dramin dropped down onto all fours, bearlike, and crawled around the entire heritage pod—periodically sniffing certain areas before moving on to others. Eventually, he sat down beside it. No one spoke. No one moved. All eyes remained locked onto the Jahin leader. Gesturing with an extended claw toward Cuddy, he said, “Come…sit with me a moment.”

  Cuddy promptly did as asked, taking a seat on the ground next to the leader of the Blue Forest clan.

  “I passed through this pod twice before. Once…7,000 of your years ago…and once, 3,000 years ago. Did you know the older heritage pods…like this one, had names, Captain Perkins?”

  Cuddy shook his head. “I didn’t know that.”

  “This one is called Tammah Loth.”

  Cuddy repeated the words: “Tammah Loth…that’s a nice name.”

  “It means, go with fond memories.”

  Cuddy stared at the pathetic-looking pod and wondered what it looked like a millennia ago.

  “Our sacred rituals…the Reunite Ritual, is where we ascend to the stars. Next is our waiting time, where we pause and reflect. And then is the Constant Ritual, where we return to living life in a physical form. You are familiar with the Pashier versions of these events, called the Shain Rituals of the Rejoining and the Awakening, I believe.”

  Cuddy nodded his assent.

  “All forms of organic life…throughout the universe…have their own versions of these cycles although not all organic life is aware of, or accepts, the basic principles. Some, such as the Howsh
today, believe this recycling process…from physical form to pure energy form, then back into physicality again, and on and on…is purely tied to mythical, religious, or esoteric constructs. What they do not know, nor understand, or just refuse to accept, is that this ongoing cyclical process is very much a scientific one.”

  Cuddy wasn’t very religious. Momma took him to church on numerous occasions as a boy, but his brief recollections of those times were few. What Dramin was sharing with him now was nothing new, as he’d assisted Tow with the Pashier rituals numerous times before. Had seen individuals depart, and others return. If that wasn’t scientific, he didn’t know what else it could be.

  “You have honored us today. You have honored me with this gift. And it is so much more than that, young Captain Perkins.”

  Cuddy looked at Dramin, unsure what to say to his remark.

  “We came here with the hope of never being found. One of the reasons why technology, exhibited in your spacecraft and robot, are not permitted here. Technologies can be detected…can be tracked. Our very existence depended upon our not being found. Ever. But in retrospect, that was a naive expectation. But still, one made with earnest integrity…when we first arrived here”

  “When was that?” Cuddy asked.

  “Thousands of years ago…hard to keep track. We were fleeing the rising-up, hostile at that time, Pashier.”

  “How did you get here…cross the expanse of space?”

  “Pashier elders, mostly. There were some both kind and sympathetic to us back then. We were refugees, of a sort, and needed help.” His eyes sought, then found, the young alien. “The one you call Haffan was instrumental with that assistance. Her involvement has been told and retold to our young, to those reemerging, mostly in the guise of historical tales or fables, going back all the way to the beginning.”

  Cuddy, glancing about the grounds, said, “We wondered about that. Where are your young…” Dramin’s abrupt eye closure stopped Cuddy mid-sentence, recognizing the leader was in a telepathic trance. He’s communicating with someone.

  When Dramin reopened his eyes they were full of amusement. “We are so very careful with our young sprouts. Until we knew your intentions, they could not be present here, put in harm’s way.”

  “That makes sense. I understand.”

  Exiting then from numerous dwellings appeared the Jahin sprouts. Thirty or forty, different ages and sizes, came running into view. One by one, they hurried into the arms of their parents, where they were shushed and told to sit down quietly next to them at the tables.

  Dramin rose to his feet and spread his arms wide. Good with picking up languages, Cuddy understood most of what the leader was saying.

  “Eat and enjoy, everyone. This day is a momentous day. One that will be remembered, passed on to our young, then entered into the glorious Empyrean Expanse for all to know about.”

  Focusing only on Cuddy, he spoke in low tones. “There are those who only can return from the same pod they originally left from. In this pod are ancient life forms. It will be up to our own council whether or not to accept them here. I suspect they have been trapped in the Expanse far too long. Transitioning back to physical life will be…complicated. But we will see.”

  Cuddy looked at the throngs of Jahin, at the few humans present, and the one Pashier. All were eating and openly conversing with one another. A true celebration.

  “Join the others, Captain Perkins. I assure you, the food is quite good. We will talk more. And later, we shall bring the one called Brian back into physical form.”

  Cuddy watched Dramin’s rapt attention turn away, refocusing back on the old heritage pod. Getting to his feet, Cuddy headed toward his friends. Jackie was speaking with a Jahin female, holding a young sprout on her lap. Tony and Kyle were laughing about something, their mouths full. Only Haffan watched him approach.

  “We saved you a spot,” she said, pointing across the table. Jackie, after giving him a quick glance, continued her conversation with the Jahin. As soon as Cuddy sat, a platter of food was placed before him. Looking up, he found the server to be one of the Rahil females who’d first greeted them at the ship.

  “Peace and kindness. Enjoy…” she said, then left before Cuddy could say thank you.

  “The food here is epic,” Tony said, holding up what looked to be a large spare rib.

  Feeling Haffan’s gaze still upon him, Cuddy said, “What is it?”

  “Nothing…just that you did a good thing.”

  “The old heritage pod? Not that big a deal.”

  “Not only that. You’ve started something new here. I doubt things will ever be the same for this tribe. It is clear they were ready.”

  “Ready?”

  “To stop living in fear…from the past, or what the future might bring. Ready now to rejoin the cosmos.”

  “You could tell all that sitting over here…watching us?” he asked, taking a ginormous bite off one of the ribs.

  “Who said I was sitting over here the whole time?”

  Cuddy chewed, letting the amazing flavors fill his mouth, while briefly wondering what kind of meat it was. What kind of game did they hunt on Camilli-Rhine 5?

  “You heard our conversation?” Cuddy asked.

  “Only the parts I found interesting…” Haffan picked at the food on her plate, the way young kids liked to do.

  So much he didn’t know about this young Pashier. It occurred to him that she was far deeper than she outwardly appeared; far wiser than her young demeanor portrayed.

  Eating together now, they laughed, learning each other’s ways—their great differences but even greater similarities. As darkness fell upon the feast and celebration, Dramin stood, waiting for the crowd to hush and give him their attention.

  “The time has come. I have contemplated long on this…spoken to our elders…and together we have decided that tonight there will be two Constant Rituals. Both heritage pods will awaken!”

  The Jahin cheered—exuberant at the news. Not sure of the implications of such an announcement, Jackie leaned forward over the table. “Cuddy, was this your doing?”

  “I don’t think so…well, maybe, partially.”

  Jackie smiled and stretched her hand across the table. Reaching back, Cuddy took her hand in his. Warm, it felt good to touch her.

  “I’m excited to see Brian again. I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “Me too,” he said, letting her hand go as she withdrew it.

  Chapter 47

  The feast was completed—the empty platters of food, as well as the tables, were removed. A slight chill in the air, the Jahin had become quiet—suddenly introspective.

  Dramin, making the rounds, spoke in low tones as he moved from one cluster—or family—of Jahin to the next. Cuddy wasn’t sure what he was saying to them—probably words of encouragement; maybe a short prayer. As darkness fell over the village, it became evident that everyone, except perhaps the three humans, Jackie, Tony and Kyle, were glowing.

  “Do you feel it?”

  Cuddy was unaware that Jackie had joined him. Her arms were wrapped around her body, the soft light from Camilli-Rhine 5’s two small moons twinkled in her eyes.

  “What’s that?” he said.

  “The energy…the excitement in the air.”

  He did feel something too. Nodding, he replied, “I do.”

  In the distance, Dramin, along with several other villagers, could be seen heading toward the tree line. Jackie, moving in closer, faced away from him. “I’m cold…can you put your arms around me?”

  Cuddy, on wrapping his arms snugly around her, felt her body lean closely into him. She clasped his hands in hers. Their closeness felt amazing—felt right. He could stand with her there forever.

  “Where are they going?” she asked.

  Cuddy watched Dramin and the others for a moment then observed the clan leader levitate the distant heritage pod up into the air. He figured Spilor must be there too—close to where they were standing—althoug
h in the evening dusk, he could no longer make out the robot’s position.

  “I’m not sure what to expect, how Brian will emerge. Be more of the same, or somehow different? And that other pod’s so friggin’ old…so decrepit-looking. Maybe some things should be left alone…I don’t know…allowed to just wither away.”

  “Dramin sure seemed excited about it. I’m sure it’ll be fine,” he said.

  “Yeah, until prehistoric gargoyles start pouring out from the thing…”

  At that, they both laughed. She spun around—his arms still around her—and gazed up into his eyes. Her hands then came up and, pulling his face down to hers, kissed him.

  “Get a room.”

  Quickly looking up, they found Tony and Kyle heading their way. Jackie slipped out from his grasp then was gone. Like the fading remnants of a dream, only the faint smell of her strawberry shampoo lingered behind, then that too was gone.

  “Sorry, man…guess we stepped all-over your special moment,” Kyle said. Cuddy couldn’t tell if he was merely being sarcastic, though he didn’t think so.

  The other heritage pod, closer now, was high in the air—as if Dramin wanted to make a statement; have the pod give a special entrance. As the pod descended from high above, the gathered Jahin cheered, many slapping their upper legs—a form of clapping. Dramin, using TK, guided the heritage pod onto the ground not far from the age-old one.

  The crowd slowly backed away, forming the familiar encircling ring around the pods. Cuddy scanned all the silhouetted shapes for signs of Jackie and Haffan and found them standing on the far side of the pods.

  “They’re over there,” he told Tony and Kyle. Haffan, holding hands with Jackie, smiled as Cuddy hurried to her side then reached out with her free hand to take ahold of his. When Tony and Kyle joined them, they all eagerly waited together.

  Barely audible at first, the Jahin began to sing a beautiful, albeit melancholy, song. The anticipation for what was to happen next grew in intensity. Jackie glanced Cuddy’s way and winked, then turned to watch Dramin, standing between both pods. With his arms held high, his long mane of hair shimmering in the moonlight, the first sign of heritage pod activity commenced. Precisely, and at the same time, glimmering-spiraling fountains of light poured upward from the tops of the two heritage pods. Like two erupting volcanoes, sparks of light circled around them, then rose higher and higher into the air. The Jahin’s sweet chorus of voices grew in intensity.