She sat down. “I’m going to enjoy this for a bit longer. By the way, did you send the signal?”
He turned around and stared at the wall. “I did everything you told me to. Also, it looks like we can fix the shuttle. At least we can get off this frozen rock.”
Seles stared at the ceiling. “What if the Avoni was destroyed?”
“Believe in your captain. If she’s as brilliant as you say, then Valis will find a way to survive,” he said as he sat down with his back to her.
Chapter 6 – Questions
“Captain, we’re receiving a message from one of our emergency beacons,” Daes said, looking up from her console on the bridge.
Valis stood up and looked back at Daes. “Where’s the message coming from?”
“It’s originating from one of the moons of this gas giant.” Daes highlighted the planet and moon on the main monitor. “There’s an audio message as well.”
“Play it for us,” Valis said.
“Sure,” Daes answered, playing the message.
“This is Brian of the independent Kalaidian vessel Avoni. I’m stranded with Ensign Seles. Artic conditions, breathable atmosphere and limited supplies. No medical emergencies. Immediate rescue requested.”
There was a moment of silence. “Who is this Brian?” Valis asked. Celi laughed quietly in the corner. Valis turned to her. “Am I missing something Celi?”
“No, it’s just I know who Brian is and why he’s stranded with Seles,” Celi answered.
“Who is it?” Kivi asked.
Celi walked to the front of the bridge. “Brian is the alien we recovered from the Grey ship before it was destroyed. I don’t know what species he belongs to, but it’s very similar to ours, physically and genetically. I have all the data from when I scanned him earlier. I’ll put it up on the monitor if you want captain.”
Valis turned back to Daes. “Make a note of the emergency beacon and give this message in return: Avoni has suffered severe damage, can’t rescue for eleven days. Please respond as soon as possible on situation.”
Daes recorded the message and sent it out. Celi walked over to Daes and handed a small crystal to her. “This data crystal has all the information on the alien.”
Daes placed the crystal in a slot on the console. Brian’s image appeared on the monitor. “As you can see, the alien looks very much like one of us. But, there are fundamental differences between us,” Celi explained.
“Are you sure he isn’t a deformed Kalaidian?” Valis asked.
Celi shook her head. “No, the genetics don’t match. He’s similar, but definitely originates from a different planet.”
“If he’s not Kalaidian, then where’s he from?” Valis asked.
Celi pointed at the monitor. “From what I can deduce, his species evolved in marginally heavier gravity than ours and displays high warm blooded features. From the skin pigmentation and body hair, I suspect his home world has a cooler climate than Kalaidia.”
“How dangerous is this alien?” Kivi asked.
Celi turned to the image on the screen. “Even before I injected him with nanomachines, he was dangerous. He killed the entire crew of a Grey ship. But, from what I saw earlier, and the message he sent, I don’t believe we anything to worry about.”
“What do you base this belief on?” Valis asked.
“If he comes from a species new to interstellar travel, he’d find it easier to relate to a species similar to his own.” Celi looked at the picture again. “Also, I got the feeling I could trust him by the look in his eyes. His reaction wasn’t violent. He seemed genuinely thankful to see us, not afraid or angry.” Celi giggled. “Actually, he seemed quite clueless as to his situation, and the look on his face when we tried to speak to him the first time was hilarious. The only thing I suspect Seles will have to worry about is answering a thousand questions.”
“Let’s hope so.” Valis looked at Kivi. “I have some business to attend to. Kivi, please take over for me.” She left on the elevator.
Kivi took her place at the captains’ chair. She looked at the screen with Brian on it. “Is it just me Celi, or do the rest of you find this alien…attractive?”
The others on the bridge blushed and turned away. Celi turned to Kivi. “That’s one way to put it Kivi. Given we have no males amongst us, it’s only natural we’d see this alien as attractive. Even a hundred and fifty years can’t deny our natural instinct in finding males attractive.” Celi went to Daes. “I’d like your help studying this alien in the lab.”
“I’d love to,” Daes said. “Is that alright?”
“It’s prudent we have as much information on this alien as possible. So go ahead,” Kivi said.
* * *
Valis entered her quarters and immediately headed for a side room. Inside, an extensive library of large books lined the walls. It must be here somewhere. She thought to herself. She scanned the shelves, taking an old, large tome from the shelf. I’m sure it’s in the Sixth Book of Kali, Chapter 16. She opened the book on the metal desk. She paged through the tome until she found the passage she sought:
On the seventh day of the third month, a stranger appeared from the sky. He rode upon a ship of light and came to us with open arms. The stranger looked of our own but taller with round ears. He spoke of peace and unity and told us one day he would return.
She looked at the monitor on the wall. “Please display all information on the alien.”
The computer displayed numerous measurements alongside his picture. Valis read further along in the text:
The stranger stood a head taller than us with long black hair. He had hair on his face and eyes of a foreign brown color. He was a giant to behold with a kind heart to match his size.
She looked up at the image. This one has long brown hair, blue green eyes, and pale skin. I don’t see hair on his face, though the size is similar. Valis turned the page a few times, reading more:
On the twenty first day of the eighth month, the stranger stood upon his ship of light. He told us one day he would return for our help. The stranger told us of a great evil walking above the clouds, an evil he alone could not defeat. And so, he spoke these words before leaving us: “One day many years from now, your race will ride upon the sky as I do. A great battle will fill the skies, and evil shall rain down to your world. On that day, I shall return to help you as I have done, and in return you shall help me…” And so, the stranger left on his ship of light, never to be seen again.
She walked up to the monitor. He may not look the same as the description of the stranger, but there’s something about this Brian.
“Are you the Herald?” Valis asked. “Is the great evil written in the book of Kali near?”
* * *
Daes and Celi entered the infirmary, a large, long room filled with raised beds. On the far side a number of surgical rooms and labs were positioned. A few of the beds had Kalaidians in them, the injured from the recent battle. Daes and Celi headed into the largest lab. It was filled with computers and chemicals. Celi turned on the monitors to display the data on Brian.
“I know I asked for your help, but biology isn’t a topic you usually look this excited for?” Celi asked.
“True, but this alien is to ours genetically, and male. I’m sure you want him for more than just another specimen to observe,” Daes answered.
Celi nodded. “His species is remarkably close to ours genetically.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“I need more detailed genetic information before making a decision on what to do next,” Celi said. “But, at least we can check and see if his chromosomes are different like our males once were.”
“Then let’s get started,” Daes said.
* * *
Valis closed a different tome after reading it. That may explain it. She thought, looking at the underside of her left wrist. She stood and turned the monitor back on, remembering what she had just read: When darkness comes, the Warrior will appear. With the Five
Maidens and the Three Wisemen, the Warrior will vanquish the darkness, bringing light to Alden. Valis brushed the image of Brian’s face and then looked at the mark on her wrist. I carry the mark of the Maiden of the Wisdom. I didn’t think I would be the one to play the role.
Chapter 7 – Stories from Home
This feels great. Brian thought to himself as he washed away the stench and filth he’d gathered since the abduction. Sitting in the hot spring, he glanced at Seles, who was sleeping quietly. He enjoyed the heat and water for a while longer before getting out and moving behind a few large rocks to see if his clothes had dried yet. Before putting them back on he smelled them. He grabbed the hand scanner and pressed in a few commands.
“What’re you doing?” Seles asked as she sat up and yawned.
“When I was outside yesterday I had the scanner check weather patterns for the next few days. The analysis should be done.” He showed her the data. “I can tell by the frown on your face you don’t like the cold temperatures very much. At least for the next few days it should be clear and sunny.”
“I feel so useless in the cold,” she said.
“Then let’s make sure we’re careful. I’m only useful because of what you’ve taught me Seles. Being able to do things in the cold doesn’t help when it comes to starving to death or going insane.”
Seles smiled. “Alright, I’m not useless, just limited.”
“Exactly, I need you as much as you need me.” Brian looked into her eyes. “Six days ago I was worrying about my future. Now I’m stranded on an alien world with an alien girl. The last thing I want to do is be sad about it.”
Seles hugged him. He sat rigid with a red face. “Thanks for saving me.”
“Don’t worry about it; I’m sure you would have done the same for me.”
She looked up. “You smell better. I didn’t want to say anything earlier, but you smelled pretty bad.”
Brian smiled stupidly. “I took a bath a moment ago.”
“What should we do next?” Seles asked as she stood up and stretched.
“I was going to ask you the same question,” he answered. “I’m picking up on your technology quickly, but I’m going to need help repairing the shuttle.”
She picked up the scanner. “You’re right about the weather. We should head to the shuttle later in the day and start repairs. With any luck, there’ll be a response from the Avoni.”
* * *
“This isn’t much different from a day in December back home,” Brian commented as the pair trudged through the snow. The air was warmer, with dim sunlight revealing the landscape. Above in the sky loomed the gas giant.
“Your people haven’t left Terra Prime yet, have they?” Seles asked.
“We have left Earth, though only briefly. About forty years ago we landed a small number of men on the moon circling our world. The Apollo missions were the one of our greatest achievements, though the desire to go into space has died down over the years.”
“What about unmanned probes, certainly your people have used those to explore?”
“Yes, we do have such devices to explore our solar system, but nothing as grand as your technology,” he said. Seles checked their position and looked to the sky.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” she said as they started walking again.
“What is it?”
“What’s like having both sexes in your world?”
He laughed. “I don’t think I can give you an easy answer. Maybe if I understood more about your people I could say more. Could you tell me how are your people born? How are you raised?”
“Alright,” she said, thinking for a moment. “Kalaidians are born in birthing facilities. At birth, each child has a sample of their DNA taken and spliced with another set of DNA, creating a new child. Most children are assigned a caste at birth. The only exceptions are those from the noble families.”
“Are telling me an advanced society like yours uses such an old system?”
She nodded. “Yes, your future is determined at birth. The noble families hold dominion over all aspects of our society, as written in the books of Kali.”
“Is that your system of law or something?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No, the Books of Kali are religious texts from ancient times. Everything written in the books are law. Kali is the goddess who gave birth to us, and her words are law. But, there are a few of us who don’t care for the system. That’s why Valis and many others rebelled five years ago.”
“Are your people the only ones with a government like that?”
“No, most have a system based on caste or control,” Seles answered.
“What of freedom? Don’t you have basic rights protecting you from your government?” he asked.
“Freedom is a dangerous concept for those in power. As for individual rights, those are nonexistent. But recently, more and more revolts are occurring. Those in power are beginning to fear the drive for freedom will spread chaos.”
He smiled. “Then let it spread like wildfire. Only through chaos can change occur, and through change one finds freedom.”
“You sound like a mad philosopher. Few speak of freedom and change so easily,” Seles said.
“Not really Seles, it’s just where I come from. The nation I come from called is the United States. We fought for democracy over two hundred years ago. We pride ourselves on freedom, even if reality dictates differently. Our system is imperfect, but at least we’re trying.”
“It’s strange Brian. You speak of how advanced my people are, but the words you speak are those of a very advanced race. I wonder what lessons Kalaidians could learn from you,” she said as they came upon the shuttle. Seles headed inside and turned the computer systems on. Brian began assessing the damage.
“It looks like the message you sent a few days ago got through,” Seles said as she worked at the front console.
“That’s good to hear. What does the response say?”
She played the audio message: “Avoni has suffered severe damage, can’t rescue for eleven days. Please respond as soon as possible on situation.”
“That’s Daes!” Seles smiled and then sighed with relief. “It’s good to hear a response.”
“They must have taken a lot of damage to need eleven days,” Brian said, continuing with his work.
“Let’s get started. We have everything we need to do on the monitor. I’ll show you how to work the engine and tools.”
“Let’s get to it,” he said.
Chapter 8 – Rebirth
“Is something wrong?” Seles asked. “You’ve been pacing for hours.”
Brian turned with a rushed look on his face. “I just can’t sleep. It’s like everything I was taught earlier in life is coming back to me. I want to learn more of your people’s history and language.”
“It’s the nanomachines,” she said, taking out the scanner and sweeping it over his body. “They can boost your memory and intelligence.” She looked at the readings.
“It’s really strange. My memories have always been photographic, but this is absurd. I’m remembering math equations from junior high, and that was almost ten years ago,” Brian said.
The readings on the scanner showed his body was raging out of control. “Are the nanomachines affecting your emotions as well?” she asked.
He continued pacing back and forth. “I’m so full of energy. My mind’s racing at the speed of light. My emotions are the same. I’m having difficulty with the shifts. One minute I’m happy as can be, the next I’m ready to fall over crying. Is this normal for a person when they receive nanomachines?”
She took his hand. “Normally, one undergoes the treatment when they’re an infant or larvae. You’re a rare exception. It’s been found adults have a harder time integrating the machines into their system.” Seles paused. “It shouldn’t take more than a few more days. Brian, you’ll be alright.”
He grasped her hand before pulling away. “I hope you’re righ
t Seles, I’m not having fun with this.” He looked down, seeing the rakna blade on his belt. Unsheathing it, he gazed at the blade intently. “I’m going outside to practice. There’s no way I can sleep right now.”
He headed for the entrance. As he went down the cavern leading outside the cold air touched him. He saw nothing but stars in the sky. Nothing looks the same here. None of the constellations match what I remember. He thought as he looked at the sky. He took the blade and stood ready to spar, like he did at home to keep himself in shape for the last few years. He began swinging the blade about, searching for the balance of the strange sword. After a half an hour, Brian placed the rakna blade inside the entrance of the cave. He stretched, feeling the cold wind blow against his skin. He started running and went until he felt exhausted. He fell into the snow and made a couple of snow angels, laughing at the stars above. Lying in the snow he reached towards the heavens with his right hand, deep in thought. This is reality. I’m stranded on an ice covered moon in an unknown solar system. I can’t go back to Earth. What should I do? Sighing, he lowered his arm and closed his eyes. Goodbye my friends. Goodbye Layla. He thought as he stood up. He looked around and saw the cave in the distance. He walked back in silence, wondering what the future held.
* * *
Seles stood at the edge of the cave wrapped in her cloak. She looked outside to see what Brian was doing. He held the rakna blade, took a stance, and began sparring with the air. I wish there was something I could do to help him. She thought as she watched him. I can’t imagine what he’s going through right now. I’ve heard horror stories about Terrans my whole life, but out there in the cold is a very vulnerable being. He’s been kind to me. She turned and walked back to the hot spring. Once there, she went over to the scanner and checked the logs. He’s interested in the plague. She put the scanner down and curled up. He’s so warm. I like sleeping next to him. Is it because he resembles a male of my species? Or is it something else? Seles lied on the ground blushing and confused.
Heaven Saga 1: The Lost Hero Page 4
