Earth II - Emergence

by Ray Jay Perreault

  “Captain, our sensors have changed,” SIMPOC responded.

  “Changed?” Joan yelled back. “This is no time to play guessing games, SIMPOC. What is happening?”

  “There appears to be a huge array of sensors onboard the Chevesky. Sensors, I wasn’t aware of. There is a huge amount of data flowing into the ship’s computer regarding the planet. It appears that when you began using them to investigate the planet, that turned on many functional elements of this ship that are designed to support planet harvesting. Captain, please remember that is the primary function of this ship and what it was designed for.”

  “Some good news,” Joan responded.

  “Indeed, within a short time, we’ll know almost as much about Terr as the Terest do,” SIMPOC stated.

  ‘Okay, let’s go to the surface,” Joan announced to her crew.

  Beta-3 announced, “Captain, they have sent an escort. It is in a parallel orbit 50 meters abeam the Chevesky.

  “Roger,” Joan said.

  SIMPOC easily maneuvered the Chevesky’s shuttle and joined up with the Terest escort. The descent through the atmosphere was without event. It was a powered descent, so there was no issue with aerodynamic heating.

  “Very interesting city,” Joan said as they cleared the cloud cover and descended upon the city.

  “I’m still accessing the Chevesky sensors as they survey the planet. This city has 13.2 million residents,” SIMPOC informed Joan.

  “Wow, that’s a lot of people. I’ve never seen so many tall buildings,” Joan said as they approached the center of the city.

  “Their skyscrapers go on for miles.”

  “They average 124 floors, and the tallest is over 300 floors,” SIMPOC added.

  The lead craft began to slow and indicated an approach to a group of buildings in the middle of a large park.

  “I guess that’s the headquarters,” Joan observed.

  The lead Terest craft made a slight turn to the right and began to hover near an open area between four buildings.

  “I guess they want us to land there. Do you agree?” She asked SIMPOC for confirmation.,

  “Yes, their maneuvering seems to indicate that,” SIMPOC answered.

  SIMPOC landed the shuttle without difficulty. Joan looked at her computer friend and thought, Well I guess this is where we get out?

  “If we have no other instructions?” SIMPOC responded verbally.

  Joan got up and popped the hatch. As it swung open, she noticed the other Terest ship, with Veenor inside, was leaving the area.

  SIMPOC, Veenor and the other ship are leaving, she passed to her friend.

  The Terest are a very segmented society. Each individual has a certain job and apparently negotiating this type of relationship is not one of Venoor’s responsibilities, SIMPOC added.

  “I guess we stand here and wait,” Joan said out loud.

  She and SIMPOC stepped out of the shuttle and just stood by the opened hatch.

  Making guests wait seems to be their method of meeting people, Joan thought to SIMPOC.

  In many societies making others wait is a sign of supremacy and dominance. It might be here also. We might find that Veenor’s superiors are more traditional than him, and we may find ourselves waiting for a while. SIMPOC passed back.

  “Perhaps we should get back into the shuttle and leave?” Joan mentioned out loud.

  “Diplomacy is often compared to a complex dance between multiple parties. If that is the case, then we are at a disadvantage if we don’t know the music,” added SIMPOC.

  Joan looked at SIMPOC and thought, he is definitely changing.

  At the point where waiting was starting to become uncomfortable, a door opened in the building opposite Joan and SIMPOC, and six Terest guards began their march to the shuttle.

  “SIMPOC, close up the shuttle. I don’t want anyone exploring it.”

  SIMPOC turned and touched the control pad aside the hatch, and it began closing.

  Joan and SIMPOC moved out of the way of the closing hatch, and just as it made a locking sound, the Terest guards reached them.

  The six guards stopped, and the three on the right took one step to their right, and the guards on the left did the same to the left. Then both sets turned inward.

  “I guess that’s where they want us.”

  “Apparently,” SIMPOC responded.

  Joan and SIMPOC took a few steps towards the middle of the formation, and when they approached the center, both sets turned in the direction of the door they had come out of.

  This is how they greeted us when we first met on their ship. Joan noted to herself.

  The group continued to the building, and Joan took a moment to observe the architecture. It was simple but perfectly made. There weren’t any obvious seams in the walls, and it appeared to be at least 80 ft high. The vegetation was impressive. The building was surrounded by beautiful flowering plants, none of which Joan could begin to identify.

  After they entered the building through two large doors, which opened automatically, the group stayed together walking down a wide wall. The walls were covered with many pictures, showing their people doing various tasks. Some were working with machines or tending gardens. After a few steps, the theme became obvious; all the pictures showed their subjects working. Must be a strong work ethic, Joan thought to herself.

  The group continued walking, and Joan was wondering how large the building might be? Then she realized that they were walking down a slight slope, and likely had gone underground. Eventually, they reached the end of the long main corridor and came to an ornate set of doors. Here we go, she thought.

  The two doors opened by themselves and when they entered Joan was shocked. They entered a large room, and there must have been at least 100 Terests. All eyes were on her and SIMPOC, and the room was silent.

  Their entourage continued to the center of the room where there was a large circular table. When the group reached the table, they parted indicating where Joan and SIMPOC were to seat themselves. Joan chuckled for a second and saw that one of the chairs was heavily reinforced and must be for SIMPOC. They remembered from our last meeting, she thought.

  Joan paused, smiled a little and indicated for SIMPOC to take the stronger chair. When he did, she sat next to him.

  This was their first opportunity to look around and take in the room and the other occupants. It was a large room with many drapes and paintings on the wall. The drapes were very colorful, and the paintings continued the same theme she had noticed walking down the hallway.

  The occupants of the room kept their distance, but their eyes remained on their guests. They carried on a muted conversation among themselves, but it was obvious who they were talking about.

  Joan suspected that they would have to wait a while. It seemed to be their way. Make people wait and make sure they know who is in charge.

  In Joan’s mind, she knew exactly who was in charge, and she would let them play their games.

  She and SIMPOC sat and sat. She was sure that they had been there at least 20 minutes. She wasn’t sure if they used watches, but she wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction of looking at her watch. They solved it easily with SIMPOC’s internal clock and their alien connection.

  How long has it been? Joan asked through their silent telepathy.

  We have been sitting for 23 minutes and 12 seconds, SIMPOC responded. Gee, I’m having so much fun just sitting here.

  My sensors have picked up activity; I think the party is about to begin.

  Again, she glanced at her companion, wondering if he was trying to be funny or just repeating random phrases that he thought applied.

  Just as Joan moved her head to look straight ahead, the room became quiet, and a door opposite to their seating location opened. Two Terest on either side of the huge doors opened them and stood at attention.

  Three Terests entered. It was obvious that they were important. All the other attendees bowed their heads while the trio walked towards the
table.

  When they reached the table, they just stood, looking at Joan and SIMPOC.

  Are they expecting us to stand? She asked SIMPOC through their silent connection.

  Perhaps that is what they expect. That would fit in with my knowledge of their society.

  They can wait, I’m not standing, Joan thought.

  Slowly a feeling of unease rose in the room. The three Terest standing opposite Joan and SIMPOC didn’t show the tension they just stood there as if showing frustration was beneath them.

  “My name is Captain Herl, from the planet Earth,” Joan announced in a loud voice.

  Perhaps she had violated some protocol, but the murmurs in the room increased dramatically. Finally, the Terest in the middle of the group lowered his eyes and looked at Joan. He didn’t just move his eyes; the impression was that he ‘lowered them’ to look at someone beneath him.

  “You are a female,” his Terest voice said in Terest, followed by the translation.

  “You are male?” Joan asked, both to be sarcastic and also to put him in his place.

  The shock on his face exploded, and for a moment, Joan thought the meeting was over. The number of murmurs in the room seemed to match the stress on his face. He stood across from Joan glaring at her.

  Joan was using all her new-found alien sensors trying to gauge him and figure out how he might act. She was receiving confusing signals. He wasn’t afraid; he wasn’t worried; he wasn’t sweating or dealing with increased breathing. After trying to understand him, Joan figured him out. He was so used to people cowering before him, he didn’t need to show those emotions, his underlings just reacted, and he never needed to show emotion.

  Joan knew that she needed to take a chance to break the impasse. She stood and looked directly at him.

  “I am here to resolve the confusion between our races. I am also here to suggest a solution for both of us.”

  Joan standing seemed to solve one of his problems. Underlings weren’t allowed to be seated in his presence. But the female initiating the conversation was something he was accustomed to.

  Joan sensed a slight relaxation in him as she stood, then a change to irritation when she spoke. He seemed to resolve the issue and indicated that he wanted to be seated. The Terest on his right, pulled the chair out so that he could be seated.

  As he sat, Joan sat also. The murmurs in the room increased to a higher level.

  Have I offended him? She passed to SIMPOC.

  I suspect that other Terest are expected to stand in his presence. Sitting at the same time that he did, shows that you consider yourself his equal. That isn’t something they’re used to, SIMPOC passed back.

  Joan decided to stick her neck out again.

  “Are we going to talk, or just look at each other?” she said in a clear voice.

  The murmurs in the room reached a crescendo. The uproar lasted for a few seconds until he lifted one hand. With that motion, the room fell quiet.

  “Clear the room,” the Terest leader said in an even voice.

  Joan was impressed by how fast the room cleared. Before she could take a couple of breaths, she and SIMPOC were alone with the three Terest leaders.

  The five of them continued to look at each other. Joan tried to read the leader’s physical reactions, but she couldn’t reach a conclusion. He felt that he was in control, and thus his emotions were well under control.

  After a long wait, he spoke, “Earth and its people are very different.”

  Joan smiled and replied, “Terest leaders and the Terest are also very different.”

  Joan thought that she saw a little smile, but she wasn’t sure. Perhaps they had reached an understanding.

  “If my people have failed to do so, let me welcome you to our planet. My name is Borrea, and I am our chief diplomat.”

  Joan smiled broadly and was shocked at the response. The Terest leader suddenly became very uncomfortable. She got the feeling that she had crossed a line.

  “My name is Joan Herl, and I am from Earth. I am their diplomat. If my smile has offended you, it wasn’t intentional. With our people, a smile is a sign of welcome and trust between people.

  The three Terest leaders conferred for a moment between themselves.

  They are speaking too low for me to pick up the discussion, SIMPOC passed to Joan.

  “Diplomat Joan Herl from Earth. Both of our cultures have a great deal to learn about each other. A smile such as yours is an integral part of our mating ritual. We were … unprepared.”

  Joan immediately erased her smile and still tried to act friendly. That’s a bridge I need to avoid, she thought to herself.

  “Perhaps that misunderstanding is a good example of the challenges two groups will have when they meet for the first time.”

  “Correctly said,” Telorr said. “Our two societies have reached an important point in our relationship. We have both made assumptions and experienced misunderstandings and unfortunately a conflict. Why have you returned?” he asked after some hesitation.

  “I wanted to discuss the conflict that we had, and I want to make sure that both of us understand what happened. We’d prefer that misunderstandings like that don’t happen again. I also want to suggest a solution that may be beneficial to both of us.”

  “Yes, captain. As I said, we have an unusual relationship with the Izod, and it was only natural to think you were meeting together in a manner that would be disruptive to us.”

  Joan sat for a moment, before responding. “Borrea, that is not how we see things. We wait for evidence before we jump to conclusions and conflict.”

  “Waiting is often too late,” the diplomat responded.

  That is a data point worth noting, SIMPOC commented discretely to Joan.

  “As I have pointed out, I have a suggestion that you might find agreeable. When I met with Veenor, we were unable to reach an agreement.”

  “Yes, he is merely a functionary who can make no commitments of consequence. What is your suggestion?”

  “You are interested in mining rare elements from one of our outer gas giant planets. If that is important to you, we can mine it for you. Then we can meet at a mutually agreed location to exchange the elements and a method of payment.”

  Borrea sat for a moment contemplating the option. Then he responded, “That is a possible solution.”

  Borrea mumbled a quick message to the Terest on his left, then added, “I have directed him to pass our requirements to your ship, along with a suggested means of payment.”

  The information has been passed to the Chevesky, SIMPOC passed to Joan.

  Borrea looked directly at SIMPOC and said, “I am very interested in your companion.”

  “As you said, he is my companion, and I expect him to be treated as such,” Joan said in a friendly but assertive manner.

  “Would it be possible for my engineers to spend time with him?” Telorr asked.

  “No,” Joan responded.

  The forcefulness of her statement caused him to react a little.

  “As I have indicated, I have come here to clarify our position so that no other misunderstandings occur.”

  Borrea didn’t react in a supportive way; he acted more reticent than Joan would have liked.

  “We will deal with visitors in our solar system in a manner that is best for our people. We also won’t take sides in a conflict unless absolutely necessary. We want conflicts like the one we had to be avoided.”

  I am receiving data from the Chevesky. There are ballistic missiles approaching this planet, SIMPOC passed to Joan.

  Just as her thought formed around the message, an alarm went off in the room. Guards rushed in, and Borrea and his companions were rushed out of the room. Nothing was said to Joan and SIMPOC, so they just sat there waiting for something to happen.

  What are you getting from the Chevesky? Joan asked.

  Shappel – How many missiles?

  “How many missiles are there?” Dr. Shappel asked Beta-Prime.

&
nbsp; “There are twelve missiles approaching the planet. They are impact detonation missiles,” Beta-Prime mentioned.

  “What does that mean?” Shappel asked.

  “They were fired from a remote location and follow a planned trajectory to this location. They are powered down and will explode upon impact. That allows them to approach and they are very difficult to detect,” explained Beta-Prime.

  “Where were they launched from?” Shappel asked.

  “It appears they were fired from the Izod system. They likely were fired many days ago and entered the system. They decelerated from FTL behind one of the remote planets, then followed a low power trajectory to this location.”

  “Are they nuclear?” Shappel asked with hesitation in his voice.

  “Yes, they are low yield nuclear weapons. If they reach the surface, they will do limited damage,” added Beta-Prime.

  “Have you passed all of the data to SIMPOC?”

  “Yes, he has a copy of all of the information and projected impact points.”

  “Are they in danger?”

  “Not likely, the nearest impact point is approximately 23 kilometers from their location. The yield radius for that size weapon is less than five kilometers.”

  “Dr. Shappel, the craft in orbit and the ground defenses have activated. They are trying to intercept the missiles.”

  Dr. Shappel just stood waiting to hear the results of the planet’s defense.

  “The planet’s defenses seem to be effective. They have dealt with ten of the twelve missiles. It appears that this type of attack has happened in the past and they have tailored their defense. One of the missiles has detonated in the upper atmosphere, and one has made it through to the surface. The impact point was 1,212 kilometers from the Captain’s location.”

  “That’s good news. Find out what SIMPOC and Captain Herl want to do?” Dr. Shappel told Beta-Prime.

  The Chevesky is asking our intentions. SIMPOC passed to Joan.

  Before Joan could answer Borrea and his escorts entered the room. Again, he acted like he expected Joan and SIMPOC to stand, but they didn’t, and after a moment’s hesitation he sat with his lieutenants on either side.