Durant almost fell out of his chair. His lips moved but no words came out. After a few seconds, he managed to mumble, "Starships?"
"Yes," Matt replied in a hushed tone. "One of our oldest dreams."
"But the best part of the day is yet to come," Taylor said. "Right now, we have to reply to the signal. If you will, Dr. Durant, please call our communications group, and respond with exactly these words: Plato pomi. It means Plato Abides. Make sure they broadcast it on the same frequency as the incoming message, and aim it at the moon on a wide spread. It's the response we were to answer with after we returned to Apache Point."
The physicist picked up the phone and did as Taylor asked. He hung up and said, "Okay, it'll be transmitted in the next minute. What now?"
"Let's get to the surface," Matt suggested. "We'll want to be in position to see what's coming."
Durant stood up. "You two are doing a good job of keeping me in the dark," he objected.
"Don't worry. It's about to become as clear as mountain water," Matt replied. "But we need to hurry and get outside. We don't want the Marines getting trigger-happy. And one other thing," Matt continued. "Please call Major Durham and ask him to meet us in the main administration lobby as quickly as possible. He'll need to issue some special instructions to his guards, and to the helicopter gunships patrolling the desert."
Durant nodded. They went through his office door where he stopped and told his secretary to notify Major Durham about the meeting. With that done, they entered the main corridor leading to the elevators. Durham, to no one's surprise, was waiting for them when they arrived.
The huge lobby of the administration building included a solid glass wall looking out over the desert. From there, they could see for miles toward a small mountain range in the south, barely visible in the twilight. Durham had ordered his helicopters to land where they happened to be at the time, and not to resume patrol until they received further orders. The on-site Marine guards had also received appropriate instructions.
"Where is the moon at this exact moment?" Matt asked.
Durant, having worked at NASA for many years before receiving his appointment as Director of Operations at Apache Point, was always cognizant of the location of the moon.
"I'd say about twenty degrees above the horizon in the northwest. If we step outside, we should be able to see it."
They went out and saw the first quarter moon, still high above the horizon. The automatic lights atop the posts of the five-mile-long double fence surrounding the facility had not yet activated, but the flashing green signal topping the two-hundred-foot tall Chronocom antenna was bright enough to see even in daylight. This was the antenna from which the time machine fired its beam toward relay satellites circling the planet. The antenna's exact geographic coordinates had been given to Dbarr as a reference point over five thousand years ago.
"All we have to do now is wait," Taylor said.
Matt had not noticed before, but he could feel his heart beating faster than normal.
Two hundred miles above the Earth, the great starship Atlantis and her two consorts, Erin and Nuada, assumed a synchronous orbit over New Mexico. From Atlantis' bridge, Captain Tshaan gazed through the transparent bow of his ship at the marvelous blue and green world below.
He had seen Earth before, as had many of his ancestors over the millennia. Though history taught them that their race had originated on the mythical world of Vryan, the last two hundred generations of his people hailed the island of Atlantis as their ancestral home. It was from there that they had used their starship technology to spread throughout the galaxy, colonizing hundreds of new worlds.
As had been predicted, in Year 987, reckoned from Year 1 as the date they had first arrived on the island, the great volcano Loranne had belched forth its final eruption, causing total annihilation of their home. Though the violent explosion had destroyed the land, nothing of their history had been lost. Thousands of living books, holograms, and monuments remained to remind them of their heritage.
Captain Tshaan had been selected to command the Atlantis on this historic day because of his unique ancestry. Other emissaries standing with him on the bridge included Ambassador Ktiel, from the imperial home world of Alainn, whose lineage could be traced back to Year1 as an original descendant of a new race, the mating of human and Vryanian forbears. She had always considered it a badge of honor and wore it proudly. Another personage of high rank was Atani, special representative of the emperor himself. Other dignitaries of note included representatives from five of the empire's principal planets, picked at random by the Imperial Senate on Alainn.
Captain Tshaan turned to the group. "Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, throughout the millennia our starships have kept our home world, Earth, under observation, though direct contact with the inhabitants was forbidden by an ancient agreement made by our founding fathers in Year 1. However, this day marks the end of that long period, and a new age for all of us is about to begin. Shall we go to our embarkation bay and meet in person the legendary heroes who helped mold our history?" All the answers were excited affirmatives.
"Sir, radar is picking up a large object coming our way from a hundred miles due west at twenty miles altitude." This report came over Major Durham's walkie-talkie, but it was loud enough for all of them to hear.
"Roger that," Durham responded. "Continue to monitor the object's progress and report back."
Matt took Taylor's hand and squeezed it. "I must admit that I'm a little nervous. I have no idea what to expect." He looked at Durant and said, "You're about to meet some people who have no word for lie, cheat, steal or deceit. They're the most unique and ethical race I've ever encountered. The very fact that they're here, and coming to us after five thousand years of waiting, is proof of that."
"I wish you would have allowed time before now for me to know what's in that agreement," Durant said, a little peevishly, which was totally out of character for the old man. "The President is anxious to know what's going on, too."
"There were a couple of reasons why we didn't," Taylor said. "First, we weren't even sure that the agreement would be remembered so far into the future. But more to the point, we wanted to avoid a media circus. If we had set the contact date at a time beyond today, you would have been obligated to tell the President, and the information would surely have been leaked by someone in his administration. It would have been too enormous to keep quiet. As it stands now, you can't be blamed, and he can make the announcement in person at a news conference of his choosing. The greatest event in man's history is unfolding at this very moment. It'll change the world we know forever."
Matt looked around the immediate area. A number of Marines and civilian employees had gathered, watching from a distance. Major Durham had posted several of his men as pickets to keep the small crowd from getting too close.
"We need to make sure that none of these people get off the base or use the phones until they're cleared by the Director," he said to Major Durham. Turning to Dr. Durant, he continued. "In fact, sir, I think you should close the entire base until further notice."
Durant looked at Major Durham. "Please take care of that, Major, if you will. No communications of any kind, and no one enters or leaves the facility unless approved by me. Effective immediately."
Durham spoke briefly into his radio. In less than a minute, the Apache Point facility would be in total lockdown. No outside communications of any kind would be allowed until Durant lifted the restriction.
As they watched the western sky, a bright star appeared a few degrees above the horizon. "Fifteen miles," came over Durham's radio.
The star grew in magnitude, becoming a basketball, faster and faster, until it became a huge sphere with bands of blue, purple and magenta, all rotating in different directions, shimmering like water poured over oiled glass. When it was a hundred feet from them, its forward motion stopped and it stood hanging ten feet in midair. The spectators could hear a pulsating whine coming from some source deep w
ithin its interior. In the growing darkness the faces of the waiting group were lit by myriad colors, like dozens of rainbows sliding across their flesh. A thick shaft of dazzling white descended from the sphere's lower half and touched the ground. It rode the shaft downward until its bottom rested on the earth. The colored bands began to fade as the whine subsided and stopped. A globe of metallic-silver, fifty feet in diameter, sat before them. Everything became quiet and still.
Then, without warning, two F-18's from Kirtland Air Base in Albuquerque roared close overhead, acting in response to the sphere's entrance into Earth's atmosphere. They vanished into the distance, and did not return.
Unconsciously, Taylor reached out and squeezed Matt's upper arm. Quiet reigned for a full minute, and then a thin line became visible in the sphere's smooth surface. The line became a rectangle, then a ramp, opening outward to touch the ground.
They all watched, but nothing was visible in the dark interior. Then a row of saucer-size lights along the sphere's equator lit the area in pale blue radiance. Even though the lights were bright, they seemed to have no glaring effect on the human eye. As they continued to peer into the black rectangle, the interior slowly illuminated in soft white light.
They caught their breath as a tall man, wearing a gold-trimmed indigo jacket and white pants, appeared in the doorway. He took a few steps down the ramp and stopped. An object that looked like a large golden book was clasped under his left arm. For a long moment he stood searching the crowd, as though looking for someone he expected to see. As he stood there, several more people dressed in a similar fashion but with varied colors, exited the ship behind him. No one spoke as they finally continued down the ramp and walked to within a few feet of the waiting assembly. A short crop of silvery hair with faint streaks of blond adorned the head of their leader. His forehead was high, the eyes a beautiful shade of pale blue. His face was tanned, evenly divided by a straight nose, the lips full and sensuous. He stood still for a half minute, looking at Matt and Taylor with an incredulous expression as though he were seeing something beyond belief. Finally, his handsome face broke into a smile.
He bowed and said in English, "I am Captain Tshaan, commanding the starship Atlantis. Please forgive me for staring, Ceta Taylor and Matt. It is just that I can hardly believe that I am standing in the presence of living history. I and my people know your faces as well as we know our own."
"Living history?" Durant mumbled to no one in particular.
Taylor blushed. "Welcome, Captain Tshaan. We are honored and pleased that the Vryanian people have not forgotten us."
Tshaan held out his hand. "How could we forget our heritage? Had it not been for you, we would not be here. Our race would have died in the ancient days of Vryan."
Matt took Tshaan's hand and shook it. "Your presence here will mark a great day in our people's history, Tshaan. We are most pleased to welcome you and your party."
Tshaan turned to the people standing behind him. "Please allow me to introduce the dignitaries who have accompanied me." As the entourage was presented to Matt and Taylor, each one bowed in a reverent demeanor and spoke a polite greeting to them.
Matt turned to Dr. Durant and Major Durham, both of whom had been standing together, openly in awe of the aliens. "And may I introduce Dr. Richard Durant, our Director, and Major Durham, our security chief," he said, returning the courtesy.
When the introductions were complete, Taylor said, "Please come inside so that we may speak in more comfortable surroundings."
As they walked, Durant asked her, "What does Ceta mean?"
"It's a term they use for someone of high standing or authority. Like when you speak to a judge, you address him as Your Honor. Ceta means the same thing, only a little stronger. Loosely translated into English, it would mean most honored ancestor."
Durant coughed and gave her a crooked smile but said nothing. He led them into a large conference room in the administration building furnished with plush chairs and a round walnut table that could accommodate thirty people. The walls were tastefully decorated with paintings depicting scenes from man's earliest times. One of them was a portrait of the Greek god Poseidon, lashing the waters of the Mediterranean into a storm around a fleet of ancient ships. He held a huge trident dripping with water in his right hand.
After they entered the room, one of the Vryanian senators walked over to the painting and made a comment to another member of the delegation. They stood staring at the scene for a long moment, talking quietly. As they walked to the table and sat down, the senator said to Taylor, "A most beautiful painting, Ceta Taylor. The imperial museum on Alainn has a similar one."
"Your contributions to man's history have always been remembered in legend, Senator Segann. But am I correct in presuming that human and Vryanian history has become entwined, not only by shared events, but by blood as well?"
Tshaan interrupted their conversation. "You are correct Ceta Taylor. There have been many occasions when Vryanians and humans have mated. Our most famous example is Jake Donovan, whom we revere along with you as one of our founding parents. In fact, I have been instructed by the emperor to deliver this living book to the two of you. It was written in a time dating back to our exodus from Vryan."
He laid the golden book he had been carrying on the table. "Since the time it was written, our people have been anxious to hear its message. In accordance with the instructions of its author, you will be the first to see its contents. We are highly honored to be here with you at this historic moment. He put his right hand on the cover and held it there for a few seconds. The look on his face revealed his inner feelings: It was as though he were about to open a holy manuscript. As he released a locking latch and cracked the cover, a faint light escaped from its interior. He opened it fully, laying the covers flat on the table.
As if by magic, a three-dimensional image of Jake Donovan's face and upper torso rose from its center. The image, wearing a silky green shirt, was as clear as if Jake himself had been reduced in size to two feet high and was looking at them.
"Hello, Matt and Taylor." He wore the big smile they had seen so often on his face. "I'm sure you didn't expect to see me again so soon. But then you can tell by looking at me that I'm a good deal older than I was the day you returned to Apache Point. I'm speaking to you from this book, written in Year 42, reckoned from the first day we spent on the island, so in my time period, it's been over forty-two years since I last saw you guys. Let's see, now… " He screwed up his face as though trying to make a difficult mental calculation and then laughed. "That makes me seventy-seven years old." It was true. Age lines and gravity sags had taken their toll on Jake's face, but his obvious happiness showed through.
"The reason for this book, Matt, is because of what I said to you about recorded history just before the Battle of Moytura. I foresaw writing this record even then, so you and Taylor would have an idea of how things went after your departure. First, let me say that there were no further hostilities between the Fir Bolg and Vryanians. Sreng agreed to move his people away from the dome city to avoid any random friction until the Vryanians could complete their evacuation.
"Meanwhile, their transition continued from Ireland to the island that we all knew would someday be called Atlantis. It took several months to complete the work. After that, the portal between Vryan and Earth was closed, but President Aeren decided to delay permanent closure for a while so as not to burn the bridge completely. Since then there have been a couple of scientific expeditions back to Vryan, but I think that after this first generation of immigrants pass away, it will be sealed permanently. You'll be pleased to know that the younger generation already consider themselves to be Atlantians, with Earth as their native home. And that's as it should be, since they were all born here."
Jake's image looked around the room as though searching for someone in particular. "Taylor, I know you're watching this. Someone has a message for you." Jake vanished, replaced by a living image of Rael. Her beautiful face broke into a s
mile. "Hello, Taylor. I wanted to let you know personally that you were correct when you said that Jake and I might be the parents of a new race. We have two sons and one daughter." Her eyes turned downward, looking at the images of three children whose faces emerged in smaller relief below her. "We are very proud of them. Our oldest son, the one on your left, has just been elected to our senate."
Everyone in the room leaned forward to gaze at the young man's face. Taylor shook her head as though puzzled. Even though the image bore a striking resemblance to Jake, she had the feeling that she had seen him somewhere before. Rael's face began to fade taking the children with her. As it went, she said, "May the Spirit that guides us always bless you both. I will never forget you."
Jake's image returned. He went on to explain the new system of government they had developed. They called it a Constitutional Empire, in which a duly elected senate of twenty-five persons appoints an emperor, who serves one ten-year term. When he spoke about the development of the island itself, his image vanished, to be replaced by scenes of a beautiful city with sparkling spires and buildings reaching toward the sky. The images faded into new ones: fields of golden grain, orchards, ships in the blue harbor, and much more. He told about how trade had developed with a few of the civilized nations emerging in Europe, and how some of their people had intermarried with the Vryanians.
But most exciting of all was what they saw on the outskirts of the main metropolis. Four breathtaking starships rested on their circular pads, each a silver needle aimed at the heavens. The beautiful scenes and narrations continued for almost an hour, then his image returned.
"I've lived long enough to see the empire spread beyond Earth," he said. "And most glorious of all, I've had the privilege of seeing the stars, and some of the magnificent worlds that circle them. It's breathtaking, Matt. You and Taylor won't believe your eyes when you see it.
"Well, I guess it's time to end this book and let you begin the new adventure. I've had a wonderful life living among these amazing people. I consider myself as being among the most blessed men of all time. With that, I'll say goodbye, and that I consider it an honor and privilege to have known all of you at Apache Point."
Island of the Star Lords Page 30
