Shadows

by Brian Whiting

  “I already don’t trust you!”

  “Alex, I saw your memories. You keep information from those who don’t need to hear it all the time. What we did to you was no different. It’s like when your father gave you those toy power tools to play with instead of the real ones. He didn’t do it to deceive you, he did it to protect you.”

  “Grraaaahh! My father was nothing but a selfish and manipula—”

  “You have such a limited perception. Alex, hear me. My people have lost their purpose, and we made a decision based on the assumption that you are not worthy of being protae`. That our original mandate to protect the Theans at all costs was still primary.”

  “Yeah, with a ridiculous belief that there are surviving Theans somewhere out there, alone in deep space. I remember!” Alex realized he had been shouting this whole time and was pacing frantically in his cabin.

  “Alex,” Symboli said in a tone that somehow reminded Alex of the way his mother called his name. He closed his eyes and stood silently. His autonomic system had triggered his lungs to breathe on their own again due to the increased heart rate and activity, albeit at an almost nonexistent rate. Alex stood still as he reviewed the existence and the memories of Symboli. In that moment Alex knew more about Symboli than any other person he knew and for a moment he began to feel calm again.

  Someone began knocking sharply on the door. Alex shuffled over and opened it.

  “Our visitor requests to speak with you, sir!” one of the ship’s guards told him.

  “Send her in.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Lindi stepped into Alex’s cabin and looked around the room. Alex felt a dislike emanating from her until her eyes rested on Alex, at which point that feeling changed suddenly to something much more familiar. Alex turned away from her and stepped over to his favored chair.

  “What can I do for you?” Alex said, but he suspected he already knew the answer.

  “Captain, in several days, you will bring me to your leaders, and I will likely never see you again.”

  “She doesn’t know your true role in the UEF,” Symboli reminded him in his ear as she continued speaking.

  “—my people are plagued by a problem that you might help me solve, and our people will unite in a way never thought possible.” She reached back and pulled a hidden string that somehow allowed the top part of her garment to fall away freely, revealing smooth and healthy skin.

  “It’s obvious she sees you as a possible method to get pregnant. It’s likely she would earn much renown if she succeeded.” Symboli offered.

  “I see,” Alex said out loud for the benefit of both listening to him. Even as she stepped closer to him, Alex thought her head’s slight elongation was a bit weird, but the remainder of her was pleasing and very familiar.

  “If it were this easy, your people would have been successful many years ago, I would think.”

  “True, it’s a small chance of success, but for thousands of years my people and I have desired children, and I’d be a fool not to take this opportunity, no matter how remote.”

  “I am not ready to be a father,” Alex said, even as he knew that he was going to give in to her. He was already entranced and hated that he was so easily.

  “I wouldn’t worry about that.” Now she was a foot away from him, and she grabbed his hand and placed it on the small of her back where another string from her garment lay waiting to be tugged.

  Alex thought of Amanda, and how long he had been alone and in need of physical company. Her cheek brushed up against his face, and he felt the warmth of her body. The lower garment fell away and Alex reached up, took off his headset and pulled her to him.

  ***

  Alex reached out and felt an empty bed. He looked around the room and had no idea what time it was. His datapad was on the other side of the room on the table. His headset was right next to him. He put on the headset.

  “Good evening, Captain,” Symboli stated.

  “Good evening?” Alex asked quizzically.

  “Yes sir, you have slept through the late morning and afternoon. It’s 1655 hours ship time.”

  “I take it you were listening the whole time.”

  “Yes sir, for multiple purposes.”

  “I’m sure… Uh, what time did my… guest… leave my room?”

  “Right after your activity ended, sir. I also should point out that after seeing you, she went to a number of male officers’ quarters. It seems she’s not interested in limiting her chances for procreation.”

  Alex thought for a moment and decided he wasn’t going to get upset about it.

  “What’s our ETA to spacedock?”

  “Forty-seven hours. We began decelerating this morning. Lanora doesn’t want to create any more strain on the anti-gravity disk than is necessary.”

  “Great, that gives us plenty of time to come up with some kind of plan for your people.”

  “Yes sir, that’s a most welcome topic. But I should point out that we received a communication from Gs Ho Tae just a couple of hours ago. Seems they are most efficient with the fabricator specifications we gave them.”

  “Excellent. With our current ship production capabilities, how fast would we be able to build a ship, say, big enough for twelve people, with the most advanced FTL engines we have?”

  “Alex, with the most advanced FTL engines we have, it would still take you hundreds of years to reach the center of the galaxy.”

  “How did you know that’s where I wanted to go?”

  “You forget so easily that we have shared our deepest thoughts with each other? I know what you are planning,” Symboli said matter of factly.

  “Yes, and I know what you and your people are planning. It’s quite shocking to consider the devastation you would have wrought against humanity.”

  “You also know that that was out of ignorance. Once my people learn the truth, we will never act on that plan.”

  “In a weird way I completely understand you. I was able to follow your decision-making process that led you to that conclusion, and now I know that there are new issues that cloud that decision from manifesting.” Alex stood up and began pacing his cabin. “I refuse to wait three hundred years for an unstoppable enemy to show up at our doorstep and sweep our planet to the side like so many others.”

  “Sir, I think it’s very likely the distant cousins, who call themselves the Humani by the way, would have more advanced FTL engines. You should make that part of the negotiations. But to answer your original question, with the expected needed repairs to the Enterprise and knowing you really only want a ship that would comfortably satisfy the needs of twelve persons. Perhaps three years, sir.”

  “OK, I’m going to prepare a response to Gs Ho Tae. I want you to get Lanora into a room where you two can talk alone. I want you to catch her up to speed with everything that’s happened between us. I want her input on how we should move forward. Include the information about your brethren.”

  “Sir, might I remind you about Fena?”

  “What about her?”

  “Kalibri placed her in your arena of influence because she’s gifted, and thus far you haven’t really tapped into her talents. Aside from her piloting, that is.”

  “I don’t think I’ve utilized anyone to the best of their potential.”

  “No, you have not. You are a product of your upbringing. I promise to help you overcome your shortcomings.”

  Alex was irritated, but didn’t verbalize his frustration.

  “I know that isn’t easy for you to accept. Try to imagine me as a doctor that has to heal you, specifically in how you view the world and the people around you.”

  Alex felt an odd sensation of relief. Symboli really did understand him on a personal level, and perhaps it would actually make him into a better person.

  “Thank you,” Alex managed to say as he took off his headset and stepped into the shower. Afterward he got dressed. Then he crafted a response to Gs Ho Tae: (I feel very pleased to hear the fir
st message from you. I have a special request of your people and I’d be honored if you carried it out in great haste. I need a ship…)

  ***

  Alex stepped onto Lindi’s shuttle. It was still odd to him that there was no cockpit, just a circular room in which one of those sitting happened to be the pilot.

  “Captain, how far will you be escorting me today?” Lindi asked, standing directly to his right as he decided which seat he would sit in. When he sat, she chose the seat beside him.

  “To the end,” Alex responded, pleased that he managed to keep secret his real standing within the UEF.

  “Your government, is it still run by a single leader, a president?”

  Alex focused on her and the crystal-clear emotion he came to expect from his distant cousins was strong with the feeling of expectancy. Alex didn’t know if the feeling from her was about the huge arrival ceremony they were about to endure or if it was about the answer he was about to give.

  “After the Zorn attack the balance of power on my planet shifted; while the president still exists, that government is no longer the power of the planet.”

  “Your planet is still heavily fractured then, in term of governing entities.”

  “Yes, you’re about to meet the governing body of the United Earth Force.”

  Lindi laughed a brief moment, and Alex looked toward her.

  “I’m sorry, Captain, that name is ironically false. I wasn’t expecting that.”

  “Depends on your point of view, you see. Your race will be the third sentient species with which we will have entered into a treaty or alliance.”

  “Really?” Lindi whispered with a shocked expression.

  “You know, after having spent so much time with many of my crew, I’m surprised you didn’t obtain more intelligence about us.”

  “Information-gathering was not high on my agenda.”

  They were jostled only a tiny bit as the shuttle set down on the planet.

  Alex felt the smug superiority drain away from Lindi as the cargo ramp of the shuttle lowered onto the black asphalt of a large hangar bay. In the near distance the backdrop of the Destiny rested quietly on the ground beside the larger UEF vessels.

  Lindi and Alex walked down the ramp toward a large number of UEF soldiers that stood at attention in ceremonious fashion. Flags and banners waved nearby, flashes began going off, and reporters and cameramen in the distance all took in the sight of the intergalactic representative.

  Alex stepped forward but immediately sensed fear from Lindi. He had taken only a single step when he realized she hadn’t moved. His accelerated mind raced to find a solution to this possible embarrassment but came up blank.

  “On my planet,” she said, “it is sometimes customary for the escort to walk with arms linked to their destination. It denotes a heightened friendship as well as a proper sense of decorum.”

  Alex extended his right elbow, and Lindi extended her left elbow. Alex gently reached over her arm, and they clasped hands and began walking forward again. The soldiers began a not-exactly-synchronous display of parade theatrics.

  “What are they doing?” Lindi asked.

  “It is one method to honor guests,” Alex said, even as he himself would have preferred a different way to honor this moment.

  Alex led Lindi to a gold vehicle that awaited them after a short walk. Alex thought about touching on a few topics before they arrived at the main UEF building, namely that he was a prominent figure, but Lindi seemed overly fascinated with the tall buildings and the tent city built up next to the complex.

  Several large residential buildings were under construction. Alex knew each contained a food court of sorts as well as entertainment venues, each building a small city in its own right. Alex instantly realized that kind of construction was a mistake, something that hadn’t occurred to him before his mind was heightened and accelerated. He would raise that issue with the council as soon as he was alone with them.

  Alex led Lindi into the UEF lobby and toward one of the elevators—the sight of which caused Lindi to hesitate again. “It’s a vertical transport, it allows rapid ascent and descent in this building.” He held firmly onto Lindi’s arm still under the heavy gaze of the media, and they stepped onto the elevator, the door shutting in front of them.

  “Are we private?” Lindi asked.

  “For the moment,” Alex responded.

  “How much further do we have to go?”

  “The worst part is over.” Alex smiled, recognizing his distant cousins were not accustomed to such ceremony. He realized he was constantly checking her emotional state, which kept fluctuating between fear, wonder, panic, and general dislike.

  The elevator dinged open and only a few people stood to one side waiting for them. Alex stepped out for introductions.

  “Lindi, this is Laura, my executive assistant. Timmy, our prominent researcher, and Curtis, our chief of security. Everyone, this is Lindi, second officer of the Roanoke.” Alex saw Timmy glance toward him and subtly shook his head no. Timmy seemed eager to say something but kept his mouth shut.

  “It’s wonderful to have you here. May I get you some refreshments?” Laura asked Alex.

  “Yes, that would be most pleasant.”

  “I’m afraid I don’t know what you would prefer,” Laura conceded as she looked at Lindi.

  “Bring a sample tray of small drinks, orange juice, milk, water, soda, and even a red wine,” Alex suggested, remembering what they had done for him on their ship.

  “I always preferred coffee,” Curtis suggested off the cuff.

  “Yes, all that sounds wonderful.” Lindi looked expectantly toward Laura as she turned and rushed out of the room. Alex led Lindi toward a large set of double doors into a circular room, which conveniently was something Lindi was familiar with. The moment they stepped into the room, Alex increased the lighting to match that of the Roanoke and walked Lindi to the circular table.

  Alex was expecting the set of five chairs but they had been replaced by comfortable concentric rings of seats, amphitheater-style.

  “Everyone, this is Lindi, second in command of the Roanoke and lawful representative of her race to speak on official matters of state. Lindi, this is Grissom, Gloria, and Cindy. An anonymous member of our society is listening in. Please take a seat wherever you prefer.” Alex took a seat beside Grissom so that he, Cindy, Gloria, and Grissom were all equally spaced around the table.

  Lindi sat down near Alex, between him and Grissom. “Before we start, I need to better understand who I am speaking with. I am afraid it is not clear to me who you all represent,” she stated bluntly.

  “The four of us in this room and the fifth anonymous person attending digitally are part of what we call the council. We are the leaders of the UEF. All large decisions are discussed here openly and then voted to agreement,” Gloria said, moving a lock of hair out of her face.

  “I see. We have a similar system.”

  “You should know that every meeting is recorded and is accessible to the public,” Alex stated.

  “As it should be…tell me about the anonymous person.” Lindi looked around the room.

  “A fifth person of the council rotates through the position every year,” Cindy continued.

  Alex raised an eyebrow; when he was last here, it was every six months.

  “You’re a member of this council?” Lindi asked Alex with obvious surprise, as his importance had just struck her.

  “In fact, he’s the original founder. I’m surprised you haven’t been made aware,” Gloria stated, a bit accusatorily.

  “Our visitor kept herself quite busy during our trip here,” Alex spoke up quickly.

  “Shall we begin the meeting?” Grissom asked.

  “I apologize, but I have many more questions first,” Lindi replied.

  ***

  “Anything new with our orb?” Timmy asked walking back into his workspace inside the tunnel system.

  “Well, it did light back up yesterday, so t
hat’s something. Maybe now that you’re here it will attempt communicating again,” Pete said with a refreshed appearance. His clothes washed, he appeared clean and smooth-shaven.

  “I’m counting on it,” Timmy responded.

  “I’ve read the report Alex sent us and I’ve been thinking. The Humani splinter group contacted us through the orb and told us to meet their people out in space. Which triggers this whole meeting of the peoples. But, I don’t think it’s their orb either.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Well, they are our cousins. There’s no orb writing even remotely similar anywhere in our planet’s history; it’s far too complicated. We need a computer just to keep up with the hundreds of thousands of characters that have been made known to us. Furthermore, when they communicate with us, it’s been in English, which strengthens their claim they hijacked the orb and can only use it at certain times. Which would also explain the gaps in communication.”

  “Maybe, but Alex reported a significant level of technological advancement. It wouldn’t surprise me if the orb, and the language, is theirs.” Pete suggested then continued. “Why do you think Alex didn’t tell them about the orb?”

  “Alex is suspicious, and being careful. Like we are.”

  “That’s a new quality from Alex. Being careful, I mean.”

  “Yeah, come to think of it…” Timmy pondered a moment.

  “Hey look, right on cue.” Pete pointed behind Timmy. The orb had risen off the pedestal again.

  “Who are you?” Timmy said with a raised voice. “What do you want?”

  “Now that our people have met, what I have to say in context will make sense, but we don’t have a lot of time to talk. This orb does not belong to us.”

  Timmy walked closer to the orb and sat down in one of the two chairs nearby. Pete joined him with a clipboard and a huge list of questions, making sure at least two cameras were on and recording.

  “I am listening,” Timmy said.

  “My name is Bajarnock. I am commander of the spiritualist movement. I trust you witnessed the first official meeting between our peoples.”