by Lynn Moon
“Tomorrow, I would like for you to come with me,” she states with authority.
“Why, what’s up?” I ask.
“I have a few people I’d like for you to meet,” she says, with a smile and wink. “We need to discuss what we are going to do with you two. I cannot go to work and worry whether you’ll survive the day.”
“How do you get to work?”
“What?” That was obviously not the question she thought I’d ask.
“You work on Journey, our sister planet. How do you get there? Do you dematerialize here and rematerialize there? Do you get into your star cruiser and hop over?”
“We have ships,” she explains.
“I see.” I’m not sure if this makes me happy or nervous. “Space travel. I was in one even though I don’t remember.”
“How would you like to meet your relatives?” she asks.
“Are you trying to get rid of us?”
“No, just trying to think of a safe place for you,” she answers.
“How about a job with the Council?” Takoda suggests.
She looks a little puzzled at first but then says with a huge grin, “Now that would be a good idea.”
“What would we do?” I reply, not looking forward to being a bean counter.
“Hmm,” she hums. “Well… let me think about that. I have a few ideas. Be ready to leave in the morning.”
“I’ll be there, Madame Magistrate,” Takoda says, nodding to his right.
“Please, Takoda,” she says. “No formalities around me. Only if we are in front of the Council do you need to be formal.” Chawlya gives Takoda a hug. “Funny, almost like hugging my father. See you tomorrow.”
I watch as she walks back to the cabin.
“I guess you have to leave now?” I ask.
“No, your dad said I can stay for the next few days…until we heal. I will sleep on your couch.”
“Too cool!”
The morning is warm and a little humid. Not at all like the other mornings. George explains Journey is approaching our side of the planet again and the air is warming. But that’s great news for me; I love heat.
A government car arrives first thing in the morning. The days here are thirty-two hours versus twenty-four as on Earth. I like it, gives me more time to sleep. Swetaachatas require at least fifteen hours of sleep every night. I only need about eight but the extra hours gives me more time for private stuff. The workday, I’m told, is about ten hours. I think I like Earth time better. Eight hours is more than reasonable for a full day of work.
The driver greets us, formally. Takoda and I are wearing our school uniforms. My mother explained that when we’re away from our community, we’re required to dress formally, which means our uniforms. It takes the guesswork out of what to wear.
• • •
That morning, I see my mother in her uniform and it reminds me of what the Gaia, the Captain, was wearing in the mural. It’s actually kind of cool, seeing everyone in a uniform. Makes things seem more important.
The driver stops in front of the huge air station, which is miles down the road from the town. The building looks like it’s over a hundred floors. But in reality, the building’s only a few floors. Just a large gap between the top floor and bottom. The crafts don’t land on the ground, they hover and dock on the upper floor. There’s one station on this continent and one in the north. The trains are used to get everywhere else, unless you are on the Council and have a car and driver.
My mother explains this is the central spaceport. People come from all over to catch their connecting flights. Unlike home, where a city springs up around a central hub, the spaceport is in the middle of a huge empty field—no businesses or homes or hotels.
“Our flights are efficient. Weather is never an issue and our crafts do not break down, there’s no need for people to stay here long,” she says. “You have much to learn. It is very different from what you are used to on Earth. We’re more efficient, more world friendly.”
“More controlling,” I add. She just gives me the look.
We board the small craft, which could carry about fifty passengers. It reminds me of a small plane. The pilots announce we’re to buckle up, ready for launch.
“Now that’s something I never heard before,” I muse.
The ship floats from the docking station. I watch as the ground falls beneath us.
“Good morning, Madame Magistrate,” the pilot’s voice interjects over the intercom. “We have been cleared for departure. Artificial gravity will be engaged once we are free of the atmosphere.”
“Very well, Willis,” Chawlya says, into the air. “We are ready here.”
“Thank you and please enjoy your flight,” he replies, as we leave the planet.
One minute Traveler is there, and the next it’s gone. Only darkness is outside my window. But the darkness lasts only a brief moment before there’s stars everywhere. It’s then my stomach encroaches on my throat, my feet float up. My hair is everywhere.
“Mom!” I yell.
“Hold on, Journey, any minute now, he’ll turn on the…”
Slap! I’m back in my seat and my feet smack the floor. But my hair is still all over the place.
“…artificial gravity,” she finishes, laughing.
“Sorry,” she adds. “I guess I should have told you. On these little ships they do not turn on the gravity until they are away from the planet.”
“I see.” I’m trying to get my hair back in place.
“There should be a brush in the ladies’ room. It is mine,” she suggests. I take her up on it.
When I return, she smiles, then says, “Oh, I almost forgot.” She hands me my draping.
“Where did you find this?”
“By the campfire the night we searched for Takoda. You must have dropped it,” she replies, pulling out her tablet to read.
“Takoda?” I whisper, handing him my draping. He attaches it to my hair and kisses my forehead. “I lost this at our camp site. Freya found it that night and attached it to my hair.”
“I’m glad,” he says, not understanding what I’m trying to tell him.
“No, you don’t get it,” I reply, pulling on his arm. “We were traveling when she found it. That means I brought it back with me from the spirit world!”
Takoda stares at me, puzzled.
“It means we can bring stuff back with us. And, if that’s the case, we should be able to travel both ways with stuff, or maybe even people!” I sit back to ponder the possibilities.
Takoda stares at me. Then he says, “That is something worth researching.”
“I’ve got to figure out how this spirit-world works,” I add sitting back to ponder the possibilities.
The rest of the short flight is uneventful. With my hair tied back and my draping firmly attached, we leave our ship. I can’t wait to explore a whole new world. My namesake, Journey.
The station has huge viewing windows that allow visitors to enjoy the sights. I walk to the edge and stare at the horizon. It’s very different here. The colors are more vibrant, but fewer than on Traveler.
“Journey, are you coming?” my mother asks.
“Yes,” I answer, but before I leave the viewing area, I make a whispered wish.
I make an appeal to the mother of this planet, “Can I please not break any body parts here?”
Nothing happens, but I cross my fingers just in case. Takoda waits patiently and laughs as I finish. He nods understanding my request. Holding hands, we walk together to the elevators. A car with a driver is waiting for us on the street. But the car has no wheels. It’s floating a few feet above the ground. Now this is way cool.
“Mom?” I ask, as we approach the vehicle.
“Oh,” she says. “Magnets.”
“Journey, have you ever put two magnets together?” Takoda asks and I nod. “Then you know one side sticks together, but they push away on the other side.” Takoda uses his hands to demonstrate what he’s explaining.
“Our vehicles have magnets and so do the roads. Our cars push away from the ground, they hover,” he explains.
Understanding the basic concept, I have to ask, “Then what makes them go?”
“The magnets in the cars are turned on and off, rapidly. Too fast for your eyes see or your body to feel. But when it happens, the cars move forward or backward.”
“Then you cannot drive these things off the road?”
“That is one of the drawbacks. You can only drive where there are magnets.”
“In a way it’s the same on Traveler and Earth. We keep our cars on the road,” I surmise. “We could drive into a field, but some cars get stuck. We mostly stay on the roads.”
“But my jeep can go anywhere,” he boasts.
“That’s because yours has four-wheel drive,” I add. We ride in silence as I enjoy the landscape. The sky is not blue, but green with streaks of yellow. In class I learned that two major elements give the planet a bluish-green color from space, and it’s what makes the people here blue.
The buildings are different here—almost prehistoric. Large rocks placed strategically together to support the heavy upper floors. Carved in the stone are intricate sculptures of men, women, children and various animals. Windows are stained glass. Each building is self-sufficient with its own mini-electrical grid.
Meticulously landscaped gardens with plants and flowers are everywhere. Only blues, greens and yellows form naturally here and create a weird sensation for the senses. The colors red and brown are absent. The aroma of the planet is sweeter, and reminds me of a candy store or bakery.
People greet us with a friendly word or warm smile. Unfortunately, I can’t understand a word they’re saying. No one seems in a hurry. It’s very relaxing, a nice change from what I’m used to.
“I like it here,” I say.
“Our planets are very different,” he replies. “Just depends on what you want from life.”
“I want to live here someday,” I muse, hugging him.
“That could probably be arranged,” my mother adds, turning and smiling at us.
“Eavesdropper,” I joke, and she laughs.
The Council center is an extraordinarily large but beautiful building. It reminds me of the Roman Colosseum back home. Six levels with curved windows that are large enough to be doors. We enter through the main lobby and a portrait of Hera and Rhea greets us. The gold frame has the same carvings as the entryway of the Ancient City. I stand and study the painting. The girls stand side-by-side, neither smiling nor frowning. The artist captured their haunting eyes. It’s as if they’re watching my every move.
“Impressive?” My mother asks, from over my shoulder.
“Spooky is more like it,” I answer. “Why is this here? I thought our worlds are ruled by the Council.”
“It is,” Takoda says from my side. “But they were very important at one time.”
“I don’t like it,” I whisper. “It’s as if they’re still alive and judging me.”
The women are in full uniform with their berets sitting slightly tilted on their heads. Each holds a golden staff and chalice. What really grabs my attention is what’s behind them. The two women are standing in the golden chamber of the Ancient City. I just can make out the murals of the ancient families behind them. Two owls rest at their feet. Clouds hover above their heads and something shiny grabs my attention. I step closer to get a better look.
“Journey, we don’t have time for this.” Mom grabs my arm and guides me away, protesting.
“Just one moment,” I whisper, as a flash pulls me from my thoughts. It’s Takoda lagging behind to take a picture of the large painting. He winks and I nod. I’ll be glad to look at it when I have more time.
As we walk to the security office, I keep glancing at the portrait over my shoulder. The eerie painting haunts me, and I’m not sure why. There’s something about it that bothers me. My mother hands over her badge and we’re let in with her. It only takes a few minutes for Takoda and I to get passes.
The elevator to the second floor enters into a normal office, except everyone is blue with long gray hair, like Takoda. Although Swetaachatas’ hair is red on Traveler, on Journey it’s a dull shade of gray. A young female employee compliments me about my draping, and I thank her. We meet with a supervisor and discuss our past work experience, which doesn’t take long, because we don’t have any.
The Swetaachata woman shakes her head and smiles. “How about I just ask what you enjoy to do?”
“We love to travel and explore ruins,” Takoda explains.
Not looking up, she scribbles a few notes in her tablet.
“And we love to meet people,” I add, wondering if we are qualified for anything.
After several grueling minutes of not having anything important to share about our lives, she assigns us to the social welfare department.
“Oh goodie!” I say. Takoda frowns at me as we’re escorted to our new office.
27
THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS
“SOME OFFICE,” I say, standing next to the small table with my tablet in my hand. “I bet this used to be a broom closet.”
“Do you have a fetish for broom closets?” he asks, scanning through some documents on his tablet. “We are supposed to read about these cases and make arrangements to visit their homes.”
I walk around the table that fits only two stools, one on each side, and sit. “Well, I just walked our whole office. Wow, that sure took a while.”
“It is not a big room,” he agrees, “but it works.”
“I guess we’re lucky they gave us these stools to sit on.”
Takoda laughs as he reads the record.
“What about this one?” he asks, turning his tablet so I can see his screen. “It’s an elderly couple. The wife tossed her husband out of the home.”
“Why would she do that?” I ask, my heart breaking for anyone being treated that way. “I’m bored just sitting here. Let’s go visit this couple and get the real story.”
I tuck the tablets into Takoda’s pack and we leave. There’s no reason to lock the room. There’s nothing in here but a table and two stools. The train schedule is every fifteen minutes. Not a lot of time, but enough for me to enjoy the fresh air.
The hazy sky dims the sunlight. Everything is cast in shades of blue. The small station, a kiosk and bench, is empty. My mind wanders to a large tree behind us. As Takoda buys tickets on his cell phone, I take the time to enjoy the scenery. As far up as I can see, branches spread out in all directions. This tree is enormous. Large green leaves curl and drape around the branches creating a colorful kaleidoscope that’s mesmerizing. A sweet aroma tickles my nose. I take in a large breath and sigh slowly.
“That tree has been here for as long as I can remember,” Takoda says.
“What is it?”
“A tree,” he says, laughing.
“Very funny. I meant what kind of a tree?”
“I have no idea,” he replies. “There are many different types on Journey. Some larger, some smaller.”
He pulls off a leaf and hands it to me. “Here, put it in the bag. After a while, it will smell as the plant does now.”
As the train comes to a stop, I place the large leaf into my backpack. I smile as the sweet aroma follows me onto the train. The countryside is amazing with all the foliage. Unlike anything I could have imagined, it’s as if God mixed a jungle with a forest and allowed everything to grow free.
We get off the train twenty minutes outside the city. A young girl greets us when we enter a complex that houses about six families. She’s my sister’s age. Her long red hair entwines with drapings of various lengths. Her large amber eyes shine with excitement having strangers visiting.
“My nam…Akaya,” she says, with a heavy Swetaachata accent and pointing at my chest. “Ou patee.”
It’s difficult to understand her. I think she’s trying to tell me I’m pretty. “Thank you,” I say, nodding to the right.
Takoda asks her a few questions in their native language. She nods and points to a small apartment near the back of the compound. I follow Takoda as several sets of amber eyes follow us. No one is smiling. Instead they all stare at us with solemn expressions, which is not normal for a Swetaachata.
“These people look sad,” I whisper. “They don’t seem as happy as the others from the city.”
Takoda glances around, but makes no comment. We stand at the door the young girl pointed to and knock three times. An elderly white-haired woman answers, her skin is blue but most of the swirls of green have faded with age. She motions for us to sit on her couch, which is just a block of wood with pillows. We sit. She drops to the floor in front of us and crosses her legs. The old woman bows her head and says a few words in their native language. Takoda nods to the right. She is frail but limber for an older woman. She’s wearing a white robe and her feet are bare and worn.
Takoda sighs. “It is as I thought.”
“What?” I’m feeling sorry her. The barren home is empty except for the block of wood we’re sitting on. I see no kitchen or bathroom, no bed or chair. The home makes me uncomfortable, because we’re feeling the same emotion, which doubles the effect.
“These people were brought here against their will,” he explains.
“Brought here?” I repeat. “From where?”
Takoda shakes his head. “I have no idea.”
“Then ask her,” I suggest. “Translate for me, please.” I turn to the woman and say slowly, “Where were your homes? Were they here on this planet?”
Not understanding a word I’m saying, the woman looks at me with a quizzical expression.
“Takoda, translate for me, please.”
Takoda talks to the woman, and their conversation lasts only a few moments. His eyes lower as he sighs. “Their home was on the other side of Journey. On the continent of Shabeelah. She said the trip took many days to get here. The Council confiscated their homeland and brought them here with a promise of a better life. But they have no way to support themselves. These people lived off the land, not a city. They have no idea what to do.”
“This is a better life?” I ask, jumping up and pacing the room. My anger’s rising and my mind is running through all the reasons why. I do not like what I’m concluding.