by Chris Mills
“Stephen, if you could talk to him,” Andy began, “I would be very thankful. I know I can’t ask much from you. You’ve done so much for me. I don’t -”
“Andy, don’t go there,” Stephen said and sighed. “I can talk to him. If you do this, you can’t go home. You have to understand that you’ll be examined to the fullest. Eyes don’t simply fix themselves.”
“What if I didn’t?”
“You have a lot left there.”
“So did you, but it sounds like you can do anything here.”
“Yeah,” Stephen agreed with a sigh. “I’ll talk to Herald.”
Stephen shook his head. This wasn’t like him. Andy was born blind and nothing had changed in his life to bring him close to Stephen. Why it sounded pretty warming to know that he could have one of his best friends here with him, it pained him to think of Deb. What was she doing now? They had to have found the van. Kim and Gabe’s family wouldn’t be any better. Was a large search already underway?
“Thank you,” Andy spoke. “I know this isn’t what you thought it would be. It sounds like Herald knows what he is doing.”
“Yeah,” Stephen said.
Herald had training for combat. It helped and above all, he had taken them to safety. It still felt like Herald, regardless of what he had said, planned for an attack. Kodon was deadly. The containment tube rested on the nightstand. What did it even look like? Herald promised to show him what files he had later.
“Where are we going tomorrow?” Andy asked.
“The Gamarian War Memorial,” Stephen said. It sounded like he pronounced it like Herald now. “He thinks it will kill some time.”
“There’s always wars,” Andy said sadly.
“Herald talks about this being one none can ever compare to.”
The memorial was far from here, and Herald felt they’d love a little history and seeing the beauty it offered. Gardens on the memorial had flowers from all over the galaxy. People spent a whole day looking at all of them. Stephen didn’t mind. If he were to live here, he couldn’t keep coming off naïve. He hated sticking out.
“Does this feel at all like Earth?” Andy asked.
“No,” Stephen said. “It’s odd.”
“Odd?”
“What we left is not this. We’re up in the sky and that’s unreal enough.”
“Do you think our homes are still here?”
“I don’t want to know.”
Chapter Ten
Understanding future healthcare could be a nightmare around the galaxy. It varied, some similar, some outlandish. The Galatian Empire gave free healthcare to every operative in it with somewhat loose control over what treatments were allowed. They cured a lot of illness when they occurred, fix bones, muscles, injuries that happened on duty, and much more.
Herald scratched his chin. He dabbed his finger at the bottom of the tablet’s screen. The green box lit. A smaller box appeared. A circle started to spin within. The green check mark brought forth a sigh. The Telicion woman behind the small table took it back with a smile.
“Thank you,” the Telicion said with a little too much cheer. “Your payment has processed, and the surgeon has been given word to start. Please, have a seat back in the waiting area.”
Herald nodded. He suddenly noticed as the woman turned, the patch on the back of her blue jacket that glowed. Lots of medical centers like this used androids on staff. They dealt with people’s anger when it came to their money, and they never said anything to offend. Sometimes it stunk. He wanted to see care on an issue - not a placid response.
The clinic Herald found this morning on his handheld didn’t turn non-insured individuals away. He stuck his hands in his pocket, racking up what additional costs would come. If you had the money, you could have plenty of operations done. The surgery wing had little wait for someone who would pay up front.
Herald waited in the small lobby. A fountain in the corner shot a blue liquid into the air and looked very real till the hologram fluxed. This place made a lot of money, and the decor, floor, and fancy light fixtures of glass showed it. He sat down, shaking his head.
“You could have said no,” Stephen said.
“It isn’t fair for him to continue on without sight,” Herald admitted. He leaned forward, rubbing his face. Bags hung under his eyes this morning. “It’s the least I can do. I didn’t see any of this coming. He’ll have sight and understand written English in time.”
The module they’d put in Andy could be removed later. It interfaced with a specific portion of the brain and would transfer information at a rate it detected the brain could handle. Headaches and migraines were a short-term side effect. Some people did this if they were moving to certain planets. Herald would always lean towards to using caution with the mind.
“Thank for doing this for him,” Stephen said.
“It’s not going to help his chances for going home now,” Herald said. “I tried to explain that to him.”
“I don’t think he minds the idea.”
“Your friends thought differently,” Herald said. Gabe and Kim were off at a mall right now with a kedren chip. Herald put enough geks on it for them to enjoy themselves and get back. “Gabe seems better this morning.”
“He’s not used to things being thrown in his face,” Stephen said. “You should have seen him back in high school when he learned we weren’t going to the same college. Oh, he was angry.”
“You had to go to the same college?”
“In his mind,” Stephen said.
“Is Kim younger than him?”
“A year behind,” Stephen said.
“She’s fared better than him with this situation.”
“She’s had some bad things happen before,” Stephen said. “Nothing compared, but I think it helped. She’s keeping positive like she always has.” Herald nodded. He hadn’t seen many tears from her.
Herald still got the feeling that Gabe and possibly Kim may not cooperate to come. It should be understandable, but they were alive - right? Things could be worse. Herald didn’t want to take the responsibility for their fate in being here. He gave warnings and believed that you had to face your consequences and not blame others. Certainly, the situation of the leave could have been better, but Stephen refused to change his mind and here they were.
Herald flicked his finger along the side of the handheld. The screen lit, projecting a little off his home screen. “His surgery has started,” he said. “We have an hour. What do you want to talk about?”
“Nothing to be honest,” Stephen said. “I want to try to relax.”
“He’ll be fine.”
“I know.”
**
“Drink,” someone said.
A coolness came to Andy’s lips. He dabbed his tongue at it briefly before taking a sip. It felt great on his throat. Water of all things tasted good. He sipped on. He could hear footsteps moving around him. A hand soon came to his shoulder.
“I need you to hold still,” a familiar voice came, yet it baffled him. Before this, the man had been speaking really weird in his native tongue. “Keep holding still.” Something moved around Andy’s head. He felt the pressure loosening. The last bit came off.
A moist, stickiness became known as whatever clung to his eyes gripped. The surgeon once more warned him to stay still. He pulled lightly. The stickiness gave. The piece which had helped heal the skin around came free. Andy quickly closed his eyes. A slight sting greeted him. He tried to open once more and closed them again.
“Be calm,” the surgeon said. “I need to wipe it off. Your eyes may hurt a little.” Andy nodded. A damp towel rubbed about his face. Its softness did not fade. The surgeon brought it back and pressed something soft and thin at the bridge of his nose. “That should help. Try opening your eyes. I have turned down the lights. Try to relax.”
Andy struggled to open his eyes again. The stickiness had gone. Ugh. His eyes burned for a couple seconds as he let them stay open. Darkness had faded around
him. He could spot a figure in front of him. He managed to smile. The surgeon held up a small light. Andy squirmed before a hand held to his shoulder. He let the life-changing man examine him.
“Good, your new eyes have taken well,” the surgeon said. His lips curled up. Andy did the same. So, that’s what it looked like.
“Did you say new eyes?”
“Your original eyes showed early stages of not taking,” the surgeon said. “I did not want to risk an additional surgery if there were complications. Your new eyes are nearly identical to your old.”
“Are they someone else's?”
“No,” the surgeon chuckled. “Why would I do that? They are a human replacement.” The odd thing about the doctor was he couldn’t be human from something on his face. Andy had felt plenty. “You will find them enjoyable.”
“Are they special?”
“They’re normal eyes,” the surgeon said. “Your language module should be online now too. Give it time before you read a book. I can tell your translator is working.”
“Me too,” Andy said. “Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure. Take it easy with your eyes. I’d advise no alterations for a year. I can’t believe your original eyes were in that state. You really have never had sight before.”
“I never had the ability,” Andy simply said. “Thank you. When can I leave?”
“I’ll have your clothes brought, and then I’ll do one final scan. You’ll be on your way soon.”
**
Stephen yawned. The ocean had come underneath the large white bus. It had filled up not long after they boarded. All different races were on it, they being among the only humans besides the driver and an elderly couple near the front. Herald had bought an inexpensive tablet for him and the others to share for this trip. Stephen had finally come to have it after Gabe and Kim. He spent what time they had left to get an idea for the other races onboard.
Salzmenian. It had been fortunate Herald suggested the back of the bus. Stephen tried not to stare more than two seconds at the overgrown lizard two seats ahead. He had seen this race before. They only had three fingers and a thumb.
Tap. Herald wore a grin. Stephen could only shake his head. There were more races to go through here to learn then he may ever have time to. Some race, the Melistinians, looked a bit like elves. Their hair had a natural shine to it. Weirdly and it still seemed unreal, some could mind read. Everything he saw in the article screamed intelligence.
“Arrival in five minutes,” a voice came over. Three more times it repeated the same. Stephen handed the tablet back to Herald, who put it in the small backpack he bought.
“Andy?” Herald called. Andy’s eyes opened briefly. He rested his head in the corner like he had not long after they left. “We’ll be there soon.” He nodded and closed his eyes once more.
“Side effect?” Stephen whispered to Herald.
“He’s still recovering,” Herald whispered.
It had passed 10:30 a.m. before they departed. Time zones changed constantly, and Herald’s simple response was, ‘care where you sleep and eat.’ Stephen stretched up. Crack, crack. He needed another good night’s sleep like the last, and then he’d be set.
Stephen did not really understand much about this memorial until Herald explained and now the picture hit. The Gamarian War Memorial was on a manmade island built out in the Atlantic. Its size was greater than something someone could manage back home. A large inner ring was covered with many areas leading to it. The bus flew over and started down to a large platform with tramrails leading into the memorial. Once more the voice spoke three times about having a nice day.
The bus rocked gently upon the platform. A few, identical to theirs, were unloading too. This place had a limit, and Herald had ordered tickets late last night. Stephen rose and did the same jumble that never changed. The line moved and froze, as someone needed out, as someone forgot something, or when someone didn’t realize the person in front had moved. His worst had been at an airplane back from Florida.
An ocean summer breeze greeted them outside. Stephen inhaled deeply, letting it all in. There should be a beach here. A push had him moving once more. Herald pointed to their way in. The tram doors opened, and the herd that waited pushed to get in. Stephen tried not to notice the security around. The Talon Federation supplied the resources to fund and train all security here according to Herald. These officers looked nothing like those who boarded, each in matching black and red uniforms.
The tram moved quick. Stephen found himself moving back as a heavyset man tried to position with another to corral the dozens of children joining them. He’d hated being stuck at school that age during the summer. Relief swept him as he jogged out of the train and found shelter from the tourists behind a large information stand.
Herald soon joined with the others. He patted down his shirt, shaking his head. “It’s year-round,” he said.
“Christmas?” Kim questioned.
“Religious holidays are not widespread in the galaxy,” Herald reminded.
“Is Christmas still a large Human holiday?”
“I wouldn’t worry about questions like that now,” Herald said. “Now, there are many gardens we can visit. Do you want to visit them first or would you want to go to the museum?”
“What would you do?” Andy asked.
“I’d spend time in the museum so you can use your new eyes later to see all the beauty this place has.”
“So-,” Gabe began. “He has sight now and you’re suggesting to bore him with a museum tour as his first venture. Hey and what about this universal principle crap? Aren’t we not supposed to learn about the future?”
“You’re here, right?” Herald asked. Gabe nodded his head lightly. “I don’t think what you learn here can impact anything in the past. You can’t stop wars that aren’t between humanity and another race.”
“Is this still a good idea?” Stephen said, the more he started to think on its impact.
“Some lessons are important to learn. If they wish, they can stay out in one of the gardens. Dinner is at six. I suggest you get some lunch. Do you still have that kedren chip?”
“Yes,” Kim said.
“Then it is up to you,” Herald said. “Those who wish to join me, I’ll take you there. The map here shows the layout.” Many were on the other side of the stand gathering information. Herald swiped a leaflet from the desk where a lone silver robot floated, head facing a couple asking questions. It resembled a sphere. Where were its eyes? “Hmm. Here. Let’s meet at food court 3 at 2.”
This leaflet turned out to be a map. Its paper felt weird to the touch. Stephen expected the ink to pop off or images to turn. It was a regular map like back home.
“Here?” Gabe questioned.
“Yes. Don’t worry. This place is easy to get around. The robots will direct you and follow the signs.”
“Okay,” Gabe said a bit nervous. He looked about. Another bunch unloaded from a tram. “Well, Kim, let’s go, I guess.”
Stephen held a hexagonal black chip that some man handed to him near the entrance they came in. It lit with an area map so he could better explore whatever section he chose. A tube near each exit would take it when he was done. He kept behind Herald with Andy. Andy kept pressing the button, causing the holographic map to appear, expand, and then vanish.
“Where to start,” Herald said. Stephen managed to stop in plenty of time. Andy however smacked right into Herald’s back.
“Sorry,” Andy said.
“Stop playing with that,” Herald joked. “There’s two routes I use when I visit. I start with origins, or I start with the fallen.”
“The fallen?” Andy questioned.
“It’s a special chamber. Do you want to start there?”
Stephen shrugged. They headed through many archways and rooms full of past knowledge before Herald brought them to a stop. Two security officers did well to control the flow and warned them as they got close to be respectful for the retir
ed soldiers who were inside.
Wow. The chamber was large and circular. A dome pressed up. Many small streaks of yellow light ran along the wall. It took little to realize that a mass of them were housed above, lighting up the ceiling and the entire room. In the very center of the chamber, floated a planet above a pedestal, marked Seran, which glowed in a vibrant yellow light. Beams erupted from its top and flowed to the very ceiling above.
“What am I looking at?” Andy questioned.
“Lives lost,” Herald said, his voice soft with slight weakness.
Officers in a mostly white uniform were near the wall, one on a knee, his hand resting on an elderly human woman’s shoulder. She held her face, tears unable to stop. Stephen took a deep breath. Redness had quickly taken to his own eyes. ‘What happened?’ popped into his head many times - yet he stood in the war memorial feeling stupid as hell to question.
Stephen neared the planet. A Zachar with dark blue skin held up her handheld getting another photo of the planet. Much youth was in her face and unlike the Zachar he had seen serving in the bar, she wore clothes that covered much of what a man would lust over. Something about their skin, the face, their odd tentacled hair, and build made men and women both stare.
The girl soon backed and headed away staring at her handheld. Stephen brought himself up on his toes and stared at the planet that rested under the energy. It had landmass.
“Where is Seran?” Andy whispered to Herald. Herald motioned them both close.
“Listen,” Herald said very soft. “People are mourning in here. I will tell you when we leave.” The two nodded. “Place your hand on the wall, Stephen.”
“My hand?” Stephen asked.
“Go on.”
Stephen about bumped into two people as he got to the wall. Gabe and Kim both kept looking around, eyes wide. “I thought you said you didn’t want to come,” Stephen said.