Kodon

by Chris Mills

  “Shut it,” Gabe muttered.

  “It didn’t feel right to get off here,” Kim said.

  This place still felt like where people from the past may be at risk, but Stephen had to agree from the gardens they past, that anyone could spend a day without being in here. Kim walked by and stared at the planet. She pointed. Herald quieted her before she could speak. Cries continued from the woman close at the wall. Her hand retreated from the wall.

  Stephen took a deep breath. His hand rose. An odd warmth tingled his fingertips. Three bolts of light raced close. He about retreated his hand. Names floated above his fingers. Porters.

  “We must remember the fallen,” Herald spoke soft. “They believe in two hundred years, people should still be able to see who passed during the war.” Andy kept pressing his hand. “Andy. Think.”

  “Oh,” Andy said.

  Stephen pulled his hand back. He wanted to ask - yet couldn’t. “Come,” Herald said. “I think it’s time we leave this chamber.”

  Noise brought warmth. They headed further till Herald took a deep breath. The room had some ugly paintings in it and a statue of someone that at first looked like a Salzmenian, but their mouth did not extend at all like them or another Stephen had read about.

  “Ugh,” Herald suddenly spoke. “I didn’t mean to lead us in here.”

  “I can breathe again,” Kim said. “It was so sad in there.”

  “I know,” Herald said. “Too many died.”

  “And that planet?” Andy asked. “Why was that there?”

  “It was lost.”

  “Conquered?”

  Herald neared the statue of the lizard. ‘Gamarinian’ the label at the bottom read. The room had much about them. An odd rub came within Stephen as he stared more at that statue. He felt like if it was alive, he should not walk, but run the other way.

  “It was them,” Herald finally spoke. “Seran started as a world that humans found. They started large colonies long ago. It grew to a second Earth. I visited it with your father before, Stephen. Many times. My parents had a place we could go for the summer. It had white sand beaches. Its world had much life left.”

  “Doesn’t Earth?”

  “When I mean life, I mean beauty. We’re humans and our world, like many, we transformed to make our lives easier. Seran had yet to know that. Then they came. Seran wasn’t conquered, Andy, it was destroyed.”

  Stephen gasped, like Kim. He envisioned the Death Star’s laser slamming into it. Silence fell. The lone officer’s stare faded as he passed through. How could a whole planet be destroyed?

  “This started the war,” Herald said. “We had fought their empire for a while, and this triggered the Galatian Empire’s intervention and the birth of the federation.”

  “The Talon Federation?” Stephen questioned.

  “It used to be the Talon Alliance,” Herald explained. “They were human and several others. With Seran gone, people wanted to act fast and humanity brought many races together where they formed this. The Galatian Empire wasn’t happy, but I can’t say anyone can blame this action.”

  “Why?” Gabe asked.

  “Try asking for help many times and it not coming. When it finally comes, you don’t want it anymore, not after this. It’s too long to talk about. A lot happened here.”

  According to one of the information stands, the Gamarian Empire was formed by the Gamarinians and consisted of nearly a dozen races. Their strength and power could compete with much. A full-scale war wasn’t a risk to them. Stephen backed up shaking his head. War. War never changed. Someone had to be more powerful.

  “This started because of colonies?” Andy questioned. He suddenly groaned and held his head. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have read all that.”

  “Take it easy,” Kim said. She rubbed his shoulder. “Will this go on long?”

  “No,” Herald reassured, “and yes, Andy. They grew mad and claimed human colonies were in their space and did what they could to destroy them. It is beyond my understanding why they would try to wipe us out entirely. By nature, they are aggressive and carry a dominant nature for survival.”

  Stephen spent time with Andy mainly wandering the rooms. They’d pass Kim and Gabe who kept to a bench in the hall. At times, they spotted the couple investigating. Herald had wanted them to try and go where they wanted. The place was large and even Herald hadn’t gotten a look at everything. According to a closed exhibit, they were adding more. History kept coming and that meant this place would change too.

  “I feel sorry for Kim,” Andy said.

  “Why?” Stephen asked.

  “She hates it when people are bullies. This is a whole new level.”

  “It’s not that different from back home,” Stephen said.

  “It’s a different race.”

  “Yeah and we were different nations too at one point.”

  “Huh, I didn’t see it that way. Say, why does Herald say races all the time. Shouldn’t it be species?”

  “I think that offends people,” Stephen said. “We are all people of this large galaxy. We may be different species, but from all I’ve been reading we aren’t too different.”

  “Can we have babies with other races?” Andy questioned a bit quietly.

  “Of course,” Stephen laughed. “Sorry.” He took a slight breath and smiled. “See, races.” Andy nodded.

  Not every race was compatible. Races like Salzmenians, who did resemble lizards, laid a large egg after protecting it in the womb before their offspring could come into the world. Genetics mattered, like they did back home. If Stephen got married to someone of another race, it might be good to know the chances of having a natural conception or if adoption was the best bet. Heck there was actual sex to know about too.

  “Let’s check this out,” Andy said.

  ‘Project Nova’ rested on the archway above. Only a few were inside the circular room. Stephen pressed his hands into his pockets and strolled up behind one. “What’s that?” he asked.

  Herald shook and soon chuckled lightly. “You’ve finally caught up with me,” he said. “Oh that? That’s Nova.”

  A glass case held a model of the starship Nova. It didn’t look like it could be that big in real life. Its entire body curved round and out in the back. The hull had been painted black. Stephen peered close. It really didn’t have much to it. The information before the case read dimensions which changed as Herald tapped it to the metric system. A disclaimer told that it is uncertain beyond this if anything had changed.

  “This was a project?” Stephen questioned. “It’s bland.”

  “Design is not always important, Stephen,” Herald explained. “When a purpose is great, then you care less for looks, but what it can do. Sadly, this did too much.”

  “Did what?” a voice called. Gabe and Kim strolled close. Kim held a leaflet in hand that many of the exhibits had.

  “We’re talking about Nova.”

  “That project?” Kim questioned.

  “Yes, look up. All of you.”

  The dome ceiling had never come to eye before. A star, planets; not Earth’s. Stephen eyed over the solar system. It had more planets than theirs. Without really knowing the habitable range, that perfect for life, it was hard to know where a race may have grown.

  The star erupted. Stephen’s eyes widened. The explosion took the entire ceiling. His heart dropped. A darkness only remained for some time before the simulation brought back the life it took.

  “I don’t understand,” Stephen said. “How is that poss -” He eyed the ship. “That can’t be right.”

  “A secret team had been commissioned back during the war,” Herald began. “They were bright minds, and their goal consisted to end the threat that had grown out of control.”

  “They did this?” Kim asked. She looked a tad pale.

  “No,” Herald said. His voice held a little tone to it. “No one should have done this. From what we are told, the lead scientist hijacked the project when it was to be shut
down. He used it to destroy the star you saw and wipe out what the Gamarinians held dear in order to make them surrender.”

  “Who was it?” Stephen asked.

  “I do not know,” Herald sighed. “Some things aren’t revealed and that is for the best. The war ended and the wave of destruction is the reason you are here.” Stephen stare. “Where do you think that entry point came from?”

  Stephen closed his eyes. If it took the cataclysmic wave to strike space and create a tear - it was plain wrong. Nothing this horrid should have happened. Seran had been terrible and this was unmeasurable. This could have been extinction. The Gamarinians lived in colonies and some were protected by the Galatian Empire. Not all of that race or the races who joined wanted the war. Someone went out of their way to ensure the point of battle was done.

  “How many died?” Stephen asked.

  “Seran’s estimate had been 8.7 billion,” Herald said. Had Earth had that many back where they came? “The war brought near 45 billion in the end. Most, coming from this.”

  It felt like some turned the air down past freezing.

  “This wasn’t war,” Stephen said.

  “And that is why we must never forget this,” Herald said. “No one should have done this. Life is precious. The Gamarian War was unavoidable in the end, but I feel we could have ended it in time without this.”

  Stephen took another bite of this fried beauty. It was shaped similar to a corndog. The meat inside reminded him a sausage and it was filled with cheese. The air had a nice breeze to it. The group sat near a large rail that gave a view of the endless ocean. Waves crashed below against the artificial land. It was nice to find simple food. The food court only offered popular earthly food and simple snacks; mainly chips and drinks. Other races seemed to be enjoying it as well.

  There came a point that Stephen had learned too well from his father that being upset about the past did nothing to help now. His father passing had been horrid and out of their control. He hated knowing his father would never again smile at him. He hated and wanted everything he could do to try and think of what he could have done. Could he have gotten his father to get that cough looked at sooner? Could there have been a different treatment?

  This war was long gone, 31 years, and no one could ask what ifs. Pain would always remain but being angry made it worse. No one should have pulled that trigger; Stephen agreed. There was much to learn on how things should be done. This memorial spoke life and hope. To have that let the museum’s exhibits help educate.

  It had been almost three by the time they ate. ‘Eat light,’ Herald had told them, and that Stephen did. Stephen wiped the ketchup from his fingertips and took a sip of his water.

  “This place really is beautiful,” Kim said. “I really can’t wait to see the garden.”

  “Me too,” Andy agreed.

  The food court rested at the end of a garden and stepping close to the stairs down brought a sense of wonder to the nose. Stephen got up and neared the rail overlooking the colors. He had never been one to pick flowers or stroll through a garden to look at them. Megan had been the one to get Stephen to do things like that when they were dating. She had an obsession with daisies. Stephen bought her some before to brighten her day.

  “Come on, Gabe,” Kim said. She tugged at him harder the closer they got to the stairs. He finally let out a sigh and went down with her into the garden. Stephen grinned.

  “There is a rare flower here,” Herald’s voice rose. “You’ll find it in a container. I should go and get their hunting quests.”

  “A what?” Stephen asked.

  “It’s a hunt for specific flowers. Some kids love it.”

  Herald leaned over the rail with a smile. Gabe kept his head slightly hung as Kim moved him along, hands locked in the garden. Hmm. Andy had ventured down to the garden. A droid hovered close and spat something into its single hand. Andy nodded lightly and took it.

  “I like the droids in the garden,” Herald said. It reminded Stephen of an eagle. Its wings wouldn’t move.

  “How many droids are in this one?” Stephen asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Herald said. “There can be errors when we take care of plants. You can thank them for what you see.”

  “Thank a droid?”

  “You understood what I meant. Almost all these flowers are donated, and we must care for them.”

  “And where does this special flower you talked about come from?”

  “Oh,” Herald said. “You’ll find it in water near the center. It’s from Alairi. The whole world is covered in water.”

  “No land?”

  “No land,” Herald repeated. “The Aquarians are an interesting race. We haven’t seen any yet.”

  “Do they need to be in a tank?”

  “That is very rude,” Herald said. “Try to be more thoughtful. They need water, but that does not limit them. They’ve needed air to do much. You’ll know them when you see them. They do wear something special on their neck. They cannot live without water.”

  “I really feel lost looking at some people.”

  “That should end in time,” Herald warned. “If you are going to live here, you’ll have to get used to new things and not react.”

  “I’m trying. We aren’t at Galat II yet.”

  “No, we are not. Tomorrow, we’ll shop a bit and see what there is around the hotel. Then the next day, we’ll be off. I hope to talk to Councilman Wallace before we leave. He sent me a message early this morning. It was kind of him. He does wish to speak to me.”

  “How’s the investigation going?”

  “It happened yesterday. I’m not sure what all has been found. I doubt the Amandora will answer in the end. I did put a record in from the shuttle, but as I told before, that is little. This case needs much we don’t have. Sadly, there is nothing more I can do. This has only revealed why we must meet with Councilman Wallace. I feel confident leaving it in his hands.”

  “Don’t you want to see what Kodon can do firsthand?”

  “Stephen,” Herald said, “I would love to lead a project examining it and learning from it, but it has only brought problems. I want it to be in the right hands and get on with my life. I did my part. I found you like your parents wanted. Once it is in their hands, I’m done. I lost too much.” He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I still feel like he should be here with us. Darren had never been here before. I really wish he could now.”

  “I’m sorry, Herald.”

  “Things will get better in time. I won’t let his death be in vain. Your parents wouldn’t want you to continue with this.”

  “What will we do?” Stephen asked. Herald grinned.

  “Once we are free of it and things are set, you can do whatever you want here. I’ll be here to help. That’s a promise.”

  Chapter Eleven

  The little jumps didn’t seem to end. Stephen rested his head back with a smile. The upper city of Earth flew by. Kim once more shook in her seat as they sped up. It had been Gabe who suggested they ride in a convertible. Herald claimed it was completely safe; a field protected them and also kept the real feel of the traveling from affecting them. The most that happened if they got hit would be another field shielding them.

  Gabe kept staring over the side with wide eyes. This was better than a plane. Stephen grinned. He wanted to pilot this or an air cycle he had saw earlier. If only his father could see this. He had always wanted to learn to fly a plane. They were higher than any small plane either rode in before.

  “I think, I’m going to be sick,” Kim said suddenly.

  “Close your eyes, babe,” Gabe said.

  “Take nice and easy breaths,” the taxi driver called back. Stephen grew pretty certain that Gabe and Kim were the only ones who couldn’t understand him. “Not much - dammit.”

  Stephen found himself clutching his knees. The taxi slowed quickly and about triggered its front safety field. Traffic piled far in front. While the stop had been quick, it didn’t feel like i
t inside. Their speeds were much faster than a car should drive in a city - in his opinion.

  “Pardon my language,” the driver said. “I’ll check the conditions.”

  Stephen stood up. Traffic in the upper city had different lanes and levels. In all four lanes, their direction were stopped, and it appeared the ones below were as well. He sat back down and crossed his arms. Kim’s breathing had finally come back to normal. Gabe kept rubbing her back. Stephen hadn’t seen him smile for a while. He did love rollercoasters and speed.

  “Ah,” the driver said. “I’ll send you the footage. Pay attention to the screen. Horrible.”

  Screen? A bright light erupted off the divider between the driver’s section. A holographic screen bobbed lightly before coming still. Smoke rolled out the side of a buildings. Several crafts were about, one spouting a white mist into the hole. An odd robot, resembling a black hawk, flew inside. The headline read ‘Possible Bombing.’

  “Terrorism,” the driver spat.

  “Sir,” Herald called. “Can you set us down?”

  “Are you certain? The plaza is not far.”

  “It’s fine,” Herald said. “I have a feeling we may wait a while, and I want to stretch my legs.”

  “It’s your money.”

  Stephen stared at the screen in silence. The taxi dropped down below and moved to the side, giving off low tones. A white light flashed from the back. It came to the side of a building and dropped once more. The nearest platform was ahead. They weren’t the only ones getting off. The taxi floated close to the parking platform. Unlike many taxi drivers Stephen knew, this one got out and helped each of them out.

  “Thank you kindly,” the driver said, among glancing at something in the front. “Safe travels, friends.”

  The five watched the taxi rise and return to the mess of traffic that had started to move slowly. “That was -” Gabe spoke.

  “Yes,” Herald said. “I have a call to make. Let’s find a place. It’s no use standing here.”

  Shelter came far down the platform that served as the civilian walkway. The shop had a lovely fried smell coming from it. Red baskets were at the counter, being filled with goodness for the people in line. Herald gave Stephen a kedren chip and motioned them on. It took a little time to get a basket of fries. A curved screen floated in the corner of the small burger joint. The chaos revealed to all. At times like this, Stephen would see captions at places near his old college.