“I understand the human condition quite well. Besides, you do not have to cry on the Commander’s shoulder. I thought a more empathetic bond would be useful to you right now.”
“Thanks for trying to help me, Sonny. It has been so busy; we have only gotten together just a few times in this last year.”
“Well, I happen to know she is currently in the park, not far from here. There is time now.”
“Now I think of it, a walk in the park may be just the thing to clear the clouds in my head.”
“There’s a good lad.” Sonny clapped him on the back. “Just the tonic you are looking for.”
“See ya later, Sonny.”
They both left the construct. Levi headed out the door and to the park. When he arrived he saw her sitting on the park bench. As he approached her, he smiled. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Indeed. I got a message from Sonny that he had cleared my schedule for the day and that I should be on this bench in a few minutes to receive a surprise. I guess you are it.” Alex giggled.
Levi cocked his head. “Why are you laughing?”
“I didn’t think I needed a computer dating service, but I must say I am pleased so far.” She rose from the bench and gave him a warm hug.
Levi couldn’t believe it. Sonny had set this up. “That little rascal, Sonny! I don’t like to be handled. However, I don’t mind this time.”
Alex defended the machine. “Sonny just knew this is what you needed right now. I guess you had a bad day. Let’s take a stroll down the path, and you can tell momma all about it.” She kissed his forehead, smiled that warm smile he liked most about her, and took his hand.
As they strolled, he realized Sonny was right. The scent of love could certainly brush out even the most stubborn cobwebs and black clouds. It was certainly clear that Alex had given him a new perspective. He became fully relaxed now, without a care in any world.
FOURTEEN
Melon
The cargo transport touched down on Searth, bringing more supplies to forward command center number eighty-six. The hold opened and two half-track vehicles came rolling out, filled with supplies. There were other equipment and supplies to unload as well. Thirty people cranked their exoskeletons up so that even two-hundred-pound containers could be lifted with ease. They formed a relay line at first but used forklifts and carriers to complete the task of emptying the one-kilometer size transport.
“Come on, let’s move like you got a purpose,” Major Janson barked at the men disembarking from the smaller personnel transports. “If you don’t know your assignment, come and see me.” Which was code for you better know your assignments.
The arriving men stepped up the pace and got to work unloading startup supplies for the new command center. It was the twenty-first base of operations the major had started since the asteroid hit a year ago. They had all been working hard night and day ever since. The command centers managed myriad encampments and smaller bases that worked directly with the clans. The major had no idea just how many Te’Hat lived on this planet, but they were finding out.
The aid and rescue operations were organized and supervised by the military. The military under Admiral Johnson on the Intrepid was responsible for infrastructure, supplies and equipment. The nitty gritty of going from clan to clan and help with whatever was needed fell on the Valiant and her crew. There had been cave-ins and structural damage that required immediate attention, and temporary housing had to be set up so the Te'Hat could be secure while repairs were made. The Te’Hat also needed help with food. Luckily, the humans had been around the Te’Hat long enough to understand the biochemistry of their food and could replicate a nutritious substitute.
During the process of dealing with this global disaster, the Te’Hat came to see the humans in a different light. They could make things happen which would have taken generations of Te’Hat to make the same dent in the calamity. The humans were a force of will. Their generosity and compassion for a species who were going to boot them off the planet had been something that perplexed the grateful Te’Hat. Melon had been reflecting on this when his mate Karleen caught up with him on his way to the Mat’Ma meeting at the dome.
You seem distracted, my always. She was concerned with the burdens Melon had to carry, especially now since he had become the Mat’Ma for the clan.
I was thinking about the Two-Legs and why they give without thought of return. I asked Admiral Johnson about this, and he said, ‘We’re just funny that way’. I do not understand what he means by that statement. When I asked him to clarify he said, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ I sometimes worry the Two-Legs may ask for repayment of their efforts at some later time. They may think enslaving us for an unknown time would be an appropriate payment for this monumental debt.
Karleen had not thought of such a dire outcome. Do you think they would do such a thing?
You’ve seen how powerful they are. How could we deny the humans anything?
I had not thought about their help as a debt that required repayment. Oh, Melon, what can we do?
With the other Mat’Mas from all the other clans together, we will push for clarity from Admiral Johnson.
Walk carefully, Melon, Karleen stressed. These Two-Legs are powerful indeed. We do not want to create a burden too heavy to carry.
One of the largest concerns about the Two-Legs is their capacity for deceit. It is something I struggle with in dealing with them. I do not know how much to trust them. Even Admiral Johnson! Especially after the conflict among themselves which also killed many Te’Hat. I want to trust them. But the wrong decisions could mean a terrible trail for us to walk later.
Karleen stopped him before they arrived at the dome. My always, I know you will do your best, as usual. It warms my hearts that you care so much for all the clans, not only ours. I am not worried about the outcome. Solutions follow you wherever you go. I will wait here for your return.
Do not wait for me, Karleen. I will see you at our nesting site.
It is no trouble. I have a feeling you will need the company on the way home.
You are unique, my always. The way you are always predicting the future, like you have acquired the Shrim’ra!
You may have the Shrim’ra, but I do not have to guess what will happen if I put the Amaran nectar on my claw," said Karleen, indignantly. "I know a Plentaka flitter will soon be by! You should be on your way to your meeting.
I meant no harm, my always. I do not keep choosing you to mate because you are easy to live with. It is because you are strong, and we have had many strong younglings together. We make good partners in life. I am fortunate I chose you first. Wait for me here if you wish. I would be grateful for the company on the way home. Until I return, my always.
He affectionately reached out and touched her dominant third leg. Karleen responded in kind.
Until you return, my always, she said as Melon turned to go up the hill to the dome.
As Melon topped the hill, he saw many small transport vehicles scattered around the dome. Some were coming in, and some were going out. Mat’Mas from all over the planet were converging on the dome. We will get some answers soon, he thought. This has been the seventh of this kind of meeting since the disaster. The humans felt it important to gather the leaders of each clan all together at once so decisions could be taken back to the individual clans upon their return. In this way, everyone received the same information at the same time.
There were upwards of ten thousand Te’Hat representing their clans. They were packed in every square inch of the dome’s park. Melon slowly slogged his way through the masses to arrive next to the admiral at the podium, located at the center of an overarching walkway overlooking the park and designed to be a focal point for the dome. Since Melon's clan was acting as the host clan due to their proximity to the dome, he would provide a translation of the human speech to the rest of the Te'Hat representatives. Their range of telepathy was not very far and the ones farther back from the podium were not going
to understand Admiral Johnson when he spoke, so Melon would have to use actual speech. This made what he had planned easier.
“It is good to see you again, Melon.” The admiral gave a short bow.
It is good to meet with you also, Admiral Johnson, Melon said diplomatically.
“We will be starting shortly. Is there anything I can get you?”
Melon thought about it and decided the admiral had been a kind fellow in the past and deserved the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps some answers.
“If I can answer them quickly, go right ahead.”
I still do not understand why you Humans would choose to help us, even when we decided to ask you to leave.
The Admiral smiled and kneeled, to speak to him in a more personal way. “My friend, you only need to understand about our passions.”
What do your mates have to do with helping us?
“No, no,” he chuckled. “The word ‘passion’ has other meanings besides our mates. A passion can mean a strong feeling toward any person or thing, just like you and the Elders have a passion for guiding your clan. You take the responsibility seriously, don’t you?”
Yes, we do.
“A common thing most humans are passionate about is righting a wrong. When we see something wrong, we cannot help but try to fix it. The problem is, humans often have trouble defining that wrong, and disagreements abound. Our little rebellion was just like that. Our history is a long story, but humans have not figured out yet how to live with the universe instead of fighting against it. It is said we sometimes let our passions get in the way of our compassion. One side wanted to colonize here at all costs, even if it meant the Te’Hat were expendable. They thought it wrong to pass up a perfectly good planet to live on rather than take the risk of never finding a new home. The other side did not want to stay here if it meant disturbing your culture and way of life. Now we have settled our differences and are united to help our friends and right a wrong.”
You have expended a legendary effort to help us. How can we ever hope to repay this debt?
Leo saw his chance. “Helping a friend does not require a debt. Just as you give affection to your mate freely, we give our affection to your species freely. Maybe someday, you may be able to help us out. Does this help you understand?”
It has been wrong of me to judge your clan prematurely. It is only that you are so powerful! It is like being in a room with hundreds of younglings. They are so small and so many, the possibility of stepping on one and causing harm is great. It is not intentional but harmful just the same. It is difficult to know how to deal with your kind and not get harmed.
“I will let you in on a little secret your predecessor probably did not tell you about. Life is not without risk. Life does not progress if a person—I mean a living being—" Leo corrected himself, --"doesn’t solve problems or take risks. I can imagine if we were in your position. How much to trust? How far to go before turning back? And is there a way to turn back? It would be a difficult thing to decide. That is why our kind had our great struggle. A part of us wanted to take this risk, and part of us did not.”
Melon's comprehension of these humans suddenly expanded. I understand. In many ways, we are very much the same. But we are very different in other ways.
“And this is the larger secret, my friend, it is the differences which allow us all to grow.”
You are indeed wise. But I think we should start the meeting now.
“Agreed. Did I help you understand?”
Yes, Admiral Johnson. Thank you.
Leo stood up and approached the podium. He spread his arms wide, which the Te’Hat recognized as like the Mat’Ma’s call for silence. He waited for them to settle down and then began his briefing. He spoke without the microphone, using the implant for the benefit of any humans who may also be attending. As he spoke, Melon translated his speech into their language, using the microphone for any Mat’Mas who were not close enough to sense the admiral’s thoughts.
“Welcome to all who are attending this day. I hope you are all well. Most of you have traveled great distances to be here. I appreciate your efforts. First, I wish to update you on the current state of the planetary crisis.
“The human contingent has ninety-six command centers which service just over three thousand base camps, assisting over ten thousand clans across the planet. Between the two ships in space there are roughly five hundred thousand humans, of whom half are down here in some capacity. One of the biggest problems we encountered was the gravity. The first colonists who landed had to use exoskeleton devices which assisted them in moving around easier on your world. Since we had to send a great number of us down quickly, we had to manufacture an exoskeleton for each person on the planet. However, we are becoming used to the double-strength gravity.
“The second problem has been supplies. With many humans on the planet, support for food and equipment had to be immense. Alice on board the Intrepid ran logistics and coordinated the implementation of the operation. Getting equipment and supplies down on the planet quickly became a major challenge. The meteorite impact was a scenario we just were not prepared for. At the year mark, using your planet’s time, the logistics and implementation have smoothed out greatly.
“The third problem to overcome was resources. We are currently operating at ninety percent capacity. Mining on the two moons has been in full swing for several years. This last year has put a strain on their capacity to output raw materials which are used to manufacture equipment and supplies. In rare circumstances, and with your permission, we have mined the planet’s surface for metals or elements that are not available on the moons. We do not wish to disrupt any place that could be of use to the Te’Hat.
“There were endless other smaller problems I will not take the time to run down for you here. The purpose of these meetings is primarily for you to get the latest information to take back to your clans. There are kiosks, or stations, that will give you the latest statistics and explanations for most questions you may have. After the meal, I will take the top ten or so topics from there and answer them for you. I strongly urge you to ask the stations questions about your specific clan so the timetables and statistic information are of direct use to you and your clan.
“Lastly, I want to thank all the Te’Hat who have volunteered their services. You have much to be proud of. Many of you helped with the search and rescue teams and the reconstruction of clan sites. There were others who served as liaisons and cultural interpreters. Females and even younglings have been of great service to your clans and the surrounding neighbors. Non-Elders and females have served as runners for messages and relaying instructions to neighboring clans. Brave younglings have helped in search and rescue to go where adults could not go when investigating cave-ins. All these things and more have greatly helped the relief effort and make our job easier. I encourage more Te’Hat participation so we can serve all the clans faster and more efficiently. And now we will break up for a few hours of our time, for you to use the stations and network amongst yourselves. If you need to see me, please try the station first, and if it is of utmost importance, I will try to hear your concerns. Remember, there are ten thousand of you and only one of me. Thank you again for your attendance."
Leo turned from the podium and spoke to Melon. “Alice says you did a wonderful job translating.”
It was my honor assisting you. I want to thank you for taking the time to help me understand the Two-Legs, I mean, the Humans better. And I want to thank you personally again for helping my clan first in the disaster.
“Well, you were the closest and most familiar clan.”
This is true. However, thank you anyway.
“You are more than welcome, Mat’Ma.”
It is all right to call me by my given name.
“I am simply honoring your station. I must head to my office down there to entertain the clans from afar.”
I will see you after the meal. Melon turned to go down into the crowd.
Leo fo
llowed him on his way to the temporary office, which had interfaces to help Leo with many of the possible problems he might be asked to answer. Like the other meetings, he was mobbed on his way to the office. He felt like the old movie stars slogging their way through the paparazzi! Many Te’Hat were chattering in Leo’s head, asking him questions. Leo knew he didn’t have to shout for them to hear his thoughts. He told them they had to speak with him in the office or go to a station. Then they let him pass and get to the office. He shut the door and sat for a few seconds to catch his breath. Then he called the security person at the outer door to let the first clan delegate in.
“Hello, how can I help you…?”
After meeting with roughly one hundred Mat’Mas, Leo finally got to catch a breather and have some lunch. The Mat’Mas were also heading to their own mealtime spot. In an area a short distance from the dome were fifty, one-hundred-foot shallow trenches filled with a variety of different foods the Te’Hat liked. None of it was palatable by human standards, but it was like a buffet for them. This singular dining experience did not occur in their own tunnels because of space considerations. The delegates found it quite enjoyable, since they could mill about from trough to trough and discuss things while they ate.
The rest of the day was exhausting but productive, as in past meetings. Melon found over the last few meetings that the tone toward the humans had changed. It had gone from fear and distrust to respect and admiration. He met many who felt the way he did about repaying a debt to the humans. But Melon explained the conversation he'd had with the admiral, and why they did not have to worry.
Then Melon headed home. The weary Mat’Ma came down the hill and spied Karleen waiting where she said she would, ready to go home. He quickened his pace a bit and gave her an affectionate touch.
Let’s go home now, he said, relieved the day was nearly over.
Did the day go wrongly? She saw how tired he appeared.
The Journey of Atlantis: The Children of Earth Page 16