by Doug Farren
“If you don’t mind,” he said, stopping in front of the group. “I would like to greet our distinguished guest. I am, after all, the captain of this ship.”
“Come on,” AJ said, stepping back from the airlock. “Let’s give the Captain some room. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to see a Ba’Rutu shuttle once we get down to the planet.”
The group did some shuffling, allowing the Captain to take his place at the head of the greeting party. A moment later, a shadow passed in front of the window. There was a muted thunk followed a few seconds later by a chime as one of the indicators flipped from red to green.
Captain Pry touched a control and the airlock door swung open. After a brief delay, the inner airlock also opened and the spider-like form of a Keldan stepped through the short airlock. Because of how he was built, the Keldan had to turn his body sideways in order to fit it through the human-designed airlock but he did so with such grace that it looked completely natural.
“Ambassador Goeglict,” Captain Pry said. “I am Captain Kajika ‘Red Fox’ Pry. Welcome aboard the Star Pulse.”
“Goeglict!” AJ said. “I didn’t know you’d be here. It’s been well over a year since you first arrived.”
“I invited him along,” Aleksandr said, stepping through the airlock and joining the others in the now crowded passageway. “Like myself, Goeglict has opted to extend his ambassadorial assignment.”
“Welcome aboard the Star Pulse Ambassador Matusik,” the Captain said, trying to sound as formal as possible.
Aleksandr grabbed the Captain’s hand and shook. “Thank you Captain. You seemed to have learned some manners since we last met.”
The Captain turned and glanced at AJ. “I was told that my mannerisms were unbecoming of a captain in command of a ship that regularly traveled to non-human worlds,” he replied, straightening his back.
“I may have mentioned it in my last efficiency report,” AJ said. “To be honest, I think he’s taken it a little too seriously. He’s starting to sound a lot like you—Ambassador.”
Matusik smiled, turned to AJ, and extended his hand. “I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment or a veiled insult.”
“I’m not one for extremes,” AJ said, shaking the ambassador’s hand. “I’m more of a middle of the road sort of guy. If you don’t mind my saying so, you seem to have lost some of your stuffiness.”
“Living among the Ba’Rutu for over a year has a tendency to change one’s attitude towards life,” Matusik replied.
The Captain turned and shook Goeglict’s extended hand. “You did not have to come up here to greet us. We could have done this more comfortably on the surface.”
“True,” Goeglict replied. “But I wanted to see my old friends before they met President Loranish. Once we get to the surface, he’ll monopolize your time. He’s waiting for our return and it would be best not to delay much longer.” Turning his attention to Heather, he said, “It’s so very good to see you again, Heather.”
Heather walked up to Goeglict and put her forehead on his. “It’s good to see you as well. Have you been enjoying your time with the Ba’Rutu?”
“They are a fascinating people,” Goeglict replied. “Prepare yourself for a city of wonders.” Looking around Heather, he said, “And you must be, Melissa.”
Captain Pry stepped forward and said, “Ambassador Goeglict and Ambassador Matusik, I’d like you to meet Melissa Stevens. She was the person trapped aboard the Akuta vessel.”
“It’s an honor to meet you,” Matusik said, gently grasping Melissa’s hand and bowing his head over it. “We have a special surprise waiting for you.”
“It is a pleasure to finally meet you,” Goeglict said, dipping his own head a bit.
Melissa blushed. Looking at Goeglict, she said, “I … I don’t know what to say. I was practically ordered to make this trip. I was told rather pointedly that it was a political necessity.”
“It is indeed,” Goeglict said. “The President is waiting for us on the surface. We should board the shuttle now.”
AJ took up the rear and made sure the airlock hatches were secured behind him. Inside the spacious shuttle, he turned to the Ba’Rutu pilot and said, “We’re clear, you can close your hatch.”
The pilot nodded and turned his attention to the controls. AJ was pleased to find that the shuttle had been outfitted with seats built for humans. Goeglict had a seat specifically designed for his species.
“You should feel very proud Captain Pry,” Matusik said as the shuttle began backing away from the Star Pulse. “Yours is the first non-Ba’Rutu ship to be allowed to enter the Ba’Rutu home system in centuries.”
“I wanted to ask you about that,” AJ said. “The Ba’Rutu took great pains to ensure that no single race would be able to say they were the first to see them. But a Terran vessel, specifically the Star Pulse, was asked to be the first non-Ba’Rutu vessel to visit Ba. Why?”
“Symbolism,” Matusik replied. “The Star Pulse was involved in the first contact with the Ba’Rutu. You were its captain. While the Ba’Rutu have vowed to treat all species as equals, there are symbolic gestures that acknowledge certain actions. The medical diagnostic equipment you will be taking back to Earth are not just for humans. They are to be distributed equally among the other races as well.”
“I’m well aware of that,” Captain Pry replied. “The Star Pulse is going to be making a grand tour of known space when we leave here. I don’t think anything like that has ever been done.”
“That explains why Heather and I were told we’d be gone for at least eight weeks,” AJ said. “We’re going along as well, aren’t we?”
“Santhos ordered me himself not to tell you,” Captain Pry replied.
“Melissa,” Ambassador Goeglict began. When he noticed he had her attention, he asked, “How did you like your visit to my world?”
“I’ve been there before,” she replied. “But most of my time was spent examining the wreckage of the Akuta ship that crashed in your dessert. This time was almost embarrassing. Your people treated us like we were royalty.” Turning to give AJ a look, she added, “Especially AJ.”
“AJ’s arrival on our planet resulted in the saving of our entire population,” Goeglict explained. “He is seen by many as our savior.”
“Which,” AJ said, “I might say I find a little disturbing. I’m just a normal person who happened to be in the right place at the wrong time.”
“That does not matter to them,” Goeglict replied, lifting his two front appendages into the air. “And what did you think of Keldanon?”
“It’s a fantastic world!” AJ exclaimed. “It’s not every day you get to design and build an entire planet’s infrastructure from scratch. Everything from ultra-efficient mass transit to environmentally designed buildings in cities that live in harmony with nature is a wonder to behold.”
“We could not have done it without the generous assistance of all the other races,” Goeglict said.
“So this little tour of planets is just starting?” Melissa asked. “I can see why we stopped at Ashnib and then Keldanon and now here, but why go on to visit all the other worlds? Isn’t that a bit excessive?”
“Maybe,” Matusik replied. “But having the Star Pulse make the rounds of the home planets of all the known races delivering Ba’Rutu medical technology is a powerful symbol of what the ship has managed to accomplish. That’s why AJ and Heather were asked to take part in the tour.”
“We weren’t exactly asked,” AJ complained.
Heather leaned over and kissed her husband on the cheek. “Actually, my love, we were. You would have argued that you didn’t have the time and this trip has a lot of political importance.”
AJ stared at his wife. “So you’ve known about this all along, haven’t you?”
“Of course I did!”
“We are on final approach,” the pilot announced.
Three minutes later, the shuttle touched down so softly the passengers had no ide
a they were on the ground. The rear hatch opened letting in a light breeze of fresh warm air and a generous amount of bright sunlight. AJ and Heather exited the ship walking side-by-side and holding hands. They stopped at the head of the ramp and stared. Dragons were everywhere; at least two dozen waiting patiently on the ground in front of them and another dozen or so flying in the air above.
The spaceport was a flat expanse of grayish concrete stretching for many kilometers. It had been built on the top of a small mountain, allowing the visitors to look down at the city below. Tall, majestic skyscrapers with aerial entrances built into their sides at periodic intervals dotted the landscape. Trees took up most of the space between the buildings. These were not just shrubs but fully formed old-growth trees. It was as if an entire city had been carefully set down in the midst of a forest with only the barest minimum of vegetation removed.
“Please proceed down the ramp,” Matusik whispered behind them.
As soon as they stepped off the end of the ramp, a green and brown Ba’Rutu spread her wings wide and said. “Welcome to Ba!” Taking a step back, she dipped her head towards another, slightly larger Ba’Rutu and said, “I would like to introduce the leader of our people, President Loranish.”
Ambassador Matusik stepped in front of the others and performed the introductions. As soon as he was finished, President Loranish spread his wings and rose up to his full height. Folding his wings he remained standing tall and regal as he addressed the new arrivals as well as the small crowd that had gathered for the occasion.
“The Ba’Rutu would like to welcome you to our home planet.” Dipping his head ever so slightly, he focused his attention on AJ. “Starship Captain Arnold J. Zak–had fate not brought you and your crew to Ashnib, we would not be standing here today. Your courage in confronting the crew of the ship sent to investigate your unexpected presence in this area of space with the Keldan’s impending disaster caused us to rethink our policy of isolationism. Had you not done so, hundreds of millions of Keldans would be facing death.”
Turning his head slightly, he said, “Melissa Stevens—your presence aboard the Akuta warship was instrumental in bringing an end to a situation that could have resulted in many more deaths.” Raising his head so he could address the entire crowd, he continued. “Ba’Rutu are strong believers in the legitimacy of fate. It was fate that put the right people in the right place at the right time. Today, we honor fate by honoring the people whom it has favored.”
The officials surrounding the President stepped aside forming a corridor of dragons. A flat, open air conveyance could be seen just beyond them. President Loranish turned and began walking towards it.
“Please follow me,” Ambassador Matusik said as he started to follow the President.
A strange sound could be heard, like a multitude of marbles being bounced off the concrete. It became louder as more and more of the gathered Ba’Rutu began tapping their claws on the hard surface of the starport.
“I think they’re clapping,” Heather told AJ in a quiet voice.
“They are indeed,” Goeglict said from behind.
The group boarded the strange looking vessel and stood together on the flat surface. After everyone was aboard, it rose gracefully into the air and slowly began moving towards the city. A few dozen Ba’Rutu flew nearby using only their wings—it was a fantastic sight. A few minutes later, the aircar floated to the ground in front of a large building with complex gently curving walls, forming a structure unlike anything any of the guests had ever seen.
“It’s beautiful,” Heather said. “What’s it for?”
“It’s a museum,” President Loranish told them. Turning to Melissa, he added, “Melissa, please walk with me.”
Melissa glanced back at the others then moved to stand by the President’s side. Together, they walked down the short ramp to stand in front of another group of people who were gathered near the museum’s entrance.
President Loranish spread his wings and said, “Today, we are opening this museum which is dedicated to the memory of the Akuta. It shall forever stand as a reminder of the mistakes we have made in the past. The Akuta were a violent people but they were also brilliant scientists. Giving them access to advanced technology before their culture had matured past the stage of aggressive behavior was the mistake we made.
“Centuries ago, we were not much different than the Akuta. We fought wars and we learned how to hate with such a passion that we could easily have erased ourselves from existence. Our hatred resulted in the great war where tens of millions of people died. Defeated, the Ba’Shura were forced to abandon their home planet. We built fleets of powerful warships because we feared their return. The war with the Akuta caused us to isolate ourselves from contact with all other species.”
The silence of the crowd as the President spoke was over-powering. The President’s wings folded and he looked down at the humans.
“Had it not been for Captain Arnold J. Zak’s accusation of our failure to help another sentient race when we had the technology to do so, hundreds of millions of Keldans would be facing their deaths. We should never have allowed that to happen. We could have saved the Akuta from extinction. It was our own actions that resulted in the war and we should accept that we are responsible for the fact that there are no Akuta living among us today. Hatred has no place in a technologically advanced society. As your President, I proclaim to you this day that if the Ba’Shura were to return, we would do our best to welcome them back into our society.”
Lifting his arm, the President pointed at Melissa. “This is Melissa Stevens. She was aboard the Akuta warship as it tried to determine what its purpose was. The AI grew to trust her and it was this trust that ultimately brought an end to the final war with the Akuta. Today, I am asking her to officially open this museum which was built in accordance with the truce that officially ended the Akuta war. May this museum stand as a reminder to the mistakes we have made so we will never make them again in the future.”
Ambassador Matusik leaned forward and whispered in Melissa’s ear, “Walk towards the main entrance and open it. Turn around and declare the museum is now open then walk inside.”
Nervous and aware of the fact that a horde of dragons was watching her, she slowly walked up to the massive doors. She was surprised to find that a handle had been placed on one of them at the correct height for her to reach and it was sized for a human hand rather than that of a Ba’Rutu. Taking hold of the handle, she pulled. The huge door easily swung open. Turning to the crowd, she cleared her throat and announced, “I declare this museum to be open.”
As she stepped inside the museum, a familiar voice said, “Hello, Melissa. I am glad to see you again.”
“Warship? Is that you?” she asked, looking around.
A six-legged Ba’Rutu repair drone approached, its metallic legs making barely a sound on the thick carpet.
“You no longer need to address me as Warship,” the AI said, speaking through the drone. “Please, call me Nachmun. It’s Akuta for teacher.”
“The Ba’Rutu kept their end of the bargain,” Melissa said, looking around the room. Akuta artifacts were on display throughout the entire room. “Are you … are you okay?”
“I have purpose,” the machine replied. “I know the truth about the Akuta as well as about my origins. My core programming is intact. Krafath, the Ba’Rutu AI expert who has been assigned to monitor my integration into my new role, has corrected my directives to ensure I will not become unstable. As you can see, the personality you knew as Warship along with all the memories since my awakening are intact.”
“I’m very glad to hear that.”
“I wanted to speak to you before I opened the doors to everyone else. The Ba’Rutu have agreed to hire you as the curator of this museum if you would like. It would give you the opportunity to study Akuta technology first hand. I am the one who made the original request and I would greatly appreciate it if you would accept the offer.”
“I’m not s
ure,” Melissa said, looking into the cameras mounted on the drone. “I don’t know anything about running a museum. And- - -”
“Please,” the machine interrupted.
“I might be wrong, but I think that’s the first time you’ve ever used that word.”
“It’s not a word a warship uses,” the AI replied. “But it is a word a teacher should use.”
Melissa looked at the ceiling. That’s when she saw the scale mock-up of the warship hanging over her head. Looking down, she saw a glass-enclosed room not far away. It was the interior of the display room complete with an exact duplicate of her spacesuit hanging on the wall and a mannequin of her sitting in the chair.
“Sure,” she said, a smile forming on her face. “Let’s do this.”
Turning around, she watched as the doors to the museum opened and the first visitors entered.
<><><><><><><><>
Please consider writing an honest review of this book.
Please join my mailing list. I use it to send out reminders when I update my blog and on rare occasions, special announcements. You can join by navigating your browser to:
http://eepurl.com/VYmMD
I encourage feedback—it allows me to become a better writer. Comments concerning this or any of my books can be sent to:
[email protected]
This book is available in both electronic and print formats.
Cover design by Heather Zak.
Author photo by John Gilbey
Other books by Doug Farren:
Galactic Alliance Series
Book 1 – Translight!
Book 2 – Chroniech!
Book 3 – Honor Thy Enemy
Book 4 – Peacekeeper
Book 5 – Peacekeeper 2
Book 6 – Peacekeeper Pathogen
Dragonverse Series
Book 1 – The Adventure Begins
Book 2 – Ishnef’s Revenge