by Les Broad
CHAPTER 8
Their approach was spotted by those working on the fringes of the little community's land, so by the time that Louise, Andrea and Suzanne arrived Nikki, Bryn and Fiona were undergoing a mixture of feelings - relief at their reappearance, no small amount of anxiety and a voracious craving for their news. They had hardly rolled to a stop before they were surrounded by a small group, everyone talking at once.
"Hold on!" Louise shouted, "let's get inside. I'll report to Nikki, then tell everyone what happened. We'll have an announcement that nobody will want to miss in a couple of hours."
She led Suzanne and Andrea into the new administration building that Bryn's team had completed a few weeks previously, the coolness inside contrasting pleasantly with the heat outside.
"OK," Nikki said, "tell us what happened." Bryn and Fiona sat behind desks, while Nikki stood in a corner. Louise and her team sat together beside Bryn's desk.
"I really don't know how to start. We have had the most amazing, almost bizarre, experience and if I hadn't been there, well, frankly I doubt if I'd believe it. But all three of us were there and we all agree that what happened actually did happen. I accept that what we are going to tell you will sound incredible, but believe me it's all true."
"Quite a preamble, Louise," Fiona sounded confused, "so what occurred that was so fantastic that we are going to disbelieve you?"
"We made contact. Our efforts to attract the aliens seemed eventually to convince them that we offered no threat to them so finally two came down, but only to about fifty yards away. Then a third came, walked past the other two and straight up to us. That was nerve-wracking, wasn't it?" The question was to Andrea and Suzanne, but only Suzanne replied at first.
"Certainly. We were all trying to look friendly while a tall blond alien, looking exactly like a human female, walked straight towards us, and I had to keep telling myself it wasn't human."
"So did I," Andrea said, "but it was smiling and appeared friendly, so it was difficult to stay aware that we could have been in some danger." She stopped speaking and looked at Louise, who was, it appeared to the rapt listeners, obviously going to explain what then happened.
"Well, it walked right up to us, then spoke. You won't believe it, but it - or she as we discovered - spoke English, French and German." Louise stopped and looked at the faces in front of her.
"There you are, I said you wouldn't believe it."
"But why? How? Sorry, Louise, I don't think we understand." Nikki spoke slowly, but the other two simply sat with mouths open.
"She said that they were expecting us," Louise continued, "and that they'd visited Earth a lot. As they thought that eventually we - or rather some group of humans - would turn up here sooner or later they learned our languages and kept up their ability to speak them. No Russian, though - I must find out why. Anyway she said that her leader had told her - her name, she said, is Plisfou - to contact us as soon as she thought it was safe, then organise another meeting. They're coming here in four or five days to tell us more about themselves and the planet."
"Good grief." Bryn's short comment was followed by a period of silence, eventually broken by a repetition. "Good grief," he said again, "was it wise to ask them to come here? "
"I don't think we actually had much of a choice. They know we're here, they don't seem at all threatening and don't appear to see us as a threat to them. They must have been watching us since we arrived, but that's just my opinion."
"OK," Nikki finally said, "it's a pretty difficult story to swallow, but they must have done exactly what they say they've done, because we've certainly never been here before. So now we've got these aliens coming to see us in a few days. I'm prepared to accept what Louise says about their intentions and we'll proceed on the assumption that these are indeed peaceful. We can make a better judgement about them when we've all had a chance to meet them. Unless anyone has any better ideas, what I suggest we do is this. Firstly we tell everyone else what is happening. Then we make Gifford Base look as good as it can, and, being aware that we are the interlopers here, we try to be as hospitable as we can when they arrive. Any comments?"
"Nothing springs to mind," Bryn said, "except that you seem remarkably calm about it all."
"I may seem so, Bryn," said Nikki with smile, "but I'm not at all sure I am all that calm. Anyway, what's done is done - they're coming here and we've got to cope with that. It seems pointless to get all hysterical."
"Am I alone in having a different reaction?" Fiona asked quietly. "Is nobody else feeling excited? I mean, for generations, at least until the war gave us all other things to worry about, people on Earth saw things that were attributed to visitors from other worlds. Now we few survivors of the human race might be the ones to find out the truth!"
"You mean those stories of alien abductions and surgical experiments that abounded in the twentieth century?" Bryn smiled as he asked the question
"Don't be sceptical now, Bryn," Nikki said quite seriously, "after all, Fiona could have a point."
"I suppose it is exciting, in a way," offered a thoughtful Louise, "because Plisfou did say that her people had been to Earth, so perhaps others have as well. The human race could be late starters in space flight."
"We can speculate endlessly, but we'll know in a few days." Nikki adopted a businesslike tone. "What I suggest we do now is let everybody know what's going on, particularly the families with children. We - and I really mean Louise, Suzanne and Andrea - may have some calming to do if any fears arise over the next few days."
In fact there was no real fear at all, the general mood being one of excited curiosity to see intelligent alien beings in the flesh. The enthusiasm was harnessed to improve the appearance of Gifford Base, so that by the end of the third day the settlement looked neat, tidy and efficient. The new mothers in the community, together with the pregnant women, were perhaps a little apprehensive, but were assured that their safety was of paramount importance. The apprehension lessened but was still just discernible as the fourth day dawned and the time slipped by with no sign of any approach. Louise spent the day outside Gifford on the route to the mountains, intending to escort the aliens in to Gifford, and had sent Andrea and Suzanne to the beach to watch for any seaborne approach. Since no-one knew whether the aliens would arrive by land, sea or air it was difficult to know where to settle to be first to greet them. Eventually the sun dipped towards the horizon and Louise was forced to conclude that they were not going to arrive that day. As night fell she returned, just a little crestfallen.
Andrea and Suzanne were experiencing similar feelings, and Andrea had even gone as far as checking again with Suzanne that their meeting with the aliens had actually occurred. She had it confirmed as they walked slowly back from the beach in the gathering dusk.
At sunrise the next morning Louise was back on the road outside Gifford, watching and waiting. She had been on her lonely vigil for a couple of hours, and the only movement had been the sun climbing into the sky, when she was joined by Nikki.
"Anything?”
"Not yet, Nikki, no."
"Bryn's gone down to the beach with Fiona to join Andrea and Suzanne.”
"Oh. Good."
Conversation didn't seem possible, somehow, as they both peered northwards for the slightest sign of movement.
As midday approached Nikki offered Louise some of the food she'd brought with her. It was declined, but both drank more of the water that they'd been sipping all morning.
Suddenly Louise shouted, pointing to the horizon. Nikki peered intently but could see nothing.
"Look, there! I can see dust in the air. It can only be them! They're coming, Nikki! They're coming!"
"Yes! Now I see it! It must be them!"
Nikki waited a few moments as the indications of movement gradually came closer. They were still a good way off, so Nikki dashed back to Gifford to have the quartet waiting on the beach brought back, then hurried back to Louise. When she arrived back sh
e could make out in the distance several human-like figures which seemed to be exactly like the descriptions that Louise and the others had given, and were just like Michael's photographs come to life. She felt mounting excitement, mixed with trepidation. It was going to be her job to welcome these beings, but as she thought about what she could possibly say to them her mind was blank.
Nikki and Louise watched the aliens approach slowly on foot, closer and closer. Louise thought she recognised Plisfou and pointed her out to Nikki as she walked at the head of the group. A hand waved as Plisfou moved a little faster towards them and as she came ever closer Nikki could see that she was smiling widely. Perhaps, Nikki thought, they are as excited about today as we are.
Nikki was holding on to that thought as Plisfou arrived.
"Louise!" she said with evident pleasure, "It is nice to see you again. Have you come out just to meet us?"
Nikki found it strange to hear her own language spoken so clearly by someone who was not only not human, but who was also not of an Earth species.
"We have. I was anxious to see you again. Plisfou, can I introduce Nikki, who is in charge of our little group. Nikki, this is Plisfou, who I told you about."
Here goes, thought Nikki.
"I am delighted to meet you," she said, "and to welcome you to what we call Gifford Base, although I am only too aware that we are interlopers here on your planet."
"I am pleased as well to meet you, Nikki. Louise spoke highly of you. Please do not think of yourselves as interlopers, intruders, or in any way that suggests you are not welcome here. It is our hope that you and we can benefit greatly from your presence. Now you must meet my Jukkakique, which I think is your equivalent in our city."
Plisfou led Nikki to the small group which had now arrived. A slightly shorter alien, with shorter blond hair, stepped forward. Nikki smiled at her.
"Nikki," said Plisfou, "this is the Jukkakique, her name is Masaya. Masaya, this is Nikki, the leader of the Earth people."
"I welcome you to our homeworld, Aupes in our language, and I hope that, as Plisfou has told you, we may be friends and live together in co-operation and peace."
"Masaya, I share your hopes and will do whatever I can to make them reality. Please, come with us to our settlement here and meet the rest of our small group."
They walked, Plisfou, Louise, Masaya and Nikki, accompanied by Plisfou's Roxtamol, in companionable silence until the details of Gifford Base could be clearly seen. Masaya suddenly stopped.
"I have heard of your progress in the short time since you arrived from Earth, but until I saw for myself I had not known really how much you have achieved. You should feel proud and I hope you will show me what you have done. I hope also you will tell me what these strange creatures are!"
"Those we brought with us," Nikki replied, "so that we could establish agriculture as soon as we arrived. We also brought seeds to sow crops, which we have done successfully."
“Good. You must enjoy a most varied diet.”
"I think we do, and I would be happy if you and your friends would share some of our food with us."
The small group walked in to Gifford Base, the object of many, many curious eyes. Bryn strode up to greet the newcomers, to find himself the object of some concentrated study by the aliens. There was a somewhat strained silence.
"Excuse us," said a rather embarrassed Plisfou when she realised what was happening, "but we do not usually see males except at certain times. Clearly we have much to learn about each other!"
"Well, Bryn here is our chief engineer," Nikki said, "and can tell you anything you want to know about what we have built since we arrived. Louise of course you know, and Fiona is in charge of our animals. I am sure that she will be able to answer any questions that you may have. Can I also introduce Christine, who is in charge of all our medical matters." Nikki turned to her own people.
"Let me introduce to you Masaya, here, who is the Jukkakique of these people. It means she is in charge. Plisfou is Louise's equivalent and is the one that stunned us by addressing our people in English."
Masaya stood next to Nikki and held up her hand. Silence descended over the crowd of people.
"I am pleased to be your guest," she said, "and I am pleased to welcome you to this planet, called in our language Aupes which means homeworld. It is now your home also, and we will try to help you to be happy here. We have some knowledge of your people but we have much more to learn. You know nothing of us, but I will take our welcome here today as an expression of faith in our friendly intents. The first thing you must learn about us is that we want to live peacefully with you. We respect your achievement in reaching Aupes, and we respect what you have all done since you landed here. I hope we can learn from you just as you will surely learn from us. May our friendship grow and both our peoples prosper from it." There was spontaneous applause, which seemed to confuse the Aupesians until Nikki called for quiet.
"I should explain that the clapping of hands is our way of showing agreement with what you said. I think I can safely speak for all of us when I say we do agree with everything you have said. Now can I suggest that we show you round Gifford Base? Hopefully your people and ours will form friendships on a personal basis."
Louise took the first step by leading Plisfou off, and then others came up and introduced themselves, taking individual members of the Roxtamol off around the Base. Bryn, Nikki and Masaya were left and at Bryn's suggestion sat around a table in the administration building. Bryn made some coffee, which Masaya had never before tasted - she expressed herself delighted with it.
"I am sure," Masaya said, "that you know you picked your landing site well. You have room to expand here and there are no difficulties with climate. I must tell you about those who are already here. We are the survivors of a once great civilisation that travelled to many planets, including your own. This is not the time to explain why there are now so few of us, but I will tell you that on this continent, as you would call it, there are just four cities called Botijjo #1, #2, #3 and #4. We live in the nearest, Botijjo #2. On the other continent, Sarrijjo, just three cities remain.
"These may not be cities as you would know them as each is home to only a few hundred of us. Only a small number of us are males and they are forbidden to leave the cities. We need to preserve them to breed and increase our numbers, and in this you and we have a common objective.
"If I recall my history of your world correctly, several species of humanoid evolved, but only one species survived. It was different here. We, who you might refer to as Aupesians, became technologically advanced, although now many skills have been lost. There is another species, outwardly similar to us, living here and we call them Paxavorra. They have never developed any technological or manufacturing skills, they are illiterate and their communication is entirely verbal with a limited vocabulary. At the height of our civilisation the Paxavorra were nearly extinct but since our reduction in numbers they have spread alarmingly. You should know that they are male dominated, physically strong and are violent. They live in small groups in the larger forests and will attack us if we venture too close to them. It is rare to survive an attack by the Paxavorra, but they do not seek confrontation."
Masaya stopped speaking and seemed to relax. Bryn sipped his coffee, contemplating the sudden change in the community's status from being the sole inhabitants of a new world to one of three civilisations. Nikki had a concerned expression.
"These other people, the Paxavorra - do you think we and our animals are safe? We are quite near to what appears to be a large forest."
"You are quite safe as long as you do not go into the forest. You have cut down trees at the edge, and this is also safe. The Paxavorra will not come near you unless you go into their territory. To do so you would need to go deep into the forest."
"Thank you, Masaya, for the warning. I'll make sure we all know that we must stay out of the forests. Can I ask you where your city is?"
"
It is across the hills where we first allowed you to see us." A smile of amusement passed across Masaya's face. "We have been aware of your presence since before you landed and have watched you carefully, making sure that we did not allow our watchers to be seen. When your explorers reached the hills we had to make a decision because you would soon have seen Botijjo #2. I decided to take the risk of contacting you. It was a bigger risk than you perhaps think but it is not the right time to explain why."
"I won't take that point up now, but we also thought that it was a risk to contact your people. It was Louise that had the idea of offering food - I hope it was interpreted as a friendly gesture?"
"It was, Nikki. Plisfou decided that the time was right and I am glad that she did."
The conversation in the administration building went on, Nikki and Bryn explaining the effects of the war on Earth and how the decision had been taken for a small group to leave. Both Nikki and Bryn talked warmly about Sarah Gifford and explained that the Base was named as a memorial to her. They told Masaya that they had believed that their community on Earth had only five or ten years left when they departed - they could not now know that the estimate had been generous and as they spoke Sarah Gifford and all those left behind were dead. Bryn expressed the hope that, one day, their descendants would be able to return to Earth and recolonise the planet, but even he was forced to admit that their resources and technical abilities fell well short of an attempted return, and he could see no realistic chance for several generations.
Meanwhile, out on the Base the other Aupesians were being shown round and were making friends with the little community of humans on their planet. Spirits were high as the day wore on into evening. Food was cooked, willingly shared and enthusiastically eaten by the guests. Pork, beef and chicken were new experiences for them and they were all hugely impressed by the range of foodstuffs that were being produced. It contrasted dramatically with their own diet, which was based around a type of crop similar to wheat that they cultivated, supplemented occasionally by fish and wild boar, the timid animals that the humans had already seen many times. Offers to teach the Aupesians fishing skills were made and accepted, including a joint project to build a small fleet of wind-powered fishing boats.
As darkness fell all the guests had been freely accommodated for the night. Bryn had strolled off earlier to see what was happening in the community and was enthusiastically discussing the construction of sailing ships with Ussida, one of Plisfou's Roxtamol, and Gordon Mitchell. Gordon's engineering skills included an interest in boats - he had built a small sailing boat back on Earth before conditions prevented use of the sea.
The following morning saw life in the community more or less back to normal, except that all the everyday tasks of agriculture and engineering were observed closely by the Aupesians. Nikki and Masaya walked around Gifford watching the normal activities of the day and discovered that any fears either may have had about the two communities working together were apparently groundless. Bryn had his own engineering workshop into which Nikki and Masaya finally walked. Both were surprised to find Bryn's workshop, into which admittance was at best difficult to secure, containing Ussida and Gordon as well as Bryn.
"It's not like you to let anyone in here, Bryn," Nikki said with a quizzical tone.
"Well, you see, Ussida here joined Gordon and a few others for dinner last night, and fish was on the menu. She said they had fish sometimes, but they had no reliable way of catching anything other than fish that came close to the shore and could be clubbed. Gordon suggested, apparently, that we could have a project between us and the Aupesians to build a small fishing fleet and teach them to sail and fish. As it seemed like a good idea I thought I'd lend a hand."
"I see." Nikki was peering over Gordon's shoulder. "I have no objection, but it is Masaya's decision."
"I am not sure what you mean. Can you explain?"
"I'll try. We want to build several boats so that we can sail away from the shore and use nets to catch fish to bring back for food.”
"These boats," said Masaya, looking unsure, "will go out on the sea?"
"Yes," Bryn replied, "it's safe. Gordon knows about sailing and about fishing."
"You will build the boats here?"
"I'd planned to, unless you want to have them built in your city. How far are you from the sea?"
"Much farther than you. Perhaps Ussida should remain here and assist. That way she will learn from Gordon. Ussida, would you remain to work here?"
"Yes, Masaya. As you say it will allow me to learn of boats and fishing, then we can begin to vary our diet more. Should I tell Plisfou that I am staying?"
"Yes, she should be told. I will ask her to come here to see what you are doing, if I can find her!"
Masaya's laugh was infectious, and was typical of the mood. As she and Nikki continued their tour it was clear that the Aupesians were enjoying their time with the humans. Eventually Fiona was found, very dirty, explaining how and why cows were milked. Her guest, Zeftio, could not contain her laughter as she watched the cow and Fiona's attempts to milk it while giggling. Finally the task was completed and it was only then that Fiona realised her performance had also been watched by Nikki and Masaya, both of whom were laughing at her.
"Milking," she said, "is a serious business. It is not supposed to be an entertainment for anyone who happens to be passing."
"Of course, Fiona," Nikki replied, "but I'm sure that it's not supposed to be done lying down! Forgive us laughing, but it was something neither of us had seen before."
"OK, you're both forgiven. Anyway, it seems we have a lot of produce that our friends don't have. We already produce a small surplus and this will increase in the future. I see no reason why we shouldn't pass our surplus on to them. Over time they will be able to develop their own agriculture, if that's the way they want to go."
"I am very grateful," Masaya said, "but already Ussida is being taught about boats and fishing. I cannot just take from you. Something must be given in return. Perhaps, Nikki, a small group of you could return to Botijjo #2 with us as we may have skills that will be useful to you."
"That would be very interesting. I would certainly like to go with you, and perhaps three or four others? It seems a little unfair to Ussida to be left here on her own - should another of your people stay as well?"
"Zeftio seems to be enjoying herself - will you stay here with Ussida, Zeftio?"
"Yes, Masaya, I would be happy to stay."
"Good. Then, Nikki, if you choose three of your people, we can go to our city tomorrow. May we all stay another night with you?"
Nikki agreed readily and the tour continued, the day reaching its end back in the administration building. By that time Nikki had decided who she wanted to accompany her to Botijjo #2. Louise, she decided, needed to go, and she thought that a representative of both the food production and engineering teams should also go. Nina Werner, the engineer, and Jodie Robbins, their leading geneticist, agreed immediately upon being asked but Louise declared herself too busy, much as she wanted to see the city. Masaya reassured her that she would have many opportunities in the future to visit, so the following morning it was a group of three humans that set off with Masaya, Plisfou and the four returning Roxtamol, leaving Zeftio and Ussida at Gifford.
As they set out on their journey, Louise and Bryn watched them disappear into the distance.
"You know, Bryn, that's the first time Nikki's been away from Gifford. She still tries to do too much."
"She knows herself best, better than we do. She's OK. I reckon she's done a pretty fantastic job holding this lot together, and she's enjoyed every minute of it."
"Perhaps you're right, but I'm still a little concerned about her. How's your boat?" They had turned now and were walking back into Gifford.
"The design looks good - very stable. But we've got to build the thing, make sure it's watertight then give it a good trial. I'm opting out of that, and nobody's going to cha
nge my mind." Louise laughed at his serious expression, but took his point.
"I suppose there'll be a lack of volunteers if the designer won't go out in it."
"I'm not the designer. It's all Gordon's doing. He'll go - you won't be able to stop him." Bryn paused briefly. "Brave man," he said, shaking his head.
On the road north the group kept up a good pace. Nikki was not used to walking long distances and hoped that regular rest halts were planned. There was another thought going through her head as well. Look at us, she thought. Masaya and her people look neat and tidy in their little gold dresses, and somehow never seem to be sweaty or dirty. Nina and Jodie look distinctly second-rate in clothing that's definitely seen better days, and I dare say I look the same. And the three of us are sweating. Why aren't they?
Nikki was walking alongside Plisfou, behind Masaya who had Nina on one side and Jodie on the other. Well, Nikki thought, there's one way to find out.
"Plisfou," she said, "can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Nikki."
"It might sound a little bit rude, but I promise it's not meant to. Why do you and your people always look clean, even now, while my people, and, I suppose, me as well, look sweaty and dirty?"
Plisfou thought for a moment, then smiled her warm, open smile.
"I think it is because we rarely spend much time walking, and anyway we are more used to our summer heat. Our clothes do look better than yours - I am sorry if that is rude - because they are made of a very different substance. Please, feel." Nikki reached out and touched the material of Plisfou's dress. It felt cool and not quite metallic, yet definitely not plastic.
"I have no idea what this is, but it would be very cool to wear. What do you wear in cold weather?"
"The same. It keeps body temperature constant, even if the day is very hot or very cold. We make this substance in each of our cities, and it can be used for clothing or, treated differently, for buildings. We call it zaxtapijj when it is used for clothing and ravtapijj when it is made for building. It is very strong.”
"But what about your hair and skin? We seem to get dirty very quickly, but you appear to stay much cleaner."
"You sweat a lot, but we do not sweat at all as you know it. As it is the greasiness that holds the dirt, you get dirty and we do not."
"I see. I must take this up with our geneticist to see if we can become more like you!"
"You see, Nikki, we may look similar and we can communicate and become friends. But you and I are different species and there are important differences between us. Your geneticist understands these differences?"
"I hope she will develop an understanding, yes.”
"This, I think, will be necessary. I spoke with Masaya briefly yesterday and she said that we must expect some of your males to want to mate with us. We do not want to discourage this, but we want the difficulties that come from the differences between us to be clear. This is something that you will need to discuss with Masaya before any matings occur."
"It is an important point that hadn't occurred to me, but I suppose we must expect it to happen sooner or later. Perhaps also some of your males may want to mate with our females as well."
"Our males have much less freedom than yours, as you will see. But in time it will be a possibility that must also be foreseen."
They were well beyond the point where they could be seen from Gifford, and beyond where the first signs of the Aupesians' arrival had been spotted a few days before. As they walked in a pleasant, friendly silence a machine appeared in the distance, standing on the grass.
"That," said Masaya, by way of explanation of its presence, “is our jejevejil, or aircraft in your language. It will save us many days' march."
Nikki looked at it in relief. Her feet were already hurting.
"Why didn't you simply fly all the way to Gifford?"
"It was my decision," Masaya said, "and I didn't want to alarm you. So we landed here and walked a little way. Now we fly to Botijjo #2."
As they walked up to the craft Nikki saw that it was solidly built, but looked quite old. It was comfortably fitted and all were safely and pleasantly accommodated in the spacious interior. Plisfou took her place in the pilot's seat and, with only a slight high-pitched hum the craft rose vertically into the air and turned north, over the mountains.