“In other words, I should make our invitation to the Reeshians and if the others assume that the invitation includes them; then so be it?” I implied.
“I think that’s our simplest and safest path.” Agreed the Captain. “It may not even become an issue, but if they decide that the invitation was to include them, I think it would be best to let them come. I just don’t want to give a choice to the colony here, before they’re on our soil. After the fact, it will be hard for the people to reject them, assuming once they’re here they really want to stay. You know it’s not generally in our nature to turn our back on friends, and we can say that the original agreement wasn’t clear so it was assumed to be ok,” he added with a mischievous smile.
I liked that approach, and with that I realized I was slowly becoming as sly as the “Old Man” himself. For now I had to get the ball rolling to see who would be coming with us and who would be staying.
I told Meeza that the time to make their decision as individuals had arrived. I asked her point blank what her choice would be. She laughed. “You really think you need to ask? I go where you go, and you know it. How about your choice?” She asked.
I suddenly realized that I also had a choice. “I guess I’ll go to our new colony, and I’d have been really unhappy if you weren’t with me.” I told her in complete honesty. I’m not sure what I would have decided for myself if she’d chosen to stay; fortunately I never had to find out. I did tell her that the planet we were going to had been being terraformed by her people; not being sure if she was aware of it and wanting to make her feel that she had every right to be there. I told her that we owed much to her people, at least as much help as we were now able to give back to them. Our worlds belonged together; that seemed certain to me.
It really wasn’t as if the people couldn’t change their minds and return or come to the new colony later; but the initial decisions were still very personal, and would break up families, some of whom would be apart forever by their own choices. We got Meeza’s father to call the meeting.
He called the meeting to be the following morning outdoors because they didn’t have a large enough place indoors for everybody to fit. Almost every colonist showed up to make their choice. The members of our crew were also given their opportunity to choose, especially those who had become involved with Reeshian women or men; mostly women.
The results were good overall; about two dozen of our crew elected to stay on New Reesh with their lovers along with all but six from the Andromeda; while about a thousand of the Reeshians chose to join our colony. Twenty of the Vortlepeg chose to migrate as well; since the number was small, I didn’t anticipate too much of a problem to arise from it. There were no Drolpeg present so that wouldn’t be an issue, besides; we already had Hero and his three offspring on Olympus so they were there already.
Needless to say, we could not carry all of these volunteers on the first trip, so it was decided that the first trip would be those who were with mates along with their immediate families. That made the numbers work out. After I called the Captain, I was able to tell the Reeshians that six other ships were on their way and we would keep the ferry going until everyone was situated comfortably.
We had to set a baggage limit of one large bag per person, due to lack of space; everyone seemed ok with it so I was spared any unnecessary hassles there. There were facilities for fifty to sixty people on board comfortably; we stretched it to eighty as some of the people would squeeze on to the same bunk; others would use bunks in shifts as their duty shifts made them free. Nobody complained about the arrangements, much to my surprise, but it really was going to be a bit tedious since the return trip would be a full three weeks. We were almost on the opposite side of the sun now and near maximum distance. On the other hand, we were able to use more speed because we had more flight before needing to break our speed, which always takes a while in space since there isn’t as much resistance to brake with.
All things considered, we did well organizing and boarding in only four days. There were many tears from the families who weren’t going and quite a few from those who were. It was the younger members of many families that chose to leave in the majority of cases. The elderly generally preferred to finish their lives the way they had lived them, and in familiar surroundings. One exception to that rule was an old man everyone called Nippa or Old Nippa; who said he always wanted to see what else there was in the universe. His brother told him he was very foolish, but he just shrugged it off with, “I’m going to see something more before I die.” And see something more he would!
Most of the Reeshians seemed glad Nippa was coming with them because he was like a grandfather to everyone and since they were in many cases leaving their real families behind; “He will make a great substitute,” Tava said, and in fact he did just that. To them he was a source of great native wisdom and he seemed to be equally happy with the idea. He was also noted as somewhat of a soothsayer; that should prove interesting, I thought to myself.
Tersine
We finally said all our goodbyes including to Meeza’s family, except for Ian and Mogi, who had also decided to move permanently to Olympus with us. We could see all of the people of the village one second and then we accelerated and they disappeared almost instantly. It shocked many of the Reeshians and the few of the Vortlepeg that were with us, because even those who had traveled around the planet with us hadn’t seen the type of acceleration required to escape the atmosphere. I hadn’t thought to warn them in advance; just sort of took it for granted that they would know that. Oops! It took a few minutes to settle them down and let them know that there was actually nothing out of the ordinary; we weren’t about to die. Then they heard the oohs and ahs from those in the upper deck who had a less obstructed view of their own planet and everybody wanted to go up at once to see it for themselves. I had to talk them into taking turns and succeeded with a little help from my crew. Even though they knew they were going to go into space they hadn’t really mentally prepared themselves for the reality of it—or the beauty.
After a couple of days, the thrill finally dissipated for the majority, and then things settled down to a routine. After a week, the boredom set in and there were minor squabbles here and there. Most of these were still concerning someone not yielding space in the view port or more seriously, one of the two bathrooms. All things considered; we fared well with as much over capacity as we were. Having lived with the Reeshians for a while I found that our languages were beginning to merge. Everyone was speaking a mix; sort of Eareeshian or Rearthian dialect; though unofficial it was probably going to be what everyone in the colony would speak eventually. Many words weren’t that different to begin with; some were in fact the same but the meanings were completely different. The tongue makes just so many sounds; they almost had to be similar. The Shabba, on the other hand, more closely resembled the old Earth German language; more toward the guttural sounds; Blurg and his people picked up our language so fast that it was hardly relevant.
Captain Pierce called two weeks into our trip back to tell us that they already had a long building nearing completion more than enough apartments for all who were coming with this first group on both ships. Olga had almost as many on her ship as I had on mine. Also he reported that the other ships were almost at New Reesh to pick up the next group; they only had skeleton crews so as to be able to bring sixty or so immigrants each. We wouldn’t return for more until housing was near completion for the rest that were to come. With our building techniques it wouldn’t take long.
One week later our passengers got their first look at Olympus, their new home. There, with giant Zeus hanging high above it, it made a really impressive sight. I received instructions on where to land so as to have the new arrivals near to their new residence. We waited a day in orbit so as to have a dry day to land. It was raining and blowing so hard the Captain thought it would have made their arrival an unpleasant experience; so the day we arrived on the planet surface was clear and cool, everything
sparkling clean. I think he had the right of it.
This was the first, “other world.” Most of these people had ever been on and for that matter; until a few short months ago they didn’t have anything more than legends saying that there were other worlds you could actually go to. They were as excited and nervous at once; their eyes boggled and a plastic surgeon couldn’t have removed their smiles. It was fun to watch, though I was secretly dreading seeing Nettie. She had been so magnanimous in her message; but even so, it didn’t change the fact that I had been disloyal, no matter how well it ultimately turned out. It had a dampening effect on my spirits, overall, and I’m sure Meeza could tell, though she said nothing about it. I still wouldn’t change anything. I loved Meeza and that was that; I regretted only that Nettie was a casualty of the transfer of my affections.
Olga’s ship was not landed yet; she’d been right with us all the way and now I realized that they hadn’t made it down. I yelled back to Brad and Mike. “Is Olga having some sort of difficulty?”
“We haven’t heard anything at all from them since we began our descent,” answered Mike. I’m trying to reach them now, but all I’m getting is a bunch of static.”
Then, with relief, we heard the roar of her engines; but as the ship came into view we could see a vapor trail that was more than the usual. The Virgil did set down ok, but it was obvious that something had gone wrong; all we could do was wait until the lock was opened. When at last it did, there was steam flooding out from the opening. Olga stepped out and called for Lee to come and help with the injured.
“A meteor hit our water tank and partially depressurized us. There are quite a few injured but no fatalities. Mostly just ear damage from the rapid drop in pressure. I think there are a few with steam frostbite as well. It got pretty damned uncomfortable on the way down.” Olga poured out the information with her usual calm and precision.
It was a relief to know that they were down and no really serious injuries. It could have been a lot worse if they been far out in space when this happened. I realized that we’d been so lucky so far that we’d begun to take travel between the planets lightly and that, I knew, could be fatal—though generally our cannons blasted anything big enough to do serious damage.
“I’m glad you’re ok.” I told Olga. “You scared me half to death when I realized you weren’t with us.”
“Well, we’re here now and I suppose none the worse for the wear, though I think it might not be easy to talk some of the Reeshians into going into space again anytime soon,” she said with a half smile. “Now I need a good stiff drink.”
Slowly things were returning to normal; people were getting together to go see their new homes. There were people getting the names of the new arrivals and telling them where their living quarters were and telling them that there would be a short class in how to use the equipment in their homes.
True that most of the people had little experience with our household facilities, but they were simple and the new arrivals would be experts in a day or two. I could see that there’d been many changes and for that matter many improvements to the surrounding neighborhood since my departure. Many of the streets were now paved and electric vehicles were being driven here, there, and everywhere. It had turned into a small city while I was gone. I actually felt like an alien here myself. I wasn’t sure I actually liked all the changes. I had sort of liked the slightly more rustic environment as it had been when I left. I even thought that I might prefer living back on New Reesh where it was so beautiful and peaceful. I had really enjoyed my time there with Meeza and our camping trips and hikes into the wilderness. Maybe we would go back eventually; I wasn’t really sure.
Meeza was at my side and took my arm. “Are you alright?” She looked worried. “You don’t look like you’re glad to be home.”
“It’s never really been my home.” I told her, aware that I sounded a little bitter. I tried to clarify. “We’ve been here only a short time; my life was on the Roid Ship until a few months ago. I was thinking of the time we had camping and all; it just made me kind of wish that’s what we were still doing.” I smiled to let her know that it wasn’t anything to worry about. “I don’t know if our home is in this complex or over in the original section; we’ll have to find out after everyone else is taken care of.”
In reality, I knew that my mother knew where we were going to be and I was sure she’d be there to tell me shortly. I wasn’t wrong; I’d no sooner thought it than I felt a hand on my shoulder, and there she was with Angie at her side, both beaming at me, and looking Meeza over appraisingly.
“Mom, Angie; Meeza,” I said by way of introductions. There were hugs all around and I was glad they didn’t show any resentment toward Meeza. I had feared they would because they had loved Nettie since childhood; but they apparently understood what had taken place and had accepted it without reservation. When you’re starting a new world and new lifestyle, you have to accept change.
“Nettie said to tell you she was sorry she couldn’t be here to welcome you all back but last week was an eclipse week. You haven’t been here for one of those but we have eclipses everyday for a week at a time; they vary from one to three hours at a time. It really unsettles some people and Nettie gets a lot of extra patients when they come. She said she’d see you the first chance she had,” Mom said.
Angie added, “Nettie said you shouldn’t feel weird about it.” Mom nodded, giving us both a genuine smile that convinced me that it was absolutely true. I think even Meeza could sense that it was all ok. I finally relaxed and put my arm around Meeza, as felt right.
Ira came up behind Angie and grabbed her; she gasped and almost jumped out of her shoes, then turned and hugged him with a laugh. “It’s about time you came looking for me,” she said in mock scolding.
They took off for parts unknown almost immediately. Mom proceeded to show us where our new place was. It was in the building nearest to the Reeshian building. She said she thought Meeza would want to be near them as well as to her new relatives. I was happy to hear her put it that way, and I could tell that it really relaxed Meeza as well. I told them that I had to see to the squaring away of the ship before I could go home. Mom asked Meeza if she wanted to come with her to see her new home so that she could bring me there when I was done, and Meeza thought that would be great. She was so at ease on this new world, and with my family, that I felt very proud to be with her.
I immediately buried myself in my obligations and it was night before I knew it. Finally, I was the only one not in my new home. Even Olga was gone; and the Captain had been by to congratulate me on a successful mission. I was to have a few days off before I had to worry about any other problems, though undoubtedly the new residents would come to me by habit if they had issues. I told the Captain I could live with that.
As I came out of the Homer and checked with the new guards on duty posted to keep people out of it without my permission or the Captain’s, Meeza was just arriving, walking gracefully toward me with such poise that she could be a queen. I was so happy to see her; I’d actually been worried about her the rest of the afternoon, but clearly she was well suited to adapt. She said she had our home all together and figured it was time to come retrieve me from the mines. She told me that Mom— Rhonda— showed her how everything worked; even the synthesizer. “So I could get something to eat if I was hungry and didn’t want to cook for myself. I didn’t know you could get stuff already cooked from the machine,” she said in fascination. “That’s the neatest thing yet.”
Maybe it wouldn’t be so easy to drag her away from the modern world after all, I thought. Maybe I was over-romanticizing the pioneer life just a little. Meeza had spent her life grubbing in the earth; or should I say the Reesh, to try to grow and harvest enough to eat. I had, by comparison, led a very soft life and I really didn’t know how to survive the same way her people had learned to. We had added Sappa to our crop planting already she informed me so we now had more variety in our diet.
A
couple of days rest would be welcomed in any event, before moving on to whatever life threw at us next. My life had always been so routine and now it was a new adventure every day. Did I like it? I really wasn’t sure, but I guessed it didn’t really matter how I felt about it; life is what it is.
When we woke up the next morning, the first thing I did was hook up my household comm link. There had been a note on the unit saying it would be hooked up in a day or two. It was my field anyway so I did it myself and called in to cancel the work order. It wasn’t hooked up for five minutes before the Captain called me to tell me what was on the agenda. The news he had was really exciting. The crew that had been trying to gain access to the saucer ship on Zeus had finally gained access. It seems they were trying to scan at different frequencies when it caused the lock to open. Then they were able to open the inner lock with a lever inside.
Inside were three bodies of the insect like creatures. The residue from their atmosphere was a high concentration of methane and a few other chemicals that would have killed all of us. We definitely wouldn’t have to worry about sharing a planet with them! The only thing they were so far able to identify in the ships systems were the wires around the perimeter, and that was definitely for generating a magnetosphere to protect them from radiation in space. There was a globe in the center of the ship that was sealed and they had no idea what mechanism it contained so far. Our scanners detected heavy elements within and that meant we’d have to find another way to figure out what it did. The technology was off the charts from anything we knew, and would likely remain so until our own caught up with it some. The planet it came from was beyond a doubt like a very large version of Titan with a much higher atmospheric pressure than we could deal with. The examination of one of the bodies that hadn’t been covered in dust for hundreds of years revealed, contrary to the insect like appearance; they had a circulatory system much more like our own, with a heart and arterial structure; but a very different nervous system.
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