"Eliot would it be possible to...Eliot, please scan the small valley to our left, I saw the flash of something metallic."
"Sir, there is a craft at that location. It has been there for some time and has no life forms anywhere near."
"Can you set us down farther down the valley? I want Tayana and the healers to experience snow for the first time."
"I have mapped out a landing location and will go there now." A few minutes later they landed and Sam was the first out. He made three small snow balls and hurled them at his three targets as they exited the shuttle. The first hit Salbola square in the chest and the other two grazed the women on the arms. All three squealed, jumped to the snow, and were surprised by the cold.
"We can only stay a short time. The temperature is low and you do not want to experience frost bite." They frolicked in the snow for a few more minutes, "Look up, then close your eyes. I have a special treat for you."
"Is it chocolate?"
"Emara, get your mind off chocolate, I think you're going to need counseling when you get back."
As they looked up and closed their eyes, Sam threw a large handful of snow high into the air so it fell as if snowing on their faces. The tingle of the cold snow and the rush of it hitting them everywhere brought them a sensation they had never experienced. They loved it. They wiped the melted snow from their faces but their smiles were non-erasable. They experienced a sensation beyond their imagination. The flight down, the snow, and now they were going to fly over their village for the first time and see where they lived. "Let's get back in the shuttle, I'm cold and I'm sure you are too."
Through chattering teeth they agreed and climbed into the warmth of the shuttle. "To the village, Eliot."
"On our way."
"Look out the view screen, Eliot is going to fly us around the village. I think you will be amazed when you see the waterfalls and the pools and how the trees sort of hide the pods from above. The pods look like natural parts of the landscape they blend in so well."
"The pods are a natural part of the landscape; they are a living organism we live with symbiotically. There are several biologics living within the pods. The glow comes from a bioluminescent algae living on the outside and eats any bacteria that may harm the pods shell or leaves. The ponds are around each pod for water, of course, but also to grow food, fish, and flowers. We live in the pods because they are waterproof and smell wonderful. They entice you to sleep restfully."
Emara chimed in with a sideways look, "Like we need to do as soon as we get back on the ground. I have never been so tired in my life."
"Me too Emara, I believe a two day rest is in order."
"Definitely no more chocolate for you two."
Tayana got a little nervous as Sam pointed out the village on the horizon. "What if I find I have located the village in a poor location or in a dangerous one unknowingly?"
"Tayana, from what I have seen, this is a wonderful place for the village to be located. The gasses do not drop into the village at night and there is plenty of water and shelter. I found no lack of food or drinks at meals and never once did I hear a bad thing said about anything except for the boomers and diggers, of course. No need to worry, you will see soon enough you have chose wisely."
Tayana and the healers were once again glued to the view screen and holding onto the railings. The village came into view and Eliot slowed the shuttle to an easy pace allowing them to see the village in great detail.
"There is our pod and the rover is still out behind."
"The falls are so beautiful, I had no idea they were so plentiful or so many plants and flowers at the head waters."
Tayana was thinking more strategically, "We need to move the storage to the other side of the dining hall, closer to the kitchen and the servers. We can also divert some of the water to the flat area and we can grow other foods we could not before."
"Tayana, can you not see the beauty of this place and feel the magic it creates? This is as close to paradise as I have ever been, I would give my little finger to have this much beauty on Earth. We once had several islands that came very close to being perfect, but they were destroyed many years ago in a battle between our country and another. They could not have them so they destroyed them so we could not have them either, bastards!"
The beauty of the village moved each of them in their own way, but the tour had to come to an end, "Take us down Eliot."
With the shuttle safely on the ground the healers thanked Sam and took off for their pod.
"Tayana, I am going back to the mountains to check out the metallic object. Eliot said there was a power source and it might be something we can harness for your village, if you would like."
"We will see when you return."
"I will return tomorrow morning, hopefully with Grant. He should be healed and ready to go by the morning. Tell the girls I miss them and will return in the morning to see them for a brief minute."
"I will let them know, Sam."
Sam’s mind raced with ideas about what the shiny object might be. Eliot indicated a craft but not what kind. It could be old mining equipment left behind by the diggers, but their equipment was flat and had no shine. Could be a crashed vessel, but there was no other intelligent life, save for the five races he knew of. His, Tayana’s, Delack’s, the translation biologic in his ear, and the little six-legged creature that waved as he exited the shuttle. He had no idea what Delack’s ships look like, but guessed they would not be shiny, it wasn’t their style. "Eliot, take us to the mountains please. When we get near, let’s hover for a minute and see if there is a good place to set down and go in for a closer inspection.”
As they approached Eliot informed Sam a weather system was moved in and flying into the valley would not be in their best interest. The wind gusts could easily slam them into the side of a mountain, not to mention visibility would be nearly zero once the winds picked up.
"Fine, let's set down so we can finish processing what the bots brought back." Eliot set down near a stream, Sam thought about the girls, but he had work to do. When he was done he might take a dip in the stream to cool off. Processing took a good portion of the day with some interesting discoveries. As Sam processed the finds he noted something moving out of the corner of his eye. It was bluish green with yellow spots.
"Eliot, I thought we processed all the biologics. Something is moving over there in the third bin."
"Sam, I do not believe it is alive. I believe it is an audio kinetic.”
"What do you mean audio kinetic?"
"If we stop talking and processing stops it will no longer move. It only moves when a force acts upon it. It can be physical, it can be wind, or it can be the vibrations caused by noise. In this case it is the noise."
"Can you scoop some up, isolate it and test it to be sure? The movement is creeping me out."
"Yes, Sam."
Sometime later Eliot had the pleasure of discovering a substance much like rubber. It too was a kinetic of sorts. It only moved by touch and once touched, it gained energy. After Eliot tried several times to coax it into a container, it built up enough energy to bounce around the lab bay. With each successive bounce it moved faster and faster. It was nearly a blur when Sam finally managed to get it under control by throwing a towel into its path, catching it mid-flight. The dampening effects of the towel neutralized its inertia and the substance was once again manageable.
"We're going to have to keep an eye on it. Be sure not to jostle the container."
"Agreed. This needs to be in motion resistant material for safe keeping." An absorbent rock and several different kinds of fluorescent minerals were among the other finds of interest.
With the lab bay cleared, Sam said, "Eliot, it is nearly dark and I need some rest. Let’s head back to the Belle so I can check on Grant and go to bed."
While Eliot prepared the shuttle for takeoff Sam's mind drifted to the craft in the mountains. He was disappointed they were not able to explore it today. Once Grant wa
s awake and well, it was game on.
They docked with the Belle and Sam made his way to check on Grant. All was good and Delack was making progress as well. He grabbed a quick bite from the galley, headed to his quarters, and prepared for bed. Lying on his bunk, his thoughts drifted to Grant and whether or not he would be ready to go on this little journey and how much stamina he would have. He would have to wait and see what the healing apparatus showed in the morning. If all was good, he would pump Grant full of vitamins and protein drinks.
Chapter Eighteen
Sam must have fallen asleep. His alarm was going off, it was time to get up and get moving. His eyes were heavy and his body didn’t want to function properly. “Coffee, I need coffee!”
He dressed and headed to the galley for a quick bite and some much needed coffee. He chuckled at the thought of Emara and Salbola begging for chocolate and the looks on their faces when he told them no — they needed counseling. "Eggs, bacon-lots of bacon, and some toast should do the trick.
He was sure the shiny object had to be an exploration craft of some kind and he was damn sure going to find out. It had a power source that meant intelligence, in some form or another.
Breakfast complete, he went to the med room. The read out showed Grant’s healing was complete. Electrolytes and fluids were already being administered so he wouldn’t be groggy and stiff when he came out of the medical coma. “Time to push the button buddy, wake up and let’s get this party started!” Sam pushed the button. The healing apparatus swung to the side and the bed brought Grant up to a sitting position. Sam guessed drugs were being pumped into him to wake him from his sleep. Grant slowly opened his eyes and looked around the room like he was lost, with no idea where he was, or how he had gotten there.
“Hey there buddy! How are you feeling?”
“What the hell? Did I get my ass blown up again?”
Sam laughed, “No, but you did about make me shit my pants when you passed out.”
“I passed out? How, when, where?”
“We were at the bunker and you were yelling at me, then you just stopped yelling and fell to the ground – midsentence I might add.”
“What happened?”
“Well, that poison in your body had a dormant residue and stress triggered it. You were definitely stressed. Your face turned red and you were not being nice, pretty uncharacteristic of you. The med apparatus detected your appendix had burst and you were septic. It was a miracle we got you back to the Ebony Belle.”
“We’re on the Belle, how?”
“Eliot and I did some fancy manufacturing with some of the materials we got from the bots and made a new part or two. I’ll tell you more about it later. We need to get you out of here and down to the planet so we can check out something we discovered yesterday. It may turn out to be nothing but it may also turn out to be really something!”
“What do you mean, Sam?”
“When Tayana, the healers, and I were flying over the mountains, I saw a flash in the snow that looked metallic. Eliot made note of its location before we stopped to play in the snow and stand on top of their world. I thought it would be a great adventure for you and me to check out, before we get blown to bits by the aliens more than likely headed this way to wipe us off this world for destroying their mining operation and killing their lead miner. His brother isn’t too pissed. He seems to be a pretty decent fellow, if you can get past his four arms and the smell.”
“What the hell are you talking about Sam, four arms? We killed his brother? We’re going to die? Did I fall into a worm hole or a black hole and this is the shit that happens on the other side? I don’t even know what to say about any of this, except I’m starving. Have you eaten yet? Maybe some food will bring me back to my senses and all of this weirdness will go away.”
“Um, probably not gonna happen, Grant.”
“Whatever. Get me some clothes so we can go eat, I’m in desperate need of coffee.”
Sam got him some clothing and Grant dressed quickly. “Um, Grant…”
“Jesus Christ, Sam, what the hell is that and why is it on the Belle? Did you really bring a dead alien on the ship? Are you out of your mind?”
Sam had heard just about enough and gently yelled, “You done yet?” Sam was being patient and Grant was plowing ahead like a freight train.
“If that thing starts to smell any worse, your ass is walking home.”
“Grant, he is very much alive.”
In a pitch only dogs and mice can hear, Grant screamed, “This f’ing thing is alive? On the Belle! You’re being casual about it? Pull the plug and I’ll fire him out the waste chute. Is this the sack of shit that fired on me three times, nearly killing me?”
“Nope, it was his brother, the dead one we left back at the bunker. This one is Delack and he may be able to help us with the incoming warships.”
“Warships? Now we have warships coming after us? A month ago we were the only intelligent beings in the universe. Two weeks ago we found out we were wrong. Now we have warships coming to blow us to bits? Put me back under! Put me back under, now. I woke up in a different dimension and I want to go home.”
“Oh my God, you big-ass baby! Simmer down and shut up for a minute. Delack is a scientist and does not have any fight in him. He may be able to talk with his people and calm them down so they won’t blow us to bits. He is here because you blew off one of his limbs and blew a few holes in him with the SHTF.”
Grant thought for a minute and asked, “How is it you can talk with him? Did you put the slimy stuff in his ear, too?”
“No, Tayana said most likely the biologics crawled into his ears because of the poor living conditions they were living in. I guess they like dirty places?”
“Okay, I am going to give this thing one chance and one only. I’m still pretty pissed his kind tried to kill me, over, and over.”
“I think you’ll like him, when you get the opportunity to speak with him.”
“And maybe not!”
“Let’s get some food in you before you go all girl on me.”
“Not funny, Sam!”
“You need some protein buddy, let’s get some bacon in you too!”
While they ate, they chatted about what had happened. Like how Sam was, for all intents and purposes, married to two beautiful alien women.
“How did this come about?”
“Well, no one told me if you are together with a woman on this world you become her life partner and I had two of them at the same time. I have been contemplating what I should do when we leave.”
“Contemplating what? Taking them with you? Are you crazy?”
“Eat Grant, it will do you good. I can go be silent somewhere else.”
“Now who’s the big-ass baby?”
Grant’s demeanor dramatically changed as they laughed. “I’m beginning to feel better and I feel my strength coming back, too. More protein, please.”
Sam was pleased that Grant was making an award winning comeback and they could get on with their day. “I’ll go get the shuttle ready. When you’re done, come on down and we can get going. I’m pretty excited to check it out, whatever it is.”
“I’ll be down soon, another cup of coffee and I should be good to go.”
Sam took off towards the lift and had an interesting thought. What if the shiny thing is a craft from Earth’s early explorations? They lost several ships over the years and this could be one of them.
He readied the shuttle and chatted with Eliot about details on his plan to go to the mountain valley to investigate the craft. He and Grant would explore while Eliot entertained the girls. Eliot was not a ladies bot and refused to baby sit for him. “Plan B then, we take Tayana with us and leave the girls behind for another day, maybe one where we could be alone!” Good plan Sam, he thought to himself. He needed some alone time with Kyera and Dyanta. They were his drug of choice in this crazy mixed up adventure. He could not have chosen better mates on Earth if they were handpicked for him. They we
re beautiful, alluring, and perfect for him.
Grant was in better spirits once he finished his meal. “Let’s get this can moving Sam, adventure awaits and I’m feeling good!” Grant had not felt this kind of energy for many years. The healing process had righted more wrongs than what was acutely ailing him. His joints felt better, his thinking was clearer than ever, and he felt like he could run for miles.
"What happened to you? Fifteen minutes ago you were pissy and whining. Now you can't sit down and are raring to go?"
"I guess it took a few minutes to kick in, but I feel great now. Like I said, let's get this can moving."
Eliot acknowledged and disengaged the shuttle from the Ebony Belle.
"To the planets surface my good AI!"
"Uh...yes, Sir."
Sam and Grant laughed at Eliot's response. It was highly unusual for him to add a human pause. This was one for the books. "Uh, Eliot, uh, how come you used an uh in front of your response?"
"I am learning how the two of you communicate by tracking your speech patterns. Sam's usual response is comprised of an uh, before he answers your question. I thought it was a common part of the English language."
"Eliot, it’s something people use to buy time because they’re not sure how to answer, or they are trying to lie or be deceptive."
"Hey, I'm not being deceptive. I'm trying to figure out how best to respond to Grant so he’ll fully understand what I'm saying. I pick my words carefully."
"Sam, if Eliot could laugh, he would be, right about now. That is such a crock of crap it's funny!"
"Whatever. Better buckle up, we're headed into the atmosphere's outer ring, it could get choppy." Grant and Sam buckled in. It was choppier than usual. "Grant, I think there is a storm brewing, could hit in the late evening."
"Agreed, we need to head straight for the mountains and get this done.”
“Eliot, make for the mountains, for the spot Sam noted on the map."
"Yes, Sir, no uh this time."
Helium Fall Page 16