by Karl Morgan
The rest of the group approached the animals. Jake was vigilant to protect anyone the beasts might lunge at. But the wolves sat quietly, enjoying the sun warming their fur.
“I don’t understand this at all,” Dave said.
“Dave, you may have seen these animals at Beacon Station 801,” Zee replied. “Those were wild beasts. This forest is part of a zoological and botanical garden that covers much of the surface of Tak-Makla. You can believe me that nothing is harmful here, although walking long distances can wear one’s legs out.” He sat down next to the wolf and stroked its ears. It wagged its tail in delight.
After resting for five minutes, the group headed back to the shuttle. It took to the sky and continued the tour. Within twenty minutes, the forest had given way to rolling hills of grain and a large river coursing its way to lower elevations. “This is one of the farming areas of the planet. We have several hundred areas like this. Most of the equipment is automated, although a few tekkans have left The Hive to pursue a more basic life on the land,” Zee continued. “We call this river Nanda. We took that name from a nearby planet inhabited by creatures not too different from you, Dave. Their planet is in the same system as our original planet. The Nanda River brings fresh water from the mountain snows to provide fertility to the land in this area. We will follow the Nanda to the ocean now.”
Within a couple minutes, the craft flew over a massive cliff, where the Nanda River plunged more than a thousand feet to the lowlands below. The shuttle moved down the face of the cliff following the flow of water. The waterfall ended in a very large lake at the base of the cliff. Water spray shot hundreds of feet in the air in all directions, covering the shuttle. The group winced at the water splashing at them in the clear ship. The area around the lake looked like a rain forest or even jungle. The craft continued following the river down its course. Twenty minutes passed and the forest ended in large grasslands reaching to the ocean’s edge. They followed the coast until an expansive beach stretched out before them. A number of large dwellings clustered at the edge of the beach. The craft settled down in front of the largest house, and became metallic again. “Welcome to my humble home, gentlemen,” Zee said as he led them out into the warm air with the ocean spray in their faces.
Chapter 30
Zee led the group to the house which seemed two to three times larger than the mansion where Charlie lived on Earth. It appeared to be made of pure white marble, which glistened in the sun, with large windows covering almost one-half of the walls. The lawn in front was carefully manicured with large areas of blooming flowers unlike any on Earth. Zee said, “This home is reserved for the High Consul. My own home is much more discrete. When my term ends in five solar cycles, my wife and I will return to our work in The Hive, and our personal residence. Val will be happy on that day since we will be much closer to our children. This place can be quite sterile. We entertain various groups most days each week, you know, government business. Please come in.” As he spoke the twenty foot tall glass door slid silently down into the floor.
The semi-circular entry was three stories tall, with a chandelier that seemed to float in the air above them. On the walls were pictures of the previous twenty High Consuls. Since Tak-Makla had been inhabited for four hundred million Earth years, it would not be possible to have images of all the Consuls. Five tekkans were waiting for them at the center of the room. Zee introduced the first as his wife, Val. The others were valets assigned to each guest. Zee pulled a small device from his pocket and showed it to his guests. “This is a communicator device. You will find one of these in each of your guest rooms,” Zee said.
De-o-Nu looked concerned. He asked “Guest rooms? Zee, I was not aware that we would be staying here? I thought we would meet you and then return to our ships to either continue here or go back.”
“De-o-Nu, my friend,” Zee replied, “please do not be concerned. Cementing a bond among our societies is a delicate process that cannot be rushed. You asked about The Hive and many of the workers there will be going home for the night soon. By the luck of timing, you arrived here in our mid-afternoon. Nightfall is only an hour away. Your valets will now take you to your rooms. Your rooms are on the same floor so you can meet with each other if you like. You will find a communicator like the one I showed you in your room. It has only one button. When you press it, you will be connected to your ships. Please speak with them and let them know you are safe. In an hour, your valets will bring you to the patio to have dinner with us. I have invited several ministers to join us. After dinner, according to our custom, we will take a drink and walk along the beach to continue our discussions. Then it will be time to sleep. In the morning, we will finish our tour and go to The Hive. Is that satisfactory?”
Jake spoke first, “Zee, I think your suggestion is perfect. We maklans have waited so long to find another of our species that a good meal and a night’s sleep would be appreciated. One night will not make a difference to me.”
“Thank you, Jake,” Zee smiled. “For all of your information, we have obtained some whisky from Earth and Gallia. I have never tried them, but am looking forward to enjoying some while we walk on the beach. Our Minister of State has told me that both are quite good, although she prefers the punch of the Gallicean whisky.”
De-o-Nu laughed, “I have a feeling I will like your Minister of State very much. My brothers from Earth think it is too strong.”
The valets led Dave, Charlie, De-o-Nu and Jake up to the third floor. They were walking down a long, brightly lit corridor with doors on both sides. They stopped at the first door on the right. Dave’s valet, Ton, pushed a panel and the door slid into a pocket in the wall. They all looked in the opening. It was a large room, at least seven hundred square feet. The far wall was all glass and they could see small waves crashing onto the beach outside. Ton said, “We have studied all of your species, and each room is decorated in a fashion that we hope pleases you. Dave, you will note there is a panel on both sides of the door that opens it. Your friends will be in the next three rooms on the same side further down the hallway. Let us go in while the valets show the rest to their rooms.”
Dave and Ton stepped inside. There was a seating area with two armchairs and a couch facing a small marble fireplace. The bed was larger than any Dave had seen, at least double the size of a king bed on Earth. Ton pointed out the bathroom that appeared identical to one on the colony ship Ticonderoga, except larger and all marble. There was a closet with a crisp, white suit, which Ton explained Dave should wear to dinner. A small door in the window opened onto a full-length balcony, furnished with several chairs. Before he excused himself, Ton opened a cabinet to show glasses and three bottles of rare Scotch whisky, an ice machine and several bottles of water. The communicator device was on top of the counter. Ton set a timer on the device to remind Dave when he should be ready for dinner, and left.
Dave opened the whisky bottle, and poured some over ice in one of the glasses. He sipped it carefully. The taste was magnificent and seemed very real, although he wondered how the tekkans had acquired it. He took his glass and the communicator and sat on one of the armchairs. When he pushed the button on the device, a screen descended from the ceiling against the wall. After a few seconds, he could see the bridge of the Nightsky.
“Dave, are you okay?” Captain Jon Lake said. “You just disappeared from the bridge two hours ago. We saw you with the High Consul for a minute or two, then our screen went blank.”
“We’re all fine Jon,” Dave replied. “Apparently, we arrived late in the afternoon. Zee took us on an amazing flight over some of the planet and now we are at the High Consul’s residence on a large beach. We are to join a state dinner shortly and then spend the night.”
Darlene’s image entered the screen. “Dave honey, I don’t like the sound of that,” she said. “I thought you were going to meet them and they would decide.”
“Me too, but these tekkans take their time to make decisions,” Dave replied. “I remember all t
he time you took to try to negotiate with the Galliceans. I’m not worried, yet. I think we just have to keep an open mind and find out what happens next. It’s not like we have much choice. You saw what they could do to our ships from twelve light-years away.”
“I know you’re right, Dave,” Darlene said. “The shock of seeing you and Charlie disappear in front of my eyes was too much. I’ve been talking to the maklan ambassador a lot since you left. Cara let me know how important this occasion is for her people. I’ll be fine, but you better take care of yourself.”
“Yes, Dear,” Dave started when a tone sounded at his door. He walked to the door and pressed the panel to find Charlie there in the brilliant white suit. He waved Charlie in and they sat together on the couch. The screen moved silently to face them on the couch. “Look who just popped in, sweetheart.”
“Hi Darlene, I’ve just been speaking with Aria,” Charlie said. While he was talking, Dave poured him a drink and gave him the glass. “Thanks, Dave. We’re fine here now, just having a cocktail before dinner. Don’t worry.”
“Jon, any other news to report,” Dave queried.
“No, Dave, it’s been very quiet here,” Jon replied.
“Jon, I did find out one piece of information already that might help the Kalideans deal with that new race we encountered. Zee gave us the word Nanda, which is either the name of their people or planet or both. Perhaps that can be a first link to their language,” Dave said. “I’m going to have to sign off now. As you can see from Charlie’s outfit, we have to dress for dinner.”
“I love you, Dave,” Darlene said.
“I love you too, sweetheart,” Dave replied. He pushed the one button on the communicator and the screen went dark and returned to its recess in the ceiling. “Charlie, please keep enjoying your drink while I put on my suit in the restroom.” Dave took the outfit from the closet and went to the restroom and closed the door.
The tone sounded again. Charlie went to the door and pressed the panel. De-o-Nu and Jake, both clad in white as well entered the room. While they sat on the couch, Charlie poured them each a whisky and sat with them on one of the armchairs. What do you two think about all of this?” Charlie asked.
“I have never been a diplomat,” De-o-Nu said. “I prefer to negotiate the surrender terms with the vanquished. This sit and wait, tour and talk is too much for me. Fa-a-Di told me I would have to learn to listen and work things out, but frankly, it is a difficult transition. At this moment, I would rather be on Planet 5 battling with those birds we saw, or even helping them down one of the giant jellyfish. Those are the kinds of things a soldier does. Seeing those ravenous wolves here got my blood flowing again, but they turned out to be playful puppy dogs instead.”
Dave returned to the group and refreshed his drink. The suit seemed perfectly tailored for him. “Are these outfits amazing? I put it on and it was much too large. Two minutes later and it had shrunk to my size,” he said.
“Just like me!” De-o-Nu laughed. “I am your size now too!” They all laughed. “Let us sit on the balcony, brothers. Fresh air will do us a world of good.”
As they headed to the balcony, the tone sounded again and the door slid open. Ton and the other three valets entered. “Gentlemen, your hosts are ready for you downstairs, please follow me,” Ton said and led them down the hallway.
Chapter 31
The valets led the group down to the entrance, through a large living room lined with bookcases and out the back door onto a patio that was several hundred feet wide and reached to within fifty feet of the water’s edge. A group of other guests had formed a receiving line to welcome them. Zee led them through the line and introduced them to the VIPs. The group included Fak, Minister of State, Var, Chief Engineer of The Hive, Nar, Minister of Defense, Mak, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Tal, Director of the Zoological Gardens. A long table set with fine china and crystal was reserved for the most important guests. Several dozen tables were filled by the remaining guests.
Ton changed from his role as valet to Maitre‘d. On his sign, dozens of waiters moved among the tables pouring sparkling wine and passing out plates of appetizers. While most of the plates seemed matched to tekkan palates, the plates in front of Dave and Charlie were very familiar, with cheese, salamis, and crisp pickles. Dave recognized De-o-Nu’s plate as well. It reminded him of the delicacies Fa-a-Di had presented to Dave after their flight over Jupiter so long ago.
Minister of State Fak sat across from De-o-Nu. She said, “De-o-Nu, Zee has mentioned our mutual fondness for the whisky from your world. I have always loved Gallicean whisky. Frankly, I’m not much of a drinker, but when I want a drink, I go for the best!”
De-o-Nu laughed, “Thank you, Fak. It will be an honor to share a glass or two with you after dinner. I told my brothers here that strong whisky comes from a strong race, which is why our whisky is the best, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I think you have a point there,” she replied. “My opinion is that the best whisky comes from warrior species, like your own and the Nanda. The Nanda love nothing more than to fight and drink. I think you encountered them a few days ago.”
“Yes, but they are a tiny folk,” De-o-Nu replied. “As I’m sure you know, in my natural state, I am much larger than this.”
“True, but we also have some whisky from Nanda which I would love to share with you later,” she replied, almost blushing. “The vegetation on their world is remarkable. Their methods have created something magnificent.”
“I look forward to that,” De-o-Nu smiled.
“Minister,” Jake interrupted. “Zee has told us there are a great variety of maklan cultures which you have found. Unfortunately, the only such culture we have encountered is the Predaxians. If you may, how many have you discovered?”
“Jake, please call me Fak,” she smiled. “We have chronicled four hundred and twelve to date. Fifty of those fell into decay and extinction long before we found them. You are quite correct to say knowing the Predaxians is unfortunate. We have tried to isolate ourselves from them. I believe you found our original planet near the planet Nanda.”
“Yes, we did,” Jake replied. “Why did you leave that world? It seems ideal. Were you trying not to influence the Nanda?”
“No, not at all,” Fak said. “Their modern society only developed over the last eight millennia or so. When we moved here, only microorganisms were living in the Nanda oceans. We moved here when we decided to construct The Hive.”
Zee interrupted, “Yes, The Hive. That’s why we are all here together now. Please let us enjoy the dinner first though. After our other guests have left, my ministers and I will walk with you along the beach and tell you more. Ah, here come the entrees. My wife personally selected these. I’m certain we will all enjoy them.”
The group of waiters moved swiftly through the group replacing soiled plates with dinner plates heavy with food and refilling wine glasses. There were large lobster-like tails on Dave and Charlie’s dishes, along with a heap of steaming greens and a starch. The waiter set small dishes with a clear green liquid near their plates. Dave looked around and saw that all the plates looked very similar.
Zee spoke, “Dave, this is a crustacean from this ocean. I have been told that it tastes similar to lobster on your home world. The sauce on the side is my wife’s personal recipe. It is a blend of several herbs and oils that can only be found on Tak-Makla or our first home world near Nanda. My ministers agree with me it is wonderful. Since they work for me, I can never be certain if they are telling the truth, or just trying to get a pay increase.” He laughed.
Dave cut a small piece of the crustacean and gingerly put it in his mouth. It did take like lobster, with a more meaty texture. He cut another piece and dipped it in the sauce. It smelled like wildflowers and the fresh ocean breeze. Dave tasted it. The first sensation was tart and sour, followed quickly by the luxurious mouth feel of butter. Finally, a bit of sweetness and heat ended on the back of his tongue. “Zee, this is truly magnif
icent,” he said. He turned to Val, seated next to her husband and said, “Val, this is the most wonderful thing I have ever tasted.” She smiled broadly at him.
The dinner continued for several hours. After the main course, a choir from the local elementary school entertained the group. The parents of the children were in the group, so the applause was thunderous. The dessert course followed with a variety of ten small pastries per plate, each completely different. The group was advised to taste from the left to the right. The first was buttery, salty and savory. By the time they tasted the last, it was sweet, rich and full of fresh fruit. Before the coffee arrived, a group performed folk dances that had been performed for over six hundred million Earth-years. The group whirled around the tables and several tekkans were pulled from their tables to join the group.
Zee said, “Dave, I am a trifle concerned about our coffee course. Coffee is something new to us on Tak-Makla. We only discovered it when your ship arrived at Beacon Station 801. I have been told that you and Charlie are coffee lovers and I hope we don’t disappoint. We were able to obtain some green coffee from one of your worlds. I don’t know if we roasted it correctly, but I personally love it.”
A waiter stood behind Dave, who turned to watch. The waiter held a cup in one leg and a small clear pitcher in another. There was a milk-like substance in the bottom of the cup. The waiter began to pour and raised the pitcher until the coffee formed a long arc into the cup. Not a drop was spilled. The waiter set the cup in front Dave and then poured another for Charlie. All of the ministers were staring at Dave as he lifted the cup to his lips. He tasted the drink.
“Zee, this is wonderful,” Dave said as the ministers sighed with relief. “Charlie, you have to try this. The cream is so rich with just the right sweetness. Zee, I’m honored that you went to this trouble for us.”