by Karl Morgan
The residence was one story and very open to the environment. There was no fence or gate and residents were encouraged to stop by and visit with the Elder and his family. Nan culture was very relaxed and informal, although they worked very hard here and across the galaxy. After a long day’s toil, they loved to sit outside with a cold drink and their loved ones and watch the evening slip by. The residence included hundreds of small suites where visitors could spend the night if the drink and conversations lasted too long. The dignitaries from Nightsky were provided with accommodations in those suites.
Dave and Darlene were led to their suite which was at the far end of the compound, almost at the edge of a forest. It included a ten foot square bedroom with a large soft bed, a sitting room of the same dimensions, and a small but adequate restroom. They were told to relax and enjoy themselves and that dinner would be served in two hours. Dave walked out to the small patio where two chairs and one sofa sat invitingly. A gentle rain began to fall and puddles of water began to form on the stone walkways that led through the dense lawn. Darlene joined Dave on the large sofa and held his hand. “Dave, this is a beautiful place,” she said. “I don’t know why, but I’ve been feeling very energetic since we got here. Perhaps it’s the ozone in the air or the rain, but it sure feels good.”
“I know, sweetheart, I feel it too. Even the sound of the rain splashing into the puddles seems so different and alive here,” Dave replied as he put his arm around her shoulders. She snuggled her head against his chest. The rain was pouring down now and thunder could be heard in the distance.
Two Nan exited the building across the broad patio and headed toward them through the driving rain. Darlene sat up and watched them getting drenched by the rainfall. The first was carrying a large covered tray. Water poured down his face, but he was smiling happily. The second wore a hooded robe and his face was obscured by shadows. They crossed the lawn and walked onto the porch next to the Brewsters. The first Nan placed the tray on the short table and removed the cover, revealing small dishes of food and several chilled beverages. The second Nan removed his hooded robe. It was Elder Odo Pak, who bowed slightly and sat on a chair next to them.
“Dave and Darlene,” he began, “it is my pleasure to welcome you to my home and offer you some refreshments. My assistant here is Alo Pak, and he is also my youngest grandson.”
Dave stood and shook the young Nan’s hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Alo.”
“Thank you, Dave and Darlene Brewster,” he smiled back. “It honors our home to have you with us. Grandfather tells me that you come from the Ulagong Galaxy. That is amazing.”
Darlene stood and hugged Alo. “Not only that, Alo, but we also come from more than a thousand years in the past,” she replied.
“Thank you, Grandson for helping me with the tray,” Odo said. “I need some time to talk with our friends now. Please help your grandmother with the arrangements for dinner. With this rain, we may have to move the feast indoors.”
“Yes Grandfather,” Alo said as he hurried away. The Brewsters sat on the couch again as he disappeared into the driving rain.
“Dave and Darlene, I know many people have high expectations for the coming days,” Odo said. “You may be feeling excessive stress from the pressures placed on both of you. Such feelings are natural but also destructive.”
“The meetings on Earth Prime may well determine the fate of the Society and our own lives, Odo,” Dave replied. “I’m not sure how to relax with that day coming soon.”
Odo put his hand on Dave’s knee. “Dave, you do not hold the fate of the Society in your hand. Our lives are also not that important in the greater scheme of things. After dinner, I usually take a walk in the forest with my guests. It helps to calm our nerves and prepare for bed. During that walk tonight, I would like to take the two of you to another place. It is a temple that will help you understand what I am saying now. Is that okay with you both?” They nodded their consent. “Good! I know this experience will change your perception and then you will begin to understand.” Odo picked up a pickle and bit it. “You must try these pickles and other delicacies. Everything is locally grown and produced. These drinks may be potent, but they are also quite nutritious.”
Darlene asked, “Odo, we have been feeling very energetic and alive since we arrived on your planet. Why is that?”
Odo smiled and sipped his drink. “Darlene, do you know why this is the only world for the Nan in this galaxy?”
“No Odo, I do not,” she replied. “It does seem very odd, though.”
“This was one of the first planets settled when the people of Non-Ti moved into the stars, long before the Non-Ti sun died,” he began. “After a few generations, the people of this planet became powerful and threatened Non-Ti for supremacy in the infant Society. A major war raged for decades until the forces of this planet were defeated. That victory came at a horrible price, and the Society languished for thousands of years. Only the impending death of the Non-Ti star forced the people of Non-Ti back into the stars. At that time, there were only fifty-one planets in the Society, and all but Non-Ti had developed into the fifty races we have today. The people of Non-Ti were deathly afraid one of the other races would inhabit this planet and become powerful again, so they gathered the Nan people from all over the Society and sent them here. They knew we are not fighters or aggressive, and by making this planet the exclusive property of the Nan, the others would not come here.”
“I’m sorry, but I thought the Nan originated here,” Darlene said.
“No, Darlene,” Odo smiled. “We originated on Non-Ti, along with the ancient race currently called by that name. Even in those days, we were second class citizens, forced to travel across the planet to find work and send the money back to our families. Not even the passage of billions of years had changed that.”
“But why did the original settlers of Nan get so powerful?” Dave asked. “It seems like an ordinary planet to me.”
“Really, it seems ordinary to you,” Odo scoffed. “First, no planet is ordinary, Dave, and Nan is exceptional. Please come with me, you two.” Odo stood and walked out into the rain. Water poured over his head and ran down his face and body. The Brewsters stood and walked off the porch, trying to shield their heads with their hands. “Stop blocking the rain, you two. Come stand here next to me.” They walked to the center of the patio and let the water wash over them. “Now, form a circle and hold my hands, close your eyes and turn your head upward,” Odo demanded.
The water drops splashed all around and soaked through their clothes. Darlene felt the warmth of Dave’s and Odo’s hands in hers and smiled. In her mind, she saw Beings of light dancing around them. She could not tell what kind of Beings they were, but they danced about and seemed to be laughing. She saw one of the Beings stop and run toward her. She flinched and the Being flew right through her body. She felt a rush of heat and then inner warmth unlike anything she had felt before. She opened eyes and found herself standing in the rain with Dave and Odo. The Beings were gone. She felt cold and alone and longed for the Beings to return. Dave and Odo opened their eyes and smiled.
Odo asked, “Darlene, what did you see?”
“It was so surreal, Odo,” she smiled. “There were Beings dancing around us. I couldn’t tell what they were and they seemed to be lit up from inside, shining like suns. One of them ran through my body and made me feel warm and happy. When I opened my eyes, they were gone and I missed them.” Dave was squeezing her hand tightly.
“That is very good Darlene. Frankly, most people who first experience this see nothing and only feel the rain. I’m impressed. And you, Dave Brewster, what did you learn standing here in the rain?” Odo asked.
“This planet is a natural Hive,” Dave said, staring into space. “I could see lines of Universal Power surging through the planet unlike anything I’ve ever seen. There were so many strings of light passing through this patio and our bodies that they would be impossible to count. For a moment, I felt m
y light string joining them and flying off into space. Then Darlene squeezed my hand and I was back here, surrounded in light.”
“Excellent, son,” Odo said. He put his hands on their shoulders and led them back to the small porch. “Now you know everything about Nan and our people. You know why they chose us to settle this planet. They knew we wouldn’t have enough work here and most of our people would have to travel to other planets. That kept the local population too small to take advantage of the Hive. All the other races look down on us and would never come here and learn this secret. But they miscalculated.”
“What do you mean?” Darlene asked.
“It is true that a constructed Hive requires several billion people to make it function. Our permanent population is mostly young children and old people who would never work in a Hive,” Odo smiled. “But as Dave noted, this is a natural Hive, created by God. It functions whether we are here or not. A single man can join with this planet and do all the things the billions can do in a constructed Hive.”
“So, just sitting here, I could send my light string across space and time?” Dave pondered.
“Well, not exactly here, Dave,” Odo replied. “The Source is very strong everywhere on Nan, which is why you felt what you did in the rain. However, we have temples across the planet where our citizens can enter the Hive. Our entire group will be going to one of them tonight as I mentioned earlier.” He hugged Dave and then Darlene. “Well, I must be off now. You two should probably change out of your wet clothes and prepare for dinner. My wife must be frantic moving everything inside.” He pulled on his robe and stepped back into the rain, which had lightened considerably. “I’d better go help or I will be in trouble, again.” He laughed and walked back across the patio and disappeared into another building.
Chapter 43
A large tent had been erected in the patio next to the Elder’s private residence. Several tables were set with simple settings of stone plates and plain glasses. Several buffet tables were loaded with trays of local specialties. Dave and Darlene wore their dress uniforms as they joined the others coming into the tent. Everyone had been given umbrellas to protect them from the rain, which was spotty now, and the three moons of Nan were peeking through the clouds. Alo Pak welcomed them, took their hands and led them to a table, where they joined Mencius, Zee Gongaleg, Fak Mandoka and Jake Benomafolays.
Everyone was feeling the energy of the planet and they were talking and laughing among themselves. The food was wonderful and the drinks were better. Dave could feel the heat in his face and decided to avoid any more drinks. Zee, Fak and Jake were giggling uncontrollably and slurring their words. Darlene had gone to the dessert table and was chatting with Zina and Serena. He sat back in the chair and closed his eyes for a moment, basking in the warmth of the gathering. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Wendo Balak standing next to him. “Let’s get away from the crowd for a minute, Dave. I need to talk to you,” Wendo said. Dave rose and they walked out of the tent into the bright light of the three moons.
“Is something wrong, Wendo?” Dave asked.
“Yes, I’m afraid there is, Dave,” Wendo said as he looked around to be sure no one was listening. “The High Council has been stonewalling our request to have Bill Brewster jump here. Of course, we can’t tell them why we want him or they would deny the request immediately. I’ve discussed this with Elder Pak and he needs your help to resolve this. He will tell you more later. Please keep this from everyone tonight.” Wendo patted Dave on the back, smiled and walked back into the tent. Odo Pak was talking to the crowd as Dave entered the tent. He could see that Serena Vanatee had taken his seat, so he stood in a corner by the entrance.
“Dear guests, I hope you have enjoyed this evening meal,” Odo said. “It honors our home and our planet to have you with us tonight. We are especially honored by the presence of Admiral Dave Brewster. Dave and his dear friend Ambassador De-o-Nu of Greater Gallia have returned our beloved Zula to us. I was saddened that the Ambassador could not join us tonight. I am told he had pressing business on Lagamar 7.” The group applauded. “It is our custom to walk in the nearby woods after dinner. Any of you who would like to join me are welcome. If you have had too much drink, you may retire to your rooms if you prefer. In the woods, we will find two small temples where you may meditate and relax. You may return here at any time. My sons will set up some drinks here in the tent for anyone when they come back. You are also welcome to stay here and continue your conversations. Thank you.”
Most of the guests either stayed in the tent or returned to their rooms. Odo and Alo Pak led Dave, Darlene, Wendo, Serena, Antar and Zina away from the party. A stone path led through the trees deep into the forest. After a few hundred feet, the trees became less dense and many rose hundreds of feet over their heads. They crossed several small stone bridges that crossed streams swollen from the rain. They walked more than a mile until they reached two small open wooden temples. Odo explained that men and women meditated separately here as on Lagamar Ulu. As everyone moved toward the structures, Odo held Dave back. “Come with me,” he whispered.
A second narrow stone path led into thick underbrush. Odo led the way and strode confidently in the darkness. After another hundred yards, they came upon a small waterfall splashing onto a large flat stone. The water rushed off the stone into a small pond. Odo stood in front of the waterfall and bowed deeply. The water stopped. “Hurry, Dave, it will start again soon.” They moved through an opening behind the waterfall and went down a long set of stone steps that ended in a circular room hewn from the stone. Ten stone slabs radiated from the center of the room. Each had a rolled, heavy blanket on top. Odo unrolled a blanket and laid it across the stone. He sat on the blanket. “Come on, Dave. Do what I’m doing. We don’t have much time. The others will be looking for us after a while.”
“What exactly are we doing, Odo?” Dave asked.
“You aren’t trying very hard are you?” Odo asked. “Please just do it. Lie down and close your eyes.” Dave followed the orders, but took a second blanket as a makeshift pillow. He sat on the cold blanket and adjusted the pillow until he felt a little more comfortable. Knowing it would not get any better, he closed his eyes.
Dave could feel his light string rip out of his chest and fly though the hill over the stone temple. He looked down and could see Darlene sitting peacefully with her eyes closed. His light flew into space and through the hull of Nightsky. He stopped in Lauren London’s quarters and noticed her sitting on the bed looking at a picture of Jon Lake on her dresser. He shot back into space and joined countless trillions of other strings flying around him. A single silver string of light raced at him and seemed to merge with him. “Hello Dave, it’s good to be with you again,” said the voice of Nok, the tekkan engineer.
“Nok, how are you?” Dave replied. “I guess The Hive on Tak-Makla is functioning again. That’s great.”
“I guess you didn’t know, Dave,” Nok said. “My body was destroyed in the explosion in The Hive. But that Hive will be working again soon.”
“You died? I am so sorry, Nok,” Dave said. Tears filled his eyes back in the stone temple.
“Don’t be upset, Dave,” she replied. “I’m not sad at all. I’ve joined the Source again. I’ve never felt happier. Dave, I made a star today! How wild is that?”
“How did you do that, Nok?” he asked.
“Well it wasn’t just me,” she replied. “Many of us went to the stellar incubator, which is really just a cloud of gas. We spun the gas around and it began to collapse under its own weight. Finally, it shrank down until fusion began in its core. It was a miracle.”
“Excuse me, Dave,” Odo said as his string joined the others. “I’m glad you found an old friend, but we have work to do. Bless you, Nok.”
“Bless you too, Odo and Dave,” Nok replied. “I will see you again.” Her string untangled from them and shot away.
“I’ll show you one thing to warm your heart and then we have t
o go to Earth 47,” Odo said as they shot away through the stars. They reached Lagamar 7 in a few seconds and raced toward the surface. Dave could see a Gallicean shuttle on the platform next to Bola’s shuttle, but Odo raced right past it into the gas.
They stopped on a Ka-la-a deep inside the planet. There were five Gallicean Marines and De-o-Nu standing in front of several hundred Boley. Fa-a-Di sat nearby watching the rest. They gave belts and daggers to each Boley and began teaching them how to fight. “Your friends are great men, Dave,” Odo said. “De-o-Nu and Fa-a-Di could not let the violence continue. I pity the next person to come here and try to shoot one.”
“This is amazing,” Dave smiled as he watched the Boley throw each other around and work with the daggers. Odo streaked back into space and Dave followed him. Odo was going so fast that Dave could barely keep up. He knew if he got lost, he could just return to his body, but felt he had to keep trying.
After several minutes, they approached Earth. They shot through the atmosphere and landed in a small bedroom. It was the middle of the night here. Dave’s light could read the clock which said two thirty in the morning. The man sleeping rolled over and Dave recognized his son, Bill. “Dave, this is the hard part,” Odo said. “Very few can do what I’m going to show you. If you can succeed, we can take Bill back with us. Either way you need to try as though all of our lives depend on it.”
“What do I need to do?” Dave asked.
“You need to reach into your mind and concentrate every bit of it on this place and your son,” Odo said. “You need to want to be here with all your heart and soul. Watch me and then you try.” Dave’s string of light watched as Odo’s string became a blob and started to morph. After a few seconds, Odo was standing in the room. But it wasn’t the real Odo; it was a shimmering light version, like Darlene had seen dancing around her. The shining Odo reached over and touched the sleeping figure and said, “Bill?”