by K R Sanford
“Okay buy me,” she agreed. They left the small cafe and the Interstellar Market Place.
They strolled along the lavender boulevard browsing the shops and vendor stands. They talked of the points of interest. They stopped at the end of the street to watch the fishermen herd their catch with the force field nets.
The daylight soon came to a close. The sky blazed red and the sun dipped below the blue horizon. The sounds of native drums thanked the island spirits for the day's good fortune. They invited the new spirits to celebrate the evening banquets.
Marco and Lady Lucia walked through the glass atrium of the Luxor Hotel. Lucia stopped at a dedication plaque in the center of the garden. “I had a wonderful time,” she said, “Thank you.”
Marco replied with a simple, “You're welcome.” He read the dedication plaque to himself while Lucia studied his face. “I’m surprised it stays this warm outside,” she said searching for a response.
“Yes,” he said. “It will stay like this all evening.” Marco looked through the atrium at the tall coco palms swaying in the wind.
“Hmm,” she murmured. “Well, I guess I'll see you later.”
“Oh, yes,” he said. “I thought I would have dinner here at the hotel, they have a terrific buffet. Would you care to join me?”
Lady Lucia looked surprised. “A buffet, you say?”
“Sure,” replied Marco. “The hotel provides entertainment as well.”
“A buffet sounds wonderful,” said Lucia.
“Good,” replied Marco. “I will pick you up at your suite at eight.” Marco walked her through the atrium and said goodbye. He dashed into the gift shop and bought a spring bouquet of island flora. He went straight to his room to get cleaned up and make arrangements with the Eagle. He took time to relax. He left his room dressed in a black shirt with gold coco palms. He had on white slacks and camel loafers. He laid the bouquet over his arm and rapped on Lady Lucia's door.
The door opened wide. Lady Lucia gasped.
Marco handed her the bouquet. “These are for you,” he said.
“Thank you,” replied Lucia. “They are very beautiful. Please come in.”
Devin and Elsinor were reclining in the living room. Lucia paraded the flowers through the room. Elsinor went over to discuss the flowers. They put them in a vase on a small table.
Devin stood with a drink in his hand. “Captain, may I offer you something, a drink to get you going?”
Marco shook his head. “No thanks, I'm fine. Have you been enjoying your stay in the islands?”
“Most gratifying, Captain,” said Devin, “A delightful place, this planet. Of course, I prefer our own Emerald Sea back on Ameda. We don't have the big luxury hotels. Still, I am looking forward to getting back. What are your plans for returning to Ameda?”
“We will be starting back tomorrow,” replied Marco. “The ship's repairs will be ready by then, so this will be our last night out.” Marco looked over to Lucia.
“What kind of entertainment does the hotel provide?” asked Devin.
“Well, let me see.” Marco pulled a card from his pocket and activated the program strip. The pocket card displayed a marquee of the evening's events. The card read: Compliments of the Luxor Hotel.
“There will be the Ali’i Dancers. They dance the traditional story of a fair maiden blessed by the god of fertility. Then Diva Pali will sing a medley of her favorite hit songs. It's followed with the fire dance of the volcano: Preformed by the Big Island Warriors.”
“If that doesn't get your blood going nothing will,” replied Devin.
“Why don't we all go,” said Marco. “This should be a night to remember.”
“Yes,” chimed Lucia. “You come too, Devin.”
After the initial, ‘We don't want to intrude’ was over; they sauntered out the front door. They ambled down to the dining hall for the evening’s affair.
* * * *
The bridge of the Eagle buzzed with activated consoles and crewmen. They were making preparations for the trip back to Ameda. Marco sat in his chair in his jade-green flight suit. Grantham and Clorissa monitored the nav-com. Hector, seated in front of the systems console had his feet up on the weapons panel.
“Clorissa, will you recheck our course. Calculate standard velocity to Ameda,” said Marco.
“Aye, aye,” she replied, “Ready to commence.”
“Okay, commence” said Marco.
The helm ran the sequence for orbit around the Island Planet for the jump to hyperspace. The web-field crackled. Within seconds the blue orb of the Island Planet shrank in the distance.
The stars in the outer rim of the Milky Way streamed past the Eagle. Darkness followed as they entered the void of the middle corridor.
The days followed uneventful. The warble of multicolored lights came back to life as they entered the Corsi Star System. Space once again returned to normal as they reduced their speed to sublight. The Eagle went to standard orbit around Ameda.
The shuttle made trip after trip with delivery of goods and personnel. Marco and Lucia were the last to join the landing party. They stepped into the shuttle and said their good-byes.
“We'll see you in six months’ time,” said Ryan. He closed the door to the shuttle then gave it a solid slap and stepped back.
Marco and Lucia raised the tiny launch off the landing bay and slipped through the outer force field. The shuttle drifted toward the surface of the planet. Like a sapphire hurling from the Corsi star they vanished into the atmosphere of Ameda.
They touched down on the road leading to the tunnel of Shrine Mountain. Marco walked with Lucia to Village Main.
“I'll see you after a while,” he said. “I want to check on Chief Spierd.” Lucia mounted a horse that was awaiting her arrival. She waved him goodbye.
Marco turned and climbed the steps to the shrine. The sun was setting over the western mountains. He walked inside the entrance and called out.
John's door opened and he stepped out. “I've been expecting you, Marco,” said the John. “I got the communiqué from Clorissa this morning. It says the Amedans agreed to put the table back in service.”
Marco smiled with delight. “Yes,” he said.
“They did agree, said Marco.. “They felt it imperative for the safety of this star system. It is important to the further their mission throughout the galaxy. They wanted humans to track the events. I'm not sure what all that means but I'm ecstatic for the opportunity to explore without the long journeys.”
“Well, that's great,” said John. “This means we will have the first sightings of the events in the Milky Way.”
John walked to the table mumbling. He turned back. “Do you know when they’re going to be here?”
“The Ambassador's message said they'll be coming through the inner passage. This will happen as soon as I reach the Shrine,” replied Marco. “I was to wait here in the rotunda. They should arrive any minute.”
John threw up his hands. “I need to get ready. I have to get dressed.” John scurried back and forth scratching his chin and muttering. He disappeared in his chambers.
Marco walked over to the east portal. He looked down at Napgath's fishing boats bringing in the day's catch. He watched as the ancient warriors mingled on Village Main. Seeing their children at play made him smile. He was now safe in a land enchanted.
C H A P T E R 15
_________________________________________
THE STORM
Chief John Spierd closed the door to his chambers. His silhouette flickered against the stone archway. He slipped his best shirt over his head and pulled it over his barreled chest. He marched up the steps and joined Marco in the rotunda.
Marco acknowledged John with a nod.
John replied. “Clorissa's message said you got the Amedans to release the navigation blocks. How did you manage that?”
“I asked,” said Marco. The corner of his mouth turned to a frown as he gazed at the cold glistening marble.
; “What is it, Marco?” asked John.
Marco raised his eyebrows. “I understood when I arrived the Amedans would be here. I have a sneaking suspicion we got stood up.”
“You think they're not coming? I thought they would come through the inner door.”
“They'll be here,” said Marco, “unless of course we got stood up.
“I don't know,” replied John. “Marco, unless my eyes deceived me, you touched down with Lady Lucia. Since we're waiting, why not tell me about it?”
Marco took one of the twenty-two chairs at the Amedans navigation table. “She's a friend,” he said. “I thought it wouldn't hurt to be friendly.”
John smiled, “It's always good to be friendly to a lady. Are you worried about something?”
“John, I'm not an outgoing man with women. Most people talk to me because I'm their Captain and not a fellow traveler. When I'm in command of the starship that's okay, I need people in their logical places or accidents happen. In a social setting I'm a slow moving turtle.”
“Socially?” questioned John. “Or your personal relationships, because that's what we are talking about, isn't it? Relationships can be disappointing. Your plan sounds wise. It's good you're getting on your feet again, in light of all that has happened.
I'm sure you will be happier with the people here. And, you will have a much fuller life because of the things you've done for the planet. Marco, if I may, there is something I've wanting to ask you, something that has baffled me for years.”
Marco scratched the stubble on his chin. He pushed his hair out of his face and cocked his head to the side. He held out his hand, giving the conversation to John.
John dropped his head to plan his question. He shifted in his chair. “I don't see how you can maintain the respect of the crew, and governments, and do violence toward those around you. Could share your secret? You see, I must be missing something horribly basic.” John's face twisted up. He looked at Marco dazed.
Marco gawked at John. He ran his hand through his greasy black hair. “What?” he said, “Do you think I'm simple-headed? Do you think the answer you want is born in anything less than tangible reality?”
“No, no, no,” replied John. “I didn't mean that.”
Marco laughed. You need to learn to be here. It’s just that simple. It's a funny old galaxy, Chief.” Marco held a calculating stare. His face turned to stone. “New life will flourish. Life will abandon itself to see raw earth spring into a garden. New life, John! That's why the Amedans will be here one way or another, and that's why this table will show things to come. Who is it that threatens our peace? A fire burns in this galaxy, Chief, and it will destroy life to protect it! That, my dear John is why your Captain commands the respect of assassins and killers. Command is why an enemy will come again, John.”
John swallowed hard. “So, you're saying wars get fought to protect life, and people die to make a way so others may live?”
Marco smiled and shook his head. “People die, John, for many reasons. Wars get waged because peace becomes too expensive to keep! You are mixing up apples with your oranges.
With one question you want to see an idealistic order. With the other question you want to have leadership you can control. This is the simple minded sheep talking so they can live in the reality of their fantasies like children. John, do you want to shut your brain off and join a flock that has abandoned their mission to struggle and live for themselves?
You won't make this table move with that attitude. Think, John, there needs to be the presence of mind to focus your expectations. The last time this table moved it moved for every here. It was easy because you were not alone. We were not alone!
We got orchestrated as characters in a universal model. And, we got that because we were here available with all our senses. We activated the table because of what we all went through.
We were alive and willing. We had our security in numbers. We were the many, the major archetypes around this table as the twenty-two elders. As soon as one forgets that, he slips from the present, and becomes diluted into his imagination, like a child. Then he is brought down by his own forgetfulness. And he is open for every demagogic windbag driven by greed and fear.
You saw how it was here with the Vallians, with the Ambassador and with the Marillians. All played their part in that distribution of timeless reality. That's how it was and that's how it can be, if you can remember. Hell, if I can remember to be present with my senses, alive and clear.”
Marco raised his hands and closed his eyes. “Now think of a quandary, John, a question for the table.”
John put his hands on the table and thought.
Marco continued, “So now we begin. Let us hear the clear cool sound. Let us see the movement of the wind. Let us feel the sunshine on the land. Let us smell the mystery of the ages. And, let us taste the sweet breath of Ameda. Then let us pull our forces together. As one, let us move this Mountain of the Shrine!”
At that moment a wind began to stir. The wind blew in from the four portals of the Shrine. The wind whipped a mist overhead in the dome. The mist formed into a fist circling round and round, shaping itself into a tiny storm.
The Captain and the Chief looked up. They watched as the tiny hurricane descended like a hammer against the black marble table. The storm blew dust from the surface of the table and onto the floor. The polished stone came alive. The objects on the marble slab began to move. The gems in their gold saucers morphed. They formed a star with its orbiting planets.
The table displayed patterns of the outer tips of the Milky Way. Stars appeared on the table from places where there were no stars. The Sea of Glass glistened like a pool of reflecting water. The stars shined as if it were day.
A convoy at the outer tip of the Milky Way advanced toward the center of the table. It was the same location as the Corsi Star System. The table marked a place in the universe, a place that had not yet come to pass.
Marco gazed over the scene. He stared until his eyes blurred. His body wavered. He steadied himself against the table. He was in the gripped of a vision unfolding. He grabbed his head and cried out. He pulled himself from the table and stumbled off the rotunda floor. He was hobbling down the stone steps. John caught him by the arm and turned him from the twilight.
“Steady on, Marco,” said John. “Are you going to be all right?”
Marco rested his shoulder against the passage wall. “I need to find my daughter.”
“Well, that's easy,” replied John. “She's at the House of Tildanfin. But what's going on. You saw something. What is it?”
Marco stepped away from the wall. He gazed out the passage. “I’m not quite sure,” he said. “I have to think. Walk over with me.”
John led Marco out of the passage. They made their descent down the steps of the Shrine. The twilight turned to night and the patchy skies above blocked the light of the stars.
The light was not bright enough to make their way safe down the steps. John turned on a small light. It gave them light enough to see their feet.
John noticed Marco limping. Anguish was visible on his face. He slowed his pace. They felt the cool mountain air as they made their way down the long stone steps.
They started up the road leading to Village Main. Marco trailed to one side. He walked over to the shuttlecraft where he retrieved his crutches. He threw a backpack over his shoulders. The door of the shuttlecraft slid back into place. The cruise lights flickered. The security field sang out a short “C” chord simulating a violin. A moment later he rejoined the Chief.
Together they walked side by side up the road. The smells of dinner cooking in the houses of the Vallians woke their bellies. The aroma in the cool evening air had a pungent odor. The odor of charred wood and chemicals pulled at Marco's nose. The stench lingered from the burned out tannery.
Weeks had passed since that fatal day. Frank Bradley was now dead. Still, the reminders of the unprovoked attack remained. The smell of the fire brought Marco to the
trauma of the village. His mind occupied the images of a convoy advancing to the Corsi Star system.
The images came from an ancient alien table. It was a marble table that told of things to come. Marco's face saw more in their future than the convoy of moving ships. He shook his head and continued his walk up Village Main.
“This is now the time to rejoice and celebrate the victory of your return, Marco,” said John. “And, tell the news of evolution under our champion Emperor Legion.”
Marco was moving quick. He pushed his crutches forward while keeping pace with the Chief. They passed by the shop of Mondell, the clockmaker. Mondell had replaced the glass in the storefront windows.
They walked on through the streets of Shrine Lake Village. Now and then they spotted a familiar face from the weeks before. Marco's face brightened when he caught sight of the tall iron gates in front of the House of Tildanfin. This is house where his daughter would be sitting down for dinner with Saralil and Tildanfin.
They walked through the iron gates. Marco noticed the thick ivy growing at its base was gone. A simple bed of grass was planter in its place.
The light in the courtyard was not strong enough to see. In point of fact, there was no light at all. The house was dark as pitch. They stepped onto the front porch and struck the big brass knocker. No answer.
“Where could they have gone?” asked Marco.
“I don't know,” replied the Chief. “Check the door, see if it's open.”
Marco gave the knob a turn. It moved. He worked the bolt back and leaned into the door. It was stuck. He gave it a push. The door swung open. Inside it was dark with no signs of life. He looked around. No lamps were burning, odd for that hour. No sounds of dishes or the battle of knife and fork. There was no sound of talking and no one laughing anywhere.
“Check in the Great Hall,” said the Chief.
Marco hobbled across the entry to the doors of the Great Hall. He turned the handle and pushed. Both doors open. The Hall was dark, the same as the rest of the house.