Only one species seemed at unrest; the chimpanzees. They were getting more and more agitated. Their skittish behavior was as much due to the presence of the other predators as it was to the ship. Somehow, the calming power of the vessel did not seem to have the soothing effect on them it did on the other species. Fearful and hesitant at first, it wasn’t long before several of the chimps found their way through the belly of the ship. Tossing and breaking almost everything they came in contact with, most likely looking for food, some eventually made their way into the Kahnu lab. One of the apes, of a smaller stature than most of his group, approached a small glossy object another chimp had just thrown violently to the floor. He grabbed it with one hand and brought it to his face, taking a deep short sniff from it. Proceeding to turn the artifact upside down above him, he began to drink the liquid running down from it until it was dry. Seconds later, the driven animal was frantically going through every container it could find, drinking everything he came across. He finally found a container he could not break, not easily at least. After several attempts at hitting the jar on the ground, the object finally burst open and the small chimp rushed to collect his prize. Grabbing several of the gelatinous eggs released from the broken container with one swift swoop, he rushed them to his mouth and managed to cut himself in the process, fingers, lips and throat alike. Suddenly feeling the pain caused by the sharp pieces, he dropped everything, and ran out of the room screaming and moaning. But the damage was done, and the animal had forever altered the future of his species. Mahhzee made another movement with her hand, and the surroundings disappeared, as if engulfed slowly by a fog. The sphere glowed a second longer, and then landed quietly to rest in front of the human observers, its three-dimensional light show coming to an end.
“Did we just witness what I think we did?” asked François out loud.
“What?” asked Sabrina.
“When was this?” asked Dedrick mentally.
“About two million Earth years ago,” replied Jorh. “We are as surprised as you are. We had not anticipated something like this could take place. But now, it explains many things. It would appear your species and ours have more in common than sharing the same sun. A part of us is in you. That would explain why we are able to communicate telepathically with your kind. You can hear us because part of our DNA has morphed with yours.”
Jorh turned to look at Gahneo and Mahhzee and went on, “The three of us had been wondering about that. You see, back when our people used to visit your planet, we had tried many times to establish some form of telepathic connection with the animals of your world but had never succeeded. I was at a loss for the reason your landing on Kesra had triggered a reaction in our ship’s systems and had awakened me.”
“Now, we understand,” concurred Mahhzee with a caring smile that betrayed her feelings for the small group of Earthlings.
“You mean we’re… You’re the reason?” The biochemist in Liu was completely baffled. “But…you can’t transfer DNA like that. It would take countless generations over several millennia to take place. How can this be the…?” She was now speaking out loud, too distracted by the puzzling discovery to care to think only.
“We are fairly certain. The blue liquid you saw the creature drink was a genetic compound our scientists used to cure diseases on my planet. And the Tayags, the small eggs of Ghervz, provided everything our body needed to cure itself from anything we had ever encountered over the millennia. We know its genetic signature, and we know what it can do. There is no doubt. Your current human DNA was genetically spawned that day by the combination of those two elements. The Zarfha records show the animal’s intelligence grew substantially over the next few hundred years. It took many more generations to develop what you call self-awareness, but the seed was planted.”
“No way! That’s the missing link?” Tendai was just as dumbfounded as the rest of them. “You’re saying that’s how we branched off and went from ape to man? I think most of our scientists would have disagreed with you on this, Jorh.”
“I am sorry to disagree, Tendai, but we are confident this is how and when your kind began its journey to become human. Although some apes on your planet began walking on two legs long before this event, the ship’s archive never recorded any sign of intelligence beyond that of your primates, until this. The Zarfha archives don’t lie. It is a shame that none of the other creatures on your world had a chance to get to that evolution step, be glad you did. You are the last representatives of an amazing, wonderful and unique race, a hybrid in a way, combining the genes of two worlds, and it pleases us greatly to know some of us is in you.”
“It’s so hard to believe… We look so…different from you… Vera was looking at the aliens in a different way, she realized. They were all looking at each other a bit differently. The events of the last few weeks had brought them closer, but this new information was quite different. There was a sense of belonging, a new level of understanding and connection; a feeling of inner peace.
A long silence followed. The aliens listened quietly to all the thoughts floating in the room while their human companions, unable to shield their mind from them, tried to make sense of it all. It was quite a revelation. Most anthropologists back on Earth would have been amazed. Some would have been crushed, all their confident theories proved wrong, but finally knowing what had set man apart from the rest of the animal kingdom would have been one of the most profound answers of all time. And for many religious entities around the world, such a revelation would have caused quite a stir in their beliefs. François, looking at his alien ancestors in their hovering chairs, thought about the many God’s mankind had venerated throughout history. Every supreme being, every Deity who had been imagined, coming down from the heavens above or the Earth below to create man, were standing right in front of them. And as amazing at it may seem, Francois realized man had finally met his maker, or at the very least, one who had played a major role in its evolution.
#
The following day, the ship was resting on a large plateau of ice, on the continent of Antarctica. Jorh and Gahneo had left before the human passengers had gotten up to go find the “White Light,” the power source Silargh and his crew had originally come to Earth to collect.
“They are back,” announced Mahhzee to Dedrick’s group.
Outside, the two aliens and their hovering container were approaching on the white ground below. Dedrick wondered what the “White Light” the aliens so desperately needed was. The Kahnus had mentioned that the “Light” was only found on Earth. But what was it? He would have to ask. After entering the purple back gate, Mahhzee’s two companions soon reached the cargo bay and secured the precious item. She was already taking the ship back into space when the two aliens entered the cockpit and sat among their human passengers.
“The light is secured,” told Jorh to his sister.
“Everything here is ready,” she replied.
The vessel was now stationary fifty kilometers above Earth. The outside view was breathtaking, even if the planet looked sadly dark. François, staring at the continents slowly shifting as the Earth revolved below, was momentarily distracted by a small object flying towards them. It took him a few seconds to make out the satellite. There were still countless of them orbiting the planet. Although several had crashed back on Earth over the years, following the great chemical war, many were still flying blindly on their preset loop around the globe, sending their data to no one. It flew by at several thousand kilometers an hour, only a few meters from the vessel. He jerked back instinctively. He was still trying to get use to that. Jorh had assured him the ship would automatically move out of the way, if one of them was to come too close. There was absolutely no reason to worry. Still, it was unnerving. He turned his attention back to the conversation at hand. Tendai was still trying to find a solution to their food problem.
“Maybe we could start replanting some of the seeds we have with us from our greenhouse and with your help—”
; “You will run out of food and water long before you can rebuild anything on your planet. Earth’s air and waters are polluted. And you won’t have anything left to drink soon,” replied Jorh, looking at the small group.
“Fuck! So, what do we do?” blurted Tendai out loud, looking at the Russian.
As usual, all eyes turned to Dedrick. In consequence, as he often did, the Russian commander felt compelled to find a solution to their dire predicament. He briefly looked at them, then paused on Vera and his little girl for several seconds, before looking back at Jorh. For the first time since they had landed on Mars, over fifteen years ago, he was at a loss. He didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t think of a way to survive on Earth or Mars. The greenhouse they had left behind in the alien’s cave was certainly lost by now. Unattended for weeks, they all knew it would not have survive. No matter where they went, or what they did, they were doomed.
“No, you can still survive. Come with us,” objected Mahhzee, having listened to Dedrick’s thoughts.
“What do you mean? Where?” he replied puzzled.
“Yes, I’m curious too. Where can we possibly go? Back to Mars? Our station is gone. Earth? Same thing. So, what’s left? Europa?” asked Tendai sarcastically.
“No, there.”
They all turned their attention to Mahhzee. She slowly waved her hand in front of the viewing window, revealing a dark starry sky. As the image zoomed in closer and closer, one particular star in the center of the view began to shine brighter than all others. Soon, a planet was in view, and Mahhzee dropped her hand back.
“This is Ahtona; the First World.”
“Ahtona? The planet you told us your Elders escaped to? But, I thought you said your ship couldn’t fly that far?” asked a surprised François.
“That is correct. Aruks are moon travelers. They are not designed to travel outside the solar system. However, now that we have the white light, and enough Gohhan, we believe we can reach Ahtona. It will just take some time. About six thousand of your Earth years,” she said casually.
“Six thousand years?!” exclaimed Tendai and Liu in unison.
“I’m sorry, did you say six thousand years?” Sabrina was just as baffled.
“You will sleep during the flight. Like us. We have already made plans to leave this system and go to Ahtona. We see no other choice for you. We do not know if the Ehoran and its crew made it to Ahtona, but if they did, we hope to reunite with our kind,” replied Jorh.
“Huh, I don’t know if you realize it, but your people left for that planet, about seventy million years ago, right? Assuming they made it there, and assuming they survived, and again, assuming they didn’t kill themselves at some point like we did, they must have evolved so much that they may not even look like you or recognize you. You may not even be able to communicate with them. Their language may have changed, even their ways, and how will we fit in a civilization of aliens, millions of years ahead of our own?” asked Ladli.
“It is true, we may appear primitive to them. After seventy million years, they will have evolved in many ways. But I’m afraid are choices are limited. Dedrick, my friends, like us, you and your people have nowhere else to go. Your Earth can no longer support life, and you cannot go back to Mars. So, we offer you the only option we have. Come with us. The pods can be recalibrated to keep you in Time-Frost during the journey to Ahtona.”
“I think it’s the craziest idea I’ve ever heard in whole my life. I mean, how can you be sure these pods can work on us the way they do on you? And what guarantees do you have that your Ahtona is still a livable world, anyway? A lot can happen in seventy million years…” asked a reserved Tendai.
“Tendai! Use your mind to talk. Stop talking out loud, that’s not polite!” finally objected Sabrina, tired of noticing his reluctance in joining the telepathic conversation.
“I know. I’m sorry! I keep forgetting. I mean, I will,” he answered.
“It’s alright, Tendai. And you are correct. We do not know for sure what we’ll find there. And we can’t predict how the planet has evolved during all that time. There are too many unknowns and variables. But we believe this is the best option, for all of us.”
#
Later that night, the group was addressing their situation once again.
“There is no way I'm gonna let them put my little girl in one of those pods!”
“It's the only way, love. We can't stay on Earth, and we won't survive long on Mars. What Jorh offers makes sense. It's our only option, Vera.”
“But Dedrick, it's crazy; asleep for six thousand years? And how do we know their hibernating pods will work on us? What if sleeping in those things kills us? What if-”
“Vera, Vera. I understand how you feel, believe me. I would never want anything to happen to either you or Chasma. You know that. But we have no choice. Earth is gone, and the Mars First station isn’t safe anymore. We will run out of food and water soon if we stay on this ship awake. Jorh's plan is our only chance.”
“Hey guys, I found some three-dimensional maps of the Ahtona region in our database, strangely enough,” announced François, as he glided silently into the room. “It’s a multiple star system about fifty parsec, or 160 light years away in the constellation of Lyra. The night skies of any world there must look incredible. Jorh's description of their first world makes me believe we’re in for quite a spectacle. Personally, I can’t wait.”
“You’re both insane!”
“Vera, come on. What else do you suggest we do?” Dedrick was holding her shoulders, looking straight at her. She seemed to be searching for an answer, but quickly gave up in frustration. “I don’t know. I don’t know what we should do. I’m scared,” she replied tearing up.
“We are all scared,” said Ladli. “I can’t even imagine what it really means to be in hibernation for 6000 years?! I think we’re all overwhelmed by the idea. But the reality is that we have nowhere else to go. This is it, Vera. It’s all or nothing. But I tell you what, if the aliens are correct and we all make it there, we’re in for an amazing journey. We’ll be in another star system, exploring an alien planet. And imagine what we might find? If the Kahnu Elders made it there millions of years ago and managed to rebuild a new civilization, imagine how advanced they must be now? They must have amazing cities and spaceships, and knowledge beyond what any of us can even imagine…”
“Look, they were in those pods for millions of years and they made it just fine,” added François.
“Of course! They're aliens. What makes you think it will work on us?” replied Vera sharply.
“I don’t know… Somehow, I believe they know what they are doing. And I think it sounds like a pretty amazing adventure, if you ask me,” he replied with a big smile.
“Amazing? Amazing?! It's crazy! That's what it is,” suddenly shouted Tendai. “I’ve been biting my tongue, listening to all of you and I can’t believe you are seriously entertaining the idea of following this crazy plan!”
“Hey, take it easy! I'm just trying to find some positive in this whole mess. I know as much as you do that our situation is pretty bleak, but I also believe we’re here for a reason. We’ve all dreamed of exploring other worlds, to go beyond that horizon and discover new things. Well, here’s the perfect opportunity. We’ve come this far. The aliens are offering us a ride, and I think we should take it.”
“Tendai, they are right,” added Liu in a low voice. “I am scared too but… I don't wanna die here.”
“Me neither. I remember why I joined Mars First. I wanted to live an adventure. I wanted to do something nobody could take from me; something special. I used to dream of traveling to distant stars when I was a little girl, to discover new worlds and alien life forms no one had ever seen before. We’ve all had those dreams. Think about it… The more I think about it, the more I am convinced this is going to be unbelievable! I say we go to Ahtona!” finished Sabrina with confidence.
Tendai sat down, feeling defeated. He knew they were right. He
was just scared to death at the idea of getting stuck in one of those containers. He wanted desperately to find another way, but he knew there was none. Ladli looked at him and smiled tenderly. “I know how you feel, hun. But I have to agree. I say we go on. Who knows? We might actually make it. After all, what's a few thousand years?” she added with a sneer.
#
The next morning came early for the group, gathered in the make-shift greenhouse to say their last farewell before the crazy interstellar voyage.
“So, we’re sure we want to do this?” asked Vera.
“Yes, it’s the only way.” Dedrick was holding her in his arms.
They were all looking at each other, nervous and worried, but also somewhat excited.
“Remember what Jorh said. We will not realize how much time has passed when we wake up. It will be like going to bed and waking up the next morning, as if only a few hours had passed. I’m sure it won’t be a pleasant one, especially after being immobile for so long, but I’ve had plenty of hangovers in my days. How worse can it be?” François had a smirk on his face, as usual.
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