by Max Jager
"Calm down Islos, I can understand his point. First of all this area 51 place is an extremely high security area. Janson only learned about trading grain as payment just the other day when I called and left a message. I seriously doubt they could have found enough truck drivers who could pass the security checks let alone letting them drive into that place. Edwards is out in California still a little further west but open enough to allow semi trucks in there loaded with grain."
Islos continued to grumble, but accepted Matt's reasoning. Tressal then set the Thrina right down on the spot while Matt Islos, Jezang and Thix stood at the top of the ramp all loaded for bear. As soon as the ramp lowered, two men started up the ramp. Director Janson and another man he introduced as Major Steven Morford who was the team leader . Seeing Matt and the others armed to the teeth, Janson smiled and held up his hand.
"Peace gentleman!" Matt handed both translators, and as soon as they had placed them in their ears, he spoke.
"Sorry Mr. Janson but having us come here has made everyone a little nervous." Then Janson asked if there was someplace they could talk.
"Yeah, right over there," said Matt. Basically, it was just several metallic crates to sit on. Matt then introduced everyone to Janson, and the Major, pointing out that Islos owned the ship and expected to be paid. Since they had translators, Islos explained about the draught on Ourrhon 4 and the subsequent crop failure.
"The people on that planet will pay me for all the seed grain with Bralite, and zamoline oil which is bringing a very good price right now. This will cover most of my expenses. However, anything else you could offer would defray the balance of my costs as well as possibly forming the basis for any future payments."
After much debate, and input from Matt, both Janson and Islos agreed to a bulk shipment of coffee, tea, dried fruit (apples and bananas) whole-wheat flour, beans and rice.
I am taking a gamble on these items," explained Islos, "But I have a friend who will market these items very carefully and perhaps we can develop a lucrative market for them."
Janson promised that there would be trucks waiting for them at Edwards loaded with not only the three seed grains, but all the other items as well.
"I'm curious Islos," asked Janson "Is there any danger of any of this grain contaminating this Ourrhon 4 you spoke about?" Islos smile and shook his head.
"The bulk containers this grain will travel in will automatically decontaminate. Don't worry; we have to follow strict trading company directives in shipping anything of this nature." Then Major Morford asked Matt,
"What about this planet we are traveling to, what is it like?" Matt produced his iPhone and began to show him pictures of Endor.
"Once we get on our way I intend to give everybody a full briefing," said Matt, by the way how many people are coming?" Janson frowned.
"Sorry Matt you're just going to have to settle for the Major and five other members of his team, Getting together all those volunteers on such short notice just wasn't feasible, I'm sorry."
"I suppose it couldn't be helped," replied Matt. Then Mr. Janson said,
"Matt, the Major and his team will be acting as official representatives of not only NASA, but this country, and indirectly earth, will that be a problem with you, or this Loridian Trading Company you spoke about?"
"No sir," replied Matt, "Right now, I'm kind of in charge of things, but I most definitely am going to need help." Then Major Morford asked.
"Matt, from what the director here tells us it could be a long time before we could see home again, is that true?" Shaking his head, Matt replied,
"Naaw, not really however it might be a good year, possibly two before we get back this way, unless Islos decides earth has something they want real bad in the Empire. Otherwise, it will be a supply run in the Nora-Lee. Uh, that's the ship you saw last time. Right now she's undergoing a major overhaul."
"So then there is a good chance I, or members of my team could get back to earth?" Matt gave Janson a look.
"If NASA pays for the fuel?" Janson grinned,
"Oh I think we could handle that."
Chapter 122
Titan Stand Chapter 122
Because of security concerns, no one was allowed off the ship. The rest of the major's team came aboard with Joa showing them where they could "bunk." Douglas Stamford was a NASA biologist who was given the other bunk in Matt's cabin while Captain Emily Black the medical officer, and Kathy Steel, a NASA scientist were given their own cabin. As for Dr. Frick's people, and Matt's classmates, all were given makeshift "rooms" carved out of weapons crates as well as in the backs of the trucks Matt was claiming. At least Islos had had the foresight to add a couple temporary toilets, as well as a sonic shower. Living space was getting tight and it would only get tighter once all the NASA equipment came on board. Both Islos and Joa were kept extremely busy supervising the securing of the palletized NASA equipment. Matt didn't think there was going to be enough room, but somehow everything managed to fit.
"Now I know how the pilgrims on the Mayflower felt," he told Dr. Frick.
They remained at Area 51 for almost three hours until it came time for everyone to say goodbye.
"Major Morford has the frequencies for contacting us whenever you return so there won't be any need to hack that communication satellite any more Matt. My people at Edwards know you're coming and will be ready to load as soon as you set down. Have a safe trip and good luck, until later," said Janson, who then shook everyone's hand.
The flight to California took a little less than half an hour, but the trucks loaded with red wheat, oats, and corn along with smaller loads of the other food staples, were waiting with everything being loaded in around two hours. Things like the coffee, beans and flour came in large sacks, which ended up becoming "beds," for many. At Edwards, everyone was allowed to walk around having one last opportunity to stretch their legs. They were parked on the far end of one of the runways well away from the main base, but more importantly, reporters, and alien freaks. The semi- trucks were being driven by military drivers, which pulled up under the rear of the Thrina, where an auger descended sucking out an entire truckload of seed grain in twenty minutes. Another two trucks showed up carrying the sacks of coffee, beans dried fruit and rice. Their drivers assisting with loading the sacks aboard the ship. Matt got a kick out of their reactions, as Thix and his people shifted the sacks onto aerostat boards moving them up into the already full cargo hold with ease.
Just as the trucks were leaving another smaller one showed up carrying two skids of everything from MRE's to clothing, still-in-the-box computers, DVD's and a whole assortment of packaged "goodies." Apparently, Janson thought they could use these things throwing them in at the last moment. One all this was put away, it was time to leave.
"Are we going to be able to get off the ground?" Wondered Matt,
Islos laughed and patted him on the shoulder,
"You forget earth man, the Thrina is a transport cargo ship, she's hauled heavier loads than this."
He was right; they lifted off with no indication of any straining. With a lot of grumbling from Islos, their next stop was a low orbit over Ireland in which Tressal Ertox flew Matt down to the Emerald Isle, Knocknarea Mountain near Sligo. Going by Matt's coordinates and careful instructions, they landed in the little glen around midnight.
Once again, the fairy folk came out, along with Aine the earth mother, accompanied by Bria and her husband Caedmon who did the talking.
"Matt, what brings you here?" Matt handed him the pouch replying,
"Hello Bria, Caedmon, you too Aine. I'm afraid Bria's folks found out that you two are here and I suspect that whatever is in this pouch should explain things. I imagine you'll want to respond so I'll wait."
At Aine's direction, both Matt and Tressal were offered refreshments while Bria and her husband studied the letter along with other documents. Matt could clearly tell that Tressal didn't know what to make of his surroundings or the fairy folk. As he sat on an oversi
zed toadstool sipping his ale, he simply stared in amazement at the brownies and pixies who studied him from a safe distance.
Finally, Bria approached Matt exclaiming.
"It would seem that my mother has won out over my father's objections and we are requested to return home. However, there is much to do here, I'm only halfway through the old texts and quite frankly, I love it here Matt. I'm going to write my mother trying to explain things but I doubt she'll pay much attention. My husband will be writing a letter for Aengus and I've got one for queen Breca, and one for Kaitlyn. By the way how is she?"
"Last I saw her she was fine," he replied, "She sure found her niche and seems to be quite happy about it." Bria smiled, replying,
"Well if you two had stayed on Doradus she would have no doubt been involved in governmental affairs in some capacity. Well I know you're in a hurry let me get these letters written."
Matt found another toadstool and sat down taking in a scene he'd only read about. Aine approached him, asking about his health as well as what he knew of things on Denedra. She then gave him a ring of gold with a gem he couldn't quite place intricately mounted on top.
"Matt, would you please see that queen Breca receives this ring, when she places it on her finger we will be able to share our thoughts." He didn't question her claim but merely wondered how two people so far away could communicate through a ring, but who was he to doubt powerful fairies like Aine or the queen.
He then asked Caedmon if he had a bottle of Jameson's handy, as it would be a gift for Fergus.
"Of course I do," replied the dwarf, "Anything for that old reprobate."
Finally, Bria was finished, writing her letters,
"Are you going directly to Doradus?"
"No, Fergus or another of the queen's representatives will be waiting at Kiggham's place in the Witchfire's. We'll be stopping to pick up some of his people who want to settle on Endor, er Z'ha'dum. I'll hand over the pouch there.
"Well be sure they place a strong enough locking spell on that pouch," said Bria. She then gave him a hug with both her and Caedmon wishing him a safe trip.
Back aboard the Thrina, everyone was still trying to get sorted out and trying their best to arrange pallets and sleeping areas they could call their own. The NASA people were making a "camp" around the stacked pallets of supplies and equipment they were taking with them while the volunteers picked up at Rachel were sticking with each other as well. Only Matt's classmates seemed unsure as to what to do.
Finally as they passed near the moon, Matt called or a full meeting. With everyone sitting wherever they could find a spot, Matt stood halfway up the stairs and called for quiet.
"Well everyone we're finally on our way, and should be home in about a week and a half, and that's flying at hyper-light speed." He then looked at the NASA people,
"Yes major, it can be done." I'm going to try to answer all your questions, but first let me try and give you all an idea of what's ahead.
First of all we have two more stops before we get to Endor. The first will be on the planet Denedra where we'll pick up a few more people who will be making Endor their new home. Now, these people are going to be honest-to-god elves and possibly centaurs." An audible gasp arose from the people below as he called for order.
"It's true, there's a place in the south we've named the Winding Stair mountains, where these people have established a community. I'm also asking you not to pester them when they come on board, there will be plenty of time to speak with them later…If they feel like it. Our second stop will be at Fort Kamata where we will refuel, and check messages. This is where the Loridian representatives will come on board and get all your personal data so you can be issued I.D. cards, sorry, but this is an absolute requirement. These cards will be the one document you must have with you at all times, as they will state your race and home planet, in this case, it will be Endor. Fort Kamata is also where this new world we're traveling to will smack you right in the face; it's where all the science fiction you've ever read becomes reality."
"Now, after we depart from the fort, the next stop is home, Endor. There you will get to meet some of my friends." Then looking at his classmates and smiling, Matt added.
"Yeah, Yondu's there. As to the others it's hard to say, they all have jobs or other duties but I guarantee they will be in and out. Now, our capitol is called New Coryville named after the town near Durango that the Neistrian's kidnapped." "It's not much right now, that's for us to build, however we'll see that all of you get a place to live. One more thing…And that's the subject of raiders. Yeah, just like in a dozen sci-fi films, we have to deal with the scourge of raiders. I won't lie, we've had a couple of attacks by them right in New Coryville, but we've easily beaten them off. I have some mighty powerful friends, and we also have a contingent of Malhazar security people."
Then pointing to Frick's volunteers, Matt added.
"Mr. Falkner, I'm going to want to speak with you later about setting up a security force. Right now, I'd like everyone to socialize, get to know your new neighbors as these people will be working along side of you."
Matt found himself busy practically every minute, either talking with someone, conducting a meeting or going over the cargo of weapons with Islos and Thix. At one point, he, along with Donald Falkner conducted a demonstration on how to field strip and clean weapons. Mr. Falkner was astounded when he first came to Matt.
"Where in hell did you get all those Soviet, and Chinese weapons?" When Matt told him he had to sit down and think.
"My god! What sort of weapons do these people have?" He gasped. Matt smiled,
"Some pretty goddamned powerful ones that's for sure Mr. Falkner. In many ways, those proton rifles Thix and his guys have are more powerful, but sensors can pick them up, and I'm told there are ways to neutralize them. As of right now, that's not the case with cartridge weapons like we have. Actually, it was me who discovered this little factoid when I got into a shoot out with raiders who tried to hijack our ship. I still have bad dreams about that. As of now, the raiders are unawares of this, but it's only a matter of time before they do."
Then Falkner asked him about the elves,
"It's true; in fact there are a few still living on earth. I won't say where, but it's quite a fascinating story of how they got there. Anyway, their leader is an Elvin warlord who lives in the Witchfire Mountains on Denedra. His second-in-command is a human who was kidnapped by aliens and eventually wound up on Denedra."
"What kind of fighters are they?" Asked Falkner, Matt snickered,
"Let's just say I wouldn't want them hunting me. When we land on Denedra, I'll introduce you to Kiggham, and Roy, that's the guy from earth," replied Matt.
When he wasn't demonstrating an AK or an AKM, he was talking to the others or assuring his classmates, they had made the right decision to come. One day Patricia approached him trying to act as though they were still dating.
"Look Patricia," he began, "I'm glad you decided to come, I really am, and I think once you get settled in, you're going to become one of our leading citizens. But know this, the old days are gone. Liam and I have moved on. He's got Ilmi, and I've got Holliqua. These are some damn tough chicks so don't go messing with them. Keep an open mind, I don't doubt you'll find someone before long." "Just let things take their own course."
"I'm scared Matt," she replied, "I'm thinking that maybe I should have just stayed home. I just left my mom a note telling her not to worry I was off to the stars." Matt put his hand on her shoulder.
"That's just what I did, Patricia," he replied.
"It's all right to be scared," he replied, "I certainly was, and still am, I worry all the time about getting Endor up and running, but there it is. There's a million opportunities out there Patricia. Hell, look at Kaitlyn, she made friends, one thing led to another, and now she's got a good job in the Ruddorian government. I've met some really terrific people out here Patricia, you can too. All you have to do is show them you're willing to learn, a
nd the sky's the limit, only in this case, there is no sky. You know Liam's always thinking of crazy stuff, but he's got a really crazy one where we all show up to our ten year reunion and while all the others are bragging about some stupid college they went to or some silly career, we can smile and say,
"Well that's all well and good, but we went to the stars and are running a whole planet. You guys read about aliens in your graphic novels or on the screen, we actually know real aliens and in a way have become them." Both of them laughed at that, and with tears in her eyes Patricia replied,
"Oh I'd love that Matt, I really would."
"Then there's no reason why we can't," he replied.
Matt and Jezang also spent a lot of time with doctor's Frick, and Westcott, along with Major Morford and his team discussing what it was they would be doing on Endor.
"Well as soon as everyone gets settled," explained Matt, there's a guy I want you to meet and I know he would certainly want to meet you. His name is Crolth Strijac, and he happens to be a professor of astro-physics, which I understand, is a little different than what you are Doctor Simmons, but he's also a professor of cosmic nuclo-chemistry at the University of Selantria at Vlet-Pruis. Something tells me he will have all the answers to your questions." Everybody was licking their chops at meeting him but Matt added.