by Unknown
Mike walked up behind her. "For a long time. How did you know?"
Jo giggled. "Couldn't help it. All that doodling of aircraft and wings and control surfaces. It's all you ever did."
Mike chuckled in turn. "I guess I was a little obsessed," he said. Mike looked over his plane and all the work they had done. Then he looked back at Jo. "I have always dreamed of getting off the ship and flying free in a plane of my own. To feel the wind in my hair and look down on the world. I even did it a few times in a simulator. But it wasn't the same," he said wistfully. Then he looked down. "I didn't know you noticed what I was doing."
"Oh yes. I noticed. I noticed from the first," she said.
Mike looked up and grinned. "The first?"
"Oh well. It was kind of tough to miss," she said, her back turned to him.
Mike looked at Jo a moment. Then he changed the subject. "You know a lot about planes. Where did you learn this stuff?"
Jo turned around. "More confessions? You were right. It does take more than one."
"One what?"
Jo turned to avoid his eyes. "It takes more than one to bust a curve. When I was asked to stay after our last class, I was told that I had placed out of my exams, too."
Mike reached out and took her hand. "So it was all an act."
Jo nodded. "A silly, useless act. And it didn't get me much, did it?"
Mike took both her hands in his. "Oh, I don't know," he said to her. He held her hands up and kissed them. "Thanks."
"For what?"
"For making a dream come true."
Jo leaned into Mike and laid her head on his shoulder. "Oh Mike it's a wonderful dream. I'm just glad I could share it with you," she said with a quivering voice.
Mike let go her hands and put his arms around her and held her close. One of his hands came up to stroke her hair. "You know. All my life my parents told me that I had to study hard, and that my studies would give me the answers to everything. They would tell me, that no matter what, I would know what to say to people," he said, his own voice wavering slightly.
"So I studied hard. I learned as much as I could. But no one taught me how to tell someone that they mean so much to me," Mike said pulling her face away from his shoulder to look into her eyes. "No one told me how to tell someone I love you. I don't know the words," he said.
Jo's eyes were filled with tears. There was no other man in the universe that she wanted to hear those words from but Mike. Her chest pounded with the feelings she had for him, the love she had felt for no one else. She blinked away the tears and said, "That's because there are no words to really describe the real way you feel - the way I feel right now."
Mike smiled at Jo and let his thumbs brush the tears from her cheeks as he eased closer and for the first time in his life, he felt his lips touch those of someone he loved. He felt her arms encircle him and pull him closer. He found his own arms doing the same. All the emotions he had put aside in school and while growing up came rushing upon him like a giant wave and he decided that nothing would ever take them apart. Together they stood and shared the love that had grown between them, beside the little silver plane they had built together.
Chapter 16
The Meeting
The evening was cool, and a gentle breeze blew through the valley. Hadaie and Tosh had set up the tent quickly before the others had gathered there and had streamed down a meal for them. Oil lamps were hung around giving plenty of light for the meal and an extra lamp was set outside to indicate the tent Gesta and his master should come to. Some pillows were spread around to sit on and the food was displayed on a round collapsible table in the center of the tent. Tea was steeping in a small pot on the side of the table over an oil-fired warmer.
Tosh had dressed in a plain set of clothes very much like those the others had been dressed in. The dress was loose and hung to her ankles. Hadaie had decided on a loose shirt and pants with suspenders with a coat that draped to the knees. They both looked over the scene to make sure nothing was amiss.
"Where did you get your food?" Hadaie asked.
"I entered the data of the local people in the computer and asked the computer to prepare an appropriate meal," she smiled. "It also made the tent and our eating utensils. I hope it's right."
Hadaie nodded. "For the two things I brought, I selected dishes from Angela. It seemed appropriate from what I have been able to observe. I figure we might as well enjoy the meal with them. I just hope they can eat it."
Tosh smiled. "I think that is a wise decision," she said. "I could sense some curiosity on Gesta's part when we met. I believe he could be a very difficult man to keep a secret from. But he is very genuine and loving in his feelings. It should be an interesting dinner."
They were interrupted by footsteps coming close to the tent.
"Hello! Have I come to the right place?" Gesta asked outside.
Tosh lifted the flap of the tent and gestured for him to come in. "Yes you have! Please come join us."
Gesta entered alone, much to the concern of Tosh and Hadaie. He looked around smiling and sniffed the air. "Ahhhh. That smells so good," he said savoring the smells. "The Master asks your pardon and he will be with us shortly. He paused for a moment at the well just down the way to talk to an old man there. He won't be long," he said. "I know he is looking forward to talking to you."
Hadaie indicated for Gesta to sit on one of the pillows. "And we are anxious to meet and talk to him. Have you traveled far?"
"A long way," Gesta said sitting heavily on the pillow. "The Master has spent his life urging people to live in peace and to help others who are having difficulties. The people here are greatly troubled. Governments appear to be ruled by self-centered men with aims of power and influence. Many are persecuted," he said. "The Master is a good man who came to me telling of his desire to help the poor and downtrodden long ago. He gave me great comfort, and I have worked with him ever since."
"I can tell you have a great respect for him," Tosh said.
Gesta smiled and chuckled a bit. "Respect? My, it goes far more than that. I have vowed to go with him for all my days."
"That is extremely loyal,” Hadaie agreed.
Gesta shoved it off. "It is a sign of my appreciation for his great efforts. We have been blessed, each of us in many ways, don't you agree?"
Hadaie looked at him closely. Gesta was touching something inside him. It only made him want to ask more questions. "In my life, I must agree with you. How long have you been doing this?”
Gesta got a slightly surprised and yet pleased look. "Oh! For more than thirty years."
Tosh sensed some questioning, but no fear. "That seems a long time since things are so peaceful around here."
Gesta waved his hand. "Well, this is true, but over these years, both the Master and I have felt tensions grow. The poor and needy have increased and few actually try to do something about it. If no one else is going to do this, we felt we should be the ones to start."
"I understand from one of your admirers your master is a great inspiration," said Tosh trying to get more information.
"Oh yes. The greatest this world has known. I hope that soon, everyone will know of his words and his deeds. I can almost feel the movement grow."
"I would be interested to know his ultimate desires. What peace initiatives does he advocate, how is he helping the poor, is it just here or are there worldwide efforts?” Hadaie began to ramble on.
Tosh interrupted his questions, trying to ease the uncertainty she began to feel in Gesta. "You see, he is most eager to learn more."
Gesta sat with amazed eyes. "Rest easy my friend," he said patting him on the arm. "The Master can teach you much, but as you can see, I firmly believe in what he says about maintaining the peace of this world and bringing peace to those in need. I believe there are none like him and never will be," he said smiling. “But I must warn you. The Master doesn’t really look the same as the rest of us. He says it is something he was born with. I believe that because people persec
uted him in his youth, he has chosen this path. So be aware. He actually looks a lot like you,” Gesta said, pointing to Hadaie.
Footsteps were heard outside and the tent flap opened to reveal a smiling man, thin and intense, but warm and welcoming. But what set him apart was the greenish color of his skin and black hair. His smiling face turned to surprise when he saw Hadaie.
Hadaie sprang to his feet. Almost in disbelief, he stepped forward and instinctively raised his hand, palm forward. The Master now had tears in his eyes as he placed his fingertips against those of Hadaie. Both men seemed to inflate as the feelings of joy filled them. “I thought I was alone,” Hadaie said quietly.
“As did I,” said the Master. “I believe we are not as alone as we thought.”
Gesta watched both men for a moment, wondering what was going on when more footsteps were heard at the tent door. A young woman came through. She was also Angelan.
Hadaie almost gasped at the sight of a third person from his home world.
"Master, these friends are Tosh and Hadaie. This is my Master, Terma, and his daughter, Olena,” said Gesta, making the introductions.
Olena stared at Hadaie. “Father, is he…”
“We can talk about it later. For now, let us just enjoy the company of these nice people,” he said warmly. “My wife could not join us this evening. She is caring for a sick child. I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you both,” Terma said. He spread his hands slightly. "Peace to all in this house."
Tosh found herself mesmerized. Although usually she couldn’t sense anything from Hadaie, how she was being bombarded full bore with emotions from both he and Terma. "And to you as well," she said.
Gesta continued the conversation. "You were right, Master, they do have many questions."
Terma laughed good naturedly. "I knew they would."
Tosh gestured to the pillows again. "Please make yourselves comfortable. Yes, we are curious, most of all as to why you chose us to eat with tonight."
Terma chuckled. "Whenever I see two beings, obviously not from this world, appear on a hillside before me in a sparkle of light, I know they are special and will be looking for either conquest or answers. Since there are no weapons in your hands, I must assume that you are merely curious."
"That is very logical indeed,” Hadaie said with some surprise. His own emotions were barely being held in check.
"Coming from you, that is a complement," Terma said.
"We were just discussing our efforts," said Gesta. "It seems our friend Hadaie is most inquisitive."
Terma nodded, "And to find someone much like yourself must be the answer to a great many prayers."
"Now I have many more questions,” Hadaie said while looking at Olena.
Terma waived it off. "I will be happy to answer your questions a little later on," he said glancing at Gesta. “But for now, we are all hungry. Come. Let us eat."
"It smells delicious," Gesta said anxiously awaiting the chance to have a full meal.
"Yes it does," Terma said. Then he lifted his hands and closed his eyes, much as Hadaie had seen on his own planet. Then he opened them again and looked at the others. "Thank you again for your hospitality."
"It is our pleasure," Tosh said. "Please help yourselves."
Gesta reached for one of the steaming pieces of meat on a large plate. He placed a bite in his mouth and began to chew. To him, the meat was heavenly. So tasty and so delicate. Terma glanced over the array of food and almost gasped at the sight of Angelan dishes on the table. He immediately served himself and his daughter some of the food. At the first bite, they both rolled their eyes.
“It has just been a long time for such delicacies,” Olena said. Since she had come into the tent, she could not keep her eyes off Hadaie. His smile at her statement was matched by her own.
Gesta smiled and let out a sigh. "I had forgotten the days when we shared things like this with new friends. It brings back good memories."
"Then I am happy to have set it up for you," said Tosh.
Terma continued his meal and looked at Hadaie who was eating pensively. "You are not saying much Hadaie. I thought you had many questions?"
Hadaie looked at him and said, "I am still pondering all that has been happening. To finally see you here, with a family, makes me feel like my life has returned to me."
Terma waived his hand. "I know how you feel. Quite frankly, I am surprised to see another person who shares my ‘affliction,’” he said with a twinkle in his eye. Luckily, Gesta was too busy eating to notice the real meanings in the conversation. He looked over at his daughter. Her eyes continued to be glued to Hadaie. He had also noticed Hadaie staring back at her. He had seen that look in young Angelans before. For them, it only took a glance. “For now, let’s just enjoy the moment,” Terma said as he reached for more food.
“I have a question,” asked Olena. “Will you be staying with us for a while?”
“I’m not sure,” said Hadaie. “I might get the chance to visit a little more often,” he said glancing at Tosh.
Suddenly Tosh sensed a mound of anxiety coming from Hadaie. She realized that the reason she hadn’t been able to sense anything from Hadaie before was because he was blocking everything from her. Now the young man had found people from his own world, and he desperately wanted to remain with them. She grinned slightly. “I think things might be arranged so that you can spend more time together,” she said. A wave of happiness then came from both Hadaie and Olena.
“It looks like we have another follower!” exclaimed Gesta excitedly. He still had no idea what was going on.
“That we do,” said Terma with a smile. He glanced at Tosh and gave her a wink.
Tosh now felt a feeling of relief from Terma. She smiled back at him. “I understand you have been doing your work for a number of years,” she said to change the conversation.
The rest of the evening was spent in pleasant conversation with Tosh asking most of the questions and initiating the conversation. Hadaie continued to process the feelings now flowing through him.
Later that evening Hadaie waited in the tent for Terma and his family to return. Gesta had left to rejoin the others around the main campfire. Tosh had quietly gathered up the leftover meal and returned to the ship. Before she left, she stood in front of Hadaie and said, “Ulon, take the time to be with your people. I will explain to the Captain. There are some decisions you must make, and we will wait to hear of them,” she said smiling. “Let us know when you are ready to return to the ship.”
Hadaie was anxious. Now that he had discovered these people, he didn’t know what to do. For the preservation of his race, he would need to remain. But his new family was aboard the Lexington. He was pondering this when the tent flap opened again and Terma’s family stepped through the door. There were six of them.
Olena had changed into a very beautiful dress and stood back as her mother approached Hadaie. After touching their fingertips together, she pulled him to her for a hug. “I am Doneda. When my husband told me about you, I could not believe what had happened. I had to come see for myself,” she said with some emotion. Stepping back, she motioned for the others to come forward. “This is our son Andov, and our younger son Venti. Our daughter Novanta, and you know Olena.” Each came forward with the traditional greeting, yet when Olena touched Hadaie’s fingertips, both gasped. The hair on their heads began to change color and their eyes grew wide as they shared each other’s thoughts for the first time. Terma and Doneda looked at each other and smiled. They remembered when the two of them had met, long ago. They also knew that their reaction meant that now the two would not be parted.
After separating, Hadaie urged everyone to sit on the pillows and relax. “Now, I have to ask how you came here.”
Terma laughed. “We got tired of simply sitting at a machine all day looking at other civilizations through a looking glass. One day, I looked in this section of the galaxy. I sensed a budding civilization and shared it with Doneda. I had access to
one of the last remaining star craft we had made. So without telling anyone, we packed everything up and came here to see things with our own eyes. This became our new home,” he said. “What about you?”
I am like you. Sitting and watching is nothing like doing. I went to Earth to further my education. I was there when our home was destroyed. Like you, I liked being around the people I was studying. I met one of the officers in their space fleet and joined up after graduation. Not only would it let me explore, but I hoped that one day I would find someone from Angela. It’s been a long journey,” he said finally. “I assume your children were born here?” he asked.
Terma nodded. “Olena was our third. She is 25, then Andov, 23, Novana, 20 and Venti, 18. There are two older children living in the southern hemisphere of this planet. They are carrying on my work. None of them have knowledge of our home world except for the stories we tell them. But we are happy here. When I came, we just tried to blend in. Then about fifty years ago, we started to notice the tensions grow between the nations in this hemisphere. Knowing the death and destruction wars bring, we decided to try and do something about it. Since then, we have advocated for peace and understanding, as well as the help for the poor. In some ways I have hoped we could prevent, or at least delay this coming conflict. But it seems we are too little and too late. We are now on the way to join my other two sons in the southern hemisphere,” he said.
Hadaie got a quizzical look on his face. “Then you don’t know of the spaceship orbiting the planet? We believe it is stirring both sides against the other. My people are even now trying to stop him.”
“A spaceship? This has been going on for years. Surely this ship can’t be responsible for all this,” said Doneda.
“I’m afraid it is so. This ship has been here for sixty years. It has been providing weapons to both sides all that time to get them ready for this war,” Hadaie said. “Is there any way to get you off this planet? Is your ship still operating?”
Terma shook his head. “We barely made it here. It crashed long ago.”