One of our few rules is important. Do not touch any of my people without their permission.”
“Thank you Tarunik. How will we know if they are providing permission?”
“Nick, you must become quiet of mind and more observant. My people will place their hands out, toward the sky, allowing you to put your hands on theirs.”
“Oh bollocks. I’ve been here five minutes and missed a buncha important clues. Must be something in terrible beer NT favors.”
“You need no longer worry. There is no better ale than what my people make. You will have all that you require.”
“Right-O! I’m in! Wait. Tarunik, did you make a joke?”
“Nick, you will have to figure it out for yourself.”
Everyone’s face held a smile. Everyone except MooMoo. Commander Moody sat quietly wondering.
“There will be time to answer all questions. Now, we must prepare. My people will not permit this vessel to land on K’an. It will also not be permitted to remain in orbit.”
Lucinda took up the defense of the Jeannette.
“Forgive me Tarunik, but what will happen to the vessel?”
“This vessel will not be permitted to contaminate our world. The third planet has an elliptical orbit. When it reaches its perigee with our star, we launch debris into the sun. This vessel will be sent to the third planet.
Now it is time to visit K’an.”
The crew became visibly nervous. Before anyone could react poorly, Corb intervened.
“Tarunik, thank you for your kind assistance. We are not ready to depart this vessel. We require a few more minutes to prepare. May I contact you when we are ready to visit K’an?”
Corb put out his hands, palms up, and waited for Tarunik to reply. Touching hands allowed Tarunik and Corb to communicate privately.
“My friends are frightened. They seek assurance. I will give them assurance. They also need to retrieve their few belongings. Humans place abundant importance on some objects. To lose those objects would be an enormous sadness for many of my friends.”
“I understand. I will be ready when you wish.”
The Other disappeared, leaving Corb standing with his hands out and palms up.
“We have a few minutes. Pack a small bag. Clothes are not needed, they will be provided.”
“Thank you Enlightened One. We are ready to receive your friends. Your friends are our friends.”
It took longer than Corb had hoped, almost an hour before everyone returned to the bridge with a small, personal, satchel. Tarunik had returned to the Jeannette at Corb’s request. Commander Moody, under the Chief’s guard, also had a small satchel and was sitting, staring at the handcuffs dangling from the safety rail.
“I will move us all to the receiving area.”
“Wait! I am sorry, please forgive me Tarunik. We expect several of the crew to remain with the vessel. We would prefer to discuss leaving K’an, with this vessel. This vessel is the greatest achievement of our species. To destroy this vessel would be to destroy something our people hold in high regard.
Is it appropriate… Is this something we can discuss?”
Lucinda’s plea was delivered in a soft, conciliatory, tone. Tarunik acted as if he had not heard the question.
Tarunik looked to Corb. Corb nodded and issued a directive.
“Everyone, please pick up your satchel.”
A little surprised by Corb’s tone, the crew complied. The instant the last personal satchel was in a hand, the entire crew of the Jeannette was teleported to a receiving chamber on the planet K’an.
Chapter Sixteen
The beauty is unimaginable
“I believe alien life is quite common in the universe, although intelligent life is less so. Some say it has yet to appear on planet Earth.” – Stephen Hawking
“The walls, they are fluid. Are the walls translucent?
“Doctor Brady, please hold your questions.”
Lucinda was asserting control and gauging the crew. She confirmed the entire crew of the Jeannette was in the room, but Tarunik was not present. Lucinda looked to Corb for answers.
“Corb, we were going to rotate crew members between the planet and the Jeannette. This is not what we expected. There is no one on the ship.”
“No, Lucinda, Tarunik designated one of his engineers to board the Jeannette. The engineer is there now. You should be able to feel to point.”
Feeling chastised, Lucinda realized she was not using all the tools she has available. Pausing to focus, Lucinda confirmed the presence of one of the Others on the bridge of the Jeannette.
“Okay, I feel the point. But Corb, we did not agree to abandon the Jeannette.”
The crew had stopped admiring the shimmering walls and were focused on the discussion between Corb and Lucinda.
“Lucinda, everyone, please adjust your emotional bias. The Jeannette is an object. It can be replaced but a replacement vessel is not needed. You all know, we can return to Earth at any time. Losing the vessel is not going to make the governments and corporations who contributed to building the Jeannette happy. They will get over the financial losses when they receive the new technologies.”
Corb paused again, used his index finger to push up his cowboy hat, and took on his trademark smile. Stopping to focus on Cassandra, Corb continued.
“Doctor Brady, why did the Others give humans the technology to build an interstellar vessel only to take it away?”
Realizing there was a deep meaning to Corb’s question, Cassandra began tapping her lips with her finger while considering her response. Cassandra’s delay gave Brando enough time to respond to Corb’s inquiry.
“It was pablum.”
“Exactly!”
Corb was beaming at Brando’s answer. Himari was perplexed.
“Pablum? What is pablum[8]?”
MooMoo responded to Himari’s question.
“Pablum is a mush, like oatmeal, it is given to infants and toddlers. Pablum is palatable and easily digested. What Corb is saying is: The Others gave us technological pablum because giving humans more advanced technology would not be easily understood.”
“Bingo!”
Corb stopped MooMoo before MooMoo could stand on a metaphorical soapbox. While everyone was absorbing the new information, looking closely at the luminescent walls, Tarunik reappeared in the room, right behind Nick.
“It is time for us to greet your companions.”
Startled at hearing Tarunik in his mind, Nick jumped forward and spun in one smooth move.
“What the fookin’ ‘ell! Look mate, you have got to start giving us some warning.”
“Nick, watch your language. Please show some respect.”
Nick shrugged at Janish’s admonition but accepted the direction by being quiet.
“Tarunik, who are the companions to which you refer?”
Cassandra was jumping to the heart of everyone’s concern. Tarunik acted as if he had not heard Cassandra, instead walked over, and stood to face MooMoo. Sensing something important was about to happen, the crew formed half-circles on the right and left of MooMoo and Tarunik.
“How may I help Tarunik?”
“Your satchel, I have deactivated the device.”
Shocked, everyone looked at each other. MooMoo was unfazed. With his satchel on the floor at his feet, MooMoo reached into his pocket and pulled out a small control. The device resembled a battery-operated automotive key fob.
Without a word, MooMoo looked at Tarunik, held out the device, and pressed the button. A small LED indicator illuminated when the button was pressed. Realizing nothing resulted from pressing the button, MooMoo began frantically pressing the button.
“Commander Moody, will you please step back from the satchel?”
The Chief would never be comfortable giving orders to higher ranking crew members or officers, so he formed the order as a question. When MooMoo did not move, Corb waved his hand and slid MooMoo away from the satchel.
Turder st
epped forward, reached down, and unzipped the satchel. Spreading the opening to expose the contents, everyone could see a small electronic control resting on a gray substance sealed in a clear plastic coating.
“Chief, I thought we searched the entire ship?”
Lucinda’s eyes showed confusion and concern.
“He must have hidden it in his footlocker. Captain, we did not look in people’s footlockers.”
Lucinda pursed her lips and tilted her head in acceptance of the respect for privacy. The Chief nodded in return. The chief turned to MooMoo when Lucinda spoke.
“Commander Moody, you will be held in confinement until an inquest can be convened and charges presented. Do you understand?”
“Major Raitt, I do not answer to you, or Corb, or anyone here, or that thing.”
When spitting out the vitriol, on the words ‘or that thing’, MooMoo pointed to Tarunik.
“We answer to a higher authority.”
Corb took up the questioning of MooMoo
“We?” Commander Moody, who is ‘we’?”
MooMoo failed to respond, or even acknowledge the question from Corb. With hatred in his eyes, MooMoo remained focused on Tarunik
“Commander Moody, I am not going to ask you again. Who is the ‘we’ you mentioned?”
MooMoo continued to ignore Corb.
“Tarunik, may I request your assistance.”
Tarunik nodded affirmation to Corb and immediately another of Tarunik’s council appeared. The new being was several inches shorter than Tarunik but, was otherwise, identical in every other visible aspect.
“This is Tarmish. She is capable of retrieving the information.”
Waving his hand, Commander Moody’s face softened. Tarunik’s words were to ensure the rest of the crew understood what was about to happen.
“Commander Moody, Tarmish will seek the information. If you resist, there will be pain. Do you understand?”
MooMoo refused to acknowledge the question. Instead turned to Corb and spat more contempt and hatred.
“You will all be damned if you continue to follow these false Gods. We are working to rid Earth of evil. Bringing this evil into our existence will further destroy us. We need ensure our safety. We need to clear of, and be cleared of, these evils. I will not be judged by those who do not understand.”
Corb looked down, away from MooMoo, and turning, looked up to Tarmish. Immediately, MooMoo grabbed his head with both hands and fell to his knees in pain. After less than fifteen seconds, it was obvious the pain subsided. MooMoo fell onto his side, still clutching his head in his hands. Tarmish reported to Tarunik.
“Commander Moody’s pain is gone. He believed he could protect his masters. His masters are the group you rejected. I do not know why they were rejected. His masters attempted to capture the space vessel. Commander Moody gave them control information. His masters do not want humans to know about the Others or life beyond their beliefs.
Tarunik, I do not understand this person’s thoughts. Humans know about the Other’s. They have known for millennia about the Other’s life in this area of the stars. Why does this person seek to deny something known to all who seek to know?”
Tarunik turned to look at Michelle. Michelle understood Tarunik’s request to speak.
“Tarmish, for millennia, humans have appointed leaders. Leaders were those humans chosen to communicate with Others. Selecting leaders created order and harmony where there was chaos. Over time, the chosen leaders became fearful. The chosen leaders feared they would lose their position of authority.
Humans, particularly the chosen leaders, grew to covet power and authority. Keeping Others from communicating directly with humanity, the chosen leaders created a guiding dogma for humanity. Many cultures allowed their chosen leaders to enforce a script for the masses to follow.
Across many cultures, the dogma evolved into scripts and scriptures describing a self-perpetuating mechanism of protection for the chosen leaders.
For many humans, confirmation of life beyond Earth undermines their canon. Their beliefs do not permit the existence of other life. The congregations who follow the doctrine, and teachings, of their leaders will no longer believe in the doctrine or in the ability of their leaders when other life is considered.
Tarmish, Commander Moody belongs to a group that will soon cease to exist. The direct knowledge or life beyond Earth will undermine the tenants of their belief system. When the belief system is lost, the congregation is lost. Without a congregation, the chosen leaders are without power.
By destroying the Jeannette, the space vessel, Commander Moody’s congregational leaders would gain the ability to exploit the loss and further expand their power.”
MooMoo had returned to his feet and, along with everyone else, was raptly listening to Michelle explain earth’s religious paradox.
“Thank you, Miss. Wilbon.”
Without another word, Tarmish and MooMoo teleported out of the room. Cassandra took advantage of the silence to ask another question.
“Tarunik, you referred to Tarmish as ‘she’. Are all females smaller than males? Also, how do you refer to yourselves? We are humans, what does your species prefer?”
“Miss. Brady, we have two genders but, in our language, there is no differentiation for gender. There is no he or she. There is only us and we. I use the gender mnemonic because it suits your language and understanding.
We are called the Ch'en. Do you know this word?”
“Yes, in classic Mayan it means spring. Like a water source. But, I suspect it is too literal for the translation. If you are Ch’en, then you people are the source?”
“Yes, Doctor Brady, we are the source. Now, it is time to meet the friends.”
The wall to Tarunik’s left, to the right of the group, dissolved, revealing a corridor. Without a word, Tarunik began walking. Everyone scrambled to pick up their satchel and quickly stepped down the corridor to catch up.
Chapter Seventeen
What is old, is new again
“So the story of man runs in a dreary circle, because he is not yet master of the Earth that holds him.” ― Will Durant
The hallway was long and disorienting. The walls were translucent and appeared to ebb and flow. The arched ceiling seemed to flex and morph in shape. Only the transparent floor remained stable and felt firm under the crew’s feet. Many of the crew were becoming nauseous. Sensing the problem, Corb intervened.
“Look at the floor. Focus on the floor and the back of the person in front of you.”
Immediately, the vertigo ceased and, collectively, the team stopped sweating. The corridor was longer than the group had anticipated. The hallway morphed into a long luminous corridor suspended between two large, and tall, buildings. The corridor was so far above the surface of Ch’en, the crew was unable to count the number of floors below the suspended corridor. Most remarkably, the floor remained solid, but the corridor did not appear to have any form of mechanical supports. The corridor, the translucent hallway, seemed to float between the buildings.
Lucinda estimated they had been walking about forty minutes before she broke the tension and spoke.
“Tarunik, forgive my impatience, will we be walking long?”
Tarunik did not speak but everyone heard his response in their head.
“Not much longer, we will arrive in a few moments.”
As the communication thoughts vanished, a wall appeared directly in front of the crew. Pulling up close, the Jenette’s crew was anxious to see what was on the other side of the wall.
When the wall dissipated, the crew was looking at a large meeting hall. At least ten meters from floor to ceiling and large enough, in depth and width, to hold hundreds of people at perfectly arranged tables. The large hall was almost empty. There were about thirty humans rising from their seats at the tables closest to where the crew of the Jenette was standing. Calmly standing, the humans stepped forward and formed a semi-circle to face the crew of the Jeannette.
Tall, with a shock of white hair, exhibiting a well-honed presence and bearing, the older man spoke in a deep, resonating voice, of an operatic trained baritone.
“Welcome back Mister Johnson. Hello, everyone, I am Giovani Giorgio Gardini, welcome to K’an. Please, call me Gio, everyone does. We have been asked to assist you while you are on K’an. We are here to answer any questions, you may have for us. If you will follow us, we will answer your questions and show you where you can freshen up.”
The entire group of humans, turned in unison and moved toward the wall, to the crew’s left. Everyone except two humans standing in the rear of the assembly. Corb decided to break the stiffness.
“Hello, Vivian. Hello, Doctor Wolmarans. I trust you are well?”
“As well as can be expected for someone placed in permanent exile.”
“Doctor Wolmarans, exile is a harsh word. Corb prefers to equate our banishment to a ‘Time Out’. Like you would impose on a bratty five-year-old child. Put them in ‘Time Out’. Would you agree, Corb?
“No, Vivian, I do not agree, and your premise is not valid. I am not going to debate this with you now. We need to follow the others. We can discuss this after the evening meal.”
The crew allowed Vivian and Doctor Wolmarans to exit first, then they followed the assembly down a short corridor. The short corridor ended at a spiral staircase, the entire assembly walked up, two abreast, to the floor immediately above. When everyone had collected in a room designed to look like a hotel lobby from Earth, Gardini spoke again.
Time is an Illusion: The Ptolemy Expedition (Carina Book 1) Page 12