by Rick Lakin
“Do you spend your whole life as a hunter” Sami asked.
“Oh, no,” he said with a laugh. “I work in the city as a printer’s apprentice with my te’pa’s friend while I go to university.”
“What’s your goal?”
“I want to tell our stories. As a boy grows into adulthood, he uses his experience as a pencil to draw a picture of the world in which he will live. As a girl matures to become a woman, she observes her world and forms her life the way a sculptor shapes the malleable clay into a finished form. These are the stories I want to tell.”
“The coming of age story is common in the literature that I know. Are there other writers from which you can build your style?”
“The writers of Hoclarth are pompous and arrogant. They write of false heroes who spout their false wisdom to children who grow up into pseudo-heroes. They write of wisdom stolen from past philosophers and force it onto the unsuspecting reader.”
“Have you written anything of your own?”
“My scribblings are rejected unread by the powerful publishers who keep putting out the wretched residue that they have sold since books could be mass-produced.”
“You say you’re a printer. Print. Publish your work. Find your readers.”
“My uncle is willing, but he cannot pay me for my writing.”
“You're young and free. A writer from where I come once said, “Write without pay until somebody offers to pay.'“
“This writer is from the future?”
“His name is Samuel Clemens, but he writes under the name of Mark Twain. Like you, he was a printer.” Sami looked up and pointed at a yellow star in the night sky. “As you see that distant sun twinkle in your sky, he sits in the same light readying a story that will set him on a writing career that will make him our greatest storyteller.”
“I will sleep on your thoughts,” Dimat said.
Sami retreated to the StarShuttle and activated her small fabricator. She also tested the DNA of the malfnids. She found that she needed one more group of specimens to attain the genetic diversity needed to sustain a population on contemporary Hoclarth. Her visit to the Hoclarth of the past was almost at an end.
A few hours before morning twilight, the Sami returned to camp with several sleeping malfnids. Dimat’s pouches were full as well.
“I must return to my occupation. This pleasant break from the drudgery is over for me.”
“I, too, must depart Hoclarth and return to my own time.”
“Where will you go?”
“I’ll point my ship to a distant star and ride through space for a long time.”
“Why not stay near our planet?”
“A planetary system is crowded with comets and asteroids. I’ll be safer much farther away.”
“My te’pa told me that I was born under the comet Shi’chi that visits once in a very long while.”
Sami’s eyebrows lift in surprise. “That reminds me.” Sami uncloaked the ship and returned with three thick books.
Sami presented them to Dimat. “These are the works of the writer I talked about.”
“There are a few writers who talk about time travel. They say that time travelers can have a terrible impact when they interfere with the timeline.”
“Mark Twain is writing his books at the same time as you are so that won’t affect your timeline.”
“I have this story about you and I that needs to be told,” Dimat said. “It would certainly affect our timeline.”
“Could you do me a favor?” Sami asked. “Write the story, but don’t publish it until that comet comes around again.”
“I can agree to that. No one would believe it anyway.”
“Go write books and change the world, Dimat Megrath.”
“One writer cannot change the world.”
“Another writer called James Baldwin wrote, 'The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you alter, even but a millimeter the way people look at reality, then you can change it.'“
“Go save my world and be safe.”
“Farewell, my friend.”
47
StarShuttle Hope traveled at sub-light speed on a curve that took her near Sirius. At this speed, it would require 1852 years to complete the journey. The StarShuttle would follow this track for a little less than 199 years when Sami would change course to complete her next mission.
“Repeat the standing orders,” Sami said.
“You’ll awaken once each year to check the ship, exercise and make necessary repairs,” Dani said. “I am to awaken you if there is a problem with the ship or the animals if I detect any other vessel on long-range sensors, and if there is any unexpected StarWave traffic.”
“That’s correct,”
“Positively boring. I can do all this, but I resent the fact that you leave me all alone for years with nothing to do but stay awake.”
“This is your job.”
“To you, it's just a job. To me, it's my life, my boring, depressing life. Sitting here while you disappear into stasis. You don't have to sit here watching the instruments do nothing. I think it is rather rude…”
“Shut up, Dani.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Sami had been gone for fifteen hours with twenty-one remaining. The off-watch crew were on the bridge gathered on the bridge awaiting Maiara's call for the noon meal. Jennifer, at the ops panel, and Tayla, at the communications panel, would remain on watch until relieved by David and Riley for the afternoon watch.
Jack was in his center seat with David before him in the pilot’s chair, Riley behind at the Engineer’s panel, and Anthen to his left at the Science Station. Kalinda and Jeff, having finished their morning lessons, were seated next to Anthen.
“Kalinda,” Jack said, “after you work out today, you and Jeff fumigate my ready room. It’s starting to smell like old socks.”
“Are you saying that I sweat?” Kalinda said.
“He isn’t saying that, Kay,” Anthen said. “But the ready room is.”
“Jeff and I will clean the ready room, Captain.”
“Thank you,” Jack said, taking a sip of his black brew. “The waiting is what I hate.”
“She’ll call,” Jennifer said.
“We don’t know if she even made it to Xaphnore,” Tayla said.
“Yes, we do,” Kalinda said. “Sami’s visit to Xaphnore was successful.”
Everyone turned their heads toward Kalinda. “Say again,” Jack said.
“She visited Xaphnore two hundred years ago,” Kalinda said. “I read it in a book.”
“What book?” Anthen asked.
“Visit by a Yellow-eyed Hunter by Dimat Megrath.”
“It could have just been a coincidence,” Jennifer said.
“He called her Sami, she was from the future, and she came back to capture malfnids to save Xaphnore.”
“Sandi, what do you have on this author?”
“Dimat Megrath is a famous author who lived on Xaphnore from 3,023 to 3,098 on the Tal’qid calendar,” Sandi said. “His birth and death coincide with the passing of the comet Shi’chi. He wrote coming-of-age stories that accurately portrayed the history and culture of Xaphnore. Literary scholars on Earth have drawn interesting parallels between Megrath and the words of Mark Twain. His final book, Visit by a Yellow-eyed Hunter, is presumed to have inspired the Hoclarth quest to become a space-faring society.”
“See, Jennifer, an author, can change the world,” David said, causing Jennifer's face to turn a shade of red.
“Sandi, what is the probability that Magrath’s book is about Sami’s visit to Xaphnore?” Jack asked.
“The probability is 99.73%,” Sandi said.
“Captain,” Kalinda said, “it was a message that she completed her first mission.”
“First mission, Kalinda?” Anthen asked, his eyes lifted in surprise.”
“Pay no attention to the child behind the captain,” Kalinda said, struggling to hide her vision about the second
mission.
48
Sami awakened from stasis for the final time on July 2, 2066, one year and three months before her scheduled contact with Brilliant.
“Position report, Dani?”
“The ship is 1.2 light-years from Xaphnore on a sub-light track to Earth. We’ll arrive there in the year 4,032.”
“Lay in a course to Barnard’s Star to arrive in twenty-five days.”
“Barnard’s Star,” Dani said. “Course laid in. The Battle of Kian’qil Outpost will occur on near the planet in twenty-nine days.”
“Correct, Dani.”
“I must protest. We’re on a humanitarian mission, and it will be hazardous in that sector when we arrive. We could get blown up by the warring parties, and our mission would be a failure.”
“This is our second mission, Dani. Engage.”
“She ship is on track to arrive on July 27. I was not informed of a second mission, especially a dangerous mission that could harm our cargo or ourselves. I am your first officer. You should have told me about this. I think it is just rude…”
“Shut up, Dani.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Twenty-four days later, Hope was point-eight light-years from Barnard’s Star.
“I’m now able to monitor direction and volume of StarWave traffic to and from Kian’qil Outpost.” The outpost was on the planet in the Goldilocks zone. It was terra-formed within a few miles of the encampment and provided the only repair and logistics base for the Hoclarth Alliance in that quadrant.
“Keep a close watch on any traffic originating in the direction of Sirius.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Sixteen hours later, Hope was point-three light-years from Barnard’s Star.
“I’m detecting two-way traffic between the outpost and a vessel approaching at high speed. The offset indicates that the ship will arrive at the same time as history indicates the beginning of the battle.”
“Very well, Dani. Alter course to intercept that ship two hours out from the outpost.”
“Course laid in.”
“Engage.”
“I still think this is dangerous and we should avoid…”
“Dani.”
“I’ll shut up, ma’am,” Dani said. “Expect long-range sensor acquisition four hours before intercept.”
Four hours before intercept, sensor tones sounded. “I’ve got the ship on sensors. It’s the Patrol Ship Londex carrying a single occupant.”
“Very well.”
Two hours from intercept, sensor tones sounded.
“Dani?”
“Long-range sensors show a large warship approaching from Alpha Centauri.”
“Classify?”
“It appears to be the size of a Hoclarth Battle Cruiser. The weapons are different. StarDrive signature is different. It’s got twin drives giving it a top speed of…omigod…8,000 times light-speed. Could it be from the future like us?”
“Definitely not like us,” Sami said. “When will it arrive at Kian’qil?”
“One hour before the Londex.”
“Very well. Inform me when we’re within communications range of Londex.”
Ninety minutes later, “Sami we’re near enough to communicate.”
“Hail her.”
A female with dark hair, dark features, and a very familiar-looking face appeared on screen. “Predex Valenda, I am Sami Teesmith.”
“You are in a war zone,” Natira said. “You are an Earth ship. Your markings indicate that you are on a humanitarian mission. That is why I have not yet blown you to interstellar dust.”
“I’m here to save you,” Sami said.
“Your ship indicates no human life signs,” Natira said, confused. “You have yellow eyes. Are you Kir’qox?”
“It’s possible that the Kir’qox are from the distant future. I’m from a more recent future.”
“You know who I am. How?”
“Kalim sent me from the future.”
“How do I know you are not lying?”
“On Prondas three months ago, Kalinda defeated you for the first time. You told her, 'By honoring Tal’qid, you will honor your mother.’”
A look of fear filled her eyes, “Where is my daughter?”
“She’s safe on StarCruiser Brilliant with her father.”
“What are they doing on an Earth ship?”
“Anthen’s older daughter rescued them from the Hoclarth Alliance and returned him to his Earth family.”
“Is Kalinda all right?”
“She misses her mother.”
“But….” Natira hesitated.
“You will not survive this attack.”
“I know my mission.”
“You’ll fight off the Kir’qox drones. You’ll take damage. You’ll accelerate and collide with the engines of the battlecruiser and destroy it.”
“My mission will succeed.”
“But you will not survive. You’ll be a hero to your husband, your daughter and all of the Hoclarth Alliance.”
“I’ve already anticipated the outcome.”
“Kalinda misses you,” Sami said.
Natira was looking around at the empty bridge. “I must complete this task.”
“Your father sent you on a suicide mission.”
“I’ll bring honor to our family, to my daughter.”
“You’ll not see the wonderful person your daughter is becoming.”
“You speak as if there is an alternative.”
“We switch places. I come to your ship, and you come here, and I complete your mission.”
“But the monitors will show you instead of me.”
Sami transformed her look. Natira was surprised to see herself appear on the display. “Not a problem.” She changed back to Sami.
“But you don’t know how to fly this ship?”
“I’ve practiced your actions 872 times in a simulator. I’ll copy them perfectly.”
“How do you have that information?”
“A gift from your father,” Sami said.
“You will perish,” Natira said.
“My cyberian body will perish. My artificial intelligence is on this shuttle. I’ll join you after the action.”
“The monitors will show two of us.”
“Meet me in your storage room. The monitors are blind there.”
“I must do my duty.”
“Kalinda needs a hug, Natira.”
“The Hoclarth do not hug.”
“A lot has changed. Will you meet me in your storage room?”
“Yes.”
Sami went to the transmatter pad, programmed the coordinates and stood on the pad.
“Engage,”
The aft area disappeared into static, and the storage room of the Londex appeared. Food and equipment stores surrounded her.
Natira entered the storeroom. Sami offered her hand.
“The Hoclarth do not shake hands,” Natira said.
“I need a DNA sample for an accurate transition.”
They shook hands and Sami transformed into a mirror image of Natira.
“I’ll be considered a traitor.”
“A traitor who saved the Hoclarth Alliance,” Sami said. “Do you have Natira’s matter signature?”
“Yes,” Dani said.
“I’ll see you in a couple of hours,” Sami said. “Engage, Dani.”
Natira arrived on StarShuttle Hope and walked to the control center.
“Hello?” she asked, not knowing who Sami had been communicating with.
“Hello, Natira, I am Dani, the artificial navigation interface.”
“Has this ship been detected?”
“StarShuttle Hope is outside the detection range of the Kir’qox ship. At present, the ship is cloaked.”
“Can you show me my ship?” Natira said.
“On screen,” Dani said.
Hoclarth history shows that over the next two hours, Natira Kone piloted Patrol Ship Londex against impossible odds, fought
off Kir’qox drones, and rammed her ship into the battle cruiser's engines destroying it.
“She’s copying your actions from Ship Emergency Communications Transmitter that you released,” Dani said.
“I understand what you’re saying but the time travel aspect is a bit difficult to comprehend.”
Aboard Londex, Sami mimicked Natira from the after-action reports. When the Kir’qox vessel attacking the station came within range, she locked her meteor cannon and fired two large rocks at the enemy. A fighter drone from the kir’qox began its attack. Sami traded energy shots with the drone. The third one destroyed it, but she was leaking plasma.
Another drone approached. Sami exchanged fire, but it got her left engine. She was losing propulsion.
Sami did a sensor scan of the Kir’qox. She found many sources of AI but no life forms.
As the fighter drone made a final approach, Sami computed an intercept course and accelerated. She released the Emergency Transmitter Drone right before her ship lost propulsion and she collided with the reactor on the attacking ship. Natira, again, destroyed the enemy ship, and the Hoclarth Alliance was safe from further attack by this enemy ship.
In the resulting explosion, Sami’s cyberian body ceased to function. She had anticipated this and initiated the transfer of her consciousness back to StarShuttle Hope.
For twelve microseconds, Sami lost consciousness. All she saw in front of her was a bright white light. Is this what dying feels like…, Sami thought.
Natira observed the massive explosion on the viewscreen of the Hope.
“When will we know that Sami is safe?” Natira asked.
Sami came up behind Natira in the control center. “I never left,” Sami said.
“I’ll miss my ship.”
“She served the alliance well,” Sami said. “Natira, we need a place to hide out for a year. I must avoid a time paradox, so we return to my ship after the moment I left.”
“My family had an island home on a planet called Prondas. It's sparsely populated by people who are not in the Hoclarth Alliance.”
“Did they evolve there?”