Aquari

by DD White

  * * *

  An hour or so after Veldada contacted the underground Ministry of Science there had been news on the television device that they were still keeping the prisoner Hanson in the Aungtalli temple for questioning. Then she heard a strange hum coming from her backyard. Looking out a window revealed that an Aungtalli flying saucer landed in the backyard. The horror of the moment made Veldada consider running out the front door. Were the Aungtalli now after her for questioning? Maybe they were going to search the house again? They would confiscate Hanson’s computer with the communication protocol, which she barely had been able to hide away from them before.

  The shiny flying saucer had a lit dome on the top that had been surrounded by spokes of light patterns. The bottom of the saucer had similar light patterns, and landing gear that extended to crush patches of greepops and lavardings that Veldada was going to harvest that afternoon before dinner. The shiny silver side gave way to a door that opened to become a ramp. Maybe the Aungtalli were releasing Hanson, she thought. No! Veldada began to turn around toward the front door.

  Before she could break out into a run for the door the corner of her eye saw two ordinary Uranians emerging from the saucer. She recognized one as Thrandu, a prominent scientist of the Ministry among those who fled to Gulfang. She stopped the impulse to run, and watched the two approach the back door and knock. The Ministry told her they had a plan, and she had to wait there. It appeared the Ministry had now evidently arrived here. So she allowed her courage to return and answered the back door.

  “Hello Veldada, it is I Thrandu.

  This is Silvanin. We are here for you.

  This is an artifact back-engineered.

  You probably thought it more to be feared.

  We are here to fly it to the rescue

  of Hanson in transport before its through.

  This flying vehicle is just as good

  as what Aungtalli fly, at least it should

  succeed with its lasers and soaring speed

  to rescue your husband from prison freed.

  So pack up some things your stay here is through.

  We’re back to Gulfang with Hanson and you.”

  Veldada felt in shock at what happened. Thrandu gently persuaded her to find what she would bring along. Silvanin introduced himself as part of security for the rescue mission. He explained that sources in their network had revealed that a transport vehicle had been dispatched to the Aungtalli temple to pick up the prisoner Hanson who had been evidently badly injured from the torture. Hanson had evidently remained defiant, and so became sentenced to death tonight. Silvanin’s words fueled Veldada’s packing with more and more urgency, and she soon got ready to lock up the house and leave.

  Veldada had been led up the ramp into the flying saucer. Within it looked about the size of a small studio apartment. There had been seating for guests in the center of the circular saucer cabin with other chairs at controls around the sides of the round room. Veldada put her bag of belongings on one of the central seats that had been also piled on with gear and belongings for the mission. Thrandu introduced her to Girithron who had been the expert on flying their rebuilt ancient flying machine. Girithron worked some controls that were accelerating the saucer off the ground at the time, and so he barely acknowledged the introduction with a glance.