Rise of the Forgotten

by Rebecca Mickley

  “Ever the nervous one,” Darnack said.

  “When did your species start hugging?” I replied, a bit astonished.

  “I have been watching the tapes you sent me, it is very common among the humans! Are you not impressed with my growth Shifted One?”

  “Yes, but maybe ask next time?” I said, as gently as possible. It always amazed me how a creature that old could appear so… innocent.

  Darnack bent down and regarded me curiously for a moment, looking me over. I kept my fear in check, then he just huffed and said "Interesssting"... outside of the Link, in his hissing English.

  “Come, Come, I have a surprise for this Shifted One.” He switched back to mental transmission, it helped his pronunciation.

  “First a hug, and now a surprise? What’s got into you Darnack?” Jill walked silently beside us regarding the entire exchange with bemused interest.

  “I have been making an effort to learn Earth customs. They are very strange, but some of it is great fun!” he replied with great enthusiasm.

  “Like hugging?” I replied.

  “Yes, it is most bizarre squeezing something without an intent to kill it! Most enthralling!” My mind involuntarily shot back to the hug, and I gulped.

  “Ha! You worry too much Shifted One.” First hugging and now colloquialisms, this day was one for the record books.

  We reached the lift and Darnack selected the arboretum level. This was getting curious, no honor guard, no delegation. He was running completely off script.

  “Darnack is right, Snow. You do worry too much,” Jill needled me, and I flattened my ears briefly looking up at her, my eyes narrowing.

  “Thank you Jill,” Darnack replied. Perfect, now they were ganging up on me. The lift slowed and stopped and we exited to the arboretum deck.

  Memories flooded back as we walked, not all of them pleasant. In violent flashing bursts, my mind replayed Charlie’s death, the anger, hurt and frustration surging and slamming into me like black waves of regret and pain. Desperately, I stopped moving and concentrated on isolating my feelings from the Link.

  “Snow? You ok? Boss?” I became aware of Jill’s voice and then felt her paw just behind my ears. I looked up into her eyes, and suddenly felt comforted. Breathe… Easy…

  “Is the Shifted One ok to continue? You removed yourself briefly from the Link,” Darnack said, concerned.

  “Just old memories. I’ll be fine,” I replied, suddenly nauseous and disoriented; the arboretum was just ahead.

  The doors parted, and a burst of warm spring air flowed out of the room. I closed my eyes and took in the alien scents of flowers I’d never know the name of, and then opened my eyes on the bright blue grass. The Lethine possessed a fully functional biome from Nasaria. These were the last remnants of their world.

  Just ahead in a clearing, standing perfectly still was a being I had never seen before. At first glance, she appeared to be wearing a black cape, and had skinny legs with strange bird-like toes and knees that bent opposite what I was used to. As we got closer, I noticed it was not a cape at all, but feathers. She was looking down, most of her face obscured behind those massive black wings, which gleamed with an iridescent sheen.

  “Darnack, I’ve met Mendian morphics before, what’s going on?” I asked.

  “Ah, that would be my surprise! Shifted One.”

  The creature looked up, withdrawing its large long beak, clicking its tongue a few times, followed by a series of rhythmic chirps. Then her eyes settled upon me; they gleamed like fierce emeralds, staring out from the black plumage that surrounded them, sparkling with wonder and delight. There was a small circlet about her head, from which hung one silver gem that rested just above her beak and conformed to the birdlike contours of her face. As we made eye contact, I heard a ‘woosh’ as her large multi-chromatic tail fanned out and pulsed.

  “Ah, Darnack, Etrana is pleased that you have brought the human delegation as promised.” She spoke perfect English.

  She opened her wings, and I could finally got a sense of her body and height. She was one and a half meters tall, with a wing span of at least three meters. I understood now why she wore them as a cape. They folded over each other, with her hand like talons holding them in place. She briefly stretched them out to their full width and I could see various points where they seemed to have joints, so as to offer maximum flexibility.

  “Etrana of Corval bows to greet you Snow Dawkins, Ambassador of Earth. May Etrana offer this one a dance?”

  “If that is your custom, I would be happy to see it. Etrana, on behalf of the United Earth Alliance, I bear you the greetings of my government. It is my hope that on this day, we will establish a long and fruitful friendship. You honor us already by learning our language...” I bowed, keeping to diplomatic custom. I shot a look at Darnack. Etrana seemed to sense it.

  “Do not be angry with Darnack, Snow Dawkins. Etrana wished to meet you informally before the official business begins in three of your weeks,” she said, adding chirps and clicks to the end of her sentence.

  “Etrana took the necessary time last week to learn your language. Etrana is very glad you approve.” She bobbed and clicked. “Now to offer you my dance!”

  Her black iridescent wings snapped out before me at a speed almost unimaginable and she then flattened them towards the ground, revealing amazing dexterity. They were joined down her body. It was easy to get a sense of her anatomy because she wore almost no clothing, just bits of jewels and other shiny metals here and there, more adornments than any service to a sense of modesty.

  She crouched down low and then her legs released like springs and launched her spinning into the air; her wings flared out, then she caught the wind and began to float down before I felt a powerful burst of air. She was actually flying! She zoomed about me, spinning and turning in an amazing feat of aerial acrobatics before landing softly in front of me, sinking down to the ground in a modified bow, her massive wings stretched out to either side.

  “Etrana offers you this dance in the hopes that it will honor these of Earth, and lead to new horizons for both of our species,” she said, in a rehearsed tone.

  “Etrana, that was simply amazing, and beautiful. Never have I seen anything quite like that. I am simply stunned,” I replied, desperately trying to find the words and not offend her.

  “This Corvaldian is very glad you approve,” she replied. For some reason, she did not use ‘I’, staying firmly rooted in the third person.

  “Would you mind if we switched to the Link? I find I enjoy communicating in that manner,” I replied.

  “Etrana agrees! To speak with emotion and memory is much more powerful! It is akin to the dance,” she affirmed.

  “You make me miss flying, Etrana,” Darnack said. “I have seen many stars since I last felt the wings of the Kroznagor.” I felt a brief pang of sadness flow from him.

  “Maybe one day Darnack will fly with the wings of a Corvaldian,” she replied.

  “Perhaps. It would be an honor,” he replied.

  “Etrana agrees!”

  “I am very eager to learn of your people Etrana, tell me, how long have you been in contact with the Mendians?” I said, curious.

  “Hmm, let me see.” She clicked and chirped a few times. “It was many seasons ago… four hundred of your years.”

  “Four hundred years, that is quite an impressive number, your race must be intrepid explorers.”

  “The Corvaldian are not this. The Corvaldians remain on Corval,” she nodded and clicked emphatically.

  “Wait, you don’t have ships or colonies? How did you come to know the Mendians?”

  “The Mendians came to the Corvaldians. Some things Corvaldians take, shiny shifting tech and medicines, but some things Corvaldians wish to do for Corval.”

  “I think I can help Snow, the Corvaldians do not have the level of technology that those of Earth have. They are still trying to come to grips with what you call quantum physics. Still, they are much advanced in
other ways. It is the hope of the Mendian Council that your races will grow closer, and assist one another.”

  “Darnack speaks great truth. Etrana is pleased! Well put! Well put!” She hopped and bobbed emphatically the more excited she got.

  “Ah, so this is why you did not meet us at the Gate!” I said, enthralled.

  “Snow Dawkins is wise, but it was not just for introductions that Etrana has requested the honor of meeting you this day.”

  “Yes? How can I help?”

  “Etrana is pleased at the offer of assistance. This Corvaldian was monitoring what you call a press conference. It seems to be great fun and of great challenge, with much shiny. Etrana wishes to meet the press."

  “Oh shit…” I said, as a monstrous headache emerged from cerebral darkness and seized upon me. It was going to be a long day.

  Chapter 4

  Beating my head against a wall would have been more fruitful. For the last four hours I had tried, as diplomatically as possible, to talk Etrana out of a sudden press conference, but the more I tried, the more insistent she grew. Finally I surrendered, much to the pleasure of my new Corvaldian friend, agreeing to bring her back to the Danube at 1600 hours.

  Back aboard the LRRC on the Lethine, the time showed as 1530 hours, and I was already feeling the nervousness in the pit of my stomach. Steadying myself, and shielding my thoughts from the Link, I contacted the Danube on a secure channel. It was the dance of the egg shells, something I had been doing diplomatically since they pulled me off my rock.

  A sudden surge of tiredness flowed through me as the connection went through.

  “Danube Actual, go ahead ambassador. Channel is secure.”

  “Assemble the press, inform them I have an update on our mission to Corval Prime and will be addressing them at 1800 hours. We will be coming back to the ship under black-watch protocols and are bringing a guest. Assemble a security detail, and make sure the pathway to the guest quarters is devoid of non-military, non-EDC personnel. Especially the press!” I said emphatically.

  “Roger that ambassador, we will be waiting. I’ve relayed your orders to the relevant stations.”

  “Understood. We will be underway in half an hour. Keep Launch Pad-A open and set landing guidance to automatic. We are coming in quiet.”

  “Aye aye, ambassador.”

  “Very good. Dawkins, out,” came my reply.

  My stomach grumbled and felt sour, reflecting my mood. I heard a familiar pop that my ears swiveled instinctively toward and Jill glided by to set two small pills down in front of me.

  “Thanks,” I said, swallowing my saviors happily. They were the current highlight of my afternoon.

  “If it makes you feel any better Boss, I’m worried too. Alice Bolter is going to be having hot wings for dinner,” Jill said, morbidly.

  “I know, but there was absolutely nothing I could do to dissuade her. This is going to be a nightmare.” I began rubbing at my muzzle, trying to clear my head. I hopped into the pilot's seat and began running through the pre-flight checks, letting my mind reconnect to the Link as I plunged effortlessly into the interface and reveled in that familiar pull to just relax and let go.

  There is peace in surrender. A strange whisper floated at the edge of consciousness as my world went briefly black.

  “Snow, we will be arriving soon,” Darnack said through the Link. Blinking in a stupor I started my return to full awareness.

  Flexing my paws, I flipped a toggle switch as I shook out the cobwebs, lowering the ramp. The switch had been installed special. In spite of neural interfaces, and fancy consoles, there was something satisfying about the click of an old metal switch. Call me old fashioned.

  I hopped down the ramp just as Etrana entered the shuttle bay and caught sight of the LRRC. She immediately devolved into a fit of high pitched chirps and clicks, bobbing and moving rapidly.

  “Etrana is impressed with the shiny ship!” Here elation was unmistakable as it flowed through the Link.

  “Omega-621 is my personal shuttle. One of our first higgs-field capable vessels.”

  “Higgs field? Fascinating!” she replied.

  “Etrana wishes to see more of the shiny ship. May she?”

  “Yes yes! Right this way,” I replied, as Jill rolled her eyes and busied herself with a few notes on her ever-present clipboard.

  “I am pleased you are excited, Etrana!” Darnack said through the Link. “This will be a great day for your people.”

  “Etrana agrees. This day grows into legend, and now Etrana will go to the Danube aboard the shiny ship to meet the press of the Earth!” She began dancing again, around me, chirping enthusiastically. It did nothing for my stress. Finishing, she bowed.

  “Since Snow Dawkins has honored Etrana, Etrana has honored her with her dance of gratitude! Come, let us board!” She ran forward and leaped in the air, flying about the hangar, perching on the tail of the ship, waiting for me.

  “Darnack, it has been an honor as always,” I said, moving towards the ramp. Etrana dropped down, and landed right next to me, giving me a start, her legs absorbing the impact effortlessly.

  “Yes, Etrana is most pleased! Now, onto the shiny ship, LRRC!” She bobbed and bent low, charging up the ramp, as Darnack reached down to hug me again.

  It had been a most unusual day.

  “Until next time, Shifted One. Farewell,” Darnack bowed.

  It took another fifteen minutes to get underway, and I twice had to update the Danube on our time table. This time, I did not enter into tactical mode, and lamented the loss heavily, but I had to finish briefing Etrana to prevent a nightmare. The ship lifted off the tarmac effortlessly and glided out into space, much to the celebration of our guest.

  “Etrana. I know I can’t talk you out of this press conference, but you need to be prepared. Our press is trained to be very aggressive, and even offensive with their questions. Their goal is not your comfort or friendship, but a story, and they will take and twist whatever you give them to get that story,” I grimaced, not wanting to give her a bad opinion of us.

  “Interesting. The press conference is a form of ritualized combat? Snow Dawkins must be a great warrior of her people!” She chirped excitedly.

  I resisted the urge to let my head slam towards the glass console below, and I considered my answer.

  “Never really heard it described that way, but after a fashion, I suppose that’s correct. I would liken it to a game. There is only so much information we can give them, but they will always try to get more. In our society, there is a constant struggle for information, but often, information gets heavily misinterpreted, which is why we are so careful,” I replied, trying to redirect her away from the idea she was going to a ritual war.

  “Ah, Etrana understands. A game of strategy! Etrana will play. Tell Etrana how to play well!”

  “Never mention the Link; that would be an immediate “loss” of the game. There are many people on our world that fear the morphics, and this would further escalate their fears." My thoughts drifted back to Basic, of live fire training, the feelings in my chest eerily familiar. I had learned through my time in the diplomatic corps that the right question could do as much damage as a bullet.

  “Etrana understand not to mention the forbidden things, but does not understand the reason for fear.”

  “A lot of humans fear change. What is unknown can scare them. By and large, the species is innately curious, but also innately fearful. It is something we have struggled with mightily, and we continue to make great strides, only to be hampered by those that give into the more fearful elements of their nature.” She tilted her head to the left, and the right, considering my reply.

  “There is honor and wisdom in every journey. Fear not Snow Dawkins, all will be well.” A light flashed in my vision. My sense of continuity felt funny. I turned towards the cockpit window, the grid was suddenly before my eyes, and then we were on final approach. Reacting quickly, I told the ship to engage automatic systems and it c
onnected to the Danube, taking us in effortlessly.

  “Etrana, it is my honor and privilege to welcome you to the Earth Diplomatic Corps Ship Danube,” I replied.

  “Ah! Etrana is brilliant! Etrana shines! Most impressive!” she said, bobbing and clicking. Everything about her showed a love affair with life and experience. I flipped the switch and the ramp dropped slowly as she raced towards the back, tilting and moving, trying to get an early glimpse of the Danube.

  “This platform is dim. It takes forever! Etrana is eager to see the shiny ship Danube.” It lowered further down still and I saw her crouch low. She cocked her head and looked up at the ceiling intently.

  “Etrana, would you like a tour of the ship?” I asked, attempting to divert her. Inwardly, I began to wonder how this race ever impressed the Mendians.

  “Etrana would find that glimmering!” she chirped. “Is now the time of the tour, Snow Dawkins?”

  “Actually, I wanted to invite you to my quarters for our evening meal, and discuss the press conference some. After that, I would love to show you the ship.” The platform clicked down on the deck with a tone of finality, there was no turning back now.

  “Etrana shines. Etrana gleams! This Corvaldian is most excited!!!” she said. A part of me was enthralled by her wonder and eagerness at every new thing. Still, I worried how she would be interpreted by the press. I decided to try a new angle.

  “Etrana would you like to know more of the customs of my people?” I asked, curiously.

  “This Corvaldian would! This would be shiny!” The security detail, in dress uniform was waiting at the bottom of the ramp. Etrana seemed completely focused on whatever had her attention at that particular moment.

  I paused and considered a few seconds.

  “Etrana wonders at Snow Dawkins hesitation. Does Snow Dawkins not want to share the traditions?”

  “I do, but I fear that my words may cause offense or harm. I greatly want this to be a shiny experience for you,” I said, using her words.

  What happened next was unexpected. She flattened her legs down and looked at me eye to eye and then she shot out her wings and pulled me into a hug.