Proxima

by Chase Hildenbrand

  Dyran spoke, “Our species has not returned to Hyera, or as your species call it, Proxima, since we departed. But that does not mean we haven’t kept an eye on our old home. Our advanced satellite imagery has shown continued conflict on the planet. While we can’t see well enough to know who is fighting whom, our educated guess is inner-fighting between the tribes that live on the land. The ships hold a hundred thousand people between the four, correct?”

  “That is correct,” Liam answered.

  “The tribes number many more than that.”

  “What about the civilization that lives underground?” Percy asked.

  “We have no reason to believe they pose a threat. If anything, their use of technology may inspire a shared interest between themselves and the humans on the ships,” another council member said from midway across the table.

  “Perhaps they could be our ally if you allow us to use a ship to reach them,” Liam said.

  “We have never allowed humans to use our space travel technology before. It would be unprecedented,” the same council member responded.

  “What is your name?” Liam asked.

  “Jalax of the Gyvins,” it answered.

  “Jalax, we don’t ever have to see how it works. If we only ride along that would suffice for our purposes. This is a rescue mission to bring our people home. If the tribes haven’t started hostilities yet, we can simply escort our people back to Earth”

  “We and the humans have spent a thousand years creating peace in this solar system. There are forty billion beings that depend on that peace. If the tribes have begun fighting with your people, that could drag us into a war. We have no interest in taking part in a war that does not concern us,” Jalax said.

  “If fighting has broken out, we’ll handle it ourselves. Your people will never have to leave the ship,” Percy said.

  “Still, things are risky. If the other side of the planet notices our presence in orbit they will know we broke our treaty. We swore to never return,” Dyran said.

  “Does the other civilization have the same access to space travel technology? Could they confront you in space? Or follow us back to Earth?”

  “That is unclear,” Dyran answered. “If they can, war may be fought on multiple fronts.”

  “It matters not. We take great pride in honoring our word. Our ancestors agreed never to return to Hyera. If we break it, we will be dishonoring those who’ve come before,” Jalax said.

  Liam sensed the room slipping away. Without the council’s cooperation, he saw no way of getting to Proxima—to Ann.

  “You're weighing the word of your ancestors against the lives of a hundred thousand people. I implore you to make the right decision.”

  “It is not up to you to determine what is right. This is our culture and you’ve been among us for mere weeks. Let us confer. Please wait outside,” Jalax said.

  Dyran escorted them back into the waiting room then shut the door behind them.

  Liam looked to the ceiling in frustration, his hands rubbing his bald head. Percy put a hand on his arm.

  “It’ll be fine, Liam. I’m sure they’ll side with us. They have to see reason.”

  “I’m not so sure. They seemed adamant about keeping the word of dead ancestors.”

  Liam paced the room as they waited, arms crossed against his chest. Percy took a seat and rested his eyes. The council deliberated behind the closed door for ten minutes before Dyran came out. Liam saw the conference room was empty through the door.

  “Mr. Donovan and Mr. Alvarez, the council reached a decision. By an eight to four vote, we have agreed to not assist in your cause. I’m sorry.”

  Percy cursed. Liam gritted his teeth. “How can that be your decision? A hundred thousand lives are at stake!”

  “I understand that, Mr. Donovan. If it’s any consolation, I voted in your favor.”

  “That’s great. Thanks.” Liam seethed sarcasm.

  “Again, I apologize.” Dyran exited back the way he came leaving Liam alone with Percy and glaring at the closed door.

  “Fuckers,” Percy uttered. “Those damn fuckers.”

  “I can’t believe this. How are they just going to abandon them out there?”

  Liam wanted to scream in rage. None of this was fair. He should be with Ann, right now, but fate had other plans. The universe was playing him for a fool. All the things that led him here—wars, disease, famine—only to have his road end like this. But he didn’t see any possible path to take.

  He thought of how good a drink would taste. The craving surged through him. A need for it he hadn’t felt in so long. And why not? He stopped drinking for Ann and she was gone—light years out of his reach. He had nothing in this bizarre version of Earth, so different from the one he left behind.

  There was a store he remembered passing on his way here from the hotel they were staying in. He remembered seeing through the glass a wide variety of beverages. If he was ever going to break his sobriety, his failure to convince the council might be a just enough cause.

  “I’ll see you at the hotel,” he said to Percy who stayed behind in respect to give Liam the space he clearly needed.

  Liam stormed out of the building. The weather was cold and dreary, a new experience for him, but he felt it fit his mood. The crowded sidewalks were populated with a diverse mix of humans, aliens, and holographic advertisements. He already hated those infernal ads and walked right through the stationary ones and ignored the others that tracked with him until he escaped their range.

  He found the store just as it started to rain. People on the street opened their umbrellas, though these were handheld devices that generated an invisible shield of some sort that deflected the falling rain. There was a bin inside the store stocked with them and he grabbed a blue one as he went to browse the alcohol selection. There were no familiar brands that survived the thousand years since his last drink, so he grabbed a ten pack of a random lager.

  The EPSD set them up with limited funds to hold them over until the PAG finished setting up their new lives. He paid the credits due and fumbled with his new umbrella trying to discern how to turn it on. The clerk, watching a grown man fail to operate a simple umbrella, looked at him funny.

  Ultimately he pushed the button on the bottom and slid the vertical range bar the appropriate amount to extend the shield enough to cover him, then he was on his way. The hotel was only a four block walk and he entered the sliding glass doorway before his drinks turned warm.

  Back in his room he set the carton down on top of the table and collapsed on his bed. He stared at the ceiling lost in his thoughts listening to the rain pound on the window. Was it worth breaking his sobriety? He acted in such haste, fueled by anger, but now that he was back in his room the temptation subsided. He closed his eyes and thought of Ann. What was she facing? The not knowing killed him. He’d always been a man of action, but now an insurmountable wall blocked his path. Was there still a way to help her? To help them all?

  He looked at the carton of beer. It would taste good, he thought. No one was left to judge him. He arose from the bed and opened the carton pulling out one of the bottles—examining it. The cold condensation dripped through his fingers. He wondered if the taste had changed since he last drank. To stall, he emptied out the carton and put the rest of the bottles in the room’s refrigerator.

  Leaning on the wall by the fridge, he made his decision. He twisted off the bottle cap and tossed it to the floor.

  Chapter 25

  THE BOTTLE TOUCHED his lips as a knock tapped on his hotel door. Liam shook his head in disbelief that he was about to drink and set the bottle down. He looked through the display screen showing who knocked on the other side and was surprised by who he saw.

  Zale and Dyran.

  He opened the door and let them in.

  “Thought you were off-planet, Zale,” he said after closing the door behind them.

  “I was going to be, but I took some time off the day after you left Mars. I’m her
e unofficially.”

  “And why are you here?”

  Zale glanced over to Dyran signaling him to talk.

  “I want to help you.”

  “Yeah? How’s that sit with your council?”

  “They don’t know I’m here. Most of them cling to the past and it’s unfortunate. We should be helping people. That’s why we left our planet in the first place—to help humans. Now we have another chance to and they won’t. Helping you is what’s right, despite what they say. I wanted to tell you after the vote, but eyes and ears are everywhere in that place.”

  “Good to see one of you on the council has a conscience. And you, Zale?”

  “Dyran and I have always been on the same page. He was there for me when my husband was killed—by a Proximian. Their species claims to be all about honor and peace keeping, but at the end of the day they’re just like us. No offense Dyran.”

  “So you are a he? I can’t tell the difference,” Liam said.

  “It’s subtle. See, our genitals are—”

  “Enough, Dyran. No one wants to hear about your anatomy. Tell Liam about the ship.”

  “Of course. I come from a wealthy family who made their fortune building atmo-domes. We’re the largest supplier in the solar system. In order to build those we need vast ships to carry the required amount of cargo. As is tradition amongst the Proximians, our larger vessels are equipped with the wormhole drive.”

  “If travelling back to your homeworld is against the rules, why continue building ships with this wormhole technology?”

  “Fair question. Truth be told...I’m not sure. The Proximian ship-building guild has always equipped large vessels like ours with the technology. I only half understand how it works myself and, sorry, I won’t be telling you.”

  “I figured it best not to ask.”

  “Good. Anyway, I can get you a ship. Its defensive measures are low. Pirating isn’t an issue these past few hundred years like it was when system-wide space travel really became economical. But it can get you there.”

  Liam breathed a sigh of relief. The universe, it would seem, wasn’t done with him yet.

  “I wouldn’t know how to thank you.”

  “Thank me by keeping this quiet. I’m risking a lot to help you. Yes, it’s the right thing to do, but I’d rather keep my position on the council if I can.”

  “I need my people. Not only that, but I need my smaller ships and weapons that were on The Hawking. Zale, I assume they’re locked away under guard by the EPSD?”

  “Yes. A secure impound facility is on Mars. I can get us access.”

  “What about that guy you were with today? Mr. Alvarez?” Dyran asked.

  “We need him. His room is down the hall. Let me grab him.”

  He left them in his room and found Percy in his—wearing nothing but a bath towel around his waist.

  “Nice shower?”

  “Sorry, did you want to join?”

  “Throw some clothes on and come to my room. We have work to do. Zale is back and she brought a friend.”

  Liam returned to his room and moments later Percy joined them still with wet hair. He noticed the open beer bottle on the counter and gave Liam a questioning look. Liam answered with a subtle shake of his head. Percy redirected his attention to the other two in the room. “What’s all this about?” he asked.

  “Dyran can supply us a ship and Zale can get our Z crafts back,” Liam said.

  “Holy shit, really? So does this mean we’re going?”

  “We are.”

  “Hang on, Liam. We have to plan. There’s a lot of moving pieces to this,” Zale said. “Where are your people?”

  “We have close to four hundred willing to fight. I’d like more, but it is what it is. The ones who volunteered are in Spring Haven waiting on word back from us. Percy, have you contacted them yet?”

  “No. I thought it best to come from you.”

  “I’ll call Debra. Zale, I’ll need your—what do you call communication devices these days?”

  “Still phones. Some things don’t change.”

  “I’ll need to borrow yours. Ours don’t work with this infrastructure. I know where she’s staying so that shouldn’t be a problem. While we’re on our way back, Debra can get everyone ready. Dyran, where is your ship?”

  “A secure dockyard for elite crafts just outside the city.”

  “Will it be able to land in Spring Haven? It’s not that big of a town,” Percy said.

  “Here, hang on,” Zale said. She pulled her translucent tablet out from her bag and moments later projected a topographical three dimensional view of Spring Haven and its surrounding areas.

  “Damn, I didn’t know you could do that,” Percy said.

  “It’s just a hologram,” Zale replied.

  “Maybe to you.”

  “Enough, Percy. Do we see any landing areas for our size?”

  “Towns this small don’t typically have the expansive dockyards we’d need. See this?” He pointed to a landing strip with a half dozen vessels parked nearby. “This is their dockyard. It’s made for medium-size transport vessels, not one of my class.”

  Liam walked around the map to view it from the other side. “What about this area right here?” He pointed to a spacious park just outside what constituted Spring Haven’s downtown. Zale used two hands to reach into the hologram then pulled her hands apart causing it to zoom in. Dyran examined more closely.

  “That could work. There’s some trees we might crush upon landing, but I think we can fit.”

  “How much attention will that draw?” Percy asked.

  “All kinds, I’m afraid,” Dyran said.

  “You asked us to keep it quiet. Do you have any other ideas?” Liam asked.

  “Outside of them coming to us—no.”

  “We can’t bring four hundred people all the way here. And even if we could, we need to be leaving now, not in a day or two,” Liam said.

  “Dyran, do you have any dropships on board?” Zale asked.

  “Yes, some. Eight—I think.”

  “How many can they hold?”

  “If we empty out anything unnecessary—forty.”

  “Liam, that’s three hundred and twenty we can take in one trip if we pick them up on the dropships from orbit. They’re smaller and quieter. If we go at night and use signal jammers, I think we can get in and out without too much attention. But I wouldn’t want to risk it twice. You’d be eighty people short. Is that enough?” Zale asked.

  “Maybe. Percy, what do you think?”

  “We don’t know what we’ll be flying into. Four hundred might be overkill or it might be laughably short. If we only have three hundred and twenty so be it.”

  “Alright. Let’s do it. I’ll call Debra and get them ready.”

  Weeks transpired in a timeless blur since Ann was thrown in her cell. The Inizio prisoners’ endless days consisted only of eating and sleeping. The food they’d been brought was somehow worse than the mush served to them on their ship—just enough to keep them alive. Ann joined Blaire in keeping busy with a relentless exercise routine and as a result found her muscles in the best shape of her life. Blaire told her it was important to keep your body strong, but Ann only cared about being able to fight back when the moment inevitably presented itself. To the annoyance of their cellmates, they spent hours every day training.

  Ann had just finished a round of one hundred pushups when the cell door opened. Three guards, weapons raised, blocked the exterior light casting long shadows into the cell. One spoke in a deep booming sound. No one moved. The Proximian spoke louder and pointed its gun at them and then waved it to the door and back. Ann picked up on the cue and rose off the stone floor and dusted herself off.

  “It wants us to go,” she said to the room.

  She was the first to leave, followed by Blaire and the other eighteen they shared the cell with. Outside in the tunnel another armed guard waited for them. It spoke its language and motioned with its gun for them to
follow. As they walked, the guards behind them opened the next cell and repeated the same routine. It’d been weeks since they left the dark confines of the cell and even if they were surrounded by armed guards on either end of the prisoner parade, it felt good to walk for an extended period of time.

  Climbing up the tunnel, Ann was reminded of the mountains surrounding her father’s old home in Tennessee. The two of them spent many hot days hiking when she was younger. She missed him tremendously and hoped he had a peaceful remainder of his life, however short it may have been.

  The noise of the city increased the further they climbed. As much as Ann loathed these aliens, she was also enamored by the concept of a city built under a mountain. When they arrived at the platform overlooking the city she couldn’t help but pause in admiration. It was as breathtaking as the day she first saw it. The glass buildings scintillated under the radiant light beaming from overhead. But like before, she was ushered to keep moving before getting a good look and found herself back in the cavern.

  She couldn’t help but wonder where they were being taken. To be executed? But why keep them alive for weeks? She tried to look ahead to measure how many guards waited at the cave’s entrance, but it was hard to tell. Right away she noticed that the outside was significantly brighter than it had been when she was brought in.

  And when she reached the mouth of the cave, she saw why.

  Parked on the plains were the four STS ships. Fenced in camps surrounded each individual ship and a sea of thousands of people were locked inside them. Each camp was illuminated by exceptionally bright light poles.

  The guards pushed their group down the base of the mountain to the closest camp surrounding The Linwood. Seeing the ships on the ground was an impressive sight. Ann assumed the Proximians landed them remotely after taking control weeks earlier. It was lucky they thought to include landing gear in case of emergencies, but the ships were intended to live their lives in space.

  What were they doing on the surface? She couldn’t figure out the Proximians' motive for this course of action. And why lock up the passengers and crew instead of killing them? The situation had certainly changed over the weeks while they were imprisoned.