Angelika Queen Of Mars

Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven The Queen and Her Court

Angelika and her former refugee's hand now officially graduated from the Falthian officer's college. Word had come down that she might not be getting command of the new recon fighter after all. Rather than throw a fit and protest she remained stoic about it all despite the anger of her crew. Her reserve proved to be very smart, as shortly after the graduation ceremonies she and her people were called in to a closed door meeting.

All the navy brass was there, something was definitely up.

"Commander," announced Admiral Moorpark, "It's come to my attention that there was some concern that you wouldn't be getting command of the new Pulsar recon fighter. Well let me set the record straight, first off you will, but it will be in conjunction with a dual command with your husband and now commander Aelfric. The Pulsar will be part of a five ship task force that will be assigned to the Kagorian galaxy. Commander Armun will command the destroyer Kombaric while captain Yarod will take charge of the Pulsar fighter Kor'Math. Commander Aelfric, you will command the destroyer Narjasic along with two standard fighters. Commander Armun as you are aware, the adoption of you as well as your original crew was something of a novel idea you being the first non-Nuelian to field a command in the Falthian navy. However this thing has evolved into something totally different.

Even though Kagor is not part of our galactic union and is a considerable distance away many are beginning to feel that in many ways they are "part," of us." Considerable laughter in the room caused the admiral to call for quiet.

"Well be that as it may the Kagorian galaxy is now being viewed as our "back door," albeit one in a very long house. It is with this in mind that you commanders will "mind" this "back door," This mission will include re-activating our base on Hyach 3, or Mars as the Kagorians know it. So in a way commander Armun you will again be Angelika, "Queen of Mars." Another part of this mission will include mapping and research; this whole mission will be research in its own right dealing with the problems of long term patrols as well as the ability to operate at very great distances from home.

Gentlemen, and women, I make no promises this will be a five dorn mission; it will mean a lot of hard work on everyone's part. At some point in the mission we will send a repair and overhaul vessel that will include crew replacements. We are also in the process of building two automated early warning stations which will be placed on two as yet undetermined planets, but more on that at a later date. A smaller one however will be placed aboard the Kombaric where it will be placed on Kagor. As I previously mentioned, this will be a long and rigorous mission it is because of that that the enlisted crews will all be chosen on a strictly volunteer basis, there will also be a separate team to man the Hyach 3 base as well as upgrade it. Since you will be operating so far from home it will also act as a repeater station. Before you depart on your mission there will be several smaller meetings dealing with various particulars of the mission. On a final note, you commanders will be our "voice," in that end of the universe. As far as the prime directive goes nothing has changed great discretion will be observed at all times.

Commander Armun, I understand that you have had fun teasing the Kagorians from the base on Hyach 3, since they are aware of you feel free to continue as you see fit."

"However, they must not be made aware of our presence in their galaxy much less our very existence. I've been made aware that there are several Falthians venturing to Kagor in search of relatives long since forgotten. I also understand that this is a very low-key and restrained effort so that will not concern our greater effort…Now, are there any questions?"

The separate meetings lasted another relfa while a massive supply and shake-down effort were underway. By the end of the alyt everything was ready, Mikah Ulric and Dr. Partha Kran Karak were added to the mission roster acting as the "eyes and ears," of the university along with their assistants would be handling the research end of things. Little did the people of earth realize the effort being put forth and coming their way.

At that moment, all Jake knew was that his dad was running an hour late, and that

Dori was feeling quite "frisky," and he wanted to get to bed.

Cory Gandrigg, and Colin Blessing showed up shortly before midnight, Colin also had David Blessing's son Travis with him. Jake had previously made arrangements for two rooms with double beds so they wouldn't have to bother anyone. He also made sure each placed a Transnanno patch on their neck overnight so everyone could converse in the morning. The introductions had to wait until the group left around six in the morning, before they departed Jake made sure the note was left prominently on the desk. Jake, Dori, and Mokora rode with his father while Robarik and Branak rode with Colin. As they drove, Jake explained in more detail exactly what had happened with their ship. His father was also surprised by the news that Jake and Dori had gotten married.

"Sorry you and mom weren't there but it looks like we're going to be stuck here for awhile so we could do it all over again." They stopped for breakfast, around nine in Deer Lodge where information was exchanged. David Blessing's son Travis was eighteen and part of the current generation to be told of their unusual relatives, his sister Caitlin who was just sixteen didn't even know. Before returning to the road, Travis changed cars as he wanted to talk with this "cool" looking chick with the funny looking eyes.

It didn't take him long to realize that Mokora was a bit older than he but they had an interesting conversation regardless. As Colin told Branak,

"Down through the years certain members of our families have always been told about the "other" side of our family millions of light years away in space. Every time we read something speculating on other life in the universe we laugh, always knowing it to be true. By the same token, each generation has always hoped they will be the ones to finally meet those same relatives and now here you are. To be able to sit in this car and actually speak with someone from another planet is beyond incredible."

Now that they were basically all together, Robarik shared with Cory and Jake as well as Colin Blessing the story his great,great,great,great,great grandmother wrote one hundred and twenty-three dorns ago.

"I only managed to grab two "books," when we had to abandon our ship the others were in my baggage. However I'd like you to share these with the families. Holly wrote it in her native language, then translated into Falthian which you can do with the "book," as well.

"It's called "Wishing on a Star," dealing with the six dorns she and Morkai as well as the other contractors were involved with the Shai Alyt harvesting. I understand it was quite popular at the time. She also mentions Moreck, as well as the Blessing family, shedding information on family history you folks might not be aware of." Robarik went on to talk about his family,

"My grandfather Kormai as well as my father Dalisar along with their wives are both still alive, but weren't really up to making this trip but they sent holograms that I will show to the Bickford decedents when we meet."

We had decided to stay at the old farm house until family members could be properly vetted. Mom and Colin's wife Kate were there getting the beds made up. A little something on the table, and the heat turned on. Colin's fourteen year old daughter Anna was also there. When we entered everyone was sitting around the ancient kitchen table but suddenly became very quiet when they laid eyes on our Falthian guests.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Robarik Draaka and his daughter Mokora," announced Colin.

"This is Branak Narshu, a descendant of Sara Blessing, Colin's sister,and this is Jake's wife Dori who you met last time." Colin then waved his had across the room,

"Branak, this is the house Sara's brother Colin built, there is some indication that the pharmaceutical company he was working for bought this property so he could raise St. John's Wort. Look around everyone, your ancestor's sat at this very table it figures in several pictures we have."

Branak smiled and took several photos from his inside jacket pocket and held one out. It was a picture of all the contractors sitting at that very table.

"Sit down sir," replied Kate, "It's been a long time since a Narshu sat at this table."

"You'll have to excuse them I said to Branak, I don't think they got Transnanno injections last time around. For a while longer dad, Mr. Blessing and I translated.

By the next morning the problem was rectified, even Anna put on a Transnanno patch so that she could communicate with these "weird" people. Lather in the day her older brother Robert came over but at the price of surrendering his cell phone. In fact, it was decided to be very selective as to who was permitted to visit out of concerns for security.

"I also called Martin and Conner Bickford out in Pennsylvania with the news.

"Hello Martin, Jake Gandrigg here."

"Well hello Jake, are you calling me with information concerning certain relatives?"

"I am, two of them are sitting right across from me right now, and they are eager to meet you."

"Thought that might be the case. Give me a chance to talk to some of the family, as soon as we decide who's coming we'll book the first flight out there, call you when plans are finalized." The following day he called back to let us know that he, his son Conner, his two children Torry and Nate along with Robert his wife, Terry and his wife would be coming.

"Bob's got a nice big motor home we can all ride in and share the driving, well be out the day after tomorrow."

In the meantime, selected members of the Blessing clan quietly showed up. Thank god Dori had four or five "translator's" with her there weren't enough Transnanno patches to go around and still have plenty for the Bickford's so people had to take turns with the translators. One of the first things we did was rent "Close Encounter's of the Third Kind," which greatly amused our guests. Robarik shook his head, when asked if there were any aliens looking like those in the film.

"Not to my knowledge, we are familiar with the Amulians but they don't look anything like those creatures."

When all the Bickford relatives arrived the house became quite crowded. To save a lot of time and trouble, we set up chairs in the living room with a small table at the front of the room for Robarik. Mokora, and Branak to sit at. By now everyone had taken a Transnanno treatment, the teens thinking it a rather novel way to learn a new language, however as Mokora explained.

"All this will allow you to do is understand us, we already understand you. It won't allow you to read our language so anyone reading Holly's book will have to read it in your language." To solve that problem, three of the Bickford family each read a chapter aloud while everyone else listened.

Robarik opened things with an address,

"This certainly is a most welcome surprise to see this many of you. I will certainly tell Dalisar and Deshka along with my son Jarnak as well as others the wonderful reception we have received. I would certainly look forward to a future visit from them. He went on to explain what the Falthian side of the family knew as well as sharing more pictures. Many of them were ones the Bick fords had never seen, Holly and Morkai's wedding photo's, J.M. as a baby, some Holly had taken of her parents in Pittsburgh all those years ago. Mokora also held everyone spellbound with her description of the universe as the Falthian's knew it. Among those that sat transfixed were members of the upcoming generation. Kaitlan, Robbie, Robert, Torry and Nate. Torry who was the seventeen year old daughter of Conner Bickford was one who read Holly's book and became enthralled by it, Belinda's daughter Kaitlan was another as well as Colin's son Robert. As Colin explained,

"These kids have grown up with science fiction now they sit in this room steeped in so much history and are actually speaking with people from another planet."

Dori was also a hit with the girls commenting on her unusual hair style. Mom wasn't real crazy about it but I think it was because we had run off and gotten married on another planet. I promised her that as soon as I could secure some ID for Dori and thus able to obtain a marriage license we'd get married all over again. After the three got done with their short history of the universe, Robarik stood and called for attention.

"There's one thing I've saved for the last and that is this. Before they passed on, Holly, Sally, as well as some of the other women of the nineteenth century club who still had relatives here on Kagor set up a scholarship at the university. The purpose of this scholarship is to allow four descendants, preferably young people to come to Falth and study. This is an opportunity for them to travel to the stars and become a part of something very unique. Now, this is the thing however. This offer is not to be taken lightly, it is a long term commitment, a very long term, it's quite possible you may never return here to Kagor. You will however, be part of a whole universe out there your planet isn't even aware of. It looks like we'll be here a little while so there will be plenty of time for questions. We will return again one dorn after we leave to take any who wish to go with us so feel free to ask any questions you like."

Everyone did ask questions especially the kids, Robarik and Mokora tried to make it clear that they were not here to "kidnap" children but this was merely an offer to follow in the footsteps of their ancestor Holly Draaka. Another thing that was brought up was the old Jefferson Bickford farm. Apparently the house had burned down a number of years ago however the family was maintaining the property as a sort of "shrine." Robarik asked if it was still possible to land a ship there but Martin told him it as right in the flight path of the airport and might be tricky.