Angelika Queen Of Mars

Chapter 30

Chapter 30 I Want To Be In Pictures

During the Giuffrida's absence, Angelika and I discussed how she could explain to we "Earthlings," that there were to be no visits of any kind until officially invited sometime in the future.

"While Beta 6 is undergoing change and especially even after," explained Angelika, "Naval command, as well as the governmental space agency are very concerned that Kagor will try and send some sort of probe to investigate. They are concerned that your scientists might spot some of our spacecraft in the area, certainly once things settle down and the moon becomes habitable there will be a lot of activity from companies constructing all sorts of buildings and dwellings there."

"I thought the Falthian government didn't want to do anything that would run afoul of this precious prime directive of theirs," I replied. A wry smile appeared on Angelika's face,

"Let's just say there's been a change of plan, like I told you earlier, the current thinking is that with a fully functioning and technically superior race living right in your own galaxy just might be the impetus to get your race to get moving towards re-newing travel in space." I started to say something but Angelika continued.

"Before coming here my husband and I sat in a meeting with naval command, but several government scientists, and space agency directors, and what they came up with is pretty much this:

The Elansa are not Nuelians, they are technically more advanced than you Kagorians, I mean that Terra bomb says it all. Jofyr, and the other androids along with several of the humanoid Elansa were also at this meeting. They were asked what it was they would like and wanted once it was possible to live on Beta 6 which by the way will be re-named New Uromath, Uromath being a famous garden back on their old home. According to Jofyr and the others they simply want to live in peace, to re-establish their culture and to grow. They are not interested in developing any sort of space travel right offhand since we will be the ones doing all the running. A number of engineering firms, Andara being one of them are eager to test new structures, and will be doing most of the construction free of cost."

"Those Elansians will certainly have it made getting everything free," I jokingly replied.

"Not as much as you might think," said Angelika, "Basically they will be getting a sort of "starter" kit as far as buildings go, A power station, a water treatment plant, and six medium to large structures to be used for living , school, and business's. Roughly another seven or eight smaller buildings for offices, and shops, the rest will be up to them, New Uromath will start out as primarily an agriculture planet growing food for Falth, then hopefully once they become well established, some manufacturing might be established there."

Angelika's tome of voice then became more serious,

"There will be a lot of very advanced technology going on there, we don't want Kagor trying to send devices or even people to see what's going on. Jake, command is very serious about this, any attempts to send any sort of probe will be met with force, those craft will be destroyed, any one landing on the moon will be arrested and taken into custody, they won't be harmed, but they will never be allowed to return home."

"To borrow one of your quaint phrases, the Elansa really threw a monkey wrench into the works, Both Draycon and I were worried that we'd be held to blame for bringing these people back with us but that bomb of theirs changed the whole paradigm, the results of which will be reverberating on Falth and elsewhere for dorns to come. Once the Elansa are settled on New Uromath we will establish a small landing field and diplomatic station there, a lot of people will be watching the Elansa as they develop and re-establish their civilization. But like I said, once they are established, and as you are fond of saying, "up and running," then your space agency will receive a formal invitation to visit but not before."

I nodded in agreement but then said,

"There's one thing you might want to pass along to your high command commander, and that is this; The United States isn't the only country with interests in space, Russia, and China might get the idea your rejection of any visits doesn't include them and may very well send a probe of some kind anyway, then there are a couple of private organizations interested in developing spaceflight. We want to be very clear in any message you deliver to earth that "no trespassing" means everyone." Angelika smiled, then replied.

"You know all about that base we have on Mars, but we also have a number of scholars associated with the Kagorian studies program at the university living there. All they do is analyze the signals and transmissions coming from this planet, we are aware of much more than you think, they are very good at picking up on the politics and subtleties of Kagorian life. I read a report from this group who feel that your planet is in a very dangerous phase, almost to the point of calling it a complete set-back from only a number of dorns ago, and quite frankly has a lot of people very worried."

This admission had me concerned, I had often wondered, but now I knew for sure these Falthians were really staying ahead of the game, my thoughts then turned to the idea,

"I wonder if it would make any difference to all these tin horn dictators and plutocrats running things if they knew that there was a very advanced society sitting out here right on earth's "doorstep," watching them, judging them, taking an interest in our well-being. Sadly, I decided, probably not."

After more discussion we still couldn't decide on a proper presentation for the video, I felt that something subtle, but at the same time "In-your-face" would be effective but right now Angelika was interested in getting another cup of coffee from the little store in Judith Montana,

We brought the land speeder, it's aboard the Kor'Math, perhaps we could make an "appearance" somewhere else to remind your government that we can come and go at will." Obviously Angelika still had a "playful" side to her, so I replied,

"Well getting back to Judith shouldn't be a problem, we can land near that receiving station that was installed near that small meadow, and make a quick run into town. As for any other efforts to reveal yourself I'm not really sure." Carman happened to be sitting near us then offered a suggestion.

"How about a run down the loneliest highway in the country? They had a program about it the other night on TV. I think it's route 50 in Nevada or something like that, you could really open it up, and there wouldn't be many people on that road late at night." Carman went and got the road atlas out and showed Angelika just where she was talking about. "They say area 51 is supposed to be around here as well," added Carman.

"It would just add to all the mystery about the place." Angelika thought a moment then replied,

"I like it, but is it very far from this little town in what…Montana?" We spent the next hour debating, studying the map and checking some things on the computer. In the end the route was changed. Rather than route 50, the Kor'Math would set down north of Gerlach Nevada, roughly where the Burning Man festival was held each year, travel the two lane road from there east to Winnemucca, run either on the interstate for a short distance, or parallel it to Golconda where the Kor'Math would be waiting to pick us up. I warned Angelika that she would really have to watch her speed as she could be on a semi-truck or car in a flash with less than a second to react. Dismissing my concerns, she insisted there would be no problems.

"I'm just full of tricks," the ex-queen replied, "We have to leave soon so we'll have to do it rather quickly." As is always the case, plans change, the following evening found us sitting around a nice campfire. The night was unusually warm for this time of year, and it just seemed like the right thing to do. Angelika was telling Dori, Carman and I more about Gale Celesta and the terrible pollution encountered there.

"I would guess that the people of that planet all came from an English speaking country," I observed. "Judging from their names and place names, they were probably picked up in England, or even Canada and the United States. And from what you tell me they must be burning a lot of coal, we did at one time as well, but since the 1950's with pollution controls and all the air has gotten much cleaner."

Around nine, we heard a distinctive rumble overhead, with Carman mimicking a catch phrase from an old movie,

"They're b-a-a-a-ck!" A few moments later, the Giuffrida smoothly set down in the clearing specifically created to hide "visitors" from people going by out on the highway. Once the ramp came down, I heard Kaitlan and Robert's voices laughing and chattering away, as the group came over to where we were sitting.

"Grab some lawn chairs everybody," I announced, "We've got beer in the cooler, Kaitlan, Robert, I think there's Mountain Dew and Pepsi in there for you two."

"Oh Uncle Jake said an excited Kaitlan, "It was so awesome, Space Mountain doesn't even come close to a ride like that!" Robert expressed his delight as well,

"Man that was way cool, we saw the lights of Pittsburgh, and they didn't even know we were there."

"How did it go?" I asked Kha'Mak as he sat down in one of the empty chairs.

Smiling, he looked at me,

"From the way you talked, we wouldn't be able to slip past all those aircraft you told me about, I had no trouble, those old coordinates put us right where they used to land dorns ago. I had to wait a few taq's before taking off as there were two or three aircraft rather close, my scanners did a full overlay of two of them as they went directly overhead, Rek and I will study the data later on while on our return trip." Robarik sat down next to me describing the trip.

"Things went very well, we met many descendents from the Bickford family, they gave us a walking tour of the old farm as well as the original house. I met a remarkable man whose name was James Bickford. He told me he was 82 and still very active for his age. We had to wait overnight for several who had taken the Transnano patch to become able to speak and understand us but it gave other family members time to arrive."

" It appears that we've got two solid candidates that wish to attend the university," said Robarik, "The young lady, Torry Bickford which you've already met, as well as Kelly and her brother Mike."

"Do they seem committed?" I asked, "Are they aware of just how far Falth is, as well as the time requirement involved?" Robarik nodded,

"Jarnak spent a lot of time with Mike, who was actually quite willing to leave right away, but Jarnak suggested that he really think about it before making his final decision, both parents were very supportive of their children's final decision, and once they are finished with their primary schooling in a couple alyts will be ready to go. Torry's brother Nate was also interested, but like Kaitlan, still has another dorn of primary schooling to finish."

Kaitlan and Robert then came and sat down on the grass next to Dori, Carman and I.

"Oh Uncle Jake it was just so cool, said Kaitlan. Something in her voice prompted me to offer another warning to the children.

"I realize you kids have been constantly reminded by your parents about saying anything regardless of how innocent it may seem concerning these Falthians, and the fact that they are coming here to earth, but it's something that can't be taken lightly. You two carry a great responsibility perhaps one that kids your age should be forced to carry, but it's one that can't be underscored enough, say absolutely nothing to anyone about any of this, are we clear on that?"

Both teens put their heads down and frowned,

"Yes Uncle Jake," replied Kaitlan, "Mom is all the time telling us, but it just kills us that we can't say a word to our friends, we aren't even supposed to talk about it with other kids or adults in the family." I nodded, understanding their situation, knowing the pressure they were under.

"There are a great many consequences that neither you or anyone else even realizes were you to say anything to a friend, back in World War Two, they used to have a saying, "Loose lips, sink ships," in your case it was never more true. Well I won't say anymore, but just think before you start to say something to anyone , really."

"We will Uncle Jake," replied Robert.

Trying to pick up their spirits, I added,

"Before you guys got back, we were trying to think of a way to record a message from the commander there, warning scientists, as well as various space agencies not to send any probes or astronauts to investigate what was going on Europa, how about you two, got any ideas?" Kaitlan thought a moment then began to look around.

"Well…Hw about just like it is now," she began,

"How do you mean," asked Angelika,

"How about you, and Sharla, and him, (pointing to Tarf) sitting around a campfire like this one, with maybe your spaceship behind you, the camp fire just lights you three and a little of your ship." I now saw where she was going with this and thought her idea had potential.

"I could ask you questions," continued Kaitlan like a news reporter, Robert could take the video it would be great." The kids seemed to be onto something, when I opined that for security reasons, Kaitlan couldn't be shown on the video she responded,

"I can wear a mask, and I know the perfect one." The "shoot," was scheduled for tomorrow evening, the location would be down at the far end of the property, so the Giuffrida would have to move.

The next evening was busy, parents as well as all our interstellar visitors were curious as to how all this would go down. Kaitlan spent well over an hour discussing with Angelika what the commander wanted her message to relay to the scientific and governmental heads here on earth. The facial disguise Kaitlan planned to use was the mask from an old Halloween costume she wore when she was younger, and her mother had saved.

Princess Leia from Star Wars, in fact, with his dad's help, Robert incorporated the opening music from the movie as a sort of lead-in intro to the "interview."

During all the planning and preparation, I noticed something else, something both Robert and Kaitlan expressed to me later on, and that was that Angelika, and the Falthians treated them like adults. The "interview came off with only two re-takes, we carefully built just a large enough fire to illuminate Angelika, Sharla and Tarf along with just enough of the Giuffrida to "tease" the scientists. Kaitlan sat with her back to the camera, only showing her face behind the mask one time. The commander, along with the others had to have the joke explained to them but thought it quite the "poke-in-the-eye," to NASA.

Through Kaitlan's prepared questions, the commander carefully explained her position regarding any attempts at visitation by anyone from earth. The opening began with the Star Wars theme in the background, the scene opening on "The Queen of Mars," sitting in a camp chair, with somber faced Tarf on her right, and the unusual looking Sharla on her left.

"Greetings earthlings," she began, "No doubt all of you are wondering what's going on up there in space on the moon you call Europa, well with this young lady's help, I'll explain my position." The camera then cut to Kaitlan with her Princess Leia mask on,

"I'm sure you can all guess who I am, Angelika, queen of Mars has consented to an interview, to try and explain her position, one that you would do well to heed. Now then, your highness…"

With their parents watching, Robert and Kaitlan created quite the interview, being sure Angelika's point was driven home,

"Nothing is going on up here that need concern you, this isn't a prelude to invasion, so don't worry. However there will be NO probes or landings of any kind attempting to investigate what we are doing, until such time as a formal invitation is offered." This announcement would not be well received by NASA, or any other space agency but the "Queen" made it very clear that any attempt would be met with force, unmanned probes would be destroyed, and anyone attempting to land would be taken into custody and face the prospect of never seeing home again. Her voice was stern and forceful, but not threatening, we all hoped it would do the trick.

Dori came up with the idea of giving the video to the store clerk at the gas station in Judith when we planned to visit the following evening, with instructions to pass it on the government types that would surly show up when alerted of the queen's visit.