Angelika Queen Of Mars

Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve Family Time

The real treat however was when Robarik brought out the two holograms. Setting the first on the floor he gave it a quick spin bringing forth an image of his family. There was Misanya his wife, Deshka his sister, Kormai and Dalisar. Although Kormai was over one hundred dorns old, he still looked healthy and alert. In turn they all spoke greetings and seemed quite natural. From some of the comments I heard spaceship technology was one thing, but to actually sit in a room and watch as an alien relative spoke to you from thousands of light dorns away was the ultimate in advanced technology. When he spoke to me about it I replied,

"Sometimes the most awe-inspiring is the simplest." However the pièce de résistance was when Robarik placed another device on the floor.

"When we were forced to abandon our ship this was the first thing I saved. It's very old, but quite functional, take a look." Giving it a spin the image of Holly, Morkai and J.M. as a boy appeared. Needless to say it brought gasps of astonishment from the lips of every Bickford.

"Greetings everyone, I have no idea who will see this or when, but I hope you'll find this way of sending a message as interesting as I do. I'm sure I'll be long dead by the time Andy's descendant's see this since I was obviously an only child. I am also hoping that by this time, earth and especially the United States has begun to take steps out into the universe. Well regardless, I sincerely hope some of you take up any offers to travel to the stars you won't regret it. Come, make the trip it's a beautiful world out here make that first step."

The image was somewhat grainy, but Robarik said it was because the hologram technology wasn't all that old at the time. The interest in that hologram was so high Robarik played it again, some thought it a bit creepy, images of those long dead come back to life and all that but I think it was the seed that got Caitlin, Justin, and Torry interested in their future. The Bickfords could only stay for a couple days but certainly got plenty of family "time," with Robarik and Mokora. The day before they left my dad was watching TV when he called us to watch as well. The news announcer was reading a story that got us all interested.

"It seems folks in the little town of Judith have a mystery on their hands." A picture of the grocery/convenience store appeared in the background.

"Some people came into their store claiming that their car had gone off the road, and they were forced to take shelter in a nearby ranger station. A search for the vehicle was conducted but nothing was found. However a tiny solid gold ingot was found at the ranger station with a note stating it was payment for food taken as well as clothing. With gold being as much as it is payment was more than quadruple. Anyway they're all scratching their heads over who these mysterious strangers were."

I told my dad that they didn't say anything about those people at the motel receiving any gold.

"Well maybe they're keeping their mouths shut he speculated. I certainly hoped that was the case as we didn't need the authorities snooping around.

Before everyone left Robarik assured them that he would stay in touch, and that everyone would receive an e-mail as to what was happening. Again people had to be gently reminded that no pictures of any kind were to be put on any social media site, and that we were dealing with some real security issues here. It was also nice that all the kids got to talk with Robarik and Branak. The girls enjoyed chatting with not only Mokora but Dori as well, her unique tattoo and hair style. Needless to say, many questions were asked about "guys" on Falth and Grocyra as well although I winced at Mokora saying anything about men but the girls seemed to be quite enthusiastic about all of it. After everyone had left things quieted down, once again I went to the small family grave yard where the whole family lay at rest. I "spoke" to Moreck letting him know that I had had a chance to speak to his mother before she passed. Although winter was on us we took walks around the property. I showed Robarik and Mokora where the old Wort fields used to be and that even after all these years, you could still find some growing in various places. We stood and looked at places where many years before Robarik and Branak's ancestors landed and became the first to interact with humans.

I also called my old team sergeant Jeff Dornan who lived in Stevens Point Wisconsin. Although he was attending a local community college building up his prerequisites he agreed to come out here and listen to my offer.

"Are there any other's you know about?" I asked, "I know pretty much every one got out for one reason or another."

"I've got Ethan's e-mail, replied Jeff, "Although I don't think he's out yet." I sent him an e-mail, but learned he wasn't due to leave for another month, but I didn't think we'd be rescued by then anyway. Ethan put me on to Gerald Landecker our old corpsman who had talked about becoming a physician's assistant. He lived near Longview Texas and after I talked to him had agreed to visit, but would need money for gas as school was taking all his funds.

"You make the trip up here Gerry," I said, "If you don't like what I have to say I'll cover all your travel expenses both ways, you can't loose." So right now I head for the airport the day after tomorrow and pick up two old team mates, guys I hope will like what I have to say.

Unseen by any earth born astronomers who might have been watching, the Falthian destroyers Kombaric and Narjasic quietly appeared off the far side of Mars, and proceeded to take up high orbits over Hyach 3 as it was known to them. Another smaller craft, the Grenic, appeared as well making its way towards the hidden base on the "Angry Red Planet." Commander Angelika Armun was directing the Narjasic to take continue it's orbit while the technicians aboard the Grenic moved into the old base to begin the process of re-powering and upgrading it.

Speaking with her husband and commander, Draycon Aelfric, she went over her plans to continue on to Jupiter, or Proxima 7 where the Kombaric would take up an orbit while she and captain Yarod continued on to Kagor in the Kor'Math to investigate the reason they had received a garbled message concerning Falthian citizens who might be there. The messsage came in just as they were entering hyperspace and thus wasn't entirely understood.

"Captain Kenjemic," said commander Armun, " While I'm gone go ahead with the probes, and pay attention to that red area, from what I was told the Amulin's did some preliminary work here two hundred dorns ago but now nobody can locate those reports. Who knows…Maybe they discovered something interesting down there."

"We shouldn't be too long, then we can proceed with this mission."

Keeping in touch with his buddies over the phone Jake was able to avoid going into the terminal. On top of that, he didn't want Dori waiting out in the truck or going in as she had no identification and could prove a problem were security to take notice of her. Throwing their bags in the back he greeted his friends as they got into the back seat.

"Well who's this?" asked Jeff.

"This…Is my wife gentlemen," snapped Jake. Everyone meet Dori, Dori, the guy on the right is my team sergeant Jeff Dornan, the other guy is our corpsman Gerry Landecker."

"That is certainly some "tatt" you've got Dori," exclaimed Gerry, "And the way you're hair is cut, I've never seen anything like it before."

"And you won't either," replied Jake, "At least not on this planet."

"So what's this all about?" asked Jeff. "Didn't you also mention there was a young woman you thought I should meet?"

"I did," said Jake. "Relax, you'll meet her." The talk then turned to bringing each other up on what the other had been doing since they had all gotten out.

Then as they passed through Deadwood Jake asked a general question, as he looked over at Dori smiling and patting her leg.

"This may sound strange and out of place, but what are your feelings on the possibility of beings living on other planets?" Both men laughed,

"What?" asked Gerry, "You mean like that chick who calls herself Angelika queen of Mars?"

"Well…" replied Jake.

"Aw hell, she's just a hoax, someone's got some way of tricking NASA into thinking there's someone living on Mars." At this point Dori began to giggle causing Jakes buddies to look at her oddly.

"Oh I don't know," said Jeff, I suppose it's possible. Why, what are you driving at?"

He said no more until they arrived at the old farm house, pulling into the drive, he turned and said.

"Listen up you two, from here on out things get real, and by that I mean as serious as a heart attack. I asked you two to come here and talk with someone as well as hearing what I've got to say. Now…There are some people in that house you're not going to be able to speak to without these. They aren't hearing aids, but do go into your ear, doesn't matter which one." Just before Jake opened the door, he added,

"Gentlemen, prepare for your world to be rocked."

The three Falthians were sitting in the living room watching TV but turned it off and stood when Jake walked in.

"Jeff, Gerry, I'd like you to meet captain Robarik Draaka, his daughter second officer Mokora Draaka, and finally the reason you are here Sergeant Major Branak Narshu of the Falthian Marines. Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention the Draaka's are members of the Falthian Navy." Jeff and Gerry looked at them and pointed.

"What's the matter with all of your eyes," asked Gerry, "You all look like Riddick."

As Robarik and Branak offered their hands he replied.

"I don't know who this Riddick fellow is but like it or not, this is the way we look." After each cautiously shook hands, Jake added,

"In case you two haven't figured things out yet these people are from the planet Falth, my great great great grandfather was from that planet as well but chose to marry and remain here. Dori is also from "out there," as well but originally not from Falth."

It took several moments for them to realize the true situation each reacting in his own way, with Jake's reply,

"Let's go into the kitchen, I'll put some coffee on, then we can talk." After a lengthy "chat," both men were finally convinced of Jake's story and why they needed to wear the "hearing aids. Leaning back in his chair, Jeff looked at Robarik and said,

"I find it hard to believe that you guys have been coming to this planet for over a hundred years and nobody knows this." Robarik grinned and replied.

"From what Jake tells me as well as my Kagorian relatives, most people on this planet either do not think about the fact that earth as you call it is not alone in the universe. Those that do have their minds directed elsewhere. Please keep in mind that when my ancestors first came here your world was quite primitive, you hadn't even developed any type of flight yet, so it wasn't hard to escape detection. In some of her notes and writings my ancestor Holly Draaka speaks to this fact saying that people at the time were very narrow minded even the writers of the time dismissed any real possibilities of space flight or the facts and realities of traveling at light speed."

"So where's your ship?" asked Gerry. Jake immediately spoke up,

"We had a little "Houston…We've got a problem," situation, and had to abandon it coming back her in an escape pod. We might be here a little while until someone comes."

"How do you guys get by all the radar they've got out there?" Mokora laughed and replied,

"I think you're forgetting who has the superior technology here, let's just say, we have our ways." Jake then added,

"Better face it guys, these people are sharp, but this isn't forbidden Planet or Earth versus Flying Saucers, this isn't even Star Wars. Look guys, I've been to Falth it's a beautiful planet, hell! They've even got dinosaurs there. It's just that they happen to have the upper hand on technology, and that's why they don't announce themselves."

"That's right," said Robarik,

"Although we greatly admire you Kagorians we just aren't seeing any application of intelligence here. You're smart when you want to be but unfortunately, you're just not ready to take your place in the universe. However from what we've been seeing you're slowly getting there, patience is a virtue, patience coupled with responsibility and trust. I have no doubt in my mind that one una you people will get tired of the universe passing you by and do something about it. However, until that una arrives we will continue to monitor, and make periodic visits to our friends."

During a break, while Jake was making a pizza, Jeff had taken Jake up on his offer and was trying to make time with Mokora. At one point they had stepped outside and were talking when there came a low rumble from the heavens. Jeff then looked up at the night sky and said,

"That's funny, sounds just like thunder but it's not warm enough for that."

Mokora also looked up and replied,

"Silly Kagorian, that's not thunder." She then laughed and rushed into the house.

"Look sharp everyone, we've got a ship coming in."