Angelika Queen Of Mars

Chapter 6

tChapter Six The Last Falthian

Through the security cameras, Angelika and her crew watched as a ship slightly larger than the "Giuffrida" set down just outside the hanger door, throwing up Martian dust. They watched as the ramp lowered, and six space suited individuals emerged. Captain Yarod activated the hanger door, allowing them inside. Once the huge door slid shut again, and oxygen returned to the room the general opened the smaller door, then backed away. Everyone stood apart, and held up their hands, palms out, as the black suited Falthian's loosely held their weapons, at the intruders. Showing no signs of aggression, or anger, the Falthian's began to remove their helmets. Once they were off, the captain introduced himself.

"I'm captain Draycon Aelfric of the Falthian navy, now, just what the frac is going on here?"

Queen Angelika stepped forward offering to shake the captain's hand.

"My name is queen Angelika from the planet Grocyra. We were fleeing the planet due to an unforeseen change in government. We fell into a black hole, and ended up popping out in this end of the universe. Captain, we have no idea where we are in relation to Grocyra, have you ever heard of it?" Captain Aelfric frowned, then studied her for a moment, then replied,

"Your highness, We Falthian's know much of this end of the universe, but sad to say, I have never heard of this Grocyra, I'm sorry, but what are you doing here?'

"Well," replied the queen. "Needing a refuge, we located this base, and not counting a short trip to earth, have been here."

"You have traveled to Kagor?" asked the captain?' Jake then stepped forward,

"Your highness, I think I can answer this." Turning to the Falthian's, he said,

"Captain, I'm the man who first spoke to you. My name is Jake Gandrigg, although I'm Kagorian, my great great grandfather is Falthian, Moreck Gandrigg." A Falthian standing next to the captain started entering information on what looked like a small notebook, then moments later said,

"He's right captain, Moreck Gandrigg, exiled to Kagor 2029 then pardoned 2030, acting as Falthian agent for government security agency. That's all the entry says captain." The captain looked at his second, then back at Jake.

"I believe you told me he is still alive?" Jake nodded,

"Yes sir, though for how long I'm not certain, he's one hundred and forty-six right now."

The captain rubbed his chin in thought, then said,

"Do you mind if we get out of these suits and find someplace that we can talk?"

The queen smiled, and replied,

"Absolutely captain, there's a lounge down this way, but first let me introduce the rest of my crew."

After a time, the captain learned about the queen and her crew, traveling to earth, the rover's on Mars, and their efforts to repair and improve them, as well as the fun they were having in tormenting the earth people. Captain Aelfric shook his head, then said,

"I find this business with the Kagorian's cause for concern, we have a prime directive which prohibits the dissemination of all information of a technical nature to a less technologically advanced civilization." Jake then held his hand up,

"Sir, my great great grandfather has told me all about this prime directive."

"He had experience with it up close and personal. I think everything we've done has not interfered with it. Oh I suppose "improving" their rover with superior technology could be considered crossing the "line," but it's not like they are going to come here and suddenly advance due to anything they find. Then leaving them the rocks and soil really didn't violate any rule either." The captain considered his words for a moment, then replied.

"I suppose you're right, pretty close though, I would ask that you not mention anything about us in any further communications with them, that might tend to put us in a bind. We'd rather the Kagorians "discover," us only when the time is right, is that understood?"

"Yes," replied queen Angelika, "I think we can honor that. Besides these NASA people have become rather boring."

The captain then looked at Jake, then at the queen,

"I for one would like to meet this Moreck, our records show that the Shai Alyt had a rather sizeable harvesting operation involving ingredients for the Brotenga Serum. Apparently a Kagorian operated a large land holding where some of the ingredients were grown. This Moreck lived with the man and his family, he acted as an information agent, but that's about all it says."

There was considerable debate involving travel to earth, with the captain making the offer,

"Rather than two spacecraft traveling to Kagor, why not come with us in ours?"

The captain saw eyes of suspicion and concern staring back at him,

"If you are worried that we might lock you up and whisk you back to Falth, I give you my solemn word that won't happen." This seemed to relieve their concerns, along with the fact that everyone was becoming acquainted, the Falthians were revealing themselves for what Moreck said they were. Oh sure, they were angry that their base had been broken into, but that fact was tempered with the reality that the base had been abandoned for quite sometime, and these Grocyrian's seemed to be amiable types. Later that night, after things had quieted down, captain Aelfric was sitting in the lounge by himself, going over his report, when queen Angelika came in and sat down.

"Captain," she quietly began, "What are your intentions in regards to us?" Aelfric looked at her and smiled,

"Your highness, I'm not sure I understand?"

"Are we to go to prison on your world, be allowed to go our way, or what?" The captain gave her a look, then replied.

"Ma'am, those that know me, know I don't beat around the bush, I say what I think and damn well mean it. Oh it gets me in trouble from time to time with my superiors, but they all know I get the job done, whatever it is. Speaking for myself, I'm rather hoping you folks would accompany us back to Falth, If you're looking for a place to make your home, Falth is the place to do it…Oh drak, what am I talking about! I apologize your highness, my interests here are purely selfish ones. I've been watching you, something about you intrigues me, is it wrong for a mere captain to admire and wish to know a beautiful queen on a more personal note?"

Queen Angelika was surprised by this admission as she sat and studied this man with such fascinating and piercing eyes.

"No captain, it is not, however many have tried to woo me, and failed, what makes you think you will succeed where other's have failed?"

Captain Aelfric gazed into her eyes, and quietly replied,

"just spend a little time with me, we'll just talk. I look at you and see a woman I have to know better. There's simply something about an independent woman I can't resist. Would I be too bold in asking a beautiful queen to my cabin, we'll talk, and reveal our secrets." Queen Angelika moved closer to him,

"Your rather bold yourself captain, something I too admire, however I must warn you, a night spent with me might be more than you could handle." Aelfric grinned, and replied,

"Oh I love a challenge, but I must warn you Angelika of Mars, I play for keeps."

Later the next day, the Falthian ship left Mars headed for earth. Things were rather crowded. It didn't surprise anyone that the queen and captain Aelfric were sharing his cabin. Before they landed, others ended up sharing accommodations. Doctor Varrna Targent quietly asked doctor Temuchin if he would care to share her room. Meta Virae also found accommodation with the captain's second in command Tymo Robarik.

This didn't mean the other members of Angelika's crew suffered. The Falthians proved to be quite the hosts, making sure everyone had a comfortable place to sleep.

The trip to Kagor proved to be quite interesting for a "special," couple. Captain Aelfric and queen Angelika. Just as Jake and Dori had taken to each other, there seemed to be a certain "magic," between the captain and the queen. As Sharla was heard to tell Meta,

"I think queen Angelika has met her mate. Just as in Dori and that fellow from earth, I see true love in those two. I'm afraid our queen has been finally smitten, I think we'd better get to know these Falthians better, I have a hunch we're going to be around them for a long time." When they reached earth there was a sizeable welcoming committee.

"You'd better hurry said Allen Blessing, Moreck hasn't much time left."

Captain Aelfric was ushered into Moreck's room where a pale looking Moreck feebly raised his arm.

"You can't imagine what your visit means to me captain," gasped Moreck.

"Please take my hand so that I might shake the hand of a countryman one last time." As the room filled with decedents and Falthians, Moreck said as he weakly shook the captain's hand,

"It's been a long long time captain, you see before you the last Falthian. As we speak, descendants from both sides of my family are on their way here. They are the ones who know of me and the secrets that have been kept and passed down to select members of each succeeding generation. Captain, you are witnessing history. A chapter in our history you might not be aware of. These Kagorians do, treat them right, when the majority of their fellow humans have doubted the existence of other races in the universe, these people have never faltered. It has been the dream of every one of them that they will witness the day when Falth returns…Now you have." Moreck began to cough as doctor's Targent and Temuchin moved in to see what they could do.

"I have a serum that will temporarily revive him possibly for a day or two but that's it." Explained doctor Temuchin.

"If there are descendants on their way here, don't you think we owe it to them?" Moreck agreed to take the serum, which did revive him even to the point of eating a bite of food. However, it was coffee he wished would be the last thing he tasted. Warm coffee was quickly brought as he greeted members of both families just arrived.

That night, members of the Bickford family arrived.

"We caught a plane as soon as we heard," said Frank Bickford. He was here with his wife and two children. Standing in front of Moreck's bed, they gazed upon the Falthians standing nearby.

"Even after seeing the pictures, listening to all those stories, I never would have believed it," said Mr. Bickford. I'm a descendant of Andy Bickford." Weakly shaking his hand, Moreck replied,

"Andy did a lot for me, seeing that I could attend medical school, I talked with him that last night as Holly and Morkai along with Sally and her husband took he and his wife back to Pennsylvania…So long ago."

"I simply can't believe I'm standing here actually talking to a man who spoke with my ancestors," quietly sobbed Frank. During all this his young children warily stared at doctor Targent and Tymo Robarik. Frank and his wife then shook their hands and said,

"Your secret is safe with us, it's one our family has religiously kept for well over a hundred years, it's an honor we treasure."

The next day was spent welcoming arriving descendants and holding court in his bedroom. Pictures were posted on sheets of poster board, in the living room, stories were told, memories rekindled. Children gawked at "aliens," captain Aelfric and his crew were asked about "E.T" and all things "Star Wars." Everyone here, knew history was happening here, and they were right in the middle of it. Queen Angelika as well as her whole crew shared in this recognition, all knew she was the one who declared Mars as her own, and had caused world wide excitement. Finally Moreck called captain Aelfric, queen Angelika, Jake Gandrigg, and Frank Bickford in to his bedroom. He was coughing more now, both doctors frowned at his chances.

"My race is nearly run, I've had a good life, now it's time to join my beloved Karla. Captain, I hope that upon your return home, you will make the proper contacts, I'm sure there are many back on Falth who wish to see their lost relatives. It is my sincere wish that after I'm gone that the kitchen, as well as this farm will ring with the laughter of Kagorian and Falthian voices and laughter. While Morkai and Holly's ship was being repaired, we used to have bonfires every night. I think at one time Colin even marked the site. I would hope you would see to it once more."

Later that night Moreck passed away quietly in his sleep. Arrangements were made with a local funeral home for cremation. Moreck was buried next to Karla at a special family cemetery containing his father, and brother, Colin, Olivia, as well as other family members passing away over the years. One of Moreck's last wishes to Jake was that a small vial of ashes be returned to Falth and entrusted to any remaining family.

"My mother was still alive," he told Jake, "My only brother is buried out there in the cemetery. The agents from the government told me my mother would be notified of my situation, but if they weren't please let any descendants know."

"Is there any chance your mother may still be alive," asked Jake.

"Oh I suppose it's possible," replied Moreck, "

Although it's highly doubtful."

A service was held at the funeral home, then another one back at the farm. Finally the time came for captain Aelfric to leave. Jake said goodbye once again to his parents, as well as taking with him many letters and notes from all the descendants, hoping they would reach distant family members. The departure was held at night after one last gathering, the cloaking device turned off so that everyone could see the ship.