Angelika Queen Of Mars

Chapter 43

Chapter 43 A Giant Leap For Mankind

Although suffering from a broken leg, Mi'Ra appeared to be all right otherwise. Robert and Kaitlan seemed to have the situation in hand, just as the rest of the searchers arrived. Yemock was looking quite concerned at what Robert had done for Mi'Ra, until I eased his concerns,

"Bob knows his stuff captain, but what we need to do right now, is find a place for captain Neshok to land, so we can get Mi'Ra on board, you Amulians seem to have exceptional night vision, how 'bout you guys locate someplace close by, where captain Neshok can set down, and we can get your daughter on board?" He quickly agreed, grabbing Owlsek and Sarmak, while he talked to Neshok on his comm. While they were scouting a likely landing spot, the rest of us gathered around the fire and congratulated Bob and Kaitlan for finding Mi'Ra. Taking a quick opportunity to talk with her, I asked what had happened.

"When I found my way here, I knew I was lost, I accidentally left my comm back where Tormek and Kaisik are working. I was standing up there, trying to make a decision, when something made a noise, and darted through the foliage. The suddenness startled me, causing me to loose my balance and fall into this ravine."

"Well you were extremely lucky young lady," I replied, you must have startled a fox or possibly a coyote, there are a lot of wild animals out here, and many are dangerous." This revelation caused her to let out a small gasp,

"I-I, had no idea there were other life forms simply roaming around."

"Oh there are lots of them," injected Bob, with a chuckle, "They can bite, and sting, and a couple might even eat you!" This brought a squeak from Mi'Ra who looked terrified, but her expression of fear quickly changed to pain, as her movement caused her broken leg to hurt.

I talked with my dad and Colin who were curious as to where the Amulians had gone, only to have Owlsek appear and inform us that Yemock had found a landing spot, and that captain Neshok was preparing to land. Snuffing out the fire, Colin and I picked up Bob's improvised stretcher as we carefully worked our way up the creek bank. The tug was sitting in the middle of a small rocky area almost like it was perched on some rocks, but the ramp touched the ground, that was all we cared about. Carefully we got Mi'Ra inside, and set down on the deck. Captain Neshok told me,

"I was planning on leaving tomorrow, but this changes things, I'll drop everybody off back at your house, and as soon as my wife and I pack our things, we'll be off. The Tajvana has equipment aboard to treat her leg." I made sure everyone was on board, as captain Neshok rose above the trees, and moved back towards his original landing site.

Everybody then exited, with the exception of the Amulians, Robert and Kaitlan, who were sticking around at the request of Mi'Ra. I promised them I would return, but I went with captain Neshok to bid he and his wife goodbye.

After packing, both Neshok and his wife Narsa bid everyone goodbye, and thanked us for a wonderful time. "You're always welcome to return captain," I said, "It's a shame this had to happen."

"Isn't it," he replied in a way that made me wonder if Yemock was going to get an ass-chewing for bringing his daughter.

As we approached the tug, Robert and Kaitlan were just coming down the short ramp talking with Yemock, they all shook hands, then Yemock went back inside. Both teens came over to me as I asked,

"That was a super thing you did for that girl Bob, you too Kaitlan." It sounded like the tug was preparing to leave, so we moved a little farther away. Moments later, it sprang into the sky rising quickly into the dark night.

"Mi'Ra is going to come and see us once we're on Falth," said Kaitlan.

"Yeah," added Robert, "Her father thanked both of us and promised to mention our names…Whatever that means." I chuckled,

"It means that at some point you two are going to be summoned to the Falthian foreign office where you will be commended by the Amulian ambassador, been there, done that. So, did Mi'Ra appreciate your efforts?" Kaitlan started to giggle,

"I'll say, she grabbed Robert, and gave him one heck of a kiss, did she "French" ya, it sure looked like it?"

"No!" shot back Bob, "None of your business anyway."

As we were starting for the house, a familiar rumble overhead signaled the arrival of the Giuffrida, so we waited for it to land. This time the two Amulians we now knew as Tormek and Kaisik emerged from the office part of the shed and started pointing up. Then one of them spotted the kids and me standing nearby, and both of them came over.

"Anything I can help you two with?"

We will be winding up our work tomorrow, and we wish to ask you some questions before we leave."

"Well why don't you join us for breakfast in the morning, we'll make it an intergalactic event, Kagorians, Falthians, and of course you Amulians." I thought I saw them make faces, but it was really too dark to tell, but one of them replied,

"We will see," then they both dashed back to the shed just as the Giuffrida was setting down.

"I like those people for some reason," said Kaitlan, "I wish they were more friendly."

"Yeah, I know," I replied, I think it's just because they are on the shy side, just give them their "space." By this time the ramp was down and everyone was coming off, quite a load for that ship. Both Robert and Kaitlan ran over to greet the Bickford kids, as Robarik, his daughter, and Premick Karym came after them. I met Robarik, and asked him how everything went,

"Just fine, Kha'Mak says we came very close to one of those airliners as you call them, but he was sure we weren't discovered. There are two more children that have expressed an interest in coming to Falth, but they are not old enough yet perhaps in another dorn or so." Everybody then headed for the house, as I caught Kha'Mak and Na'Kal coming down the ramp.

"I heard you managed to slip past an airliner, good work Kha'Mak!"

"Your very welcome," he replied, "This was a very productive trip for Na'Kal and me,"

"Oh, how so," I replied.

"Those two delightful young Kagorians have been collecting what seems like every science fiction book they could lay their hands on, we have three containers just full of reading. To be sure, there are no doubt a number of duplicates of what we've already read, but those we will pass on, Na'Kal and I have a lot of serious reading to do."

Then they asked me a couple curious questions,

"I find this place very relaxing; might I be allowed to visit again?" Placing my hand gently on her shoulder, I smiled and replied,

"Absolutely Na'Kal, consider this your home away from home, maybe on your next visit, we can do a little sight-seeing." She returned my smile and thanked me again. Then Kha'Mak asked,

"We took some time to investigate this internet you talk about, discovering a rather interesting site devoted to space and all things related to it, quite interesting."

Nodding, I replied,

"Ah yes, I know the one, those two Amulians out there spend a lot of time there as well."

"Well Na'Kal discovered an article dealing with robots and the current state of your technology in that field."

"I thought the subject of robots bothered you," I said.

"Well we 'droids are always worried that the uninformed will confuse us with mere robots," replied Kha'Mak.

"Well I've always assumed that a race as advanced as the Falthians would have moved on to androids long ago, as I always thought of them as only a first stage towards development of androids," I replied. Both Kha'Mak and Na'Kal frowned,

"We do not intend to insult or demean you," replied Na'Kal, but you would be amazed at the number of robots still in use on Falth and elsewhere, but perhaps you are not aware that they are copies of living Falthians, were you to merely see one you might assume it to be another Falthian, or possibly one of us 'droids." I wasn't sure where this conversation was going, but obviously I needed to study up more on robots and 'droids.

"Nevertheless," added Kha'Mak, "How difficult would it be to purchase one of these robots so that we might study it?" Wow! Talk about knocking me over with a feather,

"Well," I replied, I know they are all the rage in the news lately, but what I've seen I'd imagine they are quite expensive, and hard to get, I think the Japanese are the ones doing all the work on them, but I'm sure there are others. I'll tell you what, Carman and I will look into this and get back with you, but I'll tell you what, in the time you have left here, why don't you find a good science fiction site on the internet, one with a good forum and sign up, then you two can ask others questions, as well as stirring things up a little by tossing out little items of knowledge you know as fact, but stuff not accepted or generally known here on earth."

This suggestion seemed to appeal to them so it was off to find one of the sites I mentioned. I was really beat, it had been a very long day, and I was looking forward to a good night's sleep, but when you're running an intergalactic "way station," there is always something to do, in this case it was checking in with the two Amulians, before they left. I found both of them holding some sort of case, the Amulian version of a traveling bag I surmised.

"Did you guys get everything you needed?" I asked,

"Yes," replied one of them (I still couldn't tell who was who) "So have you drawn any conclusions?" I asked.

"You humans are very difficult to understand, Kaisik and I have studied your race for most of our lives, we can read and comprehend three of your languages, and speak two quite well as you can tell. However, every time we think we finally understand you, you do something entirely out of phase.

"Well you know you are always welcome here anytime."

"Might I ask a question of you?" asked the one known as Kaisik.

"Go ahead,"

"As you may or may not know, we Amulians are on respectable terms with the Falthians, even though they don't care for us all that much, but we are used to that. However, you as a human have never shown any signs of hostility or distrust towards us, very curious."

"Why do you ask that?" I replied. Both looked at each other for a moment, then Tormek spoke up,

"We have already told you that we are experts on you humans, whatever color you come in, we have seen and studied every video you have ever made concerning what you term as "Aliens," with very few exceptions, we are the source of all evil, constantly destroying your world, tormenting your whole race,. And not only that, we have seen and studied all the material gathered concerning what you call flying saucers, and this project Blue-Book, so you tell us." Man, I was really on the spot here, these guys were sharper than I ever gave them credit for, but most of all, they deserved an answer.

Any thoughts of sleep had just gone up in flames, Dori would be mad that I wouldn't be coming to bed, but this was just too important to let slide.

"Well you two certainly seem to be up on our culture, have a seat; this is going to take awhile." My explanation covered everything from fear of the unknown, the cold war, complex scientific facts dumbed down to simple explanations, along with the concept of science fiction through the years, when I was finished, it was close to three AM.

Tormek gave me a brief smile, rose, and said,

"With some exceptions, that is what we've always thought," both then extended their hands to shake mine.

"You have been very forthcoming Mr. Gandrigg," said Kaisik, "And thank you for the invitation, we can't promise anything, but you may very well receive one from us at some point."

"Could I ask another question?" I said,

"What?"

"How come you and the Falthians don't get along so well?" Both then laughed, but it sounded more like a giggle.

"You misunderstand Mr. Gandrigg," said Tormeck "But it is quite understandable, especially for a human. The answer is very complex and would require a thorough explanation of our two races going back parsogs, but in very simple terms, we are both part of the same "family" but have you ever had a member of your family, extended or otherwise you weren't terribly fond of, your still family, you get along with them, and they with you, but there is just something between you two that prevents a closeness you might enjoy with other family members?"

Suddenly everything he had told me came home, I smiled and nodded,

"Yes, now I understand, thank you Tormek."

"Know this as well, even though we may not always see eye to eye, like I said, we are all one family and will not hesitate to come to their aid as they would ours."

"Well it's very late; you're welcome to stay another day if you like?"

"Thank you," replied Kaisik, but our work here is finished…For now, we will see you again." With that, they shouldered their bags and walked out the door to their spacecraft, then minutes later, I watched a shimmering form disappear up into the early morning sky. As expected, Dori was not a happy camper, but I still had enough "steam" left to put her back into a good mood.

Something Tormeck said kept coming back to bug me, I puzzled at how astute those two seemed to be concerning life here on earth and our society. I decided not to bring it up with any of my Falthian friends, but all too often I found these thoughts coming back to haunt me. The next day Moreck's parents had decided to just sort of "hang out," strolling around town, learning more about their son's business. I on the other hand had plenty to do around here.

The first order of business was dealing with the kids, since Bob and Kaitlan didn't live that far away; their parents were close at hand usually stopping by after work. Torry and Mike Bickford's parents were divorced, a rather sticky situation, Mike told me about later on. Regardless, all were primed and eager to go, Torry telling me,

"I read that book my great aunt wrote telling of her adventures and I want to follow in her footsteps. Can you imagine, she was actually flying a spaceship before the Wright brothers, awesome?" Robarik told her that to do this; she would have to join the navy which would require attending the Falthian equivalent of a college prep school as would all the other kids. This didn't bother her at all; the thrill and excitement of being the "first" Kagorian to fly for the navy had her going. Mike wanted to get into advanced computers, but after he had met Kha'Mak and Na'Kal, getting involved with androids too began to occupy his mind, in fact, on the flight back to Falth, he spent all of his time talking with the two. At one point I asked Kha'Mak if Mike was bothering him.

"Oh no, if fact both Na'Kal and I are quite flattered at the attention, Mike has been clearing up questions we had concerning these robots, he seems quite knowledgeable about them."

All during the day, my guys were calling to let me know when they were due in to the airport, I had a standing rule not to discuss anything the government "snoops" could glom onto, or target certain words or phrases. However Gerald told me,

"Got someone interested in joining us."

"Really," I replied, "Has he been vetted?"

"Yep."

"You know the drill, check into someplace in Rapid City, then text me, code Alpha."

"Will do."

I had established a private code only the six of us knew, the hotel and location would be in code, an unfortunate consequence of an over intrusive government, but necessary to maintain security.

This concerned me, I trusted Gerry, he was no fool, but getting the right person to build our team especially someone not part of our original unit. Early on, everyone each of us knew had been contacted, with only the six of us being the only ones left standing, I had hoped Carman might have known a few more, but her candidates had either married or were otherwise occupied. I was curious to find out who Gerry had in mind, sometime tomorrow, I guess I would.