Wishing On A Star

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

My thoughts then changed to the man sleeping in the nearby bed, "What did I owe him?" I thought, "Was I being fair? Hanna certainly wasn't wasting any time with Nargra, "Would Morkai start thinking he was wasting his time with me?"

The next morning Nargra and Morkai took us to a large medical clinic, we rode a strange train-like conveyance the men called a "monorail," We moved at incredible speeds along a single rail, sometimes passing high over buildings and streets below. At the medical building, we were checked in, then taken by medical personnel to a room where they took our blood pressure, temperatures, listened to our hearts, all sorts of tests totally unknown to us, and certainly any doctor back on earth. Hanna was then taken to an adjoining room where she underwent the same things they did to me. I was asked to take my clothes off which I found rather upsetting, but since the staff were female, it made things a little easier. I was then made to lie on a table where little patches were placed on various parts of my body, then connected to wires. A sort of "helmet" was placed on my head, and more patches placed on my temples and forehead. Then, a nurse described how a thin needle would be stuck into my left wrist into a vein. I found this very distressing, but she assured me it was perfectly safe, and would only hurt when it first went in.

The needle stung as promised, but the nurse secured it with a sticky tape. "This is called an "IV, she informed me, "this will supply your body with nutrients while you sleep, also a drug that will assist you in sleeping." I was then covered with a sheet and wheeled down to a darkened room with a large water filled bath. Two nurses then slid me off the cart at which point I can remember no more until I woke up lying in a bed wearing a sleeping gown. I woke up completely refreshed, and felt like I just woke from an incredible sleep. Shortly, a nurse appeared and asked about how I felt. "I feel wonderful, I feel great!"

After allowing me to put my clothes, back on I re-joined Hanna where we sat and answered various questions, and described pictures of machines, vehicles, and small devices. We were asked to read passages from books and solve simple arithmetic problems. Gradually it dawned on Hanna and I that we knew about things we had never seen before, and could now read the Falthian language. It all seemed so natural, just as we knew the everyday objects and patterns of living back on earth, so we know knew everyday life here on Falth. It seems that we floated in these special baths for nearly three days, but strangely, my first thought was "una's instead of days. The nurses told us that as the una's went by we would understand a whole lot more as a final test, we were asked to operate a computer, (I knew its name.) We had no problem performing several tasks, and just seemed to know how it all worked, like we were born with it. Both of us were then given higher math problems using equations I had never seen before, and I knew for certain Hanna never had as well. We solved the math problems with ease, amazing even our nurses.

Nargra met us at the front reception area, and escorted us back to Drolugi's, pointing to all manor of things along the way home for us to name, a task we did with ease. "Where's Morkai?" I asked when we returned and he wasn't there. Nargra gave me a stern look, "Don't you know?" he asked. "No," I replied, "Is he in some sort of trouble?" "No trouble," replied Nargra but he would say no more until we returned to Drolugi's, where we sat down at a table with him sitting across from me. Taking on a very serious expression Nargra then said, "I don't know if you're aware of this Holly, but Morkai is out putting everything on the line for you." Suddenly I realized just how serious Morkai had been when he mentioned finding a way to get me back to earth. "B-B-ut I didn't think he would run out and do all of this for me, I-I…" "let me explain something to you Holly," continued Nargra, his voice commanding my full attention. "In case you hadn't noticed, that man is head over heels in love with you, he has been since practically the first una we found you two. I'm his best friend, so I'm always concerned when he gets like this, I've never seen him behave like this before, so naturally I'm concerned, I don't want to see him hurt, we go back too many dorns for me to let that happen, do you see where I'm going with this?" Tears started coming to my eyes, at the realization that things were spiraling out of control, Hanna had easily found love with Nargra, what was my problem? Nargra continued. 'Morkai is calling in favors, pulling strings, laying out money he doesn't really have to get you back home before the next harvest season, now don't you go telling him this, 'cause I'll just deny it, but I realize there are differences between you Kagorians and we Nuel, fair enough, however I really hope this little trip of yours is worth it, I see Morkai coming, this conversation is now ended Miss Bickford, I expect you to act accordingly."

Morkai then plopped down next to me, a big smile on his face, banging his palm down on the table, Nargra's expression immediately changed as well. "Well Miss Holly Bickford," announced Morkai, "This afternoon we go over to Andara to get you fitted for a suit," (somehow, the picture of a spacesuit popped into my mind) "Then tomorrow bright and early we take off, one relfa, and one relfa only, three una's out, three back, and one to conduct your business, it's going to be a long hard haul, so I hope you're up to it." Looking at Nargra, he said, "Actually getting a ship was easier than I thought, seems they're running wrap-up tests on the Gamma L-77 which is what I'll be flying, they want data on a long haul full throttle, balls to…Ah um…Tests on endurance. My security clearances are still good for another dorn so I qualified. The bad part is that I won't get paid for this, they get full tests on the Gamma, and I get zip, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Anyway, if you were going with me it would have been no problem. Since the whole purpose is to get Holly here back to Kagor before the next harvest season, which means she has to go, I really had to get down on my knees and beg." At that, Nargra gave me a dirty look.

His voice still filled with boyish enthusiasm, Morkai continued. "I happened to run into Gitel's buddy Dully Amro, over at testing, we got to talking, I explained my problem, he made a couple calls and just like that, all my problems evaporated. It's sure good to have connections!" Nargra laughed, and glared at me again, by this time I was just barely holding it together, I just wanted to grab Morkai and hug him for all he was worth, but something kept holding me back, I didn't know what it was. Later, I cried to Hanna who was able to comfort me with, 'Just settle down Holly, it will come, and when you least expect it, you are just trying too hard."

The conversation then switched to our recent "treatments" and the appointments at a beauty salon for later today, Morkai and Nargra telling us that while we were beautiful in their eyes, this salon would show us how to apply make-up and change our hair styles to fit in better with Falthian society. When Morkai and I returned to our room, I couldn't hold back any longer and began to cry, Morkai immediately came to my side and hugged me in an attempt to comfort me. "There, there, why are you crying, what's the matter?" This only made things worse, and I sobbed even harder, Morkai eased me over to a couch and we sat down, his arms gently stroking my back. "I think I know what you're problem is Holly, you want love to come, but for some reason it won't." Still sobbing, I nodded, Morkai leaned his head against mine, "I love you Holly Bickford," he whispered in my ear, "I can't help it, but I'm a patient man, I can wait, just be yourself, the love will come, I know it will, in the meantime just accept me for what I am and what I offer." With that, he gave me one more squeeze and got up, "I have to go make a couple calls, whenever you're ready I'll be downstairs, we'll head over to Andara for your fitting."

After he left, I pulled myself together and changed, I was emotionally drained, something was wrong, but I didn't know what. I went downstairs to find Morkai, and together we traveled to a different part of the landing port. Morkai chuckled and smiled as if nothing was wrong, he even presented me with a pair of very fashionable sun goggles, which everyone complemented me on. The "Tap-Tap" we took delivered us to a part of the port that seemed to consist mainly of low buildings and what Morkai called their "R and D" department. Whatever it was we had to pass through security gates three times, the last brought scowls from nasty looking security guards concerning the fact that I was not only an "off-worlder" as one guard put it, but I was not a Falthian citizen. It finally required the summoning of Dully Amro to clear me through security; Dully escorted us to his office where he apologized for all the trouble. "I would suggest Miss Bickford, you become a Falthian citizen as soon as possible, it will do wonders for your ability to avoid problems like these." He then winked at Morkai, and started giving me strange looks. "I've never seen an off-world female before; except for your eyes and light complexion you seem no different from any woman on Falth. Gitel's woman is darker complected and she has the most exceptional long black hair, and from what I've been hearing, you Kagorian women are the talk of Cluria these days. Well we'd better get started; the environmental department is over in the next building."

It took almost two hours, but I was made to lie down on a special reclining couch which according to the man in charge, measured my body in in several positions, sitting, reclining and half recline, these measurements would be recorded and programmed, (strange that I knew what that meant) into my seat on the craft we would be flying to earth. I was then measured and fitted for a space suit, which really didn't take that long, it was the special device I would have to wear that would allow me to eliminate while wearing my suit. "Things are going to be rather cramped in that thing," observed Morkai, "your…Ah, bodily wastes will be recycled, and we'll be restricted to only certain prepared foods and beverages specially designed to prevent your bowels from loading up." My stuffy Victorian upbringing caused me to go red in the face at this talk, but Morkai seemed to pay it no heed. Once I had tried on the suit, and everything was deemed acceptable we headed back to Dully's office where he presented me with a dark tan shoulder bag, which he said was called a flight bag. "I've got a couple of these around somewhere," added Morkai. "We give these out as promotions," said Dully, they're not as good as ones you can get from a good luggage shop, but they are made well and won't come apart on you at the wrong time." I noticed the words "Andara Engineering, Gate A2023, Cluria printed in red on the back (I found that I could read it with ease.)

Dully escorted us back through security stopping to chat with Morkai for a moment, then it was another "Tap-Tap" back to Drolugi's. Hanna was waiting for me in the lobby, and together we located the salon where we had appointments with the beauty specialists. When we came out of there, both Morkai and Nargra were waiting for us, "You ladies look simply amazing!" declared both men. Our hair was much shorter, with a redder hue to it with black edging on the ends. The specialists shaved off all excess body hair using a special razor and ointments. (this was rather embarrassing but I won't go into any more detail.) Our eyebrows were carefully trimmed to almost pencil line thinness, and they applied what was termed "permanent" make-up. Both Hanna and I had to admit we really looked wondrous; we were also given a special cream to apply on any exposed parts of our bodies that would allow our complexions to darken yet protect us from harmful rays from the sun. We were also given as gifts tinted glasses mounted on gold wire frames to protect our eyes as well.

Morkai and Nargra then took us to dinner where we got envious looks from other male guests and looks of curiosity from the females. Try as I might, I couldn't keep my mind off what Nargra had told me earlier in the day, Morkai went over what to expect tomorrow morning when we were scheduled to leave, and friends of the two men were always stopping by to chat briefly, I think Hanna saw the pain in my eyes because after dinner Morkai and Nargra found some old crewmates to talk to, Hanna said to me, "Holly let's find a booth in the lounge, and order drinks, I think I've finally figured out what your problem is." It was no use, she could see right through me, we sat and ordered wine.

Hanna leaned over the table and said, "Holly, have you ever been with a man?" I looked down in shame, "I thought not," she replied, "You helped me, now I'm going to help you." For the next two hours I "opened up" and we chatted, Hanna talked and comforted. She instructed, dug things out of me I was even afraid to admit to myself, in short, she stepped into my very soul, it was amazing. "You can't be in the line of "work" I was in and not understand men and women," observed Hanna. "you were brought up with a staunch Victorian upbringing, however I'm rather surprised all those stuck-up daughters of the privileged you met in college didn't steer you right, Oh don't think I don't know about them, there were two of them working at Binford's in Cheyenne, Oh the stories they used to tell us." "How did they end up there?" I asked. Hanna chuckled, "They just put their faith in the wrong men, that's all, they were tricked into "giving it away" then when they thought wedding bells was the next step both were sorely mistaken. Katy and Linda were their names, both learned that you don't threaten sons of the rich and powerful, their reputations were destroyed practically overnight. They took what little they had, bought train tickets, with Cheyenne being the end of the line."

That's horrible!" I replied, "What happened to them?" Hanna shrugged, Katy discovered she enjoyed the work, still at Binford's as far as I know, Linda kept trying to catch a husband, and only got abused for her trouble, just before Mary and I left she took an overdose of morphine and died. All of us girls took up a collection, got a stone for her, and saw to it that she was buried in the main cemetery but that is the best we could do. Now do you see why I see Nargra as my last chance?" As we drank more wine, we got drunker and talked more frankly and openly, we explored each other's worlds with my visit to Hanna's being the more revealing.

At the end of the evening we helped each other up to our rooms, outside my door, I turned and hugged Hanna, "Thank you dear Hanna," I said, "You've revealed things inside of me I was afraid to admit, perhaps now I can move forward with Morkai, and seek a loving relationship." "I'm only too happy to help Holly," replied Hanna, "we are truly friends, friends help each other." Morkai was sleeping when I entered, I showered, changed into my nightgown, and stood looking at the man who was turning my world upside down, quietly I moved to the edge of his bed bent down and gently kissed him on his cheek.

That night I thought of many things, sorting them all out in my mind, Hanna was right about so much, as her words weighed heavily on my thoughts. Early the next morning Morkai dragged me out of bed, a quick shower and no breakfast we made sure I had my original clothing packed into my new flight bag; however, this time I was determined to wear modern underclothing under the heavy wool riding habit I would be wearing. Wearing my new ID in a clear plastic, (I know what that is,) around my neck, I accompanied Morkai down stairs. Saying goodbye to Nargra and Hanna, we caught a "Tap-Tap" over to Andara. Getting through security was slightly better although this time we were directed over to a large building housing several spacecraft. Morkai conferred with several people, who kept staring at me, we were then taken to a smaller building where I had a final time to use the commode and put on my spacesuit. I then joined Morkai who was in his own suit, both suits being black with grey trim and gloves. We carried our flight bags as well as helmets out to a small vehicle that took us out to where our craft was parked. Morkai pressed a spot on the side of the vessel, which caused two doors to open and spread like wings. Morkai and one of the technicians assisted me in climbing in and situating myself on the seat, as well as securing our flight bags behind our seats.

Morkai needed no assistance, and once in thanked the technician and closed the doors. Before I had put on my suit, a medical technician had placed several patches on my body similar to what I had done to me when I had my intelligence advanced. Morkai helped me make sure all the wire leads were connected properly to a small computer that would record heart and blood data, as well as skin temperature, and several other functions. Finally, we were "hooked up" and ready to go, Morkai performed what he called a pre-flight check, and went through every detail pointing out every instrument and gauge. Surprisingly, I actually understood what he was talking about. Mentioning this to Morkai, he grinned and said, "I didn't mention earlier, but when you and Hanna received your memory upgrades, Nargra and I asked them to add a basic flight engineer program, we're going to have a lot of time together, especially trying to keep each other awake, I intend to get started on your flight training during this little jaunt that engineering program will put you ahead of the game."

Once Morkai was sure everything was in order, he contacted flight control and after going through a final check received permission to take off. Without further ado, he fired up the engine, and launched us into the Falthian sky. My stomach practically came up into my mouth but quickly settled down as we entered the far reaches of the Falthian atmosphere. Morkai was continuously talking to flight control in a practiced routine. Once we had broken away from the planet's gravitational pull, (again, how did I know that?) the chatter between Morkai and flight control diminished. He then turned to me and said, "Next stop, the jump gate, once we go into hyperspace, you can remove your helmet." The radio chatter then picked up a little as the jump gate came into view, Morkai then began a litany of chatter I was only able understand half.

"Flight control this is Gamma Oh-ate-ten, approaching jump gate, initiating code…Code accepted, we are initiating hyper drive sequence, sequence initiated, we are out of here…"