Wishing On A Star

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

We landed at the small landing field on the edge of the small town; since it was only two city blocks from Morkai's house, we walked carrying our flight bags, as well as an extra clothing bag each. For the next three months, Hanna and I studied, and worked. Under Morkai and Nargra's excellent instruction, we learned the Na'Vas, making take-off and landings without having to worry about interfering with other craft, we honed our flying skills. Naragra spent considerable time with Hanna teaching her his knowledge of emergency medical care, even sending her to a weeklong seminar sponsored by the Shai Alyt dealing with proper treatment and administration of drugs. In describing the course, Hanna said, "Up until I took the instruction I had no idea just how ineffective medicine and medical care were back in the states. They even want me to bring them samples of patent medicines and any other nostrums I can lay my hands on when we return to earth, even things such as Laudanum and morphine."

Hanna had shown a strong interest in treating the sick and injured, so she naturally fell in with Nargra who was a trained navy medic. I, on the other hand drilled and practiced everyday with Morkai learning the "how's and why's" of the ship's operation. I think I only learned as much as I did through Morkai's generous and caring instruction. Flight operations weren't the only thing we studied, Falthian citizenship took up some of our time. After we returned to Cluria, Hanna, Sara, and I took the citizenship exam passing it and finally becoming certified citizens. Questions involving Falthian history, government operations, duties of citizens among other topics filled the lengthy exam. Even failing three or four questions, we still managed to pass, taking the oath of citizenship one una before leaving for earth.

Even though we worked very hard, there was still time for "play" and relaxation. Much of our time was spent on the beach, either walking it, enjoying a tasty crustacean known as a "Malweechi." Hanna and I had enjoyed this delicacy the first time we were here but we were becoming more accustomed to Falthian food. We also enjoyed lying on a blanket next to a warm fire staring up at the twin moons as well as a strange galaxy, letting our husbands point out various stars. Unlike earth, the heavens were filled with dozens of blue and red lights moving at all angles across the sky. It was a rather novel experience to follow a colored light as it made it's way across the shy, only to have it abruptly stop and disappear, indicating that it was descending, or rapidly change course.

We also enjoyed splashing in the warm surf completely naked, Hanna and I having finally become comfortable with Falthian social customs. Many a night was also spent in expressing our love for each other in marathons of physical passion. One of our other pastimes involved sitting at an outdoor table at a small café overlooking the bay, enjoying a light repast at midday, or enjoying a drink. With all the time we were spending in the sun our skin turned a darker complexion, a condition not favored by women on earth, but very popular on Falth.

One una we were strolling through town stopping at quaint little shops talking with the shop owners. At one shop that seemed to specialize in edged weapons as well as items both new and old, Morkai introduced us to the owner, a Mr. Aborzek who had known Morkai and Nargra since they were boys. He offered us small cups of "Mel Dol," a hot beverage not unlike hot cocoa but quite a bit sweeter and according to Nargra "Drink enough of that gress and you could make six round trips to Kagor with out any sleep." It didn't take him long to realize that Hanna and I were off-worlders. Being the consummate businessman he offered Hanna and I considerable compensation for any items we bring to him from Kagor. "Any interesting pieces of jewelry, knives, or small devices. They should have a story, as it will add to the value." We promised him we would see what we could do. Our husbands purchased wicked looking boot knives for us to keep tucked in one of our boots with the explanation of increased peace-of-mind they would have knowing we had a "last line of defense," as Morkai called it.

He was strongly tempted to purchase a newer version of a device both he and Nargra wore on their belts. An all-in-one tool included two "star" drivers, a tool that opened access panels on our ship's controls as well as on the consol's. There was a razor sharp knife, a small electric torch as well as a tool that could override the loading ramp control. I know he wanted to buy it rather badly, but in the end, we said goodbye to the owner and continued on our way.

Before it was time to return to Cluria, our husbands introduced us to their planet, "If you two are going to become citizens," said Morkai, "Then you should know a little about your new home." We over flew the plains of Khaiabad a vast savanna and marshy area that was home to incredible beasts, dinosaur like animals that were very similar to those that once roamed the earth. When I appraised Morkai of that fact he frowned and said, "Might want to keep that bit of information to yourself, there's a small group of scientists on Falth who would be sorely tempted to mount their own expedition to Kagor in search of remains regardless of the prime directive, no doubt get themselves caught or worse…Then things would really go south in a big hurry. The Shai Alyt would be threatened, probably wouldn't be able to harvest Frasta and Kresha anymore." Shaking his head, he gave me a serious look, "Don't say a word to anyone, understand?" "Our lips are sealed," I replied.

The canyons of Krontor were our next stop, vast incredible canyons containing magnificent waterfalls, and breathtaking beauty. "According to Gitel there's a place in your country that is very similar to this, but Gitel says it's only half the size, and not as beautiful." I remembered reading accounts of a Major Wesley Powell conducting an expedition through the canyon in 1869 calling it the "Grand Canyon, and attempts were ongoing to make the area more accessible to visitors.

We took in the falls of Ricathia reminding me of photographs I had seen in a geography text depicting Victoria Falls in Africa. "There are several other interesting places," remarked Morkai, and perhaps we could vacation at a few of them in the coming dorns, but for now this will have to do." These were certainly some very beautiful and interesting places sites I wanted to spend more time at in the future but now it was back to Akdor for more training and study before we headed back to Cluria. It is at this point I think I will digress into something that for those of us from earth was quite unique and thought provoking, in fact, we women discussed this in great detail, and that was the availability of a medication that prevented pregnancy. On earth, when s****l intercourse was engaged in, pregnancy soon followed, bringing with it blessing or curse. It is not in the scope of this story to go into the myriad of details concerning this situation however; all of us discussed this matter with our husbands finally agreeing to an injection that forestalled childbirth for up to a dorn. Hanna, Sara, and Pricilla felt liberated by this, the rest of us were uneasy about it Ann and I for purely religious reasons, but were eventually convinced by our husbands that it wasn't because they didn't want children, but "being with child" could create problems during harvest season.

Morkai and I engaged in a rather lengthy conversation over this matter, with me expressing my religious concerns as well as moral issues, but Morkai carefully explained that there were medical issues that suggested problems in regards to babies and space travel. I then made an appointment with Dr. Metana (along with Hanna and Sara) He carefully explained studies that suggested problems in pre-natal babies and exposure to the effects of hyperspace. "My advice to you ladies is to conceive your offspring at such a time when you won't be traveling in hyperspace, and when the child will be a couple alyt's old before you do travel, they make special suits for babies and toddlers that negate the negative effects of space travel on the young, I would suggest you look into these."

Therefore, for now Morkai and I could engage in s*x without worry, I must confess that while it bothered me, the intimate times we spent together only strengthened or marriage. When the day finally came to return to Cluria, Morkai ordered me into the pilot's seat with the requirement that I take off from Akdor, and fly to Cluria, landing at the Shai Alyt terminal. He had me verbally walk him through the pre-flight and take-off procedures, then acting on it if there were no mistakes. Although I was nervous, I kept telling myself, "You can do this!." In the end, I succeeded, bringing the Na'Vas to a successful landing at the Shai Alyt terminal. That evening, Morkai threw a small celebration for my achievement, at one point, I happened to catch Gitel looking at me whereby he smiled and gave me a wink.

It wasn't long after that we women were summoned to Shai Alyt headquarters and a meeting with Sandrick. As we sat crowded in his office, he looked at all of us with a wry smile and said, "I trust you ladies have a plan to inform your families of your situation, and perhaps an idea as to how we can arrange for the purchase of Frasta and hopefully the growing of Kresha." His eyes immediately fell on me, "Mrs. Draaka! Have we come up with a plan to achieve this goal, remember, I will see to it that compensation is generous." I gulped, and shrugged, looking around the room. "Uh I guess we do, my cousin Andy will play a leading part in this endeavor as well as Sara's brother, assuming we can find him, other than that, we will see what we will see."

Sandrick then took on a serious expression, "Please remember ladies, all of you are being allowed to leave a relfa earlier in order to achieve this goal, let's not throw the opportunity away." It seems now that I had been placed "unofficially "in charge of this effort, so with a shrug, I promised Sandrick that we would come up with something, but that full support on the part of the Shai Alyt was expected.

As the days moved closer to departure, a flurry of activity ensued. The Na'Vas, along with the other ships got a quick inspection by Andara technical stall courtesy of the Shai Alyt. The provisioners came aboard and re-stocked our food and water supplies as well as supplies for the "necessary." One evening shortly before we were scheduled to depart Morkai and I returned to Drolugi's after installing some software upgrades on the Na'Vas's ground surveillance scanner when Hanna and Ann rushed up to us with distressing news. "Have you heard? The Dekken's have been granted permission to participate in the harvest." Morkai and the other men were not terribly pleased at this news, Nargra was convinced they were up to no good, and all were secretly wondering whose territories would be "invaded."

Since things were moving so quickly none of us had much time for celebrating Christmas, perhaps it was because all the changes that were taking place, as well as the fact that we were now living on a new planet

Before we all knew it the new year had begun, 2027, or 1887 on far off earth. In talking with the others we promised ourselves that next Christmas would be different.

A last minute meeting with Sandrick revealed that he was not very happy either, "You people have shown responsibility, and restraint, from all the reports I've received, you're extremely discreet these Dekken's are an unknown quantity, perhaps they too will show restraint and good sense. You will still get your relfa to set up something with your families I know you are all honorable men so I'm not concerned about you getting a head start on the others, that is why the Dekken's will not be permitted to leave until a relfa after you have left. Sandrick then took a deep sigh and looked at Morkai and I with a very worried look on his face. "I had no say in this, they simply know people in high places, and pulled some strings. If by some chance they instigate an incident involving Kagorians, take no action yourselves, but delegate someone to return here at once to inform me. Opening his drawer Sandrick removed a small box and handed it to Morkai. "This is a special code chip, if something should go wrong, come only as far as the jump gate and enter the code, you will them be put in touch with me personally, relay all pertinent data and return to Kagor immediately if you must. Again, take no action yourselves but remain on standby." This was very disturbing news, the fact that Sandrick was this upset did not bode well for us.