Wishing On A Star

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

After the festivities Morkai and I retired to our room to exchange our own gifts…The gifts of love, I found that my love for this man just kept growing, and I simply couldn't do enough to show my true love. Morning found us too tired to move, each of us spread out on the bed staring into each other's faces both of us wearing silly grins.

Shortly after the new dorn, I went to see professor Narkoa, about enrolling in the university. He promised me that when open enrollment began in the spring, he would see to it I got all the tight classes. He also asked me to locate proper materials he could use in his classes, along with his colleague Dr. Jenjovig, who was in the process of writing a syllabus for Kagorian political studies. I promised him copies of the constitution, bill of rights, along with books dealing with other forms of government on earth. I discussed with him at length on obtaining dissertations by Locke, Payne, Jefferson, and Franklin. Since my free time would be, limited while back on earth I planned to get Andy involved with the project, by purchasing the required publications and materials. I was very excited about the whole project, as it meant I would be returning to my original vocation of teaching, and instead of elementary school children, it would be college students. Up until we left for earth for the Shai Alyt conference with our respective families, I immersed myself in Falthian history and its political system.

Not long after that, Morkai and I returned to Akdor, Nargra and Hanna, along with Ambor, Ann, Jaerka and Pricilla, headed out to Yedor-Rus for a three-alyt "vacation" in a place Ann later called the "backside of creation." The men had picked up short term contracts to test, and oversee testing on various experimental craft the navy, as well as Andara were testing. Since Sally was now living in a house of her own, we moved back into Morkai's house, sharing it with Emily and Andy. Morkai, along with occasional help from Andy spent considerable time remodeling his house. When not engaged in that activity, we spent considerable time at the beach, finally persuading Andy and Emily, as well as Sally to shed much of their Victorian sensibilities, and really enjoy life. While they wouldn't go swimming in the nude as Morkai and I would on occasion, they all began to spend a lot of time on the beach. The three of us women would also spend considerable time shopping, visiting the shops in Akdor. The shopkeeper I had spoken to earlier about finding Kagorian items for him to sell made an arrangement with Emily, to locate him certain items back on Kagor which I would bring back to Falth for re-sale. On one of our visits, she purchased a statue of a gowned Falthian woman holding a child, who in turn was holding the planet Falth. The unique thing about the statue was that when the proper radio signal was broadcast from space, the statue would glow a soft pink.

Another pastime was enjoying small beach parties with Sally and Drokai, along with Andy and Emily. The warm evenings we would sit out under the stars, with Morkai and Drokai explaining a completely different set of constellations and stars to the rest of us. All three of us women agreed that there was something magical being cast by the twin moons. As we sat with our husbands staring up at Solis and Syria, the evenings seemed to radiate romance. As the time neared for Andy and Emily to head home. Emily expressed her thoughts, "I dread the day we must return to earth, but alas it must be so, our lives must be lived out on earth, however we will endeavor to do as we are doing now, staring up at the night sky, only instead of two moons, we will only have one, yet our thoughts will always be of this wonderful planet and the unforgettable time we spent here. We will think of this beach often, and say a prayer to the stars for your continued good health and fortune."

When you are waiting on something its arrival seems to take forever, such was the case of our trip back to earth on the Shai Alyt cruise ship the Ingata. Between the New Year and our scheduled departure, Morkai had gotten the Na'Vas in for its annual overhaul, I had started classes at the university, and Hanna and the others had returned from Yedor-Rus. At lunch shortly after their return, Hanna, Pricilla, and Ann described the living conditions at the test facility. "Wind, sand, dust, more wind, more sand, oh did I mention the dust," lamented Ann. "We lived in quarters not much better than slave quarters," she added. Hanna said, "All there was for us to do was clean, sit around listening to the radio, or play poker." "our husbands wouldn't let us go over to the "Escape pod" which is nothing more than a saloon inside a derelict transport ship," added Pricilla, "All the test pilots frequent the place, some sort of "mad monk" squadron, Jaerka forbid me to even go near there for fear one of these men would try and bed me." "The rumor was that it was nothing more than a whorehouse," said Hanna, "All we ended up doing was fighting with our husbands, but we all made it clear that we will never go to that place again, it was horrible," she said.

"This doesn't sound good," I replied, fighting with your husbands." Ann snickered, "Oh it's all fine and dandy now, our husbands are taking us out to Kivasud for a weekend vacation as it were next relfa, as a reward for putting up with the hardships we faced at that horrible place, plus I think they want to get back in our good graces, so it should be interesting." Kivasud was a fancy resort overlooking the canyons of Krontor; they say the view of the canyons at dawn is worth the expense alone. The resort was also very expensive, Morkai had talked about taking me there, but it was between that and getting the Na'Vas overhauled. "I'd rather know the ship is running at peak performance than be pampered at some spa," I told Morkai. "Besides, I prefer the beaches at Akdor much more."

The day finally arrived for us to leave for earth on the Ingata, all the contractors and their wives minus the Dekken's who were supposedly on a freighter run between Falth and one of the mining planets.

Andy and Emily would be returning home Sally and Drokai were going as well so she could introduce him to her parents. I was a little concerned about Todd and Jenny, both children were completely assimilated to the Falthian culture now, it was an effort to get them to speak English, the only way you couldn't tell they weren't Nuelians was their eyes. A couple of the Shai Alyt executives going along were bringing their wives and children, two were in their teen years, but the other two were close to Todd and Jenny's age. The Shai Alyt had a regular crew assigned to the Ingata, so we could just relax and enjoy the ride. Among its many amenities, the Ingata featured a large room containing a giant spa, a heated pool with areas set aside for intimacy, or lovemaking in other words. Clothes of any kind were not permitted in here. At one point or another we all experienced this exotic place, Sara told me she even saw Andy and Emily enjoying themselves here. The most incredible food was served on board, and all of us found it necessary to partake of the exercise equipment they offered. Our husbands enjoyed running on the special revolving track they had. It was in a room that had reduced gravity; the large ring was actually the track, which turned as people ran its course. Watching Morkai and some of the others running upside down at the top of the track was quite a novel thing. Hanna always seemed to have a card game going, even getting the Shai Alyt people Sandrick included in her games

When Morkai and I weren't doing anything in particular, we would go up to the bridge and chat with the crew, talk flying and spacecraft. Morkai talked his way into flying the shuttlecraft down to my Uncles farm for the big conference, as well as picking up Sara's parents, Colin and Ann's folks.

It Ingata took up an orbit over earth, with the Falthians marveling at the sight, Morkai, and I along with Andy would go pick up Colin first, then get Sara and Ann , Sally and her family and drop them off at their respective locations. We sent a signal to Colin as we were leaving the Ingata, landing near the old cabin we first set down at. Lights were on, and the place appeared to have been fixed up with even a small stable close by. Colin was standing outside holding a lantern as we set down well behind the cabin. We all shook hands and greeted him. Colin then said to Andy, I sent you a wire and a couple letters but got no reply, I didn't know what to think." Andy quickly replied, "Emily and I were on Falth all this time Colin, what's the problem?" "Come inside, and I'll show you." Once inside the cabin, which appeared to have been re-modeled, Colin brought out a large flat box with a lid. Placing it on the table, he said, "Shortly after I arrived here I made an inspection of your properties, at one of them I found the ground all churned up, a burned wagon, and bones. Horse bones and…Human remains, the coyotes and crows had disturbed the bodies and they were all picked clean but there were children's bones I tell you. What is in this box are some of the things I found on the site. Some are bone s with what appear to be burn marks, but not like, they were consumed by fire, also a strange glass-like substance which was all over. If we were to go there, I could show you more." With that, he opened the box.

We looked at what he had recovered, Andy and I didn't know what to make of the samples, but I could see anger grow in Morkai's eyes. Maintaining his composure, and in an angry but controlled tone of voice, he said. "You did well Colin, It is understandable that none of you would know what caused the burns on these bones, or what this glass-like substance is, even you Holly, but what we're dealing with here are the results of plasma weapons." Holding up a piece of the glass-like substance, Morkai continued. "When a plasma beam hits something like sand or certain soil elements the heat is so intense it literally melts the sand into glass. As for the bone samples, the poor unfortunates were all destroyed with a plasma cannon. Now, it wasn't I who did it, or Gitel, Jaerka, Ambor or any body we work with, but I've got a pretty damn good idea who did do it." He then looked at all of us with a grave expression on his face. "This is a clear violation of the Prime Directive I'm afraid the Dekkens time here is over. Andy, Colin, I assure you that this will not be taken lightly we must return to the Ingata, where Sandrick must be made aware of this atrocity, no doubt Sandrick will want to visit the site as soon as possible. Colin went and made sure his horse would be all right for a few days then stuffing a few clothes in a bag, he joined us back aboard the shuttle. "Colin, your sister's on board she's getting ready to be dropped off at your folks place, then everybody is coming down to Andy's folks place near Pittsburgh there's a big conference scheduled to take place, but this situation is going to take precedence."

As we came off the shuttle, Sara rushed up to Colin and hugged him, "Colin! What brings you here?" He just looked at her and softly said, "Bad business sister, bad business." Sandrick and Marrack had been contacted and met us in a conference room, he shook Colin's hand and warmly greeted him, but looking at our grim faces, he knew something was up. "Morkai had Colin place the box on the table and opened it. "I've got bad news Sandrick," announced Morkai, The Dekkens have violated the Prime Directive by murdering what Colin here is sure was a family. In that box are burned sand and bone fragments clearly caused by plasma weapons, I didn't do it, and none of my friends did either, Colin, suppose you tell Sandrick here just exactly the same thing you told us." Colin then related the story to Sandrick who seemed to grow angrier with every word. When Colin was finished, Sandrick said, "We are in your debt Mr. Blessing, you did the right thing, Morkai, you and your wife here will fly Mr. Blessing and I to this site, One of the other Shai Alyt executives may go as well, I have some preparations to make, I will have Gitel or Karuk fly the others down to the Bickford place as scheduled, I suggest that everybody get a little sleep before we leave."

As we left the room Colin kept staring at his surroundings, although he had been aboard and flown on the Na'Vas, the Ingata was a much larger ship and its interior quite different. "Come on Colin, "said Morkai, "We'll get you a room to sleep in and to get cleaned up."

Four shon's later; we were waiting on Sandrick and another man from the Shi Alyt. Colin was sitting in one of the seats, and while we waited, he said, "I didn't get to say anything earlier, but I found a real nice piece of land I think you would like. It's secluded, there's a small stream close by. I'll be honest, though, I was looking at it as a place where I could start a heard, maybe raise some horses, I can give you a general idea of where it is." "That's great Colin," replied Morkai, talk to Sandrick about it; he's the one with the gold." Finally Sandrick and the other man arrived, "I'd like you to meet Dargon Draiaka head of government relations, I want him to get a first hand look at the site," said Sandrick. Once they were strapped in we took off arriving over the harvest site two shon's later. Before setting down, I monitored the scanner making sure no life signs appeared below. We set down at the opposite end of the field, and while Morkai and I stood security watch, Colin took the men over to where the plasma cannons had done their work. They spent close to two shon's down there poking and prodding the ground, taking more samples, taking a hundred pictures or more of the crime scene.

When they returned, Sandrick said, Mr. Blessing want's to show us a new location he's found for harvesting, so we'll stop off there before returning to the Ingata." I worked with Colin in determining where the land was, "It's slightly west of Terry Peak," said Colin. Eventually, we located the spot on our scanner, then verified that there were no life forms below us and headed down. It was indeed a very large and beautiful valley; I could see why Colin had plans for it after we no longer came to earth to harvest the Wort. Sandrick was also quite pleased, "Mr. Blessing you have done excellent work." He had Morkai run a record scan, which would calculate total acreage or "Kedja's" as acres were termed on Falth. As we were heading back to the ship, Sandrick smiled, "In an otherwise dark and joyless una, Mr. Blessing has solved a problem that's been plaguing me for some time, and that was how to acquire more land for the Wort. This property will figure prominently in our plans." He and Colin then started discussing how much the land could be purchased for. Colin told him that the land company told him twenty-five dollars an acre, there were close to one hundred acres involved with the property including woods as well as the creek. "You're looking at around 2500 dollars in gold," said Colin. "Currently an ounce of gold is worth eighteen dollars so around 140 ounces of gold, plus if I could be allowed, I'd like to build a cabin at the creek end allowing me to keep an eye on the place."

We arrived back on the Ingata before they could finish their negotiations but Sandrick promised a meeting later on with Colin as well as Andy. Sandrick and Mr. Draiaka also discussed the "Dekken incident," as they were now calling it. A thought came into my mind, as I turned to Sandrick and said, "Sir, do you suppose that's why the Dekken's were conveniently away on a transport run and couldn't join us, knowing someone might discover their handiwork?" Nodding his head, Sandrick replied, "That's very possible Mrs. Draaka, one thing is certain, once we reach the jump gate, I will send a message calling for their arrest." By the time we arrived back on the Ingata, word had spread of the "Dekken Incident." Gitel, back from dropping Sara, Andy and Ann off down on earth told Sandrick that as he and Weeko were coming across the west in preparation for the return to Falth, "Weeko spotted a brief "signature" below us. Since it was in this area, I assumed it was Morkai, but then I thought it could also be the Dekkens shadowing us or Morkai, so I recorded it before the computer dumped the temporary data." Sandrick was delighted upon hearing that, the data would offer solid evidence that it might have been the Dekkens. If the recorded data was good, specialists could match it to their ship and the proof would stand in court.

After returning, it was a quick turnaround down to Uncle Jeff's place, with the two shuttles crammed with passengers, gear, and food. As Morkai and I piloted the craft to earth I chuckled, "My Uncle simply won't know what to think, two strange spacecraft parked on his farm all sorts of strangers wandering around." It was almost nine at night when we landed, my Uncle, Andy and Drokai were there to greet us. Nearby was a white canvas military tent with a large campfire blazing in front. Sitting nearby were my Aunt, Sally and Emily. I didn't see Todd or Jenny, but it turned out that they were sleeping in the tent worn out from a busy day. While Morkai, Colin and Sandrick filled Andy in on the investigation, I took Sally aside, and asked, "Well how did it go with Drokai?" Sally sighed, Oh they were disappointed at first, but I talked with mother and explained the situation very carefully, their slowly warming to Drokai, he's just so much different than Tom, who by the way came here with the sheriff shortly after we left, but all my parents could tell them was that I wasn't here, that I had simply left, and that I would write. You know Holly, in some ways this return has been very painful for me, Jenny asked me if her "pretend" father, meaning Tom would try and keep her from going back home. My own children don't see earth as their home anymore, which in many respects I don't either, Drokai is my life now, and when we leave here, I will have to say goodbye to mother and father for the last time. It's going to be very hard on mother, she simply dotes on Todd and Jenny, but as they grow older, they'll forget, Drokai and I are planning on having more children, so there will be family mother and father will never see. It's very bittersweet, and I cry inside, but going to Falth was for the best, I have no regrets at all."

Morkai and I then greeted my Aunt and Uncle telling them about what a hit her apple pie made, and Sally's efforts at duplicating her recipe at Christmas. We then fell in with the others in setting up the large inflatable tent, a portable commode, as well as a tent for the conference. The other Shai Alyt people brought their own shelters, which they set up near the main tent. Morkai, Nargra, Hanna and I made our beds aboard one of the shuttles, as did Jaerka and Karuk on the other. Gitel and Weeko had their own shelter. Colin used the army tent after the children left for the house with their parents, oh if the neighbors only knew that all these beings from another world were camped not far away.