Wishing On A Star

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Morkai brought us over what he said was the area where he and Nargra had a couple Wort fields, we were just above the clouds but the scanner cut right through that. What I saw took my breath away, it was daytime below us, every detail was on the screen. Trees, towns roads, everything, Morkai zoomed in and gave us a birds-eye view of Deadwood and Lead, smoke obscured the view somewhat, but I could see people and teams moving like ants below us, the sight was fascinating. After some effort, Morkai located an area close to town; the scanner showed no life forms in the area, he then brought the magnification up to full, revealing even the flowers and weeds. We found an abandoned cabin with a partially caved in roof so we knew no one lived there, there was just enough room behind it for us to land. Morkai showed me an interesting device, it was an overlay scaled to the exact dimensions of our craft, he projected it on to the screen, locating the best spot to land with no danger of bumping into the cabin or nearby trees. Once he was satisfied, he locked in the coordinates, and we came down right in the exact spot. We waited for almost half an hour making sure we had no "unexpected" visitors, but thankfully, none came. Some deer and a couple raccoons wandered through the area but they paid us no attention. In another hour the sun went down so I would have wait until morning, Morkai opened the doors allowing us to finally step out and stretch our legs. We both removed our suits, and while Morkai kept his fatigues on, I partially changed into my riding habit, which I was now starting to refer to as my "disguise." Morkai drew his plasma pistol as we listened to the sounds from Deadwood down below us, as well as the lights we could see through the trees.

Morkai activated the ground sensor alarm after we climbed back into the ship to catch a few hours of sleep. We talked briefly, about what I had to do, I mentioned that not only would I send a letter, but a telegram as well, I could see Morkai making faces in regards to what he considered extremely primitive forms of communication, but said nothing. Before we left Falth Hanna and I pooled our remaining US currency, coming up with around three dollars and a few cents, Morkai and Nargra gave me four small solid gold rings made from 24 caret gold wire, "Gold as you call it isn't that valuable here on Falth," said Morkai. "It's used primarily in replaceable circuits on the engine's transfer generator, sometimes when we don't have anything better to do, we dig out the small pieces of gold wire. Usually the pieces are just long enough to make these rings, so take them in good faith gold is gold eh?"

I told Morkai that if there was time, I would check on Hanna's friend Mary making sure she had a proper stone, as well as purchasing a few supplies. "Don't forget, three shon's then I come looking for you, and I don't think you want that." "Don't worry," I replied, I'll be back in time. We checked our wrist cron's which could show where the other was, but also allowed us to communicate with each other. Before I finished dressing, I ate some of the rations we brought along. As I thought then and still think, they're very bland and taste like nothing. I finished dressing, slung my flight bag over my shoulder and headed off towards Deadwood.

As it turns out, we had landed on the backside of a large cemetery, which I soon found out was called Mount Moriah. After a long trudge downhill, I spotted an undertaker's office, stopping in to inquire about people buried in Deadwood who might have been found in a wrecked stagecoach a few weeks ago. The man couldn't remember having performed a burial but admitted he wasn't the only undertaker in town. For the next hour I covered the town passing the Gem theatre Hanna had made disparaging remarks about. I located the post office where I mailed a letter to my parents I had written on Falth

"Dear mother and father;

You have no doubt heard of the calamitous fate of the coach I was taking to Belle Fourche.

Be of joy, for I and another woman have survived and are well and in good health. We were rescued by two exceptional gentlemen, and are now in a safe environment. Please do not worry; I will be in further contact at a later date, with a full accounting of our adventure. Until then your loving daughter; Holly

I also mailed a short letter to the Belle Fourche school board declaring that I was safe, but my plans had changed and I would no longer be available. As a final effort, I sent a wire to my father informing that I was well and that a letter would be on its way. Along the way, I stopped into a general store where I purchased five pounds of coffee beans a small "housewife" some ammunition for Hanna's pistol as well as a small coffee grinder, three volumes of McGuffey's readers and a small book on arithmetic. Offering a gold ring brought a great deal of excitement in the shop, but the clerk weighed the metal on his scale and pronounced it the real thing and offered me thirty dollars for it. Accepting his offer, I purchased various periodicals, including my favorite, Frank Leslie's illustrated.

I was fortunate to find the other undertaker who was the one who buried Mary. "For some reason she had placed her name and date of birth on a small piece of paper, I was able to emblazon her name on a simple board however she is buried in Potter's field." I held out another gold ring, which the man tested with his teeth, satisfied that it was real, he asked what I wanted. "Bury Mary Duffy in the regular cemetery; this request is not only from me but her dear friend who cannot be here at this time. I want a nice stone carved deep enough so that her name can still be discerned in one hundred years is that clear?" he smiled and nodded. "I am trusting you as an honest businessman," I replied, "I will be back at a later date along with Mary's friend, If she isn't satisfied with your efforts there will be hell to pay, is that clear?" As a final insurance, I had him put down in writing exactly what he was to do and the exact price charged, which was five dollars. Upon the conclusion of our business, I left, as time was growing short. I happened to pass a gun shop, and on a whim, I stepped inside and after speaking to the proprietor purchased a brand new Colt 1878 Frontier with a 3.5-inch barrel chambered in .44-40 caliber. I also purchased a cleaning kit as well as ammunition for my Spencer.

Upon leaving town, I caught some unsavory types looking me over, having a bad feeling about them I loaded both pistols and headed towards the cemetery and where Morkai waited. Climbing the steep hill was very taxing, and I quickly became winded, carrying all my purchases didn't help, and from the looks of things, the three men were gaining on me. They began to call on me to stop and talk, but I would hear none of it. I had my hand firmly on my Colt as I doubled my efforts to reach the deserted cabin where Morkai waited. I was becoming even more winded as the men started to move faster, I was now preparing to turn and shoot when suddenly bright green streaks shot past me. I quickly turned to see all three men literally cut in half with the blasts from Morkai's pistol as he stepped from behind a tree. They didn't even have time to scream, they died that fast. "Get to the ship and get your suit on Holly," said Morkai, "I'll deal with things here." I quickly did as I was told securing my flight bag behind my seat. Wasting no time and even as out of breath as I was I stripped off my clothes and climbed into my suit making sure all the connections were fastened and plugged in properly.

Morkai came around the corner of the shack several minutes later blood on his clothes, without saying a word; he quickly "suited" up and removed something from a compartment behind his seat. I watched as her fiddled with it for a moment, then tossed it through an empty window into the shack. In moments we were climbing into the sky, I watched the screen as the ground got smaller; suddenly a bright orange flash appeared where the cabin had been. Everything had happened so fast, my mind was still in an uproar, when Morkai said, "I saw those guys way down the hill coming after you, sorry for shooting past you, but your weapons would have brought the curious, my pistol doesn't make any noise to speak of." "What did you do with the men, I gasped. Morkai shrugged, "Threw what was left of them into that cabin, what you saw me toss in there was a Limick bomb every craft like this carries a couple in case you have to destroy it for any reason, the fire that bomb started will burn incredibly hot there will be nothing but ashes, if they had any metal on them it will all be melted into puddles."

"Thank you for saving my life…Again." Morkai grinned, "This is beginning to become a habit Miss Bickford, but actually I've no doubt you could have taken care of those louts." "Perhaps," I mumbled, "perhaps." "How was I on time?" Morkai chuckled "Fifteen taq's to spare, we're right on schedule, I hope you took care of all your business, what's all that gress you had stuffed in your bag?" "Study books for Hanna and perhaps Weeko. Coffee, five pounds of it, you simply must try it, more ammunition for my carbine plus a few other odds and ends." He just looked at me and grinned, "Women!"

Shortly afterwards, Morkai turned the control yoke over to me then started to read off the essential readings, I indicated if they were as they should be and when asked, gave the proper reading. Except for four mistakes I did all right, Morkai was satisfied, but after a rest spell, he "upped the ante," changing our course heading then requiring me to make the proper correction and bring us back on course. At first, it was rather easy, but he kept making it more difficult, finally changing our course several times. It took all my concentration to keep up with what he was doing, but I was finding that I was making too many mistakes, Morkai sensed this and said, "That's enough for now, reflect on what I was doing as opposed to the things you were trying to do to correct them, we'll get back to this later." After that, he initiated hyper drive and off we went.

Soon he was napping again while I monitored the instruments; I used the time to reflect on the day's activities. My mind kept traveling back to the ease in which Morkai shot those ruffians down without a second thought, perhaps there was another side to him I needed to discover, perhaps I was correct in taking my time. Since Morkai and I were all talked out for the time being, we worked as teacher and student practically all the way back home. Morkai discovered my strengths and weaknesses as far as learning went and capitalized on them. Steady repetition, immediate correction constantly questioning my decisions, and when wrong making me see just why I was wrong. His instruction while fast-paced never overwhelmed me, calm and patient, he was a remarkable teacher. Finally he turned to me and said, "Final exam for this course Holly, we're nearing the jump gate, I'm going to give you the proper heading and coordinates for the gate, however as you fly to the gate I will ask you to remove your hands from the control yoke and close your eyes. I will then change our course, sometimes quite a bit, sometimes barely at all, the point to all this is to teach you how not to become flustered should you loose your course, and in another instance recovering from an escape from a raider. In that situation, you would have performed any number of course changes in your attempt to escape, or attack your pursuer. In any case, you would have to find your way back on course, this scenario assumes your navigational computer is damaged and can't be relied on to get you home, are you ready?"

I took a deep breath and indicated "Yes." "Remember," he said, "There will be six course changes, if you do this right, thirty mila-ocks after you make that last correction, the jump gate will come into view, make a mistake and you will know soon enough." Suddenly I was back in college taking my final exams given by a professor who didn't think women were capable of college work, much less higher education. I relaxed my mind concentrating on the problem at hand, after opening my eyes I immediately checked my navigational readings, from what I remembered, and made the proper correction, Morkai said nothing or made any facial expressions that might indicate if I was right or wrong. When I opened my eyes after the sixth "correction" made by Morkai, I was sweating profusely, my full attention was on those instruments, fear was the mind killer, so I just blacked everything else out of my mind and made my correction, time seemed to stand still but there was the jump gate, I was so transfixed on the problem I never heard Morkai cheer and slap me on the back for a job well done.

After Morkai brought me out of my trance, he announced, "Although this is only the first step, I can see that you have the skill, you have the talent, someday you will make an excellent pilot, when I first performed that exercise I failed it twice, you passed it the first time young lady, there's no turning back now." Time seemed to pass in a whirl, even after landing my mind was racing with a million thoughts, while Morkai turned in the spacecraft and made his report, I had to report to the medical clinic and an appointment with a doctor Metana.

"My name is Doctor Zolron Metana you and the other Kagorian females will be seeing me a lot, I've taken on the study of Kagorian physiology and your overall medical make-up. Your bodily make-up is for the most part like ours, however there are differences. As you no doubt were aware, we had you hooked up to several monitors that recorded everything your body did while you were in space. Right now I wish to give you a complete physical checking for any abnormal conditions picked up while traveling in hyperspace." He really put me through the "mill." Welcome to modern medicine. While he performed his tests and explained what he was looking for, I amazed and shocked him with horror stories of medicine as it was practiced on earth. I liked this man; he was compassionate, full of good humor, interesting, actually taking time to fully explain to me what the tests were showing as well as my body's proper functions. Later, after a return appointment, he announced that except for lack of sleep and proper exercise, I had suffered no ill effects from that marathon flight. "As I examine other members of your race, my findings will no doubt change, however I find you Kagorians exceptionally tough, your immune system is truly amazing."

We were the talk of Drolugi's Nargra realized how pleased Morkai was and his praise for my skill at flying giving me a wink and a "thumb's up" Hanna cried and hugged me upon hearing of my effort to provide a proper marker for Mary. After that, we became even closer friends. Shortly after returning, I came downstairs early one morning and saw Weeko sitting at a table working on some sort of beadwork. "Mind if I sit down?" I politely asked. "Suit yourself," she replied, while continuing to work. I sat a moment studying this beautiful young woman. Definitely an Indian, her skin tone was slightly lighter than most of the Nuel I had seen. Her hair was black but was styled in such a way that it came down to her shoulders and turned towards the front of her. She wore the lightest of make-up and her soft brown eyes set off her face. I noticed she wore what looked like deerskin cargo pants with the bellows pockets decorated with beautiful beadwork , she wore a garment the women on Falth referred to as a "tank top" it was black but she also wore a sleeveless jacket with bellows pockets as well, again, it was decorated with colorful beadwork as well. "That's a beautiful outfit you have on," I said. "Thank you," she mumbled.

Then she suddenly raised her head and glared at me, "If you have come to torment me I'll leave, or if you and your friend only wish to hound me about your misfortune with Indians I shall simply walk away, I'm sorry for your misfortune but I had nothing to do with it." I realized I truly had my work cut out for me. "My name is Holly Bickford, my friends name is Hanna Brown, I didn't come here to trouble you, I came to introduce myself, I would like to be your friend, I have been hearing of your problems with Pricilla and Ann, I wish to change that. As far as my problems with Indians, it's true, I was shot and nearly died. Hanna's friend was killed, I don't know what tribe you are from, but all this happened in the Black Hills Dakota Territory. I was told our attackers were a renegade band of Sioux warriors, I'm willing to put that all behind me in exchange for your friendship, there, do with that information as you will."

Weeko sat there for a moment then looked up at me, and quietly said, "I am Nez Perce, Gitel rescued me and saved my life." I gave her a steady look and said, "Hear me my chiefs! I am tired; My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever." Weeko's jaw dropped, "That's not exactly what he said but you know, millions of lightdorns from home and I meet a white who knows about Chief Joseph." Tears started seeping from her eyes, as she said, "If you truly mean this I will welcome you as a friend. You honored me with my chief's sentiments if not his actual words, but the fact that you are willing to put aside your hatred towards my people speaks wisdom, I have seen my brother and parents die at the hands of the bluecoats, and yet a man from the stars has renewed my faith. There is still much confusion in my mind over this world, two moons can you believe it? Gitel worships me and I do the same." We continued to talk and grow closer, finally as I prepared to leave I said, "If you like, the next time I travel back to earth I will be happy to purchase beads for you, I saw some in a*****e in Deadwood, I would be more than happy to help you out." Weeko thanked me and told me the colors she wanted the most, we hugged as we parted, my first real friend outside of Hanna.

Later that day I was sitting by myself reading Leslies when someone sat down across from me, I didn't recognize him but somehow I knew who he was. "I just want to thank you for befriending Weeko, perhaps now she won't dread this place. I have been hearing good things about you Holly Bickford; Morkai has truly found himself a good woman. I also hear you have the makings of a good pilot. I will make a deal with you…Continue to help Weeko and when Morkai has taught you all he knows, come see me." With that he was up and gone. Eventually I introduced Hanna to Weeko, Hanna was a little more reluctant to forget what happened to Mary, but finally she came around to the fact that Weeko or her people had nothing to do with Mary's death.

After a couple more days, Morkai had finished up over at Andara reporting that they were quite delighted with the test results. Morkai told me that the engine was torn completely down and gone through. "There was a converter and an exchanger that were showing a little too much wear, but all were happy at the overall report."