Wishing On A Star

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Between the time, we returned to Falth and the fall harvesting trip back to earth, a great deal transpired with all of us. I started taking classes at the university and delivering an occasional lecture to the Kagorian studies students. The McGuffey readers, as well as a couple history books had been translated and copied, a syllabus had been created. The whole program contained a modest number of students, but all were eager to learn about that "mysterious" planet no one but Shai Alyt contractors could travel to. Originally, a university/government expedition had been planned to visit Kagor, however because of the Dekken incident the trip was cancelled, now professor Narkoa was trying to get permission to get another trip going, but he wasn't having much luck.

The Dekken trial however was our main interest. About a month after we returned, the semi-secret trial opened with the government presenting written depositions from Colin, Andy, Morkai as well as Mrs. Benning. Pictures taken at the two m******e sites were displayed as well. The trial was not covered much by Falthian media, but if you knew where to look you could follow the testimony. Morkai, Nargra, and Gitel attended the trial since each at one point was called as a witness. Morkai and the others were forbidden to speak to anyone concerning the trial, so our only source was the "official" government version, which was pretty straightforward. The trial lasted about a relfa, with the jury taking less than three shons to convict. All of us were sure the government had an airtight case, and even though Juko's father hired the best attorney he could, the man couldn't save Juko and Kith from the executioner. It was generally believed that if it had only been the one incident that Colin discovered they would have probably been sentenced to life in prison. After the trial, Morkai told me that Mr. Elcon really made the government's case, high-resolution photographs; Mrs. Benning's written statement really sealed their fate. As Morkai said, "They really crossed the line with the Benning's, and as everyone knows, you cross the line, you get crossed off."

As for Amrick and Lerock, both received fifty dorns in prison for their part in the first m******e, Juko and Kith, were transferred to the prison on Comac 4 where they were executed. The whole thing was a needless tragedy, one that never should have happened.

The whole tragic Dekken affair was one all of us certainly wanted to put behind us, but it was clear that the government took the prime directive very seriously, and although nothing was said to us directly, the implications were clearly there, "Whenever your on Kagor, be extremely careful, you saw what happened to the Dekkens, don't let it happen to you." Kith and Juko were soon forgotten as a more important subject arose, and that was the "explosion" of pregnancies among we earth women. Hanna was the first to confirm her pregnancy, then came Ann, followed by Sara, then me, Weeko and Pricilla. Doctor Metana was overwhelmed, it was quite amazing really, within a three alyt period, six women became pregnant, jokes and good-natured humor were leveled at us, but we took it in stride, nobody deliberately planned it, it just happened. Doctor Metana told us he was already getting ready for the possibility of two or three of us giving birth at the same time, however he began to monitor us very closely since he had never delivered human babies before but there were real questions concerning half human and half Nuelian offspring, so practically every relfa, we would have to show up at the hospital for routine testing.

There was also an unspoken relief among us earth women that despite Dr. Metana's inexperience in delivering "Kagorians," all were glad they were having their babies here on Falth, we were very aware of problems that could easily develop were we to give birth back on earth. Sitting at Drolugi's one evening enjoying after dinner drinks, (Dr. Metana forbid us from touching any alcohol so it was strictly Malo) Hanna postulated that it was the spa room on the Ingata that caused all of us to become pregnant. "We all know we were in there," snickered Hanna, "Some of us more than once , something about that place just caused us to release all of our inhabitations, if your not happy with your situation, blame Sandrick."

Of course none of us were, but Ann wondered if we would be able to travel to earth for next dorn's harvest. "Let's face it," she observed, "all these babies will start popping out in the spring and will be too small to travel in space come next dorn's harvest." All of us realized she was right, and immediate speculation began as to the course of action we should be taking.

Shortly afterwards Morkai and I along with Nargra and Hanna returned to Akdor for a couple relfa's of relaxation. We enjoyed dinner with Sally and her husband as well as a beach party or two with them. It really appeared that Sally was very happy in her new life here on Falth, she seemed to be adopting to Falthian fashions as well as gaining a tan, She told us that Todd and Jenny were always coming home with new friends, or asking if they could spend the night at someone's home. While we were in Akdor, Morkai arranged with Sally's husband Drokai to have me take the pilot's exam. The Na'Vas had been overhauled and was in top shape. So one morning Morkai Nargra, Hanna and I met Drokai and a certified flight tester for my flight exam and solo flight. I had worried about the upcoming test all night and didn't get much sleep,

"Don't worry about it Holly, " said Morkai, "You've gone without sleep many times before, don't sweat it."

The tester's name was Jormac Sukor, ex navy, and now a flight instructor and tester for the government space agency. After Drokai introduced us, Jormac had me do a walk-around then a pre-flight check, explanation of the instrumentation.

Once he was satisfied that I knew what I was doing, it was off to space.

"I'm just going to sit here and observe Mrs. Draaka," said Mr. Sukor, "take us into a high orbit, to a final instrument check then we'll do a swing around Solis then back here."

Well, it sure sounded simple enough, but I thanked God I had flown with Gitel. As we flew towards the moon, he had me do basically, what Gitel had taught me, turns flips twists course corrections, taking me way off course then requiring me to return to my original course. I maintained my composure focusing entirely on the task at hand. He never said a word, other than to tell me what maneuver to perform; finally, we were back over Falth, "Take us back down to the surface and land at Akdor." As we were entering the atmosphere, he suddenly deleted the landing data for Akdor.

"You've just lost your avionics Mrs. Draaka; you've got approximately twenty taq's to get us back to the Akdor landing field."

One last "trick" up his sleeve, I was under the "gun," to return in a set amount of time. My response to this test was that I had flown to Akdor a couple times before, I simply vectored Cluria, took up a flight path I had flown before, dropped to the prescribed altitude and homed in on Akdor, landing moments before the twenty taq time frame.

I then went through the post flight shutdown, Mr. Sukor saying nothing in all this time. Finally, he smiled and entered data into his computer, then reaching over and shaking my hand, he simply said,

"Well Mrs. Draaka, you passed with flying colors, I've entered your pilot's registration number into the government's registration data bank, the information will also appear on your personal data record, you will be receiving an updated I.D. card with your pilot's serial number on it."

Morkai came up to me and gave me a big hug, "I knew you could do it Holly, I'm so damn proud of you."

Taking a couple things out of his pocket, he handed them to me.

"I was so sure you would make it I got you these, this emblem goes on your flight vest, this one you can put on your jacket. This pin is more like jewelry and can be worn on more formal wear."

The clothe emblems were deliberately "Faded" to simulate being older than they were; the gold pin was like a brooch. All consisted of a circle in which were several stars, as well as Falth. Imposed over that was a stylized set of wings. The embroidered patches were created with dull gold bullion thread, as well as dulled silver thread for the stars, green and tan thread for Falth. All the pilots wore them, now I could count myself among that group as well.

The gold pin consisted of a gold ring with an inset of Morbidium, on which very tiny diamonds were set depicting stars, with a larger one made from Athrite, a greenish blue stone depicting Falth with very detailed wings overlaid on it all.

Once I started to wear the emblems on my vest and jacket, the others became motivated to quickly finish their training as well. Hanna was next in line, then Weeko and Pricilla, followed be Ann and Sara. All of them had previously started their training, but for one reason or another, had put it aside.

Morkai further exhibited his love and confidence in me by whisking me away for two una's at the exclusive resort Kivasud overlooking the canyons of Krontor and the falls of Ricathia. Where I enjoyed incredible pampering as well as superb dining. Our nights were spent in each other's arms making love. After one such "session," Morkai asked me,

"Are you happy?"

"Mmmm,"

"You know Holly, I never told you that at one point, when Nargra and I learned of this harvesting opportunity I was against it, didn't think it had any potential, but I slept on it, and in the morning, had a whole different prospective on it, well as you know, the rest is history, I came so close to passing off the whole idea, when I look at you, and realize what I have it frightens the hell out of me to think I came this close to dismissing the idea."

I chuckled, "At one point, I debated whether to take the teaching position at Belle Fourche thinking something closer and safer surly had to open up, I too "slept" on it, mother and father were against me traveling all that way out west and possibly being killed by Indians. The will of God, or simply fate, who's to say, however I too am glad I decided to travel west."

He then pulled me in closer, as we resumed our lovemaking.

The next time I saw Gitel I hugged him and thanked him profusely for helping me to win my wings.

"I was more than happy to do it Holly," said Gitel, "After all you did for Weeko, you were the first to befriend her, and make her welcome within your group. When I first came across her starving and wandering alone, I seriously debated with myself on just ignoring her and moving on. However, in the end I did the right thing, now we are each other's lives. You brought her out of her "shell" she's now the person I always dreamed of, no Holly, winning your wings is all the thanks I need."