Joyride Chapter 4

“Councilor Alea thinks it unwise to for you to try to apprehend Veshano by yourself.” The voice came from behind Luna as she walked out of the council chambers. She turned around to see a young Thalean woman standing by the chamber door. Thick green vines adorned her head, giving the impression of braided hair, with a ring of broad leaves and indigo flowers forming a crown. Apart from the green skin and leaves in place of hair, her features were remarkably like Luna’s. In her eyes, her facial features and the shape of her body, Luna could easily see their common ancestry.

“She made that clear.” Luna replied calmly.

“What do you think?” the Thalean asked.

“I have a responsibility to protect the vulnerable.” Luna said. “Even if that means I assume some risk.”

“Risk is one thing. Conflict of interest is another. Veshano was the last Spira to see your parents alive before they went missing on Earth.”

“Are you saying he killed them?” Luna asked with skepticism. “My father and Veshano had been friends since they were young.”

“I am not alleging anything of the sort.” Her eyes remained locked on Luna’s as she slowly moved closer. “Likely as not, your parents were killed by the Earth natives – they are notoriously dangerous after all. But after their deaths Veshano – a respected scientist and council member – starts brazenly breaking the law. Whatever happened on Earth has changed him. Your being the daughter of his friends may not stay his hand”

“Did Alea send you to talk me out of it?” Luna asked.

“I simply here to provide you with information. It is up to you to decide for yourself.”

“Who are you?”

“I am Meilai, head of Councilor Alea’s security detail. She told me to give you this.” Meilai handed Luna a data card. “These are all of Veshano’s records since he first arrived on Earth, thousands of that planet’s years ago. You should know what you are up against. If you want to know why the marauders are afraid of that planet, you should read of Veshano’s first encounter with the natives”

Luna returned to her uncle Sempres’ reflecting pool, which was her favorite spot to meditate. The alpine glow from the distant mountains radiated off the pool’s surface, and brought her back for a moment to the snow covered ridge. She pictured the spotted fur and green glowing eyes of the mother feline and her cubs as she had watched them exit their cages and make their way into the woods. The mother turned back to look at Luna, and gave a slight nod as if to say thanks before disappearing into the treeline. The thought of these creatures made Luna smile.

She was somehow reminded of her parents. The last time she saw them was at her graduation from the academy. She remembered their adoring looks of pride and love, and how they stood out from the crowd in the front row. They had been stationed on Earth for most of her time in the academy, and Luna had missed them dearly. They had planned to stay longer and catch up, but her father Caelum had been tasked with establishing a military outpost closer to Earth, to protect the research team and bring the worlds in that sector under Spira protection. Then he and Luna’s mother, Hoshi would rejoin Veshano on Earth for a short period until another team came in to relieve them, then they could rotate home and spend more time with their beloved daughter. Caelum beamed with joy at seeing Luna in her new uniform. It had been her dream from a young age to be a wilderness sanctuary protector.

“No one seems to know what happened to them…” Luna whispered to herself. “If anyone knows, it’s Veshano.”

The next morning, Luna practiced her morning routine as usual: hygiene, meditation and a light breakfast before hitting the obstacle course. She did her usual stretches as she looked out at the physical challenges ahead. It started with a hundred meter swim, followed by a twenty meter climb up a rope ladder. Next she would ride a series of hanging ropes, swinging from one to the next until she landed on a floating platform. From there she would jump from platform to platform as they moved into and out of her considerable jumping range, timing each jump perfectly or else being carried by the water current back to the first platform to start again. Luna navigated the course with the speed and prowess of an expert athlete, bounding from one obstacle to the next with grace and precision. Her times on the obstacle course rivaled those of her planet’s military elite. On several occasions, she had been approached to join the military, but she had always declined, preferring her role as a protector of wilderness sanctuaries. It seemed now, the lines between those two roles would be blurred.

Luna’s gray, form-fit track suit had already dried by the time she made it from the end of the obstacle course to the changing room entrance. Military personnel and diplomats from the other Spira planets milled about the gym in their own gray track suits. An Amphelian was now tackling the obstacle course, dashing through the initial swim at a pace no one from Luna’s planet could match. As she was about to enter the changing room, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

“That was quite the impressive run.” Luna turned to see councilor Alea, from the Thalean delegation.

“You were watching me?” Luna replied.

“I’ll admit I was worried by Karuna’s decision. Perhaps I underestimated you.” Alea said.

“Your bodygaurd gave me a file on Veshano. No offense, but why did that come from you and not Sempres or Karuna?” Luna asked.

“It’s a...sensitive matter. There are aspects of Veshano’s time on Earth they would rather keep secret. I can’t say any more here, but just know that you face great danger. Sempres is Veshano’s oldest friend, he may not want to believe what Veshano is capable of.”

Luna returned home from the gym and resolved to wade through the numerous files on the data card Meilai had given her. Veshano had been on Earth longer than Luna had been alive. Where else to start, but the beginning?

Record of the first crewed expedition to the habitable third planet in orbit around yellow dwarf star Orion – 381:

Written by Veshano, Lead Scientist.

Mission:

Observe and document the biosphere from the planet’s surface. Assess the evolutionary progress, culture and temperament of the dominant life forms. Any form of interaction with indigenous life is prohibited, unless the crew is in immediate danger.

Crew:

Veshano – Lead Scientist. Responsible for research of developing civilizations, cultures and languages.

Hoshi – Planetary Scientist. Responsible for study of planetary climate, biosphere and celestial neighborhood.

Caelum – Military Escort. Responsible for piloting, navigation, and mission security.

Luna felt her heart pounding heavily in her chest as she read her parents’ names. Hoshi and Caelum. She thought back to MeiLai’s warning that Veshano was the last one to see them alive. After a few deep breaths to calm her nerves she pressed forward. Within these records may be some insight into their fates. She continued reading.

Observation from orbit:

Satellite imagery indicates proto-Spira life forms in small groups of 50 to 100 individuals. There are approximately 1 million in total across the planet. They live on every continent except the frozen south pole. These life forms posses sophisticated language and tool making abilities. They are highly adaptable to the planet’s harsh and rapidly changing climate. Most groups are nomadic, migrating with the seasons and in response to broader climate shifts. Their culture is cooperative, but warlike, making them potentially very dangerous.

Planetary scans indicate that exposure suits will not be needed while on the surface. The atmosphere is breathable, with temperatures and pressures in the habitable range. The planet’s magnetic field absorbs a sufficient amount of cosmic radiation. We have identified a small tribe in a mountainous region to study. The landscape provides sufficient cover to conceal the ship and equipment while observing the tribe.

Surface Exploration:

Day 1

To avoid detection, the we landed after dark on a plateau overlooking a small village in the valley below. Hoshi set up the observation equipment; long range audio antennas, infrared and visible light cameras pointed towards the village. Caelum deployed motion sensors around the landing site and established a feed to the satellite constellation to monitor for incoming spacecraft.

I will venture into the valley to get a closer view of the tribe. I need to find one of these beings alone so that I can implant a consciousness beacon. This beacon integrates directly with the nervous system, feeding the contents of consciousness back to the receiver on the ship. From there, I will be able to see, hear, and feel as though I am one with the life form I have implanted.

Day 6

I found a lone member of the tribe when he ventured up the mountainside opposite our plateau. He sat in contemplation for hours by the glacier. In this way, he reminded me of a Spira, though from my observations, he is the only one of his tribe to engage in this behavior. When he was fully enraptured in his meditation, I implanted the beacon precisely in the back of his neck, just below the base of the skull. He slapped his neck as though swatting a bug, but fortunately did not turn around. If he had seen me, he might have taken me for one of his own species, but he could have nevertheless turned violent.

Day 9

The man I have implanted is named Uthel. He is the healer and spiritual leader of his tribe, as well as advisor to the chief of the village. These beings have a deep sense of community and dedication to each other, but also an unsettling brutality. Yesterday, Uthel mediated a village debate about what to do with prisoners from a rival tribe. He advocated releasing the prisoners back to their tribe in exchange for an agreement of peace. Many of his tribe wanted to murder the prisoners in cold blood. Some wanted to do worse. The chief ultimately settled on releasing the hostages in exchange for a bribe and the rivals’ abandoning the valley.

Luna thought about just how dangerous the inhabitants of this planet could be. A lone voice advocating for peace among cacophonous calls for violence. And a leader who had to split the difference between the two. This chief was wise to know he had to appease a bloodthirsty mob while avoiding an all out war. He was cold and calculating indeed, yet showed greater moral clarity than any poacher she had ever encountered.

She read on.

Day 12

Caelum informs me the satellite constellation has detected a marauder convoy en route to the planet. They will be in position to enter the atmosphere within four local days. He has requested military backup, but it will take over thirty local days before the nearest outpost can reach our position. Because we are not equipped for combat, Caelum recommends that we leave now to ensure the security of the research crew. If we do that, many of these natives will be killed or taken as slaves to a foreign world. I feel we have a duty to prevent that.

Day 13

Caelum has told me that he will not directly engage the marauders nor give them any indication of our presence on this planet. We are too far away from the nearest military outpost for backup to arrive in time. But he will help me lay a trap for them. We can prevent an atrocity here, but to do so, I would need to break the law. Not only can the beacon show me the contents of Uthel’s consciousness, it can let me take control of him. Such action is forbidden, as we are not to interfere in the lives of species under our protection. Still, I see no alternative. I will not stand idle and watch a massacre.

Luna saw that the next entry was a video, captured from the consciousness beacon Veshano had implanted in Uthel, the tribe’s healer. The human language had been translated into her own, but she could still faintly hear the rough, guttural utterances of Uthel and the chief. The video started with them looking up towards a comet, streaking across the night sky. Uthel gestured towards the white-blue figure dominating the horizon.

“Bad omen. War is on the horizon.”

“Our rivals will reject our offer of peace?”The chief asked.Uthel turned to face him. The chief was a tall, muscular man with scars across his arms and chest. He wore a deer pelt kilt, a necklace of wolf fangs and wooden beads, and a large feathered headdress. He had painted black streaks under his eyes and across his chest and arms. This man was a fearsome sight.

“No, my visions say it will be a new enemy. One from far away.”

“Uthel, how can you know this? Have you seen them?”

“Tomorrow I will take you. I will show you where they gather.”

Luna felt strange even just watching a recording of life through someone else’s eyes. It would have been weird enough if she were just watching an authentic interaction between two people, but it was deeply unsettling to Luna that Veshano wasmakingUthel say those things. She checked the time on her wrist pad to find that she had been working deep into the night, and only just scratched the surface of the material that MeiLai had given her. Luna knew she should get some sleep, but her curiosity would not let her. She opened the next file on the data card. Another video.

The chief and Uthel crouched behind a boulder on a ridge overlooking a clearing where the snow capped mountains and alpine forests gave way to what seemed like an endless grassy plain. Grazing territory for the enormous beasts that roamed this planet. A familiar rumbling sound preceded an aircraft coming into view through Uthel’s eyes. A large triangular winged craft with smoke belching from the engines. As the craft approached, Luna could see the rust and shoddy repairs that were the unmistakable characteristics of marauder spacecraft. The lumbering ship touched down with the marauders’ characteristic disregard for the integrity of the landing gear and a loud thud. Black uniformed figures disembarked the craft and fanned out to create a perimeter for the ship’s captain.

“Evil spirits” Uthel said. “They seek to enslave us.”

The chief remained silent. He had certainly never seen anything remotely like this, but if he was scared or even surprised, he didn’t show it. He gave Uthel a stone faced look, then returned his attention to the scene unfolding below. A herd of giant bison was headed straight for the landing site. Caelum had hacked the marauder ship’s navigation and sensor suite to have them land at a site of Veshano’s choosing. No doubt he chose this spot to give them a proper introduction to some of Earth’s more dangerous animals. A marauder scout opened fire with his rifle towards the charging bison. Beams of white light streaked from his weapon, and grazed the animal’s skull but failed to stop it from charging. The bull lowered its head then impaled the marauder on an enormous horn, then flung its head backwards, sending the marauder flying towards the center of the herd. He landed behind the lead bull with a thud before being subsumed into the ground by the heard of trampling bison.

The remaining marauders fell back into a defensive position around the spacecraft, and opened fire towards the herd. Streaks of white light and the crack of gunshots rang out from the marauders’ defensive line. The bison could withstand a surprising number of shots, but eventually a few fell to the barrage and the herd changed it’s direction to avoid the landing site.

“They will come for us” Uthel said. “We must prepare.”

One more video, Luna thought. Then I will go to sleep.

The next video started in a dark forest. Luna could hear the sounds of nocturnal creatures and the gnarled outline of a dead tree looming large amidst the pines and boulders. The full moon was the only source of light, bathing the scene in a dim glow. A thick fog obscured a group of figures in the distance, but Luna could make out the silhouettes of marauder rifles. Uthel’s view panned to the left where the chief stood, stone-faced and resolute as ever. To his right was a young man, a boy really, who looked positively terrified. He was trembling, sweat dripping from his brow, a white knuckled grip on his spear. Uthel … Veshano… put his hand on the young man’s shoulder and gave him a reassuring nod.

“Do not fear. Our friends here will tear them limb from limb” Veshano said, motioning to the dog which was had come up to him. He knelt down and played with the dog’s fur, then took a small bit of food from his pouch and held it out for the dog to eat. Veshano stood back up and addressed the boy: “Breathe. Stay aware of your surroundings and you will survive this day. We know these lands – these outsiders do not.” The boy took a deep breath and his face hardened. Veshano put his hand on the boy’s shoulder and gave him a reassuring nod.

A snap. One of the marauders had stepped on a twig. He looked down as a rope noose tightened around his ankle then pulled him up towards the treetops, leaving him dangling by his foot. In the confusion of falling into the trap, he had dropped his rifle and yelled out to his squad for help. In that instant the quiet night turned into chaos. A volley of arrows let fly towards the marauders. An atlatl dart zipped through Uthel’s field of vision and impaled a marauder against a tree. The crack of rifle fire pierced the night and streaks of white light took off in all directions. Dogs howled and ran by Uthel into the fray, fading into shadows in the fog. The sounds of growling dogs and gunshots rang out across the night. Luna recoiled at what sounded like flesh being torn a blood curdling scream as the silhouette of a dog lunged at a marauder’s throat.

The chief let out a piercing war cry and the tribe’s warriors followed suit, howling as they marched into the fray. Veshano let out a war whoop of his own and charged ahead with his stone axe drawn. A marauder came into full view out of the fog. He trained his rifle on Veshano and let out a burst of fire. For a moment, Luna gazed down the barrel of his weapon before Veshano leapt in the air twice his own height and came down directly on top of the marauder, lodging his stone axe in the man’s neck. He looked up to see a knife hurtling toward him and dove aside, rolled on the ground and came to his feet running. The knife thrower was taking aim with his rifle as Veshano leapt to the side, bounding off of a tree with his left foot then kicking the marauder in the chest with his right.

Even in this human body, Veshano’s physical prowess was a sight to behold. He was a scientist – a civilian – but he fought with the skill of the Spira’s military elite. It was unlike anything these humans had ever seen.It had to be.

The gunshots became less frequent, then stopped altogether. The sound of dogs barking faded into a quiet lull, before the nocturnal creatures hesitantly resumed going about their normal business. The first rays of sun started to peak over the horizon and the fog lifted to reveal the scene of a massacre. Marauder corpses lay strewn about, bleeding and riddled with arrows. Several of the marauders had fallen into a pit of spikes; one was still barely alive and groaning pitifully.

It was a decisive victory by any measure, but it had not been without cost. Two of the tribe warriors had fallen in the battle to gunshot wounds, and several more were injured but would live. A dog came sauntering up to Veshano, tail wagging and smiling as if to say “I did good, right?” Veshano patted the dog on the head and looked up to see the marauder who had set off the first trap, still alive and strung up by his foot, hanging from a tree. He started to protest. The translator in Luna’s video told her he was demanding to be let down. Veshano retrieved his stone bladed axe from the neck of the marauder he had slain earlier and used it to sever the rope tied to the tree trunk, letting the marauder fall onto his head. Uthel walked over to him and swung his axe again, cleanly severing the marauder’s head from his body.

“Put their heads on pikes” He said. “To send these demons the message that this is our world, not theirs.”

Veshano motioned to one of the tribe warriors and they separated themselves from the group. Once he was sure they were out of earshot, Veshano said in his native Spira tongue “when the tribe has moved on collect these heads and put them back in the marauder ship. Then send it back where it came from.”

“Understood.”

It was just one word, but unmistakably Luna’s father’s voice. If anyone knew what happened to her parents, it was Veshano. Luna decided. She would go to Earth.