Sanación II “We Are the Aliens”

Sanación II

We Are the Aliens

A Novel

by

Mary Louise Davie

Published by

Brighton Publishing LLC

501 W. Ray Road

Suite 4

Chandler, AZ

www.BrightonPublishing.com

Copyright © 2013

ISBN: 978-1-621831-32-7

eBook

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All the characters in this book are fictitious and the creation of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Dedication

To my Dad: You showed me the stars.

Backword

Journal entry: Colonel Steve Jensenn

Date: Not sure

Forget the science. Forget all the trials we faced along the way, the silent devastation in space, the loss of life of Admiral Goodman and of the Civilian Leader. The one who, after killing Mr. Sutherland—their first Civilian Leader—led the civilian uprising. Forget that I knew love through one but my heart ached for another, the one I couldn’t have. Forget the black hole whose grips we survived—more than survived. We managed to find out some of the mysteries that space holds and push beyond its limits.

But forget all of that. Tonight in this journal, for the first time, I say to you forget the science and know the man. Having just landed on this, our new home, our new planet—which we have given the same name as our ship, Sanación—we have ruled that rank shall never again be an impediment to love. Okay, I have ruled, being the highest-ranking officer and now head of the military. What was I to do? I love Lenora, and now we can be together. That man she married, the cowardly astronaut who helped in the civilian uprising, is forgotten.

Cyndi, my partner on much of the flight, and her daughter, Amanda, will never be forgotten, but I must be with Lenora. I need her. No other accepts me just as I am. Lenora is at last my love, my partner, my life; I couldn’t be happier.

Maybe all is meant to be peaceful and calm, and we can go forth as the somewhat intelligent life-forms we are and use what knowledge we have to gather more and share more. Is it possible that now my life is meant to be a quiet and wonderful adventure that I share with Lenora, as together we face this new world?

My prayer for humanity is this: May we leave behind our petty differences, our arrogance that ours is the best way, our fears of anything unknown. May we keep alive our curiosity, our underlying desire to learn more, and accept that the truth may be that simple, so we may know it when we find it.

Chapter One

Nothing Is What It Seems to Be

A group of technicians were taking molds at the site where Lenora had found the alien footprints. One of the technicians was Sergeant Paul Goodman. On the ship he had taken turns at everyone’s job; here on the planet, he continued doing this and that, filling in as the science assistant and whatever else they needed in his endless rotation. In this way he learned a little bit about everything. The colonel, Steve, had been his mentor, had helped him along, had seen him as a young man when Admiral Goodman, Paul’s father, had seen him only as a boy. Ever since the mutiny where the admiral had been killed and the colonel had saved Paul’s life, Paul had felt driven to become what the colonel was: knowledgeable on every subject.

Paul was squatting over one of the prints. He stirred the mixture in the bowl that he held a little bit more to get just the right thickness and then began to gently pour it into the print.

He scratched at the slender filter apparatus under his nose. With an oxygen content of around sixty percent, the breathing apparatus lessened the O2 content, preventing hypoxia—an excess of oxygen in the body tissues—and allowing Paul to stay out in this air for as long as he wanted.

After two minutes the mold had hardened, and Paul was able to lift it up and go on to the next. There were about ten or so security officers spread out along the perimeter, checking the brush and small trees.

Sergeant, almost done here?

Paul turned to see who was speaking to him. Colonel. Yes sir. Paul poured the mixture into the next print and then stood up. Why are we doing this old school? Can’t we just scan the computer over the print and get a 3D readout?

"Normally, yes, but the scientists are just figuring out the atmosphere on this planet. It is good for people, actually probably what our own Earth had when she was young, but it is oxygen rich—so rich that since oxygen reacts with most elements, the scientists want to play it safe. We don’t want to start a chain reaction we can’t control. Steve paused and looked around. Besides, you want to be able to do some things without depending on technology. What if someday it isn’t there anymore?"

Good point, sir. Paul got back down and removed the last print-mold. All done, sir.

Good, get that back to Dr. Reidel. He wants to try and work out the nature of this being.

On my way. And with that Paul double-timed it back to the main camp.

Steve walked around and was stopped by a couple of men from the security detail. Sir, the one named Corporal Zarkovski said, and every one of them stood up straight. I was unaware you were here. I apologize. Did you need something?

No… Steve was looking at the kid’s uniform. Corporal. Just seeing what else was found out here. Anything to report? Steve was sure he recognized him from the ship, but this kid had become a man. The circumstances of the ship and perhaps the civilian uprising had seen to it that everyone did.

No sir, no more prints, nothing left behind. It’s almost as if the creature or whatever it was just disappeared, Zarkovski stated.

Well, look for ten more minutes and then— Steve stopped speaking as his attention was drawn to the area over by the prints. Anyone touch this area other than Sergeant Goodman?

No sir. We were told to allow him space and to look for other signs, footprints, or broken branches. Was that incorrect?

No, that was exactly correct. Come with me. Steve led Zarkovski over to the prints, squatting down by the top set. Does this ground look too clean? As if something, I don’t know, either swept the area or maybe burrowed down into the ground?

Zarkovski leaned in so he could have a look. There does seem to be a swirly pattern, but such distance between each set of rings.

Enough distance for, say, a rather large creature? Steve hated calling this thing a creature, but what else could he call it? Okay, you gentlemen come back to the camp, and if no one has told you as of yet, no matter what you see, we don’t want anyone shooting at these things. There’s nothing to say we’re in any danger. We’ve been here for three months; they would have tried something by now, especially with surprise on their side. Anyway, let’s head back.

Steve turned to walk back; the others followed behind him. He heard them talking quietly among themselves behind him, thinking he couldn’t hear. There was a combination of, If I see this thing I’m shooting, and, Technically, we’re the aliens. The last one made Steve laugh.

Back at the compound, Steve headed to the main building, where Jake Freeman, the leader of the Civilian Nation, wanted to go over things. He looked around the camp and saw buildings as far as the eye could see. They were simple in construction, but buildings nonetheless. On the Sanación, there had been one level that was mostly filled with these walls of a carbon fiber-like material: hard as steel and light as wood. They had brought these walls and whatever else they could prefabricate when they landed, so they were able to erect all the buildings in less than three days. It was comfortable for now. Let the scientists figure out some things before there was an upgrade. There was talk from some of the civilians of heading out to start another compound, but now that Steve and Lenora had found the footprints of some type of being, no one was going anywhere for the immediate future.

Steve noticed Lenora walking toward him. The momentary happiness he felt washing over him at seeing her, and knowing that finally they were together, was broken when he also noticed Cyndi off in the distance, waving and walking toward him. Damn! he thought. Well, no time like the present. Steve still hadn’t told her. She had said they should take a break after the uprising had ended and Steve had piloted the black hole. Then, when they chose this planet, things were hectic. Lenora and Steve had realized their love without giving Cyndi a second thought—not because they were being cruel, but because when they finally found each other, it was like some romantic comedy where no one else existed. Never a coward, Steve found himself acting in a cowardly way about this situation. He cared for Cyndi.

He didn’t realize that Cyndi’s eyes had followed the line to where he had been first looking, and she had seen the moment they shared before Steve had seen her. At once Cyndi knew. She stopped. Cyndi had been expecting this day for months. When she had first met Steve, and Lenora was not yet married, she had at first worried about it. She had seen it was near when the Civilian Nation had taken over the mission. Then she saw it again later, when Lenora had gone against her astronaut husband to help Steve. Cyndi knew. Amazingly she wasn’t upset; Cyndi and Steve had never lied to each other. Steve had just lied to himself about Lenora, keeping true to the regulation that kept the two officers away from each other.

Steve shifted his direction toward Cyndi after he nodded to Lenora. Lenora stopped, knowing he had to take care of this final step before they could be together.

Cyndi, he began, not sure what to say. Um—

For a man with an awesome command of the English language, ‘um’ is a bit disappointing. It’s okay Steve. I know. You and Lenora, it’s what was always meant to be. We were never going anywhere, but we sure had fun. Besides, it’s time the stars aligned for you.

Steve was confused but more upset that she didn’t seem bothered by all this. Did he mean that little to her?

As if she could read his mind she went on. Steve, I love you, and I always will, but we were never going to be more than we were. I made that clear from the start. I have Amanda; she is my primary concern. Cyndi was being honest, but she was tearing up.

You know I love you, and that I love Amanda too. I will always be there for both of you. Steve was being honest too. He absolutely loved Cyndi and Amanda. I know it sounds trite, but can we be friends? And please let me see Amanda from time to time. She’s wonderful, and I want her to be a part of my life.

I had already made a decision. I was actually wondering how to tell you. Her eyes were sad. Amanda and I were going to head out with the civilian group to begin a second colony, though I guess that’s on hold right now? Actually Cyndi had just made this decision moments ago, but no matter. It would be easier for both of them. Cyndi thought of her little girl Amanda and how much she would miss Steve. Cyndi had tried to keep their relationship separate, so that it wouldn’t affect Amanda, but Amanda and Steve had found each other somehow. Amanda was a small adult and he, a big kid sometimes.

I don’t know what to say. I feel as if I did something wrong, but I swear, I didn’t. Steve was confused about his own behavior. He hadn’t done anything wrong; he just loved someone else.

Cyndi stepped forward and hugged him tightly. She pulled back. It’s okay, go to her. I’m fine.

Steve looked down at her. I don’t know how to thank you. Our time together, it was—well, you’ve made me feel so much more comfortable in my own skin. Got me to laugh as I never had before, even taught me to ease up now and then. You helped me in so many ways. And I do this to you. I’m sorry.

Don’t be. Cyndi said. Go!

Steve watched as Cyndi turned and walked away. She is so perfect, he thought. Well, except she isn’t Lenora.

Steve turned and saw Lenora watching him. Waiting. He walked toward her.

***

Hello Colonel, have a seat. Jake nodded to the chair across from him. The room was a conference room with seating for twelve, but they were only two. Jake busied himself with paper work and looked up for only a second. Not having to worry about the breathers inside, Jake was not wearing one, but Steve continued to wear his out of habit both inside and out. As Steve complied with Jakes command and sat down he couldn’t help but wonder who else was joining them.

Don’t look so concerned. This is the only meeting room we have right now. Jake had noticed Steve’s eye’s darting around the expanse of the room. Besides, we’ve needed to get together and talk for the last couple of weeks, but it has all been so frenzied. There is a matter of deciding the protocol. Jake was sitting very comfortably, very much in charge, or at least trying to give off that illusion. You are the highest ranking military officer, and I am the Civilian Leader. While we have many other things that are concerns to life here, a chain of command must be decided on before we can proceed. Jake paused, fiddling with an imaginary speck of dust on the table. What are your thoughts?

Steve had never quite figured out if Jake was a friend or a foe. He had led a take-over of the ship by the Civilian Nation back before the black hole. He and his band of clueless followers, including Lenora’s husband at the time, had killed at least two people, shot him, jailed him, but then confused him. This is why Steve was conflicted, because subsequently Jake had listened to Steve’s view of the black hole and decided that it wasn’t all that scary. He had released Steve and his crew to finish the mission. Was Jake an over-zealous person who really was good, or did Steve need to be worried about him? Steve wasn’t sure. For now, Jake was okay, but Steve would never really trust him. And right now Jake couldn’t be anything but nice to Steve; right now Steve was the people’s hero. So there was time to see where things went. In the meantime there was a job to do.

My thoughts? Steve replied. My thoughts are that the military has always had a chain of command that was little more than a division of civilian politics. I see no reason to expect it to change, unless you were planning a new order of things for this new world?

No, I think you are right. Jake sat up, more attentive. I can handle the daily grind. But you need to consider promoting yourself to some rank that is recognized as the head of the military services. We need to get organized. We need more than the capable crew that flew us; now we must consider armed ground forces, an air force, and eventually, when we spread out toward the oceans, some sort of navy. Also, I imagine some sort of force to maintain the ship. Am I missing anything?

No, that’s all for now, though a division that has some of the scientists will be needed. They pretty much report to both of us right now. As far as being military head, I was in no hurry to promote myself, as you say, but in light of the discovery earlier by Lenora and me, I think I need to reorganize in some areas more quickly. Obviously I will report to you ultimately, as you are the Civilian Leader.

Good. Thanks. I thought you were going to fight me on this more. I’m glad that you can see the urgency. Jake punched his antioloc device. Send in Dr. Cuvier please. He looked up and said. I wanted to discuss the first part alone; now we’ll have Dr. Cuvier in to discuss our current situation.

Cuvier came in and sat in a chair between the two men. Steve and Jake sat at separate ends of the table, each exerting some measure of control.

Gentlemen, he said.

Jake introduced him to Steve. Dr. Cuvier here is the biologist in charge. Some sort of geological and biological with zoological added in—and I’m sure a few other sciences. Jake admired those who were in the science fields. Dr. Cuvier, can you tell us what insight you have managed to glean from the prints that were discovered?

Certainly. Dr. Cuvier had a laptop tablet with him; he tapped an app to bring up his findings. I guess I’ll start at the beginning. He paused for any argument. When there was none, he continued. This morning after you, he nodded to the colonel, "shared your discovery of the prints, and that young sergeant Paul collected casts of them, we—Dr. Reidel and I—did a forensic study, looking into the few details we could glean. We tried to develop a picture of what we could be facing. Granted there isn’t much to go on, but with the added circumstances of not having encountered these entities yet, we were able to ascertain more.

First, the creature’s size. Assuming that the prints were of one six-legged being and not three two-legged or some other division of the numbers, we place this being at about three meters in length, weighing approximately 147 kgs. He paused to look directly at the colonel. We took into account your thoughts over the ground scenario and felt it had merit. Curvier then turned to Jake. The colonel here had noted some markings in front of where the prints disappeared and thought that perhaps it went underground. We believe he was correct, as the middle set of legs and the back set as well seem to have three distinct toes that appear to be claws, possibly for boring or burrowing into hard substances. Similar to an awl or an auger, although I don’t suppose anyone has used something quite so manual in a century or so. Unfortunately that was all we could factually get, but we have an assumption that it is not aggressive.

Jake’s eyes flashed with fury. Dr. Cuvier, you cannot possibly know what is going through that thing’s mind. It could have signaled for more to join it, or there could be hundreds of them watching to know our habits before striking. There are any number of possibilities that could equal not attacking right away. Colonel, isn’t that so?

I agree, Steve said. There are many possible scenarios, but I also agree with the doctor here that the most likely scenario is that it is not aggressive. Steve thought they should be aware, but not start a war.

I am not going to sit by and have my people’s lives at risk because of some creature. Jake was adamant.