Ricci stepped forward andproceeded to introduce himself, along with the rest of the landingparty. When he was finished, the stranger volunteered, “This is theinteractive module for Vipin Drawde Jelk Nelay. I am the Lignatianoverseeing Experiment Alktata, encompassing the human society, someof whom you encountered on the moon Tolu.”
There was a definite airof challenge in Ricci’s response. “The human society you createdfrom our people on the Valiant.”
“Yes. Your questions willbe addressed presently but we are nearing the end of our regulardormancy period. At close of dormancy your audience with ourgoverning body will begin. We will provide an area for you to restand ingest food while you wait. I suggest you take advantage ofthese opportunities.”
Tal wondered what theLignatian would do if Ricci refused its “suggestions” but didn’tfind out since the captain agreed, asking how they were to reachthe human environment.
“There is a boat whichwill convey you.” The figure pointed at something which looked toJacoway like an enormous fiberglass soup bowl. With varying degreesof reluctance, the humans climbed into the “boat” and perched onthe benches that formed the inside rim. As soon as they were allseated, it began moving, with the blue figure standing in theirmidst.
His pilot instincts onhigh-alert, Jacoway surveyed the boat for possible controlmechanisms. Meanwhile, Ricci asked their host, “How should weaddress you?”
“My main-designation isDrawde,” the figure replied. “You may call me Vipin Drawde orsimply Drawde.”
“Thank you, Vipin Drawde.Why did you find it necessary to create an artificial sea aroundthe human environment?”
“From our study ofthe Valiant logs,it seemed to us that most humans lived on land masses surrounded bywater. Is this not accurate?”
“More or less,” Ricciadmitted. “So, your people were indeed on the Valiant?”
“Our probes were. You willlearn more during your audience,” Drawde announced, letting themknow the subject was, at present, closed.
Their landing area turnedout to be another artificial beach on which stood a boxy buildingdecked out in various shades of beige. It was bordered on two sidesby plants, which had Tal itching to investigate them and see ifthey were real. In truth, he found the entire environmentunnerving, though he wasn’t sure what it was specifically that wasso disquieting. One glance at Bayer and Kaplita told him that theywere likely feeling the same.
“Where are the otherhumans?” Ricci asked.
“This is theLignatian-Human contact zone. The general human environment isseparate. Is there a specific reason you wish to meet withthem?”
Jacoway wondered about theterm “contact zone” but the captain simply responded, “Humans arenaturally curious…and social beings.” He received no specificreply.
Drawde led them into thebuilding and showed them a lounge area, once again decorated inbeige tones relieved by the occasional splash of soft gold. Thoughit had an overwhelmingly sterile appearance there were a few paddedbenches that looked at least comfortable if not particularlyinviting. Drawde pointed to a table. “There is water and food.Partake if you have need.”
Tal examined the contentsof the table. The food provided was unrecognizable, looking likethick slices of gray bologna on dark red rounds of hard tack. Hewatched Kaplita surreptitiously scan the offerings and waited untilMars nodded before helping himself to the water.
Jacoway almost dropped theglass when, from behind him, Drawde asked, “Is the foodunsatisfactory? Other offerings are available.”
Processing the informationthat the interactive module made absolutely no sound when it moved,Tal stammered out, “It’s good! I’m just…not hungry.”
The figured swiveledaround, surveying the entire group, before saying, “Is this presentenvironment not acceptable? I am detecting elevated levels ofadrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine in all of you.”
No one said anything for astunned second; finally, Bayer demanded, “How are you reading ourhormone levels? Why are you reading our hormone levels!?”
“Reading human physiologyis one of the functions of this communication module. The functionexists to monitor human health.”
Ricci stepped in to say,“The environment is acceptable. It’s normal for humans toexperience some stress in…unfamiliar surroundings – and situations.Can you tell us how long until this audience with your governingbody begins?”
“Seventy-four minutes asit would have been calculated on your former planet.”
Her arms crossed in frontof her, Bayer snapped, “Our planet still exists.”
“But is no longerinhabitable,” Drawde alleged. “This was the understanding of thehumans on the Valiant; that is what drove them out in search of a newworld.”
“Not precisely,” Jacowayvolunteered. “Things were certainly looking bleak hundreds of yearsago when the Valiant was launched but great strides have been made since then.Certain Earth societies – the people of my fiancée, for instance –are healing the Earth through their life-style. Others are activelyreversing the damage through technological means.”
Drawde gave a non-committalresponse and then offered to leave the humans alone until it cametime for the meeting to begin – an offer which Ricci readilyaccepted. When the figure had zipped off, Jacoway turned to findRicci staring at him, head cocked. “Is there something you needfrom me, Captain?”
“Your fiancée?” One hand on his hip, Ricciasked, “Did I miss an announcement?”
While Tal was desperatelytrying to remember if he’d accidentally used the term for Naichewhich previously had lived only in his head, Kaplita blurted out,“I want to recheck that artificial ocean. Give me a hand, Evelyn.”Rather than asking how that was a job for two people, Bayerwordlessly trotted after him.
“Umm…no, sir, you didn’tmiss an announcement.” He moved closer to Ricci before continuing,“It’s just, you see, Naiche and I talked about getting marriedsomeday and ever since then…that’s how I think of her. I’m sorry ifthis comes as a surprise—”
Clasping him on the arm,Ricci said, “No, the apology is mine. I knew about that discussionbut I also knew there was…an unresolved problem. When you said‘fiancée’ so confidently, I hoped that meant you two had found somesort of solution.”
Sighing with relief,Jacoway answered, “Not yet, but I’ve been giving it some thoughtsince we’ve been apart.” Tal drew himself up to his full height,assuming an air of certainty. “If living in Chiricahua territory isthe only way Naiche and I can be together, then I
