Chapter 3
“Welcome to Onos”
We were led to our temporary quarters, while the Vlancos prepared for our arrival on the main planet. They had accessed our computer files the second they used a magnetic tow rope on us, so they knew everything about our culture and technology. This gives them the edge over me. I’m nervous and wary.
I was told that the Vlancos inhabit this solar system with its three stars, 46 planets, and 135 moons. The planets are divided into two circular planes. Twenty three of the planets are on one side of the three suns and twenty three on the other side. Each group of planets rotate opposite each other, like if I twisted a cream filled cookie—the planets being the cookie and the cream filling the suns. There is one main planet in each group of twenty-three at the ‘cookie’s pivot point.’ This is where we were headed. All social and scientific information passes through this main planet. The planet is called Onos and its counterpart in the second group of twenty-three planets is called Donos.
The other crew members had drifted to other areas to occupy themselves while the Advisor briefed me on the Vlanco people. Tammy was given a small pill to help eliminate the cancerous virus that they detected as she came on board. She accepted it, reluctantly.
The advisor looked out toward the blue, white, and brown marbled planet Onos with a distant gaze. “Life in this system was believed to have started from Onos,”
We watched as the transport ship moved us away from the space station at a slow rate of speed, toward the planet.
He focused his attention back on me. “We have inhabited seven planets on each Pladis, Alex. Pladis is the term for each group of the twenty-three,” he said with a smile and a thoughtful look, which seemed to say, where do I begin, since you know nothing about our culture. “We have retrieved the information you so graciously allowed us to receive, and find that Earth is very similar to Onos.”
“I didn’t know we had a choice in giving you that information. But what is done is done. What about the other planets?” I asked. “Are they all the same?”
“The other planets outside Onos and Donos are less hospitable and require our people to either spend several years adapting to the environment or they wear apparel that allows them to sustain their life if they travel to other planetary bodies. Some Econos.” He paused and touched his hand to his head, closed his eyes, then continued. “You would call them business entrepreneurs. They have become very adept at adjusting to the differing environments.”
“Will we be able to investigate your solar system, um...do I just call you Advisor?” I said with a puzzled look.
“He laughed briefly. “Alex, no. Please call me Taron, and yes, you can visit as many planets or satellites as you would like. All knowledge will be freely given to you and your crew Alex, with the exception of one secret; which is for everyone's best interest, and is the prudent thing for the time. I will need to supply an escort for you and your crew for your own safety.” He paused, and added, “And maybe a view map so you do not get lost, it seems you have difficulty finding your path through the Galaxy without getting into difficulties.”
I held and squeezed my chin wondering if he was serious about me needing a map to travel through his solar system.
He blurted, “Alex, I am joking with you. Is this not a joke?”
“Yes it is. I guess I didn’t expect it. You people do seem very friendly.”
“Thank you, Alex. I think you will enjoy our presence, during your stay here.” He lightly slapped his hands on my shoulders.
The others were preoccupied with discussions of their own, with other Vlancos pointing to different view ports with other planets, or inspecting the holographic information area on the Vlanco culture. The Vlancos seemed very open with information. Maybe they felt compelled to reveal some of their own culture since they have all the data on us.
This debriefing area was an ideal place for us to exchange thoughts, and I believe our slow transport to Onos was so that we could make a smooth transition into their culture. As I was pondering our situation, Taron turned to address the group.
“Excuse me Earthians!” he called out over my shoulder to my crew. “I believe it is time to remove our masks.”
My gut flipped. Masks? What kind of horror might there be? Calm down, Alex. I barely had time to dwell on the idea when they started stripping off their facial disguise. It quickly became clear there were no big revelations. They looked human enough, but without hair. Their faces were very young—like that of a bald teenager or younger. Maybe they wore disguises so we would take them seriously. Taron was the only one who looked like he was in his thirties. It was actually refreshing to see them as young humans rather than some space monster.
Us ‘Earthians’ looked at each other and gave a ‘so what’ kind of shrug. What I found out later, was that they slowly mature to adulthood at midlife, and start the aging process after that.
As we continued our discussions, I questioned Taron about the Negritee. “Who are they? and Why did they attack us?”
“Alex, they are misguided, and they have made it their purpose to expand their empire without regard to other races and cultures. They most likely did not want to destroy your space vessel but rather extract all components for the growth and development of their technology and ultimately their empire.”
“I thought so,” I said, in agreement. Taron had a painful expression on his face, so I turned my attention to the amulet around his neck. “What are those symbols,” I said, pointing to the amulet.
“He looked down and held it out. “Oh yes, this is a Triclet.”
It was a circle with three segments: one with a holographic effect, one with a raised structure, and the last segment just an empty area. As he pointed to the holographic section an energy field seem to emerge. It pulsated with what seemed like static electricity.
“This first section is to honor knowledge, as it provides us the technology and scientific advances that help our people survive in this physical realm. This second section is to honor our physical surrounding, and that includes our bodies which house our inner self.”
“What’s this last one,” I asked pointing to the empty segment.
“That is to honor our spirituality. Here, touch it Alex.”
As I put my finger through the opening a very real peace seem to warm me up, like wearing warm shirt pulled out of the dryer on a cold evening. It was very soothing.
“Hmm, I like that one.”
“Alex, It is a reminder for us that although something may seem vacant, it does not mean it is empty…like our spiritual life.” He let out a sigh. I could tell something was on his mind. “The Negritee are intelligent and brave people, but are also cruel and selfish. This makes them very dangerous. While they have chosen a path of technology over inner peace, we believe they have lost balance in their lives. We believe there must be a balance between knowledge, the physical, and the inner host. This is why many of us wear this emblem. How do you believe, Alex?”
“I have always thought to be balanced in our life we must have a strong mind, body and soul. Is that the same thing, Taron?”
“Alex, I believe it is very much the same, but do you live it?” He didn’t wait for my reply. “I say this, because your ship’s database indicates your people seem to show inconsistencies in your faith and behavior...” He paused to think for a moment. “Much like our children, when they are very young.”
“I’m not completely sure what you mean, but I’m getting a good idea. And you may be right.” My voice trailed off as I contemplated his words.
I heard a scuffle in the corner. Dale was trying to operate the controls of an electronic game. “I’ve got it, I’ve got it, I—have—got—it. Cat caca! I lost it!”
He let out a painful groan and threw the control device across the room and staggered back to his seat. He yelled something about his own stupidity then battered both sides of his head with his fists. At first, the Vlanco people thought it was funny and started to laugh.
Dale looked up with fury. “What are you looking at Babyfaces!”
They were shocked to say the least. It was as if they had never seen someone angry. They stepped back and turned to one another as if in a conference meeting.
Dale looked at me. “What! I didn’t swear or anything—technically.”
Before I could respond, one of the Vlancos walked up to Dale and put his arm around him. “We are truly sorry for laughing. We did not realize your emotions were injured by playing that game.”
“Yea, well, its OK. Just don‘t try to get fresh with me,” Dale said, squirming out of the Vlanco‘s arm, nervously trying to lighten things up.
“Alex,” Taron whispered to me. “This is what I meant. Only a very young child would have behaved like that. It is very unusual for an adult to behave in such a manner, unless he has been mentally damaged.”
I was astonished. “Really? This was nothing. Your people must be incredibly disciplined.”
“It is not discipline as much as it is a desire to be close to our Creator.”
“Oh, yeah, the Creator,” I said, trying to sound like I understood. Was he talking about my God, or something else?
In any event, we finished the time with a great replica of an earth fish meal and got a good nights sleep. The next morning we awoke and learned more about the Vlanco people and their culture. Later in the afternoon the ship prepared for its decent to Onos. As we descended into the atmosphere, we gazed through the clouds, and I’m sure the rest of the crew was doing what I was doing...thinking about our families on Earth.
Carol hasn’t the slightest idea, what has and is happing to us right now. She was in stasis and would eventually be awakened when I was. She always hated going into stasis when I left, but it really was the best decision we could make. I know a lot of people take trips and communicate with each other long distant, but we have a real hard time being away from each other. Stasis really makes time fly by. In fact, that’s one of the pitfalls. It seems that whenever we were in stasis for a few years, technology and other events just about pass us by. Well now look at us now—25,000 light years away, with little hope of seeing our families again. I hoped the rest of my crew isn’t getting as depressed as I was.
As we entered the lower atmosphere, the ship moved toward a large city. The city, although large, was unassuming in that it had no huge metal structures, but rather differing colors and shapes and dwellings, with more of a biotechnological skin on their surface. The city seemed pleasing to the eye. I wondered how the people operated their society. What about their government, science, military, and just every day life, what could I learn from these people?
The ship had just landed, and Taron returned. “Alex, I very much like the term Human and Earth. The words are both related to one another as in humus or the ground, and to another word we prize highly—humility. I hope I have met your needs and will continue to inquire how you and your crew are doing.” He nodded to me, in a reverent gesture.
“Thank you Taron, you have been very gracious, but what about our future? What about our ship? What about...”
Taron cut me off with one raised hand. “Alex, everything has its time and place. It will all come together at the appropriate moment. We will make the necessary repairs on your ship while you are away. Our Advisors will assess your situation and provide escorts for each of you Earthians. If you have any questions or needs, they will attend to it.” He held out a handful of small round marble like objects. “Take these communication devices for you and your friends. Insert one into your ear and you would be able to understand any of the dialects on any of the planets in the solar system. Please enjoy yourself.”
“Ok, I said but there's one thing you should know before I go. It’s Earthling, not Earthian.”
I couldn’t believe I corrected someone to say Earthling. I left him giggling at his mistake as we were guided to a ground terminal. A large crowd had formed.
Vlancos of all types, young and old, black and white and green and blue and, well the whole rainbow. Not only were they bald, their skin tones had slight color as well. The blue Vlancos reminded me my cold nights on Europa, while the red ones looked embarrassed all the time, and those that had a green tint looked like they had swallowed one too many green apples. I guess the ones on the ship with our coloring were planted to reduce our shock. I wasn’t impressed. Many of the kids back home find the fashion in dyeing their skin with color. The people waved at us and crowded around. We followed our guides through the crowd and smiled politely. Two Vlancos came to greet us—one male and one female. I was told they were the Preeminents of the sector. They were a married couple that advised the community as a balanced male/female team. They quivered like kids in-line at the latest movie…just to address me and my crew.
“Welcome to Onos,” they said simultaneously.
They made sure they greeted each one of us with the customary, head nod and closing their hands around ours. We learned on the ship to close ours hands first, but I felt like a monk praying, whenever I did it.
“Thank you for allowing us to care for you. Please follow us,” said the male preeminent.
They took us and the hundreds of Vlancos behind us to a large open stadium like structure. It was completely glassed in, with various species of plants and water features on the sides. It was a grassy garden type forum area with rocks and other natural objects as seating. As we got to the center, the crowd dispersed into the greenery, but still in view of us. Before we were seated, the Preeminents, Hunta and his wife Kura, whispered to us.
“Alex, is it polite to converse with you and your friends for a while?”
I nodded yes and smiled, and they directed us where to sit down. Hunta looked around and addressed the people within the atrium stadium and also others in the solar system. The glassed sections of the roof transmitted our image and holographically produced in another area, so the viewers can have us three dimensionally in their living quarters. We haven’t quite developed this solid level of holography on Earth, but I’m sure Chip is going to download as much information on it as possible.
The interview was like the International News on Earth, but in a more relaxed format. Our conversation seemed natural and all about our life on Earth. They were very respectful of our time and afterwards, showed us to our living quarters so we could relax. But being a celebrity and novelty, I didn’t expect to rest much. I anticipated we would be scrutinized like bugs. I hoped my crew’s deep space training has prepared them for this.
When we woke next morning, we had a wonderful meal. Yes, it tasted like chicken. The crew slept well and was eagerly waiting for my decision on their assignments. I hadn’t the vaguest idea.
I threw out an option. “While the Vlanco government is assessing what to do with us, they suggested we take in the sights. Or as I like to call it, research.”
Tammy jumped up, “Really? This is completely awesome! This is going to be the most exciting research we have ever done. And being single and a-vail-a-ble I may just want to spend some time researching these Vlanco hunkos!” She ended her sentence with a sultry look and shook her brunette hair halfway over her face. She put her hand on her hip and swung it to the side with an exaggerated bump.
We all laughed, and Dale said, “Go for it, girl.”
Chip brought us back to focus. “Tammy is right, we have an opportunity of a lifetime here doing some personal research, which makes Epsilon Eridani look like the death star. I want to check out the science community.”
“Good idea, Chip. Let each of us gathering data from the area of our interest. How about it? Should we start gathering some data?”
“I want to evaluate the social behavior in this society,” piped in Shelby.
“And I want to evaluate the leisure facilities,” said Tammy,
“Me too,” said Dale.
“And I wouldn’t mind checking out the military technology,” said Tom.
I stood up and slapped my hands down on the table and smiled like an imp. “OK then, we will all go where our interests lie and check in by the end of the week, Earth time. Chip, you’ve got science—Tom, you’ve got military—Shelby, you can check on the sociological aspects—Dale and Tammy,” I raised a suspicious eyebrow.” Inspect he fun centers or whatever they do for fun. And I will be investigating the government. If you get in any trouble, just let your escort know so you can get in touch. I could see their excitement bubbling out, as Chip was preparing his itemized list of areas to examine, Tammy and Dale started swinging around like they were on a dance floor, and the others were discussing what and how they were going to make the most of the research.
“Oh yea, one last thing” I said, as everyone turned, waiting for final instructions. “Er, uh, have fun.” But that’s not what I wanted to say. I wanted to remind them we are thousands of light years away from Earth and the odds of getting back are very, very slim...if not impossible. But that was how I was feeling. It seemed more important to give them the opportunity to experience this culture without earthly concerns. The concerns that seemed only to affect me.
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