World of Good - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Dales Story

From Dale’s vantage point, it made sense to share a four person Pod with Tammy and her escort. They were going to the same destination point. Being the kid of the group, Dale couldn’t help following Tammy. She was fun and full of spunk. As Tammy was waving good-bye, Dale jumped into the Pod checked out all the controls and examined the details of technical data in the instruction grid. He found some information on holographic replicas of what seemed to be historical figures. He quickly scanned the control panel for other more interesting information, like Vlanco outdoor recreation. It wasn’t long after takeoff before the pod made its usual soft landing to an entertainment area. That was where Dale and Tammy began their exploration.

Although everyone knew of the difficulties Dale had gone through in the last week, his good-old-self shined through, as he explained his story.

“Before I get started, I just wanted to say that I’ve had a hard time finding a store that carries hair enhancing products on this planet.” With the exception of a quick laugh from Chip, we all rolled our eyes at Dale’s usual bad jokes.

I shook my head. “Okay, we get it. Vlanco’s are all bald. Is that it?” I couldn’t help noticing the new bracelet on Dales wrist. It was a leathery looking band that had some colored stones in it that glowed slightly. I waited eagerly to find out the story behind it.

“Okay, okay,” he said raising his hands. “I’ll get on with it. Tammy has already told you about how we got to the Entertainment Arena and all that. So while I was hanging around Tammy and her new friends, I saw some action over at the Holographic Performing Arts Pavilion. They just changed the program to a military commando interactive format, so I meandered over to check it out. It was nova! It’s kind of like the 3D imaging games on Earth, but these guys had a physical mass! They let me in on a mission that required us to rescue the injured civilians from the outpost of some planet. In the process, some ancient mythological creature, like a dragon, had to be dealt with, not to mention the shear rock cliff and raging waters.”

Dale was getting more animated as he told of his experience climbing mountains and saving civilians. The rest of the crew was getting a little restless with his long tale, but they let him go without interruption. We were impressed to hear him speak more than one sentence at a time.

“...and just when we were in the middle the battle with the creature, a power disruption occurred, shutting down the program. I happened to be on his back when it disappeared and I fell flat on my face. The Vlancos nearby had the best laugh at my expense. Don’t worry, I didn’t have a fit,” he said, glancing over at me. “at least not then” he said under his breath. I brushed myself off and said thanks to the Vlanco boys. But before I could leave, they piled on me and gave me some big hugs. It was weird and a little too friendly.”

“I eventually went back to see where Tammy went to, and guessed she had already taken off. I decided to look around and see what else there was to do. So I asked my Escort to take me where the night action was. It was a choice between community philosophical debates, astronomical sky watching, or dancing.

“You got to be kidding, I said to my escort. Next stop, the dance scene,” Dale said, twisting with rhythm and excitement.

“But when I got there, it was very different to say the least. There was no alcohol or mind enhancing fluids—just nutritious vegetation drinks and local food. The dancing was some sort of free flowing waltz, with a swing effect. It started to get boring, until a beautiful Vlanco girl greeted me. I was her skin—color and texture of a peach. ”

“‘You are one of the Alien beings that I have heard about,’ she said sweetly.”

“‘Thank you. Yes. I mean, yes, thank you, what ever your name is.’ I said, stumbling over myself.”

“‘My pardons, I am Quin, and you are?’”

“‘I’m Dale. It’s a pleasure to meet you,’ I said, like a nervous teenager. ‘Is it the light or is your skin redder than the others?’”

“‘No Dale, it is not the light. It is my natural color. I am from the center district of the planet. We have a brighter red hue than some of the local people in this community.’”

“She seemed wonderful. I really enjoyed being with her. Most women look me as wallpaper, but not her.”

“‘If you’re not from the area, what are you doing here?’”

“‘I am being educated in the third district for Vlanco entertainment devices. That is why I am here now. I am studying the options for enjoyment and investigating new areas for Vlancos to enjoy themselves.’”

“‘That is incredible. I love entertainment, and would really like to talk more about it. That is, if you have the time?’”

“She looked behind where her friends were sitting and turned back to me. ‘Dale, would you like to meet my friends?’”

“I looked at her slender form and symmetrical smooth red bald head. On her, it seemed very attractive. Her light green eyes were striking. “‘Sure, lets go.’”

“She introduced me to her friends. As I sat there, a few of them couldn’t keep their hands off mys own head. They rubbed their fingers through my hair, discussing it as if it were the seventh wonder of the world. Quin demonstrated to me the dancing method that was being used that night. I’m normally not big on dancing, but with her in my arms I melted. I stumbled over her and at first, but as time went on, I got pretty good.”

“‘You are doing quite well, Dale.’ she said, after I was able to look up from my feet.”

“‘Yea, I can’t believe I’m dancing. My mother would be impressed. I just wish it had a little more action to it.’”

“‘You should have been here last night, Dale. It was a very active dance that requires much twisting and turning.’”

“‘Oh man! Really? I’m always a day late and a dollar short. Not that this isn’t fun. I enjoy dancing with you.’ I reassured her.”

“‘Well thank you, Dale. It is a pleasure to be here with you also.’”

“I grinned and held her a little closer. Then it dawned on me. What if she is married or engaged or something? Would I be violating some ethical tradition? ‘You don’t have a boyfriend, husband, fiancée, or something I should be aware of do you?’”

“She giggled a little. ‘Dale, I would not put myself in this situation if I was. It would not be proper.’”

“‘Oh yeah right, of course,’ I said with relief. I looked down at my feet a little less. “Hey, I’m not doing so bad. I even surprise me.’”

“Quin laughed. We spent the rest of the evening dancing and talking about ideas to entertain people. The atmosphere was very Puritan, but I was grateful Quin was there to make up for it.”

“The next day, I met up with Quin, and she showed me where she was being educated. It really baffled me that they actually had courses in studying pleasure activities. In hindsight, it made a lot of sense. Most people get trained for occupations, so why not learn the science of relaxation during off hours. Later, we went to an activity center where a person could challenge his or her mind and coordination skills. It was a series of mazes intermixed with an obstacle course. It was like a rat in the maze portion of the course. I felt like I was in military training when it came to overcoming the obstacle course. Quin and I had to solve puzzles to enter new areas of the complex…great fun for both of us.”

“However, like all amusing events, they eventually must come to an end. Unfortunately for me, it wasn’t quite the end I had in mind. It was on the fourth day of my stay when I was on my way to meet Quin—again for another exciting adventure. This time on Telediscs. The Telediscs are saucer shaped vehicles, which absorb a generated magnetic pulse in such a fashion that, when released, is sent flying across the landscape to the other side of a large lake. The charge lasts about ten minutes and allows the occupants an opportunity to see the landscape and eventually skip down into the waters edge, and dock at a pier on the other side.”

“I was a little nervous about not having some sort of engine controlling the disc, but I trusted Quin.”

“‘Smaller children were not allowed to do this. There is too much risk involved,’ she informed me, with a nonchalant attitude.”

“‘What kind of risk?’” I asked, dubiously.”

“‘If there was a power disruption from the generator, it would not have enough power to send the Teledisc to the proper altitude and we would fall quite quickly, Dale.”

“‘That doesn’t sound very exciting,’ I said with a pit in my stomach.”

“‘Do not worry, Dale. They would not release us without a full charge. The hazard is a very remote possibility.’” She probably notice I was nervous, as I squeezed the color out of my hands gripping the seat. She tried to give encouragement. ‘Dale, no one has ever had an accident.’”

“‘There is always a first time,’ I muttered to myself, as we harnessed ourselves in.”

“I watched and made sure the disc’s charging grid was full. The operator turned to us and asked if they were ready. We nodded and the disc was released. I thought we would shoot out like a plate from a skeet shooting sling, but instead we gently floated from our perch an out into the air. It almost like gliding like a tram over a valley gorge. The saucer flew through the air, whisking us across the landscape and eventually over the water. Quin pointed out landmarks and structures like a tour guide. I was noticing, not only the beauty of what was below, but the beauty of Quin as she described with pleasure some of her favorite sites. For the first time in my life, I actually was truly enjoying being myself with another woman.”

“As we continued to view the activities below us, the disc began its descent. Soon the disc had touched down into the water. It made a perfect graceful landing, skipping us to the shore, like a flat, smooth stone. We coasted to the receiving pier and docked.”

“‘This was Nova! Supernova!”

“‘That must mean you liked it.’ Then she gave me a big hug. ‘I knew you would enjoy it.’”

“I was really, really melting inside.”

“Then it happened. We had just docked at the other end of the lake, when a local hover truck was making deliveries to the snack center. It had lost a magneto converter and Vlanco people were scurrying to get out of the way. It was sliding at great speed directly to the Teledisc where Quin and I were finishing unstrapping our harnesses. Quin stood up and had her back toward the runaway vehicle. She didn’t see my eyes as big as Telediscs. Before I could say anything to warn her, it careened down the embankment, skipped over the pier, and hit her hard on the back of the head—very hard.”

Dales chest was heaving as he told his story. We were quiet and sad.

“She dropped like a rag to the ground, and hit my shoulder and threw me into the water. The vehicle slid partially into the lake with the driver in it. I got up out of the water and reached over to help Quin. Her body was limp. She had no life signs.”

“I peered up at the congregating bystanders, and yelled. ‘Get help! Get some help!’”

“I hugged her a couple times, then set her body down softly. With tears streaming down my face, I got up and walked toward the disabled vehicle, muttering profanities. As I walked, I wiped tears from his face with my sleeve. My adrenaline kicked in. I opened the access panel where the driver was starting to climb out. I hit him square in the face and caused him to reel back from the blow. My fist continued to pummel the driver’s face until blood was splattered over the both of us. I was told the spectators were stunned, as though they had been hit as well. The driver was so battered and bruised, he too was losing consciousness. I was swinging my arm for the last time. I froze. I could do nothing. The local authorities had projected a magnetic field around me. It caused my nerves to constrict. I was paralyzed. I didn’t really care.”

“The next morning, I found myself in a holding facility, when the assigned advisor entered.”

“‘Dale, is it?’ He asked gently with his hands folded in front of him. ‘I am Curthist.’”

“I sat statuesque, looking down at the ground, not saying a word.”

“‘You will be happy to know that Quin will survive.’ He cocked his head trying to find my eyes.” “I breathed a sigh of relief.”

“‘However, your anger and its consequences are another matter.’”

“I didn’t respond. What was there to say?”

“‘Dale, at some point in time we will need to discuss the particulars of the event.’”

“‘What if I don’t want to,’ I said though my teeth. I turned away.”

“‘You do not have to, but I highly recommend it.’ The Advisor sat there patiently.”

“I snarled at the advisor. ‘You bunch of goody-two-shoes. You wouldn‘t even understand.’”

“‘We would not understand what, Dale?’”

“‘We are human beings, for chrisake. We blow up every now and then. Besides, that Jerk deserved it!’ My heart rate was ramping up and my muscles tightened.”

“Then the Advisor blew up. ‘Stop it!” he said with a loud firm voice. I was startled to say the least. It was the first time I met a Vlanco who raised his voice.”

“‘Did I get your attention, Dale?’ He said, with a small smile.”

“‘Yeah, you did.” I replied, sheepishly.”

“‘Dale, it was to keep you from getting carried away with your emotions. Emotions are fine followers but poor leaders.’”

“‘Hmph. Good to know.’”

“‘Dale, you seem to have a kind heart, but your erratic behavior indicates there are other matters that need to be engaged.’ The Advisor sat down beside me.”

“‘I know—but—I don’t know. Hey, you’re not going to psychoanalyze me are you?”

“‘Do you want to continue on the path you have been on or find a better one, Dale?’”

“‘You mean, do I want to change? Well, hell yes. But I don’t want to get sucked into some sort of Alien cult.’”

“The advisor laughed a good one. ‘You Earth people are so fascinating!” Dale, we do not want to force you to adopt our way of life, but you must be able to control yourself while you are living in our society. If you can not do that then we will have to quarantine you for the good of our people and yourself.’”

“‘I see. But I never have been good at discipline.’”

“‘We are very conscientious about keeping balance here on Onos. Extremes in any culture usually cause difficulties.’”

“‘How do you know what balance is? Isn’t it the average of acting good some times and nasty at other times. Besides, if we didn’t have evil, how would we know what good was? Good would all be the same and we wouldn’t know what it was without evil.’”

“The Advisor dropped the corners of his mouth and raised his eyebrows. ‘That is quite a large concept, Dale. I believe you are mixing up your analysis of good and evil with where your emotions are pulling you. It is true that good would not be recognized well without evil, like a white stone with a black spot on it, but we can still recognize the white stone without the black spot. Can we not?’”

“He had a good point. ‘Yeah, I guess, so.””

“‘Balance is a sub-component of the behavior of your inner host. It is like your ComPad. Without the viewscreen, the machine would function but it would be missing the most important element…communicating information for you to see and make decisions. Do you not agree?’”

“‘I don’t know. It makes sense, but logic has a way of sounding great in theory but having no practical application.’ I massaged my forehead. The philosophical conversation was wearing on me.”

“‘Dale, I did not intend for you to become discouraged. It is common for Vlancos to be grateful, not distressed, when one explains the truth to another. Is it not that way for your people?’”

“Yeah, sometimes. But sometimes we just want to belt someone when they destroy something really important to us?’”

“The Advisor smiled and put his hand on my shoulder. ‘I would have to say that feel that way as well, Dale. However, while it does enter our minds, it leaves quickly. This I am thankful for, because I do not wish it to contaminate my emotions and inner host. Balance is a very simple thing, but it cannot be fully achieved without first accepting the messenger as one’s ruler and guide. Then, after passing through, it helps lay a spiritual foundation so the physical elements of your life can fit into place.’”

“‘Who is this Messenger and what is passing through? I don’t want to become some sort of psychic guru. I just want to be me—the good version.’”

“‘Dale, you do not have to give up who you are to become something of value. Rather, value who you are in what you could be. It is not an average of good and evil. Good is good and evil is evil. Think of evil as being on the outside of a disc. The outer edge has many forms of evil, while all form of good is in the center. Balance is you standing atop the disc with a pivot below the center, and you must keep yourself from tipping toward the outside. It may be difficult and you may be careless, but it is not impossible.’”

“On that note, the advisor stood up to leave. ‘Dale, you need time to evaluate some of the things we have talked about, and if you have any questions, I would very much like to talk again. Remember, the future holds for you tomorrow the choices you make today.’”

“I sat back in his cushion and realized I wasn‘t going to get out of the containment facility unless I adapted to this culture. I may have been there quite awhile, if it wasn’t for what occurred next. Later that evening, a Negritee met up with me in the dining arena. You know, one of those a-holes types that shot at us when we came into this system. He was a business man that strayed into Vlanco space and had a dispute with some of the natives on an outlying moon.”

“The Negritee made his way to the table where I sat eating my dinner. ‘Oh, newcomer from the other side of the galaxy! Did you have a nice chat with the Vlanco brainwasher?’ As he spoke, sarcasm seeped out from him easily.”

“I pretended he wasn’t joking. ‘Yeah, it was okay.’”

“‘I did not mean that in a serious way, Earthman,’ he said wryly as he stepped in front of me. ‘I am Ventfoprof. You can call me V.’ He laid his palms outward to me.”

“I Expected the usual hand greeting. So as I leaned forward in response, V grasped my hands tightly with a macho show of strength and laughed a good one. I uncrimped and released myself from his grip and wrung out my hands.”

“‘You must do better than that Earthman,’ he said cackling like and old woman.”

“‘I’ll try better next time.’ I sat back and continued eating my meal.”

“He glanced around quickly, then spoke to me as if in strict confidence. ‘Are you becoming more balanced?’ He laughed again.”

“I set my spoon down. ‘Umm. Not really. Why?’”

“‘The Vlancos, they will continue to harass you until you fold. What I have found, is that if you play along, it can be profitable.’”

“‘What do you mean?’”

“‘It is simple, Earth Human. If you cooperate they will eventually let you go and many profitable goods might go with you.’”

“‘Your starting to sound like Chip,” I said.”

“The Negritee leaned closer. ‘Who is this Chip?”

“‘Awe, just one of my crew members that I came here with.’”

We looked at Chip briefly to see he response. Chip just gave us a Hey-don’t-look-at-me shrug.

Dale continued. “I asked the Negritee what he meant by profitable.”

“‘What are the things you enjoy Earth Human? Is it power? Currency? Females? Entertainment?’”

“‘Everyone knows I like entertainment.’ V tried to bribe me for more information about Earth, the Vlancos, and anything else he could get his hands on, but I played dumb. V described how great the Negritee people were and how derelict the Vlanco people were. That the Vlancos were boring and weak instead of peaceful and gentle. He rambled on about the history of the great Negritee culture and history, which seemed almost opposite to the Vlanco’s version.”

I wanted to find out more about the people who attacked us, but Dale seemed to be describing a more cooperative people than the ones we encountered. How much was the truth was to be determined. In the end, Dale seemed to be glad he was back with the group, as so were the rest of us, but he seemed more distant than usual. Perhaps the Security Advisor had something to do with it, or meeting the Negritee, or the injury of the Vlanco woman he met. I was legally bound by the Vlanco counsel to keep tabs on him, and he gave me his word he would be a good boy. So until they decide how to resolve Dales behavioral issues for the future, my supervision seemed to satisfy the Vlancos for the moment.