The Zuriki scout found Dane unconscious by the Yakima’s wrecked lifeboat days after the explosion destroyed the space-liner, just in time. The coastal scavengers were already at work on the aft half of the boat where his mother and sister lay. Zurikis chased them away, extricating the bodies tenderly. The scout cradled young Dane in his arms, desperately trying not to wake him.
Ten-year-old Dane was the last surviving member of the family Duggan.
The Zuriki rescue party returned from the beach carrying one small being that was still alive but in shock. They also carried the remains of Dane’s family.
The boy’s conscious mind came awake before he opened his eyes. He took in the sounds of birds and beasts, the feel of a gentle breeze, the perfumed smell of flowers and the sound of rustling leaves. He found that his body hurt, but it was a dull ache, not enough to make him cry.
He opened his eyes. At first, nothing made any sense. Where was he? Was this a dream?
Answers to his questions came, though not in any fashion ever known before. It just was.
He was on Zur, a planet in the second orbit of a star the inhabitants called Nikon. And no, it was not a dream.
He tried to sit up but was gently restrained by something that looked like a smooth rock with arms. It spoke. To his mind.
Your name is Dane. I’m N’Teel. Please don’t move. Your body is healing, as is your mind. You have been through much in the past four cycles and have many questions that I will answer in time. For now, know that you are safe. Relax and sleep. We will answer questions upon your next awakening.
The boy called Dane lay back in the pod and was asleep before the pain of four cycles past could engulf him.
N’Teel spoke to the elder. The being called Dane awakened briefly. When it happens again, what do I tell him?
Elder K’Jrik pondered but a short time. Give him the answers to his questions. Do not tell any falsehoods, but carefully answer his questions of how he came to be here. Shock almost took him, and we dare not risk it again.
N’Teel resumed her vigil, waiting for the next awakening. It was not long in coming.
Dane dreamed. He dreamed of a place of flying animals that were beautiful, with things called feathers. There were other animals, furry things that made sharp sounds with their voices, had four legs, cold noses and wet tongues. He dreamed of green, growing things.
Dane dreamed of beings like himself, with two arms and legs, red and auburn hair, eyes that were blue and brown. He dreamed that there were three like himself, though not exactly. Two were older, one was softer and rounder than the other, but both were gentle and caring. One was like him, though younger. There was laughter in her eyes of brown, and long auburn hair.
Waking with a start, he remembered who he was. He also remembered his family. Once again, he tried to sit up, this time assisted by the friendly rock called N’Teel. Looking more closely, he saw the N’Teel wasn’t a rock at all. It was also not much taller than he was and though built like him, the parts all seemed over-sized and a deep brown. For the first time he noticed eyes, set behind a brow that sported no eyelashes or eyebrows. There was also long black hair on its head, tied back like his mother used to tie Shannon’s. The four-fingered hands that were steadying him were strong and muscular, as were the arms. The fingers were long but not delicate. One looked like a thumb. A cloth wrapped its body and had on some kind of sandal on two four-toed feet. The legs weren’t visible.
Dane said nothing at first, dizzily clinging to the rail of the open bed. Momentarily, the dizziness passed. Then his stomach spoke for him, growling ominously.
Feeling something on his head, he reached up and pulled it off. He examined the headband with the green stone in the front. Liking it, he put it back on. N’Teel spoke again to him.
It is for talking. We can talk to you through it and you to us. You will wear it until you no longer have need of it. Just voice your wants in your head and we will hear, just as you hear us. We will answer your questions if we can. For now, your body needs nourishment. We will feed it and I will answer your questions as you eat. Can you rise from the pod, Dane? If so, we will go for nourishment, as I am in need as well.
Dane stepped gingerly from the pod, swaying ominously as he did so. N’Teel steadied and helped him as they started down the path. Avoiding the subject of his family, Dane concentrated on his surroundings. He was in what looked like a round enclosure, with a roof of leaves where a yellow-red sun broke through occasionally. The curiosity of a ten-year-old got the best of him.
What are you? Was the first question that popped into his mind.
N’Teel answered. We are a species called the Zuriki. You are much like us when we were children, before we had mind-speak. Our race is old, much older than yours. We come from a distant galaxy, driven here by a war that we could not win. We are peaceful folk, but will rise if need be to protect our home.
No, I mean, what are you? I have never seen a talking rock before.
N’Teel chuckled. So young Dane, all creatures must be like you to think, breath, and love? I think not. We are not rocks, as you say, but our outer selves have grown thick for protection since our arrival here. When we’re young, we looked much as you do, but our home planet had great gravity, so we grew short, strong, and stout. We are still.
Dane thought about that a bit as they continued down the path. They came to a clearing where there were many more like N’Teel. Dane noticed that some were of slightly different shape and wore their clothing differently than others in the clearing.
What is that? He asked, pointing to one of the Zuriki that was blockier than N’Teel and slightly taller.
N’Teel chuckled. That is my friend K’Bruk. He is male and I am female, if that is the question. The males of my people are very strong and have not the contours of females, nor do they wear their coverings in the same fashion.
Dane thought about that and was about to ask another question when his stomach let out a loud growl.
Time to eat, young Dane. We have arrived.
N’Teel took Dane to a stone table where there were fruits, vegetables and meats of all kinds. Dane questioned her about what each item was as they passed down the table. She explained about each one and helped him select items she thought he might enjoy and were safe for him to eat. Dane wanted to sample everything, but gave in to N’Teel’s judgment. By the end of the table, N’Teel had filled their frond with enough food for both of them. While Dane held the giant leaf, N’Teel filled two drinking bowls with a fragrant punch that was on another table. N’Teel picked a large cloth from a stack, then found an open area of what looked like grass to Dane and spread it. K’Bruk joined them with his own food and drink, then sat with them on the blanket.
K’Bruk mind-spoke first, his tones deeper and richer than N’Teel. So our young brother has awakened. Welcome young fellow, I’m K’Bruk.
Dane had just filled his mouth with a piece of melon and was enjoying it immensely. He answered K’Bruk.
Hi K’Bruk, my name is Dane, but you knew that already, didn’t you?
No, I did not. I am pleased to meet you, Dane. I’m very glad to see that you are up and about. They have voiced much concern in our community for your welfare.
If you can read my mind, why did you not know my name?
K’Bruk thought for a second or two, then answered.
We do not invade another’s mind without permission. That is a heinous crime for our folk. You have noticed, have you not, that unless you ask a specific thing that N’Teel’s mind is closed to you. The same is true of yours. Your private thoughts are yours and yours alone.
Turning to N’Teel, he asked how she had known his name when he woke up.
For four turns, you were not yourself. Your grief was very deep. I helped you through that troubling time.
Dane continued to eat but was silent for a time. Watching N’Teel and K’Bruk, he could see that they were talking, but he could not hear what they were saying. So that’s how this works, he thought to himself. It’s like whispering, but not as loud.
The pair of Zuriki once again focused on Dane.
K’Bruk said, I must go now, but will see you tonight at the ceremony. You have many questions that we will answer. I will answer all I can if you ask. Good life and luck to you young Dane, my brother.
K’Bruk rose and disappeared into the foliage.
Dane queried N’Teel. What ceremony?
N’Teel took her time in answering this question, so much time that Dane almost asked again.
We will join the circle of life tonight. We will welcome you to your new family. All that are here will pay their respects and help you mourn your loss. Tonight we will lay the remains of your first family to rest. We will make sure they are not forgotten.
Dane swallowed the lump in his throat. I will not cry, he told himself. I will not!
N’Teel held him close as he cried anyway.
They held the ceremony by the sea on the beach where the Duggan family had crash landed over four cycles ago.
Dane and N’Teel weren’t the first to arrive and certainly weren’t the last. As the beach filled with Zuriki, all came to introduce themselves to Dane, express their grief and move to fill in a circle about the lone human and his Zuriki sister. They had built a pyre. Dane could see that something lay on the brush, but he didn’t want to know what it was.
K’Bruk joined them when he arrived. He stood to the right of Dane. N’Teel stood to the left as was proper for older brothers and sisters to do in Zuriki culture.
Nikon dipped below the horizon. Torches were lit to disperse the night.
Nearly two hundred Zuriki were on the beach when Elder K’Jrik arrived. All mind-speak, stopped. The only sound heard was the washing of waves on the shore and an occasional night bird. After a moment’s pause, Elder K’Jrik began in mind-speak.
My brothers, sisters, daughters and sons. We have gathered this night to mourn the passing of Dane’s first family, to gather in strength and protect our young brother...
A single Zuriki started singing softly, not in mind-speak but in their old, almost forgotten native tongue. The song was melancholy and sad. No translation was needed as Dane understood the lyrics of the song from deep inside his soul.
Dane shut down his thoughts as the elder continued. Having now recovered his memories, he thought of the kindness and gentleness of his mother and father. He thought about how he would never again know their laughter or the promises left unfulfilled. He thought of his sister Shannon and how they had played together on the planet of their birth, New Ireland, and the green hills and blue skies there. It went on and on, making him more miserable by the second.
Dimly he became aware of the hundreds of minds gently touching his and their support. Slowly, he pulled himself out of his misery with the help of his new family. Gently, they guided him from an abysmal pit that threatened to devour him and brought him into the light. He opened his tearful eyes and basked in the love of his new family.
Elder K’Jrik was now facing him expectantly, torch in hand.
The trio of K’Bruk, Dane, and N’Teel started forward. K’Bruk took the heavy torch from K’Jrik’s outstretched hand, who then turned aside. Slowly, the trio approached the pyre, then stopped at its base. K’Bruk handed the torch to N’Teel, then knelt to meet Dane eye to eye.
My little brother, it is time to let go of the past and embrace the future. All Zuriki are here for you. We are your blood. We will be the rock on which you can build. All that we have, all that we are, we give gladly to you. We embrace you as our own. Go now and cleanse the past. Never forget, but do not dwell there as it only leads to ruin. Go, little brother.
Dane turned and took the heavy torch in both hands. Slowly, tears streaming down his cheeks, he set the brush afire, then dropped the torch into the flames. He retreated to his new brother and sister and watched as the flame consumed the bodies on the pyre.
As Dane, N’Teel and K’Bruk watched the fire burn to embers, the rest of the Zuriki slowly filed out into the night, returning to their settlement. When the fire had burned to coals, the watchful trio turned into the darkness, back toward Dane’s new home.
Picking Dane up and carrying him, K’Bruk and N’Teel heard in mind-speak, I love you.
Twenty years ago no one had ever heard of the planet Sartori, a small blue and green orb in the third orbit around a yellow sun with a gravity of 1.2 times earths gravitation. Now the Federation of Free Worlds, specifically the federation fleet, was about to have its first graduate from there.
Excitement coursed through Midshipmen TeVal ThraxAndro, the first Sartorian admitted to the academy. Graduation from the Fleet Academy was a scant three days away. And she had much to do before she rested.
TeVal was unique even among the humanoid species called Sartorians. Physically, TeVal was petite for a Sartorian female and a darker shade of blue than most. Hairless except for her head and mane, her hair was flaming red, though most female Sartorians tended toward brown or auburn. Average in height for females of her species, she stood 138 centimeters, but was finely boned and weighed in at about thirty-five kilos. Slim, two breasted and filled out much like her human counterparts, she was tough and possessed tremendous strength, courage and ability.
Those attributes became almost legendary at the academy, when she had pulled one hundred kilo Senior Chief Martin and three other midshipmen from a shipboard simulated fire drill that went horribly wrong. Though she wouldn't talk about it, she had entered the blazing compartment where the senior chief had been knocked unconscious after an explosion, dragged him the length of the compartment got him out, then after changing out canisters in her breather had headed back in to get the other three midshipmen that were also unconscious because of the explosion. Taking charge of the confused midshipmen at the scene, she had managed to get breathers on her unconscious classmates, had them evacuated and the fires out before the Academy's own fire team could get there. Though she had received some minor burns and abrasions during the action, she won the respect and admiration of her classmates and instructors that day. She also had received the Medal of Valor for her actions, the second highest peacetime award ever awarded an academy undergraduate.
Mentally, she was in a league of her own. Besides the telepathic skills that all Sartorians possessed, she also had an eidetic memory. She could recall whatever she had read, looked at, thought about, anything at all that her senses had perceived in an instant. Because of that, astrogation was second nature, with propulsion engineering and communications right behind. Her ability for abstraction also made her unique among Sartorians. Alternate solutions and different approaches to unique problems made her a favorite teammate of her classmates when they were working command problems.
Commanders of the fleet ships were actively seeking Midshipmen TeVal ThraxAndro. Valedictorian of her class, graduating with multiple degrees, she was already prized by commanders of the fleet ships. She was unique, extremely intelligent, selfless and a fine leader but, still raw in so many ways, all traits an excellent captain could cultivate.
In addition, there was an intangible quality about her that the admiralty had found. Unknown to her, she was also a subject of study. While she was at the academy, something had happened to the other students that had been around her. All of them had shown marked increases in brain function and thought processing. The average score of this graduating class had raised the bar by almost ten full points! She had rubbed off on her classmates and the fleet was about to get the best graduating class they had ever had. While the implications of these discoveries were not understood as yet, they had been linked to Midshipmen TeVal ThraxAndro. TeVal would be under study for many years to come, as would the next Sartorians admitted to the academy. The fleet wanted to know why.
TeVal had, like all midshipmen, filled out a dreamsheet months before graduation. They were called dreamsheets because you listed your dream billet first with the lesser desirable in order down the list. Most of the time, the fleet comptrollers assigned officers and enlisted where the need was greatest, with very few exceptions. TeVal had put in for a billet on the Taipei, the newest of the corvette class Taiwan. The ship was still in the yards, but expected out in two months. The class was the top of the line with the most able crews. They were also the most sought after billet in the fleet.
The admiralty had decided that the soon to be ensign might be a tremendous asset in the future. So they granted her wish, then started building the crew, including the captain, around her demonstrated abilities and took a gamble on the intangible that had inadvertently been raised at the academy.
Graduation ceremonies were held 2529 05 17 at 1300Z. Midshipmen TeVal ThraxAndro started her speech thanking the federation for the opportunities they had offered then launched into the rest of a speech that took all the graduates and staff on an emotionally charged roller-coaster that left all elated and with a feeling of euphoria and invincibility.
When the speech ended, TeVal proudly accepted the diploma from Vice Admiral Higgins, then her promotion and her orders. She had been ordered to temporary duty at Nordstrom Station as the Assistant Engineering Duty Officer. When the Taipei docked, she was to transfer to the corvette immediately.
TeVal contacted her family on Sartori mentally and filled them in on the details. They were ecstatic and very proud of their youngest daughter. Sending their heartfelt thoughts back, they signed off. One thing about being a Sartorian, she had discovered in her early days at the academy. You were never alone.
It was an elated Ensign TeVal ThraxAndro that joined her many friends at the graduation party. After many farewells and some tears, she called it an early night and went to her quarters to pack.
TeVal was on the 0630 lunar shuttle to Tycho Base the next morning. Three weeks and one hundred eighty-four light-years later, she arrived at Nordstrom Station on a shuttle from the Farragut, a cruiser of the federation.
While aboard the Farragut, TeVal had worked closely with the engineer on the anti-matter propulsion plant. Propulsion power had since been increased by 10% and was operating much more efficiently than before.
Captain Tyghe was not happy when she disembarked. His glowing report of one Ensign ThraxAndro was also on that shuttle for relay to the admiralty.
Commander Garza sat astounded at the power of the speech unleashed by the unassuming little blue woman at the podium. She had felt its power in the farthest recesses of her mind. Garza, who’d had her doubts about leaving the command of the frigate DeGaulle in favor of the corvette Taipei, now had none. Watching this young woman grow and helping to shape the future was just too tempting.
Returning to the DeGaulle in orbit about the earth, Garza wrote her initial report to the admiralty, then made a list of the officers and men that she needed for the crew of the Taipei. Distracted, she put that aside to read the report on the ensign again. Certain that she had been in some kind of empathic rapport, she thought of the possibilities that opened up.
She took the time to note her initial impressions in her personal log. Putting down the tablet, Garza exited to the wardroom for a cup of coffee and some time to think. Mentally, she started her turnover package for the DeGaulle's new skipper, but her thoughts continued to return to the ensign. After that speech, she understood why the crew had to be built around her, instead of her fitting into the crew. It didn't take a genius to see what drove this decision by the admiralty. This ensign and others like her, could change the face of the fleet and the federation itself.
She was still deep in thought when the XO entered the wardroom. Seeing the skipper sitting alone nursing a cup of coffee, he moved to join her.
“What's on your mind, skipper?” asked Lieutenant Commander Kagon. Kilgorian knees bent in the opposite direction from those of humans, so he didn't sit.
“At the academy graduation, I witnessed either one of the most profound mass hallucinations that I have ever heard of or ...” Garza let her voice trail off.
Kilgorians were not noted for their patience. After a five second interlude he said, “... or... what?”
Garza smiled at her XO. “How would you like to come along on an adventure?”
At that, Kagon gave Garza a look of bewilderment, poured himself a cup of joe, then folded his legs under him to hear the whole bizarre tale.
She finished up saying, “I am putting together a list of people for transferal to my new command. I know you are up for promotion to your own command, but how would you like to join me?”
Kagon jumped at the opportunity. “That's an emphatic YES! If you need suggestions to fill out the crew, I'll be happy to get a list together of junior officers and enlisted that we can rely on.”
Garza and Kagon worked into the morning, putting together the list of possibles. The standard crew of a Taiwan class corvette was supposed to be ten officers, four warrant officers and about 30 crewmen and non-commissioned officers. They would probably get who and what they wanted considering the urgency of the admiralty's project. They completed the list with emphasis on those that would work directly with the ensign. Exhausted, both racked out at around 0300.
Garza went through the day once again before closing her eyes. One thing she knew for certain. Her new command was going to be quite interesting.
Vice Admiral Higgins took his private shuttle to Tycho as soon as the ceremonies were over. He had been caught up in the Valedictorian's speech like everyone else.
Over the past two hours, he had been trying to organize his thoughts for presentation to the admiralty chairman, Fleet Admiral Xin. He had witnessed was a raw type of power that he hadn't believed existed before today. All his life he had fought against any form of mind control or tampering that could be construed. Ensign ThraxAndro had surprised him, shaking him to the core. He now realized that inadvertently she had not controlled the audience, but had subconsciously invited all of them on an extraordinary trip! There was no control evident, just a vision of what could be. What could be was what he was going to report to the chairman.
The vice admiral waited impatiently as the hangar was pressurized. As soon as the shuttle door opened, he was on his way to Xin's office. Arriving promptly, the fleet admiral knew that Vice Admiral Higgins was waiting. He was escorted in immediately.
Xin had his back to the door when Higgins walked in. Slowly, he turned, antennas working in small circles, a report in his hand.
“This is a report from Commander Garza.” He handed the report to Higgins. Without waiting, he continued. “Commander Garza was in the audience today for the Valedictorian speech. Her initial impression is that we have a powerful, very raw talent in this young Sartorian. She was sure that she had been in some sort of rapport with the ensign. If her observations are even close, we may have found answers to our communications problems in deep space.”
Higgins skimmed the report, then went back over the salient points he had noted.
“Commander Garza has it right. Ensign ThraxAndro exercised no form of mind control that I have ever heard of. However, I'm sure that she augmented what we heard with images projected from her own mind unintentionally. It was a very exhilarating experience. Raw power and passion exuded from every pore of that little woman. She moved everyone. She took us into her vision of the future and allowed us to see the possibilities. And there was such compassion that no one could ever doubt that she loved every one of us. Sir, if she is a catalyst telepath, as we suspect, we could very well have our communications problems solved.”
The chairman once again turned his back to look out of the port at Tycho base. After a pause, he turned back.
“You may proceed with the operation. Make sure that Commander Garza gets everything she needs to ensure success. She has carte blanche. We may need this young lady's services sooner than expected. Also, step up recruitment efforts on Sartori.”
Admiral Higgins saluted and turned on his heel, leaving Admiral Xin's office. He sensed that the fleet admiral was hoping for more, much more.