It's sad when you're an old hand at being called a god.
Justin hung back, Daium and Alicia flanking him as Anthony tried to talk to their newest companion in the garden. "Companion". Yeah, he was beginning to feel like The Doctor, what with strangers walking into his Tardis and being, "What the hell is this? Why is there a tree on the bridge?" It got old, quick.
"Didn't Sarah brief her at all on the way back?"
Daium shook her head, string of colored beads hanging next to her ear swinging back and forth.
"No. She just told her to get her stuff and come, then told Rinda and I what was up while the poor girl was out of the room. We finally did speak when we got to the train, and the girl freaked when she heard English."
"Maybe it was her chance to have a little power trip over her friend," Alicia muttered. One hand dropped to her belly. Justin put his own hand over hers, concerned.
"Want to sit?"
"Yeah... yeah, I do. Mary, I'm kicking you out." The teen jumped to her feet as Justin helped Alicia over to the bench.
"Sorry! Can I get you anything?"
Alicia shook her head, not just to Mary but to Nona, who had started to come over. Butt firmly planted on the bench, she relaxed.
"Another month. This is going to kill me."
"Not if I can help it." Justin gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. His eyes went back to the newcomer. "I'm not going to let anyone hurt us."
****
"I'm leaving her in your care. The watch droids are going back on higher alert, and she's your responsibility. Keep her out of our way until we can use her."
Sarah nodded at Anthony. She understood. She had brought Hedva here, when she didn't have to. It was up to her to protect her friend, from herself if nothing else. She didn't Know, like Sarah Knew. Drawing her up to her feet, Sarah led Hedva away, towards the patch of grass she called home. There was so much to teach her...
****
"I almost forgot we had these."
Chuck picked up the rifle, feeling the heft. The Orang military issue weapons didn't feel quite right, designed for a smaller form and arm size, but he had fired them before. Weapons training had been an early time killer, and a fulfillment of Rinda's original mission. That had been long ago, though, before the garden even. Before Danny and Goldie. Hell, before he had two wives. He saw Nona pick up a small weapon, looking a bit like a submachine gun. She, too, hefted it a few times, then laid it back down on the bench.
"I can't."
Chuck nodded, understanding.
"I know, and we don't expect you to. Hell, we don't expect US to. If we need these things, we've failed oh so spectacularly. But..."
"But we have babies to protect." Alicia slammed the empty ammo pack into her own rifle, then quickly removed and replaced it. Her muscle memory was long. Tammy, standing behind Nona, picked up the weapon she had discarded.
"Count me in."
Shoulders slumping, Nona took the gun from her, shaking her head.
"That one's more my sized. Take the rifle."
****
"ONE HOUR TILL REAL SPACE. GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER."
Hedva almost cringed at the sound. For all Sarah had told her, had said these were not Gods, or Daemons, hearing the Holy Words echo through the air still filled her with awe and dread. It was all so sudden! Hedva hated change. Hated not knowing what was coming. The Temple had given her... a constant. A safe, unchanging harbor in which she could live out her life. And, now...
"It will be OK," Sarah said, voice cutting through her fear. Hedva looked at her oldest friend. So... confident. So strong.
"How do you know?"
"I Know."
****
"One minute till showtime."
Anthony looked around the bridge. He was all nerves. Never, not since the first time he had tried to ask a girl out, or maybe just before a final exam he hadn't studied for, had he felt like this. Was no one else feeling it? Why were they all so calm?
Or did he look calm, too, and they were all wondering the same thing about him? That lifted his spirits a bit.
"Do we have a script yet?"
"Nope! All improv!"
"I vote we all start with a hoedown!"
"No! Those suck!"
OK, maybe Chuck and Melinda weren't all that wound up.
"Thirty seconds!"
"Make video contact as soon as we're..."
Alarms blasted through the bridge. Anthony's heart stopped. As if from somewhere else, he heard his voice yelling for the view screens.
The curved bridge walls vanished. There, in the swirling void they were poised to leave, was a wall of rainbows. It filled the entire lefthand sky, seemingly almost touching the ship. Tammy, at a console facing it, threw herself back, body slamming into the trunk of the central bridge tree. She screamed.
"God! What is it?!"
"Ten seconds!"
"Viewscreen off! Now!" The walls returned to wooden panels. Anthony's death grip on the panel edge before him loosened a bit. Eyes wide, he tried to remain in control. "I want them on as soon as we're in normal space!"
"4, 3, 2, 1, out!"
The walls vanished again, alarm still blaring.
They were floating in empty space. Before them, a blue green world. Peaceful. Beautiful. Innocent.
"I have a massive energy reading," Alicia yelled down from her sensor post up by the ceiling. "Coming from one point!"
"Try and make contact! Can we send a video signal? Get our image on their screens!" He had no plan. No ideas. They just had to stop it. Them. Anyway they could. He'd play God. Anything...
"Landing beacon detected! Heading in!"
Suddenly, silence.
****
The thought that first came to Alicia, up in her sensor perch, was that of the a movie fight scene suddenly stripped of dramatic music. Her body was all nerves, but the reinforcement, perhaps even the cause of that state, had vanished. It was disorienting as hell.
"What the fuck? The alarm's gone!"
Trust Melinda to state the obvious. Shaking her head, Alicia poured her full concentration on the displays before her. Windows opened and closed quickly, hands dancing over the controls.
"Energy reading... gone." She blinked. "Daium... check your readings." There was a pause.
"I... see nothing."
"Yeah... um, Anthony?"
"Talk to me."
"We just had all energy signals from the planet vanish."
****
The Bells dropped down through the atmosphere, passing through thin layers of clouds. Everyone, despite the lack of seats, was crowded on the bridge walkway, artificial gravity put to work to keep those standing from hurting themselves. It felt like cheating, but there was no way to keep the kids and squirrels away. This was too important.
As they broke into clear sky, there was an audible gasp. The planet below... was beautiful. They were coming down towards a large peninsula, jutting out into a blue ocean. Its phallic quality wasn't lost on Anthony, probably the reason it had been chosen, but that thought was shoved aside by the world around it. Green forest filled the land, lush, healthy. He saw lakes, rivers, patches of grasslands. As they dropped father, flocks of birds could be seen, V formations heading mostly northward.
"Tanah..."
"Earth..."
Daium and Nona's whispers only confirmed how he felt. This... this was home.
****
They continued to drop.
"Visual on the landing field."
It was in a valley, surrounded by low hills. A large, grey, concrete surface, maybe a half mile square. Three other ships occupied docking cradles, two small, less than half the size of the Bells, and a larger one roughly the same mass. No lights were flashing to indicate an authorized landing zone. That didn't concern Daium, although in a minute it would become a rather urgent issue. Her eyes were on the large, brown circle of land due north of the pad. She felt movement behind her, a black furry hand reaching out past her head towards the image.
"It's... gone."
Sarah's voice was confused, as well it should be. Daium bit her lip.
"Did it blow up? You said things sometimes went wrong with the machines..."
"How... why..."
"Ha!"
Mary's outburst startled everyone. Daium spun her chair to face the girl, frowning.
"Mary, this isn't..."
"They went! Don't you see?" She looked around, eyes wide with excitement. "It looks just like where the store was! I've seen the pictures, from after you guys vanished! The whole temple just went to Earth!"
****
The Bells settled on an empty stretch of tarmac, landing skids extended, the one empty landing cradle lacking power. It sat for a moment, silent. A small hatch at the bottom of the central body opened, from which a small R2 unit dropped onto the ground. Its top swiveled, getting its bearings. Seeing its target, it began rolling towards the collapsible portable stairs on the other side of the field, moving deftly around scattered pieces of equipment. Small connectors extending out, it plugged itself directly into the control panel, beeping happily. Those beeps stopped, replaced by one long beep sounding as much like a sigh as Chuck had been able to make it. Behind, four more droids dropped out of the ship. As they approached, the first directed them to the gangway's four corners. Clamps extended from cylindrical bodies, latching on. Slowly, the wheeled gangway began to roll.
****
Anthony was the first out of the hatch, stepping onto the now extended stairway, pistol in hand. After the recycled air of the past months, the cool fresh air was a shock. He paused, taking in a ragged breath. And another. It felt like spring. Early spring. Chuck moved past him, holding a rifle, repeating the ritual Anthony had started. The two men looked out across the valley. A wide path, paved with irregular, colored smooth stones, extended from the end of the spaceport, running due north. It ended, abruptly, at the start of the brown circle. It was definitely dirt, or clay, and not natural. Not quite a perfect circle, with various half circles extending out here and there, nor was the ground of uniform depth. Remembering their first explorations of the exterior of the store that stormy night, it seemed whatever had happened here had followed the same pattern, taking everything attached to the main structure plus some extra.
Moving as if in a daze, Sarah stepped out between them. Anthony moved aside a bit as she approached the railing.
"Gone..."
"Looks like it," Chuck said. His head turned to survey their surroundings. "I hear by proclaim this 'Deus Ex Machina' valley."
"Gone..."
"We've already established that."
Rinda, dressed in her military issue suspenders and skirt, joined them wearing a combat pack, rifle at the ready. Daium, with just a pistol belt, followed. Anthony nodded, looking back into the ship.
"Everyone else stay here. The five of us are going to look around a bit."
****
It was the empty ships that worried Chuck the most, as the five explorers slowly made their way across the tarmac. Their hulking mass, looming above them, could be hiding anything.
"Sarah, were these crewed by temple people, or hired help?"
"Temple sisters." Her dazed voice spoke with almost no inflection. "No outsider would be allowed to even know where this planet was..."
"So everyone would be inside the temple." He relaxed a bit. "Possibly still security systems on board, so we'll have to send droids in first."
"Good idea," Anthony agreed. They passed the nose of the last ship, coming up on the path. The landing pad itself was surrounded by bushes, perhaps four feet high, trimmed into a wall. There was no gate blocking their way, but instead two tall carved posts flanking the break in the bushes. Chuck looked up as they passed.
"Well, don't know about you, but this doesn't make ME feel inadequate, no sir."
"I don't even want to THINK about something that big," Rinda added. Shouldering her rifle, she moved closer to Chuck and took his hand. Her eyes wandered. "I don't know what it is about this place. It's so... peaceful. I can see why they put the temple here."
"It is..." Chuck suddenly stopped. The others did as well, all eyes on him. Squeezing Rinda's hand, he regarded Sarah. "Sarah, you said everyone was recalled to the Temple."
"Yes." She hung her head. "All except the acolytes, like Hedva. Those few are all that are left, along with those at or going to the new Temple, like Miriam. So few..."
"And nobody else claims this planet?"
Daium gasped. She spun around, taking in all the green.
"Oh... Chuck, do you think..."
"Where would you plant the sacred tree, Daium?"
She pointed.
"There. That hill. The tallest. In the center. Around it, a circle of seedlings. Oh, Rinda, we can replant the Sacred Tree!"
"You and your trees..." There were tears in her eyes, though. Throwing his own gun onto the grass beside the path, Chuck grabbed Rinda into a spinning bear of a hug, kissing her soundly. With the same skill he'd use removing other items of clothing, her gun and combat pack found themselves also on the grass, her body molded to his.
"I think that's settled, then," Anthony said. Chuck gave him a silly grin as he broke the kiss, looking past his wife's head.
"So you think it will work?"
Anthony nodded.
"Don't see why not. We'll have to plan, really stock up on supplies..."
"We have those prefab buildings in storage."
"Yeah, but there's no need to rush." He glanced back at the ship. "I would like to see my son or daughter born under this sky, though..."
****
The next week was spent in intense planning.
Buried deep in the records intended for the next temple were years worth of logs from this world, reports of weather, growing seasons. It was, as Anthony had thought, early spring. Crops could be planted soon, immediately even.
"We're not farmers," Tammy repeated, adamant. "We have to expect to screw up for the first year or two. I want just test crops in, so we don't waste our seeds. It's not like we can go back across the galaxy and restock."
"Don't worry. Nobody's going to risk our supply of grapes and hops!"
It was decided, in the end, to leave droids to begin plowing and preparing fields while they returned to Sol. Every possible colonizing item anyone could think of was purchased, with more ordered for delivery from other worlds. All would be picked up on Sol, naturally. Outside transport to their new home was to be discouraged. Carpentry tools, along with an entire hold full of nails and screws, were high on the list. Daium insisted her home be made of wood. Rinda claimed indifference, but Chuck's casual acceptance of that idea for their own home resulted in the wildest post-pregnancy sex yet.
The Bells overflowing with supplies, they started the return journey.
****
"Blow out the candles!"
Cheeks red with embarrassment and happiness, Mary leaned over the cake, blowing. The fourteen candles, small, cheap things which had seen a number of uses, were no match for her mighty lungs. They went out quickly, although the one at the end almost hung on. It took one extra puff, still technically from her first breath, to extinguish it. A cheer erupted around her. Goldie, standing to her left, bounced up and down.
"What did you wish? Tell me!"
"No! Then it won't come true!"
"Bet it's about Danny!"
"Goldie!"
It was with great relief that Mary saw her mother come and take charge. God! She loved Goldie, but you do NOT talk about things like that! Not in front of ADULTS! Her eyes slid to Danny. He either hadn't heard, or was ignoring his sister. Either way worked. He was dressed in his best shirt and pants, cutting a striking image. His arms, poking out of short sleeves, seemed to be getting even bigger, stronger. Catching her looking at him, he smiled. Mary returned it. The days of them avoiding each other's gaze was over.
"Mom," she asked, taking the plate of chocolate cake that was handed to her, eyes still on Danny, "how old were you when you started dating?"
Her mom paused mid-slice. Mary thought she heard a resigned sigh, but couldn't be certain.
"Fourteen. We'll have a talk later, set the rules."
Shifting the plate to her left hand, Mary leaned in, hugging Mom.
"I love you."
****
"Everyone remember, if you see a shadow over you, move!"
As Chuck held his breath, the loading crane lifted the former tractor trailer up off the garden floor. It paused, hanging ten feet above the ship, then slowly began to swing outwards. Nona, next to him, was practically bouncing. They had opened the clear dome that covered the top half of the Bells that morning, the first time such a thing had been done since Tanah. Once they were done it would be closed again, a backup garden to provide seedlings for future plantings. Already, Hannah and Anthony's vans had been lifted off, testing the spaceport's crane on something that they might not be able to use much. Now it was Nona's clinic, critical for the coming births. Some of the most important things had been removed, just in case, but this was still a matter of life and death.
Now hanging sixty feet in the air, the trailer was slowly lowered. Once down, droids would tow it to the rapidly growing settlement. Finally tired of the distraction, Chuck put a hand on Nona's shoulder.
"Stop your jumping. It'll be OK. We had the system rehearse the move a half dozen times."
"I'm worried about the wheels. Might be rusted."
"Then we fix them. Look, worse case, we leave it here and run long power cables, and you'll have it when the kids pop out. But it should be OK."
"Let me worry, OK? Makes me feel better."
****
It figured the mess hall would be the first thing finished.
Tammy walked around the kitchen, still not believing it. They'd done it in three days. Three days to get a timber frame building with a full kitchen and food storage, restrooms, a dining area large enough for sixty people, all connected to the start of the town power grid. For now it would also double as their rec room, until an actual one could be built. Tomorrow, they started on the first house, Chuck, Melinda, and Rinda's, so the babies would have their own place. Anthony and Hannah's were next, then Daium, Justin, and Alicia's. The three teens would have their own house, Mary and Danny's future for now assumed to be set (although the reality of relationships would probably throw that into doubt eventually). Finally, a new wooden home for her and Nona.
Tammy blushed. Her own home. With Nona. Curtains. She'd have to talk to Hannah about making curtains. Now she laughed. It would be weeks until she had her new home, and she was already decorating it! God, she was such a wife!
A ringing came from the far wall. It took a moment for her to place the sound, laughing when she finally recognized the wall phone. They were so few, and so rarely scattered, the phone system was more an investment than a need. She'd get to try it out, at least.
"Hello, Kitchen. How can I help you?"
"Tammy!" Rinda's voice was excited, and loud. "Alicia just went into labor!"
****
The four mothers sat in a circle in the grass, babies either in their arms or in their laps, comparing notes, showing off. In the distance, Chuck and the three teens were planting the second field, singing bad camping songs. Dinner would be soon, Tammy and Nona having promised a feast starring a large turkey-like bird they'd caught that morning. Both Rinda and Daium seemed happy about the idea of eating bird.
Anthony stood with Justin and Daium on the tarmac. Sarah stood before them, dressed again in her revealing, two piece Temple garment, Hedva behind her similarly dressed.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Sarah smiled at Anthony's question. Such a change, in so little time. She bowed her head slightly.
"Yes. The other acolytes must be told about the Temple. Must Know. I must gather them."
He nodded.
"Well... if you ever want to return, there's always a place for you here." He extended his hand. She took it. It was firm, strong. Human. For a moment, her resolve wavered. The full plan then came to her mind again. She could do this. She was strong. With a final smile, she released his hand, turning to accept the goodbye's of the other two. With a wave to the blooming town, she turned, heading up the gangway into the small ship.
****
Hedva almost collapsed into the copilot's chair. One hand went to her forehead.
"It's almost like leaving a dream. They've turned our Temple grounds into..."
"Into a paradise."
Sarah slipped into the pilot's chair, fastening the straps. Belatedly, Hedva did the same as systems powered up. Tentatively, while she had the nerve, she asked the question.
"Are you sure they will like this?"
Sarah's glance was not promising, but she answered.
"Once we have done it, they will see how I am serving them." Sarah flipped more switches. "We will gather the Sisters. I will tell them what I Know. We will buy supplies, and come back. We will serve the humans, befriend them... eventually, some of us will mate. We will join our races. This, I Know."
Hedva nodded. Every time she heard it, she believed more. It could be done... would be done.
"Yes, She Who Knows."
****
The two humans and one Orang watched the small spacecraft liftoff. Anthony was almost sorry to see them go. Almost. It did solve lots of problems, and was two less mouths to feed and house. He was betting they never saw them again.
Turning, they walked off the tarmac. Gone were the carved penises flanking the exit. Instead, the posts had been reshaped into regular thick poles, painted by Goldie with Buffalo sports team logos and other symbols suggested by the crew. He particularly liked Waldo. Someday, maybe, their children's children would consider these mysterious signs important. Anthony's eyes went to the far hill, now home to the Sacred Tree which had lived for so long on the bridge of the Bells. It stood out from all the other fauna, seeming to glow with life. He suddenly understood why it was sacred. Given time... who knows. He might even join in the worship of it, if only symbolically.
"You know," Justin said, walking hand in hand with Daium, "I just realized we haven't named this planet yet."
"'Planet' is a good name," Anthony whimsically replied. "Or 'Dirt'."
"'Home'", Daium said, gaze far away. "Let's just call it... 'Home'."
"Planet Home, Home Planet..." Anthony shrugged. "We'll have to see what the others think, but it works for me. Easy to remember, at least."
"Home." Justin seemed to consider the name. "Home, home to seventeen colonists of... mixed race."
"Eighteen."
Justin stopped, frowning at his wife, redoing the math.
"Eight from the store, two Orang, three teens, and four babies. No, Daium, I count seventeen."
Smiling, Daium put a slender hand on her belly.
"Eighteen."
The End
Edited by SciFi Nut
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