MORE THAN AN ECHO (Sequel to Second Coming)
Cross Cultural Contact

The Commander ask Tre’, “The installation has been moving along at record speed, will the units complete their work this rotation?”

“No, but they will conclude sometime after the first meal of the next rotation.” He answers.

The Commander keeps her eyes upon the towering units. “I’ve noticed that their pace has not changed since they began. They are very efficient laborers, or I should better say, technicians. The work they are performing appears extremely complicated. ”

“You enjoy watching them.”

Smiling the Commander ask, “When they complete their task here, what happens to units?”

“The units will receive a new assignment and begin performing other task.”

Samantha ask, “So assignments and labor, is this the life of all Colony units, all work and never any time for rest or relaxation?”

“The units all partake of ‘relaxation’ in the chamber which contains the Home Waters.” Tre’ changes his view from the lumbering units and stares into the Commanders eyes. “Your world has significant bodies of water, do you possess the ability to swim?”

Samantha follows Tre’ and enters the chamber of the Home Waters. Immediately the Commander is astonished with the grandeur of the enormous chamber. She feels like she is on an alien world. The vastness of the chamber, the body of water that could be a lake, vegetation even some tree like plants all seem so natural, it is easy to forget one is traveling on a space vessel.

They walk along the shoreline of the water as Samantha explores the alien landscape. Tre’ explains, “The climate and atmosphere has been altered in this small area of the chamber to accommodate your visit.”

“What a wonderful luxury to have on a starship! This is definitely a place of relaxation, it is quite beautiful.”

“I felt you would find pleasure by experiencing it.”

“You felt it, or did my color change, ha-ha!” Samantha is intrigued with his use of words.

Tre’ simply smiles and says, “Both, I feel all of your colors changing.”

“I am enjoying seeing you become more expressive, my fine host.”

“If you please Commander, I enjoy it when you speak to me by my designation, Tre’.”

The Commander faces Tre’, “So you feel and you enjoy. You continue to amaze me Tre’.”

“I normally swim without the restrictions of garments, but Regnoh informed me that it would be improper to do so with a Commander. We can undress and swim in our undergarments.” Tre’ explains.

“So you discussed my visit here with Regnoh.” Samantha feels flattered. Does Tre’ have an attraction to her?

Tre’ answers “Yes, my friend Regnoh offers advise into Shi’ann personal relations.”

The Commander smiles remembering Chrystoya’s description of having Tre’ walk in on her passionate time with Regnoh. Following Tre’s lead, she begins removing her outer garments.

Now out of the water and both dripping wet, they gather up their dry garments and carry them. They travel back to Tre’s dwelling. His apartment is equipped the same as the crew’s dwellings. They will use the sound shower to dry off.

Tre’ insist that she goes first, and she does and then sits and waits at the table while he showers. Tre’ ask while exiting the shower, “I believe it is proper to offer you a refreshing drink, would you like a cup of mint tea?”

Samantha answers, “I think I’d like something more festive. Swimming in the Home Water was such an honor. Perhaps a glass of wine if you will have one with me?”

“My nutrient supply station does contain the recipe for Zaque’s wine, if that is acceptable?” Tre’ raises an eyebrow.

The Commander shakes her head in approval, “Actually that wine was originally produced by a vineyard that was started many cycles ago by one of my relatives.”

Tre’ returns to the table with two containers and hands one to Samantha. He takes a seat and says, “Please tell me about this relative.”

“His name was Martark and he was my grandmother’s parent. He joined the Ones Before when I was just a teenager, but I have some memories of him. He was known for his strong appetite for food and wine, and he loved to laugh.”

“It seems that your relatives are exceptional in the task that they perform. It was your grandfather, Sam Smith, who sent the first vocal message to the Colony.”

Samantha beams with pride at the mention of her grandfather’s name.

“Your color changes when you think of him. You have strong affections for him.”

The Commander feels the warmth of Tre’s words, “You are very observant.” She looks into his eyes and wishes she could explain to him just how charming he is becoming.

“It is proper to have pride in the great accomplishments of your relatives. Do you know of the ancient spacecraft that he spoke of in his message?”

“Well, that story may require another glass of wine.” Samantha’s mind begins to float through the memories of her life. Tre’ rises to replenish their drinks. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The Shi’ann are a proud people. Not proud “haughty” as her Gransam would say but “humbly proud.” The legends and tales of her ancestors were told often throughout much of her childhood. Her entire society is one which honors the “Ones Before” in all that they perform.

Nantara, “the first to call forth” was for many generations the most mentioned and respected ancestor of all. Then came Sam Smith, her grandfather, her Gransam. He could actually be considered the ancient great grandfather of all Shi’ann.

He was still living when she boarded the Garguth. By now though, he with all of the others she left on Earth, have joined the Ones Before. So many cycles have passed since she and the crew left their home.

Her Gransam is the foundation of her life. During her young teen years she had learned of his fantastic story and his grand contribution to all humans. These things didn’t surprise her though, she had always thought that he “hung the moon” anyway. A phrase that he had taught her so long ago.

Gransam was over ninety cycles in age when she left on this mission. He was fading fast then, but held on long enough to view the Garguth blasting off from the Earth for this mission. This mission which was his life’s work. He had labored on the first contact effort for over sixty cycles.

His early labors in communications lead to a breakthrough in translating the Others’ messages. So yes, she knew of the space craft from Earth’s past that was encountered by Tre’s race. She had heard about it from her Gransam many times.

Voyagers One and Two were launched into space by the generation of human society that Sam Smith remembered. Growing up as his granddaughter, it didn’t seem strange to her that he had memories from a time twenty-two hundred cycles in the past.

Her Gransam had said that the Voyager crafts were “launched in 1977.” Whatever that meant. The numbers that he would name when recalling the past made no sense to her, but his stories she could listen to for hours.

Her grandfather had explained the dating method of his ancient culture to the Historian Council. He reported that the last date which he could remember from his earlier life cycle was “sometime in May of 2030.” That was when the war occurred that ended his society. And the reason why his remains were found in a frozen bunker, twenty-two hundred cycles later.

His life force pattern was preserved in the tissue of his frozen corpse. The Shi’ann’s biological technologies allowed them to recreate the man whose mummified body they had found in the frozen northern wastelands. Her Gransam had been reconstructed by his own descendants.

The Shi’ann sought answers of their own origin. They also sought a cure for their infertility which had plagued them for many generations. Sam Smith was the answer to both. He was the key to the Shi’ann’s Marvelous Mystery and the promise that their race would continue.

Samantha looks up at Tre’ who is staring at her with his stunning and very serious green eyes. She realizes that she has been silent for more than a few moments while she reminisced the highlights of the one who had encouraged her in all of her life’s work.

“I’m sorry Tre’, I was just remembering the past. Yes, I do know of the Colony’s encounter with the ancient earth space craft.” She takes a sip of wine and begins sharing the tale with him.

She plans on departing for her own dwelling when she finishes the story but Tre’ replenishes their drinks for a third time. The Commander considers not having another but she is enjoying her time with him. She accepts the glass of wine from Tre’.

Samantha looks at him and ask “After we have departed and your assignment is complete, what will you do, what will become of you?”

He pauses as his eyes roam around. He turns to face Samantha and answers “This unit will be recycled back into the Colony.”

Alarmed she ask “What exactly do you mean by recycled?”

“My life unit will be placed into a regeneration cocoon. The physical matter of my shell will be placed back into the Colony’s renewal process, from which it came. Its materials will be used to create future shells.”

“Then you will cease to be!” The Commander’s eyes burn with anger.

“My memories and experiences will continue within the Colony’s Memory Chamber.”

Samantha cannot believe what she is hearing “but you will end Tre’! You will have no more experiences. You will die?”

He does not answer her emotional response, instead he looks into her eyes. He sees her anger and fear, her concern. He senses her sympathy. She does not understand the wisdom of the Colony. She fears for him to end.

She stammers almost in tears “Why would the Colony want you to die? Your experiences will continue after we are gone. Your existence would still provide worth and value to the Colony. Why do you have to die?”

“This is the way of the Colony. Each unit and shell must be recycled after its assignment is complete.”

“And what about you Tre’? Don’t you want to live?”

“I am living now. This is my assignment. I am pleased to serve in this function, to facilitate communication between your crew and the Colony. All life recycles in some manner. I submit to the wisdom of the Colony.”

Her burning tears are encouraged by the effects of the wine. She reaches across the table and grips his hands. She cannot stop crying. Tre’ rises and pulls her up. He wraps his arms around her, “I do wish you to be in pain.”

She sobs into his shoulder, “Perhaps I could speak with the Overseers? I will tell them how wonderful you are, I will explain your value for...I don’t know, maybe further study. I will tell them that I don’t want you to die!”

Tre’ helps her sit next to him on the sleeping device. She leans into him. He holds her tenderly, allowing her to cry. The warmth of his body and the wine makes it easy to snuggle closer to him. It suddenly occurs to her that they are both still in their undergarments. They didn’t dress after they showered. Her body is responding to the feeling of his breath against her neck.

Tre’ says softly, “Your color is changing.”

She should leave now and return to her own dwelling, but she does not.

It is late and the rest of the crew are sleeping Zaque still works and is preparing tools that he will need for his next maintenance duty. He has no choice but to rely of the Colony’s enhancements for their vessel, but he will still perform all of his own maintenance to insure a safe journey home. He is startled and turns his head when he hears the ramp descending from the upper level.

The Commander exits the ramp and heads toward her apartment. Her shoulders are slumped and her expression seems troubled. Zaque leaves his work area and makes his way toward her. “Commander you are out late tonight, don’t you know its past curfew?”

Samantha looks up and wishes it was anyone other than Zaque. “Yes, my visit to the Home Waters was exhausting. It’s been a long time since I’ve swam. The chamber is such a beautiful place...”

“What’s wrong Samantha? You’re troubled.” Zaque ask.

She stops and faces him, “I’ve had an uncomfortable conversation with Tre’.” She hopes he cannot tell but she senses his suspicion, or maybe it is her own guilt. No, she doesn’t feel guilty, just sad.

“I’m listening.” Zaque is showing care for her, like always, but somehow it feels like he is examining her.

“Tre’ informed me that after we leave he will be killed.” Samantha struggles not let the tears reappear.

Zaque barks, “Killed! That’s barbaric! I would not expect this kind of action from a species that seems so highly evolved.”

“Tre’s refers to it as being recycled. His mission will be complete. I explained the usefulness he would still provide, even after we are gone, but he seems content in following this plan, "I need to think about this. I am not willing to submit to the wisdom of the Colony.” The Commander turns to continue towards her apartment but Zaque grabs her by the arm.

He pulls her close and looks in her eyes. He knows. “Oh Sami, what have you done?”

She pushes away from him, “I’d rather not discuss this now.”

“You’ve been with him.” Zaque says bluntly.

Samantha considers lying about the encounter but realizes she cannot, “That is a personal matter and I will not discuss it with you.”

“Sami, listen to yourself, he’s not even human!”

“No, he isn’t, but he is putting much effort into becoming one. Even you have to admit how we’ve all seen him grow and change since we first met him.”

Zaque raises his voice, “As hard as he tries, he is not one of us, he’s not Shi’ann, and he’s only an echo of us!”

“In all the time that I have known you, you have never displayed jealousy! It doesn’t suit you well.” The Commander says sternly.

“Sami, this is not jealousy, I’m concerned for all of our well-being. Look, you’re the commander of this entire mission. What if you start having side effects from your encounter with him, you could become ill or worse. He is an alien species, what if the chemistry of our two species is incompatible? Chrystoya should perform an entire physical on you, I’ll wake her now.” Her turns to leave but this time the Commander grabs his arm.

“You will do no such thing. This is a personal matter. I order you to not mention this to the rest of the crew, besides we will all receive an examination as protocol, before we head home. That should in about a week.”

“Oh Sami, I don’t feel good about this.” Zaque’s eyes plead with her.

“My order stands, First Officer, I’m going to get some sleep now, good night,” As she walks away she thinks of Tre’. He felt so human. No, more than that. She is watching him become a human.

Tre’ stands before the Overseers, he had requested a special session to speak with them. The six beings all peer down at him in attention. Tre’ begins, “It is not my intention to question your great wisdom, but I would like to know why I must die? Am I not Shi’ann as well as Colony? Shouldn’t I be allowed to continue to a normal life span as they do?”

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