Making the Galaxy Great

Kuh-re surveyed the scene in the alley. “Mr. Fleming, Ms. McCauley. I apologize. I hope I have arrived in time. I had to consult with my colleagues on Sardia to be sure they agreed to our plan.”

Jason bowed his head and touched his forehead. “We are most grateful. And you arrived at the perfect time. We were in the middle of a family squabble. Do Marjan families have squabbles?”

Kuh-Re’s unblinking eyes stared at the two women on the ground. “Perhaps not as . . . physical. And this woman . . .?” He was now looking at Grace, who returned Kuh’Re’s unblinking gaze.

“May I introduce Grace Hauck,” said Jason quickly. “She runs the organization that has been assisting some of the Yrrean refugees.”

Kuh-Re bowed and touched his forehead. “Ah, it is a great pleasure to make your acquaintance. Now, perhaps one of these soldiers has the necessary tool to remove your restraints. I would like to get started on our errand.”

Dr. Ashwood wriggled out from under her daughter and pointed at Jason. “Kuh-Re, this man is—”

Kuh-Re bowed. “Doctor, I am afraid I cannot stay to talk. Mr. Fleming and I have . . . business.”

“They’re not leaving,” cried Ashwood. “Shoot them!” she told the soldiers, who had conventional rifles that presumably were not affected by whatever electronic field Kuh-Re had used to render Dr. Ashwood’s pulse pistol inoperative.

The soldiers hesitated, glancing between Ashwood and Kuh-Re. Before they could decide whether to follow her order, there was a sound of screeching tires and slamming car doors and an authoritative shout from behind the Scooby van.

“Put your goddam weapons down!” ordered the Colonel. “And please arrest Dr. Ashwood.”

“I took the liberty of contacting Colonel Williams after we spoke, Mr. Fleming,” said Kuh-Re. “In case my fellow Marjans decided against our plan, I thought it best to have . . . backup.”

Jason smiled, trying not to laugh. “You’re a keen strategist, Kuh-Re.”

Kuh-Re bowed. “As you say.”

The Colonel strode past the van and shook her head as she passed Dr. Ashwood, who scowled in return. “Kuh-Re and I have known each other for a long, long time,” she said. That was apparently going to be the extent of her explanation. “Fleming, McCauley, I am sorry. I didn’t know about any of this. Brown and that one,” she motioned toward Dr. Ashwood, “decided to go rogue. That fat ass has been detained and I can’t wait for him to squeal like the pig he is when we threaten to send him to Moredale. Soldier, get these people uncuffed already.”

As soon as McCauley and Jason and Grace had been released, Kuh-Re motioned them into his spacecraft with a wave of his six-fingered hand. They stepped inside and the opening in the hull disappeared behind them.

“How does that work?” Jason wondered aloud.

“This vessel is constructed of biomechanical materials,” Kuh-Re explained. “Many of the components can change their shape, tension, density — even function — as the need arises.”

The ship’s interior seemed much larger than it appeared from the outside, brightly lit but with no apparent lighting fixtures. There were six chairs in two rows, and a single chair in front of them. When Jason sat in one, it molded itself to fit him and the surface warmed slightly.

A holographic display arced around the front chair, into which Kuh-Re settled his slender figure. He manipulated images in the air and said: “I do not have windows, but if you would you like to see . . .”

Suddenly, they were surrounded by a 360-degree view of the outside world. Jason could see Dr. Ashwood, in cuffs, staring at the Marjan vessel as it rose up above the alley and then slowly drifted across the city.

Jason realized he need to call someone. “Kuh-Re, can I make a phone call from here? I didn’t have a chance back there because, you know . . .”

“Yes, you may,” said Kuh-Re. Suddenly, a holographic key pad appeared in front of Jason.

“This craft provides excellent data transfer to and from your telecommunications systems,” Kuh-Re told him. “About one billion megabits per second.”

“That should work,” said Jason.

“We shall arrive at our destination in approximately 7 seconds,” Kuh-Re added.

“Take the scenic route,” said Jason. “Let’s make sure as many people as possible see your ship.”

“The scenic route,” Kuh-Re repeated. They slowly glided in a wide circle over the city, much lower than a typical plane, only a couple of hundred yards above the ground by Jason’s estimate.

After Jason finished his call with Brian Furrow at News 4, he asked Kuh-Re: “So you and the other Marjan leaders agreed to tell the Earthlings that there are other people in the universe?”

“Much more than that, Mr. Fleming. I have been authorized to invite you — that is, Earth — to join with us in a consortium of planets that would include all the known worlds.”

Jason glanced at McCauley and back at Kuh-Re. “Wow. That was unexpected.”

As they looped above the city, Kuh-Re explained further. “For many of your Earth centuries, we have been exploring this section of the galaxy, discovering other worlds with civilization-building sentients. Some of them we have observed for a long time before making contact because they were deemed not ready. And many Marjans argued that we should remain just observers and nothing more, while others —”

“Like you?”

Kuh-Re nodded his head slightly. “We believe there is much more to be gained than lost by sharing knowledge and culture. Like your lovely music. And pizza.”

“These other sentients. Are they all pretty similar?” asked Jason. “I mean, two arms, two legs, one head?

“Most of them. There is one aquatic species that has language and uses tools — they resemble the octopus here on Earth. But because they are aquatic they are somewhat limited and I am not sure they will ever be spacefaring. Ah! Our scenic route is complete. Here we are.”

Jason and McCauley looked down and saw the roof of the News 4 building rising to meet them. Brian Furrow stared up at them with wide eyes and gaping mouth. His camera operator trained her lens on the gently descending craft.

A door appeared once again in the side of the craft and Kuh-Re rose from his chair. “Will you please accompany me? I believe my message may have more . . . resonance if the two of you are with me.”

“Two?” McCauley asked. Even when her mother was about to shoot them, Jason had never seen her look so panicked. “You want both of us to be there?”

“If you please, Agent McCauley,” said Kuh-Re.

Jason was nervous, too. He breathed slowly, then grasped McCauley’s hand. “We can do this, partner.”

As they stepped out of the craft, Jason leaned toward Kuh- Re. “One suggestion. This organization of planets. Don’t call it a consortium. That sounds like a bunch of businesses. Call it something a little sexier, like a federation.”

“Oh my God,” whispered McCauley. “I wish my mother had shot you.”