MORE THAN AN ECHO (Sequel to Second Coming)

As soon as the door has sealed, Tre’ releases a breath of relief. He is aware of the moisture that is forming on the back of his neck. This first encounter affected him strangely. He feels exhaustion and excitement at the same time. There is a sensation of disappointment that he examines. He desires to stay and continue to communicate more with the Thirds. He finds them fascinating and interesting, especially the Commander, Samantha. In spite of his newly experienced emotions, he will obey his assignment.

His assignment requires that he appear before the Overseers to report of this first meeting with the Thirds. He directs his attention to the report that he will offer, even though he knows that the Overseers were observing his interaction with the visitors.

The inner door behind Tre’ opens. As he turns to pass through it, a Director unit awaits him. The Director stares at him for a few seconds before speaking audibly. Tre’ is being inspected. The Director advises Tre’ that he may return to his dwelling space.

“I was instructed to report to the Overseers after the initial meeting with the Thirds.” Tre’ explains to the towering Director.

The Director unit speaks again audibly. To a human ear the language would sound like clicks, chirps and purrs. Tre’ is able to understand and answers back in like manner. His shell is equipped with non-Third features which allows him this communication.

The Overseers have decided that Tre’ should spend some time reflecting upon his encounter with the Thirds before offering his report. Tre’ nods to the Director acknowledging that he has been placed in “Forthcoming mode” and begins to move toward his dwelling space.

The Director offers one more instruction. Tre’ is surprised that it is not exactly an instruction but more of a suggestion. The Director has mentioned the Home Waters. Perhaps Tre’ will be able to better reflect upon his encounter with the aliens if he attends a time of relaxation in the Home Waters.

Though Tre’ has never visited the chamber which contains the Home Waters, memory of it flows through his consciousness. He considers the experience of floating upon the waters in an environment which closely resembles the Colony’s home world. The instinct is strong and he desires the Home Waters. He travels toward his dwelling space to prepare for a visit to the special chamber.

The crew begin their discussion as soon as the large door closes and conceals their view of Tre’. Everyone is pleased with the first encounter with their host. Only the Commander and Zaque have reservations about the Colony’s intentions.

Several crew members head toward the Garguth to unload items that they will need to begin their studies of the Colony. Regnoh and Chrystoya have already entered the vessel when Samantha announces an all crew conference.

The Colony originated on a swamp dominated world. Though their evolutionary trek led them to dry land dwellings and eventually the stars, they have always maintained a physical area to represent the environment of their meager beginnings, the Home Waters.

The cavern which contains the Home Waters is as large as the Dream Arena. The body of water is fathoms deep. The artificial lighting mimics the stars of their home solar system, as it is experienced through the forest canopy. There is sand, vegetation and rocks on the shore line. The setting appears natural.

The cavern and lake are large enough to produce an atmosphere. The warm air and heavy humidity produces fog and clouds which replenish the body of water. This continual environmental cycle is the principle behind many of the Colony functions. Nature has been the instructor and the Colony an attentive student.

All units aboard the star vessel partake of the Home Waters. Some swim, others dive. Some of the units skim across the top of the water in a skillful dance to honor their ancient ancestors, enacting instincts which they no longer even fully understand. It is a shadow of a behavioral trait their species first displayed ages ago.

For a species which evolved without emotions, the Home Waters instill an abiding tranquility in each of the units which partake of its gift. The Home Waters, just like the Dream Arena, is an aspect of the Colony’s culture which has spanned millions of cycles and is vital to their health and well-being.

Tre’ enters the chamber. He is nude, having removed his Thirds’ garment earlier. He is becoming more comfortable existing in a shell which resembles theirs, but still feels restricted wearing their clothing. He enjoys standing here bare in the humid chamber. He makes his way towards the shore line.

Throughout the chamber, thousands of units are moving about, in the water and out. The sound of splashes echoes across the expansive cavern. Only a few units turn to view the small different shelled being which has just entered the water.

Tre’s swimming instinct is a mixture of two species and he has no trouble moving above or below the water. His earlier stress and exhaustion fades as he moves through the lake. He feels invigorated and recharged. He turns and floats on his back as he examines his time among the Thirds. He smiles as he remembers his last view of the Commander. She was viewing him as well. He wonders if her species can swim.

Samantha waits for all the crew to unload the items that they are already carrying from the vessel. She gathers her thoughts as the others are making their way to the table. All but two of the crew have become trusting and accepting that their hosts having nothing but the best of intentions. The Commander wishes to examine their situation as carefully as she can. She is responsible for all of their lives.

The entire crew has gathered. Samantha begins “It appears that our first meeting with the strange and mysterious Others went well. There was clear communication and a schedule has been revealed. It seems as normal as meeting a delegation of councilors from any city back home. I feel that it was too normal and would like to hear from each of you. What exactly have you gathered from meeting Tre’?”

She follows protocol and turns to her first officer. Zaque, always the joker of their small crew, now wears a heavy and serious expression. “It may be too early to judge our situation or their intentions, but I would be a liar if I said that I am not troubled. They have accessed our records and our ship’s systems without our knowledge.”

Samantha says “I agree.”

Regnoh jumps in the conversation out of place “Do not be too quick to entertain suspicion Commander. Consider that they brought us on board their vessel safe and without harm. We were not awakened as slaves or prisoners. Perhaps for their own protection they have acted in this manner?”

Pleytus, not wanting to lose his place in the order of the discussion adds “And would we not act in the same manner, given the opportunity? If we could have viewed them, studied them, while they were in stasis, we would have done so.”

The Commander offers a grimace and nods “Agreed, Pleytus.”

Chrystoya says “I cannot wait to examine him, medically speaking of course, he appears to be so human.” She cuts her eyes toward Velmana who struggles not to giggle like a young school girl.

The men smile and the Samantha releases a soft laugh, “So tell us Velmana, what is your view of Tre’?”

Velmana calms herself “He seems to act a bit odd, but if he is what he says he is, an alien dressed up to look like one of us, who am I to declare that he is odd.” Her smile widens and she adds “He does possess the most gorgeous green eyes.”

The table breaks out in laughter. All are aware that back on their home world, Tre’ would rank among the very handsome of their society. It is almost as if he was engineered to be the perfect male specimen.

“It is his appearance that causes me to question the Colony’s intention towards us. Was it a coincidence that he was made as he is, or did they believe his charisma would be useful to their plan?”

Regnoh says “How would they know of this aspect of our society? I believe you are reading more into his appearance than is required.”

“Perhaps” Samantha says “Still, we should remain alert and guarded.”

“And might our host detect our caution? It could convey as an offense to them.” Pleytus offers.

“The order of caution stands for all of us, understood?” She looks sternly at the other crew members. Everyone acknowledges the Commander’s order.

“Tre’ stated that he will return after our “time of rest.” Samantha states, “So I assume that we have a few hours of research to perform, before we are engaged again by our host.”

Zaque says “Pleytus, Velmana and I will begin an analysis of this room.” They all look around at the alien technology in the chamber. The larger crafts are presumed to be space vessels. The many long and thick cables which spread out everywhere, are anyone’s guess.

Regnoh smiles at Chrystoya and says “We are ready to take a look at the bio samples!” The two begin the process of setting up their equipment.

“I should be notified as soon as you have completed your analysis.” The Commander says as she rises. “I will be on board the Garguth for a while, we have received numerous messages while in stasis. I will begin reviewing those, if you need me...”

As Samantha walks away, the rest of the crew engages in a lively discussion about Tre’ and the Colony. She would much rather stay and join them in their gossip, but she is the Commander and there is work to be done.

Tre’ has returned to his dwelling space. His time of relaxation and reflection in the Home Waters has provided him with a brightened attitude but also with deep thoughts. It is time for his daily nutrients, but he does not desire them now. The Thirds receive nutrients two or three times each rotation. Tre’ is only required to perform “eating” once a rotation. Perhaps he will eat later. For now his mind is filled with the experience of interacting with the Thirds.

He sets down and reviews the next duties he is scheduled to perform with their guest. He knows that it is almost time for the Colony’s regeneration cycle. Tre’ looks forward to it with an instinctual longing. He will review his task until the appropriate time to join the others in the Dream Arena.

Each Third crew member fascinates him. He is excited about the interactions he shall perform with them. They are each, so individual, not connected to the others in thought as is the Colony. He is beginning to understand that they express a different type connection with each other, in a way which is foreign to the Colony. This thought of discovery excites him.

She reclines in the galley area sipping some of her own brewed tea, from her own cup. The cup was a gift from her Gransam. She begins listening to the very first message from home. The message had been sent ten cycles after the Garguth had left the Earth. There are dozens of messages that had been transmitted during their long journey. Sami will not attempt to review all of them now, but to catch up on news from home, as their grand adventure is just beginning, seems appropriate.

A decision had been made before the mission began. No information regarding the death of any crew member’s loved ones would be transmitted. The success of the mission demanded that the crew not be hindered with any emotional crisis. All of them were aware that by the time they reached the rendezvous coordinates, all of those they knew from home would have already joined The Ones Before.

She fast forwards through the first few messages, pausing just long enough to catch a few specifics to share with the crew. Hearing the voices of people she does not know and will never meet, leaves her feeling sad and depressed. Samantha realizes that her fellow crew members are all that she has now, all that remains of the life she knew on Earth. The home they left, they will never see again.

Tre enters the Dream Arena and is surprised to see the strange apparatus hanging from the ceiling branches. As he walks around the object inspecting it, he understands. It has been constructed for him. He runs his hands across the large leaf container. He slips his hand inside the leaves and feel the moist and warm nectar of the plant.

He rubs the liquid across the tips of his fingers and feels the awareness of the Colony. He can sense clearly the Overseers and all of the other units again. Not only will this device allow him to properly regenerate, he will become fully connected to the Colony while inside. He removes his garments to allow the apparatus full contact with his shell. He has missed his connection with the others.

The cocoon shaped device is just the right size for his body. As the ancient song begins, he climbs inside. It closes around his body and raises up towards the high ceiling. Then the cocoon tilts and hangs him upside down. He shall regenerate now, just as all other Colony units do. Not only does he hear the songs, he feels them, the others. He shares their thoughts, as they do his.

As Tre’ joins in the song, his focus on the Thirds diminishes. He has become engrossed in the story of their beginnings. Throughout the regeneration cycle he sings, his inner light shines and he experiences what it means to be joined with something greater than himself. He is satisfied in this connection with his Colony. He is again, one with them all.

Somehow the crew had managed to achieve a few hours of sleep before rising in anticipation of their next encounter with Tre’. Regnoh and Chrystoya are the first to rise and go immediately to inspect the equipment that they had left in progress.

As the others are slowly awakening, all hear the loud commotion from Regnoh’s work station. Zaque is the first to arrive and relaxes when he sees the excited smiles on Chrystoya and Regnoh’s faces.

“So my friends, have you discovered the secrets of the universe or just a better recipe for lemonade?” Zaque laughs, still stretching off the slumber from his short sleep.

Regnoh exclaims “Oh Zaque, this is grand, just grand, it’s fantastic, but we must wait for all of the others to join us. Chrys, do you have the viewing screens activated yet?”

“Almost there.” Chrystoya answers as she works with equipment that is set up on another table. The three viewing screens that she has erected each correspond to microscopic viewing systems, which Regnoh has running on a separate table.

All of the crew are gathered now, even their sleepy looking Commander, who wishes she had time to prepare of cup of tea before hearing this science report. Some stand, a few take chairs as the scientists who called this meeting wait in nervous anticipation. The entire crew is now present and offer their attention to their very excited colleagues.

Regnoh begins “We have analyzed all of the bio- samples that Tre’ left with us, and we have discovered something spectacular. Chrys, please activate the viewing screens.”

The three viewing screens light up, each displaying a magnified view of liquid blobs with floating parts and pieces. Regnoh causes the view to magnify even more. The crew can see clearer the objects which are being brought in to focus. Finally each screen is filled with a similar display. Three life force patterns appear on each viewing screen.

Chrystoya receives a nod from Regnoh and begins the presentation “Okay team, here we have the samples. On the far left...” She points to the screen “...is a sample that contains what appears to be a human life force pattern similar to ours, but there are some parts...” She point to places on the display “...which do not belong to our species. Which is probably Tre’s bio- sample, a mixture of human and Colony patterns. The middle screen...” Chrystoya touches a few places on the display “... contains some of the out of place pieces that are here, and many that are unknown.” She points again to the left viewing screen. “If Tre’ is a mixture of human and Colony patterns, we surmise that this is the Colony’s sample.”

“The screen on the far right” all of the crew follow her movements “displays a pattern not so unlike ours, it appears to be similar to a human pattern, but it is definitely a different species.” Chrystoya scans the faces of the crew. They are understanding her explanation, she decides.

Regnoh jumps in the explanation while adjusting the view on each screen. Each screen’s view is rotated and magnified even more. “Here” he points to places on each screen “Are the items which we wish to bring to your attention.”

Each crew member changes their view from screen to screen. Their expressions reveal that they are all seeing the reason for their colleagues’ excitement.

Velmana is the first to speak “It cannot be, can it?”

Zaque says “If this is what it appears to be, we have a few more very important questions for our host.”

“Okay, everyone, this is big, but let’s slow down.” The Commander states as she rises from her chair, more to calm her own thoughts than those of the crew “So tell us Regnoh, what is your explanation?”

Regnoh replies “All samples contain a common base” he points to places on each screen “a basic building block for each respective species. And that base in each sample is so close to matching, that they must have all come from the same source originally. These samples represent other species which it appears, are related to us. These other life forms and ourselves” he motions again toward the viewing screens, “share a connection in the past evolution of each respective species. I would say that all three have a common ancestor.”

Chrystoya makes a statement in the form of a question. “Is this a universal marvelous mystery?”

The Shi’ann’s marvelous mystery has been for many cycles, an invisible thread which runs through every member of society. It has connected them. All Shi’ann, the last human survivors of the “Great War” share a common ancestor.

The mystery was studied by their greatest minds for over a thousand cycles. It was only when Sam Smith awakened in their society that a breakthrough came in their quest to know their origins. Sam’s earlier life was lived twenty-two hundred cycles in the past. His own biology contained the mystery. He was their ancestor. He had died long ago in a world so different from their own. He awoke in a new age, awakened by his own descendants.

And now, the marvelous mystery on a cosmic scale?