MORE THAN AN ECHO (Sequel to Second Coming)

In his dwelling space now, Tre’ lies on his square sleeping apparatus. He is thinking. He is recalling the details of the crew’s tour. He is also relishing in the emotions that he felt and sensed from the crew. To be human feels wonderful, it is colorful. He wishes he could share this experience with all of the Colony. They deserve to know this sensation and the experience of feeling life.

Each crew member displays an array of different emotions. Tre’ considers the emotional effect each of them causes in his own self. How they each make him feel in a sense, is how he sees them, how he responds to them. He considers the crew and explores his interactions with them further. He finds pleasure in thinking about their colorful responses.

The Commander Samantha is the most interesting of the crew. Tre’ senses her respect from the others. They accept her authority. The relationship is similar to the Colony units following the instructions of a Director or of the Overseer’s leadership.

Tre’ is aware of her sexuality. He finds his interest in her to be more than emotional and intellectual. He feels some type of desire when he is near her. Is this sexual desire? Is he affected by the instinct to mate with her? Perhaps he should discuss these feelings with Regnoh?

First Officer Zaque seemed suspicious when Tre’ first met the crew. He is loyal to their mission and his duties. Perhaps he felt that he needed to protect the Commander? Tre’ senses now that Zaque

understands the intentions of the Colony and has relaxed his guarded attitude. Zaque likes to laugh. Tre’ likes Zaque.

Pleytus is intriguing. Often his color changes rapidly. His intelligence towards understanding the Colony’s technology is advanced much more so than the others. He senses that Pleytus is not healthy. Not in his physical shell, but in his thought process, perhaps even in the realm of his emotions. He is different from the rest of the crew, in that he seems alone and as not as connected as the others seem to be.

Chrystoya displays an inviting personality. Open, warm and friendly, she reveals a nurturing care towards the others she interacts with. She is in a relationship with Regnoh. Chrystoya must cause Regnoh to feel the same desire that Tre’ himself experiences toward the Commander.

Of all the Shi’ann crew, Regnoh has been the most open to interacting with Tre’. Their conversations he reviews and smiles at the concern that Regnoh has shown him. His explanation of human mating practices was very informative. His lemonade is tasteful and refreshing. Tre’ hopes for more interaction with his friend.

Velmana is the most quiet and modest of the crew. Tre’ feels drawn to her but not in the same manner as he is to the Commander. He searches through the Shi’ann vocabulary to find words which describe his emotional connection to her. Empathy and pity. Tre’ feels her sadness. She shared it with him. Do all Shi’ann know how to carry the burden and pain of another? Tre’ feels a special privilege to connect with her in this manner.

The crew’s evening meals have become a pleasant time of conversation with Tre’. He seems like a crew member now to the others. He joins them each rotation and ask many questions. Everyone enjoys his presence. Tre’ enjoys the flavor of the Shi’ann cuisine and the discussion and laughter of his friends.

Tonight it is Regnoh who ask the questions. “I have been compiling a list of practices and of the social structure of the Colony, based on what we have learned so far on this mission.” He looks at Tre’, “May I inquire into your knowledge of the Colony’s home world?”

Tre’ lifts his head, then an eye brow, smiles broadly and responds, “The last few evenings before sleep, I have been reviewing the vast library of your species’ vocabulary. I am encouraged by more discussion with you.” With a slight nod of his head, he says, “Please, ask anything you would like to know about our world.”

Regnoh begins the questions. Tre’s answers bring even more questions. The excitement of the conversation leads Regnoh to request a recording device. Chrystoya sets up the equipment as Tre’ continues to fascinate his friends.

His words create a panorama of the Colony’s home world for his eager audience. He explains their escape from and the eventual demise of their home world. He tells of a believable world that is not so unlike the Earth.

Their planet’s daily rotation took thirty-eight hours. There were four hundred and twenty rotations in their solar cycle. Their world had two annual seasons. What would have been considered their winter was much warmer than the Earth’s average temperature. The Shi’ann would be uncomfortable in such an atmosphere.

The Colony’s world hosted three main natural satellites. There were dozens of smaller moons, debris left over from a planetary collision that occurred billions of cycles in the past. The solar system in which their planet belonged, hosted fifteen other planetary objects and over one hundred moons.

Tre’ ask, “Perhaps your scientist knew of our star system? With the proper technology it would be visible from your planet. It is approximately six light cycles from your home world.” He looks at Pleytus, “Star charts of known space were included in the data I sent to your information system.”

Pleytus addresses Tre’ and the crew, “Yes, and thank you for the star charts. I haven’t figured it out exactly but I believe the star of the Colony’s system was known as “Barnard’s Star’ in ancient earth science text. The Shi’ann’s numeric designation of the star was changed many cycles ago and it was given a name, based on Sam Smith’s memories of his culture’s sciences.” Chrystoya winks at Samantha. The Commander offers a warm smile.

Tre’s expression is warm, “Barnard’s Star...I like that name. The Colony could be known as the Barnadians, ha-ha!” Tre’s laughter is genuine.

The crew breaks out in laughter. Regnoh says, “It is good to see our fine host embracing humor. You are becoming a very fine Shi’ann indeed, my friend,” Regnoh nods at Tre’.

The Commander picks up the conversation, “Tre’ when I met with the Overseers, I was delighted that they knew of our Sacred Words. I wonder, does the Colony have a similar philosophy or view of life, of existence?”

“Let me review a few memories.” Tre’s eyes roam around as he searches for information to answer the Commander’s question.

“Yes, I have identified some memories that relate to your Sacred Words. I will recite the memories in the same order of your custom if you approve?” Tre’ ask.

“Please my fine host, please!” Regnoh waves a hand as he answers.

Chrystoya checks the recording instrument. She wants to make sure that they catch all of Tre’s words on this matter. She looks up and winks at Regnoh, “It’s still working.”

“Respect is your first word. It means to the Colony, ‘To discover worth, to find value in an object.’ The first trace of life that the Colony discovered, was in fact, already deceased. After several hundred cycles of space travel, the fossils of a primitive life were discovered. The LFP that connects us all,” Tre’ pauses to scan the faces of each crew member, “was present in this simple and basic life form.”

“The Colony valued the knowledge of this related life form. I understand now by knowing your language and experiencing your emotions that the Colony respected this species. That the beings lived and left traces of their existence, to display their connection to us, causes us to value and respect them, to respect all life.”

Velmana comments, “That is just beautiful Tre’. You...uh, the Colony...understands, you understand respect.”

“Yes, I understand respect. Each of you display this characteristic in all your interactions.” Tre’s eyes drift across each face as if he can see the respect in each of them. Velmana blushes when she looks back into his stunning green eyes.

Regnoh places a drinking container in front of Tre’. “Here my friend, enjoy a fresh drink while you shares your tales.”

Tre’ raises the container to drink and then pauses for a moment. Lifting his drink up he says, “In honor of the Ones Before.”

The crew all raise their drinks. As the toast is swallowed a warm emotion moves among them. By observing their changing colors Tre’ realizes that his words and actions evoke emotion and pride in the crew.

He continues, “Your second word is peace. The Colony understands this to mean without violence or resistance. There is ancient story within our Memory Chamber. It was in a time before the two species merged and began to function as one entity. A great drought occurred which lasted for several cycles.”

He continues, “During that ancient drought the invertebrates formed pacts for hunting nutrients. As the drought continued there was less nutrients to be found. The pacts began to battle each other to control areas that still produced sustenance. The invertebrates began to destroy each other.”

Tre’s expression has become somber, “The remaining weak beings all entered into hibernation as the drought continued. When the rains finally awakened them, they saw the remains of other invertebrates which had perished from famine and battle. Many more had died in battle.” He lowers his head as he looks inside himself.

“Though I had prior knowledge of this history, it appears for the first time to me now, the great sadness of this event. That a species would turn against itself when faced with overwhelming difficulty, is not the proper action. Many more invertebrates would have survived, if they would have cooperated and shared resources.”

The Commander says, “Our own species has fought battles in our past as well. We understand your remorse Tre’.”

Tre’ recovers with a more positive expression, “The Colony does not intend violence against itself or other species. Even when responding to the Seconds, once control of their attack was established the Colony did not continue to battle, but preserved those which remained.”

Tre’s descriptions begin to change. His enjoyment of sharing this conversation is expressed by his smiling face and piercing eyes. He follows through in order of the Sacred Words. Instead of telling ancient stories, he begins to speak of how the Colony interprets each word.

Unity is the Colony’s function and has been for thousands of cycles. Though each are separate units, all know they are connected to a larger organism. Each cannot exist without the others. The great and successful maturity of their existence displays the utility of unity.

The Commander notices how Tre’s mannerisms have developed even more. His is not just having a causal conversation with his friends. He is informing them, teaching them even lecturing them, as if he is a skilled orator. Her crew seems transfixed with Tre’, offering him their full attention. Their host is becoming a master of the Shi’ann language.

Tre’ reminds the crew of their tour to the Hibernation Chamber. He further expounds on their knowledge of the renewal process of each Colony life force unit.

“Any unit in need or danger must be attended and protected. The life force unit must be preserved. We can create new shells but there are a limited number of life force units which cannot be recreated.”

“It is each unit’s function to be responsible over all other units, to progress the way of the Colony, so to speak.” Tre’s smile is on the verge of laughter, which causes a joyful outburst from the others.

Regnoh adds, “Indeed my fine host! It is remarkable that our two species are so similar in thought and practice.”

“To live, the next sacred word, is regarded by the Colony as existing to complete the assignment. This is our satisfaction.” Tre’ pauses to recall a memory that will illustrate the Colony’s philosophy of living.

“Before we left our home world, the Colony had performed some off world explorations. The very first space mission experienced system failure to the spacecraft’s life support technology. The pilots would not be able to return to the planet, nor where there resources to reach them before they expired.”

“The pilots continued to perform their duties with knowledge that they would soon perish. They continued to transmit valuable data back to our home world until their shell functions expired. This is how all Colony units perform their assignments.”

Zaque is impressed with the story and says, “Tre’, your species is a very honorable one.”

Tre’ gives a light bow towards Zaque, “Our species appear to share these characteristics.”

“The last word of the order is love. The Colony understands very little of your emotional functions, as emotions are foreign to their sensory operations.” Tre’s eyes roam around and he continues, “Through my experiences with you, the Overseers may advance in this understanding.”

“I am beginning to understand your word, ‘Love’. It seems to be a fulfillment of all of the other Sacred Words, perhaps to cherish? If one could perform each of the other words in action that one would arrive at ‘Love’.” Tre’s eyes twinkle.

“Amazing!” Pleytus says, “Our host is quite amazing! Tre’, your ability to reason and understand cultural ideas is, well...just amazing.”

Tre’ continues, “I have reviewed many Colony memories that are similar to the philosophy of your words. Is not love discovering sustenance and purpose for being in one’s current condition? It is not accepting and being tolerant of the way things are? Yes, I believe this is love.”

Two Colony units travel across the docking bay floor towards the Garguth. They will begin installing the technology which will enhancement the Shi’ann vessel’s performance. Floating disk follow the giant engineers. Each disk contains parts of the new equipment.

The crew are gathered around the table finishing their morning meal. They watch the approaching units.

Tre’ did not join the crew for their meal time. They see him standing near the Garguth. He is watching the units approach as well.

Velmana taps Chrystoya’s hand from across the table, leans towards her and says, “I wish that they didn’t look so frightening.”

Pleytus answers her, “I think they look fantastic!”

Regnoh says, “We are fortunate to behold such magnificent creatures.”

Chrystoya reminds everyone, “And we are related to them.”

The crew watch the Colony units for over an hour. The giant but graceful workers craw across their space craft working to install the new technology.

Zaque stands up from the table as he watches the units work. “They kind of look like ants, don’t they?”