Talosian Chronicles 1: Olympus (7 page)

Bill was immediately fascinated with Oly and Julie was a bit leery of the drone.

“Ian, Jenny told us some of the things that were happening, but she never mentioned... that,” Julie said pointing to the drone.

“Relax Julie, it’s a domestic drone. Aboard ship it does all the household chores and some minor maintenance around the living quarters. They’re harmless,” Ian explained. “Not to mention damn handy to have around.”

Ian got Oly’s attention away from Bill. “Oly, why don’t you tell the tale of how and why we met. The drone can replicate lenses and communicators for Bill and Julie, and then I think it would be time for my surprise.”

Oly nodded and began speaking. The drone gave Ian the requested items and Ian helped the older couple put them on.

When Oly had finished, Bill and Julie looked at each other, and smiled. Bill looked up to Ian. “Where do we sign up, Captain?”

Ian chuckled. “Actually, it’s Commander, and I think you already have. Oly, Bill should be in computer science, and Julie would make a great logistics officer.” Ian looked around at the rest of the group. “Now, is everyone ready for the beginning of my surprise?”

“I’d say we were a bit past the ‘ready’ part!” Cindy quipped.

“Okay everybody, follow me,” Ian said and headed for the garage. Inside, Ian walked over to the driver’s door of a brand new Hummer H2. “Pile in everyone, there should be plenty of room.”

“Wow! This is so neat!” Cindy said.

“So this is why you had me park on the street last night, I was wondering,” Beth said. “This is a great surprise, Ian. But where did you get it?”

“This is only the beginning of the surprises, love. I had Oly replicate it yesterday, and he brought it down in the shuttle last night. Come on, we’ve got a lot more to do before the night’s over.”

Everyone climbed in, and Ian drove them out to his grandparent’s farm. He got out, opened the gate, and drove though.

When he got back in after closing it, Beth asked, “I know you won’t tell me, but what are we doing out here?”

“You’re right, I won’t tell you yet,” Ian said grinning. “Trust me; I think you’ll all like this.”

Instead of parking in front of the house, Ian drove around the big machine shed, and they all saw the opening for the cloaked shuttle. Ian simply drove the big truck up the ramp and parked inside. “We’ll need the truck when we get to where we’re going. But let’s go to the lounge and relax. I’ll explain what I have planned for tonight.”

“I thought the ship was on the moon?” Bill asked. “Not to mention I thought it would be a lot bigger.”

Ian chuckled. “This is only a shuttle, Bill. The ship itself is still on the moon. We won’t be going up until after graduation. Beth needs the time to learn more about Talosian medicine before we get there.”

“Actually, Ian, we can go anytime. Oly says I know enough to take care of Talena if she needs it. I might need to bring a portable autodoc back with us, and I have no clue how we’d get one in our house without anyone seeing it,” Beth said.

“Hmm, we might just make a trip up to get her tomorrow then. I’ll give it some thought,” Ian said.

When they entered the lounge, Oly greeted them. “Cadet, would you please report to the bridge for a ‘hands on’ lesson?” Cindy grinned and nodded as she headed for the small bridge. Oly turned back to the group and looked at Ian. “Your orders, Commander?”

“Please display side views on each wall as if there were large windows. You may lift when you’re ready,” Ian said.

Oly nodded, and two large bay windows appeared on each outside wall, as the group took seats. The shuttle lifted, and rose into the sky. Ian noticed everyone staring out the windows in rapt attention. The view was rather spectacular, especially when they entered space.

Once in orbit, Cindy returned to the lounge. “That was such a trip! I loved it!” She hugged Ian.

“Okay, I suppose you’re all wondering why I dragged you up here. Mostly, it’s for that,” he pointed out the window at the view of Earth. “But I also wanted the right... atmosphere for what I want to say next.” Ian had been guiding the girls to sit next to each other on one couch.

“Beth Hayes, Cindy Swift and Jennifer Laskar; I love you all more than I can express with words. My love for each of you is different, but equal. Later tonight, I would like us all to drop down to Las Vegas where we have reservations at a wedding chapel where I will ‘officially’ marry Jenny, however, before we get there...” he knelt on one knee before the girls.

“Ladies, would all of you do me the honor of becoming my bond-mates under Talosian law?” he pulled the four rings he’d had replicated from his pocket and showed them to the women.

All three had tears in their eyes as Ian sat, waiting for their answer. Beth spoke first. “Ian, over the last few years I have gotten to know you. When I first brought you into my home, it was as a favor to my friends; your parents. However, since that time, I have gotten to know you more, and I fell in love with you. You have been the only man in my life since college. It is my fondest wish to become your bond-mate and wife.”

Jenny went next. “Ian, I have known you and your family since the second grade. I think I’ve loved you that long as well; though in the beginning it was the love for a friend. What I feel for you now cannot be quantified in words. I will be your bond-mate, and wife.”

Finally it was Cindy’s turn. “Ian, I don’t know how to say what I feel. You are, and have been, the only man I’ve ever actually loved. I’ve been bonded to you for as long as I can remember. I love Jenny and Beth too, so I understand what you mean when you said ‘different, but equal’. In my heart and mind, I am already your bond-mate as well as the bond-mate to my sister-wives. I always have been. So yes; I’ll be your bond-mate and wife.”

Bill and Julie were holding hands and smiling widely on the other couch, as they watched. Julie was crying happy tears.

Ian handed a ring to each of the women. “Oly please translate for the Laskars.” He switched to Talosian. “I accept this ring as an outward sign of our love. I accept the love and the commitment of my chosen life mates. I accept the responsibility of protection, and the offer of comfort. I offer in return my love, and life to share, in happiness, and in sorrow, for the rest of my life.” He slipped his ring on his left ring finger.

The ladies each repeated his words and slipped their rings on as well. The newly bonded group exchanged kisses, and Oly announced that he had officially recorded the bonding.

Bill and Julie rose to congratulate the happy group and welcome their new son and daughters-in-law.

“Hey! I get to call you mom and dad now!” Beth teased.

“Don’t you dare!” Julie said, in mock threat.

“Ian,” Bill said, “I don’t mean to interrupt what you have planned, but I’m supposed to pick Janet up at the airport tonight.”

“Do you think she’d accept all this?” Ian asked the couple.

“I think so,” Julie said. “I know she's always been a fan of science fiction stuff, so I think she'll accept this. As for the group relationship, yeah, I know she'll accept that.” ”

“What time is she due in?” Beth asked.

“About nine, right now she’s stuck in Denver on a layover.” Bill said.

Ian grinned, “Oly, let’s go get her. Make like a private jet and land at Denver International Airport.” He turned to the Laskars, “Can either of you get her on the phone?”

Bill pulled out his cell and looked at it with a frown, “Well, I guess that answers that question. ‘No Service’.”

Ian chuckled, “Just tell Oly the number you want to call and he’ll connect you.”

Bill rattled off the number and Oly nodded to him. “Tell her to go to private gate twelve-B; we’ll be there in twenty five minutes.”

While Bill talked to lover, everyone watched the reentry and the rapid decent. When Bill got off the phone with Janet, he asked Ian, “Won’t somebody notice that we just dropped out of orbit to land at the airport?”

“Everything is computerized Bill, you should know that. Oly is the only AI in the system. He can make them believe anything he wants them to. As for somebody seeing the ship, what they will see will be something perfectly normal, like a Boeing 727 or something like that. No one will notice as long as they don’t try to either service the craft or refuel it.”

“Well shouldn’t either you or Cindy be on the bridge to fly?” Julie asked.

“Actually neither of us are qualified to pilot the shuttle yet, Cindy’s learning, but for now, Oly has to fly it,” Ian said nodding to the AI.

“Oh, but didn’t she just fly us up here?” Julie asked.

“No, Oly did. Cindy was up there so he could show her more about how to fly. She’s been going through ground school since Saturday night,” Ian explained.

“You mean she’s only been training for three nights?” Julie said fearfully.

“I guess we should explain a little more about how the Talosian method of teaching works,” Ian replied and began telling them about dream learning. He finished up as Oly announced that they would be landing in just a few minutes.

––––––––

J
anet Laskar had a somewhat sad look to her, but tried her best to hide it. Ian and Bill both got her bags from the taxi and carried them to the ‘plane’. Once she climbed aboard though, her entire expression changed to one of awe, and pleasure. “God-dammit! I knew it! I knew that old bugger wasn’t jerkin’ my chain!”

Ian looked at her with concern. “Mrs. Laskar, please don’t take offense, but what are you talking about?”

Janet laughed. "My last name is actually Larson, but I'll accept Laskar. As for what I'm talking about - believe it or not, an old shaman told me." As she spoke, her voice changed to imitate mannerisms of the old Indian shaman.

"He told me about how great white men had fought a losing battle, they came here to save their people. Save them they did, but lost themselves in the process. They came from a great mountain far away, the mountain held the power of life, and of death.

“The evil ones that had beaten the great white men will come again, and the mountain will be calling the children home to restore this world, and fight the evil ones. Your children, and your children's children, will be called by the mountain; even you will be called, but might not hear.

“The mountain will come from its hiding place, and many evil ones will die, but many of the children will die as well. Look to the young, old man. He will know the right path. He will guide the children." Her voice changed back into her own.

"Since then I would get flashes of images, just like freeze frames really. Over time I pieced things together, and I listened for that damned mountain. I listened real hard.

“Damn Shaman was speaking metaphorically. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had the power of clairvoyance. Not that it was ever something I could control mind you, but still it’s helped out from time to time.

“I knew Jenny would be married to a man as well as other women. That the small family would grow in both lovers and children. I know there are many great battles coming, one of which will destroy our way of life and millions will die. It was all so vague that I didn’t get many details. Though I know that we all play important parts in what is yet to come.”

While she had been talking, Ian had led her to one of the couches and she sat down. A nod to Oly got them airborne again and returned them to orbit.

“Can I get something to drink?” Janet asked.

“Sure, what would you like?” Ian asked.

“A Pepsi would be good, but I’ll take whatever you’ve got on board,” she replied.

Everyone else asked for something as well, and Ian got the orders out of the replicator.

“Wow, that’s a handy device,” Janet commented.

“Janet, I have the same gift as you. I’ve known I would marry Ian since I was eleven. But that’s the only really long term premonition I’ve ever had, and it was so fuzzy I didn’t even understand it at first,” Jenny said.

“That’s just the way it works, dear. It’ll get stronger as you get older. So, who’s going to tell me what’s really going on?” Janet asked.

The replicator slot opened again to reveal another communicator and a set of lenses for Janet as Oly began to speak. This time, he included the information on how the dream teaching worked and he explained about replicators.

When he’d finished, Ian stood. “I hate to cut this short, but we have a wedding to prepare for. Our appointment is in an hour and a half.”

“An hour and a half! Ian you beast! We can’t get Jenny ready that fast!” Beth said. “We don’t even have a dress for her! And what about the rest of us? You expect us to go to your wedding looking like the Beverly Hillbillies?”

Ian just pointed to the replicator. “There are two sleeping rooms and a bathroom on board as well. In the front bedroom, you’ll find a very diverse make-up kit. Anything else you need, you should be able to get from the replicator, including a Valium to calm down.” He turned to Jenny, and looked in her eyes. “I know this isn’t the ‘ideal’ wedding, but we can do this as formal as you want. We can do the white dress and tux, or we can just put on nice slacks and shirts. I’ll do whatever you want.”

“I think I’d like the dress and tux. That’s how I first saw us in my visions,” she said meekly.

He gently led her over to one of the ‘windows’. “Do you have an idea of what the dress looked like?” Ian asked as he noticed the rest of the girls followed, even Janet had gotten up to gather around them.

As Jenny started describing the gown, Oly changed the view to display images of Jenny wearing different dresses. The more she described the more detail Oly added. Pretty soon the other girls were helping her, and Ian quietly stepped away to give them room. Ian sat back down with Bill and finished his soda.

“You had to know you were kicking a hornet’s nest with that ‘hour and a half’ thing,” Bill said.

“I kind of figured, yeah. That’s why the reservations are really two and a half hours from now. In addition to giving away the bride, how do you feel about being best man?”

“I’d be honored, Ian,” Bill said.

Ian winked, “At least I won’t be the only one in a penguin suit.”