Worth Fighting For (Little Blue Book 1) (3 page)

Chapter Three

Tasid noticed Burren rub his blue and green feathered temples. Their day had been long and exhausting. Making his way over to the Nanstrahi male, Tasid kept his voice low. “It’s been a long day. Why don’t you go rest? You haven’t left your seat all day. I would be more concerned if I had not seen you eat when I ordered food to be brought up for us, on deck.”

Burren sighed, and rolled his head on his shoulders. “I haven’t been able to crack their language, and I could not figure out why until a few minutes ago. Then I realized they have more than one. And not just two, or three even, but several.”

“Several?” Tasid asked, surprised. “One race having several? That’s insane. How do they communicate with each other?”

“I think they have translators. I don’t know, but that makes it difficult to decipher which language is which, and then figuring out what it means.”

Tasid put one of his hands on Burren’s shoulder. “Figuring out they have several is a big step in the right direction. Excellent work. Go get some rest, and let another shift carry on. Maybe they might find something you can work with tomorrow, and you will have a fresh outlook.”

Burren nodded. “Yes, sir.” He stood up and stretched, stretching out his feathered wings before closing them once more. The shiny bright greens, blues, and purples beautifully shimmered on the ten, wide feather “spikes”. They were more in the shape of flames than feathers. The white “eyes” that adorned the middle of them were dim, lit only to assist with flight. Tasid envied the beautiful colors and grace Burren’s race, the Nanstrahi, possessed.

Errim approached him. “I’ve spent the entire day today studying this new race. I see similarities in several of our own races. This can help with the first contact. It will give them something to relate to.”

Tasid tilted his head slightly, in thought. “With such an adaptable and varied race, I would think they wouldn’t see us
that
strange.” He shrugged both of his right shoulders. “Sure, a little bit, and shocked perhaps, that there are other life forms beyond their solar system, but they shouldn’t need that much time adjusting, you think?”

“There’s no telling. You should prepare for the worst. On meeting them, I think we should try to supply a representative from each of the races we have on board, to introduce to them. You will be representing the Zori, of course, but since this race likes science, I think you should consider using Qurriq. Their positive experience with what they can learn from him, or even relate with, will give a positive representation for the Malastants.”

Tasid nodded his understanding. “Mm, and Yebiri could represent the Larent. Sounds like a great idea. I might consider having Burren represent the Nanstrahi, but I’ll need to think about who to represent the only other two races I have on this ship.”

“I think maybe, if they won’t take offense, we should hold off on the other two, for the first contact,” Errim said cautiously. “Especially with the Morm’baree. They resemble too much some creatures that I’ve seen this race panic over, and those were many times smaller. I don’t think we should go too different on first contact.”

Tasid grunted affirmatively. “Start small, and more relatable in their own appearance, then work up to what they might consider more extreme in difference. That is a reasonable plan, and it will allow me more time to consider who will be the first to represent them. But I don’t think the Craigor are more extreme than the Morm’baree. They have a more recognizable form to these people.”

“Just be cautious with their size and build, as they can easily be just as, if not more, intimidating.”

“Understood.” Tasid raised his voice and addressed everyone on the bridge. “It’s been a long day, everyone. I want all of you to head to your quarters and rest. Let the night crew have some fun.”

Officers left their posts, replaced by others for the duration of the resting cycle. Tasid gave his final orders to the ranking officer for the night watch, Horo, before heading to bed himself. He knew he was going to need his rest to be clear and responsive, to handle the weight he had resting on his shoulders.

Over the next two days, he spent all of his time sifting through the constant incoming data they were obtaining not only on Little Blue, but on the other global bodies as they passed. He kept a steady report sent to his father, including on the other planets, and asteroids.

A beeping indicated an incoming private call. Knowing exactly who it was, Tasid sighed heavily before pushing the button. His father’s face filled the floating monitor.

“Ambassador Jurresh, what can I do for you?”

“You can stop sending me irrelevant data about useless planets and dead floating rocks.”

“We cannot rule out that the other planets and asteroids in this system could have a direct impact, or effect on this race, whether it be natural or cultural. Everything from this solar system is relevant.” Tasid struggled to keep his voice neutral, and pain began to build up behind his eyes.

His father was silent for a moment before conceding. “Fine. Have you broken their language code yet?”

Tasid knew the answer to that would make him look weak. To keep himself at least equal to his father, he asked, “Have you?”

His father sent him a sharp look and harrumphed. Tasid bit back a triumphant smile as he listened to his father answer.

“No. My specialists concur with your communications officer that they have multiple languages, and many different accents to them. They are constantly impressed with Burren’s skills.”

Tasid felt pride in his friend warm his chest when he heard that.

His father continued. “The diplomatic fleet should be ready to leave by tonight. My team and I are to travel with them. We’ll hopefully see you in sometime over a week.” Jurresh abruptly disconnected the call.

The pain that had been building behind Tasid’s eyes had lessened with the compliment to Burren, but quickly came back with a vengeance with his father’s parting words. Tasid began to rub his temples. He heard Errim chuckling next to him.

“What’s so funny?” he gruffly asked.

“Your father. You know why he disconnected so quickly, don’t you?”

Tasid glared at his second. “No, enlighten me.”

“Because he’s tired of losing these little verbal battles with you. Our species hates any kind of defeat, and you have been constantly defeating him.”

“It doesn’t feel like it’s a victory. Every victory I’ve ever had, never felt this miserable.”

Errim laughed out loud. “But it is a victory against your father. He hung up to keep up the façade that he’s still in control.”

“Sir?”

Tasid looked up to see Yebiri next to him. “What is it, Yebiri?”

Holding up an injector, he motioned to Tasid’s head. “I can get rid of that headache for you.”

Tasid nodded. After receiving the injection, Tasid rolled his head on his shoulders as the pain instantly dissipated. He let out a sigh. “Keep that stuff handy, Yebiri. From the sounds of it, I’ll be needing a whole lot more.”

****

“Juno! Benny! Jeri! Come quick!”

Juno nearly fell out of bed when she heard Kaycee’s shrieking call for them. The girls crowded the hall as they all rushed out of their rooms. They poured into the living room, and saw Kaycee standing on the couch, nearly running in place, pointing at the TV. They all ran to her, and looked at the old television set as Kaycee turned the volume up so they could all listen to the anchorman’s report.

“We go now live to the White House.”

Flashing lights illuminated the president and staff that surrounded him as he stepped up to the podium.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, thank you for coming on such short notice.”
He paused for a short time. All that could be heard was the clicking of the cameras. “
Early this morning, I received news that will be written into Earth’s history indefinitely, but whether it proves advantageous or deleterious, has yet to be determined. To tell you more, I hand you over to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator of NASA, Andrew Scotts, Jr.”

The president stepped back, and a bald man wearing a suit stepped forward. After his greeting, he didn’t waste time launching into his speech.

“Two days ago, our scientists discovered an unusual speck. As they were watching it, they noticed it was getting closer. They quickly contacted other fellow scientists and observatories around the globe evaluating each of their findings with our own. At first, we believed it to be a comet or large asteroid, but after studying all of the data, we each came to the same answer. The object is of unnatural origin, an unidentified flying object.”

The man continued to speak, ignoring the murmurs that began to hum through the conference room.
“Furthermore, it is on course to Earth. We’re estimating it will reach Earth in approximately three more days.”

Juno felt a foreboding chill run down her body. She stepped closer, listening to the man as he continued.

“Late last night we were able to reposition Hubble to take a picture of the anomaly for a closer visual. This is the picture we received.”

A picture blinked onto the monitor. The girls could hear in the background the conference room erupting into shouts as they viewed an obvious spaceship of some sort.

“Shut! Up!” Kaycee shouted.

“That can’t be real,” Benny murmured breathily.

“Fucking what?” Jeri said, drawing her words out slowly.

Juno stood silent, her mind having gone blank.

Questions were fired out at the man, and he answered them one by one.

“No, this is certainly not a hoax. We would not have come forward if we had any doubts whatsoever.”

“Do you know what their intent is?”
a man shouted out.

“No.”

“Has any government attempted to make contact with them yet?”
a woman yelled over the others.

“Not that I am aware of.”

“Have they tried to contact Earth?”
an older woman could be heard asking.

“Not that I know of.”

“What is our government’s stand on this? Are we on alert?”
the same woman asked.

The man stepped back as the president stepped forward.
“I will be meeting today with other government leaders, via teleconference, to discuss plans of action. We do not want to start a war with the aliens
if their intent is peaceful, but at the same time, we want to have a defensive plan in place. I want to implore the nation to stay calm. Continue to go about your lives as if you would any other day.”

As the questions, and answers filtered through the TV set, the girls slowly sat down, stunned.

“W-wh…” Benny stuttered but couldn’t really say anything comprehensible.

“Is this for real? Aliens?” Jeri asked.

Benny looked at Juno. “W-what do we do?”

All three girls looked at Juno. “We do what we’re told. We go to work, we come home. Just keep your eyes open for any trouble so you can avoid it. No matter what the president says, there’s going to be riots. Kaycee, you losing your job is a blessing right now, I think. See if you can head down to the store and stock us up on as much food and other supplies as you can. Take as many trips as you need, but keep alert.”

The girls headed into their rooms and began to ready themselves for the day. All the while, the sounds of the continued press conference filled the apartment, through their television.

As Juno was in the kitchen with the other girls, eating and watching the news conference, Benny’s cell rang. Benny answered with a shaky, “Hello?”

Juno was rinsing out her bowl when Benny hung up. “Who was it?” she asked.

“That was the daycare I work at. They said parents are keeping their kids home and they don’t need me today.”

Juno stopped what she was doing and blinked at her in surprise. “Wow, that’s…”

“Logical really,” Jeri interrupted. “As for my security job, I might end up doing overtime. However, if you girls need me for anything, you come first, so don’t hesitate to call.”

“That’s ok, Benny,” Kaycee told Benny. “You can help me do some of the shopping. I’ll get food items before my shift at the diner starts, and when you finish your housekeeping job at the hotel, you can pick up nonfood items like batteries and tampons and such.”

“I’ve gotta run,” Juno called out as she slipped on her jacket. “Let’s keep in touch today. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

Chapter Four

“Got it!” Burren shouted excitedly.

Tasid quickly made his way over to the communications officer. “Did you crack one of the languages?”

“Yes, sir! It’s one of the more widely used languages, so that’s why I focused my efforts on it. The computer is reconfiguring to the translation. There will still be mistakes in it until we get further educated on its use and sounds, but I am confident it is accurate enough that we can now make contact.”

“Good, have the computer translate the greeting I recorded, and send it to the space station that is orbiting Little Blue.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tasid paced nervously. A quiver of excitement fluttered through his stomach. “Errim, send a communication to my father with the information, and add that we’ve sent our message of first contact through to Little Blue.”

“Yes, sir. Sending it now.”

Tasid continued to pace on the deck. He was told he had to wait, but was never told how agonizing that wait would be. Looking around, he noticed everyone seemed to be waiting in equal anticipation, staring at either him or the screens that showed the tiny blue planet twinkling in the near distance.

Minutes dragged by. He nearly jumped when a beeping noise sounded on Burren’s holographic monitor. Burren clicked on it, bringing up more information.

“Sir, we’re picking up a signal. It looks like they are responding, but their signal is slow, with a lengthy delay. With your permission, I can lock onto their systems, and let it link to our signal to allow a live feed.”

“Granted. Record the event.”

“Yes, sir. I’ve programmed our transmissions to go through the translators, so they should be able to understand you as well.”

Errim walked up and stood beside him. Moments later, the picture of six floating people filled the large main monitor on the front of the bridge. Their looks of shock and curiosity were clear, but it was also apparent they were afraid.

“How is this possible?” one of the males whispered.

“I am Captain Tasid of the
Sunderic Stardust
, with the United Planetary Alliance League Embassy, and this is my second in command, Errim. We greet you in peace.”

Tasid waited patiently as the beings collected themselves. They seemed to have relaxed just slightly, when he expressed their intent for peace.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Captain Tasid. I am Commander Warren Tyler. These are my fellow crewmates: Victor, Stasya, Sachar, Sergei, and Cecilia. Greetings from Earth.”

“Earth?” Tasid asked.

“Yes. We are humans, and our planet is called Earth. What is the planet called where you are from? What are your people called?”

“My race is the Zori, and my home planet, Gorvo, is one planet in an alliance of many, in the United Planetary Alliance League.”

“How many planets are in your alliance?” the man introduced as Victor asked.

“We currently have three hundred and one races in our alliance. There are three other separate alliances containing several planets, and fifty-six planets that remain neutral to all.”

One of the females floated closer. “Why did you contact us?”

“It strengthens us to join with others. We have found cures, and given them. We have discovered new energy sources, and provided them. Every race, culture, and planet offers something different, enriching our lives and theirs.”

“So very true. We have so much to learn from one another,” Commander Warren said, humbly. “How is it we can understand you?”

Tasid pointed to Burren. “My communications officer, Burren, worked for several days to translate your language. Now our translators can properly interpret for both sides. However, we have not yet learned the other languages. You are a very complex culture. We have never met one race with so many languages before.”

The other woman who had yet to say anything responded. “Yes, we have over five thousand languages. But many are uncommon, rare even. This is the English language.”

Shock rippled around the bridge. Tasid couldn’t hide his own shock at the information. There weren’t even five
hundred
known races, and yet this one race alone had over five
thousand
languages?

“Humans must be experts in translations,” Burren breathed out.

Tasid believed Burren was in too much shock to realize he spoke without permission.

The woman answered him directly. “No one human knows every language. There are many who can speak two or three, some a bit more, but not every language.”

One of the other men looked towards Burren, and directly asked him a question. “What race are you? Are you from the same planet?”

Tasid watched as Burren stiffened, realizing what he had done. He looked up at Tasid with a look that pleaded for forgiveness. Tasid gave him a reassuring smile.

“Go ahead and introduce yourself. You’ve earned it,” Tasid told him quietly.

Burren’s feathers on his forehead fluttered, as did his wings, indicating his heightened nerves as he faced the screen. “I am Burren. My race is called the Nanstrahi, and we are from the planet Calic.”

One of the females gasped, and the tone in her voice sounded as if she was pleasantly intrigued. “Are those feathers?”

“Burren, why don’t you stand up and stretch? Let them see you,” Tasid ordered.

Burren did as he was told, stretching his wings to the fullest. The humans marveled at the display and admired the colors.

“So pretty,” one of the females said. The other one agreed. Tasid and the others around him laughed at Burren when his feathers fluffed with pride at being called “pretty”.

Tasid looked at his second. “Errim, stretch and show them all four of your wings.”

Errim stretched his massive deep purple wings, after Burren sat down. Tasid enjoyed seeing the humans admire his second. He and Errim had grown up together, and Tasid considered him family. He was happy to be able to include him in this monumental event.

Errim folded his guardian wings across and over his front, in the manner of protection, while stretching his giant battle wings out wide.

“Our race is built for battle,” he explained to them. “Our wings, together, can propel us at great speeds, but in times of battle, our lower wings wrap around our front and become nearly impenetrable. They are called guardian wings. Our larger wings are called battle wings. You can tell by the wide boned hooks and spikes covering the top of the forearms. Those are meant to be used in mêlée.”

“Amazing. They look so heavy, and yet you can still fly?” one of the male humans asked.

“Yes,” Errim answered, as he folded his wings back behind him.

Tasid introduced the humans to another race. “Qurriq, come and be presented.”

Tasid could see Qurriq reluctantly walk over and stand next to him.

“You’re clear skinned,” one of the females said. Her tone wasn’t offensive, but Tasid could tell Qurriq was uncomfortable with her observation.

“Yes, I am a Malastant. My people originate from the planet Sebah.”

Tasid knew Qurriq wouldn’t give much else in information on himself, so he offered it up for him. “This is Qurriq, the male who first detected your planet. When their race goes into battle, their semi-translucent skin turns solid toned, becoming nearly impenetrable.”

Not wanting Qurriq to become too uncomfortable with the human’s praises and questions he excused him.

“Go back to your station now, Qurriq.”

Relief flooded his face. “Thank you, sir.”

“I’d like to introduce you to one more person at this time. He is our ship’s head physician.” Tasid motioned for Yebiri, who smiled at the humans as he eagerly approached.

“I am Yebiri. My people are called Larent, and we originate from the planet Vettesh. My people are aquatic. We can breathe in water, but we live on land.”

“Your skin, are those scales? They look more like snake scales,” one male said curiously.

“They’re iridescent. Amazing,” another male said excitedly.

“And beautiful,” one female said.

“Are all Larent as beautiful as you?” the other female asked.

Yebiri seemed to preen under their admiration. The humans asked several questions, and in turn, Yebiri asked several of his own. Tasid smiled as he watched and learned. These were an interesting species.

****

Three hours after she had left for work, Juno now held back a sob, while desperately holding to the handrail, as the crowded bus was being rocked by the mob. Black smoke billowed from other vehicles surrounding them, which were on fire. Screams and shouts surrounded her. A window shattered, raining glass down on the people in the seat under it.

The bus honked at the rioters, but looking around, Juno saw that people had lost all reason. There was no talking to them.
Damn it! I should have stayed home. I hope the other girls are safe.

A scream rose above the sound of the chaos. Juno turned to see angry young men climbing through the windows and waving guns. The doors to the bus suddenly opened, and Juno was swept out of the bus by the tide of people exiting, just as she heard shots fired. Looking back to see the men randomly shooting passengers and grabbing their wallets, caused her to trip, and Juno suddenly found herself on the ground, being trampled by the panicked crowds.

Juno repeatedly tried to get up, but trampling feet beat at her legs, her pelvis, her shoulders, and her head. Stars exploded in her vision as a massive boot landed on her head like a sledge hammer, causing her forehead to connect heavily with the pavement. One woman tripped over her, kicking her in the ribs as she did. Juno would have felt sorry for the woman who was now also getting trampled, but her pain took up all of her thoughts.

A loud voice dominated the sounds around them. “Everyone back the fuck off!”

I know that voice. Jeri?

She heard thumps and pained howls. The pounding on her body quickly stopped, and she felt hands help lift her up. Juno’s right eye was slightly blinded with blood, but she was still able to see Benny supporting her, and Jeri holding a baseball bat, swinging it at the mobs, who thinned out and changed direction, leaving Juno free to get up.

Jeri wrapped an arm around her waist, and Benny reached down to help the other woman who had fallen over her. She appeared to be about their age and looked as pathetic as Juno felt. Her bloody and soot covered face was scrunched up while she was crying, and her clothes were torn and filthy.

“C’mon, we gotta get back home,” Jeri urged, as she pulled her through the chaos.

Juno nodded. They moved closer to a wall of a building and started making their way towards home. They were still several blocks away.

“How ‘bout you, honey? You close to home?” Juno heard Benny asking the stranger.

The girl shook her head. “It was burned down. I’ve got nowhere to go.”

“You can come with us, if you’d like.” Juno offered her a slight smile. It had to have looked ridiculous, but in spite of her own pain, she felt sorry for the girl.

“Even though I kicked you?”

Juno swore the girl’s eyes looked just like the ones on those Precious Moments’ figurines. She didn’t want her to know just how bad her ribs hurt. “That wasn’t on purpose, so you’re already forgiven. What’s your name?” Jeri had an arm around her waist, aiding her, as she limped heavily. They dodged people at a hurried pace down the littered sidewalk.

“Maggie,” the girl answered.

Benny had her arm around Maggie, who was also limping. “Well, Maggie, there’s strength in numbers,” she told her.

Her entire body hurt to move and breathe, but all around them were fires, looting, panicked people, and people who preyed on others, so Juno knew they couldn’t stop. The black smoke from the fires choked and scratched at her throat. She had to fight back her own hysteria at the bodies they had to maneuver over and around, along with the burning cars, glass from windows, and items dropped, either by pedestrians or looters.

As they passed an alley, shouting caught their attention. A little girl screamed, and the sound of a sobbing woman pleading with someone, pulled at Juno. She gave Jeri a pleading look. Jeri thinned her lips, and her shoulders slumped in silent surrender. Jeri pushed them against the garbage dumpster.

“Stay here.”

The three girls obeyed Jeri, not moving from where she set them. Juno used that time to try to relax her breathing. Loud shouting, thuds, and banging metal were heard. Shortly, Jeri appeared with a woman holding a little girl.

“Thank you.” The woman’s voice was scratchy and shaky, but full of gratitude. Juno could see her face was bruised, her lip was bleeding, and her eye was nearly swollen shut. The little girl in her arms was bruised and bleeding, too.

After hearing what Maggie had said, Juno felt compelled to ask, “Do you have a place to go?”

The woman looked down and gave a jerky shake of her head.

“Well now you do. Come on.” This time it was Benny who had offered, ruled by her maternal instincts.

“Thank you,” the woman said, nearly sobbing out her gratitude.