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“ . . . Intelligent and wise beyond reckoning, these Earth Humans are. We learned much from that primitive clan.”

Lord Kaschlin Ruhual, Interview with a Prefect,

Chronicles of the Visitor, 2382 TS

CHAPTER IX

Neila and Bedall debarked from the shuttle to the deck of the Star City V docking bay early1 to cover as much territory as possible before he had to leave. "I’ve never conducted a tour before," Neila told him frankly, “or even thought much about how the Star Cities work, for that matter. Not since my early schooling, anyway." She chuckled. "Oh, were you able to make repairs on your ship?"

 

"Yes. Commander Decker was very helpful to me. He located a designer who synthesized some parts that needed to be replaced."

 

"Really? What was the problem?"

 

"A small melt down, nothing too serious."

 

“Good. Perhaps it would be best to start at the Holographic Display just over here."

 

In the center of the City Tram station was a circular platform with an exact replica at the entire Terra system hovering above it. Each satellite was tagged with the identification and small explanation of it 5 special functions. "As you can see, there are nine Star City satellites and five Auxiliary Stations. The Auxi Stations support special teams and functions. The Galactic Institute, where your new quarters are, is here on Auxi III The Galactic Council and research centers are there as well. I work here, on Auxi V."

 

"Security Central."

 

"Yes. All Satellites have their own small security team for domestic problems, but Security Central handles problems concerning the entire system rather than just one city. In fact, all of the functions of the Auxi Stations have local versions on the cities; but the Auxi Stations are better equipped with resources and personnel.”

 

She passed her had over a lighted switch. Instantly the hologram shifted its focus the caps of the rotating star cities. "Each of the nine Star Cities sponsors a different Earth Reference which is exemplified in the Solar Parks housed at the upper saps of the city satellites.1' Neila explained as the desert, jungle, flat plains and mountains passed by for them to see. "Star City V is my favorite, it sponsors the Evergreen Forest."

 

“Were you able to save any of the other ambulatory species from the planet?'

 

“Oh, yes. That's why the forest is my favorite. There are deer and elk, eagles, hawks, trout. The survival of numerous species was imperative in order to maintain a proper ecosystem in the parks. The Solar Parks don't simply provide a place for the humans to relax in, though that is one of their functions. The various vegetations purify and oxygenate the air and water for the entire complex. Every area is ventilated up to the park and re-circulated back to the lower levels. Water is the same though more intricate."

 

Again, she touches a light switch that rotates the hologram to display only Star City V in illuminated detail. “You see these strings of lights which look like a grid on the shell? Those are the lily canals for the water purification system. The wastewater is flushed from the inner complex and circulated to these canals were the waste is collected on the roots of the lilies.  The lights provide the ultra-violet rays. After the lilies have done their part the water passes through the greenhouses where some special nutrients are added to the water before it goes to the root troughs."

 

"Why is that?"

 

"Well, on the surface these nutrients are processed out of waste sources and stored in the soil. Since there can be no dirt on a satellite to store and process these nutrients naturally it must be done artificially. The nutrients are processed out of the lily roots and added to the water here where it is absorbed by the fruits and vegetables. The water is then pumped up to the parks where the remaining nutrients rain down on the trees, collect in the internal canals and is distributed throughout the interior at the complex. The entire system is based on the hydroponics technologies researched on 20th Century Earth. The system is extremely efficient.

 

“Yet, so primitive.  What powers these pumps?"

 

"These solar sails rotate the gyro which encircles the actual complex. The rotation of the gyro maintains the orbit, provides the gravitational source and powers the turbine that powers each Star City. The excess power is stored in batteries, which are used to rotate the gyro when we eclipse.”

        

“How simple. Nothing is wasted. But how is the water manufactured?"

 

“Water is a natural byproduct of respiration. You’ll notice that the inner walls of the complexes are porous to absorb condensation. The liquid is diverted to the lily canals for purification. Plant life absorbs the carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, but we cannot depend solely on them. It’s far more complex than it looks, and requires constant maintenance. Meteors play havoc with the sails and gyro. Part of my job is to monitor showers in the system.”

 

“I see. Then it was you who first spied my ship."

 

“That’s right. Shall we visit the forest?"

 

"Yes, please."

 

Neila spent the next three days with the Alien taking him through star Cities and Auxi Stations. She introduced him to the various individual cultures still being practiced in certain cities, and the adapted cuisine of the inhabitants. They viewed a performance of the Arabian Nights male in the Solar Desert while on Star City VI and a display of physical strength and agility at the games in the highlands of Star City IX.

 

The Alien talked of his world sparingly and cautiously. He told of the wars being waged by the mutants He feared they would eventually find this sector and threaten Terra System. "If the mutants find you before we can stop them, I'm afraid your people will be in great danger. You have progressed, but your weaponry is still to prirnitive1 to weak to be effective."

 

"Can you help us to prepare for this.”

 

"Perhaps. If the Alliance will permit it. It would involve teaching you a new technology that is beyond your current evolution. This could be very dangerous for you and your people if you are not prepared for the responsibility.”

 

"I see. I had a feeling you weren't telling us everything. Is this the real reason you're here checking on us."

 

 “What do you mean?"

 

“You came here to analyze our defenses and recruit new warriors for this war of yours, didn't you?"

 

"If it's possible."

 

“Then why didn1t you just come right out and say it?"

 

“Do you think your Council would permit me to take your people into a war for which they know nothing about and are ill equipped to fight?”

 

"I don't know. But I'm sure that if they believed our lives were at risk they would be willing to negotiate something.”

 

"And what it the Alliance decides the risk is too high and forbids you this technology before you discover it for yourselves? Do you think your people would welcome us as friends in the future?” He argued. "This war has caused a great unrest and division in the system among the humans. It is difficult to know who can be trusted, who is human and who is mutant. There are two quadrants of humans which are ruled separately and we1ve had no quarrels till now.  Then I return1 I will unite these quadrants under one rule.”

 

"How do you propose to do that?"

 

"I will carry out a plan conceived by my father and his counterpart, Kelnor Din, before my birth."

 

"And what plan is that?”

 

“To be united with the daughter of Kelnar.”

 

"A political marriage. And is this union agreeable to you?"

 

"Not at first; but it has become a more pleasant concept since I've met her."

 

"You like her, then?”

 

 “Very much."

 

"Does she like you?”

 

"I hope it will be so."

 

"Does she know about this?”

 

“Not yet."

 

"We11, when are you going to tell her?"

 

"When the time is right."

 

"I see. So what does this have to do with us?'1

 

“A great deal, I'm afraid, if the mutants find you before the clans are united.”

 

"How?"

 

 “The union will directly effect the determination of Alliance. without it I fear for the worse

 

“Well, don't you think you should be back there courting this woman or whatever it is you do to get a girl to marry you?"

 

"There are other things which must be dealt with first. That is why I am here." Fearing he1d said too much too soon, he took hold of her hand and spoke very seriously. Neila, it is important that you keep what I have told you between us for now. When it is time, all will be revealed.”

 

She made him no promise, but merely nodded her head.