Journey To The Planet Merridion
Roger Coleman looked over the story cursorily while Adrian Belfast watched with agitation on the other side of the desk. He had a pen in his hand and was making alterations here or there, whatever and wherever he felt was necessary to make it more of a polished product. This was only Adrian's second piece that he'd submitted for publication with the Bethesda Daily Star and the first time that Coleman was making modifications to this particular piece. He tilted his head up from reading every now and then and gave Adrian penetrating stares. Adrian held his gaze but perplexedly wondered why Coleman felt the need to torment him so.
Maybe he thought he was a young punk just out to make a quick buck, a kid who didn't take his craft seriously. Perhaps he felt the story wasn't grounded in reality. It certainly was sensational enough to be. Or, was it possible, that Roger Coleman was just too far separated from most of his troupe age wise; that he felt them all to be too much of a young and irresponsible lot?
Without question he gave the impression often enough to fit the description. An editor who didn't give a flying you-know-what as to morale of his younger troops (he didn't treat the elders that way); a guy so jaded, so passed the point of cordiality, presumably for reasons that didn't stand up well to scrutiny. Well, I won't let it bother me, thought Adrian. He would take the high ground. He would prove Roger Coleman wrong.
Finally, and rather abruptly, Coleman spoke his thoughts, breaking Adrian's reverie.
"This, story you didn't just--pull this out of your rear end, did you?"
"No," replied Adrian while rocking his head this way and that and placing his hands in his pockets, his face contorting into a grimace, frustration showing, despite expecting as much from Coleman. "It's all true."
"Your informants? They can be corroborated?"
"Of course." Roger Coleman then began to beat his pen on the desk and reflected inwardly on what Adrian had just said, shifting his gaze away from him. Adrian just stood there, questioning not for the first time what kind of decision he'd come to. After a time, Coleman burst out with a reply.
"This is good."
"Yeah?" said Adrian, breathing a sigh of relief and removing his hands from his pockets.
"Yes it is. Maybe not front page material, but the locals I'm sure will eat it up. That's what I hired you for, right? You're a local news reporter. I don't ask you to come up with the front pagers. But we can perhaps put the headline on the front page leading to the local section, it's good enough for that. Let's just hope none of that half-wit Nelson's lackeys across town is privy to this. A principal accused of knowing and cooperating with drug dealers at his own school? The locals will be outraged. We'll of course just need to verify your informants. I can't take the chance of blindly making this kind of accusation. I'm not trying to get sued for libel. "
"Right," said Adrian. Coleman rose and handed the story back to Adrian so he could make the alterations.
Adrian shuffled back to his desk with a grin, a bright beacon lighting up his face. To think that he'd actually get a headline on the front page for just his second submitted story was beyond thrilling. The Bethesda Daily Star was a decent sized print organization, with a circulation of around 250,000 in a city bordering 900,000 residents. Adrian was twenty four years of age. He was about to graduate from college and had veered towards journalism as his major after two years of majoring in English.
Adrian began making the amendments on the story that Coleman wanted. At times he would shake his head at some of the corrections. It seemed as if Coleman was just going through protocol, that none of the corrections were really worth correcting. Well, at least he admitted it was a good story, thought Adrian to himself. Maybe me being nice to him is starting to payoff. After about an hour's worth of revision he finished and resubmitted the piece and had performed his work for the day.
He collected his back pack, waved goodbye to his comrades, put on his sun glasses, and bounded for the exit, heading for the bus stop just outside of the building. The sun peeked behind the clouds in the late of the evening day. People strolled past him, going to their different destinations. Adrian still felt as high as a summit after discovering that his piece would get the treatment it was getting, and thought to himself that this could be the beginning of a great summer.
Then he was arrested by something. There was someone negotiating towards him in the thick of a few passersby, and through his sunglasses he could see that he carried an orange outline. Through his sunglasses, too, he recognized that it was someone from his past, someone he had thought long gone. Lucas? But, he left this planet a long time ago. Despite his uncertainty, the person drawing closer did at the least resemble Lucas, and not the persona he had previously took on, Casey Hudson. He sauntered in his direction, sometimes shifting his gaze. That seemed to change as he got closer to Adrian. Finally he pulled up right beside him near the bus stop where it was just he and Adrian.
"It's been a long time," said the Merridion who not only looked but sounded like Lucas. It must be him, thought Adrian.
"Are you--really Lucas?"
"Come on, Adrian, do we really have to go through this again," said he with a grin. "Of course it's me. And--there's a very important reason why I came back." Adrian thought on this for a time, wondering what the reason could be, as the Merridion-proven-to-be -Lucas reflected for a brief moment.
"Listen, Adrian, I uh--need you to come to Merridion with me."
"Huh?"
"It's very important, and for the good of humanity. It won't be a long stay," said Lucas as his gaze drifted away from Adrian for a moment, seemingly musing on something. "Maybe two days at most."
"Me? On Merridion? I've--I've never even been out of this country!" Adrian mulled over the whole of what was happening for a moment in time and aired his thoughts.
"You disappear for two years, show up out of nowhere, and expect me to just halt everything in my life and journey to an alien planet with you? What kind of sense does that make?" Adrian was exasperated. Lucas put his hands in his pockets and sighed, tilting his gaze away from Adrian once more as a hard breeze pushed against them both. Adrian considered it a little more after having calmed down a bit.
"Why exactly do you need me to go to Merridion with you? And how did you find me?" Lucas lost his gaze for a time. He seemed to be measuring up within himself what he could and could not reveal, a bewildered look about him.
"I kept in contact with the Merridions still living on the planet, those who would act as your peers, and they directed me to where I could find you."
"I see," said Adrian while lowering his gaze. "I did notice that there were Merridions eyeing me knowingly, as if I too carried an orange outline. So you were keeping tabs on me?
"Yeah," said Lucas. "As for your other question--" here Lucas halted and directed a hand to his head, looking away from Adrian, "umm--perhaps it's best if we leave that revelation up to the Contingent." Adrian's jaw dropped, and fear began to well up in the pit of his stomach. He wants me to go to see the Contingent? Why? His eyes widened. Without warning whispers of events long past reanimated themselves within him and disquietude pressed against him.
"They won't put me on trial for what I tried to do to you, will they?" Lucas brought his gaze up towards Adrian, chuckled a bit and waved his statement away.
"No, not at all. I forgave you for that, remember? The Contingent and us Merridions, would never do anything to harm you Earthlings."
"--Okay," said Adrian. By now the sun had sinked into the lower depths of the horizon, it being past dusk. The bus Adrian had been waiting for drew close in the borders of that horizon.
"So," began Lucas looking hopeful, "will you journey to Merridion with me?" Adrian reflected for another brief moment and aired his final few concerns.
"I'll be needing some kind of space suit, won't I? I mean, to travel in your space ship? And what about Merridion itself? Is the planet fit for human beings?"
"We breath air just as you do," said Lucas. "Merridion is very similar to Earth environmentally. And no, you won't need a space suit in my ship. The ship serves as the suit." Adrian lowered his head to the ground. Despite his initial concerns and fears, this wasa one in a lifetime kind of opportunity, to see another planet, a civilization so far advanced from his own.
"So," began Lucas, "shall we be on our way?"
"Yeah," said Adrian. "I'll go to Merridion with you."
Adrian wanted to at first journey back to his apartment and get a few things for the trip, but Lucas cautioned him not to. He said it was imperative that they be on their way as soon as possible.
After traveling through the inner city for about twenty minutes they were now on an isolated two lane road. Lucas himself seemed to be on edge the entire trip. He would gaze at his mirrors with rapidity, be deft at deflecting Adrian's inquiries as to why he was needed to go to Merridion, and ignore the speed limit. Admittedly, Adrian was accustomed to Lucas' driving at inflated speeds in his baby blue Porsche, but with all of the other characteristics lumped together it made Adrian himself feel a bit disconcerted. Something was amiss, he thought. This doesn't feel right. Maybe I should have said no.
Lucas was his friend, true, and he acted as so, just before he left planet Earth to do as he said 'a little ripening.' But his demeanor was questionable now that he had come back. Even though Lucas said that he was needed for the good of humanity, he reflected that he needed something, something of assurance, anything. Adrian felt like there was no way he could continue in this manner, and that he needed some answers.
"Listen, Lucas--I--I don't know if I can continue on like this."
"What do you mean?" said Lucas as he gave Adrian a brief contemplative stare.
"I mean, you're acting strange. There must be a reason behind it, right? I trust you and all, but I don't understand why you have to be so secretive."
"I'm not being secretive," said Lucas. Adrian just looked at him. "Okay, maybe I am. But I have to abide by the rules that the Contingent laid out. They know the best route for us Merridions to take. We have been under their governance for over a millennia, and they have never steered us wrong. Why would they steer the friends of us wrong, you Earthlings? It'll be the Contingent that lays everything out for you, and you can decide for yourself. It's not like I don't want to be completely honest with you--I do--it's just that by doing it this way your best interests will be served. That's all." Adrian considered this for a moment. It seemed genuine, it seemed like the friend he remembered. Maybe he does have my best interests at heart, he thought.
They were journeying on a road in Bethesda near Washington D.C. Lucas had his space ship situated in the exact same area (the clearing) that it was when he bought Adrian to see it the first time.
They made it to the clearing at around 9:15, an area bespotted with clumps of trees and brush infrequently. Lucas pulled up alongside the curb of the road and very nearly came out of his sneakers when a car raced right past them. Adrian held his gaze and Lucas told him to forget about it, that it was nothing. Then Lucas looked penetratingly up and down the road, and pulled the car behind a gathering of trees and brush. He exited the vehicle and motioned for Adrian to do the same.
"We're here without incident," said Lucas. "Let's get moving, we shouldn't keep the Contingent waiting."
"--Okay," said Adrian. "Lead the way." Lucas bounded for where he kept his ship, and Adrian sagged behind.
Lucas pulled out the alien looking device to de-cloak the ship. After playing with it a while, a shimmering, electrical storm began to coalesce. The shimmering held for brief moments and then the ship was exposed. It was about the height of a van and was pointed, sleek and silver. The moonshine fell down upon it, reflecting off of it at varying angles, even in the depths of night.
Both Adrian and Lucas headed in its direction, but then there was a rustling in some isolated brush to the very right of them and near a tree. They turned, and were confronted by a tall man of about six and a half feet of decidedly Russian decent, with black slick down hair and who held some kind of silver two handed weapon, resembling something out of a science-fiction film. Adrian looked back towards Lucas and he perceived that he was frightened..
"Ah, Lucalan, you haf no idea how long I haf ben waiting on you to return with the contact," he said as he approached them with whatever he had in hand, primed and ready to fire. "I haf ben sekretly trailing you for dayz. It is meeracle dat you haf come at' tall. I would'haf konsidered yourselv to be, uh, how do you say...somewhat brighter." Adrian by now had shortened the distance considerably between he and Lucas, wondering dumbly what was going on, while the Russian advanced slowly.
"It won't work this time, Clev,” said Lucas while grabbing hold of Adrian's hand. “The Contingent won't let Earth become like Telkwinira. You and your people should leave here peacefully.”
“Come now, Lucalan, we are far pass da stage of dizkussion. Now, two of you will be coming with me.”
“Never!” said Lucas.
Adrian was beyond confused, but he held tightly onto Lucas' hand. Lucas then pulled out a metallic sphere from his pocket and threw it at the man. It let loose a force field that stretched at least fifty yards, hemming the Russian in. He looked at the field of light, cursed, and then fired his weapon at it. A ball of aggressive energy came exploding out of the thing, and when it made contact with the force field the barrier seemed to weaken, the light reflecting off of it dimming a great deal and the field dissipating somewhat, but then it was re-energized.
Lucas then quickly lead Adrian to the ship. They ascended the newly revealed transparent steps, entered into it, and the hatch fell down. Lucas activated crisscrossing
safety belts. Then the craft began to hover, and they bounded off for space in the dead of night, quickly putting great distance between themselves and the ground.
"Who was that?" said Adrian as Lucas piloted the sleek interstellar cruiser over the earth and through the black. "What's going on? Come on, Lucas, you can't keep me in the dark like this." Adrian was exasperated. What was happening? Why did Lucas fear that man so?
"Alright," said Lucas after briefly considering. "I'll try to answer some of your questions, the ones that aren't of too significance. Fire away." Finally some answers, thought Adrian to himself.
"He wasn't really human was he?" said Adrian softly. “He's like you, isn't he?” Lucas thought on this for a time, seeming to measure within himself what he could and could not reveal again.
"In some ways you would be correct, but in others, not nearly so. Clev is... a member of a race of people known as the Aelkighted. Their home world is a planet at the rim of the galaxy, called Aelkightia." Here Lucas halted. "And that's about all I can share."
"So that man was actually another extraterrestrial?"
"Yes," replied Lucas.
"And why did he look like he wanted to kill us?" said Adrian sharply as he stared across towards Lucas. Lucas lowered his head while piloting the cruiser. He never looked towards Adrian and Adrian saw an almost helpless look displayed on his visage.
"That--I can't share at this point and time. But--suffice it to say they have been causing a lot of problems as of late.”" He then refocused his attention on piloting the craft. Adrian looked out into the great expanse of graphite that was the universe, stars bespeckled throughout, serving as points of light. His mind was beginning to work in overdrive. It was starting to get back to that point it did two years ago, when he saw just how many Merridions populated the university through the alien sunglasses Lucas had given him.
The deep recesses of his mind cracked forth, bringing with it scores upon scores of open cans of worms. A dark pall of doubt began to descend about him.
His thoughts would drift, zigzagging around pathways men's minds shouldn't have to wander. They would race, each vying for dominion. He was experiencing what was akin to a mighty struggle. Something is brewing, on an intergalactic scale, he managed. There's a reason he can't share this information with me. But what? From somewhere deep within himself he was able to summon enough courage to ask Lucas one last question.
"Everyone I know is going to become enslaved, aren't they; all of humanity even? The Aelkighted, they're going to invade and enslave us!" Lucas didn't look at him, he only pressed a button on the console, reached within an ascending cylindrical compartment on the dashboard, and pulled out one of many splendiferous and many sided leafs and held it out to Adrian.
"I had a feeling something like this would happen. Swallow this. It'll allow you to fall asleep and rest almost instantly." Adrian reached hesitatingly. "Go on, it's safe. Us Merridions use it when we are cruising through the galaxy, during hyperspace." Adrian only glared at him for a few more moments until he then took the leaf and chewed. He needed to rest his mind, regardless of whatever turned out to be the case with the Aelkighted. In only an instant his eyelids became heavy and he hazily heard Lucas say the following:
"We'll be entering into hyperspace now. When you awake we'll be near Merridion." And that was how he passed out.
Adrian's rest did not come easy. He was experiencing a conglomeration of succeeding nightmares. He saw great capital ships descending on planet Earth, hordes upon hordes of them, blotting out the sun's light. Extraterrestrial super beings rounded up Earth's inhabitants, putting Hollywood's best visual effects and makeup artists to shame. The ETs were varied; some spread throughout the land tentacled, like something out of a work of Lovecraft; others were beings of pure light and energy, and still others managed to look like a multitude of invading Russians.
In every scenario humanity was either shuttled to a distant planet or massacred. Such was the options left to Earthlings. There was resistance, but it was largely divided; and the vast knowledge of the extraterrestrials greatly outweighed anything that the human race was able to throw at them. Adrian saw numerous cities engulfed in blazes of light as the aliens let loose advanced weaponry. It was beyond terrifying...
...Adrian jolted upright in his seat. He was sweating bullets and looked about himself, wondering what was real and what wasn't. Lucas was looking towards him with an air of concern.
"You alright?" he said. "You were having nightmares." Adrian glanced about himself awkwardly and sought to question Lucas.
"What happened? I saw...war...great and terrible conflict. Was none of it real?" Lucas' gaze was one of great melancholy.
“I...Merridion is—in view. See? We'll be there shortly.” Lucas' voice jarred Adrian out of his reverie, and he bought his head up from his lap and looked through the wide cockpit window.
It was a planet with a lot of vegetation, the greenery could be seen from space as they came ever closer. There were great oceans on Merridion, and several large interconnected landmasses, from what Adrian could see. Adrian observed with an air of reverence, and he spoke wistfully.
“To think, someone as—insignificant as I could be shuttled to an alien planet, on some wild mission, for the good of the human race.” He then managed a grin. “If I were still seeing Crystal there's no way I could share something as extraordinary as this.”
Lucas considered Adrian's statement for a time. “There will be other humans here, you won't be the only one. So—you'll be able to share the experience with those of your race.”
Adrian took in what Lucas had said, as the space craft rapidly approached Merridion, the planet growing greatly through the cockpit view. The swallowing of that leaf calmed his mind immensely, there was a peace that he possessed by virtue of digesting it, so he was able to think more reasonably. Why exactly did the Contingent need to speak with so many different human representatives? What was going on?
The Aelkighted. What were they planning? Then, he made a mental link. Clev...he was a member of the Aelkighted, disguised as a Russian. Lucas proved to him through the alien sunglasses that he'd given him that there were many other Merridions populating the planet, in disguise. Is it at all possible or even within the realm of probability that there were also other Aelkighted living throughout the world, camouflaged? He didn't want to think about it, but the more he considered it, the more it seemed likely.
As he continued thinking on these things, the planet of Merridion loomed into existence. Lucas expertly piloted the craft, breaking through the planet's gravitational field. Adrian began having trouble breathing. He looked pleadingly towards Lucas and Lucas told him not to worry about it, that it was normal. There was much rocking and shimmying as the craft began its descent into the atmosphere. It also seemed as if there was pressure being exerted on Adrian.
Then the craft burst through and they rapidly flew through a lightly violet sky, the planet's sun at the height of its powers, Lucas guiding the craft through the thick clouds, visibility greatly obscured.
Adrian shifted his gaze this way and that, trying to peek behind the orange tinted clouds. “I—can't see anything.”
“Don't worry. Once we get through the clouds you'll get a good look at Castillia, the seat of the Contingent.”
And then it happened at once. The thickness of the clouds receded, and Adrian saw a vast, sweeping city, enfolding before them, with buildings that were anastomotic in many respects, and possessing a kind of all encompassing harmony and excellence that left him wonder-struck. Many structures reached for the summit of the heavens, congregated zeniths, some impossibly thin, others of great bulk and girth. And as they pulled ever closer to the metropolis, the taller edifices hugging them, other vehicles careening passed them, he perceived other structures, much shorter, that were both slanted and curved at their peaks and coated in exotic coloring; structures that were akin to great domes and standing atop steeples, structures that were all formed in various geometric configurations, such glorious configurations! The mind wondered.
He saw other things which left him in absolute astonishment. An extravagantly long hover train snaked its way through the clouded sky of the planet from around an impossibly tall structure, zooming past them and situated on rails of light. Something gargantuan and to the right of them, jet black, a monolith of construction, so profuse in dimensions as to incite apprehension in the human mind, was lifting itself from the ground by some means of propulsion. Adrian watched with great wonderment as the thing slowly yet steadily plied the skies. A massed assortment of spires that were in a circular configuration and surrounding a floating, elevated silver sphere, each let loose their own ray beams, the blasts meeting at the sphere, resulting in a few staggered bursts that gushed towards the skies, like something akin to an alien SOS.
For every time something passed from view there was another something that rose up to take its place. His mouth had long ago fallen open as he continued drawing in the immense splendor of it all, the undeniable beauty and technological achievement of Merridion and Castillia, the seat of the Contingent.
“This place is so—so far advanced from anything on Earth. You Merridions are light years ahead of us."
“If only I had time to give you the guided tour,” said Lucas with a smile as he piloted the craft through the alien skyway. “I myself don't understand the specifics of our technological advancement. My parents are diplomats, and so that is how I was able to live on Earth for a time, and visit. But—perhaps later, if we have time I could give you a tour of what's translated as the Inviolable.”
“What's the Inviolable?”
“It's where the Contingent meets. We approach it now, in the far horizon. It's the biggest structure on all of Merridion, and a symbol of how our people approach others in the universe, as well as ourselves. See? There.” Lucas pointed and Adrian inclined his head. There, in the distance, loomed a great and all-embracing arch of a structure, made of something crystalline and pure, Merridion's sun reflecting off the coating of the thing, showcasing shine and brilliance. In the great distance it stood, probing the mind for impurities, and beckoning all onlookers to follow after peace.
Lucas turned the craft into another skyway and they approached, the Inviolable getting more and more enormous as they got closer. When they finally reached it, Lucas entered into hover mode, and waited. A voice finally greeted them from inside The Inviolable. It was loud and resonating.
“Welcome home, Lucalan. We trust that you and the contact have made it here unharmed.”
Suddenly, two sliding doors pulled apart from one another, revealing a ship port, brimming with other crafts, some seemingly military (at least to Adrian's untrained eyes), others seemingly civilian. Lucas led the craft inside and the doors behind them were sealed shut.
There was something very much akin to a control tower at an airport that sat in one far corner of the impressively spacious ship port, a see-through window occupying its peak and all, with Merridions stationed inside of it, their attention commanded by computer terminals.
Other Merridions populated the terminus, servicing aircraft. These were not outfitted in human chameleon suits, like what Lucas himself was wearing. They were all blue skinned (just as Lucas was when he proved to Adrian that he was an extraterrestrial), and wearing bright, multi-hued clothing, with collars that extended past their pointy ears. They had elongated fingers, and all were devoid of hair.
The hatch to the silver ship flew open and Lucas lead Adrian down the now-appearing transparent steps. They were then greeted by a cadre of important looking Merridions (at least in dress), all wearing high collared outfits and multi hued fabrics with varied eye catching designs. They all talked in an excited alien tongue as they approached. Then one of the Merridions positioned himself at the forefront of the group and took in the pair.
“Lucalan, our burden has been lifted because of your arrival. You and your contact were the last of those whom we awaited. Were there any...hazards that you had to overcome?”
“Yes. Clev of the Aelkighted was shadowing me the whole time. He must have picked up my trail on one of the colonized worlds. I—cannot be sure if we were followed.”
“That is...the gravest of news. If you were followed the Aelkighted may have discovered the capital of our people. I must relay this news to the rest of the Contingent. I trust, however, that no harm came upon the contact?”
“No. Clev was thwarted in his designs.”
“And just what shall we call you, young Earthling?” Said the Merridion. Adrian stammered. Everything was going so fast: the drawing in of the massive ship port, the musing upon the supremely foreign language of Merridions (which Adrian had heard before through Lucas), and the idea that they could have been followed, leading Clev to Merridion, a planet of which—supposedly—the Aelkighted didn't know about, all hit him squarely in the face.
“My—my—my name is Adrian, Adrian Belfast.”
“Well met, young Adrian,” he said as he extended his left arm outwards with palm facing the ground and then brought it swiftly to his heart. A worldwide greeting, Adrian supposed. “I am called Ser Armanas Delforia Jaltai. In honor I serve as The Third Head of the Contingent, Overseer of Inviolable Justice, and Sub-Commander of Intergalactic Forces. We have summoned you and others in a time of great need. Soon, we shall reveal all. But first, you must rest. Lucalan, if you would lead our young friend Adrian Belfast to the guest chambers, where he can find rest.”
“As you command, Ser Jaltai,” said Lucas, performing the same motion with his left hand that Jaltai did. Lucas motioned and Adrian followed, still trying to grasp the implications of all that he'd heard and seen.
Lucas led Adrian through the brightly lit coated white halls of the Inviolable. The pair passed many an oncoming Merridion during the walk, both males and females, and they all greeted him with beneficence, letting Adrian know that they were honored to serve host to his people.
They were going to a place called the Concourse. It adjoined the guest chambers and was a large area where he could associate with the other humans who were shuttled to Merridion.
“I imagine that the Contingent will have a brief meeting before they call for the gathering of you and the rest of humanity summoned,” said Lucas as they walked through the broad, lighted hall. “That should give us enough time to serve you with food, and allow you to rest a bit. After the meeting...well...we'll just have to see.”
“Do Merridions have people of other species often here in the Inviolable?”
“Well, the Inviolable is one of the many beacons where those who sit on the Galactic Council meet. The Contingent was established a millennia ago, when the Galactic Council saw fit for us to join, because of our progress technologically and socially. But there are other places where the different races of the Council discuss the concerns of the species in the galaxy.”
“The Galactic Council? You're saying that there are...”
“Yeah, pretty much,” said Lucas with a grin. “But I'm getting way ahead of myself. A lot of this will be discussed when the Contingent spells it all out for you.” Adrian considered for a great while as they walked on. A Galactic Council comprised of who knows how many different species, all technologically and socially advanced, much more so than Earth and its inhabitants, with its myriad of international conflicts and corrupt governments. Then he made another mental link. Earth is no where near ready to assimilate into the Galactic Council, so why exactly did the Contingent wish to speak with representatives from the planet?
Telkwinira. That was the planet Lucas (or Lucalan) mentioned when Clev confronted them. What did the Aelkighted do to Telkwinira? He wanted to ask Lucas about it, but decided that he could wait just a little longer for the answers that he so desperately needed. Lucas had already revealed to him that there was a Galactic Council when he was supposed to keep his mouth shut. He was not likely to reveal anything else of significance.
Lucas lead Adrian down the corridor and they approached a honeycombed inspired amalgamation of passageways, the bright illumination of the area cascading upon them. Adrian looked about himself with great astonishment and could scarcely keep up with Lucas until Lucas implored him to continue on. Lucas then took a left, Adrian following. They then found themselves confronted with an impasse, some kind of metallic structure at its end, a diminished yellow light permeating from the inside of its structure, exceedingly wide in dimensions, capable of holding ten to fifteen Merridions and/or Earthlings.
“This,” began Lucas, “is what's called a Transporter. It can zap you from here to any one of the seventy-one levels of the Inviolable, where you'd come out of the other side of another Transporter. We'll use it to get to the Concourse.”
“We'll there be any—side effects?”
“Not at all,” replied Lucas. “Let's hurry. It's past time you had some nourishment.”
“Food would be nice,” responded Adrian. “And—I also would like to speak with other human beings.”
“Right,” said Lucas. Lucas then lead Adrian into the Transporter, and clear, crystalline-like doors closed them in.
“To the Concourse,” was Lucas command, and the shimmering of the structure intensified, though it was tolerable on the eyes. The Transporter produced sounds very much akin to some kind of science fiction weapon drawing energy unto itself, or at least to Adrian's untrained ears.
Then they were enveloped in a flash of yellow light and Adrian found himself staring out into a great expanse of space. High, light gray walls and crystal-like flooring encompassed the area. Statuesque structures stood congregated along the walls, great behemoths that touched the high ceiling, made of all kinds of precious alien medals, gemstones of which populated the pommels of ancient alien hand to hand combat weapons. And there was a fountain that encompassed the very middle of the spacious area, with sparkling water shooting forth out of the mouth of some kind of curving sea serpent.
There were human beings here (and not just blue skinned Merridions), and they mostly milled about with an air of uneasiness, a scant few of which were together in little groups conversing back and forth. And tables were situated in one area to the right, bespotted with trays of all kinds of delectable dishes, the savoring smells of which floated towards Adrian, beckoning after him, summoning him. Lucas stepped out of the Transporter and Adrian followed, trying to take in the glorious magnificence of the Concourse.
“First let's get you something to eat,” replied Lucas as he led the way to the elongated table that was situated in the heart of the structure. Adrian followed, occasionally taking in the splendor of the Concourse, and sometimes trying to overhear the conversations of the Merridions and Earthlings.
As they strode on, he was suddenly startled to find that there were many different representatives of Earthly regions and continents here in the Concourse. There were—from what he could see—peoples from Asia, Africa, The Middle East, and English speaking peoples. Have they gone and assembled people from every country on Earth, he thought. He was glad then that he was still under the influences of that many sided and splendiferous calming leaf that Lucas had provided, because this was enough to get one's mind working, in overdrive.
Lucas led Adrian to the table and Adrian stood glaring down at the many dishes. Strange, alien meats of which Adrian hadn't a clue as to the kind of animals they were, were spread out before him. At least they smell delectable, Adrian thought. Plates lined every seat (some of which stood empty, others of which had occupants), a handful of individuals of which were eating judiciously, others of which didn't seem to have any problems. Utensils were situated throughout the many platters, some alien in their design, others of which seemed or at least appeared to be inspired from Earth. Adrian looked towards Lucas, his eyes bulging out of their sockets.
“Go ahead. I suspect you've found that the aromas are agreeable to you. I think you'll find that the taste will be agreeable to you as well. Go on, give something a try.” Adrian took a seat, somewhat determined to find something of which would agree with his stomach.
“I'll leave you to your meal, and allow you to get acquainted with your people. My parents will be expecting me to be engaged in diplomatic relations. The Contingent will call for the meeting soon. Try to relax until then.”
“Okay,” managed Adrian as he watched Lucas turn on a smile and become his tinted blue self for the first time since their reunion. Lucas bounded for the Transporter and disappeared in a flash of brilliantly bright yellow.
Adrian glanced down either side of the table and observed others eating with barely any perceived hesitation. He sat staring at the many dishes, a good deal reluctant to take the plunge, when his stomach began speaking to him in not too kindly tones. Just do it, he thought. If it smells good it likely tastes good.
He then used a large knife and a somewhat awkward looking fork to butcher a red meat that was dripping with juices and decorated with a great assortment of vegetable side dishes. He placed the meat in his plate and scooped up with a spoon some of the veggies and then stuck the meat with his fork, slowly placing it inside of his mouth. The juices exploded on his tastebuds, and he perceived that he was eating the Merridion version of Earthly steak. At least it doesn't taste like chicken, he thought.
He then glanced at a pitcher and glass that was situated to his right and poured himself a nice helping of the beverage, which came flooding down his throat and possessed a taste akin to aged wine. Not bad, thought Adrian. Not bad at all. He then realized that he hadn't had any of the vegetables and scooped up some with his alien looking fork and placed them in his mouth. Eh, vegetables, smedgetables, I never really liked these things to begin with.
He went back to eating the red meat and drinking the alien wine and after a time he was approached by two individuals. One was a young white woman, with golden locks that fell down past her shoulders, full lips, and a slender figure, though possessing ample subsidies in all the right places. The other a young black male, with a naturally curly afro and of light skin complexion. Both appeared to be in their early twenties. Adrian looked a little startled as they approached, with juices from the meat dripping down his chin. He wiped his chin clean with the cuff of his shirt.
“Hi,” replied the young woman. “We assumed that you were from America, so that's why we approached.”
“Yeah,” replied Adrian after swallowing his last mouthful. “I'm from a town bordering Washington D.C. My name's Adrian, Adrian Belfast.”
“I'm Ashley Harrison.”
“Christopher Jones,” replied the black youth. “It's good to make your acquaintance.”
“Likewise,” said Adrian, as the two took seats next to him.
“So,” began Ashley with a hint of hesitation, “do you...have any idea why we are here?” Adrian reflected on her questioning for a time. He thought on all that he had seen and heard up and unto this point. The confrontation with the Aelkighted, Clev; what Lucas had revealed about a Galactic Council; the knowledge that a planet named Telkwinira was once a victim to whatever deeds the Aelkighted had inspired in their dark hearts. He tried to piece together a semblance of a scenario, something that might make sense.
“I think,” began Adrian, “I think that alien people on this planet are trying to protect us from something...something dastardly. But I don't know what.”
“I feared as much,” said Ashley as she lowered her head.
“An invasion,” said Christopher almost reverently as he reflected on what possibly lay ahead.
“So,” said Adrian, “the Merridion who brought you here has shared that with you?”
“Huh? No, no, it's just something that I...kinda feel is what's about to happen, that's all. I don't know, it just seems kinda silly to gather so many representatives here from Earth, from all corners of the globe, if something big isn't about to take place.”
“What if the Contingent just wants to assist us in some way, to serve as liberators of a divided humanity?” said Ashley. “This gathering doesn't necessarily have to spell doom and gloom, there could be greatness just beyond the horizon for all of humanity.” Adrian didn't tell them about he and Lucas' confrontation with Clev. He didn't want to soil Ashley's lone beacon of hope, no matter if he had some inkling as to the truth.
Most everyone at the elongated table had feasted and Adrian noticed that Merridions had approached a good deal of them, and before any of the three Americans could speak another word a Merridion approached them all and said the following: “The Contingent, they are ready for you.” Adrian's heart dropped to the soles of his feet in fear of what lay on the other side of the reveal.
They led them all through the broad, lighted, and elongated hallway adjoining the Concourse. From there, to the heart of the giant dome of the Audience Chamber, a massive construct situated inside of the Inviolable, used for meetings with the Galactic Council. There was an escort in front of them, and behind..
Adrian wasn't the only Earthling left thunderstruck upon entering the incredible resplendency of the Audience Chamber. Ashley and Christopher who were beside him were also craning their heads. Light from some high fixtures fell down upon them in spades. The thing was a towering structure, tinted in white, with various figures from Merridion's past populating its curvatures. In the murals, a host of Merridions (both male and female) were seen guarding over less capable species. Battle bled forth from them, and glory seemed to echo from above.
The Audience Chamber was structurally different than say, an auditorium from Earth. Adrian couldn't help but notice this as they were ushered down the aisles. The stage or the area where the speakers were to be present was situated in the very heart of the chamber, and the seats were arranged circularly about it. The stage itself was also circular, but there was a great recess or opening that reached far to the lower depths, the stage not being present. Adrian wasn't too inclined to get that close and perhaps take a peek, in fact he would have probably experienced something akin to vertigo if he did.
Adrian and his newfound companions were finally seated (Ashley between them) and waited anxiously as others took their places. Christopher had his hands interlocked, looking about uneasily, while Ashley was looking lowly towards the ground.
“I wish,” began Adrian almost to himself, “I wish that¯Lucas was here...” Ashley looked up towards him with a look of knowing.
“Lucas is¯your Merridion friend?”
“Yeah,” replied Adrian. “He's been very much a friend to me, even when I didn't deserve it. I'm sure he could say something right about now that would help to alleviate these feelings.” Ashley placed her hand on Adrian's knee and turned on a smile.
“We're all feeling a little uneasy. But¯I'm sure things will not turn out to be as dire as we think.” Adrian stared at her for the briefest of times, and it seemed as if from his vantage point that they were both drawing courage from one another. It all lasted for a moment in time, after everyone was seated and Christopher mentioned the following:
“ The stage is, rising.” The two turned, and watched anxiously as the sound of humming could be heard in the lower enclosures of the Audience Chamber. Murmuring drifted from the concerned human beings, until finally the stage presented itself, and standing on it were several Merridion dignitaries, all dressed in perceived imposing dress, high collared, with many badges and medals hanging about them. One of these dignitaries was none other than the one who welcomed Adrian to the Inviolable, Armanas Delforia Jaltai. Perhaps, Adrian pondered, the others were Lucas (or Lucalan's) parents? He had said that his parents were diplomats, so it was certainly possible. They all had what looked like the alien equivalent of mini microphone speakers projecting forth from their ears, presumably allowing for them to speak over the broad expanse of the Audience Chamber.
The female began asking the Earthlings if she could have their attention, and they gave it. The silence stretched on for a brief amount of time until finally one of the diplomats began presenting himself and the others to the anxious audience.
“We Welcome you all, Earthlings. I am called Ser Arfalla Di Hanistallan III. Beside me is Sai Nalora Kai Hanistallan, my beautiful wife, and Ser Armanas Delforia Jaltai. We are the heads of the Contingent, an order established over a millennia ago to bring lasting peace to Merridion and her satellite planets.
“This great area here, called the Audience Chamber, normally serves as host to most auspicious engagements, or diplomatic entanglements that the Galactic Council may face, and I fear that today we face a most pressing engagement.” An instance of murmuring returned as fear encapsulated the hearts of the Earthlings. Adrian glanced over towards his two companions and saw what was plain in both of their pairs of eyes: fright. Sai Nalora Kai Hanistallan took over from her husband. Her voice rang loud, brilliantly, and beautifully throughout the Audience Chamber.
“There is, an aggressive alien power who calls themselves the Aelkighted who wish to make your planet more habitable to them, to turn Earth into a satellite power, for strategic intergalactic reasons.” Now the murmuring had reached deafening levels. Adrian--who had hoped against hope that this was not the reason for this great gathering--felt the courage he had amassed with Ashley syphoning out of him.
“Please,” Sai Hanistallan said, “we must be allowed to continue, we do not have much time as is.” Silence enveloped the Chamber. Sai Hanistallan continued. “As was briefly mentioned, there is such an organization as a Galactic Council, composed of numerous species from the galaxy. The Aelkighted, however, are not a part of this council. We have tried, along with other species, to appease them, to try to reason with them. But they very much cannot be appeased.”
“Those on the Galactic Council have been lax in trying to quell the threat of the Aelkighted,” said Ser Arfalla Di Hanistallan III. “We, as Merridions, who recognize the threat they pose, have tried our very best to repel them. We have have been engaged in a war with the Aelkighted because of what they have done to a developing world called Telkwinira, but alas, our best efforts have not been enough.” Adrian lowered his head, and wondered at the benevolence of Merrdion and Merridions.
Silence encapsulated the Chamber once more, but there could still be heard here and there mutterings. Ser Armanas Delforia Jaltai continued.
“We have gathered all of you here together as you will serve to warn the governments on Earth. Even though we have been watching humanity for many decades now, we felt it sensible and prudent that we use those who were close to us to communicate the dire circumstances to the governments of Earth. We must now evacuate Castillia, as the Aelkighted have discovered the location of our home world and the seat of the Contingent. What this great Inviolable represents will live still, on one of our undiscovered satellite planets. That is all. Merridions will now escort you to the ship port, where you will meet up with your Merridion contacts. We cannot mislead you and say that what is coming will be insignificant, the fate of your world, and indeed even our own way of life, lay in the balance. We will, however, fight to uphold those values that we have so ardently supported for over a millennia, and we will protect you, at all costs.” With that, the stage began to descend and Merridions hustled about in the aisleways, leading the Earthlings to the ship port.
An alert system blared and rang sonorously throughout the path that the Merridions were leading the human beings through, and the Inviolable. Adrian, Ashley, and Christopher held on to each other's hands (Ashley in between them) so that they wouldn't get separated, as they rushed on amidst the excessive chaos.
When they got to the overwhelmingly large ship port, they found¯as Ser Armanas indicated¯their Merridion contacts stationed at intervals near spacious drop ships. Human beings rushed to meet those Merridions whom they had come to know as brothers and sisters. As Adrian and his newfound companions hustled on and looked about, Adrian noticed Lucas. He was standing near a drop ship.
Ashley and Christopher's also noticed their contacts whom were stationed some ways away. Adrian, looked about longingly, and was hesitant, Lucas approaching him, questioningly.
“What's wrong? Why aren't you coming?”
“I¯want them to come with me. We don't want to be separated, they live in America, like me.”
Lucas considered, and Ashley and Christopher noticed that their Merridion contacts were approaching. Lucas approached the two of them, and they exchanged words. Adrian looked about him, at the faces of his newfound companions, at the mass of human and Merridions now populating the many drop ships. To think that the fate of the human race lies in the seemingly incapable hands of all of us here is a frightening thought. He didn't want to think about what lay ahead, and for sure if he hadn't been able to bond with a few choice individuals, things would be gravely difficult for him. After a time, all three Merridions then came back to the huddled trio.
“We'll all go together,” said Lucas. Adrian, at just that one moment, felt that just maybe, things could work out in Earth and Merridion's favor.
The sextet loaded up into the drop ship, Adrian, Ashley, and Christopher sitting in the back of a craft about as big as a van, while the Merridions populated the control deck. Their craft, along with others, began to hover. Soon, the ships were speeding out of the port and heading for the boundless atmosphere.
Adrian caught glances out of the rear view windows, as colossal structures were lifting themselves off of Castillia, bespotting the sky.
“The whole planet is being, evacuated...” said Christopher almost to himself.
“We have to,” mentioned one of the Merridions in the cockpit area. “What the Aelkighted do to planets when they have them in sight is unspeakable.” And this race of alien super beings was headed for Earth and humanity. Whatever it is I can do to aid my people, I will do it, thought Adrian to himself. Humanity will resist the Aelkighted, and win through, no matter what the cost...