MORE THAN AN ECHO (Sequel to Second Coming)
Dreams of Change

He dreams, but the dream contains a nervous agitation that is more like a panic. Pleytus watches the read out on the screen. He is reading data from several sensor devices that he has placed around one of the Second’s vessels. He has had this same dream for several nights.

Each night the dreams reveals more. He is attempting to view inside the alien craft. The grand secrets his success will bring are forth the risk. He knows this action is against mission directives. The Commander would be furious. The Colony may be offended. Tre’ has already stated it is forbidden, but he is compelled. The force that drives him runs through his veins.

Activity on the screen reveals that one of the sensors has located an entrance into the vessel. Pleytus would only need a very small opening into the craft to allow for a probe to enter. He has already reprogrammed three maintenance probes, anticipating this opportunity.

Confused, Pleytus pushes his way through the leaves. He is trying to replace his way back home. He wonders why there is a forest near his home, but dreams are like that and he flows on to the next scene where he is working on another aspect of his secret project.

Most dreams are a confusing array of scenes, people and events. Sometimes a dream can offer clarity and detailed information that can be remembered upon waking. Some dreams can lead one to answers or solutions. Some dreams can teach valuable lessons. Bizale dreams are like that.

Samantha cannot believe what Tre’ has just announced. All of the crew join in a loud and joyful banter. The Overseers offer a deeper experience of their culture to the Commander. She is requested to join Tre’ in the Dream Arena and witness the regeneration process.

Tre’ begins offering instructions, “You will require an environmental suit to enter the Arena but may remove it once you are in a regeneration pod. The pod will maintain the proper environment for your species.”

The crew start a discussion with questions about which equipment will be allowed. Recording devices may be used to capture the event. Tre’ tells them, “The Colony wishes to share a cultural function with all of the Shi’ann.”

Samantha is overwhelmed with honor to be the first Shi’ann to witness this aspect of Colony life. She wonders if it would be inappropriate to discuss Tre’s future with the Colony at such an event. She will decide that once she is among the Colony.

Samantha has always been quick to read a scene, to understand the details and deliver swift and effective action. Her Gransam sometimes called her, “you little i-n-f-j!” When she ask him to explain the word he would say, “My child, you always get the bigger picture, you see what it is all about.” She hopes she can trust Gransam’s words now.

Pleytus bids his companions “good night” and heads towards his dwelling.

The Commander ask, “Are you feeling okay? It’s still early, are you tired?”

“Thank you for asking Commander. I feel fine, I plan on doing some reading this evening.”

Zaque jokes, “And what kind of reading does the smartest guy on this mission do? Probably some kind of technical manuals!”

After the crew’s laughter subsides Pleytus answers, “Our host have made me curious. I have been reviewing Velmana’s analysis of the photosynthetic properties of the Colony vessel. Tonight I am researching some of our own planet’s botanical processes to discover if there are similarities.”

Zaque adds, “And that’s what he does for fun!” With a more serious tone the First Officer says, “Enjoy your reading.”

Pleytus enters his dwelling. Zaque feels Samantha’s stare. He looks her way. She is suspicious and wanting to know if he sensed anything wrong with Pleytus. He offers her a comical smile and wishes she would stop worrying about Pleytus. Zaque trust him. He thinks his crew member is doing fine.

Pleytus has three screens open. He drifts from notes and calculations obtained from Velmana’s analysis, across to two documents. One document explains how plants signal growth, the second covers plants known to communicate with others of their same species. The vines and cables in the docking bay are very near the Seconds vessels. He needs to develop a system that cannot be detected by technology or a conscious photosynthetic being.

After reading for over an hour, Pleytus rises and prepares a cup of coffee. He has more reading and note taking to perform. He does not worry about the effects of the caffeine, he will sleep well tonight. He will dream.

The floating disk transporting the recording equipment follows Tre’ and Samantha as they enter the Dream Arena. The Commander has seen amazing structures and architect with every visit inside the Colony’s vessel. This arena though, this grand chamber is breathtaking.

The towering ceiling of the room reaches hundreds of meters above them. Thick and long branch like structures reach from wall to wall in web like patterns. Samantha looks around the arena, feeling astonished. She is lost in the moment of this experience.

Suddenly the ceiling seems to move. Samantha gasp as she realizes exactly what she is viewing. A multitude of Colony units are hanging upside down, suspend by their tails which wrap around the branches or any available feature in this magnificent arena.

Tre’ begins setting up the recorder and she turns to assist. He says, “You may continue to enjoy the view, I observed Chrystoya operating this device.”

Samantha checks the equipment after Tre’ finishes, “Tre’, I shouldn’t be surprised by your abilities anymore. This is perfect, you observed very well.”

He motions for her to move in a certain direction, as she does she sees her regeneration pod. Tre’ had explained to her earlier that he will enter a pod that will suspend him in the same manner as the other units. Because of her biological needs, her pod with be upright and stationary.

The Commander approaches the cone shaped plant thing and touches it with both hands. The giant leaves move apart and open where she had touched it. “So I just get in and it closes around me?”

“Correct.” Tre’ answers and he begins to undress. “You may disrobe if you like. It will enhance the experience.”

She follows his lead. Standing there nude with Tre’, she looks up. The Colony units do not appear to be interested in the naked and frail beings below them. Tre’ helps her enter into the pod.

The leaves close around her and she feels the wet nectar against her skin. Tre’ had explained that the nectar allows him to share in the Colony consciousness. It may give her impressions of the Colony’s thoughts and memories.

Samantha can see partially through the leaves of the pod and notices that the light in the arena is growing dimmer. She feels excitement and anticipation.

It begins with a hum and then a stronger vibration, and then the voices of the Colony fill the cavern.

She replaces the sound strangely familiar.

As she ponders the vibrating voices she notices red lights glowing all around the walls and ceiling above her. The lights strobe in unison with the singing. Further examination reveals that the lights are emitting from each unit. She immediately looks at Tre’ pod hanging above her. He pulses with a red glow as well.

“Kachees.” Samantha whisper to herself. The Colony’s singing sounds like summer insects she remembers from her childhood. Her Grandmother Leiyana would correct her and say aloud the scientific name for the species.

Samantha called them “kachee, kachees” because as a child, that’s what they sounded like to her. Gransam said she could call them whatever she wanted. And then he’d say, “Back in my day we called them cicadas.”

Bizale users developed different preferences for the type of experiences the drug could allow. Pleytus added a sedative to his doses. He found the dreams he had while under the influence to be of such assistance when needing to solve a problem.

One dream instructed him how to create his own written language. This was helpful in maintaining his journal. He recorded each dream for future reference with no fear of being discovered.

Tre’ has to help the Commander back into her environmental suit. The regeneration session has left her weak and dizzy. He places her on the floating disk. They begin the journey back to his dwelling.

Samantha is conscious, but the experience of sensing and feeling the entire history of the Colony has overwhelmed her senses. It almost feels like an intoxication. She is slowly sorting through the details, trying to define exactly what she just experienced.

Tre’ places her on the sleeping apparatus. He offers her mint tea. She accepts. He sets at the table and watches her. “What was it like for you? Did you receive any insight into the nature of the Colony?”

“It is the most profound experience that I have ever had. I am still recovering from sensory overload. I will be processing this experience for some time.” Samantha has a serene shine in her eyes.

Tre’ senses that she desires to define and catalog the experience. This is a characteristic of her species which he replaces interesting, even attractive. His eyes stare back into hers.

“The singing, the glowing units, the warm cloud of energy that came in waves and pulses, all these things were delightful beyond comparison, but I received so much more, I felt, I sensed.” Samantha laughs, “Somehow I feel that I have lived in the Colony’s history! It’s like these things happened to me.”

Tre’ ask, “Can you describe any events?”

“I did not have any visual experience beyond my own view of the chamber, but I was impressed with a deep connection, maybe even an understanding of what it means to be one of the Colony.” Samantha feels more confident to attempt further description.

“Tre’ I know you’ve explained that the Colony, except for yourself, do not experience emotions, but I detected something in them that is similar.”

“This sounds very interesting, can you explain more?” Tre’s excitement causes him to move his chair closer to the Commander. His stare encourages her to continue.

“You have described some historical events, I felt them in the songs.” Tre’s raised eyebrow causes her to seek further details. “For example, the destruction of the Colony home world, I can only use emotional words to explain but the response to this tragic event felt like despair.”

She takes a sip of tea and continues, “ I cannot even imagine how I would respond if I witnessed the destruction my own world.”

Samantha rises into a sitting position and faces Tre’, “When the first alien life form was found, I sensed fascination and wondering. This event encouraged so many of the Colony’s decisions and plans.”

“I felt such loss and horror at the encounter with the Seconds. It’s like all of the events of history, whether it was triumph or defeat, caused the Colony to learn a new way of thinking. What a display of the evolutionary processes. Actually, it appears that our two species have much in common.”

Tre’ hands her a refilled container of tea, with a smile she says, “ I am impressed with the Colony’s pursuit of Paradise Prime. In the singing I felt a yearning, a strong desire for fulfillment. It’s almost as if this desire in the Colony is a spiritual aspect of your species identity.”

Samantha reaches out and takes Tre’ by the hand, “Tre’ they sing of you. Your existence, your life means so much to them. I cannot think of a better word to describe how they view you, except to say love. Tre’ the Colony loves you!” His expression reveals that he looks within.

“I can’t believe they are going to end your life when we leave. I wanted to speak with them on the matter.” Her eyes drop from his gaze, her color changes and he sees her sadness.

Tre’ answers, “The Overseers are considering my questions. I ask about continuing my assignment after your departure. I am confident they will choose wisely.”

It is now two cycles until departure and the crew are attending a celebration meal. Tre’ is treated as the guest of honor. Along with the food and drink, even sweet desserts are served.

This is the last normal meal they will consume on this mission. Mission diets for the crew begin the next rotation as protocol demands. There will be much to perform on the mission’s last day but tonight, they celebrate.

The meal has ended. Some of the crew start discussing evening plans or activities they will perform before sleep. Tre’ states that he has an announcement from the Overseers. The crew become silent giving Tre’ their full attention.

Tre’ stands, “My mission as ambassador to the Thirds will continue after you begin your return journey. The Colony acknowledges the wisdom of this decision.”

They all burst out in applause and laughter. The crew stand and each embrace Tre’ in turn. Tre’ adds, “The duties of my mission have been extended to include the monitoring of your vessel during your return journey. A mission control station has been constructed that I will operate.”

Velmana ask, “So exactly how long will your mission last?”

Tre’s eyes roam around and he smiles widely, “My mission will continue as long as my shell continues to function.”

Some of the other crew are carrying on with activities near their dwellings. Tre’ had followed Zaque to his maintenance area near the Garguth. Just a few other items are needed to be loaded and his maintenance schedule will be complete. Tre’ assist him moving long metal cooling rods to the cargo elevator. The Commander greeted everyone for the evening. Zaque notices Tre’ staring at Samantha, “I appreciate your help, you should go and return her greeting.” Tre’ leaves Zaque and joins the Commander just outside of her dwelling.

Pleytus exits his apartment carrying items to store in his personal locker aboard the Garguth.

He notices a few of the crew still moving about. He could have waited until morning to load these items. He needed to create a reason to be out in the docking bay.

The read out from his probe has been interrupted. The probe stopped sending a signal after it entered the Second’s vessel. He attempted for an hour to locate the device’s signal to no avail. He will investigate. As he departs from the entry ramp to the Garguth, he observes that no one is looking his way, and heads toward his probe.