MORE THAN AN ECHO (Sequel to Second Coming)
Crew Issues

Tre’ is led into Chrystoya’s dwelling. She had set up the equipment for the physical examination earlier. Regnoh and Pleytus are both present. Tre’ is instructed to disrobe and lie on the examination structure. He complies.

The examination table sets in the middle of the room. An identical flat surface slab of medical equipment floats above Tre’s body. Pleytus operates the upper equipment and causes a light to illuminate the alien’s physique. Chrystoya and Regnoh both monitor different screens as the light moves back and forth from head to toe. Tre’s skin under the light is translucent revealing a network of veins and pulsing organs.

“Are we recording?” Pleytus ask. Regnoh shakes his head.

“What is this?” Chrystoya ask, pointing to Tre’s chest area on her screen. Regnoh adjust his screen to the same view as the physician’s. Pleytus looks at Regnoh’s screen and raises an eyebrow. The item of interest is a throbbing mass that begins at Tre’s upper chest area and extends to his lower abdomen. Hundreds of veins stretch out from the organ traveling to other areas of his body.

Tre’ speaks, startling them all, “If you are referring to the organ that resides in my midsection,

it is my life force unit.”

“Ahh, a distinct Colony organ!” Pleytus stammers.

Tre’ answers, “It is a Colony life force unit. All of the Colony possess an identical organ. It is the source of our cognitive functions.”

“Judging from the veins it must be entangled with all of the body’s major systems.” Chrystoya declares.

Pleytus remarks, “It resembles a larvae, a very large one that is.”

Samantha sets in the pilot’s chair of the Garguth and opens the message list on the control panel screen. There are still dozens to read. She scans through the list and notices a message marked “Commander/Confidential.” It is flashing. She opens the message and reads it twice. She begins to feel nauseous. She reads it again.

She cannot believe this report and searches for other similar messages. She replaces them. New orders have been given from Central Command. Samantha sends a message back acknowledging that she has received the new orders. One of her crew is now a major mission risk.

Bizale was an unexpected cultural calamity for the peaceful Shi’ann society. The drug was created by a team of medical researchers, decades before the Garguth left the Earth. The team worked toward sustaining physical health during long term space missions. A resulting treatment made from fungi spores, seemed promising at first. The drug concentrated on protecting neural pathways during long periods in biological suspension.

There were two main side effects. When receiving an application the recipient became euphoric. This “intoxication” lasted for several hours and could become very intense for some individuals. The physicians were concerned but a more troubling effect was observed. The recipients began to grow new neural pathways at an alarming rate.

The intense euphoria and the sense of becoming more aware of reality proved to be an intense and deadly addiction. The recipients begged for more, some even becoming violent which was an almost forgotten event among the Shi’ann. The High Council sent forth a directive. The drug was banned and all production ceased.

A small group of users began to produce the drug in secret. Users felt the drug made them more intelligent. Some even boasted of becoming improved individuals. Madness overtook many of the addicts, resulting in their death and some others in their circle of influence.

Even after its use disappeared among mainstream society there were rumors that some highly intelligent people were using Bizale. Pleytus did. Traces of the drug were found in his residence three decades after the Garguth’s departure.

The Commander will need to consult with her First Officer and the crew’s physician. She closes the message screen and rises from her chair. She heads toward her apartment thinking a warm cup of mint tea is in order. It will calm her and assist in planning for the difficult duty she must perform.

With the examination now complete, Tre’ has left the apartment in search of Zaque. He is prepared to begin the work of readying the Shi’ann vessel for the installation of the enhancements.

He replaces Zaque walking around the vessel. The first officer holds a device in one hand. The fingers of the other hand rapidly tap places on the device. Zaque does not notice Tre’ at first, but as he moves to another location he senses someone and looks up.

“There you are. How is our fine host today?” Zaque ask.

“I am well. Are you performing a task?”

Zaque answers “Just checking the math.”

Tre’ does not understand and Zaque adds “I have been reviewing the diagrams for the modifications.”

“Are you concerned with the compatibility of the Colony’s technology?”

“No, not at all. If anything I’m impressed at the details of the diagrams. The Colony certainly are superior engineers.”

“Regnoh and the others are currently reviewing the results of my physical examination. I am prepared to begin our work if you are available now.” Tre’ looks eagerly at the first officer.

“Yes, let’s begin. Pleytus can catch up with us later.” Zaque leads Tre’ up the ramp to enter the vessel. The two move to the back section of the ship. Zaque begins removing a wall panel. “I thought we might begin here.” Tre’ leans in for a closer look.

The examination team stand around the the viewing screen. Chrystoya controls the image that they are all viewing. “Here, this is a better view of his right eye.” The two can now see what she is excited about.

The left eye is a perfect duplicate of the human sight organ, but the other eye is similar only in outward appearance. The right eye features a lens that can detect a spectrum of light which is invisible to the human eye. Chrystoya remarks “This optical lens may even be able to detect different temperatures.”

Pleytus is intrigued by items in the throat area. Two small tusk like features are placed just below Tre’s jaw line. Even lower is a large tumor like growth. They appear to have no reasonable function.

Regnoh refers to the items “These thorax and mandible like features are vaguely similar to several insect species on Earth. Perhaps our host communicates with the Colony using these items.”

Chrystoya says “The bacteria is his gut is amazing. He could probably digest starship fuel and suffer no ill effects.”

Regnoh comments on some of the other data, “His hearing appears as normal as ours but there are small organs in each ear canal that we do not possess. I believe that he may be able to feel vibrations from a distance, perhaps he operates with a sonar type ability.”

Pleytus adds “Yes our friend is wonderfully made. As a human, he is normal in every aspect. His added Colony parts make him superior in physical ability.” Pleytus laughs, “He is an upgraded Shi’ann. I wonder how long his life span will be.”

The galley section in their ship is the most private meeting place Samantha can think of. She waits with Zaque and Chrystoya for Pleytus to arrive. None are sure how the meeting will go. They hear him approaching.

“This looks serious!” Pleytus says, walking in from the ramp towards his crew members.

The Commander speaks, “It is very serious, please be seated.”

Pleytus remains silent while Samantha shares the report from Earth. The Commander’s tone is calm and non-accusing. Zaque watches Pleytus and thinks he is too calm for this to be an issue. Chrystoya ask for a blood sample, which Pleytus immediately agrees to.

The Commander finishes her report and ask, “Pleytus, please tell me you’re okay?”

Pleytus answers calmly, “Commander I cannot deny the report’s replaceings at my residence. In previous cycles I was an occasional Bizale user.” He leans forward towards Samantha, “I assure you, I have not used any for several cycles prior to our launch. If I had it would have been detected by the multiple physicals we all submitted to before leaving Earth.”

Pleytus leans back to relax, he scans the faces of the crew members in front of him. “I understand your concern and it is proper. Commander, I will submit to any test that you wish to perform.”

“Very good.” Samantha nods at Chrystoya, please perform an entire physical on him.”

To Pleytus the Commander says “Thank you for understanding and honoring our mission procedures.”

“Certainly Commander. I would rather all of you be comfortable with my abilities and my mission duties. We have much work to perform.” Pleytus follows Chrystoya through the ship towards the exit hatch.

“Well that went smoother than I expected.” Zaque says.

“What do think First Officer?” Samantha folds her arms.

“I think his is just fine and we have nothing to worry about. He said he last used the drug cycles before we launched. You remember what we were doing a few cycles before we left don’t you?”

Zaque raises an eyebrow and smirks.

“Yes, I do. We were maintaining a romance with our own share of indulgences. Late night wine, cannabis use and making love is not the same as using Bizale.” The Commander is serious. “Now let’s stay with the matter at hand. I want you to supervise his work closely. Limit the time that he works alone. We have to be sure, too much is at stake. And you should search his apartment now while he is with Chrystoya.”

Zaque makes an expression of disgust, “And if he checks out fine with Chrys, then what?”

“My order stands.” Samantha looks at him sternly.

Zaque answers with a serious expression, “Yes Commander.”

Tre’ stands before the Overseers, the plant device rises and attaches to him. Lights strobe and instructions pulse into his mind. Tre’ is pleased with the information that is being conveyed. Yes, he agrees with the Overseer’s next scheduled activities. He will engage the crew in a different environment.

As he journeys to his dwelling space, he thinks about sharing this invitation with the crew. The emotions that he is still adjusting too, overtake him. He smiles widely. He prepares to visit his friends during their next meal time. The Overseers wish to greet the Shi’ann in presence. The Commander will visit the Overseers’ chamber.

Tre’ knows that units are now preparing the protective gear that the Shi’ann crew will wear when in the Colony’s atmosphere. Some areas of the star traveling vessel will even have adjusted climates to accommodate the Third’s tour. Now the crew will experience his world.

Tre’s invitation to the Commander shocks and excites all of the crew. A tour of the Colony vessel is being offered. Only one crew member will be first allowed. The rest of the crew will visit in the coming rotations. Samantha wonders if the first tour is a trial run. It may be in concern of Colony safety procedures. She plans on asking Tre’ more about their encounter with the Seconds. She senses that something grave transpired when the two species met.

Zaque suggest that he should be the crew member to first enter the Colony’s environment as mission protocol regarding the Commander’s safety should be followed.

Samantha thinks about it for a few seconds and announces “I am honored to be the first Shi’ann to visit the Colony’s world.” She feels that Tre’ can be trusted.

The Commander and Tre’ depart the ascending ramp to the upper level and move toward the large open door. Tre’ reaches to a compartment on the wall and removes an environmental suit that has been prepared for the human crew members to wear while they tour their host’s vessel.

The material is thin and transparent. Samantha slips it over her own garments as Tre’ instructs. “The Colony’s environment is warmer than you are accustomed. This garment will keep your body temperature near an adequate level for your species.”

He continues, “The atmosphere is breathable for you and your crew, but you may have difficulty with it, as it is denser than that of your world. If you experience difficulty,” Tre’ raises a small device and places it against his mouth. He connects the straps of the little oval object behind his head, “this breathing filter may be used.”

“Also, the gravity will be greater than you are accustomed to experiencing. I suggest moving at a slower pace. Inform me if you have any difficulty, I will assist you.”

Samantha now geared up and ready, nods her head. Tre’ seals the door closing off access to the docking bay. A ticking sounds comes from the opposite door which opens to reveal a long and winding passageway into the Colony’s vessel. Into their world she steps.

The crew are reclining at the table having just finished their evening meal. Zaque ask “How long to you think this tour will last? The Commander has been gone for some time.”

Regnoh says “It has been about two hours.”

Velmana ask the first officer “Zaque are you worried? Aw... how sweet.” Everyone laughs.

“Actually I want to know what they look like! I’m ready to meet them, face to face! I’m excited to see the insides of their vessel. Aren’t all of you?” Zaque ask.

“I definitely am. Alien beings, alien engineering and technology are just on the other side of that big door.” Pleytus points to the upper level.

Chrystoya ask “Should I perform an examination when she returns?” She looks from Zaque to Regnoh. The men both answer in agreement.

Velmana says, “I agree, but for now we wait. Let’s change the subject, you men are much to intense.”

Chrystoya laughs “Agreed, the men are being serious. Relax everyone, the Commander will return.”

“I’ve been thinking about the impact our return will have on Shi’ann society.” Velmana’s expression is serious.

Regnoh offers, “I too have been giving the idea some thought. So much time will have past when we arrive home, if we make it.” He says with an honest face. Of course they all have some doubt about making a successful return, but it doesn’t hurt to hope.

Pleytus joins the conversation, “Our society will have changed, and we can only hope that it will still be similar to the harmonious and balanced civilization we left. All the people living life in peace.”

Zaque says, “And then we will arrive and bring more change. Our experiences here and the technology that we will return with will forever change our world.”

Regnoh continues his honest expression and shares his heart, “Oh to walk upon the Earth again, to dwell in the world built by our ancestors, to be allowed a place among the Ones Before at the end of our lives. This is a wonderful gift from our friends, the Colony.”