MORE THAN AN ECHO (Sequel to Second Coming)
Meeting the Colony

Samantha walks beside Tre’ down the wide and winding corridor. The ceiling is many meters above their heads. The Commander wonders the purpose for such a wide and tall space. What could travel down this corridor that would need this much room?

The floor and walls seem to be some type of molded material. Everything is a light tan color. The corridor displays no seams or joints. The entire space appears to be one smooth flowing piece as if it had been carved out this way.

The cables that run throughout the docking bay are present here as well. They are spread across the ceiling like vines seeking nutrients. Oddly, there is a sweet citrus smell in the thick air. The Commander decides it is not an unpleasant fragrance, but is difficult to breathe.

The heaviness of the atmosphere is beginning to affect Samantha and she raises the air filter to her mouth. She takes a few breaths and Tre’ stops at an opening in the wall. A tall door slides open and Tre’ leads Samantha into his dwelling space.

“You will not need your breathing filter here. My dwelling is conditioned to your environment, you may remove the protective garment.” Tre’ says.

Samantha removes the filter and face covering of the clear suit and looks around the room. It is identical to the small apartments that she and her crew inhabit, except theirs does not feature such a high ceiling. The Colony must have some need for such tall spaces.

“This is where I dwell when I am not with you and the crew.” Tre’ motions the Commander towards the small table featuring two chairs. He moves toward a shelf on the wall and returns with two tea cups. The cups are identical to one she uses.

As she receives the cup from Tre’, Samantha remarks “I am impressed!” She waves the tea cup around. “How did you know about my favorite cup?”

“Cup?” Tre’ ask and then his expression reveals his understanding. “The container of tea you have designated ‘cup.’ I viewed you drinking from such a container when you were on your vessel.”

Samantha is shocked but tries not reveal it. “This is very thoughtful Tre’. Thank you.” She wonders how he was able to watch her drinking tea inside the Garguth.

“You hold the cup differently than you did the container of liquid that the Colony first offered.” Tre’s eyes watch her as she takes a sip. “Like that.”

She feels a bit embarrassed but smiles at her host. If it was any other male she would think he was making a romantic suggestion to her, but that’s not what she senses from him. Does he know how charming he behaves? She thinks, no he doesn’t. He is being natural, real and curious. He is endearing.

“The Overseers request an audience with you, Samantha.” Tre’ announces.

“Overseers? Are these the leaders of the Colony?”

Tre’ answers, “In a sense, that is correct. All Colony units share a conscious connection, the Overseers direct the flow of this connection.”

“Tre’, I am pleased and honored to meet with your Overseers.”

Zaque sets at the table in the center of their base area. The other crew members have gone on to other evening activities.

Pleytus is out in the docking bay open area and walking among the large docked crafts. He has been intrigued with them since he first saw them. He has taken a scanner with him. He would love to inspect the inside of these alien vessels.

Velmana has also journeyed away from base. She gathered up some equipment and began to follow a series of large cables stretching to the far side of the docking bay floor. They seem to pulse and vibrate. One device she carries is a bio scanner. Zaque watches her work from a distance.

Regnoh and Chrystoya entered into the physician’s apartment. It is no secret among the crew that a relationship is developing between the two. The crew was paired up in a manner that might aid their long term survival. Zaque smiles as he thinks of the couple enjoying their survival this evening.

The Colony’s world of origin never received any designation other than “home.” Beings possessing a collective consciousness have no need for such title names. A thing exist and can be known without assigning it a specific designation. The memory of “home” though, is a foundational pillar of the Colony’s culture. This memory is experienced during the singing of the ancient songs in the Dream Chamber and during time spent in the Home Waters.

The species had witnessed the destruction of their home planet over five hundred thousand cycles ago. Since then, they have traveled the cosmos in search of Paradise Prime, the place from where all life has come.

For one hundred cycles the Colony watched and measured the trajectory of the comet that was plummeting toward their world. Preparations to remove the Colony from their planet was the primary assignment for several decades. More than a cycle after they had departed their world, they watched the comet’s impact and knew they could never return home.

They discovered life on other worlds. They began to detect common traces of their own life type scattered across many systems. After a few hundred cycles of travel, a hypothesis developed and then a theory. The theory is in process and gains evidence with every new system they encounter.

“Tre’, I am fascinated with the story of the Colony. To be able to move an entire civilization off world to ensure its survival is an amazing feat. The Colony’s science and technology is so much more advanced than I could have imagined.” Samantha says, finishing the last of her tea.

“The Shi’ann journeyed through the cosmos to meet the Colony, without the resources to return home.” Tre’ remarks, “The Colony may be advanced in science and technology, but the Shi’ann’s resolve to your mission displays the honorable character of your species.” Tre’ rises from his chair. “Are you ready to meet with the Overseers?”

The Commander rises from her chair and begins adjusting the environmental garment. “I will follow your lead my kind host.”

Outside of Tre’s dwelling space is a flat disk like device which floats just above the floor. The disk is metallic silver in color. Tre’ steps up on the device and reaches for Samantha’s hand. She steps up and stands beside him. “What is this Tre’?”

“A transportation device. It is a lengthy journey to the Overseer’s chamber, this device will transport us there and allow you to reserve your strength for the remainder of the tour.” The device glides forward.

The Commander examines the floating disc as it moves down the long and winding corridor. There is something in the design of the device that reminds her of a leaf.

She witnesses the strange Colony technology stationed at different intervals on the walls, ceiling and floor as she rides the leaf disk transport. The corridor seems to be made of natural elements but is contrasted by the fabricated metal pieces.

Further down the corridor she sees a being moving about. It is huge and is traveling their direction. It is a giant. The being is three times the height of an adult Shi’ann. The shape of the body is insect-like. It is covered with hairless skin. Its skin tone is light gray or white and appears slightly translucent. The skin mildly reflects the colors of its surroundings, chameleon like.

The lower part of the body is long and horizontal, and is twice the length of a Shi’ann’s height. It is supported by six jointed limbs, three on each side. It has a long tail covered in the same gray skin. The tail curls in a forward roll and is held above the body in scorpion prose.

The upper vertical torso features three limbs on either side as well. The lower set is much longer than the other limbs and seems to perform the chief functions of an arm and hand. Each limb ends with three claw like appendages. The claws on the upper limbs are reminiscent of human fingers.

The head of the being is its most alien feature. It sets atop the thin upper body and appears to be a small bump or knot. The head would contain no significant features were it not for the eyes. Two large round dark orbs are placed side by side. The material of the eyes appears murky black with specks of lighter color scattered across each lens. The color specks seem to change tone as they move, the dominant shades being turquoise and emerald. There are no pupils, unless of course the color specks are the pupils.

Samantha wonders how different the being’s vision must be from hers. Upper eye lids occasionally blink revealing the most disturbing feature of all, eye lashes. Though they are not made of hair, the fiber like extensions give the being a sense of intelligence, even compassion.

Directly below the eyes are jagged vertical lines of tissue that seem to vibrate, perhaps to breathe. Even lower on the head are two dark curved mandibles. This mouth type apparatus seem to move at times as if the being is speaking or eating. Samantha considers the creature’s size and hopes that all Colony units are herbivores.

The skin is so transparent in places that dark internal veins are visible. The folds of skin near the limb’s joints display very human-like wrinkles. There are darker patches on the skin scattered across the body. Some appear to be oval shape and some as horizontal lines, all of which seem to be a faded blue color. Are these spots natural blemishes or are they intentional markings, perhaps signifying rank or position?

Samantha watches the being travel down the corridor towards her. She realizes that in spite of its tremendous size, the unit moves quietly and with grace. She struggles to push down the fear that is rising in her chest the closer this giant, grotesque creature moves toward her.

Tre’ senses her fear and says, “The unit will not harm you. No Colony units will harm you. You are our guest. It simply journeys to its next assignment.”

Samantha moves closer to Tre’s position on the floating disk, keeping her eyes on the traveling giant. The disk continues its journey down the corridors moving past other giants who move about and now she understands the high ceilings.

The disk enters a vast chamber filled with bizarre technology. The walls display a mixture of carved rock formations infused with metal structures. Thick cables travel throughout the enormous space. High above in the ceiling, six large metal arms are moving down. Multiple cables are attached to the arms and make their descent with the six identical contraptions.

The Commander watches egg shaped containers descending from high above. They each are attached to long jointed structures which are secured to tracks in the walls. In contrast to the tan color of the chamber and the silver and gray metal components, the egg containers are a creamy pearl color. Samantha thinks they are beautiful. As they descend to her level she can see that each egg is occupied by an enormous being.

The beings are similar to the Colony units she saw in the corridors, except these are much thicker. Their bodies appear plump and engorged. Their limbs are much shorter than the giants in the corridor. It’s obvious to the Commander, these limbs cannot support such massive bodies.

They appear to be stationed upon chairs or perhaps thrones. Their stance is different from the towering beings she saw earlier. These beings seem to be in a reclined position. In spite of their enormous size, their body shape reminds Samantha of the caterpillars of her home world. They are the Overseers.

The beings twelve limbs are attached to the egg container by some type of wires or cables. Yes, cables she decides, though smaller than the ones which run throughout the docking bay. She follows the trail of cables from the egg, to the floor, to the wall and high ceiling. The cables must span the entire vessel. They seem so natural in the way that they spread out, as if they can climb or grow across any surface in any direction.

Each of the six beings turn their gaze toward the Shi’ann Commander. Samantha feels and hears them speak. It is a loud vibrating voice. The voice is many joined into one. Their mandibles click. Rumbles and purrs emit from them, and Tre’ translates “We the Colony welcome the Shi’ann in peace with open arms.”

Immediately Samantha understands the procedures of communicating via a translator, turns to Tre’ and answers, “On behalf of all Shi’ann, I greet the Colony in peace with open arms.” She spreads her arms and performs a slight bow.

Tre’ opens his mouth in answer. The Commander is startled to hear Tre’ speak in the alien language. Though he does not emit the volume of the Overseers voices, he too produces the strange clicks and purrs.

The Overseers speak again. Tre’s translation takes her by surprise. “Your special words we speak to you now. Respect the worth of all.”

They continue, “Peace, to avoid hostility. Unity, to be at one with all. Responsibility for all. To abide and be. To cherish and protect all.” Tre’ adds, “The Colony agrees with the special words of your species.”

“Your version of our sacred words is beautiful. You have bestowed a great honor upon us.” The Commander says to Tre’ and he translates.

“Yours is a species of advanced characteristics. We have learned much of you since your first vocal message.” The Overseers continue their multi-voiced communication. “You have a connection to the speaker of the first vocal message. It is proper that you are the first Shi’ann to meet the Colony in presence.”

How can they know that the first spoken message was from her grandfather? “You are correct Overseers, but how can you know such a thing?” She ask.

“We know. Now remember.”

Tre’ speaks in her language, “The Overseers wish you to hear a message from long ago.”

The message starts. The sound of a Shi’ann voice emits from somewhere in the room. Samantha is shocked to hear the voice of her grandfather speak so clear and precise. Her emotions are bare and her eyes become misty. Tre’ looks at her in concern. She grimaces a smile to hide her sadness. She misses her Gransam so much.

Though she has heard this recording many times before, this time it is a profound experience. Her grandfather has already joined the Ones Before, and she is so far from home. She is fulfilling his lifelong dream of first contact.

“We have received and welcome your communications. It is enlightening to know that our voice is not the only one in the universe.” The recording of Sam Smith says.

“We are a society of peaceful beings who dwell on the third planet in our star system.

“Our species has gazed at the cosmos in wonder throughout our history. We have wondered if we were alone in the universe. Your communication has answered our wonder.

“We wish to continue this dialog. We aspire to better understand your messages.

“Plans to construct a space vessel have begun. A craft that will reach beyond our star system. We plan for a future in which our two species may meet.

“It is evident from your messages that you have encountered an ancient craft that was launched from our world by a previous society. In examination of that craft we trust that you have discovered something worthy of our world and species.

“We convey our respect and gratitude for your contact and look forward to a future meeting with you. We hope to someday meet as friends. We welcome you in peace with open arms.

“I close this message with our own Sacred Words. These words were bestowed upon us by our ancestors. These words guide our society and they are our invitation to you.

“Respect all things, for everything has worth, show honor to the people, the earth, and the universe.

“Peace is freedom from war and violence and strife. Peace is in the blood that flows through our veins. We continue to live because of this peace.

“Unity, because we all are one, we stand together to progress the path of the people.

“Responsibility, for all must be accountable to the existence of all, the people, the earth, the universe.

“To live is to sustain, learn, enjoy, grow, advance, in harmony with all, the people, the earth, the universe.

“Love is to be mindful and have compassion and affection for all, the people, the earth, the universe.”

The recording ends and the Commander bows her head partly in respect to Sam Smith, and partly because she needs to regain her composure. Strong emotions have grabbed her heart. She looks up at the Overseers, “Thank you for playing that message. Those words have always been important to me.”

The Overseers begin speaking of Sam Smith’s message. The tone inflections of this message revealed more than the signals sent by previous responses. The inflections of the Third’s voice are understood by the Colony. This being was communicating peace. Samantha beams with pride and wishes she could tell her Gransam how the Others speak of him with such respect.

Samantha shares her report to the crew of her tour of the Colony’s vessel. All are intrigued with her description of the massive Colony units that she encountered. She tells them of the Overseers, describing the strange sounding language of their host. Zaque interrupts several times asking, “And when will we be allowed a tour?”

“Tre’ stated in a few rotations.” The Commander answers several times. “He spoke of environmental adjustments to the areas we will tour.”

Regnoh ask, “So even though they share a collective consciousness, they do possess a vocal language? Remarkable!”

“I hope to learn more of their technology. Those vessels...,” Pleytus points to the docked space crafts that stand in the docking bay, “...they seem very different from the other constructions of this room. They seem to be crafted using an entirely different technology. It’s puzzling.”

“I’m sure you will have your chance. We have several weeks before we head home.” Everyone feels hope from the Commander’s words. They will be going home.

Velmana says, “While you were on your tour, I used a bio-scanner on the walls, floor and cables in the docking bay. They all contain life force patterns, I think this vessel may be alive. I think we may be inside a living organism.”

Velmana continues, “The LFPs that I scanned match other samples that were shared with us by our host. This ship contains bio-matter identical to the Colony’s life force pattern.”

Regnoh ask “Is the vessel the Colony? Are the giant insect units the Colony? Are they both together the Colony?”

“They are a marvelous species, are they not?” Pleytus ask.