Текст книги "In the shadow of the stolen light"

Lora had seen the Gates of Life before, but now she was interested to know what Derek would say about the policy of the Lactian Health Ministry. The earthling didn’t make her wait long to satisfy her curiosity.

“It’s pure genocide…” he whispered quietly when they went back to the shuttle and were getting ready to travel back to Titanium. “Who gave them the right to decide who to be healthy and who to die of illnesses?”

“What are you talking about?” the girl glanced at him in surprise. “Every Lactian had and still has a choice. No one stays on their way to salvation, no one kills them! And you’re calling it genocide?!

“But, in fact, their government took the life of millions of their compatriots in order to create a more perfect race! The old humaneness turned out to be a relic of the past, an obstacle on the way to preserve the Lactian civilization!”

Lora shook her head. Her disagreement with Derek’s words was obvious.

“You are justifying their actions?” He asked, in disbelief.

“I don’t see anything that needs justification,” she answered. “Moreover, Andre Mendes’s philosophy is very similar to that of the Lactians.”

The young man raised his eyebrows in amazement.

“When our founder revealed his knowledge to the people of Earth,” Lora started explaining, “Many came to him to learn. But his teaching was useful only to those who were ready to change, to rethink their lives and only through self-knowledge and forgiveness to gain strength, wisdom and health. Not everyone was ready for such a strenuous task. Not everybody wanted to spend time on a spiritual quest. The majority just wished to get to the final result, overlooking the very way the Lactian representative was talking about.”

“But some simply might not have had enough strength!” said Derek indignantly.

“If someone does not have enough strength to fight for his own life, why should others rush to save them?”

“Because people should help each other!”

“Help was never denied to them: Andre’s knowledge was, and remains to be, accessible to everyone – the Gates of Life as well.”

The young man sighed deeply.

“How can your ideas be so rational and simultaneously so contradicting with everything I believe in? All this philosophy is totally void of any compassion!”

“It’s not true,” answered Lora calmly. “Compassion and help are not foreign to our society. However, any conscious living being must take responsibility for his life.”

It took more than a month for the ‘Solar Flotilla’ to settle on Vistana’s orbit. Lora and her friends patiently waited for the Council’s affairs to go back to normal and asked for a meeting.

Soft dim sunset lighting in the councillor’s office didn’t prevent Lora from feeling fresh as if it were early morning.

“The Council is meeting tomorrow at eleven,” Jean sat in an armchair and looked intently at the girl opposite to him, “We’ll consider your suggestion, but you must be ready to provide strong arguments in its favour. The distance to Earth is quite long; moreover, the lack of information about the current events there doesn’t guarantee the safety of such an expedition.”

“I’ll get ready for the meeting. I don’t think the Council will be against Derek and Paul being there? Our guest has his own reasons…”

“… And the shuttle captain will tell us about the technical details of a possible expedition,” the councillor finished her thought.

“That’s right.”

“You’re already quite well prepared! Alright, let’s see what the Council will say.”

Excited with the appointment, Lora immediately headed for Paul’s apartment. When she went inside, she saw him working on the holographic interface of the central computer. Derek was holding a thin transparent tablet displaying data from the archives.

“How did it go?” asked Lora. Both men simultaneously took their eyes off their work.

“I’m almost done with the calculations,” answered Paul.

“And I got to learn about the history of the ‘Solar Flotilla’ voyages in more detail,” added Derek. “Any news from the Council?”

“Tomorrow at eleven we’ll have an opportunity to present all our arguments to them. We’re all going to attend the meeting, no exceptions.”

“That’s great!” replied the earthling. The news seemed to give him somewhat of an energy boost. He briskly stood up from his seat. “I completely forgot that I have to make it to Doctor Borshchevsky on time.”

“Let’s get together in the canteen an hour before the meeting,” suggested Paul. “And discuss the details.”

Derek nodded in agreement. He was already at the door when he turned and added with unconcealed gratitude.

“Thank you for agreeing to help me.”

In the morning, before the Council meeting, Lora put on her trainers and set off to the viewpoint as had been a custom of hers for many years. It was almost a ritual to go jogging down the endless dark circle for an hour, throwing away every single thought and listening only to her breathing and the rhythm of her body. But today she didn’t run. Instead she sat down on the cool floor right at the glass window and probably for the first time looked at the empty space overboard: not simply with a belief that a new home was awaiting them somewhere, but with a hope that this home may be Earth.

“Paul told me I would find you here,” a quiet male voice distracted her from her thoughts. She looked around. Derek was behind her.

“I come here every morning for a jog,” explained the girl.

“He said that you always come out in this sector. Any particular reason?”

“The least number of ships approach the transport terminal in this place because there are repair docks under us,” answered Lora.

“I was lucky that you didn’t run far away from the teleport cabin,” grinned the young man, “I had no idea that you’re so keen on exercise.”

“It’s more of a meditation than exercise,” shrugged the girl.

“Sitting in such a position it certainly looks like it,” smiled Derek, “Can I join you?”

He sat next to her and crossed his legs, looking at a rather monotonous landscape outside.

“I don’t know how to meditate. But, I’m sure I’ll easily fall asleep after five minutes if not earlier.”

“You can suggest to Doctor Borshchevsky this new cure from insomnia,” joked Lora.

“I thought you don’t suffer from it.”

“Titanium citizens almost never get ill. However, acclimatization after visiting other planets is not always smooth. How come you’ve been looking for me? Didn’t we agree to meet at the canteen?”

“Captain Stones will be there, so I won’t be able to talk to you alone.”

The girl raised a questioning look at him.

“It’s just that I don’t think that he really approves of the whole expedition idea,” explained Derek.

“Paul and I have known each other since we were kids and I have no reason to doubt him.”

“Are you sure he won’t let us down by setting the Council against a possible expedition?”

“I can’t even think of that. Paul promised to help and that’s what he’s going to do.”

“I’m sorry if my distrust in him has upset you. You and Paul have more in common and understand each other better.”

“Mutual understanding is one of the foundations of our society. But it can be achieved; not because of the closeness of some people, but thanks to the realization of the unity of the human nature.”

“Sounds a bit pompous,” grinned Derek, “Remembering Earth, I can’t help finding more and more differences between us and this comparison is clearly not in my favour.”

“Now you are making the same mistake as our ancestors made many years ago.”

“What mistake?”

“You compare instead of just accepting things as they are.”

“I don’t follow…”

“It’ll take time and will to understand. I think you have both,” smiled the girl, “Let’s go now, I need to change. Let’s meet at the canteen.”

“Good morning!” Paul smiled and folded his hands in a welcoming gesture. “I’m already finishing my coffee. Where were you? Jogging?”

“Yes.”

The captain nodded.

“And where is Derek?”

“Is he not here yet?” asked the girl ordering breakfast, surprised.

“Here I am!” the earthling’s voice made the friends turn around.

“Good morning,” said Paul politely, “Are you going to have breakfast?”

“Just coffee,” Derek sat next to the girl and poured a cup of the hot drink for himself. It was more than two months since the earthling had regained consciousness in Titanium Central hospital and his body had almost fully recovered. But he was still wearing the protective glasses concealing his eyes from everybody around. “What’s with the calculations?”

“I̓ve done everything,” Captain Stones looked at the young man opposite to him. “Unfortunately, only the five satellite-ships are equipped with the most advanced engines. The rest of the space ships still fly relatively slowly. I mean slowly for such a long journey.”

“Haven’t they been upgraded?” asked again Derek.

“They will be, eventually, but till now there has been no such need. They are currently equipped with the hyper-engines of the previous generation. These small ships travel quite short distances delivering freights and carrying out reconnaissance missions.”

“So how long will it take to travel to Earth?”

“About a month and a half, as long as we travel in hyperspace all this time and leave it only to recharge.”

“One Lactian year is around twenty-seven Earth months. We’ve got a considerable time margin,” noted Lora.

“I agree. But only on the condition that nothing will delay us on the way. The transport I suggest to use for this expedition has never travelled such distances on its own. I’ve made a route along five stars that will provide us with enough energy; but, besides that, we’ll have to take into account the system wear. It’s possible that the nano-programme will require additional stops for system recovery…” Paul looked at the girl and the earthling in turn watching their reaction, “I warned you that the expedition goes through half a galaxy…”

“Can we minimize the risks somehow?” asked Derek.

“That’s why the calculations have been made. The plan I’m suggesting is the best. After the launch of the ‘Alpha’ leader to Earth of course!”

“We’ll suggest to the Council to use the ship you have talked about,” confidently said Lora, “And, furthermore, your judgement will be completely relied on in the expedition technical equipment issues.”

The earthling nodded in affirmation of her words.

The bright dome of the blue sky, light clouds gilded slightly by the rays of the rising sun, and a light breeze carrying the fresh scent of wild flowers and herbs – that morning the atmosphere within the ‘Unity’ hall walls was a personification of the tranquillity and serenity of the earthly nature.

“Lora, Paul! Good morning!”

The girl and her companions turned around. Jean entered the hall after them and smiled warmly at the young people.

“Good morning.”

They exchanged welcoming gestures, and Lora looked at the earthling.

“Councillor, I believe you’ve already met Derek?”

“Yes,” Jean smiled, shaking hands with the earthling, “I’m glad you’ve joined us.”

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Derek nodded thankfully in response.

The young people took a seat at the large round table together with the councillors. After a short greeting, Lora informed the people present at the meeting about the purpose of the expedition to Earth. She tried to speak calmly and confidently, but her words were more full of emotion than facts and logic.

“The IT department have not found the necessary information in the memory unit of the rescue capsule,” explained the girl, “But they believe that the possibility of an accidental coincidence of the trajectories of the Earth transport and our fleet is really low, less than five per cent. They have even calculated the meeting point of the ships.”

“It’s mentioned in the report,” noted Andrey Volkhontsev, “According to the received data, an assumption that the earthlings wanted to reach us in this way seems quite credible. However, since they were able to follow our trajectory with such precision and calculate the meeting point, it means that they had to be aware that a lot of time would pass before we get their message and they would have to wait a long time for help. In the case of an epidemic, their expedition was absolutely useless.”

“Without Derek’s memories, it’s difficult to estimate the necessity of your trip to Earth and the consequences it can bring,” added John Simps, “What can you say about it?”

“May I?” the earthling rose up and, on receiving a silent agreement of the gathering, began talking, “You’re right about my memory. No matter how much I try I can’t find answers to many questions. Doctor Borshchevsky doesn’t know exactly how much time my recovery may take. It could possibly take months or even years. Meanwhile, ‘Solar Flotilla’ is moving quickly away from Earth. Our stop at the Vistana orbit is probably the only chance to organize a journey like that.”

Some members of the Council nodded in agreement.

“Derek,” Maria Fernandes addressed him, “I think it’s a good time to tell you on behalf of all the ‘Solar Flotilla’ citizens that the Council offers you to stay on Titanium as a full member of our society.”

The young man was rather taken aback; it was obvious that he hadn’t expected anything like that.

“You do realize,” she continued, “that your transport left Earth more than two hundred years ago, which means people who you used to know and love are no longer alive. Meanwhile, you’ve got new friends who are ready to help and support you,” she looked at Paul and Lora, “Aren’t I right?”

“Yes, you are.”

“Then you probably have one less reason to return?”

“I’m grateful to your people for my rescue and for the world you have opened for me,” he smiled to the girl next to him, “Nevertheless, it’s still important to learn what happened to me in the past and why I was sent on that journey. What if they needed and possibly still need help? I have to find out.”

“Well, your reasons are quite clear,” nodded Bella Groster in agreement.

“As for the technical side of the mission. You’re planning to travel to Earth and back to the Vistana’s orbit before our fleet leaves,” summarised Lui Anderson, a talented strategist and diplomat, “And what are your options in the case of an emergency, a ship breakage? The distance to Earth is great, and even a message can take several days to travel in one direction. How will we be able to help you in a dangerous situation?”

“We realise that risk,” Captain Stones became got engaged in the conversation, “to provide a constant control over the expedition, we’re planning to send you reports every day. It’ll allow you to have a better idea about our travels.”

“However, the transport damage isn’t the only risk,” noted John Simps, “What if people on Earth are still as hostile as before? What if a possible epidemic that happened many years ago isn’t the worst scenario that awaits you?”

“But we take that certain risk every time we come in contact with a new race,” rationally noted Lora, “And quite often we don’t know what to expect.”

“That’s true,” agreed Andrey, “Our reconnaissance missions have a lot of unknown variables.”

“I’ve optimized the expedition programme and can present the details on the holographic interface,” added Paul.

“You’re well prepared,” started Councillor Andersen, examining the hologram that appeared over the table, “Despite the effective optimization, the plan is still too risky. The transport that you suggest using is well-protected but unequipped with arms. I think it would be sensible to install an additional system of active defence. It won’t take much time.”

“I agree,” nodded Jean Preqeaux.

“In case of an emergency, code 3054 can be entered,” added Bella.

“But this code provides for a high efficiency of the rescue operation,” frowned John Simps.

“In this case we can start modifying the hyper-engine of one or two goods and passenger ships right now in order to be able to react faster on a request for assistance.”

“It could be very useful,” nodded Maria.

“So, the Council has several suggestions about the expedition plan that we’d like to discuss,” Jean Preqeaux took out the memory crystal and transferred its data on the holographic interface, “Crochonts were the first civilization that ‘Solar Flotilla’ met on its way. They are a friendly race. Their ocean-planet Antromena is thirty-two light years away from Earth. During our long cooperation we launched three telescopes and several satellites on its orbit. The satellites create a strong energy field and provide protection from the meteorite rains that had wreaked havoc on its inhabitants before. Unfortunately, due to the imperfections of the equipment left there, the distance hasn’t allowed us to contact them for over one hundred years. We’d like to ask you to make a friendly visit to the Crochonts’ planet on the way to Earth. Our technology can enhance their communication system with the cities on the bottom of the ocean and to boost our close relationship with their civilization. At the same time, the data of the telescopes, which are tuned to observing the Solar system among others, could also be very useful for the mission. What do you think about this expansion of your expedition goals?”

“This stop will be important in many ways,” agreed Paul.

“In this case, Captain Stones,” Bela Groster smiled, “You can start recruiting a required number of volunteers. How soon are you planning to set off, taking into account the time for the defence systems modification and the preparation of the crew members?”

“In about seven days,” replied the young man.

“Jean Preqeaux will oversee your mission,” added John Simps, “We hope you all find what you’re looking for.”

The councillors stood up and, folding their hands in front of their chests, said ‘goodbye’. After they had left, Lora glanced away from the empty chairs and looked at Paul and Derek.

“Well, let’s start packing!” she smiled contentedly.

“They agreed so easily…” the earthling was surprised. “I thought it would be much more difficult to persuade them, sheer luck they didn’t forbid it altogether.”

“Forbid it?” asked Paul again.

“Well, yes. Doesn’t the Council have the right to deny their consent? They had many reasons for that. Our arguments comparing the great risks and expenses…”

“No one has the right to restrict another person’s freedom of choice,” answered captain Stones, “Even the Council members.”

“They’ve never had such a goal as to dissuade us,” added Lora, “Why did you think that?”

“It’s my stereotype about authority and people’s management,” stated Derek a bit annoyed.

Lora and Paul looked at each other and then the girl continued calmly.

“The role of the Council at this meeting was to draw our attention to the aspects of the expedition that we could’ve overlooked. To make our choice more rational, to share experience, offer us more possibilities. For example, to offer you to stay here if the only thing that motivated you to return back to Earth was the feeling that you’re a stranger among us.”

“Then why did you have doubts about the results of this meeting?” continued wondering the young man.

“The Council members share wisdom, they don’t impose their opinion, but leave everyone to decide for themselves. They only help us look at the situation from a new angle, through the prism of their experience. Their knowledge could reveal to me things that I hadn’t paid any attention to before, and, consequently, I could change the decision myself,” she replied.

“The Council members and the other citizens have equal rights. We trust our intuition and the intuition of each other. If one of us desires to gain new experience, wishes something with all their heart, then no one will try to stop him,” added the captain.

“You said I need time to understand your philosophy?” Derek looked desperately at Lora.

She only smiled back.

Chapter 7

The expedition preparations were going as scheduled. The engineers enhanced the protective power fields of the ship, attached two manoeuvrable shuttles for landing on the planet in order to prevent the mother ship’s sheathing from being worn while passing through the atmosphere. The space travellers’ active protection was safeguarded by powerful artillery of different shooting range. Now Derek didn’t just watch the experts’ work with interest, but actively participated in the preparations; working hand in hand with the engineers. Like a sponge, he absorbed everything new that he saw or heard, making the people around wonder at his excellent abilities.

“Stan has shown me how the protective energy barrier works,” the earthling paused at the open control panel built in the wall of one of the ship compartments. Lora and he were already leaving the spacecraft after a whole day’s work on the preparations of the mobile lab equipment. The girl stopped next to him peering over his shoulder with curiosity.

“And? Do you find it interesting?”

“Yes, very. I understand a lot. I think I was used to dealing with high technology a lot before; well, maybe not so advanced, but the principle of operation is obvious to me,” he went silent for a while and then continued, “That woman, the Council member, said that I could stay here if there was nothing to keep me on Earth.”

“You can take it or leave it,” Lora felt sad at the thought that Derek might actually decide to stay on Earth.

The young man couldn’t help noticing that.

“Our journey to Earth can change many things,” he eyed the girl closely, “But now I can’t imagine myself being someone else and living somewhere else. And I’d like to stay here.”

Lora flashed a happy smile.

“Really?”

“Really! I just don’t know what to do here…”

“Whatever you find interesting,” she said without hesitation.

“You mean there’s no unemployment here?”

“All citizens of ‘Solar Flotilla’ do what they consider their true destiny. Some become doctors, engineers or pilots, others write music…”

“And some aim to be part of the Council,” added Derek.

“Aim to be part of the Council?”

“Well, regardless of what people might say, authority has certain advantages.”

“I don’t quite understand you,” Lora shook her head.

“On Earth, the politicians had big houses, luxury yachts, loads of money and freedom to reshape the world as they wished. I think many people strived for power in order to obtain these particular privileges.”

“Our councillors have nothing like that. They continue living in the same apartments as before being elected. Their decisions are transparent and they never abuse their power. They much prefer to coordinate all the operations on the ships than control the citizens. You might find my comparison odd, but one can hardly accuse one’s brain that imposes its orders on the heart, the liver and other organs? People don’t possess collective intelligence like the ants, that’s why the Council is so vital for us.”

“That’s utopia.”

“Not at all. People join the Council because they feel it’s their destiny. In reality, not many people are capable of taking responsibility for tens of millions of their compatriots. I think I understood what you meant about the perks of political power. But here we value any job in the same way. That’s the reason people choose a job they really like.”

“So, hasn’t it ever been the case that there were too many pilots among you, but not enough engineers?” hesitantly asked Derek.

Lora shook her head. She suddenly remembered Derek saying at the beginning of this conversation about his intention to stay and how happy she was on hearing that. In such moments she felt their friendship growing stronger. However, this light and pleasant feeling would almost immediately dissipate in an unexpected argument about the differences between their civilizations. Lora dropped her eyes.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, everything’s just fine,” she had never told a lie before; maybe, only as a child. But throughout her adult life she’d never felt the need to hide the truth. Lora was at ease with all her compatriots. Not for a moment did she ever doubt that they’d understand her feelings more or less, but they would. It was totally different with Derek. His world, the one he was slowly recalling in his memory, was a far cry from the one she was used to.

“I feel like you don’t always tell me what you think,” unexpectedly summarized the young man.

“He’s very insightful, I have to give him credit for that,” Lora thought to herself.

“You’re afraid that I won’t understand what really troubles you,” he noted quietly. “Am I right?”

Lora was rather taken aback by his straightforward question. Lie again? Blame it on a headache or indigestion? Excuses like these, no matter how strange they might seem, popped up immediately in her head.

“Exhausted, I see?” Paul suddenly showed up in the hall next to them and Lora breathed a sigh of relief. She was glad of the opportunity to avoid this conversation.

“Working our socks off!” she smiled at her friend. “Derek got completely bogged down in energy fields and quantum physics.”

“I figured it out,” said the captain, “Stan is really excited about him.”

“It’s good to hear that,” admitted the earthling.

“The expedition crew is complete with twenty-four volunteers onboard.”

“Why are they coming with us?” asked Derek, “I mean I understand that they come on their free will, but what is their motive?”

“They’re curious to know what has happened with Earth. Most of them are explorers and archive experts. I think for them this trip is similar to an exploration of alien civilizations.”

“I thought they act out of patriotism,” the earthling suddenly uttered angrily. “We start tomorrow at seven pm. I think I need some rest,” he quickly nodded goodbye and briskly walked out of the ship.

“What’s wrong with him?” watching Derek leave, Paul asked no one in particular. “We have prepared the expedition really quickly, we’re flying to Earth, offering him to stay on Titanium… Why is he still angry?”

“I understand him as much as you do,” sadly stated the girl.

“Are you sure you still want to go on this expedition? You know, it’s never too late to change your mind.”

“I’m sure.”

“Maybe, it’s all about Derek and his wish to go back to Earth?” the young man didn’t give up.

“No, Paul, it’s about me. You remember I’ve always felt kind of homesick about this place that I have never even seen! I really want to know what happened to our planet. Derek only reinforced my desire, gave me an incentive…”

“I believe in you,” Paul put his hand on her shoulder, “We’ll do that. We’ll find out everything.”

“Thank you,” the girl nodded. “I think I’ll take a walk on the viewpoint before going to sleep.”

The young man nodded in agreement.

“See you tomorrow.”

Lora slowly stepped out of the teleport into the cool darkness. The doors slid closed behind her back, leaving her in complete loneliness. From Titanium, the capital planet of the Lactian Empire was in full view, which was on the Vistana high orbit. It was a white and blue sphere very similar to Earth as was pictured in the archives; however, twice as big and only a third covered in water. Lora approached the glass and touched its cool smooth surface with her hand. The domain of their new allies was huge. The Lactians had mastered a multitude of the neighbouring planetary systems and united tens of intelligent races. They were smart, technically advanced and, at the same time, intended to stay in a long fruitful cooperation with the people’s civilization wandering through the galaxy. However, Vistana was not the Lactians’ motherland. More than a thousand years ago the planet, Istana, had been on the verge of an ecological catastrophe. Strong flares on its Sun would have inevitably destroyed all forms of biological life on the planet. Therefore, foreseeing Istana’s sad fate, the ancestors of the presently living Lactians had sent many satellite-spies in search of a new world suitable for their descendants to relocate. Thus, thereafter they came across a planet inhabited by scattered groups of weakly developed humanoids. The Lactians named the planet Vistana, which meant ‘a second home’, and brought its inhabitants technological progress and thriving success. A thousand years of peaceful co-existence was a good example to the voyagers from Earth. But Lora knew that her compatriots would never agree to such a long cooperation, they would never stay on a planet inhabited by any other intelligent form of life.

“I knew I was going to find you here.”

The girl turned around and saw Derek’s bright silhouette illuminated by the light of the planet.

“I thought you had gone to bed,” she noted, “What happened?”

“I want to apologize,” said the young man. He came closer to Lora. “I don’t understand why this is happening. It’s as if I am made up of two different people. One of them is well-known to me and you as Derek. But there’s also somebody else. I don’t remember what had happened to him; however, from time to time I start feeling his violent, almost extreme fury. It’s not specifically addressed to you or Paul. It’s just that this rage suddenly all bursts out. Could it be that this angry man inside me is the real me? What do you think?”

His companion slightly frowned.

“I can’t say what happened to you in the past. But maybe you mistake rage with desperation because of unsuccessful attempts to remember,” she smiled, “Also, I really like you the way you are.”

Derek smiled back. He seemed not to have expected such a frank confession.

“Does this mean that you’ll forgive me?”

“It means that I don’t feel offended, I just don’t fully understand what is happening to you.”

“Neither do I,” he shrugged sadly.

Lora only nodded silently and looked at the planet shining against the darkness. She again felt that something was left unsaid but preferred to change the subject.

“We’ve got a long flight ahead of us. There are stasis capsules installed on the ship. I think the majority of the crew members will prefer to take a nap for this month and a half.”

“Doctor Borshchevsky thinks that I shouldn’t experiment with anabiosis. So I’m planning on spending all this time studying Andre Mendes’ works. Without a guide, of course… But I’ll give it a try.”

“I’ll help you,” the girl turned to her companion. “Do you agree?” and without waiting for his answer she added, “I’m going to sleep now. Good night!”