Astray Among The Stars

Chapter 19: Times of Change Pt. II

Solar Date: Wednesday, December 20, 2197
Mission: Day 1536

Commander Marlin's Log.
We have arrived at our next stop: Temilis V. We made enough money and supplies to last us through the nebula. Due to the tensions building up on the ship, Zarra and I have granted extended shore leave on Temilis V. We will stay for about two days, enough for her and I to set up decorations. I hope this will be the best Christmas for the kids.

The captain paced in front of the whole crew gathered in the cargo bay. She smiled as her eyes scanned the small crowd. "It's nice to see everyone here. Our next stop is Temilis Five. It's a sparsely populated ice planet. . . . Now, since it's close to the holidays, you will all have extended shore leave."

Most of the small crowd smiled.

"You don't have to go, but if you stay for a while, you can help out decorating. Any volunteers?"

* * *

Prill raised an eyebrow. "You Terrans are quite strange. Why do you decorate a tree in the middle of the mess hall?"

Roger smirked, placing an ornament. "It's a traditional holiday."

"What religion is it?"

"Many. Greeks, and Romans, Norse, Christians, pagans, just a mix of basically everything."

"What does the tree represent? Is it for the god Jimna?"

Roger turned, raising an eyebrow. "Jim who?"

"Have I never told you about Nevran religion?"

"No, you haven't. Who is he anyways?"

"Jimna is the god of nature."

Roger shrugged. "Makes sense."

"You said this Christmas is a mix of religions. What parts?"

"Well the day is based on the birth of a Roman god or something like that with the time of winter solstice, then the tree is a pagan tradition supposed to honor Thor, the Norse god of thunder. The day is supposed to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, which is a monotheistic religion called Christianity."

"Is that your religion?"

"Yes, but honestly I'm not by the book like my Armenian mother. I find the Bible, which is our holy book, more metaphoric than literal."

"What god do you worship? Is this Jesus a god?"

"Um. . . I worship God, the creator of the universe. Jesus was his son, so yes, he is, in a way, a god, but actually no. Jesus was more of a Messiah sent to save humanity from sin."

"So you worship Jah, but not his son. . . interesting. I worship Jah, along with other gods, as all Nevrans do."

"What's your religion like?"

"Nevranism has a pantheon of gods and goddesses. Before them were ten giants, primordial deities who ruled after Jah created the universe, but they fought for power and were overthrown by their children, five of which were most powerful. There are fifteen on the council of gods."

"Kal," Prill continued, "rules the skies and stars, god of the sky, wind, and weather. His brothers are Popo and Amanis. Popo rules the seas, god of tides, storms, rivers, snow, and ice. Amanis rules over the underworld, god of death, pain, emotion, chaos, and destruction. Their sisters are Yeka, the goddess of fire, music, hunger, and feast, and Tel, goddess of hunt, rivalry, and competition. Those five came from the king of giants, Holvar and his queen, Fevna."

Prill grabbed another handful of ornaments, placing them on the tree. "The great five have cousins who are also gods. There is Revan, god of war, strategy, knowledge, and balance, Koppa, goddess of harvest, beauty, and fertility, Gia, goddess of deception, hate, and evil, Hem, god of craft, creativity, magic, and inspiration, Luka, goddess of messages, boundaries, time, and travel, Jimna, god of nature, life, ground, and fauna. Then there are the peaceful giants, Wyn and Thron. Wyn is the giantess of love, hope, desire, and sex. Her husband Thron is the giant of the suns, light, chance, and fate. They are the parents of Hem, Luka, Jimna, Gia, Koppa, and Revan. Ferra is the wife of Revan, and ascended to godhood following her mortal death. She is goddess of science, math, and engineering. Their son, Sinkad, is god of innovation and tradition."