Fragments 1: Devolution Landing

Welcome to the Clan

The team were sitting by the main tent when the sun set. They sat in their fold-up chairs and watched the now familiar but still awesome sight. The distant clouds caught the last rays of light as the golden glow spread along the horizon.

"That's it," declared Doctor Moorfier glancing at her watch. The treaty should have been signed by now. The Rymerian Republic is on its own."

"And we're all Federation Citizens," said Elveren raising her steaming mug as a toast. "At least, I think we are... What about you, Marcus?"

"I have an application form for a Sirian passport," he replied thoughtfully. "But Sirius doesn't exist anymore — so I guess I'm back to being illegal again."

The team had tried desperately during the afternoon to get a message back home, but it had been hopeless. They had also tried to arrange for another flitter to come out and get them, but the planet was rapidly descending into chaos as the last few outsiders scrambled to get away and the local Rymerians prepared for war. It had soon become impossible to contact anyone since the airwaves were filled with static and interference.  

Perracheck was sure that his emergency transmitter was still working but he couldn't guarantee that there would be a response. There was little they could do now but wait.

Professor Androbos and Doctor Moorfier said their goodnights and headed off for their respective tents. Marcus, Ran and Elveren sat up, watching the stars.

"So you're not an Archeologist then?" Elveren asked.

"Nope," responded Perracheck. "But I did do a unit on ancient history back at school. I could probably remember some of it if I tried hard enough."

Now that his cover was blown, the young man seemed to feel that the need for secrecy was over. He had been quite open about his mission and the others still thought of him as part of the team. They were all in the same boat now of course.

"What are you then, if you're not what you said you were?"

"Special forces," he replied. "It's not as exciting as it sounds, but I have been around a bit. Mainly reconnaissance or hostage rescue."

"Sounds a bit too exciting for my liking", she said smiling.

"Look!" whispered Marcus pointing to a shadowy figure.

The old woman was padding gently across the camp site. She was placing her bare feet carefully on the broken soil as she passed silently between the tents. The team watched her approach the tent and stand before them. She looked small but her head was held upright in a regal way.

"This is the chief elder of the people in this area," whispered Marcus as he stood solemnly. "We are very honoured to be visited like this."

The others followed his lead and stood up with their heads slightly raised.

The old woman was chanting, much as she had done during their encounter earlier in the day. She then took a necklace of beads which had been hanging from her belt and lifted them solemnly over Elveren's head. She lowered the necklace carefully and continued chanting while she ran the beads through her fingers, lifting each one so that Elveren could see.

When she had finished doing this she stepped back and seemed to be waiting for a response.

"She wants you to say something," whispered Marcus.

"I don't speak... Dorian."

"The language is usually called Dorin," Marcus corrected before launching into a short speech in the local language.

The old woman nodded sagely.

"Just say something," he said quietly.

"Thank you," said Elveren sincerely as she looked the woman in eyes. "Thank you very much. I have absolutely no idea what you just said, what you have just given me, or what any of this means, but thank you very much. Really."

The old woman seemed to accept this and nodded slowly before turning and walking from the camp. In seconds she had disappeared into the night.

"What just happened?" asked Perracheck as they allowed themselves to breathe again.

Marcus was inspecting the necklace carefully.

"This is really quite something..." he said in a tone of wonder. “I think she made it for you. It tells the story of your time here in symbols that, I am really afraid, I cannot yet understand. What an incredible gift!"

"Why me?" Elveren asked. "Why did she give it to me? Is it some big matriarchy thing?"

Marcus laughed.

"No, not at all. Remember that I said they probably came from Sirius? Well, I told her about my idea earlier and said that you came from their... heavenly home. She was just acknowledging your common ancestry, I think. It was... a way of welcoming you into the tribe. You're one of the true people now, or so she said..."

"Wow..." Elveren sighed as she held it carefully in her fingers.

"These people came from Sirius?" asked Perracheck.

"Almost certainly," Marcus replied. "I've got enough data now to prove..."

He paused and looked extremely thoughtful as if an idea had suddenly entered his head.

"I think I know how to stop the war..."

Eleveren and Perracheck stared at him.

"How?"

"I'm going to write that paper... Mister Perracheck, would it be possible to send a document using your emergency radio?"

"Er, yes... I think so..."

"Good," Marcus replied. "Keep it ready, I may have something for you very soon..."

He turned and marched off to his tent, leaving the two others to look at each other in bewilderment.