Life on Mark II

Commanders and Apprentices

Chapter 11

Commanders and Apprentices.

The group was now entering a clearing in the rosy field. Coming in pairs from every direction were the Commanders and what they could only assume were the apprentices. They were all wearing a bracelet woven from a blue, vine like plant. It wrapped all the way up the arms of the Commanders and up the forearms of the apprentices. As the fifth of the duos arrived one came behind, alone holding a blue vine. This was presumably for Commander Meena. The hour was ticking down the last seconds. All the Commanders with their apprentices were there on time and arranged in a semi-circle facing Commander Meena. 

"I have gathered the Commanders here today to spread the news to your groups about our newcomers." Began Commander Meena. "I will clear up any questions you have to ask and maybe even ones that you don't ask. With that what is the first question?" 

A tall boy with close cropped blond hair raised his hand without hesitation. "I would like to know this: Did they bring the information that the director told us they would?" 

"No, they seem to be completely in the dark about the information, Johnathan." Meena replied "However the possibility that they have the information but it was just concealed as something else is still valid and should not be discounted." 

The boy next to Johnathan raised his hand. He had an armband marking him as an apprentice. He was shorter than his superior but he was had a muscular build.

"Yes Anthony." 

"Were they told about us being here?" He asked.

"Judging by their reaction when they saw me I assume that they were also ignorant to this fact as well." Meena answered but turned to Commander Angel. "Is this correct?"

"It is actually, we were not informed in any of our briefing about the planet about another group of humans being sent to research Mark II." Commander Angel replied. 

"Well you've heard it straight from the camoswirl's mouth" Commander Meena said with finality, signalling that there would be no further discussion needed on this topic. 

While this was going on a light started to glow from under their feet as the sun set completely. Many of the Extra Earth group dropped to the ground and scooped up some of the luminous red sand and putting them in test tubes which were sealed with a cork.

The inhabitants seemed to be oblivious to the phenomenon, perhaps they had seen it so often that they were no longer impressed with the gleaming ground. 

The next person to raise their hand was another apprentice. The girl had long curly brown hair tied back with a woven pink yarn that looked like it was made from the field grass. "Will they be living in our settlement?" She inquired. 

"No." This was not from Commander Meena but from Commander Halin. 

Those in her group were instantly looking nervously at her. If cooperation was the goal between the two groups then Commander Halin wouldn't be the best candidate to speak for them. Some were even considering trying to approach her before she insulted the Commanders but she had already talking again. "We have our own place to live and do our own research. We don't want to crowd this place up unnecessarily." Her speech left her group astonished. They had never seen this side of her. It was all they could do not to let their jaws hit the ground. 

She wasn't finished yet though "We have our own resources and were sent here to research and survive on our own. This is true for your expedition as well is it not?" 

At this the Commanders and apprentices nodded.

She went on "Not to say that establishing trade and communication shouldn't happen, it's just that we should probably get to the same level of development before that happens so we can prioritize." 

Commander Meena nodded and smiled. Although Commander Halin's group didn't completely believe the sophisticated speech of comradery and cooperation, the original Mark II inhabitants were very much convinced that this was an official offering of support and cooperation. 

An unspoken agreement passed through the council of officials and they said that the offer would be accepted. Commander Meena dispersed the group to spread the news to their groups. 

The visitors began to file out of the settlement towards their camp. The fact that it was now night hit them as soon as they left the glowing field. They were now in the dark. The specimens they collected, even though the were small. Were bright enough to act as lanterns to guide their way. 

Although they were tired, the fascination with the reason for the luminous properties of the soil kept them awake and alert with creating hypothesis. By the time they got back they were practically bouncing around with happiness and speculation. 

The next day, a few people stayed in the labs, instead of going out, to study the shining soil and a few hours later it was said that it got its properties by the special way the pink grass absorbed the water. This discovery was added to the list of research topics on a big board that, were they ever bored, could be reevaluated. 

After the excitement they continued with their normal schedules and the discoveries were always refreshing. There were different metals, woods, even gasses found in the atmosphere that brought more questions to be answered by the eager and willing scientists. The communications with Mark I were steady and filled with new information. 

Many thought they would continue like this for the foreseeable future. 

They didn't know how wrong they were.