By Chaz Osburn
B’Nith Mallow, prime assistant of the star cruiser Kinst, was irritated. Everyone on the command deck was aware. Everyone, that is, except for Zarton, the Kinst’s highest ranking officer. He was too busy studying the object on the viewscreen.
“Mr. Mallowwwwwwwwww,” Zarton called out. “Are we in range for lock-on?”
“Commander, must we?” Mallow replied. He could not understand why Zarton was so fascinated with the strange hulk ahead.
“Oh yes, we must Mr. Mallow,” he said, a smile forming on his upper set of lips. “We must indeed for that, Mr. Mallow, is an Earth vessel. It has been some time since one has ventured this far out.”
“Very good sir,” said Mallow, turning so that no one could see him close nine of his eleven eyes to signal his frustration. “Navigator, slow to match speed. Prepare for lock-on.”
“Fine,” said the commander, clapping. “I have been so looking forward to this. Now, I must change. You’re in command, Mr. Mallow.”
Mallow saluted as Zarton disappeared into the transport tube.
How in Getz’s name did he get this assignment? Mallow wondered.
Getz — or any other deities in the Kah Quadrant — had nothing to do with it, the Master Computer signalled telepathically, which is how all Quadrant computers communicate. You know how — he earned it. There is no finer commander in the fleet.
Yes, I know, Mallow agreed. But why is he so damn fascinated with the humans? They’re barbarians.
Perhaps you should ask him.
Just then Zarton stepped back out of the transport tube. As he did the navigator announced, “Locked.”
“Very good,” said Zarton, reaching out to place a tentacle on Mallow’s middle shoulder. “Prime assistant, accompany me.”
The two officers entered the transport tube and, seconds later, emerged on Deck 11.
“Commander,” said Mallow, “I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but why are you wearing… whatever that is you have on?”
Zarton smiled. “This, Mr. Mallow, is what the humans call a spacesuit. Humans wear these to protect their bodies from the vacuum of space. They are not like us.”
“And why do you dress like a human, sir?”
“Mr. Mallow, do you know what the object is that we have locked onto?”
Mallow shook his head — the one on the left side of his body. “I searched the science library but it contains no records,” he said.
As he put on his space helmet, Zarton said, “You won’t find it in the science library. I checked. No, I identified it through the Earth transmissions database. Mr. Mallow, the object is what is known as a Tesla.”
“A Tesla?”
“A personal transportation device — ground transportation — which is powered by lithium-ion batteries.”
Mallow’s jaw dropped. The one on his middle head.
“That is impossible. Such a vehicle is incapable of escaping the gravitational pull of Earth. I believe the lithium-ion powerpack alone would have to be the size of Nex, which is approximately 149.6th the size of Earth’s moon.”
“The Tesla did not arrive here on its own power. The humans used it as a dummy payload for a new rocket. It was prepared for what they call a publicity stunt.”
“Why?”
“To bring attention to the launch and what is ahead. The humans are going to use the rocket to shuttle themselves to and from the fourth planet in the system. Eventually they will launch a ship with a planetary descent vehicle.”
The four eyes on Mallow’s middle face widened.
“I was surprised too, Mr. Mallow. So, I informed the Kah Council. And the equations do not lie.”
“Equations, sir?”
“The Council’s equations on species development, which you know have never been incorrect. They indicate that the humans are within 61.4 of their years away from inhabiting a planet outside their solar system. Then, Mr. Mallow, can you guess what will happen?”
“If they follow what other species have done, the one planet will give way to another. Then another and another and…”
Zarton nodded. “Exactly. The Council’s estimate is that within 34 of our time sweeps humans will develop interstellar drive technology. Then it is only a matter of time before they make contact with us or another species in the Kah Quadrant.”
Mallow heard himself swallow. “Do you really think the humans will achieve this, sir?”
“The Council has directed me to ensure that they do,” Zarton replied. “I am to provide a catalyst. Which is why I wear this suit.”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“In a moment I plan to position myself in the empty seat of the Tesla, next to the dummy human known as Starman who is dressed like me. Then I will reactivate the image transmission devices that were placed onboard, devices which have not functioned since shortly after the launch. Imagine the humans’ surprise when, for just a brief few moments, they suddenly receive a transmission…”
“Showing two figures rather than one!” Mallow exclaimed, finishing the commander’s sentence. “They will be befuddled.”
“Exactly. The Council’s studies have shown that humans love a mystery. It is what drives them forward. It has what will bring them to the stars. The equations show the humans will try to answer the mystery I am about to present.”
Reaching the chamber to the exterior, Zarton halted. Just before he pressed the button to open the door, he said, “Perhaps you would like to join me in my quarters to view the Earth transmissions after I return?”
Mallow saluted and said, “It would be an honour, sir.”
“Good,” said Zarton, closing the door.
Mallow turned and began to make his way to the transport tube to return to his station. He realised that the anxiety he had experienced earlier had dissipated — now that he clearly understood Zarton’s motive.
I told you it would be best if you spoke with the commander, he heard the Master Computer say.
“Yes, you did,” Mallow said aloud. “Yes, you did.”
About the Author
The author of two novels, Chaz Osburn is a dual Canadian-US citizen with a background in the newspaper and magazine business and in PR.
His short stories have been published in several print and online publications including Amazing Stories, Sci-Fi Shorts, Alternative Liberties, Every Day Fiction and Altered Reality.
He currently resides in Traverse City, MI.
My time at Nambucca Valley Community Radio began back in 2016 after moving into the area from Sydney.
Emma Louise Gill (she/her) is a British-Australian spec fic writer and consumer of vast amounts of coffee. Brought up on a diet of English lit, she rebelled and now spends her time writing explosive space opera and other fantastical things in
Barry Yedvobnick is a recently retired Biology Professor. He performed molecular biology and genetic research, and taught, at Emory University in Atlanta for 34 years. He is new to fiction writing, and enjoys taking real science a step or two beyond its known boundaries in his
Ed lives with his wife plus a magical assortment of native animals in tropical North Queensland.
Merri Andrew writes poetry and short fiction, some of which has appeared in Cordite, Be:longing, Baby Teeth and Islet, among other places.
Geraldine Borella writes fiction for children, young adults and adults. Her work has been published by Deadset Press, IFWG Publishing, Wombat Books/Rhiza Edge, AHWA/Midnight Echo, Antipodean SF, Shacklebound Books, Black Ink Fiction, Paramour Ink Fiction, House of Loki and Raven & Drake
Sarah Jane Justice is an Adelaide-based fiction writer, poet, musician and spoken word artist.
Brian Biswas lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Alistair Lloyd is a Melbourne based writer and narrator who has been consuming good quality science fiction and fantasy most of his life.
James Walton was a librarian, a farm labourer, and mostly a public sector union official.
Tara Campbell is an award-winning writer, teacher, Kimbilio Fellow, fiction co-editor at Barrelhouse, and graduate of American University's MFA in Creative Writing.
Mark is an astrophysicist and space scientist who worked on the Cassini/Huygens mission to Saturn. Following this he worked in computer consultancy, engineering, and high energy research (with a stint at the JET Fusion Torus).
