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“Captain, before you leave, there’s a matter which requires your unique skill set,” Frank said. He and I were alone at his sensor station and had just finished going over a few last-minute details. Only a short while before, the entire crew and I had finishing our last supper together for a while.
“And what would that be, pray tell?” I puzzled.
“You’re the only official who can perform wedding ceremonies and marriage vows.” Compound lights were just coming on. The sunset was a spectacular display of fiery oranges surrendering to soft pastel pinks and mauves. The summer air was balmy and soft.
“I suppose I could delay one more day,” I sighed wistfully.
“We’re already prepared in the field behind the Command Center,” he explained.
“When did all this happen?” I wondered aloud as we began a leisurely stroll through the common room toward the south end of the compound.
“You’ve been busy preparing for the journey. Between making trial runs and working out the finer details with CS, we just felt like we could set this up on our own. All we need is the officiator,” he smiled.
As we made our way, I noticed the grounds were all strangely empty. “Where is everyone?”
When we rounded the edge of the last dome the answer was obvious. At least four hundred of The People were packed into the tiny clearing where we exercised and practiced martial skills. Bodies stood from edge to edge except for a tiny archway of bound saplings festooned with local flowers and ribbons. Everyone was standing; we had no folding chairs.
As I approached the front of the ceremonial area the fragrance of the local flora engulfed my senses. I took a moment to look around the entire compound. It was a marvel how much progress we had made in the short while since our arrival. Frank cleared his throat to bring me back from my daydream and I had another surprise. Sumiko, Sari, Maya, Cheryl, and Bea were all clad in the flowing gowns indigenous to the Minsa.
At first I thought all the female crew was wearing one. Then I spied Mica dressed in her Space Command ceremonial dress. I was reminded with a pleasant shock that she was a Commander by rank. All the male crewmembers were similarly attired in their formal uniforms including their full feathered headgear and rank insignia. On top of all their other accomplishments, many of my crewmembers were also high-ranking commissioned officers in the Space Command Fleet.
The women were arranged in a spray away to my left. The men fanned out to the right. I assumed they were all standing up for Pradip and Sari.
“Friends, shipmates, celebrants, we join here tonight to hear the public pronouncement of marriage vows between Sari Marsool and Pradip Anand,” I began the standardized ceremony. My voice from the sound system echoed off the forest at the edge of the clearing. Several throats were cleared. In pairs, Seamus and Sumiko, Sampson and Maya, Raven and Sherry, and to my great shock, Lars and Bea stepped into the joining circle and clasped hands.
I was flabbergasted but recovered quickly, grinning like a maniac. “Additionally, tonight we celebrate the commitment of man and woman to a future together with four other partners. Seamus McLeod with Sumiko Nagasaki, Sampson Mbube with Maya Delosoro, Raven Chitto with Cheryl Semican, and Lars Iversson with Beatrice McMasters.”
Bea frowned mightily when I used her official name. This was a formal ceremony and called for using the celebrants’ full given names. She would just have to get over it. “Each of these couples have spoken private vows to one another. They will now share their promise to each other publicly.”
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WHEN THE CEREMONY ENDED I realized every Minsan in the compound and field behind the celebrants were swaying in unison and weeping openly. Glimpses of still others celebrating and dancing could be seen vaguely in the tree nests at the field’s edge. As I concluded, the prophets separated from the crowd directly before the ceremonial area and approached the circle.
“We wish to provide each of these couples with a special blessing,” Zhi said.
“As we have continued to develop our power, we have begun to unlock the mysteries of both this planet and the universe,” Meng added.
“As we have been given gifts from the Creator, so do we wish to now bestow upon you our talismans,” Ling continued.
“They will guard your future and your present. We cannot explain in words which would convey the full import of our actions. Still, we would like to join with you and share some of our knowledge.” Jian finished.
Varying looks from surprise and welcome to uncertainty danced across the faces of the assembled couples. Finally, Sari spoke. “Do you intend to make contact with each of us individually or as a group?”
“It would be most conducive if each of us were positioned between each of the couples in a circle,” Zhi explained.
“There are only four of you and five couples,” Pradip observed. “There will be an imbalance.”
“Actually, there are five now,” Ling smiled graciously as she turned and opened her arm toward the crowd. Unnoticed, Jovi had been standing with the four during the ceremony. I hadn’t noticed that she was not in the crew formation. She was wearing one of the traditional Minsan gowns and was barely taller than all of them. She now stepped shyly forward to numerous murmurs of surprise.
“Captain, please don’t be upset,” she pleaded. “I didn’t go looking for this. It happened when I was in the caves with The People. Many were fearful because they all knew something bad was about to happen. They looked to me because I was from the compound and a known associate of the prophets. They’re completely unaccustomed to dealing with any stressful situations. I had no idea what to do so I reached out to my sisters.”
She paused as she glanced at the four, who smiled encouragingly. Drawing herself up, Jovi continued. “They said they had been observing me and that I had the most potential of being one of their adepts. I had to open my consciousness to them in order for them to reach the group I was with. Sort of like a conduit, I guess.”
At this point, her face became radiant and her hair appeared to float away from her skull. She raised her arms out to her sides and turned her palms upward. Yellow light danced across her skin as she appeared to transform into something more. Her eyes blazed with yellow fire and her voice took on a deeper timber.
“I am Huang, the Yellow Dragon of The People. I can sense every one of the Minsa, both here and elsewhere on the planet. They, too, can sense me. I am to fulfill their destiny as it was intended by the Creator to bring peace and understanding to all inhabitants of this planet.” She blazed brilliantly like a small sun for just an instant. The manifestation disappeared in a blink and it was just Jovi again. “Captain, please tell me you understand?” she begged.
I was speechless. My mouth was open and my jaw was working, but no sound issued. I closed my mouth and smiled, giving her a firm nod. Breaking into a face-splitting grin, she let out a whoop and danced through the couples until she stood between Sari and Bea. “You will be the easiest to instruct,” she said to Sari, taking her hand. “And you will be the most difficult.” She held her hand out to Bea, palm up. Bea stared alternately at Jovi’s plain brown eyes and outstretched hand.
Finally my Security Chief, the toughest woman I have ever known, looked at me and laughed in self-deprecation. “Captain, for the first time in a long while, I’m afraid. Please tell me what you think I should do.”
I stepped unhesitatingly from the celebrant’s platform into the group and walked behind Bea and Lars. Both tracked me with their heads as I moved. When I stood behind them, I placed my hands on their outermost shoulders. “If this is acceptable, I will stand here,” I said, looking at Jovi. She in turn looked to the prophets, who smiled benignly and nodded in unison.
From somewhere in their voluminous gowns, each of the five produced objects on chains which I immediately recognized as Mandala crosses. Silently they turned to each of the couples and hung a cross around their necks. As they did so, they smoothed the chain down. Their hands were held over the cross, against the wearer’s heart, for a long moment. Closing their eyes, they tipped their heads back and stood relaxed and motionless.
When all talismans were in place, the four prophets and their conduit stepped between the five couples. I remained behind Bea and Lars.
“Close your eyes and relax, if you can,” Jovi said, giggling at the last as she gently squeezed Bea’s hand. Bea jerked slightly but didn’t relax her hold. “Open your hearts and minds to the boundless joy which is the Creator. Realize the power of the universe as it flows within each of us and accept its purpose. These crosses symbolize the power of the cosmos.”
Again, her voice took on that odd timber from before as she continued. “They command balance at the intersection of mind and matter. They embody the harmony of existence; motion and rest, love and hate, order and chaos. The structure of the universe demands integrity, symmetry, balance, and completeness. These pendants shall be worn at all times. They will guard you as couples against falling into discord or disarray. Finally, they ensure your progeny will be healthy, long-lived, and abundant.”
As she finished she raised her hands straight up, still holding to Sari and Bea. The prophets mirrored her action and all members of the circle soon stood with arms raised overhead. A rumble like thunder broke across the cloudless vault of the heavens and a flash lit the waning day. Fissions of energy danced across the tops of all outstretched hands.
Everyone in the circle, myself included, laughed aloud. If they felt what I did, I understood why. A sense of utter joy and complete peace of mind swelled within my head and flowed down throughout my body. Even my feet felt happy.
As soon as the moment passed, the five broke contact and quickly moved away so as not to be the center of attention. Instead, the five couples stood transfixed, gazing lovingly around the circle at the other enraptured faces of their new rite. Even Bea was transformed. Gone were any vestiges of the worry lines and crow’s feet from her forehead and eyes. The stress which she carried in her posture every waking moment had visibly eased and she stood relaxed for the first time I had ever seen.
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FRANK, MICA AND I PREPARED to teleport to the Bontrager II. When the last of our gear stood near the dais, it was time. Many strong hugs and tearful well wishes were passed around. Unexpectedly, the teleporter crackled and hissed.
Everyone jumped or scrambled away from the platform. Shouts of alarm and surprise accompanied numerous weapons being turned in the direction of the machine. Tracy appeared. In an instant, everything changed and she was back in my life.
“I have so much to offer and share with the people of Earth,” she said. “And as much or more to explain to you.” She reached for my hand. I allowed her to take it. “I felt rejected when you didn’t argue for me to join you at the compound initially. I’ve come to realize you wanted me to be safe.” Dropping my hand, she stepped back and came to attention. “Captain, permission to join your crew.” I mutely nodded, not willing to risk any attempt at speech.
“Jack, there’s one other thing,” she added. I nodded again. “CS insists Terse accompany us,” she said. “He’s been designated as the official Minsan Ambassador to Earth.”
“We only have slings for three, although anyone else can stay in the migration cells until we arrive. Does this mean you’ll be staying on Earth, Terse?” I asked.
“So it would appear,” my Minsan friend replied. His face was inscrutable but I could see joy dancing in his pale-blue eyes.
“And what of you?” I asked Tracy. “Does so much to offer mean you’ll be staying as well?”
“Oh, Jack, I can share what I’ve learned in the weeks between jumps,” she explained. “How long do you plan on piloting this migration ship? Are you staying on Marsingna after the first trip?”
“I’m certain they’ll need at least two or three circuits to get a new pilot and crew established and trained. But yes, I plan on settling in the colony,” I replied.
“Then those are my plans as well,” she finished.
I kissed her for a long time. Finally, the cheers and catcalls from the crew and the tinkling laughter from many of the Minsa brought me back from low orbit.
“The ship will just about run itself, and we only need three. Mica, I’d feel better if you were along to navigate. Frank seems to think even I can program it without getting us lost. So your choice, stay or go?” I asked.
Mica immediately turned and threw herself into Yuri’s welcoming arms.
“Captain, looks like there’ll be another ceremony when you return,” Yuri smiled.
“Frank, will you swear to me you will at least try to stay out of the brig while I’m gone?” I asked.
“What, you mean I’m not going?” he blurted. “I was all set to make my fortune on the speaking tour, regaling folks about life amongst the Minsa.”
“Again, it’s your call. You navigate better than I. But be warned,” I cautioned, letting a little steel creep into my voice. “I’ll brook no nonsense and Tracy will be the only female aboard for the six week journey. There is no brig, only migration cells and docking ports.”
“I suppose the speaking circuit can wait another couple of months for me,” he said, paling.
Terse had no possessions save for a few extra gowns and sandals. Tracy was similarly prepared, having fully adopted their mode of dress. Mica and Frank pulled their gear out of the pile and stepped back.
“Terse, who of the crew is closest to you in physical stature?” I asked. “I have no idea what you look like under that robe unless all Minsa look the same.” When he gave me a puzzled look, I explained. “I’m not having anyone onboard a spacecraft I’m in charge of who can’t get into a pressure suit if necessary. Those robes won’t cut it.”
Tracy went to change into hers and gather her travel gear, which was still in her room. Pradip went after a spare set for Terse and included his pressure suit. When all was ready, we mounted the teleport dais and headed for the stars.
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“BONTRAGER BASE, THIS is Bontrager two, how copy?” I said into the air. The crew had rigged microphones around the ship for communications. The Minsa had no need for them and had missed the consideration. It was a last minute catch when I realized we’d otherwise have to use hand-held radios everywhere we went onboard.
“Bontrager II, base, loud and clear,” replied Mica. “Godspeed, Captain.”
“We’ll be back before you know it,” I promised her. “Initiating jump drive in three, two, one...” and the transmission ended.