Sephim’s eyes widened. “You mean there could be other species on Earth?”
“I think it is possible,” Phog said. “Based on what we have seen so far, Earth remains habitable. Compared to other planets, who wouldn’t want to settle down on Earth? Many species wouldn’t mind setting roots here. I mean I would choose Earth over Zandrax anytime. There is also the fact that Earth is quite big with multiple continents. It would be quite easy for another species to occupy a different continent without anyone’s knowledge.”
Phog had a good point, but Celeste became concerned how Sephim might take it. To him, Hitongu was everything until they had taken it away from him. She didn’t want Sephim to relive what he had lost.
“We should be careful here until we know more about what is going on,” Sephim said.
“We all better get some rest,” Phog said. “We leave at first light to find Rina’s home.”
Celeste was relieved Phog hadn’t pushed further on the planet issue. He and Sephim went to their compartment, while Celeste stood a while longer looking up into the night sky. What would her father think if he knew she had made it back to Earth successfully? Thinking of him brought tears to her eyes. She blinked a few times and then returned to her compartment. Both Tara and Rina were sound asleep.
The sun was already up when they started their journey towards Rina’s home. Initially, they had debated whether to fly over, but Tara had said the risk was high since they didn’t know whether there were sensors or outposts around the area. Phog had agreed although he had some anxiety leaving the ship unguarded. Sephim had disagreed with him and said the cloak would be sufficient to protect the ship. Celeste knew Sephim didn’t have enough experience to understand different species and their capabilities. The Zandrax had been able to locate their cloaked shuttle once, which meant it was possible for other species to do the same. Nothing could be taken for granted. Despite that, Celeste knew they had to leave their ship as it is and make the journey on foot. That appeared to be the safest way forward, especially since they didn’t yet know enough about Earth and its old and new inhabitants.
Rina led the way and seemed to take a circuitous route. Celeste figured this was done intentionally so as to avoid any Rekvok along the way. Half way through another beautiful forest, Celeste heard an unmistakably familiar sound and grabbed Rina by the shoulders. “Is that sound what I think it is?”
Rina smiled. “It is a small river on that side.”
Celeste’s eyes lit up. “Can we take a short look?”
Tara frowned. “I don’t think we should stop and waste time, especially inside these forests.”
Rina ignored her and led Celeste to the banks of a small river. Celeste was amazed by the sight of the waters. Just staring at it brought her a storm of wonderful memories.
Phog must have also sensed her delight in the waters. “Let’s take a short break here.”
With that, Phog sat down on the ground and stared at the river.
Sephim, being more crazy, had decided to wade into the river. He was yelling with excitement as Tara came up to the river bank. “You all are too excited by these waters.”
Reluctantly, Tara sat down at the banks of the river and dipped her fingers in the waters. One touch and she pulled out her hand. “It is so cold.”
“No, it isn’t,” Sephim grinned. “I think it is perfect.”
Tara scowled at him.
“I can see you like rivers,” Rina said. “Growing up they are my favorite part of the land. I love to just lie down next to a river and listen to the gushing waters. I used to do a lot of that before the Rekvok appeared and disrupted our lives.”
Celeste felt a tinge of regret in Rina’s voice. The Rekvok had taken away something that this young woman had enjoyed a lot.
“I used to have a larger river behind my father’s home and we would often walk along it together,” Celeste remarked.
“What happened to your father?” Rina asked, and then stopped. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”
Celeste smiled. “It is okay. I don’t know what happened to my father when the war broke out. It was a long time ago.”
Saying it out aloud made Celeste emotional. She had made peace with the fact that her father had most likely died after he had sent her out in the pod into the galaxy. This was what she had told herself during those initial nights when she began living her new life in the Grekk Empire. But was that still true after everything that had happened? Could it be that her father had executed his elaborate plan and still be alive? She knew she couldn’t discount it, but she also didn’t want to fill herself up with a false sense of hope.
“How about your father?” Celeste asked. “Is he still alive?”
Rina's face changed immediately and Celeste knew she had made a mistake in asking the young woman about her father.
Rina held up her hand briefly as she looked away before turning back. “My father died of a freak accident a few years ago when we lived on the surface. We didn’t have a medical doctor amongst us who could have saved him. I am still glad I had a father when I was young. He helped shape me into who I am today.”
Celeste noticed Tara spying on the two of them. She touched Rina’s shoulder and smiled. “I need to go and check on the others.”
Sephim was still enjoying himself in the middle of the river. Rina walked over and joined him. Soon the both of them were throwing water at each other. It was another sight Celeste could never have dreamed of witnessing.
Celeste sat down beside Tara. “What’s wrong other than you hate the river?”
“I never said I hated the river,” Tara shot back.
It was unlike Tara to not enjoy a new planet. She always enjoyed meeting new people and exploring new terrains.
“Are you jealous of me talking to Rina?” Celeste asked.
“Of course, not. Why would I be jealous?”
“Tara, you are my only family. I know it is hard for you being the only Grekk amongst all of us.”
“I am not jealous,” Tara insisted, before lowering her voice. “Okay yes, I felt a bit out of my comfort zone. Earth isn’t what I expected it to be. I thought everything would be dead and toxic.”
“So did I, but it is amazing how the planet has recovered.”
“Actually, I am jealous,” Tara stated.
“I knew it.”
“Not of you and Rina, but of your planet. The Grekk home world could never be Earth. We may be the mighty Grekk Empire, but everything is so controlled in our home world. And, we don’t get to see the waters and plants in their natural state. On your planet, the waters and the plants are like everywhere running on their own with such freedom.”
Celeste understood Tara’s feelings. Earth and Grekk were really poles apart. But growing up on the two planets, Celeste felt that she had gained from the best of both worlds.
“Earth has been fortunate to have a very good climate that permits all of this,” Celeste said.
Tara turned her head to look at the river. “Those two seem to be having fun.”
It was no surprise that Sephim and Rina had clicked together faster than anyone had expected. Being in the same age group made it much easier. Celeste was glad that Sephim had a friend to keep his mind off everything to do with Hitongu. Thinking of her friends on Hitongu, she didn’t know what had happened to them. She hoped that General Palt had been able to save his people. Celeste didn’t know if she would ever get the chance to see the old Hitongu cities and culture again. She felt the new war would significantly change the Hitongu way of life forever.
Phog stood up. “We better keep moving.”
Sephim and Rina seemed disappointed to leave their fun in the water, but they came out of the river, dripping wet.
“Please don’t splash any of that on me,” Tara warned with her fist.
“Like this,” Sephim grinned, shaking his leg.
Tara jumped away and glared at him.
After they had dried up, Rina continued to lead them to her home. They passed through several meadows and rolling hills. Celeste remained enthralled by all the natural sights she walked by. Then, Rina gestured for them to hunker down. Everyone dove into the grass and waited. Celeste listened and heard the hum of a ship in front of them.