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“Is it always so… empty here?” said Derek looking around.
“The length of the viewpoint is more than seven hundred kilometres. It runs around Titanium and parallel to the Equatorial transport terminal. From here you can watch spaceships arrive. Besides, there are observatories in several of its sections.”
“These ships,” Derek pointed at the rows of spacecraft of strikingly different makes and looks, “Are they alien?”
“The majority of them are. For example, those ones that look like gigantic beetles are the Tarian tractors. They have to stay outside the outer protective field and pass their cargo in smaller loads to our shuttles. They, in turn, go through the energy barrier and deliver them to our transport terminal. Unfortunately, at the moment, none of the five ‘Solar Flotilla’ ships that had started from Earth are even close to Titanium. They are all on the evacuation missions. Their appearance and the technological equipment have changed a lot, of course, during these two hundred and fifty years, but they still work. The ships are named after the five letters of the Greek alphabet, the flagman ship is ‘Alpha’, and the others, ‘Beta’, ‘Gamma’, ‘Delta’ and ‘Epsilon’ are of smaller size and insignificant fire power.”
“So where is Taria?”
“We are moving along its orbit and, at the same time, we are also rotating,” explained Lora. “As is the circular viewpoint.” Lora took out the tablet and checked some data. “We are going to see Taria from here in fourteen minutes.”
“I’d like to see it.”
“Of course, let’s wait!” Lora sat comfortably on the floor, crossing her legs.
“How many stars!” noted Derek with admiration. “They seem as distant as in the sky over Earth.”
“For as long as I can remember, that’s been my view of them from here” echoed Lora.
“Why do I have a feeling that this voyage brings you sadness as much as joy?” suddenly asked Derek.
Lora tightened her lips thoughtfully.
“I’m not really sure myself. But you’re right. Even though our journey is incredibly interesting, allowing us to explore the Universe and meet alien races flying through space in search of a new home, I can’t help believing that the true home for the ‘Solar Flotilla’ people is on Earth and that we can come back…”
“It seems that not many agree with you?”
“My people have their reasons for that, I told you about it…”
“Yes, I know,” the young man nodded with sympathy. “I’m sorry that I can’t remember anything to support your assumption.”
“Me too,” Lora smiled sadly and immediately added, “but your presence on the ship gave me new hope. I believe that everything happens for a reason. All the events, encounters and separations are there to direct a person to their true goal.”
“Do you believe in fate?” Derek wanted to clarify.
“No, I believe in providence,” Lora specified. “I’ve always tried to listen to that voice of the Universe, as I call it.”
“Is it from Andre Mendes̓ teachings?”
“It’s not that literal,” answered Lora. “Everyone understands it differently.”
“I’d like to learn a little more about his theory.”
“All the information is in the central computer. You can also ask for help from any guide at any school.”
“A guide?”
“Yes, guides are people who help us study Andre Mendes’ philosophy and reach the i
“Can’t you teach me?”
“Enlightenment is a special gift, and the guides are naturally gifted. I can’t say the same about me…”
The earthling nodded.
“So I’ll have to sit at the school desk again!”
“Here, look!” Lora noticed a green light on the right. The glow was growing brighter and brighter with every second and soon the planet’s contour emerged as well.
“I thought Taria looks like Earth…”
“Hardly,” Lora shook her head. “The green luminosity of the planet is due to the gases accumulated in the top layers of its atmosphere. Only 30 percent of the light of the Doht, the star that gave name to the whole system, passes through the clouds.” She paused and then added, “Looking at these huge planets populated by billions of living beings, it sometimes seems to me that our fleet looks like a grain of sand lost in the vastness of the Universe.”
“It’s sometimes not so bad to be a tiny and u
“Not many of them are hostile,” began Lora, but then stumbled realizing that her companion rose up from his chair and was now standing on his own legs, leaning a little on the glass.
“I’ve decided not to warn you about my intention,” Derek smiled, “to avoid the u
Frozen, Lora was watching the earthling. He cleared his throat.
“I’m fine.”
“I see,” she finally said, “This is great!”
He nodded.
“Despite the popularity of transport means on electromagnetic pillows here, I’d prefer to walk from now on. Shall we?”
“Sure!”
Amused, Lora was watching with how much effort her new friend applied to be able to walk. Despite the Council’s reservations, it seemed to Lora that she had come to know Derek very well in the past few days. He surprised her with his perseverance, hard work and energy. However, notwithstanding his obvious character virtues, the earthling was still far from having the i
Some days later, Lora and Derek came to have lunch in the canteen of the ‘Unity’ building. Lora’s first and foremost obligations as a junior Council member constantly demanded her presence. That’s why the majority of the day was spent doing her main job, while she met Derek closer to the evening.
“This time I’ll order food myself,” said the young man taking a seat. His hand swiped the sensor panel making a holographic menu appear over the table.
“Now choosing as if touching the names of the desired dishes…”
Derek was precisely repeating the instructions given by Lora during their first lunch together.
The young lady nodded contentedly when her companion easily completed the set task. After a few seconds, the central part of the table moved apart and two metal holders lifted a tray with two white food containers.
“Here you are, help yourself! But what did I choose?” Derek hesitated a little.
“Hm…” with pretentious seriousness Lora peeked under the round lids. “There’s an omelette with meat and an apple pie with raisins.” She moved the containers, which now looked more like plates, closer to her companion. “Here you are.”
“A typical omelette. Where do people keep the chickens that make these eggs?”
“Nowhere,” Lora shrugged, “The majority of the groceries are artificially produced from proteins, fats and carbohydrates…”
Derek was about to swallow a bite. He paused, not sure whether to continue with the meal.
“It’s just named like that!” hastily Lora calmed him down, “The taste, the texture, and nutritional value correspond to those of the natural products. You should be convinced by now!”
The young man finished chewing and gave her a cu
“Just kidding.”
“We only grow fruit and vegetables. There are several plantations on Titanium.”
“How old are you, Lora?” suddenly asked Derek, moving his glance hidden behind the dark glasses away from the meal to Lora.
“Twenty-two.”
He slightly moved his head away.
“I didn’t mean to ask personal questions… The doctor said the tests have shown that my biological age is about twenty-seven years old. But I don’t remember even one year of my past life. Do you have parents?”