The lost astronaut, p.29
The Lost Astronaut, page 29
“Next is the exalted Dr. Rajesh Gupta from India, who is a university chancellor and a celebrated author and lecturer.” Raj still had his dark hair, though it was thinning. He wore a decorated gold Sherwani Indian suit with ornate trim.
“This is the eminent professor and doctor Sasha Belinsky, who has served as the president of their space agency and as director of the Unity space station.” Sasha’s formerly red hair was completely white and made him look distinguished.
Wow, Jag thought. Director of the Unity! Good for you, Sasha!
The counselor paused as he came to an empty seat. “Sadly, one of the twelve is no longer with us. I’m told he died many years ago in a most unfortunate accident.”
Then the counselor stepped toward Ben. “Lastly, this is the acclaimed Dr. Ben Mendelssohn, from Israel, who serves as an ambassador to the United Nations, their planet’s highest government body. He also serves as a professor of space science.”
After introducing each person, Councilman Maverick returned to his seat to finish delivering his opening remarks. “These individuals are more than just ambassadors; they are classmates from a school long ago. For reasons unknown to us, the Murk Empire has brought our war to their planet by surrounding it with their battleships. This is why we are petitioning this court for planethood, and I hereby ask that the court recognize these ambassadors from Earth.”
“The court does recognize the ambassadors from Earth and accepts their request to be heard in the matter of planethood,” Senator Thanos said.
Over the next several weeks, the councilman and ambassadors presented and answered questions on a variety of topics, including Earth’s history, forms of government, plant and animal life, and technology. Afterwards, the senators would make their recommendations to the full senate body.
Before court was dismissed, Jag left the balcony and walked through a secret tunnel connected to the palace garden, behind the old castle ruins in which Bayli had the Winnebago stored. When Jag walked by the bench at which he had met Sara, he noticed she had left a letter and a candy bar for him. This time it was a Hershey bar. He opened it and offered Mahjon half. Then he began reading her letter.
Dear Monsieur Gardener,
Merci for allowing me to visit in your lovely garden. I’m not sure if you understand the words I’m writing, if your father taught you English or French. I can’t imagine there is much need for either language here on Corian. Of course, there wouldn’t be a need for English on Corian. I mean, who would you speak it with? Oh, there I go rambling. Dad often tells me that I have a habit of rambling when I get nervous or excited.
I have so many questions that I’d like to ask:
How did you get here?
Why have you stayed here all these years and not come home?
Where is your father? Can we speak with him?
There I go rambling again. Sorry, one of my many faults.
If you could be so kind and just answer me this one question: Do you understand what I’m writing in these letters?
Chaleureusement, Sara Mendelssohn
Jag chuckled and then folded the letter and stuck it in his pocket as he returned to the palace. He searched his office high and low for a pen or pencil to write a reply. After rummaging through nearly every drawer, he pounded his desk in frustration. “You’d think this palace would have a simple pencil!” Then he summoned IRIS.
“Yes, sir,” IRIS replied as he walked in the door.
“IRIS, do we have any pens or pencils?”
“Sir?” IRIS asked, tilting his head.
“Pens or pencils? You know, writing implements?”
“Sir, paper hasn’t been used for centuries. Let me check the attic, where they keep the antiques.”
Jag nodded. “Thank you, IRIS.”
“And sir, Commander Corbis and Captain of the Guard Felix Henning are in the hallway to introduce you to the new recruits.”
“Send them in,” Jag replied. He quickly closed the drawers and cabinets and then put on a royal crested jacket to make himself look more presentable. Mahjon was seated in the corner with his eyes shut, uninterested in Jag’s obsession to find a writing utensil. The door opened, and in walked Commander Corbis, followed by Captain Henning and three recruits.
“Attention!” Captain Henning ordered, and the three recruits snapped to attention. “Your Royal Highness, I’d like to present our newest recruits, who just graduated from the Royal Academy: Privates Nivedi, Chaquoy, and Reeso.”
“Welcome,” Jag said.
Mahjon rose and examined each recruit by looking intently into his eyes. Having a guardian examine one’s intent was intimidating enough to make most grown men tremble. Mahjon cleared the new recruits, and then as Jag approached, they knelt before him.
“Do you swear your allegiance to the Kingdom of Celestian and the royal family, to guard and defend them with your life?”
“I do, your majesty,” each of the young recruits replied.
“Then welcome to the royal guard,” Jag said. Afterwards, the three saluted and then followed Felix out of Jag’s office as Commander Corbis remained. Jag returned to searching through his drawers for a writing instrument.
“What are you doing, sire?” Commander Corbis asked.
“I’m looking for a pen or pencil,” Jag said, drawing a strange look from the commander. “Any idea where I could find one?”
Corbis smiled. “Yeah. A museum.”
“Very funny,” Jag replied as they left for dinner.
After an hour of searching, IRIS entered the dining room with a cobweb hanging from his head. Bayli reached over with her napkin and wiped it off. IRIS placed an ornate, antique, and very dusty lap desk on the table, causing a bloom of dust to shoot up just as Jag was about to take a bite of his supper. He set his fork down and then wiped a layer of dust off the lap desk. Then he rotated a small golden hook and opened the lid.
Inside were sheets of parchment, several feathered quill pens, and a glass bottle of ink. Jag opened the bottle and looked inside. Then he turned it upside down. Sure enough, not a single drop came out. The ink was dry. Jag poured a few drops of water into the bottle. Then, using his steak knife, he scraped the tip across the surface of the ink until several pieces broke off and began absorbing the water. He continued working the ink until it was re-liquefied. Then, dipping the quill tip into the bottle several times, he wrote the word “Yes” on the back of the letter Sara had written. He waved the letter in the air for a moment to dry the ink and then held it out for IRIS.
“Please return this to the bench from which we retrieved it from today.”
“That’s it?” Bayli asked. “After all that effort of rummaging through your study and IRIS scavenging through the attic, all you’re going to write is one word?”
Jag smiled. “Yes.”
“Well, what does it mean?” Bayli asked. She, of course, couldn’t read English.
“Yes,” Jag said.
“Yes, what?”
“Sara asked me if I could read what she was writing, and my answer affirms that I can.”
Bayli shook her head. “Unbelievable. Real personable.”
Jag made a funny face at her.
“Sir, if I set the envelope on the bench this evening, the morning dew will cause the ink to run. Would you like me to place it there in the morning?” IRIS asked.
Jag nodded. “Yes, and thank you for your help today.”
Chapter 26
BUTTERFINGER
The next morning, Jag was helping the groundskeeper replace wooden railings on an old, brick arched bridge that crossed a creek. Its bricks had been hand fired centuries earlier and had turned bright red, white, and grey.
Each morning, Bayli brought Sara to the garden and helped her walk along the paths. Afterwards, she would leave Sara alone at a bench to read while she returned to the hospital to assist other patients. Sara was reading when Jag walked by, wiping his dirty hands on a rag tucked in his overalls, just like his grandfather used to do.
“Well, hello,” Sara said. “I see you got the letter I wrote for you yesterday. Thank you for responding to my question.”
“Yes,” Jag said.
“Do you have a moment? I mean, if you’re not too busy?”
“Yes,” Jag said.
“Can you say anything besides ‘Yes?’” Sara asked.
Jag grinned. “Yes.”
Sara chuckled and looked down in embarrassment. Then she met his gaze again. “So what should I call you?”
Jag thought for a moment. “You can call me ‘Jag.’”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Monsieur Jag. I’m Sara.” Sara held out her hand for him to shake.
Jag held out his palms. “I’m sorry, but my hands are dirty.” She didn’t budge until Jag reached out and shook her hand. He noticed that her hand was cold, but it was also soft. “You’re cold; you should get inside.”
“My hands are always cold. I take after my mom,” she replied. “I’ll be alright until Bayli returns.” Though the sun had dissipated the morning dew, it was still chilly outside.
“Why don’t you come up to the veranda?” Jag suggested. “There’s a fire pit, where you can warm up.”
Jag offered his arm, and they walked up to a bench on the veranda in front of the fire the groundskeeper had lit earlier that morning. Jag stoked the fire as Sara warmed her hands.
“Were you named after your father?” Sara asked.
“Yes,” Jag replied. “My first name is actually Joseph, like my father.”
“Do you mind if I ask where your father is?” Sara asked.
“He died a long time ago,” Jag replied, speaking of his real father, who had died in the Navy. Of course, Sara assumed that Jag was speaking of the student her father had known.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Sara replied. “And your mother?”
“She also died when I was young.”
“Oh, it seems I keep asking bad questions. By the way, your English is quite good.”
“Thank you. It’s been a while since I’ve spoken it.”
“I assume you’ve heard about Earth’s situation?”
Jag nodded. “Yes, I am aware.”
“We’re desperate! If we don’t get help soon, I feel that Earth is doomed.”
Jag looked at her. “How long have the Murks surrounded Earth?”
“It was over a year ago when they arrived with just a few ships, but then more came. We don’t know how many ships they have now, as they emit some type of pollution that covers the planet in complete darkness. What’s worse is that now they’re invading different cities.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Jag replied. “I’m sure the court is doing everything they can, and if they allow Earth into the kingdom, they will help liberate it.”
“That is our prayer, that the senators and the prince will be moved to help us.” She paused and looked around. “Bayli said that this is the prince’s garden. Is that correct?”
“Yes, why do you ask?”
“Oh, I’ve been here a several times now and haven’t seen the prince. Is he not here?”
“He’s here,” Jag replied. “He just likes to keep a low profile.”
Sara nodded. “So, aside from gardening, what else do you do here at the palace?”
“Not much,” Jag said. “Gardening is about the only thing they’ll let me do. That’s enough questions about me though. It’s my turn to ask you a question.”
She smiled. “Okay, ask away.”
“Tell me about your parents.”
“Well, my parents met in Paris when dad was an assistant ambassador and Mom was a translator—she speaks six languages fluently! She started translating for dad, and they fell in love and got married. After I came along, Dad was promoted to ambassador to the United Nations, so we moved to New York. Now he’s semi-retired and serves as a professor in Paris. Mom still works as an executive for a marketing firm. They’re opposites in just about every way: Dad is analytical, and Mom is emotional. Dad likes to dress like a bum, and Mom always wears the latest fashions. But they are each other’s amore.”
Jag smiled as Sara talked about Ben and her mom. It brought him great joy knowing that life had turned out well for his friend. He deserved a wonderful family and a fulfilling career.
“Well, I must be going, but I wanted to thank you for the candy bars,” Jag said.
“You’re very welcome. Before you go, can I ask you one more question?”
“Of course,” Jag said cautiously.
“How well do you know the prince?”
He shrugged. “As well as anyone.”
“Do you, I mean, could you possibly speak to the prince on Earth’s behalf? I know you’ve never been there, but we desperately need his intervention in granting us planethood.”
“I know the prince is following the court proceedings with great interest,” Jag said. “I’m sorry, but I really must go. Please stay warm, and get well, Sara Mendelssohn.”
Later that day, Jag snuck into the balcony, where court proceedings were already underway. The lights were dimmed as a video of Earth played, showing beautiful aerial imagery of a rural countryside, oceans, mountains, and magnificent cities. Then the video presented various animals inhabiting Earth, both wild and domesticated. A herd of horses ran across an open plain, their manes blowing in the wind. Then a pod of leaping orca whales was followed by monkeys swinging from tree branches. A pride of lions ran through the African Sahara. The video zoomed in on a male lion roaring, which sent chills up everyone’s spine.
Everyone in the courtroom was fixated on the peculiar animals, often gasping or laughing at the sight of strange animals like kangaroos, platypuses, and hippopotamuses. Seeing the video caused Jag to long for Earth. He missed the farm and the woods through which he and Grissom would run. After the daily session was over, Jag had IRIS request a copy of the video from Senator Thanos, which Jag planned to watch each night before falling asleep.
Jag returned to the palace through the secret passageway and found that, once again, Sara had left a card and a candy bar on the bench, a Butterfinger. Unlike previously, Jag opened the card first and read it as Mahjon stood patiently waiting for his half of the Butterfinger. When Jag didn’t act quickly enough, Mahjon cleared his throat. When Jag looked up, Mahjon looked down at the candy bar and then back at Jag.
“Would you like a piece?” Jag asked, barely suppressing a smile.
“Only if you’re offering, your majesty.”
Jag gave him the larger of the two halves. Mahjon munched it happily and then tried to get the pieces of peanut butter candy out of his teeth. “This one is even better than yesterday, though it is a bit sticky.”
The next morning, Jag and the grounds crew finished repairing the rails on the old bridge. Afterwards, Jag walked over to where Sara was seated.
“Bonjour, Monsieur Jag.”
“Good morning,” Jag replied as he helped her to her feet. After he thanked her for the candy bar, she held onto his arm as they walked along a patch of flowers that had just bloomed on the far side of the garden. They had an incredible fragrance.
Along the way, she asked several questions about Celestia and if Earth should have any concerns about joining the kingdom. Jag answered her questions by describing the good people he knew: Admiral Rannick, Bayli, the queen, and the former king. Then he told her of the history of the kingdom and the wars between Murk and Celestia.
Afterwards, Jag asked Sara about life on Earth. She described some of the technical advancements they had achieved as well as the current state of Earth’s governments. She shared how the space program launched a deep space ship that traveled outside the solar system and that her father, Sasha, Makalo, and Kano had been crew members on board the first interstellar trip.
“Did you travel much on Earth?” Jag asked.
“Quite a bit. With Dad being an ambassador, I often accompanied him on his trips throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the United States, and Canada. I even visited Indiana once with Dad to see Mrs. Gabriel, who I guess would be your great-grandmother.”
“You did?” Jag asked, astonished.
“Yeah, I was about six, so I don’t remember it much. We went there after your great-grandfather died. Dad spoke at the funeral.”
“When was that?”
“Let’s see, I’m twenty-three now, so it would have been about sixteen years ago.”
“And my grandmother? Is she still alive?” Sara didn’t pick up on the fact that he didn’t say “great-grandmother.”
“I’m sorry, but I think she passed away about eight years ago.”
Jag turned away as the thought of not being there for his grandparents overwhelmed him.
“Dad always spoke highly of them and wanted me to meet them, because he said they were the nicest people he had ever known.”
“Thank you. They were, I mean that’s what I’ve been told,” Jag said quickly, covering up his faux pas. “So, out of all the places on Earth that you’ve traveled, what’s your favorite?”
“Switzerland and Austria, but my heart has always felt most at home in Paris.”
“What do you love about Paris?”
“Everything! What’s not to love? It’s beautiful, with some of the most incredible architecture anywhere in the world. And the food! No place compares to Paris for its variety of pastries, fresh breads, and cheeses. Then there are the many beautiful parks in Paris that you can lose yourself in. When I was a grad student, I used to walk over to Jardin du Luxembourg, that’s the Luxembourg Garden, and curl up on a bench and spend the afternoon reading.
“Sounds fantastic.”
“Oh, it is! They have a beautiful palace in the center of the garden, much like this one, and I always dreamed I was Cinderella heading to the ball to dance the night away—well, until, of course, the bell struck midnight.” She sighed. “All this talk about Paris has me missing home.”
“So how did you end up on the Exodus?”
“Well, not by Mom’s choice! She wanted me to stay on Earth, but I have too much of my dad in me. I wanted to travel and see the universe! So I majored in aerospace engineering and applied to do a stint on board the Unity. Sasha, another one of your dad’s friends, was my director on board the Unity. After several years, I transferred to the Exodus to work in engineering.”
