James Scotson - Planets Falling

“What exactly do we plan to offer them?” I’m feeling slightly sick at the thought of being the keeper. “I can see the portals but I can’t begin to show pilots how to navigate them. For that matter, I’d have no idea how to get them back.”

Etch stretches. “I suggest that the first course of action is for you to propose developing a map. The Institute — and the FRT if they decide to play — will need to work with you to explore these areas. They can send probes to gather information. You provide your visions in bits and the bastards will grow dependent on you.”

Iggy spritzes his skin, his eyes half-closed in amphibious pleasure. “Etch, this is a brilliant idea. We must act quickly. How will we transmit the message?”

Gorian smiles. “I’m on it.”

Within a day, we’ve packed up our things and walk through the make-shift front door of the lodge for a final time, trying to suppress the memories of the horrors that occurred there. “I will miss you,” Sam says quietly.

Gorian cradles Ferris in her arms. “I’m going to put you to sleep, Sam. When you wake up, it’ll be like no time has passed.”

“Let’s hope it won’t be centuries like before.”

“Of course not, my dear machine. Sweet dreams.”

The Fuerst and Raven streak through the sky, taking us to our new home. Gorian has broadcasted our message via universal transmission throughout known space:

DEAR CITIZENS, A WONDERFUL EVENT HAS OCCURRED ON PLANET EARTH. A STABLE PORTAL THROUGH SPACE-TIME HAS OPENED, ALLOWING ACCESS TO INFINITE NEW FRONTIERS. EARTH REMAINS DANGEROUS TO VESSELS AND THE QUARANTINE FOR THE POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS MATERIAL ON THE PLANET IS NOT LIFTED. HOWEVER, SAFE PASSAGE MAY BE NEGOTIATED VIA CONTACT WITH US. TRANSMIT QUERIES TO THESE COORDINATES: 9008-A-8567.

“That will get their attention,” Grey mutters.

“Greed always does.” Etch responds.

We land the ships near the east wall of Yellow Stone at dusk. Bright bursts of colorful fire, like suspended falling stars, appear and fade in the sky above us.

Etch slaps the hull of his ship. “It appears that our Institute and FRT friends have engaged in battle over access to the portal. Gorian, you are quite the trouble maker.”

“Who’ll win?” I ask.

“Depends on who wants to rule the universe.” Grey shrugs, carrying Ferris toward the town gate.

Samuel helps father walk up the path. I marvel how those cousins have diverged over the past year. Father wilted while Samuel blossomed. Iggy and his spawn are surrounded by village children. The Yellow Stone kids have seen strange things during their short lives, but the naurons are a special novelty. I wonder how Iggy’s babies will like the lake and playing with their new human friends.

I’m feeling guilty. Part of me doesn’t want to reunite with Eliza. Perhaps she’d be better off with Magarat and forget me. That’s silly of course. I can’t let Thresh take her away. I approach the small house that’s been given to me by the village and swallow hard. I enter to find Magarat and Eliza playing on a table. Eliza looks up indifferently and goes back to drawing.

“Welcome back, Amy. We’ve been drawing pictures. Eliza, show your mommy what you’ve done.”

“My mommy isn’t here.”

My heart shatters. I want to run away, more so than during any other time in my life. “I’m your mommy Eliza. We’ve got lots of time to get to know each other again. See my eyes?” She looks up. “They look just like yours.”

Interest flashes briefly by Eliza’s face and then she resumes her drawing. I look to see what she’s creating: a woman in a red dress.

I run outside and vomit.

Magarat peeks out. “Amy. It will take time for her to adjust. She’s a good, smart girl. She’ll warm up to you. I do promise. I’m gonna leave now for a while.”

I want to plead for her to stay but know better. I join my daughter. “Eliza, let’s draw pictures together.”

The images that appear on the paper are vivid, beautiful, and often disturbing. Grubs, bleeding bodies, and flames are mixed with glorious, detailed pictures of flowers and animals. I hope, through time, that the gentle visions overcome the gruesome ones. For now, she needs to let both flow out of her.

I draw a picture of my mother. It’s been so long since I last put ink to paper at the lodge. My nerves calm. Eliza looks at the picture. “She’s pretty. Who is she?”

“That’s your grandma, sweetie.”

I spend the rest of the glorious evening with my daughter on my lap as I tell her stories of the garden, the xyn, and the wonders of the natural world.

After I’ve gotten Eliza to bed, I step out into the darkness and stare at the sky. More streaks of fire rage silently as the battle overhead drones on.

Etch walks by. “Good evening Amy. Enjoying the starlight tonight?”

“Etch, how long do you expect them to keep fighting?”

“Perhaps a month.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No, I am not Amy Marksman. Both sides of the conflict have considerable resources and will not stop until the other is defeated. Gorian’s message brought the war’s front to earth’s doorstep. Before this is ended, earth’s orbit will be littered with thousands of destroyed ships.”

“You knew this would happen?”

“Of course. I have seen wars many times. They must burn hot before the flames are extinguished.”

“Why aren’t the forces coming down here to fight?”

“Foremost, it is fear of the weapon that destroyed civilization on earth so many years ago. Also, it makes no tactical sense to put your troops on the ground when they are vulnerable to fire overhead. The victors will arrive with time as they become confident that the threat on the surface is gone. I recommend that you continue your studies with Fromer and enjoy your time with Eliza. When the winning faction arrives, peace will most certainly vanish.”

“Fromer, do you really think the terrorist weapon is gone?”

“I do not know.”

Almost a month to the day I conversed with Fromer, the explosions in the sky stop. I am sipping tea and watching Eliza sleep when Magarat steps in quietly. “Amy, you really need to go outside and see this. They’ve returned.”

Lights again dot the surface of the new moon. Theo rushes to me and holds my hand tightly. “I guess this means we’ll be getting visitors soon Sprouter my love?”

I tighten my grip and lead him inside.

Gorian appears early the next morning. “The message’s arrived. She shows us script on her tablet screen. We are to meet the Phobos at these coordinates in an hour. I guess the Institute prevailed.”

We’ve long known that Etch, Grey, Bets, Ricard, and me would make first contact with the winning side. Etch savors the opportunity to face the Phobos and likely Leo, its pilot, during our negotiations.

The Fuerst drops down next to the battle-scarred Institute vessel. It’s suffered far more damage since its fight with us in the asteroid belt. Leo emerges from the Phobos with three others. Etch embraces him warmly. “Hello, Leo my old friend. We meet on much better terms now.”

“Hello, Etch.” Leo’s a tall, angular man with dark features and a well-groomed beard. He smirks at us. “Let me introduce my distinguished companions, all from respected families within the Institute.”

Grey interrupts. “I know them all already.” He nods at a pale man with white hair and a terrible slouch. “Hello, Vincent. He comes from the Wilcoxin clan. Last I heard he was governing some province on mars.”

Vincent smiles, “We wondered what happened to you Grey. Good to see you well. I am now Prime Prefect of the solar government. You can feel safe with us. No need to hide anymore.”