James Scotson - Planets Falling

Grey hugs the woman next to Vincent. “This is an old, old friend of my family and a distinguished diplomat. Aunt Vanne, meet my friends and welcome to the land of my exile.”

Vanne looks genuinely concerned for Grey. “We were worried sick about you after the accident at the Platform. You’re so gaunt now. What can you possibly be eating down here?”

I wonder why she mentions this place called the Platform and not the planet C9. I wonder whether she knows the truth about Grey’s disappearance.

Sighing, Grey introduces the third member of the group, a beautiful young woman with striking red hair and dark blue eyes. “This is Amanda Fuerst, direct descendent of the founding leader of the Institute and a key representative of the familial foundation. As you noticed, Etch’s ship is named after her clan.”

She looks at Grey a bit too long and his face flushes. I can tell there’s a history between the two of them. “Hello, Grey. I haven’t seen you since graduation. We have much to discuss about this anomaly on the planet. It looks promising for all of us.”

We leave the ships and walk to the great hall of the village. Amanda, Vanne, and Vincent are mesmerized by their surroundings — this is the first time they’ve visited the true home of their species. Leo and Etch chat energetically, as if they never fought in their lives. They’re telling stories of battle with the FRT forces.

Seated at the table, I consider our guests. Vanne is clearly in charge of the discourse, although Amanda is the source of power in the group. I have yet to gain an accurate measure of Vincent — he seems to be inflated with a lot of heat and very little substance. I suppose Leo has returned to his ship.

Grey starts bluntly. “So, the Institute won?”

Amanda blinks. “Yes Grey, we won, at great cost. There are bits of resistance from the FRT, but they will be mopped up with time. Order has been restored to the alliance, thankfully.”

We sit in silence for some time, waiting for the next move. Vanne speaks. “On behalf of the Institute and allied governments, we want to assure you that we have peaceful intentions and seek your cooperation.”

It is going to be a long day.

At dinner, we talk of Institute politics and the status of Grey’s relatives. Strangely, the Institute delegation has no interest in us natives. Neither Ricard nor I have garnered much attention from the visitors. For the first time in my life, I feel as if I’m a stranger in my own world.

Grey sips brandy while our guests pick at their food.

“So, what do you really know about the circumstances leading to our disappearance?” Grey puts his hand on Gorian’s hand. Amanda stares at her.

Vanne considers Vincent and Amanda for a moment. “This, of course, is in all confidence. We know about the incident on the terraforming planet called C9. Enough information was provided to show that there was no accident on the Platform outpost as the official records suggest. Rather, you and your crew were thought lost when the planet dropped into a singularity created by the vessel Raven on the surface.”

“Thankfully, you survived.” Amanda smiles tepidly.

“We also know that some interesting activity occurred on C9 prior to your disappearance.” Vincent finally speaks. “It was consistent with sealed research findings we had in the Institute database, much of it generated by your father, Grey. He knew that he was creating a portal on the planet, placing all of us at great risk.”

Grey shakes his head. “My father was indeed trying to create a portal on C9 and he succeeded. I reject, however, the idea that he meant harm.”

Amanda sips her wine. “I knew your dad well, Grey. I agree.”

He relaxes while Gorian bristles.

Vanne regards Grey critically. “Regardless of intent, the portal opened and important technology, created by your father but ultimately belonging to the Institute, fell into the hands of an unknown species. If we understand correctly, this threat almost destroyed this town and the entire western half of the continent.”

I stand, stretching my arms and back. “Well, I am tired. We can revisit these issues tomorrow when we’ve rested.”

After our guests have retired, I eagerly return to the house to find Eliza, Theo, and Magarat waiting for me. Eliza jumps into my arms, which makes the frustrating day melt away.

“How’d it go?” Theo’s trying to seem nonchalant.

“These people spend all their time talking about nothing. Grey tells me that this is diplomacy, where the one side tries to talk the other side into submission. Somehow, this is supposed to get them what they want.”

“So, they haven’t told you they want to use the lake?”

“Nope. They did have an interesting conversation about Grey’s dad. No matter to us. How was your day?”

“That Captain Leo is a sly one. He’s been handing out toys, candy, and clothes to villagers all day. If you thought you were popular after crushing Thresh, then you ought to see this fellow in his glory. Oh, I have something for you.” He produces a beautiful necklace adorned with rare gems.

“Where’d you get this?”

He looks guilty. “Captain Leo.”

At mid-day of the second set of talks, largely among Grey and the Institute delegation about mostly nothing, Ricard stands up frustrated. “When are we going to talk about the damn lake? You people needn’t spend your time talking frivolities with us. I’ve seen what your Captain is doing — buttering up my people. Fattening them up like pigs before a slaughter. If you want cooperation from us, then treat us with respect.”

Etch bellows with laughter. “Vanne, Institute diplomacy is not going to work with my friends.”

Vanne regards Ricard for the first time. “Yes, we do want to explore the portal on mutually agreed terms. What do we need to do to begin accessing it?”

Ricard looks at me. “Amy Marksman is the keeper and a pilot. She will provide you with information about the lake, as you need it. In return, Yellow Stone wants assurances that you will not occupy it. And I want you to stop Leo from poisoning my people with material crap.”

Vanne looks at Amanda and Vincent, who nod slightly. “Agreed. Excuse me.” She retreats to the end of the room and talks into a communication device. She returns to her seat. “Done.”

Amanda speaks. “The Institute would like to build a small outpost on the lake for research and to house scientists. We would like to include a teaching facility for your children.”

Ricard looks to Bets and Grey nervously. Grey responds, “We’ll take that into consideration.”

A sleek silver and glass building is perched on the shore of the lake, making the walls of Yellow Stone look old and worn. I spend much of my days here with Eliza and the Institute scientists studying the miracles of the lake. The scientists are polite but distant. They do enjoy the information I provide. But they have no interest in me or what I envision our future should look like. Eliza has emerged from her shell, seeming happy and engaged. She occasionally plays with other human children, but seems drawn to Iggy’s family. Somehow, she’s learned to communicate with them through telepathy — something I have no clue how to do. When I try to enter their minds, I’m floating in an uncharted sea of vowels and syllables with no cogent words.

Many of the village children come to the laboratory each day to learn from Institute teachers. As their eyes open to the universe around them, I can see them grow restless with their surroundings. The urge to build, to improve, to want more is mounting within them. Their parents look to Ricard and me for guidance. I can see both pride and worry in their eyes when we talk of the Institute presence and its influence on the younger generation.