The light approached and Michael watched until he could make out that it was the transportation ship. The ship approached the structure and lowered a metal staircase for Michael which created a cutout in the yellow-lined screen for Michael to pass through. He climbed the stairs and was greeted by a robotic voice from a speaker. “Hello, and thank you for choosing Interstellar Express, the galaxy’s most trusted transportation service. Please take a seat,” said the voice.
Michael turned to his left and saw an aisle with rows of three seats each on either side and several other passengers. He walked past all the different creatures until he came to an unoccupied seat. He got the attention of an alien with tentacles like an octopus sitting adjacent to the unoccupied seat. “Hey, can I sit here?” asked Michael.
The alien looked at Michael with his seven eyes. “No silly, you can’t sit in the aisle. Here, have this chair instead,” he said.
Michael laughed “Oh, actually I was referring to the seat, not the aisle,” said Michael.
“Oh sorry. I’m a Morogon. Where I’m from how you indicate what object you’re talking about you have to touch it first, and seeing as you were only touching the ground that’s what I assumed you were referring to,” said the Morogon.
Michael took a seat. “Oh okay nice to-”
“Oh, and also if the object is far away you have to point all your tentacles or I guess in your case arms in the direction of it and run in place to demonstrate what you’re talking about,” interrupted the Morogon.
“Okay, and it’s nice to-”
“Oh, and also if you can’t touch the object because it’s too hot or too cold or too sharp you have to point all your arms in the direction of the object as close as you can without touching it,” said the Morogon.
“Well, that’s rather intriguing, it’s nic-”
“Oh and also if you’re referring to a person or a region, or something else that’s physically too large to touch you have wrap all your arms around your body and say the name of what you’re thinking of,” said the Morogon again unaware of his interruptions.
“Thanks, can I speak now?” asked Michael.
“Oh sure man, but if you have any questions about the rules of referring to objects in Morogon let me know because I can help you out. The name’s Gorad by the way,” said the Gorad.
“Will do, it’s nice to meet you. My name is Michael. I’m going to Sevani do you know where that is?” asked Michael.
“Know where what is?” asked Gorad.
“Do you know where,” Michael said before wrapping his arms around himself “Sevani is?” asked Michael.
“Oh yeah, you’re on the right ship. It’s the next stop after the gate. It’s where I’m going actually,” said Gorad.
“Cool, I’m stopping by to get some work. You see I have to make my way to Ikti Prime so I can obtain the knowledge to fight the Tardigrades. They’re destroying my planet,” said Michael.
By the mention of the Tardigrades, all conversations halted as all eyes turned to look at Michael. “Young man, please by more courteous to my ears. You should know it’s not right to joke about the conflict around veterans and older gentlemen like myself,” said an old man. “Yeah, and I don’t want my kids picking up those words until they’re at least 65 intergalactic years old,” said a mother with two children sitting beside her. “Those barbarians took everything that we owned and raised my city to the ground in front of my eyes when I was just a kid,” said another alien tearfully.
“Well, gee, I’m sorry guys. The part of the galaxy I’m from we speak of them openly,” said Michael lying to gain forgiveness.
The passengers continued looking at Michael for a moment, but one by one they each turned their focus away from Michael and chatter picked up in the cabin once again.
“Wow, well I’m really sorry to hear that the T’s are doing that. It’s really unfortunate how many relate to what you experienced many years ago,” said Gorad.
“No, I mean they’re destroying my home right now as we speak,” said Michael.
“That’s impossible. Everyone knows that the T’s vanished intergalactic years ago,” said Gorad.
“They vanished, but they reappeared in my world. You see, my world is kinda separate from this one. It’s a bit complicated, but I’m not from here. I sorta ended up here on accident and the T’s ended up where I am from originally,” explained Michael as Gorad looked at him bewildered.
“So, you mean like you’re from somewhere really far away?”
“I’m not exactly sure myself, but I think I am from… maybe a whole ‘nother universe,”
“So how did you end up at such a remote point of the galaxy?” asked Gorad.
Michael thought of explaining himself but remembered the skepticism he faced from Fenn, so he shrugged to Gorad who nodded back. A robot with a cart came rolling down the aisle serving food. “Do you want something to eat?” asked Gorad.
Michael shook his head. “I don’t have any credits since I just got here, so I can’t get anything unless it’s free,” said Michael.
“Oh, that’s unfortunate. You’re going to want to have somewhere to stay when we get to Sevani. Say, why don’t you spend the night with me? I’m sure my family wouldn’t mind,” said Gorad.
“Wow, are you serious? Thank you so much,” said Michael thankfully.
The ship approached Sevani and Michael looked from the window at the planet. The ground was white and covered with sparkling snowflakes, and the black rocks dotted the terrain as they flew over. “Now arriving in Sevani municipality,” announced a voice on the intercom. Outside the window, the ground became obfuscated as the ship entered a thick layer of steam, but as they descended the city was once again visible. The city was located within a depression where the steam of water boiled by the planet’s hot springs made the region habitable. The ship landed and Michael followed Gorad off of the ship and the two approached customs. “Hey, just a head’s up, if they ask you where you’re from just say you’re nomadic. It makes things simple,” said Gorad. Michael nodded and the two approached customs.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Michael nervously walked up to the x-ray running scenarios through his head of what he was going to say to the security guard if he was stopped for questions. When instructed to he went through the machine and was scanned. Fortunately, he wasn’t questioned and was immediately approved and reunited with Gorad on the other side. “I guess they’re a bit more relaxed today than usual. Normally I get questioned even though I’ve lived here for several years,” said Gorad.
“I don’t know, I guess I just got lucky,” said Michael.
“Yeah, you sure are. C’mon follow me I’ll take us home,” said Gorad.
Michael and Gorad exited the arrivals bay and caught a train into the city. Michael looked out the window and observed the gleaming skyscrapers with green plants in the forefront, and the white mountain peaks in the backdrop with faint trails of smoke beyond the peaks. It reminded him of the pictures Ryan had sent him on a postcard from the Swiss Alps. “So, what do you think of this place? Do you like it?” asked Gorad.
“It’s beautiful, it really is. There are places on my home planet just like this. I didn’t live in such a place though. Where I lived there was just rows of wheat everywhere and cookie-cutter subdivisions,” said Michael.
“What’s a wheat?” asked Gorad.
“Well, it’s this plant that’s slender and a golden yellow color,” said Michael.
“That sounds absolutely beautiful,” said Gorad.
“Not really, it’s more of an eyesore in my opinion,” said Michael.
“Yeah, I know what you mean. The mountains here are really quite hideous, and the plants are all green and ugly. Everything about the landscape I find unpleasant, but it’s home,” said Gorad.
Michael chuckled a little hearing Gorad’s thoughts of the landscape as it would’ve been extremely desirable to anyone back on Earth. Michael continued watching out the window as the alien trees and houses flashed by. When their stop came up Gorad caught Michael’s attention which was still focused out the window. Michael followed Gorad as they walked along a narrow stone road to Gorad’s house which was a townhome with a staircase leading up to the door. “Well, here we are. Home sweet home,” said Gorad. Using one of his tentacles he hit a keypad to unlock the door and held the door open for Michael. Immediately, when opening the house Michael was hit with the aroma of unfamiliar herbs.
“This is a nice place you got here. Thank you for letting me stay here until I get on my feet,” said Michael.
“It’s no problem, always happy to help. Now, let me introduce you to my family,” said Gorad.
In the living room, Gorad’s family were gathered. Gorad’s parents were both sitting on the couch watching the news on a holographic screen while Gorad’s younger sister sat in the corner doing homework. “Hey mom and dad, this is my friend Michael,” said Gorad.
Gorad’s mom gasped “You should’ve told us you had a guest, I would’ve prepared a meal,” she said.
“Sorry I didn’t let you guys no first, I figured you wouldn’t mind,” said Gorad.
“Not at all, it’s always good to see you making friends,” said Gorad’s father.
Gorad turned to face Michael. “Well, I might as well introduce you to everyone. This is my mom, this is my dad, and this is my sister Veraki,” said Gorad.
“You can call me Mrs. Kolar,” said Gorad’s mom.
“And for me, I go by Mr. Kolar,” said Gorad’s dad.
“Well thank you all for your hospitality. As Gorad said my name is Michael,” said Michael.
Mrs. Kolar exited the room and returned moments later with a bowl of fruit. “Are you hungry at all Michael?” asked Mrs. Kolar holding the fruits.
“I am, thanks for offering, can I have this one?” Michael said pointing to a round red fruit.
“I’m sorry sweetheart, while we Morogons are known for our hospitality we can’t just give you the house,” said Mrs. Kolar.
Michael laughed, “Sorry, I forgot about your customs,” said Michael.
Touching the fruit with his hand “I meant so ask can I have this?” asked Michael.
“Yes, help yourself, we would’ve made something had we known you’d be staying the night. Tell you what, let’s head out to a restaurant later tonight so I can know a little more about your friendship with Gorad,” said Mrs. Kolar.
“Well, that sounds great. Thank you, Mrs. Kolar,” said Michael.
Michael picked a fruit out of the bowl and took a bite into it. The fruit tasted sour and acidic like lemons and had a smoother texture. “Well thank you all very much,” Michael said.
“By the way, if you need your space for a moment I can show you up to your room,” offered Gorad.
Michael followed Gorad up the staircase to a wooden sliding door. Gorad slid the door open for Michael. It was a small room not much larger than a closet with nothing but a single twin size bed with room for storing a few items underneath. At the foot of the bed was an octagon-shaped window. It wasn’t much, but Michael was appreciative of the free room and board these strangers had offered. “Thank you,” said Michael.
He entered the room closing the door behind him and sat on the bed and breathed a deep breath out. As Michael watched out the window he fiddled with the Galactobracelet on his arm and in a robotic voice the Galactobracelet started speaking. “Please enter your password,” said the bracelet. Password? Michael thought. He hadn’t set up any password. The holographic keyboard popped out with all the alien letters. It seemed the Galactobracelet turned out to be a bunch of interstellar garbage.