Chapter 29 Robbie
ROBBIE
All this back and forth talk, where I could only understand half of what was being said, was exhausting and stressful. I had been tired by the time we reached the forest, and now I just really wanted to be home with Gree-Gree and get into our bed to sleep for a year.
“Are you alright?” the alien dude who’d led us here for the video conference asked me. I turned my head to peer at him, not letting go of Gree-Gree.
“Yeah. Just really, really tired and I’m not embarrassed to admit, also overwhelmed. I have so many questions.”
“I am certain that you do. As many answers as we can safely give you will be given, but first, I am to see that you get translators.”
Fred blanched. “I already have one. Can’t that just get an update or something?”
The alien turned to face him. “It is doubtful that it is compatible technology. The Pronok use the cheapest tech they can get hold of, and it is often stolen and defective. Our medical officer will look it over and see what needs to be done.”
“Defective?” he squeaked, a look of horror crossing his face. “Um, yeah, okay.”
“Do not worry. Those of you without translators will find the process painless, but please be aware, it can take hours or even days for the integration to become complete, and you may not understand anything said to you that’s not in your language until it is.”
“Will we be able to read as well as understand what’s being said?”
“Understand and speak, but not read. You’ll have to learn to read the hard way, I’m afraid.”
Ah well. I had the primer, and no doubt once I understood the spoken word, the reading part would come along more quickly.
Over half the battle and all that. Besides, it wasn’t as if I needed to be able to read cooking instructions off the back of a box or anything.
Just being able to talk to Gree-Gree was exciting enough, to be honest.
The alien beckoned for us to follow him once more, and we did so, leaving the chamber behind.
He led us back outside once more, back onto the path, this time taking us all the way to the cliff top, where he pressed something on his wrist. To the great astonishment of us all, an honest to goodness cigar shaped craft was sitting on a landing pad, appearing as if by magic, where just moments before there was nothing but sand and scrubby grasses.
“A projection, to help conceal our presence here from enemies,” he commented simply, walking up to the craft and opening a hatch for us to go in.
“Have a seat,” he instructed, repeating it in the guttural language Gree-Gree’s people spoke so they’d also understand.
There were rows of seats arranged like on an airplane, with similar sorts of belts. For once, I found myself being the one assisting Gree-Gree, which felt kind of nice. I was no longer someone he had to show everything to and look after.
“Where are we going?” Beth asked, which was an excellent question.
“To our ship in orbit,” came the reply. “Taking you to medical, for your translators, and a physical check up. Then we’ll return to your mountain village along with the technicians who will be installing the portal.”
He repeated this again in Gree-Gree’s native tongue.
“Why can’t you just take us home?” Patrick demanded.
“As explained earlier, it is forbidden.” His mouth tightened.
“Then take us with you. You’re leaving, right? Why do we have to stay on this frozen rock? Our society is miles more advanced than these guys!”
“Because you are still a pre-interstellar flight species, so it is forbidden.”
“Not even to drop us off on a warmer planet with supplies to start our own colony?” Patrick insisted.
“Your numbers are not sufficient for such a thing to be viable, and worlds that are hospitable that are not already spoken for are hard to come by.There has already been too much interference as it is from meddlers.”
“Just fucking great,” Patrick groused.
“I’m sure they’re doing the best they can,” Sam said gently. “They are probably bending the rules to help us now.”
“It is only permitted as you were exposed to the Pronok and found your way into an already compromised society that we have been tasked to oversee guidance and extend protection to. The three species on this world are a unique case.”
“Three?” I gasped. “There is one more other than Gree-Gree’s people and the guys from the forest.”
“Indeed. The folk who fish the waters near our base belong to neither.” He stood up from the seat where he’d been making what I’d thought were adjustments to the controls to prepare us for take off. “We’re here. Please follow me and do not wander off.”
He opened the door, revealing a hangar filled with more of his kind and a handful of the cigar shaped ships. Standing before the opening, he repeated himself once more for our yetis’ benefit while my friends and I scrambled to undo our seatbelts and stand up.
Holy shit balls. We were all on another ship filled with even more aliens.