The Power of Maya


Dream of the Worlds Trilogy, Part 2


By Ivan D. Alexander




The Power of Maya

1. Maya
2. Eaters of the Dead
3. Ka'Ananda

4. Reception
5. Dance
6. First Light

7. House of Death
8. Awakening
9. Patterns

10. The Game
11. Kahla
12. Sadhu

13. Morz
14. The Cave
15. Exhile
16. Family
17. The Barter
18. Trek

19. Karu'an
20. Weapons
21. The Meeting

22. The Sing
23. Gentle
24. Star-command

25. Carnival
26. Angel
27. Landing

28. Arrested
29. Judgment
30. Change


It is now nearly four thousand years since the first visitors from Earth had been to Ka'ananda. The story you will meet in these pages, as I had told it to my young daughter, Maya, will bring news back to Earth from that distant world. But we are distant cousin worlds, so what you will see on Ka'ananda will not be so strange to you, as it was not strange to me. But there were some things that were strange, some that frightened me, and that ultimately meant harm for my home world. As I am a daughter of both worlds, now, I felt it was important for this message to get back to Earth: That there were those who worshipped power more than the love and goodwill of the Dream. But the Dream is now about to become a part of Earth too. So the story had to be told, and not forgotten.
--San'aa


1. Maya.

"Tell me a story, Mother."
Her inquisitive young eyes shone with their unique blue-amber color as she looked at me with that face I so love. Her little chin framed by high cheeks, still cuddled in baby fat, was smiling at me. She was just four, yet already through the special training she had received, she had the mind of a child more than twice her age. She asked again:
"Tell me again of how you came here with Paul."
"You've already heard that story numerous times, love."
"Yes, but I love it so. Tell me more."
"All right. I'll tell you a story. But it will not be the same as you've heard before. I've told you of how I had met your father in East Africa and how we travelled the world, my Earth, before he took me aboard Ship and we came here to Ka'ananda, which is now our home. But you know all that, and now that you are older, I will tell you of what happened when we got here."
I thought about it for a moment, her young mind already reaching into mine to probe. But her training was still rudimentary and she could only feel the sadness and foreboding that wells up whenever I think of these past four years. I had such dreams once, so much faith. And now I know that it was to be much harder than I dreamed then. So I formed my thoughts and began for my daughter, Maya, the tale she wanted to hear.
"We came aboard the Star-ship to your home world. How beautiful it all was. Everything seemed perfect. Your father and I were so in love. After leaving the troubles of Earth behind... Remember how we were pursued by the police? I suddenly felt as if I had entered a magical kingdom where existed only good. Everyone was so friendly, full of Light, never a cross word, and all around us rejoiced in how we loved each other. I could have never imagined anything could ever go wrong..."

"Come, my love, let us change. These new tunics will serve us well while we work."
Paul had an android bring us a change of clothing. Karu'an, the lion I met when I first came to the Star-ship, had already become my companion and followed me about like a faithful friend. His mind was so keen that he even directed me on how to use the various controls I needed to learn, though he could not work them himself. But he was very observant. We changed in the privacy of our quarters.
"San'aa! How beautiful you look in our work clothes!"
"Thanks, Ka'an. Though I am not used to wearing clothes you could see through."
"Oh, that's nothing. But call me Kahla. I like my new Earth name. I'm going to use it on Ka'ananda. You do look good."
Kahla went on to the station where she worked monitoring the space deflection mechanism which steered the Ship through the many stellar and planetary obstacles we would encounter when shifting through the various space levels as we flew home. The bright light aboard ship was dimmed around her as she worked on her consoles, as if she were framed by light around a halo of darkness. She also looked good, her curly blond hair tossed back when she laughed.
'Home' had become relative to me, since I had never been on Ka'andana, at that point, but only knew it from my learning 'tapes'. Even the word tapes was inadequate, as the repositories of knowing were actually more like small eggs or pebbles, nodules, all classified and decoded by the mechanisms that were part of the Dream technology. A small dove sized egg nodule could hold the information of a whole year's worth of experience, and this could be absorbed in the space of about two hours. So I had seen my new home, through the eyes of others, though I had never been there myself.
Paul had engaged himself in the Dream again, working on deciphering the reality grid-matrix maps all the experiences he and Angel and Tenya had on Earth. The process is complicated, but could best be explained as follows: He enters a chamber that is totally isolated from all contact with the Ship, puts on a head piece that connects him to a three dimensional organic grid pattern. When the grid is activated, he then enters a semi-sleep state, a kind of meditation, or Dream, in which he sees the patterns as they unfold and gives them his interprretation of their meaning. These are then further interpreted by the Dreamers for the future process of integrating Earth into the community of Living Worlds. As best I could understand it, it was a very delicate and exact process that brought the Light and the Dream to a newly awakened world, and it required a great deal of care. This is how the Light was first brought to Ka'ananda about twenty thousand years ago, and so it would be brought to Earth. It almost happened about four thousand years ago, but something went wrong. So for now, Earth still sleeps.
Paul and I spent all of our free time together. We were so happy to be aboard Ship. At the viewing walls, we would watch space changing in beautiful spectrums of color as we sped by worlds and stars and far off galaxies. In the company of others, our cheerfulness was contagious. And alone, we loved endlessly. Whenever I became depressed about leaving my home planet, he would have the androids perform some antic for us, to make me laugh. But it was also the minds and hearts of all around us. They loved us.
"How are your language studies coming along, San'aa?"
"Coming along quite well, M'aan." She was the Ship's Commander. I spoke to her in the tongue of Ka'ananda. "Ka phean na ipu'sat'an won de ul'mo'ananda." This roughly translates into: "I can speak almost as well as everyone on your world."
M'aan smiled. "I see you can. Good! Has Ta'an introduced you to the tapes showing the history and topography of our world?"
"I have studied the land, the cities, how I am to live, but am still vague on the history."
"Then let us start you on our pre-history. This is known by way of other worlds, how they communicated it to us, since we like you were without the knowledge of our distant past. The same will happen someday on Earth, where the people there will be able to tune in to any part of their history or pre-history at will. Much is recorded and known, especially before your world was placed in Quarantine four thousand years ago. So let Ta'an set you up, whenever you wish. But I must caution you. Some parts of our pre-history are very violent and bloody, as yours was."
"You mean still is. My planet can do untold damage to itself, with wars and destruction. But I am of Africa and the desert. In my childhood in Ethiopia, and later in Eritrea, I knew much bloodshed and cruelty."
"You will see we had it too. But we were lucky to leave it sooner. And you will see why. But you are of us now, even though your seed had been abandoned when we left long ago, and your ancestors were forced to mate with Earth's beings. Ultimately our visits were totally forgotten, except as myths. Still, the Dreamers know that through your seed you belong as one of us."
M'aan was referring to when Earth was placed in Quarantine so that no other world could come and openly communicate with her, there were those of Ka'ananda who were left behind and taken captive. Some were killed, but others, especially the women, were kept as slaves or concubines. They were so fair that none could kill them. They went to the most powerful rulers and chiefs of the time, even to the Pharaohs. The Dreamers now believed that my very great-great grandmother, 'Ti, was married to a Pharaoh, Amenhetep III. She became a great queen. Their son Aakhunaten, and his beautiful wife Nefertiti were Maya's great-great grandparents. As M'aan left, Paul came in from the Dream chambers.
"I feel as if the last ten hours in the Dream chambers have left me drained. I could use a good while in the Light chamber. Want to join me?"
Though he looked tired, he was beautiful to my eyes. His light, coffee colored skin beneath his tunic called to me. And his deep blue eyes had a steady gaze on me. We had enjoyed the Light chambers many times, which are also used to cleanse and refresh ourselves. The experience leaves one clean and relaxed, almost to the point of being orgasmic. So I wanted to.
As we lay on the soft contoured platform that serves as a bed, having done with the Light shower, we played with each other. My fingers ran down his spine, touching him. We both still tingled and each touch was provocative. When Paul turned over, his body told me that he wanted me. I caressed him around the thighs and kissed him. He reached down to my head and began kissing me about the neck, his hands reaching into the intimate parts of my body. I yielded and we loved for hours.
"Have you been attending to your tapes, my love?"
"I have time for them. I'd rather be here with you. This feels so good."
In fact it did. I felt totally relaxed and spent. Paul felt the same and only reluctantly we rose from our bed. But he had duties aboard the Star-ship and I knew he would be off shortly to attend to some project his assignment called for. Even though a Star-ship can run almost automatically of itself, there were many things that had to be monitored to safely project us through space for the twelve day duration of our journey. Sometimes, obstacles or a distress from another vessel would divert us temporarily, and all of these contingencies required attention by all aboard. Of gravest danger were the black holes. They were invisible to our sensors if we were shifting from one plane to another, since the black holes do the same naturally, spanning two planes at once. But the Dreamers knew where to look for them when we shifted planes.
There were about five thousand people aboard, and all had duties assigned to them. I was the only one whose sole duty was to acclimate myself to the ways of my new, old, world, though I was entrusted with the care of Karu'an, my friendly lion, even if he was attended to by the androids and was quite self sufficient. So I decided to find Ta'an, Paul's or P'aan's, as he is sometimes called here, strategist.
"Master?" I asked of Paul's personal android as he walked into our chamber, "where can I find Ta'an?"
Master changed his attention from whatever his mind was on, and after an imperceptible moment, responded to me.
"You will find him in the main control area of the Dream chambers, Mistress." He was fond of calling me by that name. It started even before he had met me. "I think P'aan will be going there shortly, so you two could go together."
"Thank you, Master." Master again resumed his preoccupation and turned to tidying up the mess Paul and I had left all over the room. His smooth, though mechanical motions, showed how well programmed he was for his work. He resembled a human in every way, even resembling Paul, somewhat, except that his features were stylized, and his skin of a slightly silvery color. He also could not Dream. This he knew, but it did not seem to bother him. He would say: "Dreaming is only for humans."
Paul presently walked in through the passageway and we went off together to the Dream control center, which was at the other end of the Ship.
"M'aan said that I may be troubled by the tapes I'm to see, the ones about your pre-history. Oh they are grizzly, especially at the beginning."
"I think the tape she has in mind is the one that compares how human consciousness was introduced to both our worlds, at about the same time. You see, both worlds were run as one experiment. That's one reason why we've been called upon to bring the Light to Earth. But don't worry. If it troubles you, just turn it off. And if it is really disturbing, call me. We'll do it together."
He flashed me a knowing smile, but I could read in his mind concern. My interest in these tapes was beginning to grow and I could not wait to sit in on them. As we walked down the corridors of the ship, passing living quarters and then the main Dream hall, which is where we hold our 'sings', we were near the center of the Ship. The walkways beyond here were specially designed to glide us forward, so it took less effort. We stepped and in each step we were lifted and redeposited gently again for the next step. There was almost no feeling of motion in this, except the eyes would blur temporarily as we speeded forth. But the mechanism responsible for this motion would always return us to a normal walking position, as if we walked normal steps. Except we covered much more distance. These 'express' walkways are not used everywhere aboard, but primarily through the areas where there is little of interest and not much reason to linger. This is never so near the living quarters. But we were passing the maintenance areas now, and unless one had business there, we 'flew' by and covered the remaining half of the ship in half the time. There were express corridors, or gliding walkways as they are called, at other levels as well. So one could cover the length of the ship in a matter of minutes, if needed. It still amazes me how such a great structure could work in total integration and travel through space at multiple factors of light speed. Paul explained to me early on, but I really don't understand it.
"There's Ta'an. I'm going into the pilot area, love, so I'll see you later on."
He gave me a look that spoke through his eyes, and I could feel him as if he were inside. Then he smiled and turned.
"San'aa!" Ta'an's cherubic face beamed at me. "Are you here for more training? M'aan said you may be by today. Or what day is it anyway? There really are not days and nights in space, only time. How do you feel?" "Wonderful. Paul and I did the Light."
"Ahh! That is a special moment. I think I'm ready for the same. My mind has been so focussed on these maps for so long, I can't think of anything else. Would Paul mind if you joined me?" He gave me a mirthful look.
"I don't think I'm ready," I laughed back cautiously.
"Tssk. So, let me show you where you could make yourself comfortable. Let's pick this one. I think that the knowledge stored here may be exactly what M'aan had in mind. Ah, yes. There it is."
He lifted a small stone from a tray lined with soft material. He held it up and examined it. It shone like a ruby in his hand. Most of these learning tape-stones looked like precious gems, crystalline and of different colors. It made me wonder why my ancestors so loved precious stones. This one shone red. Ta'an seemed pleased with his choice, and dropped it into the small container which would read it. I took my seat and adjusted the flaps that straddled my neck and head. The light was automatically dimmed in the cubicle so that it would not disturb my eyes. Much of what I would learn is visual, though other sensations would also come through in varying degrees. That is how language is learned so quickly. For each word and phrase, there is a sensation that registers subliminally in association, so the mind retains absolutely everything. The best description I could think of is that it's like learning language by doing physical work. It really works.
"There, San'aa. That should do it. The time for this session is about and hour and a half, though it could last much longer if you wish. It will take you from the beginning to where we discover written language. So you'll see hieroglyphs and pictoglyphs. I hope you enjoy the music, as it is played for each era as they played it then. This is to help you remember it. Also, I didn't tell you, but this tape plays backwards. So you will starts with the latest period and work back to the beginning. Ready?"
I nodded, feeling mild apprehension. I've never been so coached before and wondered why this tape is getting so much attention. But I closed my eyes and relaxed. This could be very pleasurable and relaxing, as no school classroom on Earth could ever be.
"Okay, Ta'an. Let it begin."



2. Eaters of the Dead.

"What's a school-class-room, Mama?"
"You don't have classrooms here. But on my world, children learn by all sitting together in a room with a teacher who teaches them the things they need to learn."
"It sounds like I would like it, playing with all the children."
"Oh, no. You must sit still and not play, but pay attention. Well, at least in the schools I went to."
"Oh? But would I have learning tapes like now?"
My lion Karu'an lying against the stone wall shifted position. I looked around our simple room and remembered what it was like to be in school. Then I remembered my first experience on what were once our primitive worlds.
"No. It is very different on Earth. It is much more primitive than what we have here. But let me go on with my story..."

When the lights dimmed, I felt myself become enveloped in a mist-like cloud with faint, distant sounds that drew me into their midst. I was an observer, a part detached from the visual panorama that unfolded before me, but another part felt it as if I were in the middle of it.
The tapes are interactive and I could direct myself to any part of the scene I wished by merely focussing my attention on what interested me. There were fields of grain and people working them, bent over their task, and draft animals pulling loads, attended by their drivers. These were abutted by large walls and gates into which these carts would pass. Inside there were alleyways and houses and market squares overlooking imposing temples where finely dressed men and women came and went. I knew these were scenes of Ka'ananda, but they could have been of Earth in antiquity. There was no technology save simple, primitive tools for working wood and stone and soil, or cloth and leather. Simple machines helped water rise into the aqueduct ditches for distribution to the fields. Boats floated serenely on the rivers. Children and domestic animals played in household yards. They were dressed in what appeared as rags, though it was their regular play dress.
I watched the play of children, tossing about a leather doll, playing catch with it, or parrying blows with small makeshift wooden swords. Then messages began forming themselves in my mind:
"This was Ka'ananda nearly twenty five thousand Earth years ago. Do you recognize it?"
In my mind I formed a thought: "No. But I had read and heard of these things from my own world."
"Both worlds had parallel developments. But ours was faster paced then yours, though both had the same origins."
As these words were communicated to me, without sound, new scenes appeared showing me details of daily life. I saw healing herbs applied by doctors, their clinics full of people, some old, some young, wrapped in thick woven blankets before small fires and kettles of steam. I also saw the priests in their temples chanting their sacred rites, processing about, holding objects above their heads in veneration, and then the sacrifice of animals on altars before their tall gods, hellish fires lighting the dimmed interiors of the temple. I even saw human captives, wild eyed and frightened, being led before these gods. I focussed on one of these scenes.
"Are these too of Ka'ananda?"
"Yes. But they too happened on your world. Both worlds were similar in their ancient history."
Priests chanted, accompanied to reed flutes and small drums and a single, three stringed instrument that made a plaintive single note sound. They sounded not unlike Arabic music I had heard as a child, but much slower and crude. As I focussed my attention of this scene, a young woman was pulled from the half dozen captives and brought forth before one of the tall gods. She stooped in submission, fear written all over her supple young body. She could not have been more than fifteen. Her rough, tattered garments were taken from her by attendants, undressed gently it seemed. Her naked body, so lovely, just in the flower of her youth, was trembling, eyes averted from the severe stone statue before her. There were magical symbols carved on the walls around the god, and paintings of scenes that also depicted the god's heroics of long ago. I could read these when I looked at them, but they meant nothing to me. Yet, somehow, I knew that I knew them. Then the woman was forced to kneel before the altar.
As she knelt, a priest's attendant placed a hand on her shoulder and lowered her head forward so that now kneeling she rested on her hands. Then he lowered her head again until it touched the stone floor. I wanted to avert my attention so that I would not see, it already filling me with dread, but I could not. I had to know what was to happen to her. The other captives were kept in a group farther back in the shadows, all also kneeling, but in full view. She knelt there in submission before the terrible deity. A young priest approached her, bearing tall and confident, carrying a large metal dish of water with a bronze knife resting in it. I could see the knife glisten by the flames of torch light as clearly as I could see the priest's robes, finely embroidered and trimmed in gold. He put the basin down on the altar before her and pulled the knife from the water. It dripped coldly onto the stone. This he took and held it before the god, as if to show off its fine workmanship, then he brought it close to the girl. I could see she had marks on her body which were tattoos bearing her rank in her native tribe. Her black hair was tossed about her shoulders and she lowered her head down, as if knowing what to expect. Her lovely breasts were now almost touching the stone floor, which also bore hieroglyph markings. Her finely shaped legs were kneeling, her buttocks revealed naked and upturned.
"Is this like what we had on Earth?" I asked silently. Dread again filled me.
"No. This is different. But she is also a war captive."
Then the priest took the basin over to her. The knife had been again placed on the altar. And with his hands, he began bathing her naked body all over. He did this in caressing motions, as if to be very tender with her and to wash away her fears. He was giving a gift to the gods. When he had used all the water, he put the basin back on the altar next to the knife, then he returned to his sacrifice. While she knelt in her nearly prostrate position, he began chanting a song that was in an arcane language of the time. He did this for a long time. Then he knelt behind her and, after letting his robes fall to the floor, pressed his erection into her. She gave a gasp, which let me to believe it was her fist time. A flash of pain crossed her face. Then he withdrew himself before he had achieved orgasm. Attendants quickly replaced his robes. He walked away. The basin was removed by a novice priest, and another captive was brought forth.
"Is the sacrifice over?"
"Yes. This one is. But for the others, it is not. One of them will not receive the priest's blessing, and that one will be cursed, or die. Her throat cut."
"Is it the same for the men?"
"Yes. They too will either be blessed or cursed. Do you want to see?"
"No. I want to move on from this time. But what would have happened on Earth?"
The scenes changed, but in many ways were similar. Except the young woman was kneeling before a raised platform of fire. She seemed drugged and barely aware of what was happening to her. First he took her from behind, as before. But then, as if out of anger, the priest took the knife from the basin and he reached down to her soft abdomen and cut a deep gash into it. She fell from her kneeling position. He turned her over. Fear was still on her face as she lay, blood forming a small pool by her side. Then he reached into her open flesh and cut an artery. The blood now spilled out like a fountain and quickly ran down little gullies that led to the feet of the god. There it gathered in a growing red pool. Then the woman screamed. I think I did too.
"Horrible! Why did they kill her?"
"Her body was a sacrifice to the god. But they did not always kill them. Sometimes, they offered it in the way you had seen, the priest communing sex with her, or him."
I quickly changed my focus and we moved on through time through wars and famines, due to drought or other disasters. The wars were not always of conquest and migration. Sometimes they were more like feuds, fought for revenge of wrongs that may have been long forgotten, but never forgiven. Past these I moved to where people lived mostly as nomadic tribes. They did not yet practice agriculture but gathered from the land what they needed, mostly roots and herbs and wild fruit. These were cooked in thick stews in crude metal pots over fires, or in stone pits if the camps were poor, inside their animal hide tents, surrounded by the hungry mouths and eager eyes of the clan. Outside the tents, visible through the smoke, were animals tied to posts. Others had been skinned and left to hang, ready to be quartered. The people were pastoralists and there was a sense of general litter scattered about the camp. Dogs roamed. It would soon be time to move on, to follow the herds of wild pony-like thick-furred animals. They had no written language, but already scratched messages marking time or maps on wood or bone with strokes and dots. Inside the tent, the meal ready, all were noisily eating out of wooden bowls with their hands, their metal weapons neatly stacked beside their other possessions. Greasy stains covered their faces and hands. But they looked happy, laughing and talking amongst themselves. The season had been good and they were fed.
The visions took me further back into time, dim images of hunting bands huddled against the wind, stalking game, gathered around a fire, singing mournful songs, the men in deep base and the women in higher, more shrill voices. To keep rhythm, the men beat their weapons upon the hard soil, or banged them together, while the women clapped their hands. The night seemed unbroken by any light save from the fire and the planets and stars. Both moons of Ka'ananda shone on the edge of each horizon, playing a game of catch, which was never won. Meat was roasting on the flames, and I could smell this, and hear the distant sounds of animals, some that sounded like howling wolves. In the day, the people would be seen wandering, or just lounging in the shade, picking insects off each other. They had not yet learned to make shelter, save for wind breaks, and lived mostly in the wide open stretches of plains, hugging close to the edges of forests and mountains. Often the victims of animal predation, hunters and hunted, they always posted a lookout. But they already had speech. Their drawings were simple symbols of what they had been taught to do by their forefathers. With no written language, they told stories to each other instead. They were already women and men of modern times. They looked like us.
"Would these be Earth ancestors too?"
"Very like. At those times, both worlds evolved in much the same way, almost in the same time. It was only later that Earth started to fall behind."
"Why did my world not keep up?"
"Climate. Your continents separated the oceans differently. Where your land masses go pole to pole, ours were more like bands circling the globe. This allowed for a warmer, more gentle climate, and we were spared the hardships of the ice ages, unlike yours. You lost nearly twenty thousand years. But there was another reason."
Everywhere I looked, the scenes were similar. Humans had simple tools of wood and stone, metal not having yet been discovered. Women tended to hides and meals. Men did the butchering and tended the fires. Children carried water in skins or tightly woven baskets lined with pitch. Pottery had not yet been invented. The bands of humans often stayed small, usually no more than twenty to a clan. Vegetation was lush in the jungles, but these were very dangerous and sparsely populated, as most lived on the edges of the open savannahs. When bands met, they often were suspicious of each other, at first, until one or the other brought gifts. They exchanged words they could little understand, but were instantly friendly if any recognized a kinsman or woman. Then it was cause for a feast or celebration, if the food was available. If not, then it became a communal hunt. When these hunts failed, sometimes, the bands would turn on one another and attack, each blaming the other for their bad luck. These would result in bloody battles where some died. Others were taken captive as slaves.
I watched these scenes from the vantage point of different parts of the planet. Though they seemed to be fairly uniform, already there were signs of differentiation. Some bands were taller, healthier than others. Some were darker skinned. And some bands were more clever, better able to survive. As I focussed on these bands to see each person up close, I even spotted rare mutations of blue eyes beneath thick mats of yellow hair, though most had coarse dark hair and features. A few, light and dark, were already handsome to look at. The planet teemed with life, though human clans were still very sparse. Life was short.
"Are we at the beginning of human times?"
"Not yet. There's fire."
The scenery kept unfolding for me, but I had begun to feel tired. There was so much to absorb in such a short time. The unease from seeing the human sacrifice hung over me like a memory shroud, but I felt I was approaching the end of the tape. The focus was more on animal life, the herds of wild beasts and birds traversing the large plains. Desert mountains loomed in the distance, silence broken only by wind and storms. I could see the sky turn black with night, or watch the sun rise in the eyes of a young human already wakened from sleep, scanning the land for game. Only one band throughout the continent had fire. Ka'ananda has several small continents, but most of the humans centered on one major land mass. This land was surrounded by lush greenery, marsh and jungle, and bands of life flowing rivers, wooded areas. Otherwise it was desert or semi arid plains. It was on the plains, where storms were frequent, that humans first domesticated fire.
It was the old ones who first sought fire. Their failed teeth found it hard to chew raw meat, so they scattered to the edges of brush fires to find animals that had succumbed to the smoke and been charred. Sometimes, they succumbed themselves. When they found these, they tore the carcass open and ate away the meat inside, which had been made tender by the flames. All knew this, but because fresh kill was prized over charred meat, most never bothered with it, except for the old. Cold was of no consequence as their bodies were well acclimated to it, and found the heat from fire rather oppressive, as animals do today. But they enjoyed the temporary relief smoldering brush offered from insects, and this was much prized. It was for this purpose that they first transferred flames from natural fires to piles of brush in their camp and carefully tended them. Then swarming, biting insects were kept down to a minimum, and all could sleep in peace. There was also the added benefit of inhaling smoke before story telling, so the telling could get better, as certain herbs gave off slightly hallucinogenic fumes. When this was realized, smoke was tendered reverently, so that each night could be free of insects and full of stories. Only much later was the old people's habit of preferring cooked meat finally accepted by the clans.
I watched this one clan roam the wilderness in search of smoke, running to it when it was found, spotted from a great distance. The other clans thought their habit strange, but gradually the knowledge of the benefit of smoke eventually passed from clan to clan. Now many clans had the smoke and fumes around which to gather and tell stories. In time, with nightly exposure to heat, they became acclimated to it, even craved it, and fire took a permanent place in each camp.
"How far back are we?"
"This is the beginning of human life as we know it now, about two million Earth years. But there is still one thing that was responsible for it, on both our world, and on Earth."
I looked into the darkest past of mankind, creatures I could scarcely recognize as human, though their hairy faces were human. In their eyes was intelligence, movements of facial muscles that revealed expression. The way they tilted their heads, or raised their arms in expression, was a wordless communication of mind. I shivered in the cold of night, looking in on them, and baked in the noonday sun, feeling beads of perspiration form on my brow. But I could not stop it now, as I was totally hypnotized by the tape and had to see the rest. There were lights in the sky, fast moving lights that crisscrossed from horizon to horizon, and I saw them from the planet's surface, looking up frightened. I could not understand what they were or where they came from. Then, in a thicket, I spotted strange beings who rather looked like me, but were different. They were lighter skinned, tall, some with yellowish and reddish beards, and they stood perfectly still. Not even their eyes moved. They were well proportioned, strong and handsome to look at. I felt drawn to them, partly out of curiosity, but mostly because I could not resist. I approached closer, so that I could almost touch the one nearest me. It was a man, dressed in animal skins and holding a long stick. I thought he had frozen and could not move, though he stood erect, not like a frozen corpse I had once seen. He looked healthy. I stood marvelling at the sight, unable to understand it. Then the one nearest me, he moved, first his eyes, and then a hand. I froze with fright. I wanted to run, but something held me. It was his eyes. They were blue. Suddenly, as a woman, I felt foolish and embarrassed, and very scared. I wanted to cry out, but could not, and he reached for me. The others also all moved now, and all came around me. Because I was totally naked, they had no difficulty in taking me. I let them, unable to comprehend what was happening, though I had a man take me before. But they were gentler, and it felt pleasant, so I ceased my fear and no longer resisted. They took me all in turn, each one of them, of which there were as many as the fingers on my hands. I tried making sounds to have them understand that I was not afraid, and they only smiled at me, never saying a word. But I felt them as if they were in my head. Then they left me, and again disappeared into the thicket.
It was a strange sensation, to have been taken like this. As my observation rose from the scene, I realized this was happening at different times all over the planet. We were being mated with strange, alien beings disguised as humans who flew down in light filled ships, and then departed.
"What was happening? I don't understand. Those were aliens."
"This was the experiment both worlds, yours and ours, had millennia ago. We were both approached by a people of superior race, who now no longer exist, and who wanted to pass on their genes and consciousness to our world. They died out shortly after, as they knew they would. But it was different on your world."
The scene replayed again, the same sense of immersion I had just experienced. But here, the women were not passive, willing to be taken. They fought in almost every case, and used their crude wood and stone weapons to overcome the alien men. As they were approached, they clubbed them. Then their men set upon them and finished them off. I could feel the blows, as if they were on me, blood streaming, pain. Finally, unconsciousness. The aliens did not resist, ever, but let themselves be taken instead, and killed, like human sacrifice. It was a time when flesh was prized above all. Those early pre-humans craved it to the point where they even ate their own dead. A slain enemy was food, not to be wasted, and cannibalism was then universal throughout both worlds. But on Earth, the minds of these primitive beings did not respond as well to the aliens' minds. So when they fell they became food. The genetic code was passed on to Earth same as on Ka'andana, but in a very different way. It went directly into the food chain. So that even when predatory animals ate humans, they too within limits picked up the aggressive, near conscious traits of their victims, and Earth developed differently. Consciousness came to Earth from the stars through the eaters of the dead.

The tape ended. I sat frozen in my seat for a long time afterwards, until I could hear a voice speak to me.
"San'aa. You can rise now."
It was Paul, who had come to look in on me, to see I was alright.
"Oh, my God. If I am truly of both worlds, then that was me."
"It was. We have all experienced it through innumerable life times. You were there. That's part of the reason the tapes work so well. They help you remember..."

When I ceased my tale, Maya was looking at me with strange eyes, as if she too were remembering, her little teeth moist with saliva. Then she changed her face and looked at me seriously.
"That was a terrible story, Mother. I would not liked to have been there. I don't want to see that tape."
"It's still too soon for you to see it. But all learn it in time. But it is now past your bed time, and you must sleep."
"I am tired."
"I know dear. It is my fault." Karu'an had already gone out for the night, and one moon had already fallen below the horizon, the other taking its place in the sky.
"What am I doing on my tapes tomorrow?"
"Music. You will learn singing."
"Oh, that's one I love. I can't wait to wake." Then she looked at me with those mischievous eyes: "Will I dream?"
"Dream only beautiful dreams. Don't think of the story I told you."
"Will you tell me another story tomorrow?"
"Uh, huh, love."
Maya prepared for bed. But before lying down, she went to the door and stood for a moment outside, looking up at the sky. I did not know of what she was thinking, but I suspected she wanted to see the shuttle crafts streaking across the heavens, as they had once done long ago. She may have been thinking of those aliens who, over two million years ago, came to our respective worlds, and gave us the mind. Karu'an walked up to her, and brushed gently against her.
"Good night, Maya."

3. Ka'Ananda.

"San'aa, you know I am your friend."
Kahla placed her hand on my shoulder as she said this. We were walking from the maintenance area where she had to oversee the repair performed by young technicians of some malfunction. We were walking back to the pilot areas. Kahla was in appearance no more than in her late twenties, about my age. In fact, she was over fifty years old on her world. Several days had passed since my exposure to our worlds' terrible pre-history. She spoke again:
"As Angel's strategist, I am privy to much information that others do not know. This was revealed to me when he Earth-walked along with Paul and Tenya and was wounded. When he came aboard Ship, we suspected nothing. But now we think there was foul play. And we still don't know the depth of this, though our Dreamers are working on it. But I think that the reason he chose to remain behind had more to do than merely allowing you to return in his place. There may be complicity."
"But with whom? Do you mean that I am a pawn in some game that most of us aren't even aware of?"
"We just don't know. But M'aan suspects."
She was referring to the Ship's commander.
"But how about Paul and Tenya. Since they both are just returning from Earth, shouldn't they know?"
"There's still nothing to know. But it may affect you directly."
"May I tell Paul?"
"Only that you don't know anything."
She again reached my arm and pressed it, giving me a knowing look. We were still a day from arrival on my new world, and much preparation was being made. Most of these were in the way of readying material exchanges upon landing, as the Ship would need to be re-outfitted and supplied for its next voyage. Also, samples were being readied for dis-embarkation. It amused me to think that, in a manner of speaking, I too was a sample, being the first Earth person to step on Ka'ananda in four thousand years. All the shuttle craft which typically ride attached to the Ship's exterior were moved inside the hull as the large vessel prepared for descent onto the planet's surface. The Ship was large enough to hold several of our largest sea tankers. It seemed to me to be truly a marvel of human ingenuity. But most aboard treated it as commonplace. It made me wonder what the planet's surface was like.
"What do you think Kahla meant when she said: 'There may be complicity?'"
Paul and I were relaxing in our private chamber. We lay naked after a Light shower and had opened the viewing port and watched the lights of space move as we approached his world.
"She's right to say that we don't know. The Dreamers have begun picking up some faint traces of aberrations in the reality fabric surrounding Angel's release of his communications device. But it was ignored, thinking that it was merely a consequence of being on a quarantined planet."
"So now they will focus on it?"
"Well, they will look for it again, as will I. But without more detail, and with the possible complicity of secrecy, then we will be handicapped. It isn't like our world to keep secrets, so we are not well prepared."
"On my world, secrets are the norm," I said only half jokingly. "So we know how to maneuver around them, or try to."
"Then your presence may be more useful than you thought, except for being with me that is." And as he said this, he tickled me teasingly as we rolled about the bed.
Paul rolled over on his stomach and looked up at the cosmic dome. Large nebulae receded and a vast asteroid belt began to fill the sky. It looked like an endless field of boulders of varying sizes reflecting reddish and golden in the distant sunlight. The Ship's engines hummed steadily as the field passed beneath and above us. We were now only a day away. The Ship's energy was being reversed back into the universal plane that both Earth and Ka'ananda shared, though we were already thousands of light years away. Paul and I dressed into our work tunics and skipped down towards the pilot areas for final approach.
"May I watch you work?" This was directed at Kahla.
"Of course, dear. You're very welcome."
The other crew members were also positioned at their stations, in front of large monitors showing three dimensional holograms of the inter-relationships the Ship needed for it operations. The Ship's powerful internal light was dimmed around these areas. Everyone, including Paul and M'aan and others was totally focussed on their screens. Ta'an presently returned and also took his place.
The next two hours were spent reversing the spectrums of the space around us which would at times glow bright blue and then a dull red as we decelerated. We were now travelling at sub-light speeds. Shortly, we would start cruising in the cosmic reality of Ka'ananda, but still a fair distance from our world. The star that powered it was still but a bright speck. It grew perceptibly larger as the hours passed by. When we were but two hours away, I had begun feeling the nervousness of anticipation. I would soon step onto a new world. Or maybe my old world. So much time had passed.
We had been awake now for nearly twelve Earth hours, in effect our evening, and it was decided by M'aan to go for the landing now, as this coincided with our landing location's time frame. Food was brought to us by androids. It was distributed in small trays, portions that would have left me hungry on Earth, but this food was different. Some of the food tasted and had the texture of meat, though I learned it was actually a root. It refreshed and filled in minutes. I had seen it processed aboard Ship and knew that it had been treated specially with the Light, the energy that powers all of Ka'ananda's technology, including the Dream chambers. The large crystals that stored the Light were constantly activated for all these activities, except in the main 'sing' chamber, where it rested dark green, almost space black, until it was called upon. Having eaten, we again directed our attention to the screens.
My job, if it may be called that, was to sit in at whatever seats were vacated. So I took turn sitting in Paul's seat when he was called away to look at some Dream maps of our final approach. His monitor showed a grid of matrix lines, all different colors, all three dimensionally playing and overlaying on each other in a basket weaver's design. Paul had explained that when all these lined up into a single point of white light, then the reality grids had been properly aligned and we could land. It did not seem so easy, as no matter what I did to the controls, the lines remained scattered in their weird patterns. So I just watched them. It would have been much easier flying a shuttle craft to the planet's surface then to try to align the landing of a Star-ship. The shuttle had a single hand held control that maneuvered everything and this, from my learning tapes, I mastered quite easily. Since I still had not attended tapes on these functions, I was merely a useless observer.
There was little noise in the pilot areas, only the soft rustle of human activity, or voices. The screens made no audible sound, though there was a constant hum, like a million bees mixed with harmonics, that accompanied the Ship's engines. It sounded almost alive. I also knew that this sound was heard more by the brain and inner ear than auditory senses. Androids came and went, attending to our needs, but mostly stayed out of the way, as this was a critical time and they did not interfere with our attention. At one point Master, Paul's personal android, entered and inquired about him, but then left to resume his other duties. Even Karu'an was scarce, as were the other animals aboard Ship. Everyone knew this was a time dedicated entirely to landing the large Mother Ship.
When Paul returned, I could sense from his mind, that something was not right. He gave me a weak smile, and then returned to his controls. The lines were still not aligning as they should.
"Is something wrong, Paul?"
"Nothing in a real sense, except that we haven't totally closed off our last shift. The last phase is usually the hardest. So what you see on the screen isn't actually there, for us. So we have to shift again. This happens, sometimes, on the final shift. It is very critical. If we don't align within a specific time, we have to go back into space and try it all over again. We'll lose a day."
"Has it ever happened where the alignment never too place?"
"Theoretically, if after a great deal of time elapses, then the time reality will have so distorted our position in space that we could become lost in it. But it never happened to my knowledge."
"And if it did happen..."
"We'd arrive on Ka'ananda. But it would be a totally uninhabitable world for us. You see, life exists only in specific bands of reality. The rest is lifeless."
Though I already knew this, it merely reenforced how difficult space travel really is, if one is to go beyond the immediate moons and planets. But the technology and know how exists, and that made me feel more secure.
A mellow bong just sounded, and all in the room seemed to breath a sigh of relief.
M'aan flashed a great smile our way. All the lines on Paul's monitor suddenly collapsed into a small ball, and then a point of white light. "The Light be with us. We did it."
"Final approach. Please take seats."
It was an automatic voice that directed us to secure whatever we were doing and occupy the soft contoured seats around the cabin. There were no seat belts or restraints of any kind as the seats had built in field activators that would hold one in place if there was any kind of disturbance. The viewing walls were all activated now, lights dimmed, and we watched the planet Ka'ananda appear on the main wall. It was blue, like Earth, and clouds ran in bands around its perimeter. The two moons, Paar and Maat, were visible around the planet, each smaller than Earth's moon. The sun shone to our left, a bright star, larger than Earth's, or so it seemed from where we were. Presently, the planet's surface was entirely beneath us. I could see the large continents, one larger, more red, than the others, which appeared to circle the globe. Broad bands of small islands formed vast archipelagoes. The polar region had small ice caps, which stretched down about a tenth of the way. The equator was mostly water, except for the islands. There was also a patch of islands far to the north, almost at the poles, which showed dark against the darkening waters. Thin clouds appeared over where we were preparing to descend, on one of the smaller continents. I could see the planet's dark shadow creep over its eastern horizon. Small ships accompanied us down, as we slowly made our way into the atmosphere. I knew that to approach too quickly would cause severe atmospheric disturbances and violent storms. Clouds gathered about the Ship, and then receded, as its energy pulsed lower.
"We're touching down."
Again the automatic voice called. Kahla glanced at me, briefly, as did Paul. Both smiled. Ta'an was also in his seat, as were many others in the room. A look of relief and delight, more felt in the room than seen, was on everyone's face, including my own. Upon touchdown, the monitor lights dimmed and the Ship's interior became light filled again.
"Is this home?"
"We're home San'aa!"
Paul came over and gave me a great hug. I could see he was pleased. It had been over a year for him, away from Ka'ananda on his Earth scouting assignment. The same for Tenya, who was busy in the propulsion area of the Ship. She arrived shortly and all congratulated one another. We had descended down to the large viewing area where I had been received when I first came aboard Ship. All came in turn and hugged me. "Welcome to your new world!" They had such deep feelings for their world. Then M'aan turned to me.
"San'aa, you are our first visitor from your world in four thousand years. Welcome, welcome, welcome!"
I raised my hands in supplication: "Na'am'sat." Paul came to my side, as did Kahla, all touching me gently with their minds.
M'aan led me by the hand from the viewing area down the long causeway that led from the large Ship into the planet's receiving areas. There must have been a million people there. The sky above was clear and beautiful and turning red. I whispered to Paul:
"What's that strange music I hear?"
There was a soft hum in the air, like rising and falling chords in harmony.
"They have activated the crystal for you and are using the Light to greet you. All know that the small person flanked by us three is a very important visitor from Earth. So they are greeting you with their minds."
I knew what Paul meant. The large crystals, which I could now see before the crowds, were picking up their mind patterns and replaying them audibly. We were hearing the natural harmony that flew from all their well wishing. And it was beautiful. Tenya and Ta'an were behind us, so that we formed the first six people of the landing party. Other crew members followed behind, all descending from the Ship. Later, these would be followed by the androids and animals. The descent from the great Star-craft was done with all the elegance of a formal procession, the most important followed by their retinue. The Ship great size now loomed large over us. I glanced up at it, only to feel this strong power radiating down on me, as if it too welcomed me into this new world. A brief word of thanks radiated back. Soon we cleared its perimeter and entered the receiving area within the crowd.
"Welcome to Ka'ananda, San'aa. I am Mori'an."
This reached me in my mind first, and then audibly as I approached the person I knew was the planet's Prime Citizen. He outstretched his arms in a generous greeting and smiled at me. The others stood back and let me pass first. I stood, momentarily speechless and overwhelmed, as if I were about to cry, when he put his arms around me.
"Welcome, my child. Welcome home. It has been a very long time."
"I am welcome, Mori'an. And I feel your love. Thank you."
Then tears did fill my eyes and ran slowly down my cheeks. The crowd again raised its chant, and the crystals glowed bright green. It left me speechless and weak. I felt their genuine love for me.
"You must be tired from such a journey. Space takes its toll, and a new world must be so much to take in. Retire for the night. Paul will take you to his home. And then tomorrow, when you are refreshed, we will all meet again."
Mori'an said this with his hands held together, in the manner of how some people on Earth say 'Namaste', bowing to me. Then he looked into my eyes, and turned to let me pass. A distance away from him, I asked Paul:
"How old is your world's leader?"
"He is now the equivalent of nearly two hundred of your Earth years."
"But he has hardly a wrinkle. I would have guessed he was a very good looking fifty year old man."
"He has aged better than most. The Light is within him. But you will not see many truly old people, unless their age has rendered them infirm. Then the Light fades and they prepare to die. By then, they may be almost three hundred years old."
"Will I age the same way?"
"As long as you are on our world, then your metabolism will be subject to the same as all of us. Of course. But you already start, in our years, much older than you are on Earth. So you would be about the same age as Kahla here. But don't worry. Let us take ourselves to my place."
Master brought us Paul's personal craft and we climbed inside. It was comfortable to look at, and the seats had the same softness to them that I had seen everywhere else so far. Master keyed into a monitor flashing a rainbow of lights the necessary coordinates for home. From my studies, I knew that the coordinates placed us on a travel grid, on which we would be propelled to our destination. These grids were all over the planet, at different elevations, and all surface and shuttle crafts used them. Within minutes we were off the barren continent we just left, which is used almost exclusively for launching and receiving Star-ships, as well as for maintenance related industries, and we were over the oceans speeding in the dusky light towards Skara'ala, the main continent. Ka'ananda's most populated regions were there, though people lived all over the planet, especially on the myriad islands of the oceans. We slowed down when we arrived on the coast of the main continent. "Much traffic," chimed in Master. Beneath us, as we were probably at about five kilometers altitude, we passed cities, which glowed brightly in the now deepening dusk. Then we descended to a lower level. Building tops, often pyramid shaped, seemed to zoom by us at almost equal height. Long boulevards radiating light up the sides of the large structures crisscrossed below. The cities seemed to form large walls, or like small man made mountains, dividing the coastal regions from the interior. Somehow, it was all bigger than my mind could understand. There, in the interior it was already dark, broken only by patterns of dispersed lights which seemed so small after the cities. Then we rose again and gained speed. We were climbing to a new channel route for the interior.
"So this is where you live?" I whispered, looking at all beneath in near silent awe. Somehow, the reality of it had not yet sunk into me.
"How do you like my world? Not like Sudan, is it?"
Paul smiled at me as he said this.
"It's dark, I really can't tell. It think it looks more like Australia." I smiled back. The craft was dark inside, save for the lights showing the control monitor, which seemed to be unattended. The ship flew of its own, even Master relaxed in a contoured seat. Paul and I sat in ours and just viewed the outside where the land was bathed in its dusky, dark light, and the stars had already appeared. One moon, small, hung overhead. There were clouds illumined by the cities over the far coastal horizon, but it was clear above the dark desert floor as it passed rapidly beneath us.
"I had seen all this on my tapes, but now I am here. Somehow, it feels different." Paul looked back at me with smiling eyes. I smiled back. "It feels good."
"It is good. I really can't wait to see my house again. It's been over a year. But now that I'm here, I'm missing the Indian buses and trains."
We both laughed. But he was right. There is something anti-climatic about arrival. The joy is in the anticipation, but then something happens. And the event of the moment is lost in the memories of what had been anticipated. My thoughts suddenly veered from the landscape to my body and the body within me. Until then, I had no sensation of my pregnancy, though I was in my third month. It had been hardly noticeable, but now I felt suddenly tender and vulnerable, tired and ready to cry. Then Master became alert and joined in:
"I miss the bridge over the Loire, and Wooley-Booley in Jamaica... Even Captain Pierce. But it will be good to have Mistress in the house." He turned to us and gave us what very much looked like a mischievous smile. Funny that we were all reminiscing in our minds our recent travels. "Welcome to your new home, San'aa."
As he said this, the craft came to a halt, hovering momentarily. The whole trip had taken less than twenty minutes, slower than normal because of the coastal traffic. We descended to a platform near the edge of a large cliff. I could see lights in the great distance, but only darkness around us. Then the house lit up of itself, totally, as if people had been there all along. It glowed enchantingly, casting a soft greyish light into the desert around it. Paul reached over to me, and, to my surprise, lifted me off my feet and carried me out of the craft.
"So you're going to marry me, or what?"
"Or what?" I smiled teasingly.
"This is home!"
He gently placed my feet on the ground and held me in his arms. I finally felt the reality. It was not a dream. This was real.
I had landed.

"Why didn't you marry him, Mother?" Maya's inquisitive eyes looked straight into mine, wondering. She held her little chin in her hands, resting on the rough table. Her tape machine had been turned off some time ago and, as soon as she finished with her music, she had immediately accosted me to tell her more.
"Well. That's part of the story, my little dove. And yet, then, I thought of no one else. I would have married him on the spot."
"You're stories are better than my tapes, Mama."
"My stories are what really happened, to me. And to you."
"Tell me more."
"Tomorrow. I will, tomorrow. Now go to bed."
Maya came over to me and kissed me gently on the cheek.
"I love you mama."


4. Reception.

"The proceedings are pronounced open. In the Light of 'Aan, let us extend in our hearts a warm and generous welcome to our citizens returned from Earth, P'aan and Tenya, and to our long lost daughter, San'aa. The Prime Citizen Mori'an will host."
This was spoken by a minister, who then deferred to Mori'an, who presently stepped to the platform. We were in the great hall of the main city on the coast, Laah, which was now filled with a great multitude of color. All present had arrived to the occasion wearing every imaginable color, from simple body tunics to elegant flowing gowns. They had seated themselves within the great stadium and awaited in silence the welcoming ceremony to begin. I was especially fascinated by the bright bejeweled hair decorations and the small colorful facial tattoos that seemed to be popular here, though not everyone wore them. From those closest to us, I could see they were mostly of tiny green vines and colorful birds on the cheeks and foreheads around the eyes. The sea filled air felt fresh and fragrant, as if flowers had suddenly burst in bloom around us.
Earlier in the day, when the sun rose over the still snow capped eastern mountains, I rose and went out on the patio. A vast valley stretched from far below Paul's house. Behind the building was a hill with a natural fountain near its summit. Its waters flowed over terraced waterfalls, then through a diverted tributary around the house to rejoin itself beyond the garden, finally lost in a subterranean river. It reappeared far below at the foot of the cliff. This water fed gardens and agricultural fields on the desert floor. The building was more a collection of cell like rooms, with a major room at one end, closest to the cliff. This room appeared to be all glass, though it was of another material. The colors were beautiful to behold in the early light, deep blue sky with thin, high clouds, and the desert stretching red and yellow and silver into the distance relieved only by the patchwork of green and red fields and forests. The air had the feel of early autumn in the mountains.
"Good morning, Mistress."
Master greeted me upon rising with a hot beverage unlike I had ever tasted. It was golden in color, sweet, and felt instantly refreshing.
"Do you like my tea, Mistress?"
"It's the best tea I ever had. Why didn't they serve it aboard Ship?"
"It's Paul's special tea, served only in this house." He looked at me with a quizzical smile, anticipating I had more questions, but they would wait. "Can I show you around the house?"
"Yes! Show me everything."
Master began showing me about the house, first in the main room, which was the large room overlooking the desert panorama.
"When you're through with eating utensils, you put them here," he showed. They went into a free moving platform on a narrow counter.
"Where do they go?"
"They are automatically cleaned and replaced into storage, which is here."
He pointed to a wall which appeared seamless, as do all the walls. I learned that this is an illusion created by the Light, which fuses all the components of the abode into an integrated whole, and gives the structure a smooth, rounded look. The material, which is normally opaque, is hard to the touch but feels warm and smooth. It stretches from floor to ceiling, though the floors have irregular designs etched into them. The visual effect is quite pleasing. Lights come on when called for, either by walking into a room or, if so set, with a thought request, though the rooms remain in near darkness when not occupied. The whole structure is connected by a super-computer, dream-matrix type system that answers to any mental command. Last night, when I dropped clothing to the floor and thought of picking it up, a small silent airborne robot appeared and quickly whisked them away. When I needed them in the morning, the same robot anticipated my need and brought them back. They had been cleaned and folded. Master went on with his tour.
"Now these walls are opaque, but can be rendered transparent like so."
He then gave a command which transformed them instantly into large windows. This was why the main room appeared to be all glass. It was done for my early morning viewing benefit.
"Do all the rooms do this, even our bedrooms?"
"Oh yes. But they do more. Watch."
The scenery was instantly changed into an ocean side, a beach with palm trees and birds flying, the sound of waves crashing. I felt like i could walk into it and almost smell the sea. Then Master changed it again to a dark jungle forest complete with the calls of unseen animals. He continued:
"It can also be made to show underground grottoes, city scapes, other rooms, or even outer space, or just the outdoor scenery here, as you please."
He stopped and looked at me, to see if I had any special requests.
"Can you make it look like Earth?"
"Of course."
The scenery instantly changed. First I saw the planet from space, blue and white swirls broken by brownish land masses. Then, as I looked at where France would be, the scene enlarged and I could have been walking a Paris street, bistros and traffic and people.
"I can never be homesick!" I cried, excitedly.
"It's interactive, so you can call on almost any scene imaginable. You want China, Africa, Cairo?"
"How?"
"I really don't know the mechanism, but it is all stored in a central library."
Just then Paul's craft landed on the patio. He stepped from it and came in. He was dressed in a dark green tunic body suit.
"I see you're getting a tour. Ah, Paris! My favorite selection. How do you like it?"
"It's like nothing I ever experienced. But I want to smell the coffee and croissants."
"Better!"
The smells came on instantly, even the noise of city streets, footsteps walking, muffled voices from passersby. The scenery had the gaiety of a Spring day, an eery feeling of reality, except the projections did not interact with us, but were a continuous play of something the Ship had recorded from a distance.
"Or would you rather have real coffee and croissants?"
"Yes! Though the tea is delicious."
"Watch."
Another robot appeared, disappeared, and returned shortly with a tray of hot French coffee, cream and sugar, and warm croissant.
"That's impossible!"
Paul gave me a smug look. Master said nothing. I guessed some things would remain a mystery.
"Would you still rather be in Paris than with me?"
"I still think you're crazy. But I'll follow you to the stars."
"You did." He looked into my eyes, smiling. "You're probably wondering where I went so early, before you rose." He looked out the viewing wall which now again revealed the valley below. "I should have taken you with me. But I went down to the fields to watch and hear the sun rise. It's an old habit I have, and I just needed to do it again. You want to go tomorrow?"
"Of course! I love sunrises."
After breakfast, we began making preparations to leave. Today we were to meet again at the main city, Laah, for our official welcoming reception, so we made ready. When we got to Laah on the coast, Master took away the shuttle craft and we joined the other members from the Ship. This party was led by young attendants who took us to the place where we were to sit. There we were greeted by all our friends who had been with us on the voyage from Earth. Our seating was a specially elevated bark like staging at the center from which we could see the whole hall, and they all could see us.
The large hall of the reception, which was a horse shoe shaped stadium facing out to sea with large ribs reaching up to the sky, had a shimmering dome over it. It was larger than any I've ever seen before. Arranged at many levels, sloping away from the center towards the distant perimeter, it seemed a whole city could fit into it. When I asked about the dome, Paul explained that it was a force field to keep out the elements, as a storm was likely that afternoon. It was also a large projection screen. But you could still see the sky through it. When we took our places on the platform for the honored guests, M'aan came over to see us.
"Hello San'aa, Paul. You look rested. San'aa, you look radiant, but you should have Master paint the images of your Dream around your eyes." M'aan had leaping dolphins on both sides of her eyes, playing with golden spheres. Her long golden hair was pinned back at the sides with brooches decorated with small diamond like stones. I smiled, not knowing what I should have on mine. Then M'aan continued, more serious, addressing both of us. "I don't know if you already know, but during these proceedings there will arrive guests I wish we didn't have. The Troopers will be here also."
Paul nodded knowingly, looking concerned.
"Who are the Troopers?" I asked.
Paul explained.
"They are para-military members of society."
"I didn't know you had any?"
"They're not secret, just shunned. You see, these Troopers, more like heavily armed dragoons or stormtroopers, are actually a very small percentage of our world, less than one percent, but they serve a useful function. They are entrusted with destruction, so they act like bacteria on what has already begun to decay. They're allowed to kill."
"Sounds awful, terrible work. Especially in this world. Who does this?"
"It's a complicated process, but selection centers first around voluntary service, and then there are recruits. The recruits, as well as volunteers, are often, though not always, men and women who cannot adjust to society as it is. They shun the Light. They reject the Dream and shun 'Aan. Not like our sadhus, mind you, who also shun the Light, but are free to come and go as they please, because they are still in the One, in 'Aan." Paul was referring to the hermits he had told me about who worship their God. "The Troopers, however, are outcast. Some are even former criminals. But you'll see."
The seats filled. Again it seemed as if a half million people were present. The bringing of Earth into the sphere of Living Worlds was a very popular theme for the people of Ka'ananda. They came from all over the planet, which here is not difficult, since travel of great distances is easily achieved. There were also visitors from other worlds. Some, particularly sinister looking from from a star system Earth calls Zeit-Reticulum, as Paul had explained to me, were called the Ebh'ans. I was told that they had broken Earth's Quarantine and were reprimanded for it. Others were from far more advanced worlds. To me, those were invisible, though they were here. For those who could not attend, they would most likely see it on their viewing walls. The minister had just finished speaking and Mori'an, the Prime Citizen came to the platform. His image was projected on the sky screen.
"Dear kind people of Ka'ananda and all the Living Worlds. It is with sincere happiness that I welcome our three who have returned from Earth. P'aan, or Paul as he is known there, and Tenya have been on a scouting mission to evaluate how best to merge our worlds in the Light. As most of you know, Earth was quarantined long ago after our failed efforts, much to our distress. We have been called upon by the Unity of Dreamers to bring Earth back from Quarantine. In antiquity, on our last official visit there, some of our people were forced to stay. Those who did not perish were forced to bear children. So Earth has harbored many of our own, for the past four millennia. It was our great fortune, in 'Aan, that one of our children became known to us, and she is here with us today. While Angel chose to remain on the planet Earth, our daughter was returned. She is San'aa."
A great cheer came up from the crowds. It lasted long, cheering with voice and hands clapping in rhythm. All eyes turned to me, and those closest to me smiled. Mori'an raised his hands, signaling for silence, and continued:
"Now that she is here, she is part of the Dream. She is the link we need, and through her seed will be born the future bridges between both our worlds. The work that was done by Angel and Tenya and Paul has changed the universal reality fabric, in the opinion of the Dreamers, so that Contact can be made, when ready. When Earth is also ready. This contact will be between emissaries of our worlds, and their citizens of good will. It has been already decreed by the Dreamers, from all the Living Worlds, that this contact shall be with like minded members of Earth's people. To our regret, this will force us to avoid certain organizations on Earth that currently represent the legitimate powers there. Even though Earth has democracies, many are militaristic or coercive in nature, and not ready. So we will turn our attention to individuals who represent the peaceful, psychic and the higher spiritual developments of their world."
Having said this, Mori'an stopped and looked out over the vast audience, as if thinking. Then he proceeded.
'These contacts will include the leaders of peaceful nations and organizations. We will also approach members of the various nations who exist under the domination of other superpowers, those who are now oppressed. As you already may know from your information studies, the people of Tibet, or the Native American nations in America, or the tribes of Africa, of the Amazonas. These will be enfranchised. And then, we will also contact heads of the greater religious groups, as well as individuals whose works have stood out markedly in humility, spirituality and goodwill. We have studied the Hindu-Sino-Buddhists, the Zoroastrians, the Judeo-Christian-Mohammedan mysticisms, and the newly born faiths such as the Bayan-Bahai's, the followers of the New Light All are searching and reaching in their own way for the teachings that are revealed to each in their own time in 'Aan..."
Mori'an went on in this vain, I guessed, for the benefit of people who had come to Ka'ananda to attend the reception but who were not as familiar with the current events. As he spoke, I noticed that a vast section at the center of the stadium was no longer vacant. Then he turned his attention to us:
"San'aa, Tenya, and Paul, are the first emissaries, unbeknown to Earth. But in the Dream of 'Aan, the One, in the Light, many will follow in their steps when the time arrives. And this is directed to you, kind people of the Living Worlds, that we will begin preparations for that much wanted time..."
"Not so fast!"
A loud, gravelly voice interrupted Mori'an in his speech. It came from the area of the hall which had been vacant, but was now occupied by dark figures. They were the new arrivals. Paul leaned over to me: "The Troopers." The speaker's image was superimposed over Mori'an's on the sky screen.
"Not so fast, Mori'an. It has not yet been determined that Earth is not a fallen world..."
The harsh, gravelly voice came from a man standing, of large girth and build, wearing a blue-black uniform to which were attached what appeared to be weapons. His face appeared distorted, as if severely ill.
"...nor has it been decreed that the time for Contact is at hand. There is still debate. Dreamers or no Dreamers. And we cast a dissenting vote."
There was an audible murmur throughout the audience. Heads turned to look in the direction of the new speaker, minds whispered to one another. The festive mood of the assembly had been visibly shattered. The Prime Citizen had let the man speak, and now it was his turn.
"It is not your place to question what the Dreamers decree, Morz. We know of your disfavor in this matter, but this is not the place for its debate. We are assembled to greet the fortunate return of our own from a Quarantined world. And that we do with gladness and joy. Your interruption is out of place here and, painful that it may be to both of us, I must ask you to desist."
The crowd now felt released from the tension and again projected the goodwill that was felt earlier. Slowly and hesitantly at first, but suddenly louder, a great applause of approval rose, in that same strange cadence I heard before. I could tell Mori'an had regained control. But the joyful innocence had been tarnished and a seed of doubt planted. I continued watching where the dark suited people sat. There were several aisles of empty seats around their perimeter.
Moira'an's speech was followed by other dignitaries, who also spoke of welcome and hope. Then Paul and Tenya and I also spoke short speeches of thanks for the goodwill and welcome. Paul ended his speech by saying:
"Though Earth sleeps, in cosmic terms, she is very much awake in the Spirit. I know, because I met with many of her people. They are good. There is an energy and sincerity and integrity in her world that would match with any of the Living Worlds. I believe we have come to the time when she will wake. And when she does, she will be a valuable addition to the beauty and love that is in the One."
This was greeted with more applause, as was Tenya's speech. She spoke of Earth being a new world, courageous and ready for change. And how this new world should be treated with reverence and awe. Then came mine. After opening words of gratitude, I said:
"I am a daughter of yours. But I am also a daughter of Earth. The error and circumstance of this being so is now past. Same as I am willing to forgive the past, so must the people of your worlds forgive us in the present. Earth is not a fallen world. If she sleeps, then she only needs to be wakened. And with your love and goodwill, she will have been the lost daughter who returned to the family with gratitude and joy. Do not turn her away, same as you did not turn me away. I am also of this world now. And when Earth joins with her greater family, with the human beings of all the Living Worlds, she will be of your world too. All will benefit, for we are One. Do not forsake her because she is different from you. Earth is new. New ideas, new beliefs, new love. And in her sleeping, she is new in innocence. But she is already wide awake with a beautiful energy of her own. We have much to learn of each other."
The good wishes from the crowds felt like they pressed into my heart, which brought tears to my eyes. I looked at Kahla, who also had tears, as did Paul, and Tenya and M'aan. They felt for me, and I knew I was now of this world.
After the official ceremony, those of us who were on the platform gathered in a more intimate reception hall. I was fascinated by the dark man, Morz, who was also part of the reception, though people seemed to give him a wide berth. I walked up to him.
He was wearing a uniform made of what appeared to be of some indestructible material, like some bulky fibrous chain mail. It had pockets and sockets at different locations, some of which seemed to be attached to monitoring instruments. He was also carrying three weapons which were attached to this suit about the hips and chest. He seemed armed for combat.
"Hello. My name is San'aa."
He observed me for a second before speaking. His eyes were a deep blue, his hair grey, and his face had scars, which I realized were actually sores. Then he cracked a grin and spoke in return in his gravelly voice.
"Welcome to Ka'ananda, San'aa. You are brave woman to approach me, as you see most here will not."
"Why would they be afraid of you?"
"Because of what I am, but I admire you for this. I am sorry for the interruption earlier, but I had my instructions. It was not personally directed at you. You see, some of us feel that your world is abandoned, not quarantined."
"But that's not how I understand it. Why would you be afraid of our world?"
"Not afraid. Oh, no! But covetous. You have what we want."
"You mean wealth? We can't possibly match what you have here."
"No, not wealth. People. I'll explain, as it seems none have. You see, we need new recruits. We are a slowly disintegrating order. But we are needed. On your world, you have many who could fill our ranks, gladly. We could recruit personnel from your military, your criminals, even those revolutionaries who are oftentimes too eager as self destructive terrorists. We could use all of them. They are all grist for us, and there are a great many to choose from."
He gave me a malicious smile, that reminded me of a wink. Then he said:
"You are not protected against my weapons."
"Would you harm me, here?"
"Oh, no. Not that. I guess you haven't been told. But all of our weapons are highly radioactive, so you should not stand too close. Still, I admire your effort to speak to me, and am glad to have met you. We may have destiny together yet, San'aa. Remember. Your world lacks our technology, for now."
Upon saying this, Morz turned from me and returned to a small group of his own standing alone and away from the rest. How strange, I thought, that in such a beautiful world his likes were accepted. I went back to Paul and asked him about it.
"They're not only accepted. They are encouraged."
"But what of their radioactive weapons?"
"That's a story that goes back thousands of years. You see, back when we first developed our technology, we also went through a thermo-nuclear phase, which generated enormous amounts of radioactive waste. It was decreed, then, that all future weapons were to be made of materials that incorporated this nuclear waste. It was a form of recycling, since the waste is highly dangerous for over a hundred thousand years. So we could still have battles, or wars, or any kind of military, technical aggression, but at a price. The price is what you see in Morz. He is radioactive, and sick."
"Is that why he has sores?"
"Exactly. He is poisoned by his own weapons, as are all the Troopers. It is the bargain they make when they join. And for that, their lives are shorter. But do not dwell on them. They are only a very small part of our world. It is their choice and they do useful work."
I still could not imagine what that useful work was. But in time, I would discover it. My presence was requested by others at the reception and I was glad to be again in the company of healthy and beautiful human beings. But the meeting did leave me disturbed.
Kahla came over at one point.
"Am I glad you're here, and I wish this reception were over. I'm so tired of formalities. Can we just go away and play?"
"Sounds good to me."
To this she tossed back her golden head and laughed.
"Let's get out of here, San'aa. I'll show you the city. I'll go tell Paul."




5. Dance.

"I do not like that man, Mama. I know him."
"I know you do, dear. But he will not harm you now."
"Is he going to die soon?"
"Probably not, not for a long time, though he is very sick."
"Can he be made well again?"
"Yes. If that is what he chooses. But I fear he will not."
Maya thought about this for awhile, her young mind thinking on some improbable thought, and then asked again:
"Would Paul be like him someday?"
"I hope not."

Kahla activated her shuttle craft and we connected into the grid and slid easily into Laah's fabulous center. It was late in the afternoon. The sun's light shone obliquely on the tall buildings reflecting off their luminous surfaces onto the avenues below. Terraces and gardens climbed the city walls, their lofty tops lost in the clouds. From high up in the shuttle craft, the city looked luminous but flat and sterile. From the ground, the walls were full of great murals and lush plantings lost in the great heights. They must have been over a kilometer high. Large plazas with elegant free form, or geometric sculptures, some suspended in mid air, filled the spaces between the tall structures. When the clouds parted, I could see the buildings' peaks pointed into the sky. Most of the buildings were pyramidical in shape with large openings cut into the sides. "It allows natural light to reach down all the way to here," explained Kahla as we glided a few floors above above the pedestrian ways. There were people everywhere, promenading, not unlike city shoppers on my world. There were no noticeable smells, save those of the abundant plant life. And the city sounds to which I was accustomed on my world gave way to a soft silence broken only by the sweets sounds of birds. It was a very handsome place. The geometric hard edges of the city fused into rounded shapes as is common in the way of the Light, so that all the building appeared to be made of a single mass.
"Let's go to the pavilion over there, Kahla pointed."
We lowered the craft onto a pavilion plaza and left it.
"Shouldn't you lock it?" I asked.
"Oh no! None could fly this craft save me, unless I coded it for them. Don't worry. This isn't a high crime area," she laughed. "But since you're worried, I'll order it to park itself in the storage bays." The craft's on board computer took it away. Throughout the vast lobby of the building, there were lavish displays of goods, mostly garments to wear.
"Can we buy these?" I asked. I must admit I was a bit wide eyed.
"No! You merely take them. If your size isn't right, just press in the command, and a new one will appear. Or you could have them sent to any destination desired, the same day. Here, stand in the circle marked. Now turn around slowly."
Kahla looked at me amused. I must have appeared incredibly uncultured to her. But it was all new to me. A light came on and then, in varying hues it began scanning me all over as I turned around. Numbers accompanied by multicolored bar codes flashed on a small console by the display. Kahla took my hand to help me press in some additional commands.
"But how do you pay for them?"
"You don't."
"I don't understand. Don't you have money?"
"No. We dispensed with it very long ago. It all gets worked out, the debits and credits. It's all done automatically, which I can't explain now, though we have vast markets. Fortunes are made and lost in those markets, even worlds gained and lost. In the end, it all nets out very well. Actually, the way it works here, if you buy something, you earn additional credits to buy even more."
"You get paid for buying?" I shook my head, unable to understand. "Oh... So where are you taking me?"
"It's a place I enjoy. But here, take this gown first." She reached into what appeared to be a metallic door which slid open when she put her hand on it. Out came a copy of the beautiful gown in the window, all folded and wrapped in a soft tansparent cloth. The door slid silently shut.
We made for the far end of the building through a large entrance beneath a hanging garden. The garden seemed so full of tropical plants that I thought it would fall of its own weight. Kahla explained that the use of the Light force keeps them afloat. Even if there were some malfunction, all of Ka'ananda's systems have multiple backups. This I already knew, since it was the same aboard Ship. Inside the building was a tall courtyard that seemed lost at its apex somewhere in the top of the structure. There were more gardens and balcony like terraces all the way up.
"See up there?" Kahla pointed. "Those are apartments. That's where I live." Then she took me into a slanted entryway shaped like a scantily clad woman arched over the entrance, her hands and feet supporting pillars on either side, her stomach and breasts its roof. The walls on both sides were enlivened with brilliant colorful friezes all around the arched statue. The entrance opened into a loud, frenzied atmosphere. I gathered it was some sort of night club.
"In here. This is, as they say on your world, my 'hangout.'"
"Good afternoon, Ka'an. You're early today. Who's your friend?"
"Call me Kahla. Sho'om, this is San'aa."
"From Earth! Welcome to my humble palace of pleasure." He smiled broadly as he said this, holding his hands together as if in prayer and offered a slight bow.
"Nice to meet you, Sho'om. What kind of entertainment?"
"Anything your fantasy wants." He winked his wrinkled nose and led us inside. "We have musicians from all over the galaxy, and our little world as well. Aerial dancers, light dancers, belly dancers, as you wish... And we have private rooms for any kind of fantasy you could imagine. Our viewing walls are the best in the city. And we have chambers for personal training in whatever you wish. You could even train to be a Trooper, if that's what turns you on." He chuckled and grinned. "You could watch games, played by androids, wrestling if you wish. They're very good. Come, let me show you."
Kahla stood by, obviously enjoying showing me something I couldn't imagine in my wildest dreams. There is nothing like it on Earth. I thought of Paul on our first meeting and how, some days later, we spent time together, alone in my aunt's one room mud hut at an oasis in the East Libyan desert. It was a wonderful, intimate stay, where we first got to really know each other. But this was lavish, dazzling. There was simply no comparison. Even the great night clubs of Paris were small and dull next to this establishment. Suddenly I felt even more like a very sheltered desert nomad girl on her first day in a big metropolis.
"Can I show you my favorite part? It's a Dream chamber, where we could travel to all parts of the mind. Come."
Kahla took me by the hand. Sho'om had already left us to greet other guests. She went past an android attendant and grabbed a couple of drinks that sparkled a silvery color. "Take one. It helps you Dream." The place was full of people, either lounging or talking, or on their way to some mysterious room. Loud music throbbed a lively beat. Lights played off the walls, or washed over us like waves, which at times left me with a mild vertigo. Men and women were seen dancing, some with the same sex, some suspended in mid air, strange ballet like motions to the wild music. Every imaginable hairdo or fashion was represented here. And many had strange psychedelic paintings around their eyes. The place was either very exotic and sophisticated, I thought, or very decadent.
We stepped inside a large room, which seemed to instantly cut us off from the music outside. The light in it glowed a soft pink, as if it were the inside of a womb. There was a faint perfume to the air, though I knew this was but a byproduct of the Light. When inside, my mind could feel a steady hum, melodious and harmonic, though without melody. There was a large pool at the center in which the water glowed a soft, silvery green. It was the color of a soft jade. Behind it was a wide suspended table, an exaggerated version of what I would think of as a massage table. Its surface was padded with a soft material.
Kahla turned to me, a mischievous look in her eyes.
"Take off your clothes and come for a swim."
As she said this, she let down her gown. She had nothing underneath and slid easily into the water.
"It's a Dream bath! Come, try it," she said, smiling broadly. As she said this, I watched her lift lightly from where she stood and float up into the air of the chamber, as if she was levitating on invisible wings. She flew this way, reaching almost the roof of the chamber, and then descended slowly, as if floating down from the sky, and softly touch down on the water. She stood there, her feet barely wet, smiling at me, and then with a slight wave of her hand she let herself sink.
I undid my tunic and body suit, standing naked before the pool, still puzzled by how she carried off her marvelous trick. Kahla was already swimming, smiling at me. I did not attempt the floatation I had just witnessed, being ignorant of how it was done, and merely stepped into the water. It didn't feel like water at all, more like a rarified fluid that seemed to cling to my skin, as if there was no space between my skin and the smooth, silky fluid. Light radiated onto me from the pool.
"Don't tell me, Kahla. How did you do it? The Light, right?"
"You got it, sister! You're beginning to get our world!" She continued moving through the water like a sleek fish.
In truth, she was lovely to look at. Her female form was well proportioned, not heavy nor thin. Kahla had well formed legs, a thin waist, round breasts, and a rounded but firm rear. She was hairless, where I thought pubic hair should be, but that is a trait of the people here. Her golden hair floated about her shoulders and occasionally fell into her face, which she brushed aside. I pushed forward and let the water take me. A very soothing feeling totally enveloped me, relaxing me instantly. I felt weightless, light as air, tingling pleasurably all over.
"Your world is too full of wonders. I don't know if I could stand another. Paul never told me about this! Phew! This is heady."
"I told you. This is my favorite place. I come here almost everyday, and really missed it aboard Ship. Isn't it great? Swim with me."
We swam in silence. Then I spoke, almost in whisper.
"What would my world's Romans have given for this?"
"What would have they given for anything of your present, like one of those cars or airplanes? Just like that, just more!" she laughed lightly.
I swam over to Kahla, and she took me by the hand, and swung me around the pool. We moved in slow motion, like in a silent ballet leaving ripples on the surface, which flattened out before they hit the pool's walls. The lights played off the water, like they were in tune with it, changing spectrums, at times forming into rainbows. It felt magical.
Then Kahla rose from the water and in a slow sensual motion ascended the steps to the edge of the pool and sat down, watching me. She looked beautiful, her hair fallen to her shoulders, neck relaxed, eyes smiling at me.
"Come, I will show you how the Dream works."
I also rose from the water and climbed out, feeling a bit self conscious at my nakedness. My skin, much darker than hers, felt instantly dry, as if it had never been wet. Kahla reached over to the gown she had 'bought' me, shook it from the package and draped it over my shoulders, clasping it at the neck. Its near transparency took on the light in the room. She reached over and handed me my glass.
"To the Dream, in 'Aan." She raised it to her lips. I did also. We drank. "Now let us lie down, and close our eyes. You will feel the Dream."
We both lay down on the wide surface, which was as soft as it looked. It was like lying on a cloud. We lay down, head to head, stretching the whole length of the heavenly platform. Eyes closed, quietly, there we both lay.
The music slowed and fell almost silent. I could hear my breathing, as well as hers. The light dimmed slightly, and my head felt as if it were entering a trance. It was so relaxing and peaceful, like drifting hypnotically into a lightfilled emptiness. In my mind's eye, I could see the pink light I first noticed, then it played on itself into changing shapes, like I was in the center of it. Formless shapes moved into images that reformed into formlessness. I could not define them, only that the shapes were pleasing and soothing to me. I felt so relaxed, even more than in the Light showers, without knowing where I was. Suspended, without gravity, caressingly soft fabric holding up all the parts of my body, I was almost without the sensation of being. I felt beautiful and free.
Kahla's hand reached over to me and touched me on my face, stroking the hair on my forehead, then moving it down my eyes and nose. She had rolled over and was looking at me, though I was too far into the Dream to really notice. She had a smile on her face, which I saw more in my mind than with my eyes. I could feel her mind inside me, like she was caressing me beneath my skin. A smile formed on my face too.
"Do you like this?" she asked without words.
"It's beautiful. How did you do it?..." I let the words melt into nothingness.
Then she leaned over my face and kissed me on the lips. The kiss shivered all through my body. Her lips were soft. Momentarily I woke, but then was taken again by the soothing feeling of the Dream, and lay back into it. I raised my head a little, and kissed her again, which she returned. Then she touched me once more, her hand running down the length of my stomach. I touched her arm, to let her know it feels good, and smiled. My hand reached for her breast, round and smooth, and hers into my gown, where she touched me behind the thighs. Her hand ran up my leg and into my soft crevice that filled with desire. Our bodies touched, as if there were no space between them, only skin on soft skin, a closeness I had never known before. It was the touch of a woman. The kisses got firmer. Our hands were now caressing each other all over, as if we could not touch enough. Her legs felt firm, and her insides soft. Her golden skin pressed against mine brown. My lips closed over her nipple, and it was hard. My nipples turned hard too. She smelled so good.
When we left Sho'om's place, I felt dazed. The happy feeling that so dominated me moments ago was still there, but I had large questions in my head. I wasn't sure of what had happened. I had never had a woman before and, in truth, looked down on it. But this felt special. It wasn't shame, exactly, more like puzzlement. Kahla treated me tenderly, and we spoke little, as if she understood. It was all new to me, and I didn't know what to do with it. We went back to Paul's house, where she left me. She went back to her apartment in the city.

"Oh, Mother. You're telling a story. Do all Earth people feel as you do?"
"It was a very happy moment, though I am not like that, really. Still, it left me wondering about the experience."
"Oh, Mother. I know of these things from my learning tapes. But I really can't imagine it. It seems like a strange thing to do."
"It's because you're still very young and do not have the feelings that go with it."
"You mean sex? I have feelings."
Maya's eyes looked bright with mirth, as if she were about to laugh. I'm sure that at that moment, so were mine. Sometimes, she seemed so much older than her years. I knew some things were taboo on my world, like discussing sex with young children, but it was acceptable here. Maya had no trouble with it.
"I want to hear more."
"It's not all a happy story."
"I know."


6. First Light.

The sun rose silently. The night shed its dark, fading into a pale greenish light, then burst forth with yellow and lit up the sky. The new sun cast its long shadows on the land around us. Paul had explained that on Earth, it was thought our star was larger than the sun. But it was only a trick of space, and the sun of Ka'ananda was very like Earth's, except slightly smaller. The cool silence of the night was broken suddenly by a chorus of birds, then followed by the calls of insects and beasts. Our dark green, full body suits warmed us against the morning chill. They would turn pale blue in the heat of day. One of the little moons, Maat, set in the west. Paar rose in the eastern sky. Clouds hung on the horizon. We sat quietly, absorbing the beauty expanding around us as the desert beyond the orchards slowly filled with color and light. A new day dawned on my fabulous new world. A large, golden globe slowly flew by us, silently, pulsating its soft light, reassuring all the plant and animal life that all is well. We sat very still, meditating in the One, in 'Aan.
The night before, when Kahla had left, Paul looked up at me from his work and said: "You look tired. It's best if you sleep." He had the walls radiating in a soft light, as if we were in a sea cave illumined by the light refracted from the water. It shone bluish-green. The way he looked at me, his eyes looking straight into mine, spoke as if they knew, but that somehow, it did not matter. I nodded and gave him a faint smile. He had said nothing else. I chose this moment, as the sun cleared the horizon, to tell him.
"Paul?"
A moment passed. Mere seconds. But they felt like minutes.
"Yes, love."
"There's something I must tell you. It was about last night."
"With Kahla?"
I knew that he already knew from my mind what I was about to say.
"Yes. We made love."
Again, a long moment passed.
"I know."
The whisper with which he said those two words cut me like a dull knife. I waited. But he said nothing else.
"Are you upset with me? I don't know why I did it."
"It's not like you, is it?"
"No. It's not me. But I can't stop thinking of it."
"It is not so awful. I am glad."
This again caught me by surprise.
"How could you be glad? Aren't you jealous?"
He turned to me, a deep knowing look on his face.
"Why would I be jealous?"
"Because. You know. We had sex, she and I."
"I know."
"I don't understand. If my lover on Earth knew I had sex with someone else, man or woman, he would be angry."
He smiled at me.
"This isn't Earth." Then he sat quietly again, as if collecting his thoughts. "You see. Here, it is not so abnormal. Maybe, it's more normal than we sometimes let on. It's natural."
"But it's immoral. A woman and a woman. It isn't right."
"Why? Women love women, same as men can love men."
"Love yes. But to have sex?"
"It's only a deeper expression of the same thing. You were in the Dream chamber, I know the one, and so that was how the Dream came to you. It's accepted here. It's beautiful. You've done nothing wrong."
I pondered his words. Yes, it was beautiful. I even felt them as if he had spoken them silently. Then the question rose again.
"But aren't you jealous? You're my lover."
"I know."
"But it's strange, somehow. And how do you know which chamber?"
"Because she took me there. You see, we are lovers too."
The revelation of this caused me a deep pang, as if I had just received a blow.
"You too! Who else? You mean you're also lovers?"
"It's common for three people to be lovers. It's even considered ideal. I should explain this to you."
I realized that I had begun feeling a mild sense of shock. Somehow I could not accept that the woman I had just been with had also been with him. It began to disturb me, but I let him continue.
"On our world, three is considered sacred. All of our ideology flows from the concept of three. This even applies to our relationships. Unlike your world, where the ideal relationship is the love between two people, we believe that it is most desirable for people to love in threes. So that's why I'm not surprised. Kahla was my lover. And so are you."
"But aboard Ship she never let on. Neither did you."
"There was no need. You were not ready. And we knew you would learn it in due time. And you did. Now, you're the one thinking of her."
In truth, I was. I could not put her out of my mind. To my surprise, I desired her, even as we spoke. Paul continued:
"You see, our sense of family is different from yours. You will notice that our children are raised more communally. On Earth, often times it is two parents, or even one parent. Here it is many. As many cells of relationships of three as make up a family, that's how many parents the children will have."
"You mean more than three could be lovers?"
"In a way. Each group of three, though they may be most intimate, can also have lovers who are part of another group of three. Then, let's say it's four groups, which is usually the maximum, though it could be more, then the twelve are. At least in the spirit of love, they're all one family."
"Do they all have sex together?"
"They can, though not necessarily."
"But aren't they jealous of one another?"
"Sometimes. But usually not. You see, it's accepted here. It's the way we interrelate in love."
"But how about men and men, and women and women?"
"Sometimes, though not all are given to it. Most people still prefer the opposite sex, though we may have what appears a strange combinations of lovers. It could be men and men, women and women, women and men, two women with one man, two men with one woman. And so on."
My head felt strange, as if I could not accept the permutations that such relationships must become, especially if more than just three.
"I cannot imagine not being jealous. And what was she like?"
"Kahla? She's very sensitive and enjoyable. But lovers don't have to be actively involved all the time. So there are times we can go long stretches without seeing each other. We could also be lovers without sex."
"Who else was part of your threesome?" My curiosity was totally overshadowing what he was saying to me. I had already forgotten the shame I had felt earlier.
"M'aan. And at one time, though long ago, Tenya and Angel."
The sun had risen high over the distant mountains and the air had a desert feel to it, something I knew. It felt dry and comfortable, especially as the temperature rose. The early morning riot of sounds had now subsided, as if the fauna had made its ablution before the sun and was now busy with its daily activity. Paul and I sat in the orchard where we had first seen the sun rise. We were quiet for a moment, but thoughts kept leaping about my head.
"Explain it again. I want to understand everything."
"San'aa. Let it go. It's not so bad, and you will learn it in time. It actually works better than what you know. It's just different from what you're used to. The jealousy comes and goes. But in time, it goes."
As the weeks and months went by, Paul was right. My initial pangs of jealousy became less and less, until I began enjoying seeing Kahla and him together. But I was suspicious, and there were times it felt raw, and I wanted to die. No one else was part of our little group, for now, though I knew this could change. As time went on, even that began to fascinate me, multiple lovers all as one family. It felt like it would be an enjoyable clan, though I knew it could never be incestuous. There was still so much to learn about this world. I often thought of Morz and his Troopers. How did they have relationships and sex?
The months went by and I gradually acclimated myself to the ways of Ka'ananda. Kahla and I spent many enjoyable times together, as did Paul and I, or the three of us. He would take me into the desert exploring. We would hike canyons and mountains, or discover secret pools of cool, clear and sparkling water. Or we would board his craft and take off for some part of the planet I had never seen, or some distant city on the other edge of the continent. Kahla was fond of the small tropical islands in the vast ocean, and we would make for these in her craft. There we would spend time lazing on the beaches, swimming nude, or just watch the sun set. At times, Paul would join us and all three would enjoy wherever we were, or whatever we were doing. We would love, or lounge, or just be. In time, I acquired my own craft.
Paul and Kahla flew in one day from Laah, where they had spent the day, and emerged from a new vehicle, beaming.
"We got approval from the Dreamers! This is yours, love."
Master was with them, though I had long ago learned that Kahla had her own android, whom she fondly called 'Captain.'
"Mine?" I walked over to the craft and examined it. It was smaller than the one they had, but had the power to take me to any part of the planet, including outside the atmosphere. "You mean you're giving it to me?"
"Not us. The Unity. They felt it was time."
In fact, I had felt all too often dependent on someone else's shuttle craft, though I used Paul's and Kahla's regularly. Now I would have my own transport. My pregnancy had become more pronounced. I was showing, and mobility had become more labored. So it was good to have my own craft in which I could go as I pleased.
The interior of my little shuttle had the same soft contours of velvetty material I knew. It was a soft grey in color, when at rest, but would change instantly to any other color at my command, or my mood. It was like a living thing around me. Master took great pleasure showing me where everything was, and how the instruments worked. In many ways, they were similar to the ones I had already used, but simpler. I got into the pilot's seat. It seated four comfortably, whereas Paul's could sit ten. From the softly contoured seat, I could reach all the panels I needed to make the craft operational. The single control lever on my arm rest was typical, which looked like a short, thick handled stick with three raised buttons on it to direct the craft. The viewing wall was in front of me, though I could activate it anywhere on the surface, except over the engine drive. This was beneath the ship, tucked away between the three nodules that vectored the force fields, where they hummed softly even now. I was captain, and this was mine.
"Can I try it?"
They both beamed in accord.
"Want to go for a ride?"
All got aboard, Master included. I took the controls and activated the field drive. I could feel the ship's hum as if she were in my head. Paul and Khala and Master all took their seats, a look of anticipation written all over them, Master included. I beamed, sitting in control, and gently lifted her off the pad. She responded easily to my touch, and we were hovering over the patio at about roof level. Then I slowly pressed the lever forward. The ship responded beautifully and moved up and forward. I depressed the raised knobs to give it more power and we flew off over the canyon into the desert, at cruising speed. On the control panel flashed directions to access the travel grids, if I wished to. But I forsook those for free flight. To test the power of the engine, I directed the ship to rise at top speed, and within seconds, without any sensation of motion, we were high above the planet on the edge of the atmosphere. Kahla smiled at me, and motioned to open the viewing ports all around. I did. The views were wonderful.
"You couldn't have brought me a better gift. Thank you."
"She's yours to fly as you wish."
We hovered on the edge of space, the sky now a deep purple, stars stretching into infinity. The little moons were visible beyond the planet.
"I wish I could take her to Earth and show off."
"Too far. She can do only sub-light. And they wouldn't understand. Quarantine, remember?"
"Too bad. My very own ship. But can't have everything!" I was in a festive mood. "Let's drop in on Ta'an." And we took off, powered into the grid at lower altitudes, but soon came to a dead halt. The ship's automatic sensors spotted a flock of beautiful, long legged white birds that flew by in formation. We waited, and then sped to the other side of the continent where he lived. We were there in minutes. Ta'an was most amused.
I took to my ship easily and enjoyed going off and exploring alone. The whole planet was now my backyard. I could lift off and go at will, anywhere. It was on one of these journeys, that I discovered that I could travel anywhere except one. That was the island of Xin'oy.

"You know you can't go there, Mother."
"I didn't know, until then. Even the learning tapes avoided mentioning it. How do you know of it?"
"I asked Seth about it."
"What did he tell you?"
"Only that I can't go there. That's all. What's there?"
Maya's eagerness for the story returned. I could tell her attention wandered when I spoke of Kahla and Paul, and of our relationship. But now she wanted to know more. What I was about to tell her was about where I had lost my innocence of my new world.
"You know I was very pregnant with you."
"I was in your belly and was soon to be born. But now I'm here, and I want to hear the part about Xin'oy. Please, Mama. Tell me."
"I will. Tomorrow."



7. House of Death.

I sought neither pity nor gain, for my temper had grown quick, and I scarcely sought the company of others. A steady rain fell outside. It was winter, though frost occurred only at high elevations. There, I had discovered on my solitary trips, it was bitter cold. Down in the valley it only rained. Most days rose misty and cool, then burnt away by the sun. I fought my jealousy in solitude, except when Paul was with me. Then I suffered it on him.
"Where were you?"
"At Laah."
"Business or pleasure?"
"I had business there."
"What of Kahla?"
"I don't know. I didn't see her."
"You always see her."
Paul looked at me, his eyes expressing wonder and pain. I had become unfair to him, not because I begrudged his time with Kahla It was because I begrudged her time with him. But he was nearer, so he was the target.
"Should I arrange for a separate place for you to live? After you deliver, that is. It wouldn't be difficult. Androids and robots can have one built in a day."
"No. I'm sorry. My temper has turned bad. I think it's this pregnancy."
In fact, I had become very pregnant, and the kicking frightened me. The citizens who act as healers, though they offer psychic support, as all health is managed by the Light, had instructed me on how to deliver. My child was nearly due. It was soon. Paul had offered to be with me when the time came, as did Kahla. I accepted his offer, but refused hers.
That night M'aan was hosting a party at her home. We were invited. But first we called her on the viewing screen. When her home answered, an android projection became visible just this side of the viewing wall, then the rest lit up so we could see the inside of M'aan's house. It was a simple residence, though elegant, much like those I had visited so far. Karu'an, the lion who had early befriended me, walked about. He had been her long time companion and had gone back to her after our landing. Presently, M'aan appeared, also in three dimensional form.
"Of course, you're welcome. San'aa, you're looking ready for birth. May the One give you a beautiful child. You will discover that here, it is a very simple matter, birth. So do not be concerned. Can I expect you tonight?"
We accepted and signed off. I didn't really want to go, but felt that if I didn't, it would leave too many questions. So I decided to make the best of it.
I dressed in an iridescent, floor length gown. I wore a headress that pulled my hair in a tight, high pony tail. Paul was dressed in a similar, darker gown, more indigo. We both had on our feet finely crafted sandals. It was a short flight, without much conversation. I hated myself for being surly, but could not help it. When we arrived, I changed my face. M'aan greeted us.
"It's good to see you again, San'aa. You're looking radiant."
"I feel good. Now that I have my own craft, I've taken to exploring more than ever before. It agrees with me."
M'aan's androids served the guests drinks and food. Music played, a kind of flute and reed instrument, its melody accompanied by an ever changing display of wall scenery. The lights played off people's faces as they animatedly, or serenely, spoke to one another. Some guests were lying down on soft recliner, floating platforms, others stood. Tenya arrived and looked vivacious, as she always did. She came straight to us and greeted us. Shortly after Kahla arrived also, as did Ta'an and other guests. There must have been over fifty people, all happy to see each other. They had been reassigned new duties for another space voyage, and scarcely had time for other activities. I was excluded from this mission, as the stress of the voyage might impact my pregnancy. It was a research journey at the edge of the galaxy. It had something to do with the merging of two great galaxies at a great distance from ours. It would have been interesting to observe, as it had been an area of great concern to the Unity of Dreamers. Living worlds were at risk there, though they were too far for us to reach. But I still did not understand enough of these things and thought of volunteering for the next mission instead, to which I already knew I would be welcome.
"It's good to see you, San'aa."
"And you, Kahla. It's been weeks."
"I didn't think you were happy with me the last time, so I wanted to give you some space. Is all alright with Paul?"
"It's been better. But we have an understanding. After all, he's the one who brought me here. Though I came of my own free will."
She smiled at me, her eyes expressing the feelings she had inside for me. I knew mine did also.
"Have you been to the Dream chambers lately?"
"No. I haven't had the time, though I've been to the club. I was there yesterday and watched a water performance. But..."
The party boasted a high level of guests. Even Mori'an made a quick appearance, but had to excuse himself early. He asked me about how I felt, and if the new craft was satisfactory. We exchanged a few words before he needed to leave. There was always a kind and knowing, almost soothing, presence about him that left me comforted. When he left, I again found Kahla.
"May I spend the night at your apartment?"
"Of course you can. You're always welcome. I'd like you to."
As the evening drew to a close and guests were departing, I left with Kahla. Though Paul was also invited to stay, he decided that he still had too much work to do and declined. I had mixed feelings about this, but in the end I was glad. As we boarded Kahla's craft, I had to confess to her:
"You know, I'm really having a hard time. It's involuntary. I can't help it, but I can't seem to fit into the ways of Ka'ananda. Why didn't they warn me on the learning tapes before?"
"Some things are best learned from real life. And this is one of them. But you have done really well, considering that it caught you so much by surprise. Paul and I have talked of it often. He's very pleased, even if it at times you try his patience. Remember, San'aa. No matter what, he loves you. And I love you."
"I know you do. But that's what's so hard. If you didn't, then I could hate you, or at least be properly jealous. But that doesn't work. In the end, I hate myself for being so small minded. I've become such a miserable person. Maybe I just can't understand it all, that's all." I was silent for a moment, thinking about it. "Maybe if I could talk to a healer about it."
"I think the one you've consulted on the birth may be a good place to start. She is very sensitive and understanding, and wise. She could help."
"But why do you think I'm so troubled?"
"Because in your mind, when a man takes a woman, he possesses her. This has no bearing on how Paul and I feel about each other, but I suspect that is how you feel. Am I right?"