Survivors

 

 

Douglas sat in the small lounge of the "Starfinder" looking at the colors of warp space swirling around the window. Two more weeks, he thought. Two more weeks and the adventure will be over. He would see his home planet, his old friends, and his parents for the first time in over a year. But he wouldn't be the same young boy who left Earth so many months ago. He had grown and put on some muscle. He was still slender, but he was solid. He had even managed to sprout a few fuzzy thin pubic hairs, and every now and then his voice would crack. But while the physical changes showed he was changing from a boy to a man, Douglas knew he had grown much more on the inside than he had physically.

 

Scooter came into the lounge and snuggled up next to him. "What are you thinking?"

 

"About the past. And the future. Us. I don't know. I should be totally happy going home. But somehow it feels empty. I mean, I want to see my parents so badly, but I'm also afraid in some ways. I'm afraid that they will still think I'm a little boy. And I'm not, Scooter. None of us are little boys any more, not even the twins."

 

"I know—I feel the same way." Scooter patted Douglas's arm and rubbed his shoulder. Both boys had uniforms on. Even after six weeks on the "Starfinder" it felt strange wearing clothes. But Captain Parrish insisted, and it was his ship.  As soon as they got into their cabins, the uniforms came off, and nudity was the accepted style of dress.

 

The two boys kissed.  Showing their affection in places like the lounge was tolerated by the crew. Not all of the crew liked seeing the boys holding hands or kissing lightly, but they respected them enough to let it go. John Woods was their biggest supporter, and the boys had found out early on that he was gay. He was their friend and advisor and they were happy for his help. Scooter and Douglas cuddled closely, watching the colors of warp space flow by.

 

Douglas thought about the last eight weeks, especially right after their landing on Hakaan. Scooter's greeting was broadcast worldwide. The Ancients and Thraller knew right then that their rule was over. Rikers landed his flyer inside the compound and Thraller landed right after him. When Thraller saw the shuttle it confirmed what he already knew—the spacecraft was alien in origin, as were the boys who had arrived in the Hakaanen shuttle.  Nothing could stop change from happening, now.

 

The entire event was broadcast worldwide and seen and heard on the public radios and vids that had been controlled by the Ancients. But the resistance had been prepared to take control of the broadcast stations when the right time came. One of Rikers' followers was the announcer of the broadcast.

 

Even though there were few private radios and vids, most of the population soon heard the news through the public receivers. Thraller and the Ancients weren’t surprised to see Rikers. After all, the recent events had shown that he was the head of the resistance. The person they were surprised to see was Urland, whom they thought was dead.

 

Urland spoke on the broadcast, saying that Hakaanen technology was once on an even footing with their interstellar visitors, and needed to return to that level again.  During all of this, hundreds of citizens of Kana walked and rode to the walls of the compound after they watched the shuttle fly into it, and many of them heard Scooter's words as well as Urland’s.

 

The Ancients were secretive rulers. They were rarely seen on broadcasts, and were never seen together. Nobody was sure how many members the planet’s ruling body had. Urland had been away long enough that even he didn’t know. The actual number, at least on that fateful day, was nine. They refused to come outside to greet their interstellar visitors, giving a weak story about the Earthlings bringing new diseases and plagues. They warned the citizens of Kana to stay away from the government compound.

 

Douglas pointed out that they had lived a long time with the Hakaanen on Inferno and nobody had become sick. Dr. Enghar's father, Dr. Lokor, had anticipated possible fear of the round-ears and made a vid.  It showed the people of Inferno interacting with the Earth boys to prove they hadn't brought disease. That ended the argument before it even started. Plus, Dralkan and Trundall were obviously healthy.

 

It did not take long for the Ancients to relent and allow an election. The long-time planetary constitution was used as the basis for the election of a new president and council. Maikala, who said he was the lead Ancient, ran for president, while the other Ancients came out in public and ran for the council. They knew that their efforts would be futile, but they weren’t willing to give in. They had their supporters, but they were few in number.

 

Captain Parrish negotiated a temporary treaty with Maikala and the other Ancients. Maikala knew he had no real choice, but he hoped that signing the treaty would help him come Election Day.  The treaty would be taken back to Earth for approval by the Earth government. One of the sections called for Earth to help get Hakaan back on its feet and for the two planets to start diplomatic and trade relations. Captain Parrish told them he would see that a starship would be sent to Hakaan with diplomats as well as experts on technology. The diplomats would negotiate a final treaty with the duly elected government.

 

Two weeks after the landing, Captain Parrish decided there was no more that could be done on Hakaan. It was time to get the boys home to their families.  During those two weeks the crew and the boys met with the Hakaanen people. They were broadcast on vids. Vid screens were set up in the front windows of buildings and the Earthlings were shown all day, live and on tape. Douglas, Scooter, Mike, and Warren stayed at the home of Rikers, Dralkan, and Shamene. They got tours of the capital, went to Hakaanen schools and spoke about the problems of the people on Inferno. Rikers said that as soon as Hakaanen got itself back together it would help Inferno and the other lost colony, especially since they now had a functioning starship. Captain Parrish pledged the help of the people of Earth.

 

Living with two Hakaanen boys, the four Earth boys found out that there were even more sexual secrets to be learned. The bedroom was a busy place during the two weeks. Douglas was amazed that of the four of them that Warren was the horniest, his seemingly endless orgasms mightily impressing their Hakaanen friends. He kept looking in the mirror to see if his ears were getting pointy and his neck was getting hairy. He felt like he should be an honorary Hakaanen. 

 

Dralkan, Trundall, and Shamene kept the Earth boys in sexual ecstasy almost every night. They also brought in some other friends to join in on the fun. The four Earth boys couldn’t help but get the impression that the boys on Hakaan were much hornier than those on Inferno.

 

The big event for Warren, however, was meeting Vikers. Vikers was thirteen, smooth, slender, and small like Warren. He lived a few houses away from Dralkan and was not attached to anyone. Warren and Vikers hit it off right away, and before anybody knew it Warren pretty much moved into Vikers' house, where he had a tough time getting out of his bedroom.

 

The two weeks in Kana had been wonderful. Rikers said it was like the planet had awakened from a twenty-five-year slumber. With the population smaller than before because of the plague, it would take time to rebuild. But, with the help of Earth, they would be back to where they had been soon. The election wasn't going to happen until two weeks after the Earthlings left, but no one doubted Rikers would win. 

 

Captain Parrish made it clear to the Ancients that an Earth ship was coming back. He didn't threaten anything, but he knew they needed to understand that this wasn't a one time stop over. Their problems weren't going to be over when the "Columbia" left. In the near future, more ships from Earth would be coming.

 

One of the issues Captain Parrish and his officers had to deal with was whether they should take a Hakaanen to Earth with them. Douglas and Captain Parrish sat down together one day to talk about it. Douglas and the boys had discussed the matter earlier and thought it would be a great idea.  Captain Parrish hadn't thought about it at all until his chat with Douglas.

 

"What did you want to meet about, Douglas?"

 

"About who will go with us to represent Hakaan."

 

"I didn't know anybody was going with us. Hakaan doesn't have a real government right now to represent them, so I don't see much use in taking somebody. I'm sure we will send a ship back here to take care of that business right away."

 

"I didn't mean as a diplomat representing the government. I meant somebody to just represent their planet as a Hakaanen. They can return to Hakaan on the first ship back. But think what it would mean to Earth to actually see a real Hakaanen.”

 

"Everybody we know is going to be pretty busy setting up a new government and cleaning up the mess here."

 

"The kids won't be." Douglas looked straight into the Captain's eyes.

 

"You're not suggesting that we take some Hakaanen boys with us are you? That's impossible."

 

"Why?"

 

"Their parents would never agree. I mean they're kids. They would be gone for at least four months. Their parents would never allow it to happen."

 

"You still don't know the Hakaanen very well. They give their kids a lot of freedom and responsibility. I mean they allowed us to take Dralkan and Trundall with us when we went into warp space to make radio contact.

 

"But you didn't take anybody from Inferno to Hakaan," Captain Parrish pointed out.

 

"Everybody was worried that the plague was still on Hakaan. We couldn't risk taking them. That was why our success was so important, because we were not only going to Hakaan for us, but also for the citizens of Inferno.  So how about it, Captain?  Can you at least ask?"

 

Captain Parrish smiled slightly. “I still can’t get over what an amazing young man you are.” Parrish liked Douglas a lot.  He saw starship captain material in him. He knew he wouldn't hesitate recommending him for the Space Academy when the time came. "Who did you have in mind?"

 

"Dralkan and Trundall."

 

"Just those two?"

 

"They are our friends and we all know them. They are used to us round-eared Earthlings and won’t be spooked by Earth and all the people they’ll meet.   Plus, they already have experience in space."

 

"I'll see what I can do," Captain Parrish said.  Douglas smiled.  He knew how to direct the hard-nosed Captain almost perfectly, just like any teenager worth his salt should know how to maneuver any adult in authority.

 

 

Scooter had fallen asleep against Douglas on a couch in the crew lounge on the “Starfinder”. Douglas ran his hand lightly through his lover's hair. He heard some noise behind him and turned around. It was Dralkan and Trundall.

 

"Sorry to be bothering you," Dralkan said. He and Trundall had been taking English lessons ever since the "Starfinder" had left Hakaan. Scooter was their teacher. Both boys were smart and learned fast. They didn't have the language telepathy that Scooter, Orzano, and Bandar had, but they did have the ability to learn language fast. They still had to learn some of the grammar basics, but they were making good progress.

 

"You're no bother," Douglas told them. "Sit down with us."

 

The Hakaanen boys had loose fitting uniforms on. Captain Parrish said they could continue with their customary style of dress (which of course meant nothing at all, except leather belts and straps when they needed them), but told them they should get used to wearing clothes. On Earth they would have to follow Earth customs. The Captain ordered the two Hakaanen boys to split their time between wearing their Hakaanen “uniform” and their Earth uniform.

 

The Earth boys disagreed with this; they thought the two Hakaanen boys should be allowed to be nude whenever they wanted to be. However, Captain Parrish pointed out that they had followed Hakaan customs by being naked, even at the risk of shocking him and his crew. Now the Hakaanen boys would need to do likewise and respect and follow Earth customs by wearing clothes.

 

 But they insisted on not wearing underwear and that their clothes be loose fitting like all Hakaanen garments were. The Hakaanen only dressed for ceremonies, or to protect themselves from the weather, for school, or just to because they felt like it. Their garments were loose and comfortable.  Douglas still thought it would be a great idea for Dralkan and Trundall to step off the shuttle wearing only their belts.  He hoped maybe they would get a chance to show off their native ways before their visit was over.

 

One of the things Rikers and Urland did was give Captain Parrish the warp radio. They hoped it would be the start of the exchange of technology and ideas between the two planets.  Rikers presented it as a good faith gift to help convince Earth to send the tools needed to get the Hakaanen back on their feet.

 

Lieutenant Schrader tried reaching other starships on the warp radio, but apparently none of them had their radios on. They would probably have to wait until they came out of warp to send news of the rescue of the boys from the "Starkeeper".

 

 Douglas asked Dralkan and Trundall if they were nervous about what was coming up. They said they were very nervous. They had brought their ceremonial robes to wear when they reached Earth. It would be what they would be wearing when the people of Earth first saw them. Douglas knew how beautiful the robes were and how beautiful the boys were. He was sure that Earth would love them at first sight.

 

He remembered the first time he saw Hakaanen boys.  It was at the reservoir near the cliffs on Inferno. He remembered how beautiful they looked then, and it wasn’t because they were all naked. They had done nothing since but become more beautiful.

 

It was close to dinner time. The four boys sat and watched the brilliant colors of warp space go by and talked about Earth for another half hour, then got up to head for the dining room. Two more weeks and they would be leaving warp space and seeing Earth.

 

Douglas and Scooter decided to ask Captain Parrish’s permission to wear their own Hakaanen robes when they landed on Earth. They weren’t the gorgeous ceremonial robes that a pair of Meshannas like Dralkan and Trundall possessed, but they still were exotic and beautiful.

 

 

The boys were packed into three cabins. They didn't keep the same cabins for two nights in a row.  Every night had some kind of sexual activity, although every boy didn’t participate in sex every night. One of the three cabins was ostensibly the quiet room for those who were not in the mood for sex play—but the embargo on sex was, on occasion, honored in the breech. Even in the other two cabins, there were boys not having sex and sometimes an entire room practiced abstinence.

 

Even Ethan and Logan took part in the sex play. They had become comfortable having sex with their Earth and Hakaanen friends.  Logan really loved sucking his "big brother", Ryan, while Ethan paired with Dralkan more than any other boys. They had become little ten-year-old horn dogs, but when the voyage home ended, they were still virgins.

 

Warren liked having sex with the Hakaanen boys. Since he was the only boy who could get into some of the Hakaanen sex positions it made his sex even more intense. As good as Dralkan and Trundall were, they weren't as good as Vikers had been. Warren missed Vikers. He had only known Vikers for a few days, but something special had happened between them. It was not like what had happened between him and Jeremy, but it was something very special and hard to describe. Somehow they connected mentally. When they had sex, or even just sat together saying nothing, it was like their thoughts were one.  He wished they had invited Vikers to come along.

 

Amahl also joined in. He knew his father was aware of what was happening in the cabins. His father wasn’t happy with how things had turned out, but he also knew he had let the genie out of the bottle and that, for now, he had to live with the consequences.

 

 

While space flight normally was uneventful and boring and time in space seemed to last forever, the days of the flight home flew by. Even with all that was happening on board the starship, the boys' minds were occupied with thoughts of Earth and home. When the time came to leave warp space behind, most of the boys were in the lounge where they could look out of the windows and catch a look at Earth as the "Starfinder" entered normal space.

 

Douglas, Scooter, Mike, and Dralkan had been invited to the bridge by Captain Parrish where they could see Earth appear in front of them on the large view screen or through the viewing port. The colors of warp space were flashing by. In five minutes they would be leaving warp and the planet Earth would be in front of them. It would still be small since it was still two days away, but it would be there. The other boys in the lounge would also be able to see it on the view screen or maybe even through the window.

 

Douglas could feel his heart thumping. It felt like it was ready to leap right out of his chest.  As much as he didn't want the adventure to end, he was happy it was over. He had this incredible urge to see his parents again; to be their little boy again. He could feel the same feeling surging from Scooter. Now that home was so close they were ready to be there.

 

Douglas heard the orders being given on the bridge, but paid no attention to what they were. Suddenly, he felt the little lurch and dizziness that came from entering and leaving warp. And there, ahead of them, was the bluish disk of Earth. Douglas felt his face become wet. Embarrassed, he put his sleeve up to his eyes and tried wiping away the tears that were dripping down, but with no success.  The dam had burst, and his shirt was becoming wet with the cascading tears. He turned to look at Scooter and Mike, and saw they were having the same problem. Tears were pouring down their cheeks. Douglas got up and gave each of them a hug. When he hugged Scooter, Scooter put his head on Douglas's chest and started sobbing.

 

"We're home, Douglas. You did what you promised. You got us home."

 

Douglas was bawling just has hard. "It was all of us who got us here. We did it as a team. We all worked together to get us home."

 

Mike smiled through his tears. "But you were the one who held the team together. It was you who led us here."

 

Captain Parrish walked up to them. "You guys are all incredible. But you can congratulate each other later. Let's get on the radio and start getting the news to Earth." Getting out an immediate radio message was the reason the four boys were in the bridge instead of the lounge. Douglas knew that the tears were flowing just as hard in the lounge as they had on the bridge.

 

Captain Parrish and Douglas had discussed how to announce their return. Douglas was pleased that Captain Parrish had asked him for his opinions. Sometimes he felt lost with no decisions to make and nothing to do. He felt like he was just another teenaged boy. When Captain Parrish called him into his office to discuss how to work out the announcement, Douglas literally glowed.

 

Lieutenant Schrader was manning the ship's radio. "'U.S.S Starfinder' calling Earth Control requesting approach coordinates."

 

A voice came back over the radio. "We read you 'Starfinder'. You're back early." The controller gave some coordinates to give them their route to Earth through all the space traffic. "You're back early," he repeated. "Is something wrong?"

 

Lieutenant Schrader's answer was to tell the controller he needed to have a Code 14 communication set up. This meant he needed a scrambled, secure line to Space Fleet headquarters, and not just to headquarters, but to somebody with a high rank. The controller didn't ask why.

 

The flight controller knew he wasn't supposed to ask, but he couldn't help thinking that only something very serious required setting up a Code 14 communication from a returning starship. The last one had been from the “Starkeeper” when she made her return. He pushed some icons on the touch screen of his computer and a voice came over his radio.

 

"Admiral Ramirez here. What is the matter? Why am I being disturbed?" The Admiral sounded  irritated by the disturbance. Flight controllers normally did not connect directly with a Fleet Admiral.

 

"Sir, the 'Starfinder' is back and requests a Code 14 communication."

 

The Admiral's attitude changed immediately.  A Code 14 was serious, and his concern showed in his voice.  "The 'Starfinder' isn't due back for at least another six months. Did they say what it was about?"

 

"No, Sir. I'm not supposed to ask over a regular radio frequency."

 

"Yes, of course." The Admiral sounded irritated again. He didn't like someone of lower rank reminding him of what the rules were. "Well, connect me to them, Lieutenant."

 

The controller pushed a couple of other icons and the Admiral and the 'Starkeeper' were connected on a secure, scrambled radio frequency.

 

"Hello, 'Starkeeper'.  This is Admiral Ramirez. This had better be serious to have you back six months early and asking for a Code 14."

 

"Hello, Admiral. Captain Parrish reporting, sir." Parrish was disappointed Ramirez was the Admiral they had been connected to. Ramirez was a pompous ass who always thought he knew everything, and had a hard time listening to anybody who wasn't an Admiral as well. He didn't want Ramirez to be the only one getting this communication—this was too important for one man, especially if it was somebody like Ramirez. He took a deep breath.

 

"Admiral, I have incredible news.  With all due respect, I believe it needs to have the Fleet Chiefs, as well as the Director of Space Exploration and Colonization, and President M'buto involved."

 

"That's asking for quite a bit. I think I should be the judge of who listens to this, Captain, although I doubt some quirky accident on an exploratory mission needs to involve that kind of top brass."

 

"Again, with all due respect, the news I have is of such importance it needs to be dealt with by the highest authorities, immediately"

 

Captain Parrish realized he was being insubordinate, but he did not trust Ramirez. He also remembered how a fourteen-year-old had pushed him and he was more than happy to follow in the teenager’s footsteps. Parrish wouldn't have any qualms about informing any Admiral other than Ramirez about what the problem was. But Parrish knew Ramirez had attained his rank a lot like Captain Fuller had; based on who, not what, he knew. 

 

Ramirez had also exploited every possible situation he could to further his advancement. Being insubordinate to Ramirez was dangerous; he was the consummate politician and bureaucrat inside the fleet, but his abilities as an Admiral left much to be desired.  Ramirez could easily destroy Parrish's career, but Parrish was not about to deliver the fates of the boys into the hands of Ramirez. 

 

Ramirez would take control of the entire situation and would do whatever he felt was of most benefit to himself.   Most likely that would involve calling the media before he contacted anyone else. Parrish owed the boys on his ship the best he could do for them, even if it earned him a reprimand or worse.  He had promised Douglas that he would give the news only to the highest authorities in Earth's government.

 

"Captain, this is outright insubordination."

 

"I understand, Admiral. But I assure you this situation requires the presence of the people I named before I can reveal anything. And I assure you if you don't get the people I asked for, you will have to answer to them."

 

"You have no right to talk to me like that. I will not be ordered around by a mere Captain."

 

"Admiral, if you don't do what I ask, then I will ask to be connected to somebody else who will.  I am going to get what I want."

 

Douglas was listening to this with his mouth open.  Captain Parrish was sounding just like he had when he told the Captain what it was that he wanted when first contact had been made with the "Starfinder".  He realized more than ever what kind of man Captain Parrish was.  And what kind of a friend.

 

"Captain, this had better not be something to feed the overinflated ego of a rogue starship captain. Because if it is your career is over. You will end up being an ensign manning a one-man asteroid station out beyond Mars. Is that clear, Captain?"

 

"Perfectly clear, Admiral. Now please get me the people I asked for. Radio us when you have them."

 

"It will take time."

 

"We're two days out. I expect to hear from you before then."

 

"You are in deep trouble Captain. This has all been recorded.  You will have your audience, but let me tell you this--you just brought back your last command. Out."

 

"Somehow I don't think so Admiral,” Captain Parrish said to no one in particular.

 

Douglas and Scooter both hugged Captain Parrish, then stepped back, embarrassed.

 

"You were awesome! Totally awesome!" Douglas said.  "But I'm sorry you might not be a Captain again."

 

"I don't know if I was awesome or not, but I do know this. You boys will land on Earth under our terms. It's going to end up being a zoo down there, but we will at least have some control to start. But the true commanders will have control over it, not some paper pushing Admiral like Ramirez. I am also certain that the good Admiral is not going to get his wish regarding my future."  Captain Parrish knew he would be coming back as a hero, and Admiral Ramirez was not going to have an easy time taking away his command.

 

"So you’re not going to be in trouble?" Scooter asked.

 

"I doubt it Scooter, but if I am it will be worth it. You guys have all become very important to me. It's my duty to protect my crew, no matter what the cost to me. And you are my passengers, my crew, and more."

 

"Looks like we have a lot in common," Douglas told Captain Parrish with a sly grin.

 

"How's that?"

 

"We both don't mind reading out somebody in authority for the good of our crews."

 

Captain Parrish smiled and tousled Douglas's hair, making him cringe. Douglas realized this was a gesture of affection, but he didn't think it was the appropriate thing for one Captain to do to another.

 

The boys left the bridge and went to the lounge to join the rest of the boys, where more tears and hugs were exchanged. Everyone was experiencing different levels of emotion, from the twins who were so excited they were shaking, to Ryan, who was looking at an uncertain future. Those who had stopped crying, started all over again, amazed that they could shed so many tears. Douglas gave each of the twins a special, heartfelt hug.

 

As the "Starfinder" raced towards Earth, Douglas and his crew waited eagerly for the Earth leaders Captain Parrish had requested to contact the starship. They wanted badly to give the news of their return.

 

It was almost a day later when Ensign Rogers called Lieutenant Schrader and Captain Parrish. "A scrambled message is being received. I told them to wait for you, Captain."

 

"I'll be right there." Parrish paged Douglas and the Earth boys, along with Dralkan and Trundall. They went to the officers' lounge behind the bridge. Lieutenant Schrader had set up a radio there so the boys could all listen in to what was being said. The boys took seats or sat down on the floor. Captain Parrish sat at the table with his radio. It was connected to the radio on the console in the bridge. A television camera was focused on him.

 

"Parrish here."

 

"Hello, Captain. Admiral Yamamoto here. You've created quite a commotion with your Code 14 yesterday." Parrish was pleased. Admiral Yamamoto was the head of the Space Fleet and a good person. Hopefully the heads of government he asked for were there too. "I hope this is important, Captain. You have some big hitters in this room right now. This is all quite unprecedented.”

 

The Admiral was on the view screen. The broadcast was set up for video. The camera focusing on the Admiral moved back. The camera on the ship was locked in one place and had only one view. The Earth camera showed three other people in the room.  Parrish and Schrader recognized them as Admiral Lassen, head of Space Exploration for Space Fleet, Tyler Manning, Secretary of Space Exploration and Colonization, and President M'Buto himself. Admiral Ramirez wasn't there. Parrish was pleased. He had been taken seriously.

 

"Captain Parrish, when a Captain comes out of warp months early and risks his career asking for the heads of Space Fleet and the Government, I figure he's either totally lost his mind or he has incredibly important news. Your reputation as a Captain and explorer of space is among the best in the Fleet. I decided you probably had not lost your mind and to take this request seriously, despite the recommendations of Admiral Ramirez. Now I hope you don't let me down." Captain Parrish had discovered a possible colony planet on one of his voyages and was well thought of by Space Fleet.

 

"I won't Admiral. The news I have may be the biggest news ever brought home by a space exploration ship. Admiral Lassen, Mr. Secretary, it is good to see you here. And Mr. President, it is an honor to have you here for this. You won't find this a waste of your time."

 

"I am ready for the news, Captain," the President said. He was a huge African man, the descendant of tribal chiefs. His father sent him off to an English school when he was young. M'Buto was smart and full of ambition. He ended up going to Harvard, became the President of his country and then of the African Federation. Last year he had been elected the President of the Earth government. He was a big supporter of space exploration and was a well liked leader.

 

"Well, I have two pieces of news.  My first piece of news is going to be presented by...." Captain Parrish hesitated a second...."by a fellow Captain."

 

"Another Captain?" Admiral Yamamoto asked, somewhat confused.

 

Captain Parrish moved out of the seat the camera was focused on. Douglas took his place. The four men in the conference room looked even more confused. They didn't know who this other Captain was going to be, but they hadn’t expected a young teenage boy.

 

Douglas sat in front of the camera, wearing his Hakaanen robe. He suddenly was incredibly nervous. He was about to address the President of Earth. He took a deep breath and said, "Admiral Yamamoto, Admiral Lassen, Mr. Secretary, Mr. President, my name is Douglas Daniels. I was a passenger on the "Starkeeper" and was on the "Moonduster" when it was accidentally launched. I'm the leader of The Survivors of that accident.”

 

There was an uproar at the other end. Then Admiral Lassen said, "Oh my God. That can't be. You boys are alive? You survived?"

 

"It's a miracle," Secretary Manning said. "A miracle. But how?  How could you survive months in space on a small shuttle?"

 

"It's a long story sir. Or sirs. I will tell you that all of us but three are coming back to Earth. And that includes the twins who were on the `Sundancer'."

 

The men in the conference room were astounded. The news was more incredible than they ever imagined.  Little did they realize that even bigger news was to about to follow. "This news was well worth the trouble you put us through, Captain," the President said.  "It's going to be very interesting to hear their story. If you call this young man a fellow Captain, the story must be quite extraordinary, and he must be quite an extraordinary young man to have impressed you, a starship Captain." Douglas felt like saying, you haven't even heard the really big news yet.

 

"You will hear their story soon, sir.  All of it." Or at least as much as we're willing to tell, Douglas thought. "I am turning the radio over to Captain Parrish. He has one more piece of important news."

 

Douglas stepped away from the chair. He had the feeling that he had the respect of the powerful men in the conference room on Earth. They saw a leader who had survived in space and led a group of boys to safety and home. They weren't sure how he had done it, but he had certainly impressed them greatly. The leaders all wondered what the next piece of news would be. They couldn't conceive of anything that could be bigger news than the survival of the "Starkeeper" children.

 

Captain Parrish sat back in the chair at the table.

 

"You said you had two pieces of news, Captain," the President said. "I have a hard time imagining something bigger than the news you just gave us. That might have been the most incredible news I've heard as President. The news is going to make for some happy parents and will thrill the people of Earth. This will be an amazing story. Totally amazing."

 

"Mr. President, I think that the second thing needs to be seen rather than talked about. I'm going to give my chair up to another boy. A very, very special boy. He is part of the most incredible discovery in the history of Space Fleet, only he and his kind were discovered by a group of young adolescent boys.” Captain Parrish twisted the truth just enough to make the story simple—at least for now.

 

“Watch very carefully. Our lives will never be the same, Sir. Trust me."

 

"We all are very curious now, Captain. This MUST be an incredible discovery."

 

"Oh, it is, Mr. President. It is for sure”.  Captain Parrish got out of the chair and was replaced by a very handsome young boy.  The men assembled on Earth were waiting for this boy to speak and tell them incredible news, as Douglas just had, but the boy said nothing. 

 

Then Secretary Manning's eyes widened, and he said softly, "Unbelievable."  Realization came to the other men almost simultaneously.  It was not what the boy had to say—it was who the boy was!  

 

The men saw that the boy had delicate pointed ears and a golden mane cascading over the open back of an exquisitely embroidered red robe.  The beautiful boy looking out at them through the vid screen began to speak the words he had been practicing for three days."

 

"My name is Dralkan.  Greetings to Earth from the people of Hakaan,” he said perfectly. The Earth boys were proud of him.

 

Dralkan watched as the men he was speaking to, who had been leaning forward in their chairs gazing intently into the screen, began to sink slowly back into their chairs.  Dralkan became nervous, because none of the men were saying anything, to themselves or to each other.

 

President M'Buto finally stood up, smiled, and said to Dralkan, "The people of Earth sincerely return greetings to the people of Hakaan." Even though he was smiling, the enormity of the situation had brought the President of Earth close to tears.

 

M'Buto could think of nothing further to say, other than the lone thought coursing through his mind.  "Young man, the lives of the people of Hakaan and the lives of the people of Earth have just been changed for all time. All of us in the room are overwhelmed by you and what we’ve just seen.”

 

 It meant a lot to all of the Earth boys that the final step of first contact was completed by a fellow teenager, and done with poise and grace.  Douglas felt a surge of pride and love for the friends he loved so much from Scooter to his wonderful crew to his two friends from Hakaan. 

 

They were home at last.

 

Next: Chapter 54 Homecoming

 

Comments are welcomed.  E-mail me, Douglas DD, at TheHakaanen@Hotmail.com