Chapter 7.
   Escape Velocity 
   From “Stellar Graffiti”, Copyright 2001 Richard Allan Olson
            




   Meanwhile, back on the tiny blue moon that orbited the great Monument, Luna had finally succeeded in lifting the tackle box with the power of her mind alone, after trying unsuccessfully for quite some time.  She beamed with delight as the box wavered in mid air a few feet off the deck of the boat.  Milo applauded her.  The girl sat and practiced the craft as the sun rose on another bright green tropical morning.  Shortly, as the little sailboat rounded a point, another island-dotted stretch of coastline came into view, curving off to the horizon.  Milo squinted and found the tiny yellow patch on the water that was their village. 

   (“You don’t need to stop into town for anything, do you, dear?”) asked Milo, telepathically. 

   (“Actually, I do.”) replied Luna.  (“I wish to formally register a motion before the Council, and demand that the end of the world be officially cancelled, without delay.”) 

   (“Neither do I.  In that case, I suggest we trade in this old tub for the first unattended canoe we come across.  This thing won’t make it through the maze of waterways surrounding the Saurian ground base.”)

   Nearing the village a while later, they came upon a small island that had a crudely built dock.  There, tied to the dock, was a beat up old wooden canoe, and there was no owner in sight.  Milo tied their skiff to the dock, and they quickly tossed a few things into the canoe.  (“More than a fair trade.”) thought Milo.  (“I think the owner of this vessel is clearly taking advantage of us.”)  Soon, they paddled briskly through the many little islands bordering the coastline.  

   An  archipelago lay between them and the Saurian ground base.  This expansive area of the coast was a huge maze of tiny coral formations jutting out of the water, like islets, very close together.  The waterways between islets were quite narrow and shallow, sometimes making passage by boat extremely difficult.  A variety of small trees and vines thrived on these steep coral formations, and the foliage grew overhead from one islet to its neighbors, creating a dense green canopy that sometimes obscured the sky altogether.  This often made orientation by the sun completely impossible.  A traveler might easily become hopelessly lost in this archipelago.  Fortunately, Milo had already explored this region many times, and he’d even marked the way to their destination.  

   Finally, after much winding and weaving through a labyrinth of shadowy jungle waterways, the corridors began to widen, and scattered shafts of sunlight broke through the leaf green darkness above.  Soon the canoe came skimming out of the cool shade into a bright, wide open lagoon.  There lay the installation of the Saurians, a huge complex made of metal, glaring broadly under the sun.  It was a very large platform resting high on supporting girders sunk deep into the ground.  The structures that housed their operations were situated underneath, while three disc shaped ships rested on top of the platform. 

   Milo spotted a pair of Saurians standing at the railed edge on top, and he started paddling to the base of the scaffolding, directly below where the watchmen were standing.  As the canoe drifted closer, Milo shouted up at them. 

   “Ahoy, there!  Ahoy!” 

   The pair of Saurians turned and glanced down.  Then they looked at each other, annoyed.  Then one of them leaned over the railing, and, in the Archian language, said, “No, look.  We already explain this to you people.”  The watchman’s dialect was awkward.  “It make no matter, no difference, leaving world.”  The Saurian was about to try another approach, but Milo interrupted. 

   “Yes, I understand all about that!  But, that’s not why I’m here, you see!  I was wondering if Captain Finn happened to be planetside, today!  Can you tell me?” 

   The Saurians looked at each other and laughed.  Then the one replied, “He’s here today, but what business would YOU be having with the Captain, eh?”  The watchman looked back at his companion and they both started laughing again. 

   “You don’t understand!” exclaimed Milo, exasperated.  “Captain Finn will WANT to hear what news we have to tell him!  It is a matter of great importance!  You must-”  He stopped shouting.  He suddenly had an idea, and he looked at Luna and grinned.  Then he lifted his head back to face the Saurian watchmen again, and, speaking in their own language, with perfect fluency, he said, “You will be obliged, then, to inform your captain, that two Archians have recently had an encounter with another, extraterrestrial species.”  The watchmen stared down at Milo in disbelief.  Milo continued, “This species is surely not of this world, and it is extremely hostile, and it is very, very efficient.  I thought Captain Finn would be interested in hearing a first hand account of this incident.  We can give him that account.  Please pass this message along to him!”   

   The Saurians gaped down at Milo a few moments longer, then turned and muttered urgently.  One of them disappeared beyond the edge of the platform, and the remaining watchman leaned over the rail and said, “I’ll toss you a rope!” 

   Milo replied, “That won’t be necessary, thanks!”  The girl picked up the Aquatoo, and the creature climbed onto her back.  Then, the pair of arboreal primates leapt out of the canoe and onto the scaffolding, nimbly scaled the vertical structure in a matter of seconds, then hopped over the rail and landed on the platform.  Milo stood up and pretended to dust himself off.  He smiled up at the towering Saurian and said, “I thought this was a high security installation.” 

   The watchman just scowled.  “Come.” he said.  “I’ll take you inside.” 

   Milo, Luna, and the Aquatoo followed as they were led down a flight of stairs into the Saurians’ ground based headquarters.  Milo instantly recognized Captain Finn when he saw him, standing with the other of the two watchmen they’d seen outside.  When Finn noticed Milo and Luna in the room, he briskly strode over to meet them.  He stood for a moment, considering them with great curiosity.  When he spoke, it was in the Saurian tongue. 

   “My officer tells me you are very fluent in our language!  Who taught you?” 

   Also in Saurianese, Milo replied, “Well, I really just taught myself, Captain.  I listened very closely, studied very hard, and devoted many years of my life to the task.” 

   “How extremely clever of you!” Finn remarked.  “Does your companion also speak our language?” 

   “My companion, Luna, does not.  And MY name, Captain, is Milo.” 

   “I’m pleased to make the acquaintance of you both.  But, you spoke of having an encounter?” 

   “Yes.” said Milo.  “An encounter with a very antisocial bunch of beings, certainly not of this world.  There were three of them.  They were huge, insect like creatures.  But intelligent.  They abducted us and probed our minds.  They killed a third member of our party just to have a look inside him.” 

   Finn withdrew, momentarily taken aback.  “How-  how big were these creatures?”  

   Milo shook his head.  “I’d say…fully three times as long as you are tall.  I mean, big!  One of your men, unarmed, wouldn’t stand a chance against one of these things.  It moves very fast on a dozen legs, and has twice as many forelimbs it can use to seize and hold its prey.  That’s what happened to myself, and to Luna, here.  I believe they were beings from another world, newly arrived upon this world.  They were merely examining the first intelligent organisms they came across, which happened to be us.  While one of them conducted what appeared to be a crude anatomical study of our lost companion, two others held Luna and I in a state of paralysis and used some kind of psychic ability to probe our minds, as if they were intent on gathering information.  Then the creatures dropped us, and disappeared into the night.” 

   Finn was beyond doubt as he sat and listened to Milo recount the events of the abduction in flawless Saurianese.  There were about sixteen other Saurian officers present in the room, and Milo had the riveted attention of all of them.

   Finn said, “I can see you’re a very bright young man, Milo, and I believe you.  I even agree with your very astute theories regarding the origin, and the behavioral motives of these creatures.  Tell me, when did this event take place?” 

   “It was a little more than two days ago, Sir.  And roughly twelve decimetrics east.”   

   “I see.”  Finn pondered a while.  Then he smiled, and said, “Would you excuse me a moment?” 

   “Certainly, Captain.” replied Milo.  Finn stood up, tall.  At that point, most of the officers who had been listening returned to their various tasks.  Finn marched towards an adjoining room and was followed by three of his attendants.  The lanky group of lizards hurried in and shut the door behind them. 

   (“I didn’t understand a word of that, thank you very much.”) thought Luna, disgruntled.  (“Except my own name, once or twice.”) 

   (“I simply told him what happened.”) 

   (“Did he believe you?”) 

   (“It seems the Captain did, but I’m not sure about the others.  I’m going to try to listen in on their conversation in the next room.  Just a moment.”)  Milo closed his eyes and concentrated. 

   Meanwhile, in the adjoining room, Finn stood with his officers, grave expressions etched upon their wrinkled, green muzzles.  Finn exhaled.  “Well, he seems to be a creature of sound mind.  I’d even credit him with above average intelligence.  I believe him to be sincere and objective in thought, and I believe his account to be true.”  

   One of the officers said, “He knows our language well.  That displays an aptitude for analytic reasoning.” 

   “I agree.” said another.  “Besides, what would he stand to gain, fabricating a story like that?” 

   The third officer said, “Attention, perhaps.  You know how I feel.  The Archians have a genetic screw loose.  They are naturally predisposed to delusion.  With the end so near, this could be a kind of anxiety disorder.  Besides, if an advanced race HAD arrived, there would have been some kind of traceable activity.  We have this entire globe monitored.  If indeed from another world, these beings would need to employ some form of transportation, and this would have left a very clear signature.” 

   “Possibly.” said Finn, brooding.  “A race endowed with telepathic abilities will be more advanced than us.  Their technology will be, as well.”  He thought a while longer.  “No.  This time, let us err on the side of caution.” 

   (“That’s it.”) said Milo.  (“They’re done.  Here they come.”) 

   Luna asked, (“Are you going to tell them about the Aquatoo, and about our… special powers?”) 

   (“Yes, of course.  But let’s not… overwhelm them.  One subject at a time, here.  The insect creatures take priority.”)

   The door opened, and Finn and his attendants returned from the next room.  “Thank you for your patience, Milo.” said Finn, stopping briefly.  “I’ll be with you again in another minute or two.”  Milo nodded.  Finn crossed the room with several long strides.  “Hail the Orient.” he said, to one of the officers seated before an assortment of consoles.  Spidery, reptilian fingers manipulated the instrument panel.  Shortly, a voice issued from a speaker system.  “Orient to Prime Base.  Lieutenant Seff.” 

   “Mister Seff,” said Finn, a little louder than his normal speaking voice.  “How is everything up there?” 

   “Shipshape, Captain.” replied the voice. 

   “Good.  Mister Seff, I want all hands mobilized- DCA, effective immediately.  Do you understand?”   

   There was silence for a few moments.  Then, the voice over the speaker system replied, “A defensive contingency alert, Captain?  Really?” 

   “Yes.” said Finn.  “Possible alien offensive.  Alert the hangar crews.  Tell them Prime Base is on its way.  Over and out.”  Finn then turned to his men. 

   “Everyone, drop everything.  We’re evacuating.  Lander crews one, two, and three, start your engines.  Let’s go.” 

   With that, the control room fell into a state of well organized pandemonium.  Finn carefully navigated through the chaos he’d just initiated, and went to rejoin Milo and Luna.  He smiled and politely asked, “Have you any special plans for the End of Creation?”  This time, he spoke in the Archian language, obviously as a courtesy to Luna. 

   “I’m going to hide under a very large rock.” said the girl.  She laughed.

   Milo added, “And I’ll be right underneath HER.”

   Finn chuckled.  “I thought, perhaps, you might enjoy the chance to see your world from outer space.  Or, see the great Temple up close, as no other Archian has before.  I’m offering you a rare opportunity, indeed.  If you decline, you may regret it for the rest of your lives…”  There was a most unusual note of wit in his remark.

   “I’d LOVE to go!” Milo exclaimed.  “Although, I can only speak for myself.  I think Luna, here, might be afraid to fly, however.” 

   The girl became flustered.  “The only thing I’M afraid of is seriously injuring someone sitting next to me.  Other than that, I would also enjoy the trip, very much!  The view must be spectacular!  Why, from up there, we can really watch the universe go out with a b-” 

   Just then, one of the walls erupted with a thundering explosion.  A violent, split-second shock wave sent everyone flying like rag dolls.  Some were forcefully driven into the nearest wall or console, others were sent reeling across the length of the room.  One moment, there was nothing but the fury of the blast, then the next, only the sound of falling debris, and the echo of the explosion repeating back from across the lagoon. 

   Amid the smoke and rubble, those who were not rendered unconscious fought to regain their senses and pick themselves up.  Finn had been lucky.  He managed to lift his head, and he tried focusing, but was having some difficulty.  As the smoke began to clear, so did his presence of mind begin to return to him, and he looked upon the damage.  A large section of one wall was now gone, leaving the room wide open to the sunshine.  Something just outside the wall seemed to float in the air, beyond the clearing smoke, something that gleamed metal in the sunlight.  

   Milo stirred.  His first thought was of the girl.  “Luna!  Where are you?  Are you alright?”  He looked around, but couldn’t see her.  He got to his feet and began searching behind piles of debris laying scattered around the room.  Before long, he had located her motionless body.  He quickly scooped her up.  As he did so, he also noticed the Aquatoo laying not far away, also very still.  He hastily went over and placed the little animal’s body on top of Luna’s.  By this time, many of the Saurians were on their feet and making their way quickly up the flight of stairs leading to the launch platform.  Carrying the girl and the animal, Milo followed. 

   Finn and the rest of his officers were too busy dragging their unconscious companions towards the stairwell to notice what had begun to crawl in through the smoking hole blasted in the wall.  At that moment, however, one of the Saurians returning from above saw the creature and shouted a warning.  “Mister Gaff!  Behind you!”  Everyone turned.  The officer named Gaff was closest to the thing.  When he saw the horror that came scuttling at him, he dropped his comrade and reached for his sidearm.  But the nightmare beast was upon him, a flurry of razor sharp limbs.  As a dozen pincer-ended appendages held him immobile, and others went to work, Gaff screamed.  Then, another of the giant insects started crawling into the room.  Upon this, the Saurians abandoned all hope of rescuing their fallen companions and made for the stairwell.

   By this time, Milo, still carrying Luna and the Aquatoo, had found his way inside one of the three saucer ships waiting in the sunshine up top.  He quickly examined the girl and found her to be unconscious, but otherwise not badly injured.  He wasn’t sure about the animal, although it seemed to be alive.  All he could do was wait for them to awaken, and listen to the sounds of shouting and gunfire outside the ship. 

   Upon the launch platform, the three saucers hummed in readiness.  A section of each undercarriage had been lowered, and an armed officer stood guard at each access ramp.  When Finn and his men appeared from below, they paused to survey their surroundings.  From here they could quite easily see the hovering alien craft.  They also saw multiple arms and legs hauling segmented bodies back up onto the platform.  The Saurians scattered towards their vehicles.  Finn and two of his men set off in the direction of the ship in the center of the three, which was the vehicle Milo had fatefully chosen as refuge.

   As Finn and his two men ran for the saucer ship, Finn shouted at the officer standing guard at the ramp.  “Hold them off!”  The alien insects were up and scuttling after them, now, and one of them was gaining on Finn’s group.  The guard drew his sidearm and started firing the laser weapon at the advancing creature.  The weapon fired continuously, but apparently had no effect on the insectoid.  It didn’t even slow the creature down.  “Draw the ramp!” Finn shouted.  As he and his men drew closer to the ship, the section of its undercarriage began to close.  The guard kept firing his sidearm at the racing predator as Finn passed him into the closing entry way.  The two other officers slipped in right behind him, and then the guard, still firing, backed inside with them.

    The creature came at the undercarriage with such momentum that its body jammed between the two sections of the closing ramp.  With its front half inside the airlock, and its  back half outside, the insect struggled, its many limbs thrashing furiously.  Everyone backed away, except the guard, who just kept firing at it.  The ramp hadn’t finished closing, yet, and the writhing creature finally managed to wrestle its back half inside the airlock.  Once free and clear, it lunged at the guard and lifted him up.  Even in the clutches of the array of its extremities, the guard managed to keep his weapon trained and firing.  Then, just as it might have torn the guard limb from limb, it dropped him and convulsed, first once, then again, and finally, the insect heavily collapsed upon the floor.  Many legs of the lifeless heap quivered, spasmodically. 

   Finn stepped forward and helped the fallen guard to his feet.  “Thank YOU, Mister Dunn.” 

   Meanwhile, Luna had begun to regain consciousness.  “Oh, my head… what… what happened?  Am I… alright?” 

   “I think you were just knocked out.” said Milo.  “There was an explosion.  It’s those insect creatures again.  I managed to get you and the Aquatoo inside this lander.  How do you feel?”  The girl propped herself up under an elbow, winced a bit, and replied, “Like I’ve been drop-kicked by a Thunder Lizard.”

   Finn burst into the flight deck of the saucer ship.  “Mister Sall,” he said to the pilot, “prepare to take us up.”  He then whirled  around to a technician.  “Get Prime One on line.”  Deftly punching in a sequence of keys on the console before him, the technician said, “Go ahead, Captain.”

   “Prime Two to Prime One.  What is your status, Mister Simm?”  There was no answer from the other ship’s respondent.  All Finn could hear over the loudspeaker was static, and some kind of commotion in the background.  He tried to hail the ship again, but there was still no reply.  The technician, listening in with a headphone set, said, “Captain, it sounds like shouting… and gunfire!”  Finn stepped up to the transmitter and fairly bellowed.  “Prime One!  Prime One!  I repeat, what is your status?”  

   Finally a voice came over the loudspeaker.  “Captain!  One of those things got inside the ship!  The rifles don’t even make a scratch on it, Sir!  Three men are down, already!”  Abruptly, the voice was replaced by the unmistakable sound of gunfire.  Finn shouted, “Listen, soldier, our weapons WILL take these creatures down!  But only with persistence!  Do you copy?”  The sound of a lone rifle was heard for another few seconds.  Then there was a scream, which was shortly cut off by a gurgling sound, and then there was silence.  Even the background commotion had ceased.  Finn made an angry fist and slammed it sideways against a wall. 

   The technician examined his instruments a few moments longer, then said, “Captain, Prime Three is sealed and away.”  At length, Finn raised his head and exhaled deeply.  “Good.”  He then turned back to the pilot.  “Anytime you’re ready, Mister Sall.”  Shortly, anti-gravity engines were engaged, and Prime Two lifted off the launch pad.  The disc then shot straight up, climbing into the sky with fantastic acceleration.  Leaving the little blue moon called Archia far below, the ship passed beyond the atmosphere in the blink of an eye, and plunged into the vast gulf of space. 

   Luna cradled the limp little body of the Aquatoo in her arms and softly repeated the animal’s name, over and over.  (“I don’t know, but I think he’s hurt very badly.”) she thought.  (“He’s still got a steady heartbeat, but he just isn’t responding at all…”) 

   Milo tried to comfort her.  (“Give him some more time.  Perhaps we could find some water.  Would you like me to go ask the Saurians if they have any water aboard?”) 

   Luna sniffled.  (“That might be a good idea.  Thank you, Milo.”) 

   “Captain!” exclaimed the technician.  “Prime Three is hailing!” 

   Finn spun around.  “Put him on.”  The voice on the loudspeaker said, “Captain!  The enemy craft is in close pursuit, and we are under fire!” 

   “Evasive maneuvers, Admiral Mott!” Finn shouted.  Then, to his pilot, he said, “Incoming, Mister Sall.  Engage manual.”  Then, to the technician, he said, “Put Prime Three on screen, please.”  Shortly, a section of the wide bank of monitors in front of them flickered for a second, and an image appeared.  It displayed a region of black space, against which the Saurians could clearly see the little disc that was Prime Three, being closely followed by the sleek and sinister alien craft.  The saucer ship pitched up and down, and banked from side to side, in an effort to avoid being struck by the deadly barrage of energy bolts that came streaking past it.  Everyone aboard Prime Two, who was not otherwise preoccupied with a task, stood in silence and watched as the dramatic chase unfolded on the view screen.

   Suddenly, a blast from the alien ship connected with Prime Three, and the wounded vehicle flipped over in flight several times.  Simultaneously, Finn and his crew heard a distorted explosion over the loudspeaker.  As they watched on the screen, they saw the disc manage to level off again, and regain a controlled, if somewhat wavering, trajectory.  The enemy ship bore down on its crippled quarry without mercy.  Then, over the loudspeaker, the crew of Prime Two heard a voice shouting, “Massive hull breach!  Can’t locate it!  We’re losing pressure!”

   Meanwhile, aboard Prime Three, Admiral Mott turned to his pilot with grim resolve.  “Do you still have control over this vehicle, Mister Cann?” 

   “Just barely, Sir.” replied the pilot.  “And probably not for much longer.” 

   “Then turn this flying death trap around and punch it.  Right between the eyes.” 

   The pilot beamed, and saluted with defiance and pride.  “Yes, Sir!”  In an instant, the saucer deftly performed a half revolution on its axis, without losing any speed at all, and was then suddenly on a collision course with the alien vehicle.  It happened so fast, there was no time for the pursuing ship to change its course.  The crash ignited a series of explosions that erupted in rapid succession, one detonation setting off another, like a flower of fire and white hot gasses, repeatedly blossoming from within.  Both ships were instantly torn into tiny metal shreds, vaporized, and consumed by the blazing inferno.  

   Aboard Prime Two, Finn stared at the monitor.  At great length, he said, “It was an honor, Admiral Mott.”

   After leaving Luna with the Aquatoo, Milo had followed the corridor around, looking for the flight deck.  Just then, he came in upon the events transpiring there.  Meanwhile, back where Milo had left her, Luna sat near a circular portal with her hand gently resting upon the little chest and belly of the injured animal.

   “Your heartbeat is erratic,” she said, tearfully, “and your breathing is labored.  You must be hurt very badly.”  The creature managed a single, frail nod.  “No, don’t try to nod.  I know you are.  I just wish there were something I could do.  I do hope Milo comes back with some water, soon.”  

   “Captain Finn,” asked Milo, cautiously, “may I have a moment?” 

   “Milo!” Finn exclaimed.  “I AM pleased to see that you made it aboard!  And your companion?” 

   “Luna is here, and she is well, Sir.”  

   “Good.  Yes, we have the situation under control, now.  How can I assist you?”  

   Milo rubbed his hands together.  “Well, TWO things, if you will, Captain.  Firstly, I need to know if you have a supply of water aboard this ship.  Secondly, I’d like very much to share a theory with you.”            
              
   The tall, lanky reptile considered the small primate for a moment.  “Aboard this ship, we can manufacture as much water as you like.  The elemental atoms are quite common.  I’ll give you a glass of water for a theory.”

   “I think there will be more of those insect creatures, Captain.  That ship was probably just a scouting party.  I got a good look at it from the ground base.  It appeared too small to be a long term, life sustaining vehicle.  I would expect there to be a mothership sitting out there in the solar system, somewhere… perhaps even closer than we might imagine.  I fear we haven’t seen the last of these creatures, Sir.”    

   “Milo, I had already come to that exact same conclusion, myself.  The mothership could very well be hiding amongst the larger structures of the Monument, and we would not know, because our instruments cannot detect through its material composition.  Yes, you are quite correct, Milo.  We must assume, and be prepared for, another encounter.  Now.  Let’s go make some water for you.” 

   Luna cradled the lifeless form of the Aquatoo in her arms and wept.  She’d felt the tiny heart stop beating, and the animal had suddenly stopped breathing, and she knew that her special little friend had passed away.  “You’re in good company, now, Aquatoo.” she whispered.  “Many fine individuals have died, recently.”  She turned and vacantly stared at the star speckled void outside the circular portal.  Then, a voice spoke in her head, and she looked back.  It was the strangest voice she’d ever heard in her life.  When she turned, she saw a luminous, phantom likeness of the Aquatoo, sitting up next to its own, still, furry little corpse.  The girl gasped.  Once again, the voice said, “Why?” 

   “What ever do you mean?” she asked, startled. 

   The Aquatoo seemed to speak without moving.  It only blinked.  “You cared for me, even before I learned how to think.  Why?  Why would a divine Giantess such as you, care for one such as I, a lowly thing that once lived in a muddy marsh, swimming about, mindlessly, eating snails and insects?  Why, divine Luna?  Why?” 

   Luna sniffled and let out a laugh.  “Oh, I don’t know.  I really don’t.  Perhaps it is your innocence.  You have a simplicity of being that my wretched intelligence denies me.  I envy that, in a way.  Or perhaps I feel a sense of kinship to you.  I mean, in spite of our unequal positions in the grand scheme of things, we are each as helpless before the whims of fate.  Does that make any sense to you, Aquatoo?” 

   “I will ponder it, Giantess.” said the spirit of the animal. 

   Luna looked down at the creature’s physical remains and smiled.  “You’re free now, Aquatoo!  Free of this cumbersome bag of flesh and bones.  You can go anywhere you want to go, now.”  

   The luminous form turned and looked out of the ship’s portal at the tiny blue moon below.  “Thank you, divine Giantess.” it said, as it drifted towards the portal and began to pass through it. 

   “Where are you going, Aquatoo?” 

   “Home.” 

   At that moment, Milo came from around the corner with a metallic container in his hand.  He was about to say something, but he quickly sized up the situation.  He sat down next to the girl and put his arm around her.  Luna sighed and laid her head on his shoulder.  They didn’t speak.  Instead, they just stared down in silent fascination at the world they’d left behind.  The sphere    was an azure ocean.  Only three features detracted from its blue purity; an area of mottled white at each frozen pole, and the super-continental belt of islands circling the globe at the equator. 

   “No Archian has ever seen this, before.” said Milo.  “You and I are the first in history.” 

   Luna dabbed her eyes.  “It really is wonderous, Milo.  As I look upon it, I begin to understand your passion for science.”

   “Oh, one doesn’t need to be versed in the ways of science to appreciate the majesty of creation.  How would you like to see the Temple of the Father?  From the flight deck, you will see it more closely than ever.  Now, THAT’S a spectacle.”

   Milo went to stand up, but Luna caught him before he got to his feet.  She flung her arms around him and held him tightly in a passionate, urgent embrace.  “Milo,” she said, “promise you’ll never leave me.  No matter what.  Promise me.  Please.” 

   “Of course I’ll never leave you.” he replied, a little confused.  “Why ever would I, my love?” 

   “I don’t know.  But promise me that nothing shall ever part us.  Not space, not time, not even death.  Promise me, Milo.”  He paused, wondering what had brought about this sudden cause for concern. 

   “Luna, I promise you, I WILL stay with you, no matter what!  And if I should die before you, I’ll sneak right inside you, right next to your heart.  And, if possible, I will defend you with whatever means are available, should the need arise.  And, if my soul should find itself in some lonely afterlife, I’ll wait for you to join me.  I would wait forever for YOU, my one, eternal love.” 

   Luna smiled.  “Thank you, Milo.  And I make the same promise to you.”  She kissed him lightly.  “Now.  Let’s go have a look at the Temple of the Father, shall we?” 

   The lovers stood up, embraced once more, and started off around the corridor, hand in hand.