Chapter 3: Making Plans
FRREK AND BOLIC
Frrek was sitting on the covered porch at the back of the house. He was watching Tolc and Talas as they talked by the river, the ever-present notepad in his hands.
Bolic came out of the door, a rough towel made of thistle grass in one hand. As he rubbed the towel vigorously over his head and arms, he glanced curiously down at the notes Frrek was taking.
"What have our patients been doing while I was nestbound, Frrek?"
Frrek sighed.
"I thought they were going to fish in the river, Bolic. But they have been sitting down on the riverbank. It appears that they are having an argument. Talas has been waving her arms in the air and speaking loudly to Tolc. Wait! I think they are coming back this way." He glanced up at Bolic and advised in a voice that also held a reprimand. "You had best put your clothes on, Bolic. You would not wish to offend our guests."
"Certainly not, Frrek. I will only be a moment."
By the time Bolic had dressed and returned to the porch, Talas and Tolc were making their way up the steps to the porch. The steps were very shallow and wide and they came to a slight point in the middle. The aliens, while moving much faster up them then they had been able to at first, still took their time negotiating them. Upon reaching the top, they stopped rather breathlessly and faced their two minders.
Talas looked over at Tolc, who nodded in encouragement.
Talas held her arms in the air and using them as she spoke, she said slowly in their language, "Bolic, Frrek, Tolc and I would like to study." she shook her head, "learn your language better. We would like to ask you many questions."
She looked hopefully up at Frrek and Bolic but they only puffed their cheeks in and out. In frustration, she turned to Tolc.
"You see, Tolc. They don't understand me. This is going to take forever!"
Tolc frowned and said thoughtfully.
"Wait a minute, Talas. I think we need to add that extra arm you mentioned. I'll stand behind you and use one of my arms for the accent gestures. Say what you said again."
Tolc moved behind Talas and wrapped one of his arms around her. He brought his other arm up in front and between her two arms. As Talas said the words again, Tolc, calling on his observations of the last few months, moved his arm in the same way that Frrek and Bolic used their middle arm. Sometimes up, sometimes down and sometimes touching one or the other of Talas' arms.
Bolic and Frrek looked at each other, puzzled by this strange behavior of their charges. But then, slowly, a look of comprehension appeared on their faces.
Frrek quickly said to them, "Say that again.slowly."
Tolc and Talas again repeated what they had said.
This time the lips on Frrek's and Bolic's small mouths moved in and out with excitement.
"Yes! Yes, we understand. We will teach you what you want to know. You will be able to ask your questions."
FRREK AND BOLIC and TOLC and TALAS
The next three piots passed quickly as Talas and Tolc spent most of their time working with Frrek and Bolic finding ways to learn their language. It wasn't long before Tolc devised a "third arm" stick that he and Talas could use. It improved communication drastically.
Bolic and Frrek could still not understand their patient's native speech and this was a point of great puzzlement to them. So it was with great relief to them that the two aliens were learning so quickly that communication soon became not only possible, but easy.
Tolc and Talas quizzed their companions extensively about everything they knew about their rescue, hospitalization and treatment. Unfortunately, the two Sagorians knew only the parts of their saga that they needed to know to rehabilitate them and integrate them into society. It was decided that Tolc and Talas needed to talk to the people who rescued them and to the doctors who treated them in order to gather as many clues as they could about their former life.
Bolic contacted the government agency that employed him and put in his request. He was told that a decision would be made as soon as the qualified departments could review the request. After ten pownels, the answer was received.
The authorities felt, that in the best interest of the wormhole aliens, they should forget about their past (unrecoverable past was how they put it) and get on with their integration into Sagor society. Based on the experiences of other aliens who had survived the wormhole, and the doctors and psychologists from the Department of Wormhole Studies, the quicker the integration, the happier and better adjusted the aliens.
The four friends, for that is what they had become, were upset and angry.
Frrek, who had a connection with the DWS through an uncle, wrote immediately to plead Tolc and Talas's case. He pointed out the unusual circumstances that he and Bolic were working under with these aliens . The fact that the Sagorians could not, even with all of their translation technology, understand the language of these aliens was a big obstacle in the way of successful integration. He also pointed out that there were two aliens of the same species, another obstacle to complete integration. These aliens also seemed to be of a race that displayed extreme curiosity and tenacity for facts. Frrek felt, as a professional integrator, that if these aliens were given the chance to ask questions and look at the artifacts that were left from their trip through the wormhole, that that would satisfy their overwhelming curiosity about their past. Then they would be able to put that past behind them and wholeheartedly embrace Sagorian ways.
They tried to wait patiently for the reply.
In the meantime, Tolc and Talas were taken on the long promised trip into Kilto City. Frrek and Bolic drove the land car slowly out of their mountain retreat and, when they reached the closest terminal, called for a shuttle to transport them to the city. The trip would take too long by ground car and they didn't want to be away too long.
When their shuttle landed at the city shuttle port, they got on a large, not very new ground bus. Everyone stood up, holding onto floor to ceiling bars. Tolc, and especially Talas, felt dwarfed by the size of the Sagorians. As the bus filled up, they felt smaller and smaller. They received many covert stares but were not embarrassed by them. Sagorians were trained from childhood to accept and welcome the wormhole aliens. In fact, the aliens were accepted, despite a wide range in physiological and cultural differences, as an important part of Sagorian society.
Kilto City was not exactly what Talas had expected. Somehow, even though she had seen many vids of Sagor, she had expected a larger city. Although not a major metropolis, Kilto City had tall buildings, wide streets with many stores, museums, restaurants, and parks. As the lumbering bus made it way through the streets, it passed wide plazas crowded with outdoor markets. The citizens of Kilto City crowded the sidewalks, shopping, talking, trying on clothes, and showing off their children.
They got off the bus near a large street market. The market was crowded with stalls selling everything imaginable. Frrek and Bolic ushered Tolc and Talas into the crowd. They were thrilled to be able to show them the fine products available to the Sagorians.
Tolc and Talas found themselves fascinated by the unfamiliar gadgets and gizmos on display. They amused themselves by trying to guess what they were used for before asking Bolic to enlighten them. Laughing and chatting, they made their way around the market. Bolic and Frrek walked behind them, all the world like proud parents watching their children enjoy a special treat.
They were beside a high stall selling fruits and vegetables when Tolc picked up a particularly garish blue, lumpy fruit covered with yellow fur. Tolc laughed and held it up for Talas to see.
"Wouldn't Neelix love to get his hands on this?" he chuckled.
"Indeed, he would," Talas agreed.
Realizing what they had just said, they froze.
Tolc was the first to recover. Quickly, he called to Bolic and Frrek.
"What is it, Tolc?" asked Frrek.
Tolc told them what had just happened. The two Sagorians were jubilant. Was this memory the key to unlocking the mystery of the aliens past?
They pressed them with questions.
"Who is this Neelix?"
"What do you remember about this person?"
"Do you now remember anything else?"
The more they were questioned, they more they became discouraged. The stray memory didn't seem to trigger any other memories. At last, they asked is they could return to the mountain retreat. Spirits were low as they transported back.
TOLC AND TALAS
That evening, the two aliens sat huddled on the porch of the cabin. They had wrapped blankets around themselves to keep warm. The crisp, mountain air made their breath visible in the shafts of light that shone out the windows.
Frrek and Bolic were inside. They couldn't understand why Talas and Tolc were so upset. They thought they would be very happy to remember a name from their lost past, but that wasn't the case. Frrek and Bolic were confused.
"I'm confused," said Talas. She frowned.
"I know what you mean," Tolc agreed. He suddenly banged his fist on the wooden arm of the chair they were sharing. "Damn it! It isn't fair. We thought that if we could remember one thing about our past, that the rest would come rushing back."
Talas looked off over the dim meadow towards the darker strip that was the river.
"Neelix," she said slowly. "Nee-lix." She shook her head. "Nothing. I doesn't bring up a face, or a voice, or---or anything."
"The only thing we know about Neelix is that he'd like funny looking vegetables," Tolc said glumly.
Talas leaned her head on his shoulder and gave a deep sigh.
Tolc looked down at her. He couldn't stand to see her so depressed. He pulled her closer.
"Hey," he said softly. "We're no worse off then we were before. Right?"
He felt her nod her head under his chin.
With one finger, he tipped her chin up and kissed her.
"Ummm," she purred. She looked into his dark eyes. "I don't know if I want to find out about our past. It's pretty nice right here in the present."
She smiled lopsidedly at him.
His dimples flashed briefly as he ran his thumb across her cheek.
"Let's go to bed," he whispered.
TO BE CONTINUED
FRREK AND BOLIC
Frrek was sitting on the covered porch at the back of the house. He was watching Tolc and Talas as they talked by the river, the ever-present notepad in his hands.
Bolic came out of the door, a rough towel made of thistle grass in one hand. As he rubbed the towel vigorously over his head and arms, he glanced curiously down at the notes Frrek was taking.
"What have our patients been doing while I was nestbound, Frrek?"
Frrek sighed.
"I thought they were going to fish in the river, Bolic. But they have been sitting down on the riverbank. It appears that they are having an argument. Talas has been waving her arms in the air and speaking loudly to Tolc. Wait! I think they are coming back this way." He glanced up at Bolic and advised in a voice that also held a reprimand. "You had best put your clothes on, Bolic. You would not wish to offend our guests."
"Certainly not, Frrek. I will only be a moment."
By the time Bolic had dressed and returned to the porch, Talas and Tolc were making their way up the steps to the porch. The steps were very shallow and wide and they came to a slight point in the middle. The aliens, while moving much faster up them then they had been able to at first, still took their time negotiating them. Upon reaching the top, they stopped rather breathlessly and faced their two minders.
Talas looked over at Tolc, who nodded in encouragement.
Talas held her arms in the air and using them as she spoke, she said slowly in their language, "Bolic, Frrek, Tolc and I would like to study." she shook her head, "learn your language better. We would like to ask you many questions."
She looked hopefully up at Frrek and Bolic but they only puffed their cheeks in and out. In frustration, she turned to Tolc.
"You see, Tolc. They don't understand me. This is going to take forever!"
Tolc frowned and said thoughtfully.
"Wait a minute, Talas. I think we need to add that extra arm you mentioned. I'll stand behind you and use one of my arms for the accent gestures. Say what you said again."
Tolc moved behind Talas and wrapped one of his arms around her. He brought his other arm up in front and between her two arms. As Talas said the words again, Tolc, calling on his observations of the last few months, moved his arm in the same way that Frrek and Bolic used their middle arm. Sometimes up, sometimes down and sometimes touching one or the other of Talas' arms.
Bolic and Frrek looked at each other, puzzled by this strange behavior of their charges. But then, slowly, a look of comprehension appeared on their faces.
Frrek quickly said to them, "Say that again.slowly."
Tolc and Talas again repeated what they had said.
This time the lips on Frrek's and Bolic's small mouths moved in and out with excitement.
"Yes! Yes, we understand. We will teach you what you want to know. You will be able to ask your questions."
FRREK AND BOLIC and TOLC and TALAS
The next three piots passed quickly as Talas and Tolc spent most of their time working with Frrek and Bolic finding ways to learn their language. It wasn't long before Tolc devised a "third arm" stick that he and Talas could use. It improved communication drastically.
Bolic and Frrek could still not understand their patient's native speech and this was a point of great puzzlement to them. So it was with great relief to them that the two aliens were learning so quickly that communication soon became not only possible, but easy.
Tolc and Talas quizzed their companions extensively about everything they knew about their rescue, hospitalization and treatment. Unfortunately, the two Sagorians knew only the parts of their saga that they needed to know to rehabilitate them and integrate them into society. It was decided that Tolc and Talas needed to talk to the people who rescued them and to the doctors who treated them in order to gather as many clues as they could about their former life.
Bolic contacted the government agency that employed him and put in his request. He was told that a decision would be made as soon as the qualified departments could review the request. After ten pownels, the answer was received.
The authorities felt, that in the best interest of the wormhole aliens, they should forget about their past (unrecoverable past was how they put it) and get on with their integration into Sagor society. Based on the experiences of other aliens who had survived the wormhole, and the doctors and psychologists from the Department of Wormhole Studies, the quicker the integration, the happier and better adjusted the aliens.
The four friends, for that is what they had become, were upset and angry.
Frrek, who had a connection with the DWS through an uncle, wrote immediately to plead Tolc and Talas's case. He pointed out the unusual circumstances that he and Bolic were working under with these aliens . The fact that the Sagorians could not, even with all of their translation technology, understand the language of these aliens was a big obstacle in the way of successful integration. He also pointed out that there were two aliens of the same species, another obstacle to complete integration. These aliens also seemed to be of a race that displayed extreme curiosity and tenacity for facts. Frrek felt, as a professional integrator, that if these aliens were given the chance to ask questions and look at the artifacts that were left from their trip through the wormhole, that that would satisfy their overwhelming curiosity about their past. Then they would be able to put that past behind them and wholeheartedly embrace Sagorian ways.
They tried to wait patiently for the reply.
In the meantime, Tolc and Talas were taken on the long promised trip into Kilto City. Frrek and Bolic drove the land car slowly out of their mountain retreat and, when they reached the closest terminal, called for a shuttle to transport them to the city. The trip would take too long by ground car and they didn't want to be away too long.
When their shuttle landed at the city shuttle port, they got on a large, not very new ground bus. Everyone stood up, holding onto floor to ceiling bars. Tolc, and especially Talas, felt dwarfed by the size of the Sagorians. As the bus filled up, they felt smaller and smaller. They received many covert stares but were not embarrassed by them. Sagorians were trained from childhood to accept and welcome the wormhole aliens. In fact, the aliens were accepted, despite a wide range in physiological and cultural differences, as an important part of Sagorian society.
Kilto City was not exactly what Talas had expected. Somehow, even though she had seen many vids of Sagor, she had expected a larger city. Although not a major metropolis, Kilto City had tall buildings, wide streets with many stores, museums, restaurants, and parks. As the lumbering bus made it way through the streets, it passed wide plazas crowded with outdoor markets. The citizens of Kilto City crowded the sidewalks, shopping, talking, trying on clothes, and showing off their children.
They got off the bus near a large street market. The market was crowded with stalls selling everything imaginable. Frrek and Bolic ushered Tolc and Talas into the crowd. They were thrilled to be able to show them the fine products available to the Sagorians.
Tolc and Talas found themselves fascinated by the unfamiliar gadgets and gizmos on display. They amused themselves by trying to guess what they were used for before asking Bolic to enlighten them. Laughing and chatting, they made their way around the market. Bolic and Frrek walked behind them, all the world like proud parents watching their children enjoy a special treat.
They were beside a high stall selling fruits and vegetables when Tolc picked up a particularly garish blue, lumpy fruit covered with yellow fur. Tolc laughed and held it up for Talas to see.
"Wouldn't Neelix love to get his hands on this?" he chuckled.
"Indeed, he would," Talas agreed.
Realizing what they had just said, they froze.
Tolc was the first to recover. Quickly, he called to Bolic and Frrek.
"What is it, Tolc?" asked Frrek.
Tolc told them what had just happened. The two Sagorians were jubilant. Was this memory the key to unlocking the mystery of the aliens past?
They pressed them with questions.
"Who is this Neelix?"
"What do you remember about this person?"
"Do you now remember anything else?"
The more they were questioned, they more they became discouraged. The stray memory didn't seem to trigger any other memories. At last, they asked is they could return to the mountain retreat. Spirits were low as they transported back.
TOLC AND TALAS
That evening, the two aliens sat huddled on the porch of the cabin. They had wrapped blankets around themselves to keep warm. The crisp, mountain air made their breath visible in the shafts of light that shone out the windows.
Frrek and Bolic were inside. They couldn't understand why Talas and Tolc were so upset. They thought they would be very happy to remember a name from their lost past, but that wasn't the case. Frrek and Bolic were confused.
"I'm confused," said Talas. She frowned.
"I know what you mean," Tolc agreed. He suddenly banged his fist on the wooden arm of the chair they were sharing. "Damn it! It isn't fair. We thought that if we could remember one thing about our past, that the rest would come rushing back."
Talas looked off over the dim meadow towards the darker strip that was the river.
"Neelix," she said slowly. "Nee-lix." She shook her head. "Nothing. I doesn't bring up a face, or a voice, or---or anything."
"The only thing we know about Neelix is that he'd like funny looking vegetables," Tolc said glumly.
Talas leaned her head on his shoulder and gave a deep sigh.
Tolc looked down at her. He couldn't stand to see her so depressed. He pulled her closer.
"Hey," he said softly. "We're no worse off then we were before. Right?"
He felt her nod her head under his chin.
With one finger, he tipped her chin up and kissed her.
"Ummm," she purred. She looked into his dark eyes. "I don't know if I want to find out about our past. It's pretty nice right here in the present."
She smiled lopsidedly at him.
His dimples flashed briefly as he ran his thumb across her cheek.
"Let's go to bed," he whispered.
TO BE CONTINUED