Five and a Half Years Later

And so it went.

For the rest of the time in space, the only contact that Bahamut had was Shinza and her two researchers. Every day for over five years, they convened and researched. The physical tests became far more periodic, although the assistants continued to research the properties of Bahamut's DNA and proteins. The history took up the whole time. In the detail that Shinza wanted, telling the story took that long length. In addition, Bahamut occasionally had to stop, back up, and tell something he had forgotten from earlier. He made no secret of his long life, and the history of his race and the other organisms on his world. Of particular interest was the human. To Shinza, it appeared that the esper race had actually aided in their societal evolution by lifting them from being hunters and gatherers to having a real society. They were much like Ettecans in many ways.Her race wasroughly the same height, although a bit less stocky, and not as durable. They were of a new order that Bahamut described as mammals. Like the Ettecans, they produced a nutritious substance for their young, butthey did not shed their skins all at once or have a chrysalis phase in their life cycle. They also gave birth to live young, not eggs that would hatch in a week into similar-looking infants. They were quite intelligent as well. Their achievements with science mirrored the time in which Ettecans went through their own technological revolution, although there were a few differences.

The days grew boring some times. They would listen to songs some days, or try to read. But aboard a ship for such a long period of time did get tedious after a while. So they had taken up a game of Bahamut's world that involved a checkerboard and certain moving pieces. It was easy enough to make a crude one on board, and after Bahamut taught them they indulged in it. He was, of course, the best by far. He had a few thousand years experience down. They also chatted sometimes, sharing funny stories or riddles. All the riddles had to be logic puzzles, otherwise there would be something lost in translation between the two cultures. They celebrated birthdays and Ettecan holidays too. To let Bahamut participate, they assigned him a birthdate on the day they pulled him out of the void, making it a sort of anniversary as well.

While all of this went on, Etteca continued to get shipments of data from Shinza. By the end of five years, she had published eight papers detailing Bahamut's physiology, morphology, and projected performance. The cellular biology papers were the greatest. Ettecans had contact with sentient races before. But this was the human equivalent of a set of dinosaur bones being covered with flesh, standing up, and proceeding to tell you what it was like to live in prehistoric time. A creature that could actually go dormant in the vastness of space, who came back to life with just a few tweaks, and who was an immortal, with all the knowledge that immortality included. The secret to eternal life had eluded people for centuries. To find a creature that actually could live forever was remarkable. If that wasn't enough, three narrative novels had been published, detailing the accounts of Bahamut's world and that world's history. These appealed to an even larger audience, hearing a dead creature speak about a strange and wondrous world somewhere in the universe, and detailing how it had changed and how he had lived through its centuries. The narrative format of Bahamut's story only served to engross the readers more. And while the esper had been bubbling in the sac for years, his following only grew on the planet of Etteca.

And at last, the day came to return.


"I guess this means you agree to come with us?"

Bahamut looked down, and moved a piece of his game set with his metallic pincer. He exhaled a bit. "For…now." He answered at last. "Long…enough…to…get…on…another…voyage, provided…that…I'm…not…treated…like…a…freak."

Shinza shook her head. "Don't worry. This will be very private. Only a few scientists." She paused here, looking down at the board. She thought a moment, but then moved a piece. "Where would you want to go?"

"Isn't…it…obvious?" Bahamut responded, looking at this latest move. "I…wish…to…go…back…to…Gaia."

Shinza's brow furrowed a bit at this. Bahamut kept looking, watching and thinking carefully about his move. Shinza leaned back a little in some puzzlement. "I thought you left Gaia because you didn't want them using your body as a weapon. You wanted your kind to die out so that humanity couldn't destroy each other with you."

"I…did…not…say…I…wish…to…live…there." Bahamut answered, finally reaching up and moving a piece. "I…wish…to…return. I…want…to…find…the…grave…of…my…fiancée…and…then...go...to...her...in...the...next...life."

Shinza stiffened again at that. Bahamut had not stopped talking about death, ever since she met him. Even now, he still would not. And she was growing worried. She was very happy that he would be coming off and staying on their world, but she was also afraid. How long would he want to stay there? How long, after being among so many strangers, and going through so many labs, would he wish to remain alive? Shinza had been pressing endlessly for her proposal to go through. She argued with her professor every time they chat with each other. But still, it was deadlocked. And no matter how many reports she gave (the last two were specifically geared to items that the council was interested it), they would not give the go ahead with it. She only hoped she could convince them soon. Time was running out…

The professor moved another piece. A ring suddenly went out. On hearing it, Shinza raised her head, and Bahamut looked up as well. After a moment, Shinza reached over past the table they had set up and toward her main console. She pressed a button on it. "Yes?"

"We just entered the orbit of Etteca, professor. We're beginning our descent."

"Alright." Shinza responded, and then switched off the console.

"Do…I…need…to…prepare…for…anything?" Bahamut asked.

The professor shook her head. "No. It's standard procedure normally to buckle in, but given your status that's hardly an option. The artificial gravity should keep the interior stable until we make a routine landing."

Bahamut nodded, and then leaned back on his support. He crossed his metal claws in front of him and waited. He could see nothing in here, but the ship was indeed now in orbit. It was already dropping speed, and beginning its slow circle of the planet until it arrived at the landing site. Shinza herself leaned back in her chair, and automatically belt straps came out and fastened themselves securely around her waist and torso. The esper himself was forced to just apply the brakes and hope no sudden jolt tipped him over.

Both the scientist and the esper was stuck on B deck. It was impossible for Bahamut to use the turbolift to go to A deck, and so he was forced to stay down here. Not wanting to leave her "associate" behind alone and unchecked, Shinza had decided to stay below in the lab. When the ship finally came in for a landing, the esper could be transported to a different level where he could exit. For the moment, Shinza inhaled deeply and tried to steady herself. After having spent years in space…it was great to get home. She had spent almost a quarter of her current lifespan on this mission.She tightened her fists and breathed slowly, readying herself as they continued to lower.

Outside, the ship continued to gradually lower its orbit. At lastthe ship broke into the atmosphere. Immediately, a blast of heat and flame enveloped the craft. But the Ettecans had long since prepared alloys that could tolerate this easily. The ship continued to burn for a few moments as they lowered closer, continuing to drop in speed. However, it finally dissipated, and the now cool ship began to lower slowly to the planet's surface. As the speed decreased, it brought its angle up, so that now it was sitting more vertically than before.

Despite being on a planet, the sky was still dark. The large planet of Etteca was encountering one of its infamous five year nights. At least…this area was. Nowadays, if one truly wanted to stay in the light, it was a small matter of moving every five years to a home on the other side of the planet. Yet most simply dealt with the darkness. Constant sunlight and heat got annoying with time. The ship continued to lower, passing into tolerable pressures and breathable atmosphere. As it continued to lower…strange, disk-like ships whizzed by, blinking with different shades of lighting. As they kept lowering, a flying barge sailed past, and then another. Each one gave out a resounding metallic hum as it blew by. The sky was soon beginning to fill with the craft, moving above to cover the ship's previous destination, and below to cover its intended path. They began to grow thick as they continued, like a swarm of giant beasts as they continued to lower.

However, as they did so, a faint glow began to occur beneath them. Bahamut could not see this, but if he could he would be justly amazed. Far below them, only now growing visible, was a massive city, made of metal, great towers and buildings, and covering the surface of the world as far as the eye could see. For miles in every direction, there were nothing but oddly shaped great pillars jutting from the ground, all lit up by endless patterns of bright lights. They criss-crossed and intersected, they went in rings and lines, and they soon began to move and shift constantly as the craft lowered. There were some plants here. Most of them were in the form of colossal trees, each one as big as the ancient Iifa Tree had been, and towering over the cities below them. In some cases, more of the city was built on the top of these trees. As they lowered, more vehicles and ships filled the sky, and even more hovering vehicles were revealed below.

The ship still continued to lower, its speed decreasing and its angle becoming ninety degrees. Now, as it passed above the city, its true target became visible. A great dome-like building, illuminated with rings of lights in cracks and trenches around it, came into view. Pillars and other buildings surrounded it, seeming to trace out tracks and regular streets. It was obvious that some great layout had been planned for this place, and it seemed to all be part of the same complex.

One of a series of great towers stood on this area. Each of these towers were tall and big around, and yet were crafted like rippled and ridged hollow tubes. The ship began to hover over one of these. It only took a momentary glance to show to a person that these tubes were some sort of receptacle for the ships that the Ettecans flew, for it looked as if it would fit perfectly within one. It did so now, gently sliding into the tube, and soon being surrounded by metal.

Shinza and Bahamut waited as they finally began to feel the ship. Now, they could sense its deaccelaration, for the artificial gravity was shut off. But by now, it was barely moving. It only continued to slow as it lowered the last few feet before reaching the landing point. At that time, a great clicking went out, as if something was latching into place, and a large jolt went through the ship. Bahamut and Shinza were both pushed up a bit at this. After that, it was over. The ship was still. The hissing of steam blasts began to emit from the sides. They were back on the ground.

Soon after, a voice came over the speakers, sounding a lot like Saraf.

"We have touch down. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Etteca."

Shinza couldn't help herself. She raised her arms, gave a clap, and shouted a "whoo" in response to this. Bahamut was a little surprised by this as well, turning his head to her in alarm. However, it only lasted a moment. And the professor didn't care. She felt good to be home. She reached up to her belts soon afterward and began to unfasten them.

"So…what…now?" Bahamut asked.

"Just a moment." Shinza answered. She finished unfastening herself, and then rose to her feet. Afterward, she began to walk forward, passing Bahamut and going to the open space they kept in the center. Bahamut undid his brakes and slowly turned after her, and then began to roll forward. The scientist herself walked until she was right on the central portion, and then turned and waited for him to catch up.

"We can't get out on turbolift, so we'll have to take you down to D deck. There's a loading bay there we can exit on."

Bahamut finished adjusting himself onto the platform. He rotated so that he was facing forward, like Shinza, and then halted. In response, Shinza looked up and called out.

"Computer…send platform to D deck."

The computer beeped in response, and the floor beneath them suddenly gave way. They were soon slowly lowered down into some sort of elevator shaft. And it did truly look like an elevator shaft. It wasn't clean or smooth like everywhere else in the ship. As they lowered into the hole and past the lip, all they saw were dark spaces, conduits, cables, and other innards of the main craft. After all…this elevator wasn't meant for Ettecan normal use. Its aesthetic qualities could be a bit lacking. It was all the same to Bahamut, however, who looked around a bit as they lowered before turning to Shinza.

"What...of...Saraf...and...Detec?"

"Oh, they'll be alright." Shinza answered. "They'll be exiting on the normal crew port. I already called ahead and told them that we'd have to get you out through this way. It's no problem."

Bahamut gave a nod, and then turned back. As he did, the platform suddenly came to a halt, although it was much smoother than any elevator he had ever been on. Most of their surroundings were still conduits and pipework. However, there was a large set of machinery around two doors that were facing them. Once they had landed, this machinery hissed and whined, and slowly the two doors were pulled open. Shinza readily exited, and after a moment Bahamut began to roll after her.

There wasn't much to D deck. There was an emergency shuttle stored here and a small buggy for walking in inhospitable environments. There were also some large parts and a few extra crates of stored material. There were also a lot of empty crates as well. Apparently, this is where most of their garbage had been dumped. Even in this civilization, they weren't totally efficient. There wasn't much else here. It looked, for all intensive purposes, to be a large corridor. It had some support struts, but most of it was just sheer metal paneling and a few lights on the ceiling. They kept it well illuminated enough. At any rate, they weren't interested in this unused equipment.

What held their interest was what was at the end of this hall. It looked like a normal wall, except that it was lined with metal sections rather than flat plating. This was the exit hatch, which was used to deploy or sequester large materials or devices. Sure enough, as Bahamut moved on, he eventually began to see another device that was one of the larger ones. Shinza pointed it out as the tractor beam, the very one that had brought him into this ship seven and a half years ago. Only now was he seeing it for the first time, and it struck him as somewhat odd or unusual.

At last, they were at the door. Both of them came to a halt at that. Both Shinza and Bahamut inhaled deeply. This would be the first step Shinza had taken on Etteca in years. And as for Bahamut, this was his first "step" on the planet ever. It was a bit nerve wracking, but only a little. After that, Shinza called out to the computer one last time.

"Computer…open hatch."

A great blast of steam hissing responded to Shinza. The wall in front of them groaned slightly. But then…it suddenly began to collapse in front of them, as if it were a set of blinds that someone was pulling down. However, it didn't fall to the ground in a heap. Rather, the different sections curled up and began to extend out as they fell, extending a new series of sections in front of the hatch. The outside was soon brought in. Dim red and orange lights, mostly industrial lights, began to shine their glow into the interior. At last, the wall totally dropped. Only now, it had converted into a long platform leading from the opening of the ship to the ground below.

However…Bahamut and Shinza didn't take another step…but gasped in astonishment.

"WELCOME BACK!"

There were at least a thousand people, if not more, crammed into the docking bay. They couldn't see it, but the rest of the landing facility was flooded with people, as was the campus. Now…the teeming multitude began to applaud the two of them as they at last emerged. People began to jump in eagerness. Some cupped hands to their mouths and pointed at Bahamut, eagerly saying things like, "It's him!" There were also crowds in the back, filled with more unruly, somewhat different-looking Ettecans. These ones seemed rougher and more overgrown. But they held great signs bearing messages like, "I heart Big B" and "Be Kind To Your Mother"(showing pictures of Gaia). There were messages on some of their shirts as well, even more absurd than the signs. One on a serious-looking fellow read, "I Too Am A Warrior Of Light". On another more jovial one, it read, "Humans Love Me/Fiends Fear Me". And all around, there was a loud chorus of applause, roars of cheers…and somewhere a band was playing music. Bahamut and Shinza were soon surrounded by a mob of fans.

Both of them were utterly dumbfounded.

"Did…you…plan…this?" Bahamut finally asked, his voice lost over the roar of voices.

"No way. I had nothing to do with this." Shinza retorted, still staring in surprise at the crowd before her.

The crowd continued to cheer, leaving Bahamut and Shinza dumbfounded. After a few moments, Shinza managed to raise a hand and formed a small smile, signaling to the audience. But as for Bahamut, he continued to look sternly out. He didn't like this. All of the sudden, people were ogling him. They were all regarding him as some great sideshow joke. This was exactly what he had wanted to avoid. Now, he was caught up in some terrible bonanza…and he had no idea what these people would do. Perhaps they would shove him into some alien circus… It infuriated the esper. Another moment…and he would have pierced his bubble right then and there before them all…

Yet a moment sooner, the applause died down, causing Bahamut to hesitate. As he did, he noticed that an Ettecan was coming up the platform to the both of them. This one was dressed rather excessively and nobly, and he looked rather old as well. He greeted them both with a wide smile as he came forward, bearing a small package under one arm as he did so. Once he had drawn up to them both, he walked to one side of Bahamut, opposite Shinza. He turned a profile to him so that he was facing the audience and the esper at the same time. Once there, the crowd was totally silent, and the man gestured out. As he spoke, his voice was amplified dramatically by an unseen device.

"Lord Bahamut…King of All Espers…I, Head Dean Millcox, on behalf of the staff and students of C'Kardenell University, the people of the city of Z'Nark'And, the entire population of Etteca, and last of all myself…welcome you to our world."

A chorus of applause accompanied this…and Bahamut was momentarily deflated. This person didn't even address Shinza. He addressed him directly. The esper half expected himself to be pushed to the sidelines as Shinza took the front. But such wasn't the case. However…he soon heard a louder clapping, and turned his head behind himself. To his surprise, he saw that Shinza was smiling at him and clapping too. The esper would have blinked in astonishment if he could, but then turned back to Millcox. The clapping was dying now, and he spoke again.

"Thanks to you, we have gained an incredible amount of knowledge both biological and historical. Because of you, we are now able to analyze a totally new type of cellular structure, and have developed a new phylum in our animal kingdom. We have also gained tremendous insight into the life and people of a world not unlike our own. It gives me great pleasure today to announce to you that your historical accounts will now be joining the University Library and Interplanetary Library as the first in hopefully many more references concerning the world known as Gaia. And in addition…I am proud to announce the Ettecan Biological Society's conclusion to begin a new phylum devoted to your race named, 'Esperada'."

Another chorus of applause rung out. Bahamut continued to be stunned, standing there as the crowd applauded him. He didn't know what to make of this or what to think. He endured the chorus for a few moments, until again they went silent. When this happened, Millcox turned to them both, and raised his package as he did so. It wasn't a normal package after all, it seemed. It was a wooden box, or case of some sort, and it was now held before him.

"Finally…I am most honored to place upon you and Professor Shinza two of the highest honors we can bestow in the field of learning. Professor Shinza, to you and your staff I award the Selirian Prize for Biology. And to you, Lord Bahamut, I award the Selirian Prize for History."

The applause came forth again. This time, there were cheers and whistled as well. Shinza trembled with excitement, and struggled not to jump up and down. This was so sudden to her…yet it was really happening. She had dreamed about this foryears. Her mouth began to hang open and her eyes widened with delight. Dean Nillcox smiled as well as he removed one of the medals and placed it around the neck of the eager professor, and then supplemented with a hug. That done, he turned over to Bahamut next. It was impossible to put the medal around his neck, but they had anticipated that. Instead of a medal, the prize was more of a shoulder color. Dean Nillcox proceeded to fix it to the metal shoulder of one of Bahamut's claws. The esper, if he was angry, didn't show it. He was still surprised at the whole thing… He was even more surprised when a series of bright, stunning flashes seemed to come from around the audience. He frowned at this. It was screwing up his sensors…

The dean folded his hands in front of himself and gave a courteous bow to the esper, which Bahamut knew from experience with Shinza was the equivalent of shaking hands with him. After he did this, he turned and began to return back into the crowd. But no sooner had he left than another arrived. This one was a bit rounder than the other, and was dressed in even more elaborate and sophisticated clothing. He was a bit younger, but he was also pretty old. And he too had a case with him. He too moved next to Bahamut as Nillcox had done. Once there, he gave him a bow of salute as well.

"Lord Bahamut…as Mayor of Z'Nark'And, I humbly welcome you to our fine city. Feel free to make yourself at home." This one said. After a moment or so longer, he reached down to his side and produced the box, holding it before him for Bahamut to plainly see. "On behalf of the citizens of Z'Nark'And, I hereby present you with the Key to the City." With that, he opened the box, and revealed a large golden key inside. Apparently, the Ettecans had also invented the lock and tumbler design during their development. He took it from the box, and presented it to the esper. Bahamut hesitated for a moment, but in the end tentatively raised one of his claws and took it. The moment he did, the flashes went off again, dazzling the great creature. He tried to suppress a growl. That was annoying him.

The mayor gave a bow to Bahamut, and also to the professor, before turning and going back down as well. The clapping was still going on at this point. However…it abruptly increased in volume. The cheering became louder, and Bahamut realized it wasn't directed toward him this time. It was toward the newest arrival. Now, the most regal and proper Ettecan of them all was coming forward. As he did, he was flanked by two dark looking Ettecans with gruff expressions, who folded their hands behind them and glared darkly at the esper as the man walked forward. Like the others, he too bore something. A part of Bahamut was frowning at all the crud he now had to take with him, but that part died down in light of the honors he was receiving.

This man too came to the front, turned, and faced the people outside as well as he spoke.

"Lord Bahamut…it is with great pleasure and high esteem that I welcome you to Etteca today. You have rendered a great service to expanding the knowledge of our world. Your story has captivated the hearts of both our nation and many others. You have given us all an opportunity to witness a little more wonder that our universe has to offer. And you've reminded us all that no matter where you are from or how you are on the outside, on the inside we are more similar than we realize. I am very proud to extend the hand of citizenship by Regent Executive Order, effective today."

The audience thundered into applause. Bahamut was a bit surprised. Citizenship? What did that mean? Did that mean they were going to consider him a normal resident of Etteca? He didn't know. He was a bit stunned as he stood there, looking over the smaller Ettecan and a little dumbfounded.

However, after a moment, the man presented Bahamut with his own item, a golden plaque. Bahamut took this and looked to it. As he did, he noticed it was some sort of certificate…and that there were several signatures on the bottom. The man pointed this out.

"You will note that in addition to my own signature, 13 other national leaders have signed this with their own words of welcome, extending you honorary citizenship as well. Again, I say, welcome to our world, and make yourself at home."

Again, a greeting bow was given, and the crowd erupted into applause once again. The people bearing the special shirts and signs began to cheer and whistle, and gave out all sort of calls showing affection and interest. Behind it all…the two befuddled assistants, having missed their own prize awarding, came in through the back entrance and marveled at it all. Shinza herself clapped, while continuing to gape in amazement at the turnout. And as for Bahamut…the esper could do little but stare at what was going on. He couldn't believe it. He didn't quite understand it either. Were these people…lauding him? Giving him a great welcome ceremony, the likes of which he had seen only in Terratopolis? He was the center of attention as he feared…and yet he had not expected this. Rather than gape or point and stare, they were treating him like royalty. Not even the humans on his own world had ever given him such a greeting. And he was so stunned by his new prizes of good will, that for the moment his emotions were deflated as he stared about blankly. Tentatively…he managed to raise one of his claws and give a wave. That made the cheering go even wilder.

At length, while the audience was still loudly applauding, another Ettecan came up to him. No one quieted for this one, and he was dressed far more simply than the others had been. Once he walked up to both Bahamut and Shinza, he gave a more formal bow to them both.

"Lord Bahamut…Professor Shinza…please come this way. I'll take you to your personal transport."

If Bahamut still had eyes, they would have expanded a little.

"My…transport?"


Yes, it turned out Bahamut did have his own transport. Most of the basic vehicles of Etteca were enclosed hovering platforms. The passengers would sit in a circular cushioned area, and after telling the vehicle where they wished to go, it would depart and take them there. However, Bahamut had gotten much better. His own transport was much longer, able to sit far more people. It was custom built to allow him to fit inside it, and had a section of the seating removed so that he could place himself there rather than have to stand in the center. It also had more "extras". It had a place for food and drink dispensation, and also a rather large music playing system. It also had a screen in it, that was something Bahamut didn't quite understand. Apparently, people of Etteca occasionally put out messages of shows and plays that no one had to watch unless they wanted to, and they were put on these screens throughout the world. Bahamut thought it was a waste, but he had other things to worry about right now. Just getting to the transport was hostile. More men like the one who came forward had to come up and surround him, and guide him and the professor through the crowd of cheerers. They pressed in on him at every side, each of them calling out their own messages to him which were too chaotic for him to recognize. When they got to the transport, they quickly went in with several of the men and took off. There were windows inside, and Bahamut soon noticed that there were transports in front of him and behind, smaller yet seeming to guard his.

The esper was truly astonished. Did something get out to these people to give them the impression that he was a god of some sort?

They traveled through the city, which was far more impressive than any human city. Great towers of light arose everywhere, turning the city into an array of sparkles in the long night. Roads were built onto elevated bridges everywhere, and crossed and wove their way throughout all of these structures. There were more transports hovering everywhere, hundreds and thousands of them. Their own transport went far faster than any wagon could go, and yet had nothing pulling it along, and Bahamut sensed no magical power coming from it. This was all so astonishing. He frequently looked to Shinza. She was nervous too, but about the technology she was perfectly normal.

At last, they arrived at one building. A part of it was built out and extended over a road that they turned down. Once there, Bahamut felt them slow down and stop. The transport opened, and Bahamut, Shinza, and their entourage walked out. They came forward under this overhang and went into the main building. There were more Ettecans here, clustered and dressed like back at the landing site. Some were carrying devices and thrusting them in his face, and there were more flashes. The Ettecans surrounding him pushed through so he could enter. Aside from that, the building was nice. It had a very large and open space, surrounded with glass and gleaming metal, and had crystal structures hanging from the ceiling. Large trees grew here, stretching out pale branches over the people below and letting their roots dip in and around the ground. Yet they passed through this and the crowds, and made their way to the back. Here, the opening expanded, and Bahamut could look straight up to see the building extend hundreds of feet into the air. There was also a great glass tube with a turbolift here, and it was into this that Bahamut was led.

Once inside, they quickly went to the top of the building. Here, they exited again, and Bahamut saw that the floor he was on mostly consisted of halls with doors spaced widely in between. He was led to one, along with Shinza. As they went, Bahamut was grateful to finally be free of the crowds of Ettecans. However, he also noticed that more of the simple dressed ones were pacing the halls and looking up and around the junction points. They seemed almost like guards. At any rate, on reaching one of the doors, one that was much larger than a conventional door, their own men stepped back. Bahamut and Shinza turned to them, and one produced a small strip of material and presented it to Bahamut.

"Your key, sir." That one addressed.

Bahamut looked at it in puzzlement. "How...am...I...supposed...to...open...any...lock...with...that?"

Shinza, at this, seemed to blush a little, and gave a nervous smile as she reached over and took the strip from the man. She turned back to the door, and went to a small slot that was next to it. She seemed to slide it through it, and when it did Bahamut heard something disengage. Sure enough, the door slid open right afterward. Bahamut was puzzled. Some key. If the door could be opened just by sliding a thin object through that slot, it wasn't much of a lock to him. However, the men behind them gave a bow at that, and then withdrew. Shinza and Bahamut looked to each other at that, but after a pause turned forward and walked through the opening.

They soon found themselves coming into a rather spacious room. The ceiling and one wall were all glass, and the glowing city shone through it brightly. Crystal arrays hung from the ceiling as in the entrance area, and they glowed to provide illumination for the room. The main part he was in right now seemed to be some sort of gathering area. The center was dipped, and around it were couches and tables. Around the walls, there were large plants seeming to grow from the floor and extend their branches in the air. There were also other doors leading elsewhere. There was another screen device here, and some sort of drink area that looked like a bar. There was a music player on another side, and a few sculptures of some art that Bahamut didn't care that much for. Lastly, seated on the table in the center of the room, were several bunches of what looked like brightly colored coral, arranged in bunches that were placed in special holders. Bahamut remembered that Shinza had told him flowers on their world were rather ugly and misshapen. For décor, they harvested special branching hard organisms that came out from their seas. There was also a rather large basket of fruit. Each bunch had a note on it, but the fruit basket, Bahamut saw, had a larger note reading, "From the Management".

Last but not least, an aged Ettecan, slightly balding and with gray hair, stood near the center of the room, waiting for them.

Once the door slid shut behind them, Shinza's eyes widened. "…Dr. Folle?"

The man grimaced a bit and shrugged. "You have no idea how hard it was to get them to let me in here." After that, he turned to a pleasant smile. "Welcome back, Dr. Shinza."

Bahamut didn't understand this, but he saw Shinza's face turn into a beaming smile, and her features lit up with joy. She broke from Bahamut's side and ran up to this man. Bahamut couldn't help but feel a bit unpleasant as she did this. He was used to Shinza focusing mostly on him, he supposed. And he was a bit irritable and confused at the moment. The two smiled andlooked to each otherfor a moment. However...it looked almost as if Shinza wanted to hug him, but for some reason...she wouldn't do it. She shifted in place instead, seeming uncertain of whether to go forward or stop.

"Well now…what did you do with the girl I used to teach?" Dr. Folle joked after a moment, looking over her. "You're quite the woman after eight years."

Shinza smiled back. "Well you look just the same as always…" She hesitated a moment, and then formed and innocent playful look. "Except maybe for…"

Dr. Folle smiled but rolled his eyes to his head. "Yes…I have a bit more skin up there than I used to. It couldn't very well last forever, I suppose."

"You're still Dean of Biology, right?" Shinza pressed.

"For the moment, but I think I'll take the adjunct professor position pretty soon." He answered. "I'm getting a bit too old for this…"

"Excuse…me."

The metallic voice interrupted Shinza and Dr. Folle, and both of them turned and looked to the huge cybernetic array that was Bahamut. He began to roll forward toward them.

"It…has…obviously…been…a…long…time…and…I…hate…to…be…rude, but…I…would…like…to…know…exactly…what…is…going…on. Why…are…so…many…people…out…there…trying…to…see…me?" After that, the esper proceeded to gesture to his claws, which were still holding the presents from the bigwigs. "Why…am…I…getting…all…of…this?"

Shinza, on hearing this, seemed to remember all that had transpired, and turned back to him.As for Folle himself, he began to look a bit nervous. He drew back a little and scratched the back of his neck in a tense fashion. "That's right, doctor." Shinza asked after a moment, turning back to him."Why are all of these people gathering around Bahamut? He's suddenly a pop idol. The Head Dean, the Mayor, and…" She paled a moment at the memory, and she looked back to him in stunned surprise. "The Regent was actually there! Why was he coming down to see us arrive?"

Folle looked nervous a bit longer. He inhaled deeply and let out a long sigh. "Yes…about all that. Trust me, I didn't expect it." He turned to Bahamut at this, and after a pause managed a smile. He gave him a bow as well. "I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Professor Folle for C'Kardenell University's Biology Department. I have to say, it's a pleasure to finally meet you face to face at last."

"I…would…be…more…courteous." Bahamut answered, his face unchanged. "But…I'm…too…confused…at…the…moment. I…would…like…to…know…what…is…going…on."

Folle's nervousness returned again. He once more scratched the back of his neck nervously, and bowed his head as he dug his foot into the ground. "Um…yes." He slowly answered. He took in a deep breath again, and slowly exhaled. He was silent for a moment, during which Bahamut frowned and began to grow impatient. Shinza was more so, but she also stared at him and waited. Finally, the man gave a shrug. "…I suppose I better start from the beginning. It will make a lot more sense that way." At this, he looked up and turned to the other professor. "Shinza…do you remember the Yalorian Conflict?"

The woman hesitated a moment at this, thinking. But then, realization came over her, and she nodded. "Yes, I do. It was right before I left. I haven't had to think about it for so long. Yalori and our country were having a dispute about troop movements. It was getting pretty hostile before I took off. Wasn't it about the ownership dispute of who should have the right to build on Farkes II?"

Folle nodded. "It only became worse after you left. Shortly after you did so, a commercial transport of ours, carrying 300 researchers to survey the world, was shot down by Yalori. They claimed it was an accident, but we didn't believe them. We restricted our air space soon after, barring all transport from their country to ours. In retaliation, they violently threw out any resident citizens of our country from theirs, literally breaking into their homes and dragging them out to be dumped at the border. Four of our citizens were killed in the violence. In retaliation for that, we bombed the outlying military facilities they were building on Farkes II. We thought they were abandoned, but one of the bombs hit a residential area for worker personnel's families. After this, it was too much. We all but cut off contact between our countries. We began to mobilize both here and on our territories throughout the universe. The ensuing struggle would be waged on an interplanetary scale…and the damage to our homeworld would have turned it into a wasteland. However, while things were escalating, we published Bahamut's historical accounts."

Bahamut, to this, snapped back a little. Shinza began to grow a bit nervous. She never directly told Bahamut about this. She just said that they were taking records. "Published?" His voice synthesizer uttered. "As…in…for…book…sales?"

Folle nodded again. "Yes. Your first book, which was titled, 'Island in the Sky', was well received. Many people were fascinated at the idea of reading an account of another's world tumultuous history, from the mouth of a living relic. But the main audience was fascinated by the lifestyle you described. Our own world, as you can see, is well advanced by now. And in our past, we never had such great and incredible events happen as occurred among your race and your world…things so mighty and unbelievable that they rearranged the face of your planet. It was like reading a fantastic epic poem, and yet it was real. Of course…there were skeptics. There still are today, trying to say that your story was bogus. But far more people are fascinated that there is this natural world somewhere out there where day and night change at the drop of a hat and is filled with this incredible race of great creatures. To many, it was like some fantastic paradise.

"However, your next two books had a far greater impact, 'Kingdom of Stone' and 'Chaos and Order'. In those, you revealed the stunning history of the people of your world, the humans. You also talked about how you had been in such anguish over these, a race you had considered to be as akin to you as children, as they killed each other in one senseless battle after another. Your thoughts revealed such great senselessness…such a reckless repeating of the same destructive tale again and again throughout history. And all told by the eyes of someone who had to see it, who learned each time only to see each new generation forget and repeat it. It was like a great tragedy, an immortal who is forced to see more misery than any one person should see in their lifetime, and sees it again and again. The words…the aberration within you as you seethe with anger at these people bending all of their natural pursuits toward the advancement of war…and the sorrow you feel when you began to doubt that saving these creatures was the right thing for you to do. Time and again, societies turning each other to rubble, only to rebuild and do it again.

"Now, we had many stories such as this one in our world. But they were all fiction or satires. Until now, all critics could have shook their heads at them, saying, 'It is not like that with us. We are different. This is different.' But not this time. Seeing this…seeing the emotions you felt…and seeing creatures that none of us could deny were shockingly like ourselves…we couldn't deny it any longer. It forced us all to take a look at our own senseless history, to realize that we too are in this chain of destruction. We ridiculed the humans in your story for destroying their own race…until we came to realize we were no different. There was nothing that we considered savage and barbaric that the humans did that we could say we do not share.

"Many were still obstinate, but the younger generation of this world indulged it full force. Teenagers and college students from around our world in every country began to see you as some sort of celestial prophet, warning against the dangers about to face this world. Some saw it as providence that your tales of senseless destruction came at the very moment when we were about to engage in it. And as a result, peace groups began to appear in schools all over the world. They took up your standard as a persona. Just as you said in your tales that some ray of hope came in the form of 'Light Warriors' in the darkness of your world, these people began to take on the title of 'Warriors of Light' as well, coining your own phrase.

"Our leaders tried to press for conflict to settle this, but with both sides beginning to crumble support from within, they couldn't say much. The planet was a good piece of land, but in the end it was only a small planet from a universe, and no one on either side was prepared to die for it. The movement continued to gain momentum and spread into other parts of our society, going into large businesses and wider age groups. At last, negotiations were restarted, and the planet was partitioned between our two nations.

"And so you see, Mr. Bahamut, even while you were still away in space, you have changed our world. The culture of your world has pervaded into ours most rapidly. There is actually a new philosophy in our vernacular now that has spread to several campuses…including C'Kardenell, called Gaiaism. They describe it as a quiet, basic pastoral life devoted to personal betterment physically, mentally, and spiritually, with emphasis on being content and patient. It has its own list of tenants, many of them based off of your own lifestyle you described, but I won't get into them. It is because of you that a violent and disastrous war was halted. If an interstellar war had begun between our countries, it would have meant the end of all life on this world. You, in fact, saved us. And now…now that you are here…millions…billions of people wish to thank you for that, and know more about you."

Shinza gaped at this. Obviously, she had not known anything about it. Now, it looked as if her eyes were going to fall out of her head. She had never expected when she started this research seven and a half years ago that her work was having such a profound effect on her world. And yet, it had done so. It had done far more than open new doors in biology, philosophy, and natural history. Her work had literally changed her world. Slowly, she turned and looked to Bahamut.

If his face hadn't been masked, she would have seen Bahamut standing erect and expressionless. However, the esper was far from that inside. It was amazing. He had passed in obscurity for over 6,000 years back on his home world…and in just seven and a half the people of a totally different one were practically worshipping him. He had arrived on a world where, broken, pathetic, and half dead as he was…he was never the less one of the most important people on it, without having set foot on the world. For over seven years, he thought all that Shinza and her assistants were doing was essentially carving his epitath. After that, there would be nothing. He would never do anything again, save live in his pitiful state. But he had been wrong. Without even knowing it, he had continued to do a service for a world. For years, he had looked on with disdain and anguish at humanity, continuing their endless self-destructive cycle, growing worse and worse with time. He had prayed endlessly that they would one day see the error of their ways, and prosper in peace. He thought he had largely failed by then…but he was wrong. If nothing else, his story had inspired others…had made a difference in this world. It was not for nothing that he saw this cycle repeat itself. It had inspired some to work for peace while they could. He had inspired some. And just like he said before…these little rays of light persisted in the darkness, and had won out in the end.

Bahamut was speechless. He didn't know what to say again. On his own world, he merely considered it his duty to the Planet to protect her and her charges. He never felt he needed a thank you. But here, on another world, what was he supposed to say? What was he supposed to do? He was simply happy that he had managed to do something good. After a moment, he looked around a bit, trying to think of something else. In the end, he finally turned back to Folle.

"Well…they…should…have…known…that…I…can't…eat…or…sit…down…when…they…gave…me…the…room."

Shinza snickered and laughed a little at this, continuing to beam up to him. She was happy too about this. She was happy that she had found Bahamut, and that she had bothered to take all of this information down about him and send it back. She was glad that she was able to play a part in all of this by doing so. Most of all…she was happy for Bahamut. All he had talked about was his life of pain for years, and they could do little to assuage it. But now…he had something to live for. He had the feeling that all of his work and struggling was not in vain, and that in the end he had managed to show some people the value of life through his trials.

Dr. Folle at last stepped forward and smiled up to Bahamut. "Over half the people of our world will want to meet you. You're almost a mythic legend by now. I think I speak for them all when I say that I would love to see you tour our planet, addressing us in lectures."

Bahamut hesitated at that. However, Shinza suddenly turned back, and looked slightly uneasy. She suddenly stepped forward and to the doctor's side, and leaned in close to his ear. "Um…I'm not sure Bahamut would enjoy that very much at this time. It's been a long trip and he's finally back on solid ground." She hesitated a moment, and then added a bit more subvertly. "…And I'm kind of anxious to get those required tests out of the way."

Bahamut grimaced at the thought. More tests? What else could she possibly do to him?

However, Dr. Folle seemed to get the meaning, and formed an acknowledging look. "Oh…oh yes, of course. I'll see what I can do about those right away." With that, the doctor rose and began to walk to the door, as if the sudden snap had reminded him that he had to do something right this minute. But as he reached it and opened it, and was about to walk out, he suddenly froze and remembered something. Bahamut was still in the room, and he was walking out on him. The esper was rotating in his place, turning back to the doctor at the moment. He looked up to him, and gave him another smile. He also bowed once more in the doorway.

"Mr. Bahamut…I'm sure that you'll get tired of hearing this over the next few days…but welcome to Etteca."


To be continued...