THE PRICE OF PARADISE

Commander Koenig followed Chief Anansi through the dense vegetation. The others in the survey team followed behind and Sol, the teenage boy, kept pace. He stared at Koenig and the other Alphans, with wonder in his eyes.

"We don't get visitors," Sol said. "Everyone I've ever met is from our village."

Koenig questioned, "Are there no other people on this planet?"

Chief Anansi said, "We are the descendants of survivors of the crashed colony ship you found, commander. We call this planet Yomi. We are the only intelligent beings here."

"When we scanned this planet from orbit," Dr. Russell said. "We found it teeming with life."

Their host said, "Small animals, birds, and plant life. Plenty of it, but nothing more evolved."

Dr. Vincent waved his hand-held environmental scanner from side to side as they walked. "It's amazing. Life readings everywhere."

Koenig probed, "I find it unusual that a planet with so many resources would not result in a dominant, intelligent species. An indigenous one, that is."

"So many questions," Anansi said with a friendly smile. "We will endeavor to answer as many as we can, but we are but visitors here, too."

Sol walked close to Koenig and asked, "Where are you from? How did you get here?"

"We're originally from a planet named Earth," he answered. "My people were assigned to a research base on Earth's moon. There was an accident and a massive explosion caused us to be tossed from Earth's orbit."

Sol's eyes widened. At that moment, he was a child, hearing a tale that exceeded the limits of his imagination. "That sounds terrifying."

Carter whistled and said, "You can say that again, kiddo."

It appeared Sol might indeed repeat his words per Alan's suggestion, but Koenig continued his story.

"We're stuck on our moon, traveling without any means of control, barely surviving and in constant danger. So yes, Sol, it is terrifying."

The young man looked around at the lush vegetation and vibrant colors of Yomi, then back at Koenig. "Could I... could I come with you?" he asked. "Could I join you and travel with you?"

The dark-haired woman walking next to the boy said, "Stop pestering the man, Sol. You and your many questions."

"And my mother, Dana, too," Sol added. "Could we come with you?"

Anansi overheard and apologized. "Please excuse the boy, commander. He is young and impulsive. I imagine young men are the same, no matter what planet they call home."

"That is likely true. But Sol, I'm afraid that's impossible," Koenig replied. "Our resources are stretched thin as it is. We can't afford to take on any more people. We are surviving by the thinnest of margins. Food, air, power…rationed carefully. Truth is, we're looking to leave Alpha. We're looking for a new home."

"That's what brought us here," Carter volunteered and ruffled the boy's hair playfully. "Let me tell you something. This place you got here? A heck of a lot nicer than Alpha."

After a low rise in the terrain, the trees gave way to an open plain, at the center of which stood dozens of simple dwellings constructed from wood, stone, and thatch. It reminded Koenig of early human settlements on Earth.

He noted the villagers pausing their chores, their curiosity piqued by the strangers' arrival. Though curious, they kept their distance. Sol bound ahead, no doubt to share the tale of his encounter with whoever might listen.

Anansi led them to the center of the village and to the largest structure. A long house, of sorts. "Please, come inside and be welcomed properly."

The building served as a gathering hall. The interior walls were festooned with patterned tapestries woven from some kind of fiber. Anansi approached a group of six elders seated on hand-carved stools around a well-polished stone table top. They each wore the same crystal pendants as their chief.

"Esteemed ones, we have visitors. This is Commander Koenig and his companions. They were set adrift in the vastness of space and are in search of a new home."

This council of elders regarded Koenig with wise, searching eyes and also with a hint of suspicion.

He inclined his head respectfully. "We come in peace. You should know we are not here by choice. We are castaways, thrown into outer space on a traveling moon over which we have no control. It is a place where we live at almost a subsistence level."

"And what brings you to our planet? For what purpose are you on Yomi?" an older woman asked.

"We are in search of a new world to call home. A place that can support life. A place where we can raise families and live, well, and live like normal people again."

"And you think this planet may suffice?" another of the aged councilmen wondered.

"It might," he said.

Dr. Russell stepped forward and addressed them in her soft, diplomatic voice. "We are not here to conquer or to take from you. We only wish to learn if this planet can support us. If it is right for us. You see, we are nomads with no control over our fate. We wish that to change."

One elder corrected, "No one has control over their fate. That is an important concept for our people. We accept that which we cannot control."

Anansi raised his hands and said in a booming voice, "My fellow elders, now is not the time for in-depth discussion or judgment. The Alphans are our guests, and I am confident that should they find Yomi suitable, their settling here would be of benefit to our village as well."

"Assuming they accept our ways," the woman said. "Our ancestors crashed on this world hundreds of years ago. In that time, we have adapted to life here and learned to live as one with the environment. That is sacred to us, do you understand?"

Koenig answered, "We do. Should Yomi be the right fit for us, we could land our people far away from your village."

"How many of you are there?" another councilman asked.

"Three hundred," Dr. Russell answered. "From what we've seen, your numbers are perhaps ten times ours."

"How many children? What is your birth rate?" the female elder questioned with no warmth, as if conducting a census.

Helena said, "We have only one child living with us right now, and that was a happy accident."

"Only one? In our culture, we place an importance on childbearing."

Koenig told her, "We have gone to lengths to keep from increasing our population because of our limited supplies."

Carter fidgeted. He didn't like being in the background of such an important conversation, so he said, "Believe me, lady, everyone on Alpha is itching to settle down and raise families. This place is like paradise. We'd have a bunch of ankle-biters running around here real fast."

Koenig raised a hand. Carter fell silent.

"We want to live normal lives. We want to raise families. But we can only do that if we can support more people. A lack of food, water, and other resources has kept us from doing that on Alpha."

Anansi put his hands on Koenig's shoulders. "My friends, if you come to Yomi, you will never worry about food or water again."

# # #

Main Mission thrummed with excitement as David Kano sat at his computer kiosk, fingers strumming the controls with an expert's touch. The room buzzed with the chatter of technicians, but for Kano, the world narrowed to the stream of data cascading through the circuits of the moonbase's mainframe. Sandra Benes stood nearby, her attention locked on the scanner readouts, her breath held in anticipation.

"The initial readings are confirmed from both our scanners here on Alpha and the data from Eagle One," Kano announced, his voice cutting through the din. "Beta 4 is filled with life in the form of small animals, insects, and a variety of vegetation. Far more life readings than computer can catalog."

Morrow's voice remained cold as he shot, "So, computer does have limits." It was a sarcastic remark aimed at the man's belief in computer's infallibility, but given the circumstances, Kano ignored his words.

Sandra leaned closer to scrutinize the displays, a small smile on her face as she absorbed the implications.

Professor Bergman, perched on the edge of a workstation, stroked his chin thoughtfully. "All perfectly compatible with our needs," he mused aloud.

Morrow's posture straightened, and his eyes brightened—a rare departure from his stern persona. "Then this is it, professor. We've found a new home."

The words hung in the air like a promise of salvation.

Sandra turned toward Paul, catching his eye. In that fleeting glance—an exchange silent yet electric—unspoken dreams surfaced between them. The possibility of soil beneath their feet instead of metal; skies above that were not ceilings; a future together not bound by cold corridors and rationed supplies.

Their eyes conveyed volumes in that brief connection—hopes for new beginnings entwined with their personal aspirations—before duty called them back to their stations.

The moment passed as swiftly as it came, but its resonance lingered amidst the flurry of activity in Main Mission, an undercurrent beneath the waves of excitement over Beta 4's promise.

# # #

Chief Anansi led the Alphans from the meeting hall to the edge of the village. As they walked, curiosity seekers—particularly the young—peeked out from doorways and from around corners to eye the newcomers.

Koenig realized the elders had spoken the truth: the villagers placed an emphasis on families. There must've been two children for every one adult.

"You've got a lot of young ones," he said to the chief.

"Yes, we love children. We consider it our holy imperative to reproduce often. To grow our community."

"Holy imperative?" Dr. Russell asked. "That implies a religious purpose."

"Does it?" Anansi said as they walked between rows of wood and stone homes. "The original colonists did practice a rather dogmatic religion, but our sense of spirituality has evolved. We embrace the environment. We embrace this world. There is no need to worship a greater power when Yomi has given to us everything we need."

"How many were aboard that colony ship?" Helena asked. "From what we could see, it was huge."

"What's that? Oh yes. Well, from what our oral history recalls, there were around two thousand colonists aboard the ship, bound for some planet on the far side of the galaxy. A malfunction led us here. If we can trust the history as it is shared, about three quarters of the colonists survived the crash and built our community."

Koenig repeated what one of the elders had said: "You accept no control over your fate."

Carter tried to keep the conversation light. "Sounds a lot like us on Alpha."

Chief Anansi told them, "We've found peace in accepting the limitations of life. We've found happiness in each other, and not the pursuit of technology or adventure." As he spoke, his crystal pendant caught the light, sending tiny rainbows dancing across the ground. "You might find life rather boring here, among us."

"What you call boring," Carter said. "We call heaven."

Koenig asked, "Chief, if you landed with that many people, and you've been here for hundreds of years, how is it possible your society is still contained to a few thousand in this town?"

Anansi stopped at the edge of the village. "If you're worried about resources, don't be. " He gestured toward rows of trees and fields stretching out into the distance, a quilt of vibrant hues against the earthy backdrop. "Our sustenance," he said with a note of pride.

The grove they approached was unlike any orchard on Earth or any crops nursed in Alpha's hydroponics section. Trees, gnarled and twisted, bore fruit that pulsed with colors so vivid they almost seemed to purr with energy. The air was thick with the scent of ripeness, an intoxicating blend of sweet and tangy that teased the senses.

Dr. Russell and Dr. Vincent split up, moving from tree to tree with their instruments and collecting samples for analysis.

"These fruits," Dr. Russell said, her voice carrying a mix of wonder and clinical detachment, "they're not just edible; they're rich in nutrients. Protein… sugars... carbohydrates."

Dr. Vincent scanned a plump fruit with his device. "Remarkable compatibility with our biology. It's as if they were tailored for human consumption."

Carter couldn't resist the allure of the orchard's bounty. He plucked a fruit that shimmered like a sapphire under Yomi's twin suns, turning it over in his hand before taking a bite. Juice dribbled down his chin as he chewed, eyes lighting up with approval.

"Oi," he exclaimed, grinning ear to ear. "This is brilliant! You gotta try it."

Koenig watched Carter's unabashed enjoyment but remained focused on the broader implications of their discovery. His mind whirred with the possibilities this planet offered.

Anansi smiled at Carter's reaction, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Our land is generous," he said. "It provides for everything."

The survey team moved on to fields where vegetables of peculiar shapes and sizes grew in neat lines. The soil itself seemed to be a dark loam that held the promise of endless fertility.

As they worked methodically through the crops, taking notes and discussing findings in hushed tones, Koenig surveyed the scene. Here was hope growing from the ground—a chance for survival that extended beyond rationed supplies and recycled air.

Yet his instincts advised against unchecked optimism; there was much they did not know about Beta 4. Koenig locked eyes with Dr. Russell for a moment—her gaze echoed his own thoughts—and then returned to listening to Anansi as he spoke glowingly of each plant they passed.

Koenig fixed on the ground beneath their feet. The dirt, dark and moist from recent rains, showed no sign of pooling water or runoff channels. "Chief Anansi," Koenig called out, halting the group's progress. "Our surveys indicated a healthy amount of rainfall on this planet. Yet I see no signs of groundwater—no lakes, rivers, not even a simple pond."

Anansi turned, his eyes meeting Koenig's with an openness that seemed to hold no secrets. "Ah, commander, Yomi is unique in her ways," he began. "The rain is indeed plentiful, a blessing from the skies that nourishes our crops and fills our air with life-giving moisture. But as you've seen, it's absorbed into the land without delay."

Their host knelt and scooped a handful of soil, letting it sift through his fingers. "The ground drinks deeply and swiftly."

Carter quipped, "You've got a thirsty planet here, Chief."

Anansi said nothing.

"And how do you collect water for drinking? For cooking?" Koenig pressed.

The chief gestured towards a series of bowls and buckets positioned beneath the eaves of nearby huts. "We've adapted to Yomi's ways. These rainwater collectors gather what we need. They're simple but effective. Our ancestors crafted them from the wreckage of our ship, and we've maintained the tradition."

Koenig approached one collector, examining its construction—a seamless blend of metal and natural materials fashioned into a vessel that seemed both ancient and futuristic. "There's always enough?" he asked.

"Always," Anansi affirmed. "The rains come often, and our collectors are never empty. We live in harmony with Yomi's cycles—there is a balance here."

Koenig couldn't deny the evidence before him: lush fields, bountiful orchards, a thriving community—sustained by what appeared to be an equilibrium between the people and their environment. Yet something niggled at the back of his mind—a question unasked, an answer not given.

Dr. Russell joined them, her voice cutting through Koenig's contemplation. "The plant life here is extraordinary," she said, holding up a sample vial filled with greenery. "But we should analyze how this rapid absorption affects other aspects of the ecosystem."

Koenig gave her a brief nod of agreement before turning back to Anansi. "Thank you for explaining," he said with measured politeness.

As they resumed their tour, Koenig scanned the grove, then the fields. An absence of activity struck him as odd; not a single villager moved among the plants. "Chief Anansi," he said, "There's no one tending to these crops."

Anansi's response came with a gentle chuckle. "That's because there's no need. The crops grow on their own. Yomi provides everything."

"That's incredible," Dr. Russell said with skepticism lining her voice. "But surely you must have issues with pests, or weather affecting your yields?"

Dr. Vincent added more questions. "Don't you have to plant seed and nurture your fields?"

The chief shook his head, the crystal pendant at his neck catching the sunlight as he moved. "No, Dr. Russell. We do not suffer those problems here. The balance of life on Yomi is such that pests do not ravage our crops, and the weather is always favorable for growth. And as for farming, there is little labor involved. The crops grow and we take what we need."

Carter whistled, impressed by the chief's claims. "Let me get this straight," he said with a grin. "All the food you can eat without ever having to lift a finger? That about does it for me… where do I sign up?"

Koenig gave Carter a sidelong glance but said nothing.

Dr. Russell stepped closer to Koenig, lowering her voice so only he could hear. "It seems too good to be true."

He nodded but held back from voicing his doubts aloud. Carter's enthusiasm would be shared by the other Alphans. If it was warranted, great. But if not, it would be hard to deny them this prize.

That caused him to pause. He commanded moonbase Alpha for so long; did he fear losing that power? This planet was everything they could ever ask for, so why did he resist celebrating? Did his sixth sense really detect something amiss, or did the authoritarian in him resist change?

Anansi ushered them toward a group of villagers gathering under a large tree at the edge of the field. They were laughing and sharing stories, baskets of fruit and vegetables at their feet.

"These are some of our people," Anansi said. "They've come to collect today's bounty."

Koenig observed the villagers' camaraderie and joy, revealing a profound bond they shared with their planet—one that made life here appear effortless and worry-free.

Yet even as Carter joked with the villagers and Dr. Russell exchanged medical insights with them, Koenig couldn't shake the nagging feeling there was more to Yomi than met the eye.

His introspection was cut short when his commlock chimed. He pulled it from his utility belt and activated the communicator. Paul Morrow's face appeared on the tiny viewscreen.

"Commander, computer confirms initial scans as correct. Our data indicates a planet compatible with human life. Has your survey uncovered any issues?"

Koenig didn't answer right away.

"Commander? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, Paul. Our initial survey is promising."

Carter, overhearing, cocked his head and mumbled, "Promising? That's an understatement."

Morrow transmitted: "Commander, Operation Exodus requires a minimum of forty-eight hours to implement, and that's with cutting a lot of corners. Given the rate at which the moon is traveling, we need to start within twelve hours. But getting a head start would make things easier and give us more flexibility, so the sooner the better."

Koenig considered Paul's words. As he did, he felt the eyes of Helena, Ben, and Carter upon him. The pressure was building, fast.

"Paul. I want a second survey Eagle. We need more atmospheric readings, a more detailed topographical survey, and extensive soil sampling."

"Commander? Are you sure that's wise?" Morrow asked. "The more time we have for Exodus, the better."

Koenig ordered, "Do it!" And shut off his commlock, ending any debate.

# # #

Paul Morrow paced the corridor with a briskness that matched the urgency in his voice. "We don't have the luxury of time, professor. Every second we delay, our window for Exodus narrows."

Professor Bergman walked beside him, a steady counterbalance to Paul's restless energy. "Paul, we must not let haste cloud our judgment. John is right to be thorough. Besides, we don't have to begin Exodus for another twelve hours. It will be alright."

"Professor, Operation Exodus as it currently exists is a blueprint for evacuating Alpha and taking all vital supplies and equipment to a new home. We estimate that we'll need forty-eight hours to do the job. But its never been tested. We've never had to initiate Exodus. What if we need more time?"

"I can't argue with what you're saying, Paul," Bergman conceded. "But the bigger issue is that Exodus is final. Once we leave, we're gone for good. Making the right decision is worth the extra effort. Even at the risk of leaving some equipment behind."

Sandra trailed a step behind them but managed to push her way into the conversation: "But professor, Paul does have a point. The scans from the planet are promising. Waiting seems unnecessary."

Professor Bergman answered her, "Waiting is what the commander has ordered. So we wait. Look, it's in everyone's interest to properly analyze this planet before rushing to judgment." He flashed a kindly smile at her.

They reached the travel tube boarding area just as the access doors opened. Pilot Bill Fraser stood there, ready to fly Victor and Sandra to the planet to conduct more tests.

The stern lines on Paul's face softened for a moment. "If we're lucky, you'll bring back good news." His eyes lingered on Sandra, unspoken words passing between them.

Bergman clapped Morrow on the shoulder, sensing his internal conflict between duty and hope. "Luck will play no part in this, Paul. We rely on good science and sound decisions."

"Yes, sound decisions," Paul repeated.

He watched as Bergman followed Sandra into the cylindrical vessel. "Safe journey," he called out as Bill Fraser stepped in last. The pilot flashed a thumbs up just as the doors sealed with a hiss, and the travel tube whisked them away towards the launch pad and liftoff.

# # #

Commander John Koenig explored the village, following the well-trodden paths between the thatched huts. A scent of ripening fruit and moist earth carried on the breeze. The villagers went about their business with an ease that spoke of years spent in harmony with their surroundings.

As he walked, Koenig couldn't escape the sensation of being an outsider. He scanned the area for a familiar face, but Sol was nowhere to be seen. Curious. Only this morning, Sol had peppered him with questions, eyes wide with wonder at tales of distant stars and moonbase life.

Koenig approached a group of villagers weaving baskets under the shade of a sprawling tree. Their fingers danced over reeds and twine with practiced skill.

"Hello there," Koenig greeted.

They looked up, offering smiles that held a hint of reservation.

"Greetings, friend," one acknowledged, nodding before returning to her task.

He asked, "I met a young man earlier today. His name is Sol. I haven't seen him in a while. Do you know him?"

They reacted strangely, as if the question offended. The two gathered their wares and retreated into a nearby hut.

He moved on and saw a woman wearing a crystal pendant. He recognized her as one elder he'd met earlier.

"Thank you for speaking with us today. Chief Anansi showed us your groves and crops. He said they grow with almost no care. I will admit, that is impressive."

"The land provides, commander. A gift from Yomi. One of many."

Koenig nodded, recognizing the practiced ease in her words. Friendly as the villagers were, there was no invitation to linger or delve deeper into their lives. Each response was a closed door dressed in pleasantries.

He pointed to her pendant; the crystal shaped like a star. "Do all the elders wear those?"

She did not seem comfortable speaking about the pendant; her answer came across as compelled, not given.

"It is a mark of our lineage; of our rank, dating back to the arrival of our people here."

That aroused his curiosity. "Rank? Now wait a second. Are you saying you and the other elders are direct descendants of the officers aboard your colony ship? Am I understanding that correctly?"

Chief Anansi appeared with an answer at the ready. "It's a tradition, commander. It's the way we've done things since the crash. Our customs may seem eccentric to you, I'm certain, but I hope you will respect them."

He answered, "Of course. I did not mean to challenge; only to learn."

The question Koenig really pondered was whether Anansi had been shadowing him during his walk. And if so, why? To answer questions, or to keep some questions from being asked?

Koenig felt it then, a tug at his intuition whispering there was more to this place than met the eye. He filed away each interaction, each polite smile and noncommittal answer like puzzle pieces in need of assembly.

"The pendants we wear," Anansi began, his fingers brushing over the star-shaped crystal hanging from his neck, "they're more than mere decoration, Commander. They're a link to our past. Our ancestors salvaged what they could from the wreckage. These crystals were among those items. They are made of elements not found on Yomi."

Koenig absorbed this information. Clearly, these elders held tight to their roles and history—a trait he could respect, given his own protective nature over his command.

# # #

Professor Bergman sat in the passenger compartment of Eagle Two next to Sandra, both of whom were at the starboard side computer wall. Most of the screens there displayed data from their orbital survey. On one, however, was Paul Morrow's head and shoulders as he broadcast from Alpha. He wore a frown.

Bergman transmitted, "All the preliminary data matches what we've seen so far, Paul."

Sandra remarked, "Never have we witnessed life readings as robust as Beta 4 on any planet before."

"That is good to hear," Morrow replied, his voice tinny over the speaker. "But we're running out of time. If we're going to initiate Exodus protocols, we must start within the next nine hours."

Bergman replied, "Yes, well, I understand, but that's a decision for the commander. I can only offer my assessment of the planet's viability."

Morrow sighed. "With respect, professor, your word holds a lot of weight with him. If you tell the commander it's time to start preparations, I think he'll listen."

"It'd be nice to think so," Bergman said. "I'll tell you what; I'll discuss it with him soon. It seems the villagers invited us to join them for dinner."

"Dinner?" Morrow almost spat the word. "Enjoy the meal, professor, but remember, a lot of people back here on Alpha would like a seat at that table, too."

The image of Paul's face on the monitor disappeared as he cut communications.

Bergman looked at Sandra and saw she shared Paul's frown. Could he blame them for being anxious? No planet they had yet to encounter offered the promise of Beta 4, or what the locals called 'Yomi'.

Pilot Bill Fraser walked out of the cockpit and joined them in the passenger module.

"I've set us down two hundred meters from the village. Professor, are we really having dinner with the locals?"

Bergman pressed his lips into a smile. "Yes, we are. It should be an enlightening experience." He glanced at a printout he had taken from orbit. The one piece of information that bothered him.

He said, "These life sign scans are fascinating. But…"

Fraser asked, "What do you mean? What's the problem?"

"Hmm? What's that? Oh," Bergman had allowed himself to drift away for a split second. He had been speaking more to himself than to his comrades. "Yes, well, there are more life signs than there are readings of inanimate matter. More, let's say, plants and animals than rock and wood."

Sandra offered an explanation: "There must be billions of insects and small animals down there to account for such readings."

Bergman stroked his chin. "Yes, that is the likely explanation. Curious. The population in the village seems quite small in comparison. You'd expect them to spread out more over the planet, given the apparent abundance of resources."

"Maybe they just don't need to," Fraser suggested with a shrug. "If everything they need is right there, why move away?"

"And then there's this." He tapped a finger on a sheet of paper.

"What is it, professor?"

"An energy reading. Faint. Very weak."

Fraser asked, "Could it be our people? Are you picking up their equipment?"

He nodded. "Yes. Yes, that is a possibility." He stood up from his seat. "Well, I suppose we should go say hello. We don't want to be late for dinner, now do we?"

# # #

"Welcome, Alphans," Chief Anansi stood at the head of the table, arms open wide in a welcoming gesture. "Enjoy, with us, the bounty of Yomi."

The long table was outside near the center of the village and was woven from branches and vines. Around it sat the elders and the Alphans. Other villagers brought food to the table, carried in bowls that were placed in front of each guest. Among them, a familiar face: the woman who had run to Sol during their original encounter near the forgotten colony ship. She moved with a muted grace, a hint of a smile on her lips, but it appeared forced to Koenig's eyes, although he could not be sure.

The rest of their hosts mingled with ease, their hesitance from earlier in the day had dissolved into a warm conviviality.

Doctor Russell unpacked a small scanning device from her medical kit and swept the produce. Her brow narrowed, then relaxed as she nodded to Koenig. "It's all clear."

"Partake, my friends." Anansi said and at that moment, every villager whispered a phrase that sounded as if it could be a prayer: "To good nutrition."

Alan Carter wasted no time, reaching for a plump fruit resembling an earthly peach but smelling like wild honey. "Well, I'm starved," he declared and relished each bite.

Professor Bergman examined a peculiar vegetable, its surface patterned with intricate grooves. "Fascinating," he murmured.

Sandra Benes selected berries from a bowl. Their jewel-like exterior glistened. Fraser and Vincent showed little restraint as they, too, dove into the bounty with joy.

As they ate, the tension in Koenig's shoulders ease. The food was unlike anything they had on Alpha; each mouthful burst with flavor. He had to admit, everything about Yomi, so far, pointed to paradise.

Anansi, his star pendant catching glints of late afternoon sun, said in a voice rich with pride, "We are honored to share these gifts with you."

Koenig even ate his fill, yet there rose an ache in the pit of his stomach that was not related to hunger.

"Chief, we are thankful for the invitation to share your table. I am concerned, however. I don't see young Sol. Given his curiosity about us, I'd have thought he'd have been here."

The lighthearted nature of their hosts quieted. They appeared reticent to discuss the young man.

Koenig said, "I hope his interest in us did not cause him problems with your people. Where I'm from, curiosity is encouraged."

"Here, on Yomi," the elder woman with the star pendant said, "we are not concerned so much with questions. We live in peace with our world and ourselves. We accept that harmony as a gift. And it is impolite to question a gift. Isn't that correct, Dana?"

The woman serving food whom Koenig had recognized from earlier in the day stopped at the calling of her name. He thought he remembered Sol referring to her as his mother. She appeared reluctant to be drawn into the conversation. Her shoulders slumped, eyes cast down.

"Yes." Dana answered, but the elder's glare willed her to say more. "Yes, we are happy to live in such a… such a perfect place."

The chief chuckled, and before Koenig could question her, Dana took the chance to scurry off.

"I see, commander that there may be many differences between our people, but I'd be surprised to find that the unpredictability of a teenage boy is one of them. As interesting as he found you this morning, by this afternoon you were old news. He is known to wander off on journeys of exploration."

Doctor Vincent said in a jovial tone, "I've been feeling the urge to wander off and explore myself."

"I hate to break this to you, Ben," Bill Fraser said to Dr. Vincent and pat him on the back. "You're not a teenager anymore."

"This place makes me feel like I'm one. Fresh. New."

Doctor Russell said, "It's been a long while since we had children of our own, let alone teenagers. Some things… need to be relearned."

"And here is your chance," Anansi said. "On behalf of the people of the village; those of us who call Yomi home, we extend an invitation for you to stay. Leave behind your dead moon and come join us on Yomi. What do you say, commander? Make a home here for generations to come, and live out the rest of your lives here, with us."