Chapter 14

"All the world's a stage,

And the men and women merely players:

They have their exits and their entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts."

-Shakespeare, As You Like It, II, vii, 139-142

"We're live in five minutes!"

The words were announced as Dresle sat in her dressing room, picking at the hem of her sleeve. One of the makeup women swatted at her hand gently and then took it to examine the nails. "Ah, well we did our best," she said. "Biting your nails – it's a filthy habit."

Dresle had refused to have makeup, even blush or lipstick, and refused to have any body hair shaved; but had agreed to dress how they wanted and have her nails and hair done. She had also consented to let them put a single white orchid in her hair.

Finally Elizabeth was able to flush them all out, politely but firmly. Dresle looked exceedingly nervous.

"I don't want to do this. I really don't want to do this," she kept saying.

"It's an honour," Elizabeth reassured her. "People will love you." She understood why the poor Vellorian felt this way – she knew that in Dresle's culture, to be put on display in public was an act of punishment or shaming. They walked together down the hall to where the other seven were waiting. It was a sort of lounge that they could all sit in, and watch on the large screen what was happening only a few hundred yards away. There was security everywhere – not just the A.C.'s, but security from the U.N. as well. As soon as Dresle came down, Svaltu took her arm and drew her in, where she was talking to all her companions in a circle. She was using her own language and Elizabeth took this opportunity to surreptitiously record it using her phone. Laufa sometimes interjected, or Christoph, but it seemed mostly to be Svaltu giving them orders or reminders of some kind. Elizabeth caught some of the words. "Don't be … remember … our scientific knowledge …" But she could not grasp the overall idea of what Svaltu was saying.

The interview was to be in English, and the interviewer was the famous Japanese newscaster, Hiroto Kabayashi, who had interviewed the President of the A.C. only last year. He was sitting on the right side of the stage, and on the left, beside his desk, were several comfortable chairs. The background was a beautiful photo of the cosmos and galaxies far away that someone had blown up to fit the back of the stage. It had been decided that each Vellorian's linguist would stand by with a microphone that connected directly into his or her ear in case they did not understand something or were confused by a cultural reference. Elizabeth was infinitely glad she did not have to appear on stage, although poor Dresle was physically shaking at the prospect of doing it alone.

"We'll be starting in 10, 9, 8…"

Hiroto took a sip of water and set it on the side of the desk.

"7, 6, 5, 4…"

Dresle looked as if she might be sick.

"3, 2, 1."

The screen lit up and there was Hiroto, smiling and self-assured, handsome and well-dressed, speaking to the world. "Welcome to all the nations around the world! It is an historic night here in Tokyo as we welcome eight visitors from another world. The UFO which descended in the Arctic two months ago housed these aliens, whom we have a chance to meet face-to-face tonight. This two hour program is brought to you commercial-free by the Atlas Corporation: Bringing us everyday closer to our vision of the future.

"Our first guest is the leader of these aliens from Vellorum. Please welcome Laufa!"

Laufa marched forward purposefully, not smiling or even looking at the almost hysterical crowd. He was dressed in a suit with a golden tie that reflected sharply against his eyes. He was not wearing his oxygen mask, Elizabeth noticed, but he seemed to have it in his left hand. With his right, he shook hands with Hiroto, as he had been told to do, and then sat down. The crowd was upon their feet and even though the security was there blocking them, it was a couple minutes before they calmed down enough so Hiroto could speak.

"Hello, Laufa, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Laufa did not respond, so Hiroto continued. "There are so many questions we have, but let's start with something basic. Tell us, on your planet, Vellorum, what is your profession?"

"I am a doctor," said Laufa's deep, resounding voice.

"A doctor. All right. And what kind of doctor? Is it the same as our doctors on Earth?"

"Similar enough, yes. I worked often in the laboratory doing research in my land. But part of my job on our journey here was to care for the physical well-being of my fellow travelers." He stopped and put on his mask briefly to take a few breaths.

"And your journey – how long did you travel?"

"It's hard to say, since we had no way tell the time."

"But your journey – it was long?"

"Yes."

"I'm sure everyone is very curious to know – what your purpose is in coming here? And are any others coming?"

"Well, our purpose, as I told your leaders at the United Nations, is to get to know your people and culture, and what knowledge you have, so that we may help to better your lives with ours, if that is so desired by your people."

"YES!" a lot of the audience shouted, with a few "No's" thrown in. Laufa took another hit from his mask.

"And, are you the only eight who are coming? Are there any more who will come?"

"No, rest assured, we eight alone have come in full peace. None else will come to trouble you."

"So you eight were sent as explorers?"

"Yes – you could say that."
"Is ours the only alien planet you have visited?"

"So far."

"We've heard that your people have been here before. Is that true?"

"It is. Not we ourselves, but others in our past have. I would rather say no more about that right now, however."

"Let me ask you more about your people then, if that's all right. Many people have noticed the colour of your eyes – it is curious to us because we do not have such coloured eyes. Is it common among your people?"

"About as common as the rest. It is genetic, just as are the green, blue, grey, brown, or purple eyes."

"Ah! We don't have purple eyes either, but we hear one of your companions does."

"Yes." He breathed through the mask again.

"May I ask about the mask?" said Hiroto. "We all saw in the footage when you came out of the ship, you did not need masks. You seemed adapted to our atmosphere. Why do you need them now?"

"We need them because of the pollution," replied Laufa. "In the Arctic where we landed there was no pollution. Our bodies are becoming accustomed to it now, slowly."

"I see. Your kind evolves quickly. We have heard rumours of your age. How old are you?"

"I am six hundred and thirteen in Earth years."

"Amazing! And how long do your people live?"

"Almost a thousand years, in our lands. In other poorer lands where eugenics is not practiced, the life span is less."

"So there are different countries on Vellorum?"

"So to speak. There are three different types of government on three different locations, but we are all at peace."

Hmm…Elizabeth thought as she watched. That's not what Dresle said. She resolved to phone Secretary Liam's office later.

"Can you describe your government for us? Do you have a king, or are all men free?"

"All men and women are free and equal," said Laufa. "I have read of your idea of monarchy and we think it most barbaric. Our government is not anything like what you have here on Earth."

"But what are the other governments on your planet like?"

"Barbaric and uncivilized. Women are subjected and the government is run by fanatical religious leaders."

"What of your religion? Do your people have any spiritual beliefs?"

"The Earth and other planets came to be through natural forces in the great expanding of the universe in the beginning," Laufa replied. "Life was a by-product of this. That is what science tells us."

"Thank you, Laufa. And we have a few questions that have been submitted. Alice George from Canada wants to know whether you are married or have any children?"

Laufa's face turned an angry red. Elizabeth could see Damian at the other side of the lounge speaking rapidly into his microphone that led to Laufa's ear. A long minute passed, then Laufa simply said, "No," and took many deep breaths from his mask.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Laufa!" said Hiroto. There was a standing ovation from the crowd that continued as he introduced, "Esma!"

Esma's long golden hair had been brushed back, and hung in sleek lines over her shoulders. She was wearing a sleeveless golden dress that fell all the way down to her ankles. Evidently she felt uncomfortable having no sleeves for she kept attempting to cover up her exposed shoulders with her hands. Hiroto stood and welcomed her by shaking hands and then they sat down. Esma sat in a very stiff position with rigid posture and her hands on her knees. She looked strung up, as if attempting to bend one of her limbs would make it snap.

"Esma the beautiful, if we may so call you," said Hiroto, "Welcome."

Esma inclined her head. "Thank you for having me," she said coldly.

"Can you tell us your profession?"

"I am – what you would call, an astrophysicist."

"Wonderful! Laufa has assured us that men and women are equal where you are from? Do you find that to be true?"

"Of course," Esma said, slightly annoyed.

"All, well I was just checking," said Hiroto with a charming smile. "Are there many other women in your profession?"

"Certainly. They are assigned according to their talents."

"Assigned?"

"Why, yes. I studied for many years for my career, because I was so gifted at it, and I love it."

"You were the one, then, who told us where you were from? Vellorum? Where exactly is it?"

"It is in a star cloud near what you all refer to as Upsilon Andromedae. It is many light-years away."

"And so, how long did you have to travel to get to us? Can you tell us in Earth years?"

"About sixty-five years."

The audience gasped, and she took the opportunity to breathe from her mask.

"Were you asleep on the journey?" asked Hiroto, amazed.

"Asleep?" Esma looked puzzled. "No. Well, we do not need so much sleep as you do. But we do not have the technology to put us in – what do you call it?" she waited for a moment, then, as Elizabeth knew, answered as the linguist prompted, "-stasis for such a long period."

"But you have the technology to fly many light years in only sixty-five solar years."

"Hmm…" said Esma.

"So, then, how old are you?"

"I am three hundred and thirty two. We live long years so our journey perhaps did not seem so long to us as it would to you."

"Were you then in charge of steering the ship to Earth?"

"No," she said. "After our captain perished it was Marco who steered the ship."

"Your captain died?"

"Yes. He was killed in a fire aboard the ship."

"So there were nine of you originally?"

"Yes. Nine." She took a breath from her mask.

Elizabeth shook her head, but Dresle was too nervous to notice.

"And what other planets have you studied?"

"Many," she replied, "but none others that have life."

"What is your method of obtaining this knowledge?"

"We have technology that surpasses your own. I doubt even your scientists could understand it."

"That's fair enough," said Hiroto jovially, despite the insult. "One more question. Do you have knowledge about the safety of the Earth, or any possible dangers facing it?"

"No. There are absolutely none."

"Thank you so much. Now, we have a question from one of our viewers. Leslie McDowell of Scotland wishes to know if gold is your natural hair colour?"

Esma seemed more confused by this question than any of the others. "Natural?" she said. "Well, of course it is. What else would it be?"

"Very well. Thank you very much," said Hiroto. Elizabeth sensed he had cut the interview short because maybe he was a little afraid of her haughty manner and cool method of answering.

Next was Christoph. Elizabeth could not help thinking he looked very handsome in a light blue blazer and red tie, although it was clear he felt rather uncomfortable with the tightness of it around his neck. His blond hair was parted at the side and brushed back. He greeted Hiroto with all proper deference, and even waved to the audience, which went crazy at this attention. He then spoke some words in Japanese, and Hiroto looked charmed.

"Ah! You must be the linguist we have heard of," said Hiroto.

Christoph nodded in assent.

"Have our Earth languages been difficult to learn? You all seem to have picked up English very quickly."

"Not difficult at all," replied Christoph, smiling. "I've also been studying Mandarin as well as ancient Hebrew, Latin, and Greek."

"And what is your interest in those languages?"

"Ancient texts, of course. I want to read them in their original versions."

"Why do you want to read ancient texts?"

"I am fascinated by Earth culture and history."

"I thought your people had visited Earth in the past – that is what your leader, Laufa, said in the meeting with the U.N. a month ago."

'Yes, but not our particular crew. It was our ancestors."

"I see." Christoph took some deep breaths from his mask. "And what about the language on your planet? Is there more than one?"

Elizabeth could see Hiroto was steering the conversation away from more serious topics and questions that she would have asked, and could only guess that he had been instructed to do so.

"Yes, there are several different languages."

"And do you speak all of them?"

"Yes."

The interview continued and Elizabeth got tired of standing. She went over to sit next to Dresle, who was looking green. The others (Svaltu, Arjen, Marco, and Darius), all looked bored. Laufa and Esma were finished, and were therefore allowed to go back to their dressing rooms to relax. She got out her library and gave it to Dresle, with Around the World in Eighty Days Chapter One.

"I found you a map, too," she said. "A map of the world as it was in the 19th Century. The different countries have changed a lot since them. It's saved on a bookmark, here."

"Thank you," said Dresle with a wan smile.

Hiroto was asking Christoph about his ability to communicate with animals.

"I don't really communicate with them," said Christoph, "Not if you mean talk with them, although some of my ancestors had that ability, a long time ago it is said. It is more the capability to control them, to receive their obedience."

"Very interesting! Would you be willing to demonstrate this ability for us at a later time?"

"Certainly."

"Thank you. And, before you go, we have a question from our viewers. Samir Malik wants to know where you are all planning to visit next?"

"I don't know," said Christoph. "That is up to our hosts, the generous governments of the world; but somewhere in Asia. Indeed, I had heard we were going to visit Singapore and India soon."

"Thank you very much, Christoph!" Everyone clapped as he rose, shook Hiroto's hand, and then exited.

"And now, the one you've all been waiting for – Darius!"

Elizabeth saw Darius give a sidelong nervous look at his linguist, and then went out on stage, looking very serious. His long, straight red hair was left to fall about his youthful face, and he wore a golden-yellow suit with a blue tie. Elizabeth got the feeling that Darius was the one everyone really wanted to see, and that he had been saved until the middle to ensure everyone would watch the whole thing. Darius took his seat with a serious air.

"Darius, you have become famous around the world – well, all of the Vellorians have, but you especially, because of your famous rescue of Dr. Maximilian Chatel, the renowned linguist."

Darius did not speak, but nodded once.

"We will replay, now, the video that has become so famous, of your rescue."

The great screen behind then turned from the image of nebulae and galaxies into, once more, the Arctic day where the ship had landed, and they watched the video over again.

"Now, what motivated you to help someone of alien race, whom you did not even know wished you good or ill?"

"He had fallen," said Darius simply.

"So it was pure benevolence, as Dr. Chatel has reported?"

"I – suppose so."

"The whole world has noted with amazement the incredible physical skill used to save Dr. Chatel. Is this kind of strength and skill typical of your people?"

"Yes. Although as a cosmonaut I have been physically trained more than most – my friend Arjen is the same – and I have always loved physical competitions and sports."

"Do you have sports on Vellorum?"

"Oh, yes. We have tests of strength and skill every year in our Capital city. The greatest athletes, men and women, participate in all sorts of events. Including racing on ivyawthan – that is, large sea creatures that we tame; and battle barrown – that we cannot tame."

"And what do these creatures look like? Can you describe them to us?"

"I don't know. They are – well, they are a bit like your dinosaurs I suppose. But different."

"Thank you! And we've also heard news – from your translator, that you are a family man?"

Darius' face first turned red and then to stone. "Nothing but shame should be laid on Jonas Hindburg for his despicable breach of trust. I told him private things that no one else knew, and he is a degenerate to profit from it in such a way."

"You seem very angry about it."

"I am. These were highly personal pieces of information that I chose not to share with anyone else."

"But these seem such minor things to us. For example, that you have three children."

"They are not mine," said Darius. "I was only the – how do you say?" he paused for a moment. "Surrogate father. I have never seen them since they were born."

"And do you miss them?"

"No. You see, our view of culture and 'family' is so different from yours. We do not believe in 'marriage' or in 'family' as you name it. Our society is one great 'family' and we are all brothers and sisters."

"That sounds like a wonderful way of life," said Hiroto.

"Our society and government is based on reason and logic," Darius continued, "and the achievements of science are our highest aim."

"Darius, let me ask you a few questions from our viewers. Susan Gordon from Latvia wonders –"

Suddenly Hiroto was cut off, for several things happened at once. There was a rumbling sound, the lights flickered, and the entire studio building began to shake. There were screams and equipment and furniture fell over. Then the lights went out.