Author: Titania
Title:Visitors to a Strange Planet
Rating: PG
Orginal Story
VISITORS TO A STRANGE PLANET
Their race was a peaceful one, their world called Elys.
Few were chosen for the privilege to explore outer space and bring their newfound wisdom and knowledge back to their people to teach what they had learned on their sojourns. The Haideans were eager to learn more about other worlds and cultures in the hope of enriching their own. Six had been chosen for the exploration. A planet had been discovered and it was time to explore the new world. This new planet was the strangest of all, far from the Haideans' home in the Louclou Galaxy.
* * *
The Haideans had discovered that most intelligent beings on this world were known as Whales and Dolphins. The space explorers, had made contact with these aquatic mammals, eager to learn more about their culture, ways and customs. Their universal translators easily translating the mystical, beautiful Dolphin/Whale language. They were a peaceful people, who only fought in self defence and to protect their own and others, and stuck close to their pods and families. The Haideans greatly admired the beautiful species, so vastly different from their own. Unfortunately they could not enter the oceans with the Dolphins, as on this world, they had taken on forms, to be inconspicuous on this world. Their new bodies were vehicular and
mechanical and they could not swim. The aquatic mammals understood this and greeted the strange looking beings at the shore, knowing the strangers had come in peace, and greeted their new friends.
The Haideans believed it to be a great pity that the arrogant species who called themselves Humans treated all other species as though they were beneath them. They decided they did not like the Humans at all. Fighting, killing, war, murder, rape, greed, dishonesty and sheer simple mindedness - they couldn't even accept each other. It was either their gender, skin colour, religion, sexual preference, culture, their preferred entertainment or some other thing and they also balked at others who were strange, different or whom they considered to be wrong. Something seemed to be wrong with everybody. What a complex and chaotic species - and they were destroying their own planet, and they knew it too. How utterly illogical and stupid. The Haideans knew if they made themselves known to the Humans, the biological species would treat the earthen forms like things, as that's all machines were to the humans. And the Humans would probably think it was some kind of alien robotic invasion, go totally ballistic blowing the invaders to kingdom come, regardless of The Haideans benign intentions. They could generate shielding protect them from harm, and their metal was much stronger than that of ordinary Earthen construction vehicles, but still, they preferred not to activate their defences if it could be helped.
Dusk had fallen as the five Haideans followed their leader, Miliath on their way to their secret
encampment. As they drove, a human dashed across the road and was hit by Ington. The human screeched and fell, in pain, and then lost consciousness. The six vehicles skidded to a halt.
Do you think we should help it? Scray mind-voiced to the others. He did not think the human should be left to die, despite the biological race's nasty reputation, but felt he should ask the others their thoughts.
The Haideans usually communicated through telepathy. And it was vital on this planet - they could not let the humans hear them speak.
Why bother to help? Ington mind-said. Fine. I didn't mean to hit it, but would it do the same for us? I mean it probably wouldn't even care.
Nevertheless, Ington, mind-voiced Miliath, we cannot just leave the creature here. It will die and even though it is human, I'm sure you would not have the heart to do that.
You're right, Ington mind-harrumphed, but they really anger me.
I understand, Miliath mind-said, But it is not our place to change or judge them. Hudsca, pick up the human and be gentle. They are very fragile creatures.
Hudsca obeyed, gently picking up the fallen, bleeding human in his scooper. It's so light! he exclaimed, driving ever so slowly, terrified he'd harm the creature further.
The Haideans arrived at their encampment - a deserted vacant lot.
Here we are, Miliath mind-said, telepathically drawing energy from the atmosphere, and processing it. The long drive had made him hungry.
Gently Hudsca laid the human down. There you are, he mind-voiced. Hope the ride wasn't too bumpy.
You're so sentimental... Ington mind-said. Well let's help the thing. Although brash on the outside, he had a heart of gold.
Home sweet home, Lonona mind-said, looking around, a touch of sarcasm in her mind-voice.
Home! Hah! Brox mind-spat. I wish!
Now, now Brox, Miliath mind-calmed the impatient youth. We cannot expect every planet to be like our own. Otherwise, why be explorers?
Yeah, you're right, the young Brox Mind-said. Osisis is still my favourite.
Miliath appeared to smile. It is a lovely world isn't it?He understood the other's feelings and mind-voiced his thoughts. You're only eight million Earth years old, Brox and you have much to learn, as I did at that tender age. Now we must help the fallen human.
The Haideans' medical knowledge was vastly superior to that of the Earthlings. All of their people were born with healing powers. They could heal themselves and others in need. Each of the Haideans generated a gentle, slow pulse into the human's body, causing the blood to regenerate, all the wounds to seal and the bones to heal. The human began to awaken and look around.
"Do not be frightened," Miliath said aloud, like his mind voice, deep and gentle.
The human gasped and stood in a second.
"I'm either dead or mad."
"Neither," Miliath said, mildly amused at the human's statement. He judged by the voice that the human was female.
"Who ... are you?" the human asked, nervous.
Miliath calmly introduced himself and the other Haideans. He did not want to frighten her.
Humans were so small and he was afraid the Haideans' size would frighten her. The human listened, taking it all in. She had even pinched herself to ensure she wasn't dreaming. Nope. It was real all right.
"May I be so bold as to ask your calling?" Miliath asked.
"My calling?" the human said, confused.
"My calling is Miliath. What is yours?"
"Oh, you mean my name. It's Calisa."
"Do all humans have such strange names?" Brox asked.
Brox! Miliath mind-said, Do not be impudent. We cannot expect everyone in the Universe to have names similar to ours. Every planet and galaxy is different.
Calisa smiled. "Do all construction vehicles have weird names too?"
"Sorry," Brox confessed.
"It's okay," Calisa smiled.
Miliath smiled - his headlights lit up and he let out a small laugh. "Brox is young and was merely curious."
Brox felt cross. Sometimes Miliath treated him like a baby, but he knew his leader only wanted what was best for him. If it wasn't for Miliath, the Elysn Alpha Three Elders would not have allowed him to come on this mission, and for Miliath's confident and kind words, Brox was grateful. All his life he'd wanted to explore space and had looked up to Miliath and was eternally grateful for the assistance and help the elder, Miliath had given him. Brox was in awe of his wisdom and wondered if Miliath would someday become an Alpha Three Elder. The youth sighed, if he had to put up with a little mother-henning, as the humans called it, so be it. He dearly loved the wise, gentle Miliath. He was so much like a father to him.
"So," Calisa said to Miliath, "if you don't mind me asking, what ... are you? And where do you come from - and this better not be Candid Camera."
"I do not understand the reference to Candid Camera." Miliath informed her. "We are space explorers from the planet Elys in a far distant galaxy, eighty million light years from Earth."
"Whoh!" Calisa exclaimed. "Talk about a galaxy far, far away. How long did it take you to get here?"
"Yes, Earth is the furthest we've even ventured," Miliath said. "It took us one Brevor to reach your world ... Oh, that is equal eighty of your years."
Calisa blinked. "Wow... That's' incredible..."
Miliath smiled. "You are much like Devara, my infant daughter, back home. She will be only ninety of your years now."
Calisa smiled. "Hey, I'm twenty-eight, but hardly a baby!"
"Our species are so different." Scray said.
"You can say that again," Calisa said. "But if everyone was like humans, the Universe would be boring."
Miliath was surprised by the human's statement.
"Do you miss your daughter?" Calisa asked. "It must be hard being so far away from her.
"Yes," Miliath said. "I miss her very much. Our Elders are taking good care of her. It will be good to return."
"I guess we do have something in common then," Calisa said. "We humans care about our young too."
"Do you have any offspring?"
"Nah," Calisa said. "Perhaps I will someday if I meet the right guy." Seeing Miliath looking to be confused, Calisa offered, "mate, someone to spend your life with."
"I understand," Miliath said. "Lonona and I have been together for over seventeen million years."
"Wow, you guys must live a long time."
"Unlike humans, we Haideans do not have a finite existence. We do not 'die' as you humans say. There comes a time in our lives where we leave our physical bodies and enter the spiritual world, but that will only happen once we have obtained the maturity, wisdom, and love and true spirituality. I must say it amazes me how short a period you live for are all Haideans. We are constantly developing ourselves so that we may become one with the Universe. Some of us have been chosen to explore other worlds, galaxies and cultures, but we will always return home."
"Wow," Calisa said. "Aren't you afraid of leaving the physical world?"
"No. It is an honour to enter the spiritual world, though we never leave our loved ones. It has happened on occasion where a Haidean has met a premature demise, such as a meteor collision, and their spirits have been guided by the wiser spirits of the aboveworld."
"That's so beautiful..." Calisa said, almost crying.
Miliath told her of their encounter with Dolphins and Whales. Calisa was most impressed, not the least bit offended that the Haideans had regarded them as more intelligent than humans.
"Wow! I sure wish I could talk to them, or even swim with them," she said. "They're some of my favourite beings in the whole world."
The Haideans began to ask Calisa about her species. The human explained to them that not all humans were arrogant single minded morons, - but she did not deny that many of them were.
"If you will forgive me, Miliath said, "I have a confession to make - I .. we believed all humans were arrogant and simple minded, but you have shown us that humans can be - and a lot of you are - individual and different."
"No apology necessary," Calisa said, "I wonder about that myself sometimes."
The Haideans took their newfound human friend to the ocean shore, and called the Dolphins. Calisa could not describe her elation when the mammals let her touch them, running her hand gently along their wet smooth, grey skin. They splashed her playfully and she laughed, then swam with them - one of the most moving experiences of her life - one of her greatest dream fulfilled. The Dolphins cheerily chattered at her.
"They says they wish all humans were like you and hopes the humans overcome their violent and single minded ways," Scray said.
"So do I," Calisa said, in tears, and the Dolphin understood her meaning.
Gently she kissed the beautiful creature.
* * *
Calisa refused to let herself feel tired. She stood with her new friends.
"I'm sorry you have to go. I wish you could stay longer."
"I am sorry too, Miliath said, "but if we stay too long, your people will become suspicious and not everyone on this planet is as understanding, loving, caring and as accepting as you."
"Tell me about it."
She gave each of them an affectionate, but awkward hug, which physically, they could not return, but Calisa felt their warmth and love flow through her.
"We must go now," Miliath told her, "back to our ship, the Helens in orbit. We have parked it on the dark side of the Moon to avoid detection."
"Goodbye," Calisa said, sad to have her new, unique friends leaving so soon.
"Do not be upset, Calisa," Miliath said, but even as he uttered those words, he felt grief himself. "Someday we shall return to your world. When you look to the stars, think of us. True friendship can never be broken by distance."
Calisa smiled. "You're right. I'll always think of you all. You're so wise and understanding. Miliath. My people could learn a lot from you. I hope Earth's a better place when you do return."
Miliath's headlights glowed bright yellow. "I'm sure she will be. Good bye, my new friend,"
And a sight followed that Calisa would take to her next life and beyond.
The Haideans morphed, all the colours of the rainbow shining bright, swirling and merging as the six construction vehicles took on their true forms,
Miliath approached Calisa, his form embracing her. All she felt was love and warmth.
"Never lose your beauty," he said, his voice gentle as a breeze. And never lose your faith. There will come a time when your planet too will ascend beyond its fears."
Calisa didn't wipe her tear away as she whispered "thank you..."
And the Haideans beautiful energy forms became airborne.
Calisa felt as if she had known Miliath and his five friends all her life. Perhaps she had in a past life, she wondered. And smiled. Anything was possible. As she watched six glowing forms fly up into the Earth's atmosphere, and kept her eyes on them, until they appeared to be six shooting stars against the dark night sky, and then they were gone. She hoped they would return, or send some sort of a message to her before her finite life ended, but she had a feeling she would meet them in another life.
* * *
Aboard their space craft, The Helens, the Haideans watched as the beautiful crustal blue and white planet Earth became a speck on the view screen.
I think I'll miss the place after all, Ington mind-voiced.
Same here. It sure was pretty, Lonona agreed.
Miliath smiled at his mate. It was a lovely planet, wasn't it? I will miss it too and our human friend.
I think I'm getting jealous! Lonona smiled.
Miliath let out a gentle laugh, as The Helens continued on her journey, past the stars, on her return to Elys.
Miliath and the others were eager to arrive and share with their people the interesting and beautiful things they had seen and learned. A pause followed.
We made an error in judging the humans, Miliath mind-said. I am ashamed of that. They may be arrogant and simple minded, but they are a but child race - with much to learn. Perhaps someday, they will learn to accept others, such as ourselves, but first, they have to accept themselves. And I am confident that it will happen. Calisa has proven to us that there are some humans whom mature faster in mind and spirit than others. Miliath smiled. They will be the future of humanity ... and to realise and attain their true, loving spiritual nature will only take them a few thousand years.
* * *
The headlines the next day reported many sightings of six beautiful bright colourful lights in the sky ...
And of an international ban on the killing of whales and dolphins.
But the reports were at a loss at why.
Calisa smiled as she put down the paper. She knew.
It was beginning.