Fast Cars and Intergalactic Speed Dating

20: Funny is Not the Word I'd Choose

Richard felt once again like he was on a reality T.V. show. Surely, this was all an elaborate production. The ship was the most convincing movie set that had ever existed. Somewhere, there were hidden cameras.

"Right. We'll use solar to get them back into space," he said slowly.

"Like I said, I realize we're throwing a lot at you at once," said Dr. Das. "Unfortunately, time is limited. You weren't supposed to be here, and it's truly unfortunate that you were hurt—especially Garth, and I've already reached out regarding a doctor—but, now that you're here, you can help us move more quickly. It's your technology; you're the best person to direct the production. We just need enough power to get the Beyma back into space."

"Okay, just...wait." Richard passed a hand over his face. "We need to back up a bit here. I understand that you want my solar cells. We can talk about that. But...why?" He looked at Aialo-El. "And you...You said something about a war? Are you at war with those crab things?

"The Chorodonians," Aialo-El said. There was mild reproof in their tone.

"Yeah. The Chorodonians." Richard looked at them, frowning. "What's the war over? How am I supposed to be certain that I'm..."

"Helping the good guys?" Dr. Das asked.

Richard didn't respond, but he shrugged one shoulder. Certainly it was a reasonable question.

Aialo-El said, "The Karra and the true people of Chorodon have been allies for centuries. But in the past several decades, a warmongering cult has arisen on Chorodon. They first gained power on their planet, taking over their world region by region until all was under their control. They crushed all opposition. The remaining officials of the government were forced into hiding or were slain."

Richard stared, absorbing the story. Wow didn't suffice.

Aialo-El glanced at Kavita, then looked back at Richard. "Ultimately, the Chorodonians sought to colonize other planets in their galaxy—and they have succeeded. This is how my people encountered them."

"Galaxy. Okay. Wow," Richard muttered. "As in, a galaxy far, far away."

"Yes. Our galaxy is a very long distance from yours. Millions of yan-elyars."

Richard wondered whether he would be able to wrap his mind around what was happening at some point. Right now, he felt somewhat removed from reality, as if he were watching his life through someone else's eyes.

"This is...so much," he said. "I'm just thinking how strange it is that I went all my life not knowing about aliens. Now you're here. You were in my house. And so were they."

"For what it's worth, you weren't supposed to know about any of this," Dr. Das said. "We are quite invested in ensuring that our intergalactic connections do not become common knowledge. To that end, there will probably be some paperwork for you to sign when all of this is said and done."

"You've got to be kidding me," said Richard.

"Don't worry; it's a problem for another day." Dr. Das looked at Aialo-El, nodding her head in an invitation for them to continue.

"We are here because we were fleeing the Chorodonians." Aialo-El took a sip of their tea. "My people held our ground for as long as we could on my home planet, Aala. But ours was a small planet, and the Chorodonians are many. For some time now, we have been refugees."

"So you left your planet behind?"

"Yes. We took the ships available to us, and we scattered. At the time, I was stationed here: this ship, called the Beyma, served as a research facility, touring Aala's moons to gather samples of plant and animal life. Those of us who were stationed on the Beyma fled: there were but fifty-four of us. Recently, we contracted an unfamiliar virus in a stopover at a waystation, and many of us perished, including our doctor."