The following day, Dakalio scanned them all again. Three different healers peered at the results, then released the crew of the Manessa Kwi from quarantine.
Beyond the sealed door, each person, one at a time, unshouldered their rucksacks, shed their clothes, and entered a steamy shower room while their belongings went a different way to be sterilized. Mati’s crutch was no exception, so Sata went with her friend through the shower.
On the far side, fresh clothes greeted them, and their packs soon emerged from a small door.
After dressing, each crew member stepped into the last waiting room and found places to sit on chairs or couches, some obviously designed for smaller or larger creatures.
Only one more door, of clear glass, separated the new arrivals from the interior of the star station, and they could see beings of all sorts walking, leaping, swinging, or flying along. Huge brown tree trunks soared upward, limbs and vines followed the edges of every crystal surface, and leaves spread out to catch the sunlight.
When all six had taken up their rucksacks or crutch, Ilika looked at his new crew, about to make the final step into a new civilization. Four faces showed excitement and eagerness to dash through the last door and into their new lives.
One face dripped with tears. “I can’t do it Ilika. I can’t go out there with you. I have to either find the courage to let the surgeon fix my knee . . . or go home.”
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 34
Rini quickly declared his intention to stay with Mati, whichever road she took. The young couple got comfortable on a couch in the medical waiting room, snuggled close, and began whispering together.
Ilika swallowed several times, took a breath for courage, and led the others through the glass door. So it was that he stepped into the main hall of Satamia Star Station with only his steward at his side, and his navigator and engineer, holding hands, close behind.
A wide open area spread out before them, with balconies and landings rising four or five levels, all intertwined with rough-barked trunks and quivering leaves. A bright pool of water, off to one side, churned with creatures surfacing and climbing out, others jumping in, and some just floating while they chatted.
The foursome, three of whom gazed about with wide eyes, hadn’t gone many steps when a large, sleek bird and a husky bear blocked their path. Both wore scant clothing, not much more than a vest with pockets for a few personal items.
“Bok. I was wondering if I could give my fellow navigator a tour of the station, and show her that eating place I mentioned.”
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 35
Sata grinned and stepped forward. “Drim-na!”
“Drrrim-na,” the avian corrected with a slight bow.
“Dr-r-r-im-na,” Sata attempted.
The feathered navigator cackled.
Sata looked at her captain and saw that he was smiling. “No problem here, Sata. It looks like Boro is also getting an invitation.”
The ursine docking controller bowed. “I have a mind to do some fishing, and wondered if Boro would like to join me. He’ll get a tour also, of course.”
“Real fish, out of a stream?” the engineer questioned with wide eyes.
“Real, live fish. Stream or deep-water. I don’t yet know if you swim . . .”
“I do, and love it!”
Ilika tapped at his mission bracelet. “Manessa is out of quarantine and has been moved to dock C-Thirteen. That’s our meeting place.”
Sata and Boro both strolled away with their new friends, leaving Ilika and Kibi among hundreds of different creatures, some walking, some running on urgent business, and a few just hanging from tree branches by their tails.
Deep Learning Notes
Why would their packs and Mati’s crutch have to be sterilized?
If you speak Spanish, you can probably roll your R’s, as in “Drrrim-na.” If you don’t, you will probably have trouble with the name, just as Sata did.
If you are tempted to wonder how non-human animals could be speaking to the human crew, remember that even on Earth, there are birds who can speak our languages. Also, the language of Nebador is probably designed to be easy for everyone to learn, using only those phonemes (simple sounds) that all the intended speakers can make. On Earth, there is one language (Hawaiian) that, for unknown reasons, evolved with only 13 phonemes, when most of our languages use 40 or more. It is extremely easy to pronounce. But proper names, like “Drrrim-na,” probably came from the person’s native language, and so could be hard for some Nebador people to say.
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 36
Chapter 6: Sata’s Tour
Drrrim-na ambled slowly through halls, along walkways, and up ramps or stairs as her new friend and fellow navigator peered this way and that.
Sometimes a wide path circled around a great tree trunk. At other times the way seemed made of stone, molded into steps and decorative shapes.
Creatures they passed made pleasant eye contact, but didn’t bother the pair except when Drrrim-na stopped to chat with another avian, and a bit later a small, furry mammal approached them to ask directions.
When they were alone again, in a passageway under a canopy of huge leaves, Sata tried to put her question into words. “Um . . . it seems strange that no one is . . . you know . . . trying to sell us something, or steal from us, or tell us what to do . . .”
Drrrim-na clucked with humor. “That’s all monkey mammal stuff!
Remember, I know — I work on a life-monitor ship.”
Sata thought about it as they walked on. “What . . . monkey mammal things . . . should I be careful not to do?”
The bird opened her eyes wider. “All of them, bok! I mean, the ones about messing with others, getting in their faces, that kind of stuff. Bok. It’s not just you. I’d love to peck holes in these leaves, eat ursine babies for lunch, and let my bowels go whenever I’m flying. Not here, bok!”
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 37
Sata rolled with laughter when she imagined the huge mess, and the angry bears right on her friend’s tail.
“Here’s that eating place I told you about. Bok. Great view!”
Sata’s mouth dropped as they stepped into the room and beheld the red and purple gas giant Satamia Five through several large, clear windows. Even twelve light-seconds away, it still loomed impressively large, and seemed to glow with its own light.
When Sata finally looked around, she realized that most everyone in the room was avian. She spotted Drrrim-na at a small table with two chairs, and self-consciously shuffled over.
“I think I’m the only per . . . monkey mammal . . . in this place.”
“Bok. You might be the only monkey mammal on the station, except for your shipmates.”
“There’s a healer.”
“That’s good. It’s always a little hard having a different kind of healer.”
Sata described Mati’s situation.
“Do you think she can do it, bok? The mantidae are the best surgeons.
They’ve saved my life more than once.”
“I think so. Rini’s sticking with her.” Suddenly Sata looked uncomfortable. “What is there to eat? I’m not sure you and I eat the same things . . .”
Drrrim-na cackled. “You didn’t think I was going to feed you worms, did you, bok?”
Sata shrugged and cringed with guilt.
“This place is known for its seed cakes,” the avian continued. “Sort of like a dense, nutty bread, bok, but much easier to chew. They come with fruit and tender, peckable leaves and flowers.”
“I’ll . . . try it.”
“Bok.”
The meal nestled in baskets with a handle, easy for the birds to carry to their tables. Remembering her years hauling food and drink from the kitchen to the common room, Sata was glad they served themselves at a counter, and would later clean their own table. She was amazed at how much she enjoyed
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 38
the seed cakes, rivaling anything from Tori’s bakery, except maybe fruit tarts.
She and her host chatted about the star station, then Sata shared her many adventures since they had first spoken. The avian listened intently to Sata’s experience in the ice of Sonmatia Seven.
“Bok,” the bird said slowly. “That is huge. I have never been tested like that, not sure I ever want to be, bok.”
Sata smiled. “I’m certainly not looking forward to doing it again!”
Drrrim-na nodded agreement. “Bok!”
Just as they finished their meal, a noise of clucking and cackling came from the corridor outside, and about twenty avians crowded through the door.
“Bok!” the server at the counter yelled. “Need help!”
“Come on!” Drrrim-na said to Sata. “You have to learn how we do things around here.”
Sata followed her friend. They quickly tossed their baskets into the washing room, and Drrrim-na pointed to a sink. Sata recognized the same dispensers they had on the ship, and washed her hands.
“Bok!” the server said with glee. “A monkey mammal can make baskets quickly!”
“I’ll coach and carry, you assemble,” Drrrim-na explained as she nudged Sata to a work table behind the counter. “Each basket gets a liner, seed cakes are in the warmer to your left, fruits and vegetables in the cooler on your right.”
Sata opened doors until she found all the ingredients, spread them out on the table, and grabbed the first basket her friend placed before her.
“Two cakes, small bunch of jiba fruit . . . you remember what we had,” the bird coached when she didn’t have a basket in her beak.
“I think so. Just one flower, right?”
Sata worked quickly, both hands moving at once, to assemble the twenty baskets of bird food. When she glanced up, she saw the group of avians patiently waiting for their lunch, and obviously enjoying the sight of a monkey mammal working in the kitchen. Sata grinned. “I’ve been doing this kind of work all my life!”
Just as she was finishing the last basket, Drrrim-na staggered over with a
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 39
huge basket she could barely carry.
“Huh?” Sata questioned.
“Fanators!” her friend whispered after dropping the basket on the table.
Sata looked up. Behind the last few birds about Drrrim-na’s size, two giant feathered creatures waited in line, almost scraping their heads on the ceiling.
Another huge basket landed on the assembly table. “Eight seed cakes, big bunches of fruit, lots of leaves and flowers, and two cartons of maka worms, bottom shelf in the cooler. Fanators always want their maka worms.”
“I thought you didn’t eat worms,” Sata said jokingly as she worked.
“Maka worms are for dessert! I said I wouldn’t feed them to you . . .
unless, of course, you have an open mind . . .”
Sata twisted her face. “I’ll think about it.”
When Sata completed the two large baskets, she looked up. The smaller birds were all seated, and only the two fanators remained at the counter.
“Greetings, skillful monkey mammal,” one said.
“Hello. I hope you like your baskets.”
“Thank you. You’re new to Nebador, are you not?”
“Yes. I just arrived yesterday.”
“Have
you
flown?”
“Well, yes,” Sata said with a grin, “since I’m a deep-space response ship navigator.”
“Excellent position. You’ll get to see many of the mysteries of the universe.
But I meant with us. I’ve been on a ship all day and need to stretch my wings after lunch. Would you like to come along?”
Sata swallowed. “Um . . . okay.”
The bird behind the counter thanked Drrrim-na and Sata for their help, then took over making baskets for the occasional guest or two who came in the door. The two navigators slipped out and peered over a railing. They could see several levels of the star station, and three or four thick branches of the great living tree that spread its leaves everywhere. Far below, small marine mammals played in a pool of deep water.
About a quarter hour later, the fanators joined them.
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 40
“I’m gonna find some still water to float in,” the smaller female declared.
“See you at the meeting!”
They clicked beaks together, then she hopped onto the railing, leapt into the air, and soon disappeared from sight.
Sata swallowed, and wondered what she had gotten herself into.
The male fanator stepped to a cabinet nearby. “There’s supposed to be a harness . . . yes here it is.” He slipped his head under a loop of shimmering fabric and the harness slid over his back easily. “I don’t really like these, but it’s better than getting feathers pulled out. If you like flying with us, there’s a class you can take, and if you’re really good, the harness is optional.”
“You . . . um . . . carry people often?”
“Mostly on planets. It’s a bit tight in here, but we’ll make do. You coming along, little one?”
Drrrim-na
nodded.
Sata smiled at her friend, looked back at the fanator, then blinked in surprise at the kinds of new friends she was making.
The huge bird made sure Sata knew the two rules of flying with a fanator.
Rule one, hold on or you’ll fall and die. Rule two, no screaming or you might get tossed off.
Sata nodded that she understood, and placed her feet in the two lower loops of the harness. As soon as she had a good hold of the upper loops, the bird wasted no time hopping up to the railing, almost taking Sata’s breath away in the process. Drrrim-na joined them on the railing.
A second later they were airborne, diving straight down.
Sata’s mind screamed even though she managed to keep her mouth shut.
A glimpse of her friend Drrrim-na, not far behind and looking very small compared to the fanator, gave her some comfort.
The giant bird soon spread it wings, flapped twice, and leveled out as it crossed the large open space in this part of the star station. Sata frowned when, seconds later, that open space came to an end.
The fanator clearly knew the station well, and banked sharply, entering a level passage that pierced a large block of rooms, taking them back toward the main hall. A few leisurely flaps kept them level and well clear of the furry and
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 41
scaly creatures walking and hopping along the passageway.
They burst into the large main hall, causing Sata to gasp.
“Here’s where we can really stretch!” the bird called.
Sata turned her head and glimpsed her smaller friend a hundred meters back, flapping with all her might.
Several powerful wing-beats brought them high up near the crystal roof of the hall, with nothing but stars beyond. Sata grinned, suddenly remembering that she was the navigator of a starship, and the universe was now her playground.
The fanator wheeled and swooped back across the open area, tucking his wings close when they passed a cluster of large leaves spread out in the sunshine. Sata giggled with delight.
Next the bird entered a narrow part of the hall, barely wider than his outstretched wings, and flapped several times to pick up speed. A solid wall of crystal, laced with branches and vines, blocked their way not far ahead. Sata closed her eyes.
The fanator suddenly tilted his wings back, beat the air twice, and they came to a dead stop in mid-air. Sata’s eyes snapped open and her heart pounded in her chest.
The bird swiveled around in place, dove to pick up speed, then stretched his wings wide and they floated gracefully back across the main hall. The passenger couldn’t help but shriek, “Weeeee!” A moment later, she added,
“Oops, sorry.”
“That was nothing,” the bird replied, turning his head and glancing back with one sparkling eye.
Soon they entered another tunnel with no walkway below. Sata happened to look down. Several meters below stretched a clear, level sheet of glass, and she glimpsed a large rocky room with a number of lizard-like reptiles. The view was gone before she could make out anything else.
The fanator entered a smaller hall and banked several times, getting closer and closer to the floor each time. Finally he back-winged with powerful strokes above an empty place on the floor, and a heartbeat later landed on two feet without taking a single step.
Sata continued to hold the harness tightly.
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 42
“If you want more,” the bird said, turning to look at his passenger, “you’ll have to catch me later, as I have a meeting to attend in a few minutes.”
Sata found her breath, and slowly loosened her grip. Half a minute later, she managed to step down to the floor, knees wobbling. “That was . . .
wonderful!”
At that moment a furry monkey, smaller than Sata, ran up to the fanator, stretched out its arms, and the huge bird accepted its help slipping out of the harness. “Thank you, little one. Would you like to fly with me later today?”
“Yes, please!” it chittered, then dashed away with the harness.
Sata faced the huge bird, her heart still pounding. “If there is anything I can ever do for you . . .”
“You made my lunch,” he said, eyes dancing playfully, “but I will keep your offer in mind for the future.”
Sata grinned, and was suddenly moved to wrap her arms around the feathered creature.
He responded with a cooing sound.
She slowly let go and blushed with embarrassment.
Just then Drrrim-na landed nearby, quite out of breath.
Deep Learning Notes
We have the technology to make structures that “seem made of stone, molded into steps and decorative shapes.” Can you name it? It was invented in Rome about 2000 years ago, lost doing the Dark Ages and Middle Ages, and re-discovered more recently. The Pantheon in Rome is probably the best example.
Sata noticed an absence of people “trying to sell us something, or steal from us, or tell us what to do.” Drrrim-na added “messing with others, getting in their faces.” Can you think of other common human behaviors that wouldn’t fit in well in an advanced civilization composed of many different species?
The “seed cakes” Sata and Drrrim-na ate in the avian restaurant might sound
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 43
strange, unless you remember that all of our “grains” are seeds (usually grass seeds), and so any kind of bread (muffins, cookies, pizza, etc.) could be described as “seed cakes.”
What human tendencies, in our general society, make it difficult or impossible for a pair of “customers” to help out during a “rush” at a “restaurant”?
Based on stories, there may have been a time in Earth’s past when birds existed who could carry human passengers. We may learn more about this in the future from fossil records.
What do the two “rules” of riding on fanator-back tell us about Nebador?
