For the next day and a half, Satamia time, things seemed to return to normal. The many injured children, and a few adults, including Boro, were treated in the medical center and returned to their lives. The entire crew of the Manessa Kwi attended the memorial service for the young ursine who had not survived her encounter with a full-grown, cornered, frightened reptile.
At the end of that long Satamia day, the evening party featured many excellent musicians, including a reptilian singer who chanted a lament for the deceased ursine that brought tears to many eyes, and other signs of sorrow to those without tears. But before it ended, the song changed into a spirited celebration of life that had nearly everyone dancing with joy.
Mati, of course, had to mostly watch, and she found she had lots of company. A transport ship from a far-away star system was in the station, a variety of creatures she had never before imagined. Most of the music and dancing was strange to the new arrivals, so they stayed on the edges of the main hall, and talked with whoever was available.
Mati learned they were students, and had come to observe something called the Great Transformation. She admitted she knew nothing about it, that she was just a simple response ship pilot.
To her surprise, the students’ eyes opened wide and they begged her to tell them of her adventures. Soon she had twenty or more creatures gathered around her couch, about half of them floating in the air nearby. They listened
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 159
intently as she recounted the time she accidentally backed into a ruined building that collapsed onto the ship, and how she eventually got it out.
Rini came and went, bringing his beloved what she mentally requested from the snack tables. Sata, Boro, Kibi, and Ilika stopped by less often, and smiled when they heard Mati tell of planets they had explored, places on her home world they had seen, and even locations visited on donkey-back.
Some of the students sensed the deep mind-link that she and Rini shared, and when Mati ran out of stories, they begged Rini to tell them how it came about. He was not as comfortable talking to other people as Mati, but satisfied their curiosity.
During the five days, ship time, between that evening party and the next, life for the crew of the Manessa Kwi seemed to return to normal.
Ilika and Kibi had several meetings they had to attend, and said little about what went on at those meetings, but were almost always on the ship for the minor missions that came up. Twice Kibi was deep into tasks assigned by the Psychic Development program, so Ilika marked her off-duty, and covered her station. Once, for the first time, Kibi commanded a short supply run without Ilika on the ship. She was very glad she had her pilot back on duty.
Boro finally got to spend time observing Glorm as he directed station traffic, and was amazed at the responsibilities of the job, but could almost see himself doing it someday. Almost.
Sata requested another fishing trip, and this time they invited Glorm, who got the biggest fish. Boro’s and Sata’s were so close that they declared it a tie.
Sata danced whenever she could, but spent almost no time with Mati during that station-day, except during missions.
Mati
knew
why.
What she had done in the observation tunnel of the simulated desert environment, and the events that followed, gnawed at her. She could now see that it may have damaged her friendship with Sata. She had asked her friend to help with something that had gotten one child killed and many others injured. It had not, as far as she could tell, done anyone any good. She remembered Rini predicting as much. She thanked the stars every day and every night that her actions had not caused any bad feelings with him. He
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 160
seemed to accept her completely, even when she did stupid things.
Although no one seemed to openly blame her, she had a hunch, deep down inside, that it would someday come back to haunt her.
The next evening dance party began like any other. Decorations appeared, musicians and dancers warmed up, and food and drink came in from every kitchen.
But before the first song began, Melorania and Kerloran appeared, gathered form, and settled onto the floor in the middle of the main hall of Satamia Star Station. She wore a swirling blue gown that never completely ceased its motion, and he was covered with green scales and leaves.
More than a thousand Nebador citizens fell silent and looked at them with great respect. Most of those citizens sensed that something special was about to take place. The students from other star systems, seven transport-ships-full by this time, although still a bit timid, hovered in the air or slithered up walls so they could see.
When all was quiet, Kerloran spoke. “Mati and Sata, please come forward.”
A moment of panic brought tears to Mati’s eyes as she desperately looked around for her crutch. Rini sensed that if she found it, she would not use it to approach Kerloran, but instead to hobble away and hide in the deepest, darkest corner she could find.
Sata stood nearby, waiting for her friend to collect herself. She could feel her own body trembling, but had known this moment would come. She just wished it didn’t have to be in front of everyone.
Eventually Mati remembered that her crutch was on the Manessa Kwi, under her bed. She looked down and saw her two good legs. Embarrassed chuckles began to mix with her tears.
Kerloran and Melorania waited patiently.
Mati and Sata looked at each other.
Sata knew, from the pathetic look on Mati’s face, that Mati was deeply sorry for dragging her friend into this mess. Sata smiled slightly, and offered her hand to the friend whose fate had been intertwined with her own ever since they met.
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 161
Hand in hand, on shaking legs, they crossed the open floor toward the mysterious head of the Transport Service and the master of the star station.
Both seemed to tower over the two girls.
“Most civilizations,” Melorania began for all to hear, “would put you in prison for what you did, possibly execute you.”
Two pairs of eyes dropped toward the floor. Four other response-ship crew members felt their hearts jump into their throats. Few others, anywhere in the star station hall, were breathing.
“But this is Nebador,” Kerloran continued. “We do things a bit differently here.”
Sata squeezed Mati’s hand, and a tiny bit of hope entered both girls’
hearts.
“We realized that we were being handed an opportunity that would be hard to arrange — perhaps even hard to imagine — if it had not happened as it did.” He looked up and spoke to the entire room. “Yes, I assure you all, there is greater knowledge and wisdom elsewhere in the universe, and some things remain hidden, at least for a while, even from us.”
A faint chuckling sound rippled through the star station.
“Mati and Sata,” Melorania began, “you both acted out of love. Mati craves to share the freedom she now enjoys with all other creatures, and Sata has a deep need to prove herself to her fellow crew members, especially to Mati.
You had the courage to put your necks on the line for a handful of homeless reptiles. Now I must ask you a very important question. Do you, or do you not, also have the courage to do what it takes to fully understand them, so you can help in the search for their new home, and possibly succeed where others have failed? In other words, do you have the courage to finish what you started?”
Mati and Sata tried to breathe, but it was not easy under the circumstances. Eventually they got some air into their lungs, but had to struggle for another long moment to swallow and clear their throats.
Mati knew in her heart she was more responsible for what happened than Sata. “It’s . . .” She struggled to make her voice work. “It’s . . . all my fault . . .
and I want to take . . . the punishment for Sata. Someone died . . . because of me . . . and I don’t deserve . . . to be a pilot . . . anymore.”
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 162
Kerloran let the silence lengthen, then smiled. “You are very new here, my dear little monkey mammal. I will not attempt to teach you a lifetime of wisdom right here and now, as all these precious citizens want to dance and play.”
More chuckles coursed through the huge room.
“But I will tell you three things very firmly.”
Mati swallowed and tried to look at the majestic green master of Satamia Star Station, but the sight almost hurt her eyes.
“First of all, your friend Sata is responsible for herself, and you cannot take that away from her.”
Sata cringed and nodded at the same time.
“Second, mortals do not get to decide what they deserve or don’t deserve.
You do not have that perspective, and you would not want that responsibility, believe me.”
Mati swallowed and blinked, but could not think of anything worth saying.
“Third, death is not the tragedy you have come to assume. Nothing real and enduring was lost. In fact, much was gained, and much more may still be gained.”
Melorania spoke next. “But you do have the responsibility to answer the question. Are you willing to do all it takes to understand the homeless creatures that we hold in the palms of our hands?”
“I . . .” Mati forced herself to begin. “I . . . have a hunch . . . that if I don’t
. . . I’m in big trouble.”
“That’s correct,” Kerloran said firmly, leaving no doubt.
“Um . . . what would I . . . have to do?”
“I believe you would say something like, walk in their shoes for a time.
They don’t wear shoes, but the meaning applies.”
“You mean . . . live with them? I don’t think they like monkey mammals.”
“You are right, they do not,” Melorania replied, “especially after their recent experience.”
Sata thought she heard Boro laugh somewhere behind her.
“But you would not live with them in the shape of humans,” Melorania continued. “You would take their shape. That is the only way they would accept you enough to show you their true needs and desires.”
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 163
Mati looked at Sata, still holding her hand.
“We have to,” Sata whispered.
“I know,” Mati whispered back.
Suddenly Rini was at Mati’s side, looking up at Melorania and Kerloran, but he said nothing aloud.
“I see your concern,” Kerloran said, looking at the freckled lad. “Yes, they will be females, and yes, they will be expected, by the other reptiles, to mate.
If we accept your offer to accompany Mati, you must understand that you may have to fight off other males.”
“I understand,” Rini said for all to hear.
Suddenly Boro was beside Sata.
“Yes, Boro, you can go too,” Melorania said with a smile.
Ilika and Kibi, near the back of the room, looked at each other with wide eyes.
Deep Learning Notes
What sort of creature would “float in the air” while listening to Mati’s stories?
What creatures on Earth can “slither up walls”?
When called before Melorania and Kerloran, what did Sata communicate to Mati by offering her hand?
Some people think the universe is a giant machine, and all future events can be predicted. Others say the universe contains random, unpredictable events.
When Kerloran admitted that “some things remain hidden, at least for a while, even from us,” which view of the universe is he implying?
When humans judge a “criminal,” we usually dispense punishment, sometimes with a little rehabilitation or education thrown in. What are Melorania and Kerloran doing instead?
How do each of Kerloran’s statements fit into your values, the laws of your
NEBADOR Book Six: Star Station 164
society, or the teachings of your religion?
- First of all, your friend Sata is responsible for herself, and you cannot take that away from her.
- Second, mortals do not get to decide what they deserve or don’t deserve.
You do not have that perspective, and you would not want that responsibility, believe me.
- Third, death is not the tragedy you have come to assume. Nothing real and enduring was lost. In fact, much was gained, and much more may still be gained.
The idea of learning by taking the form of another creature has appeared in stories all through history, with some of the most well-known coming from the Arthurian tales of Merlin the magician.
When Rini and Boro offered to go with Mati and Sata, what effects might it have on their relationships?