Chapter XVI

‘Why did it have to end up like this?’ I reflected as I strolled through the 32C conduct hallway overhead the recreational area. I paused, to observe a group of friends sprint at leisure through the trimmed pasture. ‘Ah… to be young,’ a sigh escaped me and I shook my head. I couldn’t help but digress at this point. The opposition had been resilient to the Earthling initiative at the scheming phase but with enough logical coaxing they had apparently yielded to the proposal and even helped through the following planning stages. ‘So where did it go so wrong?’ I pondered, resuming my walk through the glass corridor.

As I happened upon a crossroad, I halted briefly, still contemplating the gravity of the situation. My throat felt parched. I did, after all, give the drink that Fouis sent down to that young fellow. It was settled. I made a right and carried on as the windowpanes ended and the path opened up to a short flight of stairs. To my surprise, as I turned to descend through the second set of steps, I spotted party from earlier running my way. As they took notice of me, they came to a stop before me and saluted formally. Pressing the cane down, I didn’t restrain from stealing a quick glance at them. Young, healthy and enjoying their long, prime years as everybody… or almost everybody on this ship. “Carry on,” I said dismissively as I closed my eyes and paced away. This decision, bringing the Earthlings here, was the right one. How could they not see it, that they, these humans were the key to the salvation, of our unabridged race, in its entirety? That they were deliverance embodied? Another sigh.

“Goodness, I’m really getting too old for this,” I nit-picked at myself for sighing so much as I crossed the palmy portico into the parkland tavern.

“As farrr as I’m concerrrned, - the sturrrdiest and sterrrnest lady aboarrrd this ship, Ma’am,” a vibrant, burly and forever quaint voice ventured forward, resolute and amicable as always.

“It’s good to see you too, Fouis,” I chuckled as I took a seat by the balcony on the left of the patio.

“What may I get forrr ourrr most rrrespected patrrron?” his voice gurgled with the blithe tremble of the appendages on his lower face, as he bent forward, bowing.

“The usual, if you please, Fouis.” I nodded as I turned my face to meet him, resting both of my hands over the knob of the cane.

“Twofold before twilight?” he inquired with his usual, unusual wording.

“Ah, yes. I found a better thirst than my own for the last one,” I waved him away, weary of the topic of the Earthlings. He excused himself tactfully to go and prepare the beverage as I turned around to gaze down the balcony. The canal was as pleasant to look as always, dexterously spruced to look like a real stream, down to the rocks and the moss. I drifted away, studying the current that flowed downstream. ‘If they could simply grasp the magnitude of this project…,’ I contemplated silently, immersed in the pleasantry of the stream, its unpretentious harmony and flaunt, that was simply there, for anybody to partake.

“Ma’am,” warbled Fouis quietly, before stepping away respectfully.

I heeded no mind for the time being. As much as it pained me to reflect upon the whole matter, it was sure found cause for distress among the crew if I didn’t attend to it appropriately. Now, the issue was on the approach and dispatch… I continued to appreciate the trickle of the stream as I meditated about the subject.

I sat down silently contemplating the ordeal for most of the rest of the daytime cycle, mulling over the probable reactions to every course of action. Most outcomes looked grim. “Murder in my ship,” I grimaced as I sipped on the drink, “what a horrendous consequence.” It couldn’t be helped at this point. I hung my head in defeat as I stood. Looking up at the digital clock that hung over the bar, I heard the stream come forward to my hearing once again.

“I suppose we’ll have to make do and swim against the current, children,” I murmured as I began towards the bridge, engaged in my thoughts, yet again.