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"The Longing for Home"
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Case stared at the foliage on the trees and the birds as they flew about the courtyard. He recognized most, but they were unfamiliar and only added to the feeling of isolation that weighed heavily the last few days. Although the courtyard was full of benches, he was alone with his thoughts as he sat and observed the things he knew would lead to questions. Though he tried to concentrate, his mind wandered back to familiar things and events of the past.
A voice brought him back to the present: “Case. It’s time for the middle meal. Don’t you want to eat?”
Case looked to find Serena, his mentor, standing to his side. He’d heard her when she came from the door behind where he sat. He knew it was her, when he recognized her familiar scent. It was harshly chemical to his sensitive nose, but then most everyone had the odor of chemicals. It was part of his life now, so he was becoming more comfortable to what originally assailed his nose and almost caused nausea.
“I think so. I’m hungry.”
Serena had a worried look on her face, which was common when they spoke. Case spent a few minutes examining the tall, lithe woman that was now in charge of his education. Others in the dormitory commented on her beauty; Case found her to be spindly and ungainly; even though she moved gracefully.
Rising to his feet, Case was reminded on how tall Serena was. At a little under two meters, she appeared unnaturally tall, but she was considered normal by most. Case thought of the other adults he dealt with and realized it was probably so. Still, to Case, she was tall; as well as all adults.
“The doctors want to run some more tests after middle meal, Case.”
Case didn’t say anything. He knew the next few hours would involve a series of physical and mental tests, which irritated but there was little he could do to change the afternoon. The doctors would explain the rationality for the tests, but still Case would rather be somewhere else. Sometimes, he had the feeling they really didn’t care what he felt. They seemed obsessed by their tests and his discomfort was just something else to study.
After entering the cafeteria, Case spent a few seconds observing the occupants. Immediately, he knew all that were there. Those he knew were immediately recognized. Those he didn’t were briefly analyzed and categorized. Nothing escaped his attention and if asked, he could tell how many seconds it would take to reach any exit and what weapons were available for use.
Serena pointed to a table and they sat down across from each other. After they sat, the menu appeared above the center of the table for their review. Noting that little changed, Case passed his finger over the menu and chose his food. It was his favorites of food he detested. He’d learned to act like he wasn’t revolted, which Serena would comment: “I see you’re starting to like your food.” Case would offer a smile and consume his food with pretended exuberance.
Serena examined Case as they ate. At a 1.5 meters, he was shorter than he should be at 17 years of age, but what he didn’t have in height, he made up in width. Stocky didn’t describe the thick bundles of muscles. She remembered the photos taken when he arrived and was reminded of how Case was unusually muscled for his age. She knew the reason, but carefully avoided discussing this with Case. Her job was to help Case adjust to their society. Pointing out differences was counterproductive.
Case ignored the stares, and comments, as they left the cafeteria after their meal. He was accustomed to both and paid little attention. Their next stop was the research building, which housed the equipment and rooms the doctors used for examining Case.
Serena spoke as they walked to the research building “We have a few minutes, if you’d like to spend some more time in the courtyard”
Case thought for a second and responded: “I think I would.”
They stopped and sat at a bench near the entrance to the research building. After a few moments of silence Case commented: “The weather will change tonight.”
“How do you know?” was Serena’s response; hoping he would tell her he’d used his information access and studied the current weather information.
“I just know, like I know many things.”
Serena hid her disappointment, but knew it would take time to help Case. He’d endured a lot in the last six months and she needed to be patient. She hoped he could adjust and finally accept what was offered.
As they sat, Case thought of his parents and Carla. He remembered the first season they made the season trek together. It seemed like yesterday, but it was over one year ago. His parents were proud of his transition to citizen and Carla had promised they would spend a long time together. He smiled for a moment, which wasn’t missed by Serena’s constant attention.
“Are you remembering?”
“Yes”
Serena waited for more, but Case was silent after his comment. She felt frustrated, but accepted it was all she would get for an answer. She knew little about Case, which was frustrating. The doctors had given her a wealth of physical information, but she knew very little about his past and Case provided little information.
“Case, we need to go in. The doctors will be waiting.”
Case said nothing as they stood and proceeded to the research building. After entering, Serena left Case with the doctors and went to her office to update her records and suggestions.
Case spent the afternoon performing the tests the doctors prescribed. While they seemed enraptured by the results, Case was bored and constantly distracted by his thoughts. During one of the tests, he realized all was in place. It was time and his efforts would require concentration, without distraction.
Serena escorted Case back to his room in the dormitory after the tests. She reminded him of the time for evening meal and left to prepare for the meal that required everyone to dress accordingly and be on time.
After she left, Case started gathering his equipment and supplies. He had one hour to prepare and execute his plan. Carefully, he examined his plan one more time in his mind, pulled on his backpack and slipped through the ventilation vent to the equipment room. There, he climbed the short ladder to the access tunnel and was gone.
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“Doctor, I’ll expect a complete data record, but first we need to go over today once again.”
Serena stared at the director for a few moments, and explained everything she remembered happening over the last waking period. As she spoke, she reexamined her thoughts, but still could not find any indication of Case’s actions. After she finished, she quietly waited for the director to speak.
“From what we can determine, Case is on his way home.”
Serena was shocked for a moment. “How could he envision such a risky endeavor?” was her immediate thought. She thought of the distance, and time, he would be traveling and wondered what he was thinking.
Serena paused for a moment before asking: “Is there anything we can do?”
The director shook her head and commented: “No. He appeared at the ramp of the survey ship Pleiades requesting asylum, which was granted. The ship left with him on board”
Serena thought of Case’s home. She’d seen videos and still photographs, but they were woefully incomplete to the experience of actually being there. She admired the beauty, but knew a visit would be extremely unpleasant.
The director continued: “As you know, we abandoned the Hawking System almost 400 years ago. The unstable star of the adjoining system was considered too dangerous, especially after we thought it destroyed the settlers on Hawking. At one time, a return was considered, but the possibility of losing the precious resources for another portal was considered too great of a risk – until two years ago.”
Serena, noting the director’s pause asked: “What changed?”
The director continued: “To be blunt, we’ve depleted the available resources required for our technology. The Turner drives, and portals, require most of these minerals. If we don’t develop new sources, our entire civilization will be changed forever. That is why the Outer Planet Coalition granted Case asylum. They need these resources as much as we do.”
“We can’t force them to return Case?”
“No. While we have trade and manufacturing agreements, we have no sovereign power. In fact, they filed an official protest for our deliberate efforts to not share our information about Case.”
Both sat quietly for a few moments before the director added: “I think this has turned out better than we originally thought. We can learn more from Case’s society than we can from Case. Within a year, we will have scientists on Hawking, if they should allow our visit. I would like you to be one of the first.”
For a moment, Serena was horrified. The thought of a planet with higher gravity and the drastic seasonal changes due to the tilt of the planet didn’t appeal to Serena at all. That, and the dangerous wildlife, would make every day unpleasant, at least.
“I’d be honored, Director.”
“You may leave now, doctor. Your new schedule will be presented tomorrow; after first meal.”
Serena rose, thanked the director and made her way back to her room. She laid thinking for hours before falling into a troubled sleep. Feeling as though she failed only added to the sorrow of not saying goodbye to the young man she wondered if she would see again.
While she tossed and turned, Case lay in his bunk on the survey ship and planned the rest of his return home. The first part fell in place when he heard the freighter land. He knew he only had three hours from that time to be on board the ship, or wait another three months.
As he thought, he remembered his surprise of finding the geological party. When they explained they were from Earth, he was even more surprised. Earth was almost a legend. After the centuries without contact, they decided they were isolated forever. After a few days with the party, Case contracted a virus. In a coma, and the party unwilling to leave Case, they left with him on board. Although they were worried about his survival, they were more worried about their schedule and the possibility of creating a pandemic.
As he thought, he remembered his surprise of finding the geological party. When they explained they were from Earth, he was even more surprised. Earth was almost a legend. After the centuries without contact, they decided they were isolated forever. After a few days with the party, Case contracted a virus. In a coma, and the party unwilling to leave Case, they left with him on board. Although they were worried about his survival, they were more worried about their schedule and the possibility of creating a pandemic.
Case thought of Serena and her efforts to help him understand the laws that required his stay at the dormitory. He never thought the laws applied to him and grudgingly submitted to the examinations by the doctors that were fascinated by the genetic changes Case exhibited. Earth had assumed the settlers that were his ancestors had perished 20 generations before. Finding Case was a scientific opportunity unparalleled in history.
The director, unable to sleep, returned to her office to continue her preparation and to spend a few minutes reviewing her directive on the screen:
It is imperative you prepare a team that best represents our interests. Our current situation mandates we make every effort to prevent any errors in arriving at an equitable solution to our resource problem.
Our communication with the Outer Planet Coalition has ended with a meeting date to discuss how our current agreements apply to this new development. They, too, realize how precarious our situation has become and wish to be involved with developing communications with Hawking for developing trade. Although they suggested force, if necessary, we’ve advised against this possibility, especially since our limited information indicates this may lead to disaster. Research indicates the settlers are genetically and intellectually superior. As an ally, they can only benefit our race. As an enemy, their efforts could lead to our destruction.
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