The Cycles of Revelation Series
Artifact of the Dawn: Denyra (A Queer Sci-Fi Adventure)
Episode 46: Communication is established with Commander Denyra from Aria’naa, who informs Takyra that her ship will be arriving soon.
Takyra stood and acknowledged the message. “I’ll be right there!” she said before dashing out of the door. Everyone looked at each other before hurrying after her, wanting to know what was going on. Once they reached the elevator, Takyra looked at the group gathered around her. “Mathias, can you take Tomas and Aron to the dining hall? I don’t want too many people in the control center right now, but I promise to fill you all in later.”
“Alright,” Mathias agreed. “I’ll trust Jevan to represent our people’s interests.”
Following Takyra into the elevator with Jevan and Aerys, Ardyn felt a knot of apprehension he couldn’t explain. I should be excited about more subspace communications, shouldn’t I?
When they reached the control center, Takyra quickly made her way to the main communications station and replaced the tech who sat there. Her hands flew over the controls as she opened up a communications channel to listen to the message.
“This is Captain Denyra of the Star Cruiser Pah’ora, signaling the Colonization Starship Rahn’naa.”
“This is Chief Technician Takyra of the Rahn’naa,” Takyra responded. “We are receiving your message, Pah’ora. When do you estimate your arrival here?”
At first Ardyn thought that would be the end, as the subspace communications always seemed to take several days, but it surprised him when they immediately received a response.
“We expect to arrive within one standard Aria’naa week,” Captain Denyra responded. “Please round up members of the Aria’asharra faction before our arrival.”
With a look of confusion, Takyra looked back at the group gathered behind her. “There are no Aria’asharra on this world,” Takyra responded. “Only their descendants remain. Those descendants live in scattered settlements across the continent, and many are several weeks distant.”
“Are your shuttles not operational?” Captain Denyra asked with a huff of annoyance.
“Our shuttles were not damaged, but in the twelve-hundred years since the ship crashed, it has been buried underground,” Takyra explained. “The shuttle bays are entirely blocked, and we have no means to raise the ship.”
There was a long pause.
“Understood,” Captain Denyra finally responded. “It is imperative that you gather as many of these Aria’asharra descendants as you can within the next week.”
“Why do we need to gather them?” Takyra asked.
“We will explain when we arrive,” Captain Denyra said curtly. “We will be in touch.”
The communications link was severed and Takyra sat speechless, staring at her console for a moment. Shaking her head, she turned around. “That was very odd. I wonder why they are so insistent on having all of your people gathered here. I was sure we would only need to convene the leaders of each group to discuss how to move forward.”
Concern rippled through Ardyn. Something about that exchange felt very off to him. “It has been over twelve-hundred years. There is much we don’t know about what’s happened on Aria’naa. I think we should be cautious.”
“You’re right,” Takyra agreed. “However, we should inform your elders of the request and let them decide for themselves what to do.”
Ardyn flattened his ears. “I’m not sure that is wise, but you’re right. We should tell them.”
Takyra sent a message to the communicators she gave to Aelrynd and Taeglyn and waited. A few moments later, they responded. “Takyra? Is that you?”
“Yes. We have received word from the ship arriving from the homeworld.” Takyra relayed the message from Captain Denyra. “I would advise caution. The entire exchange felt strangely hostile. It would be wise for only appointed representatives to meet with this Captain Denyra until we can determine what her plans for your people are.”
There was silence from the communicators for a moment before Aelrynd spoke. “I understand your concern, but we will let our people decide. Word has spread and many of our people are now encamped around Maala’naa, intrigued by the news and demanding answers. We will share this information with them, along with your note of caution, and let them decide if they wish to comply with the request.”
Ardyn spoke up. “Elder Aelrynd, while it gladdens my heart that you want to be more truthful with our people, the exchange we just heard makes me uneasy. I agree with Takyra that we must proceed with caution. Appoint representatives to meet with this Captain Denyra, and once we understand her intentions, then you can freely share everything we know with our people.”
“We will take your words under consideration,” Aelrynd said before ending the conversation.
Typical, Ardyn thought before wondering aloud. “Why were we able to exchange a conversation with Denyra? The last message took days for us to receive.”
“They must be close enough for there to be no delay in response,” Aerys surmised. “My techs and I will have many questions when they arrive.”
Jevan came over and placed a hand on Ardyn’s shoulder. “Doesn’t the name of that ship, the Pah’ora, sound ominous to you?”
Pressing his lips together in a thin line, Aerys nodded. “Yes. Naming it the flying death means it must be a warship. I think it would be prudent to increase the strength of our forcefield, just in case.”
“Yes, good idea,” Takyra agreed.
Ardyn flattened his ears. “What about those in the settlements? They won’t have the protection of a forcefield. Will they be safe?”
Takyra looked at Aerys and they both flattened their ears as they turned back to Ardyn. “Good question.”
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