"A Matter of Trust" or "Growing Up" (Part 2)
by Joan Powers
"I don't understand" asked Yale. "This doesn't make sense. Up to this point, the Terrians have not exhibited overly aggressive behavior. They appear to be passive creatures except when defending their territory, and I find it hard to believe they would resort to violence so suddenly." Alonzo confessed, "I don't fully understand what they will do to us if we don't comply. In my dream, I saw the Terrians approaching our camp with activated spears which they used on us. We all dropped to the ground - unconscious...or dead, I'm not sure. The next image was our deserted camp. All of our gear, vehicles and even personal items were still there. Only we were absent. I assume this means that they will either kill us or capture us. I just don't know. Violence doesn't come easily to the Terrians. Apparently this matter is so important to them, that they will do what they feel they must." He reminded them of Gaal.
"But why us? Why haven't they killed off the penal colonists as well? I can't imagine that they're better neighbors than we are" Morgan wondered. "But the Terrians haven't established the same sort of relationship with them as they have with us. They have already reached out to us by healing Uly, which I might add is causing problems for them among other Terrian tribes. They have already stepped out in faith and now it is our turn" Alonzo urged.
"It doesn't look like we have a choice at all," Morgan sadly commented. "We have to give them Uly or we'll all die" Magnus cried, fearful of unknown fate. "Let's take a vote," Julia suggested. "Are you kidding?" Danziger replied, "The only person who has the right to make this decision is Devon. We can't make up give up her son. Besides, I think it's wrong. We can't let them do this." Baines plotted, "We can fight them. We have weapons - let's stand up to them." Walman added, "We can protect the Dome and most of the camp with the Geo-Lock and create a Terrian-free zone. Maybe we can even kill off some of them in the process of forming the zone. Then we could surround the area with guards and blast any other diggers who come too close." Alonzo cried in horror, "NOOO!! How can you say these things! What would killing these creatures accomplish? It's wrong!" "And taking someone else's child is right?" Danziger countered, while glaring at Alonzo. The two men began to approach one another. "We can't kill them. We're not even sure if our weapons are effective against them. This will not solve any of our problems," Alonzo insisted. "Why the hell not?" Danziger shouted back, "Why shouldn't we stand up for the rights of our own people?" "The Terrians are honorable, decent creatures who are just doing what they feel they have to for their survival" Alonzo cried. "Yeah - at our expense!" Danziger snarled back. "You're not thinking logically Danziger - don't do this! It won't work." "Just you try and stop me" he warned. As both men started to lunge towards each other with clenched fists, Julia shouted "Stop it!" and she, Yale, and Baines jumped in to pull the two men apart. "This isn't accomplishing anything" Julia cried. Devon knew what had to be done. She and Uly had already discussed most of these options hours ago. She announced, "We can't fight the Terrians. We simply cannot found the basis of our lives in this new world on the blood of others. It's wrong. We'll have to trust the Terrians to honor their word." Morgan longed to comment that Terrians don't necessarily have blood, but thought better of it. Devon took Uly by the hand and left the room. The other crew members hurried after them.
Devon and Uly headed toward the northern side of the camp, where the Terrians had congregated. They were waiting. Devon knew all too well that the Terrians had no understanding of human emotions but she had to try this one last option. She stopped, fell to her knees, and pulled her boy close to her, wrapping her arms protectively around him. She looked to one of the nearest Terrians to establish eye contact and began to address him, " I understand that this is your planet, your home. And that we are the visitors, I'm willing to work with that. I also know that thanks to you and this planet, my son is healed. But..." she paused to take a breath and collect herself. "Why do you have to take him? I don't understand. He's just a little boy, he needs his mother. And I need him too. Please, if you must take him, take me too. I promise not to interfere, I just want...need to be with my boy. Please..." she pleaded. She struggled to maintain her control, "He's the most important thing in my life." The rest of the Eden crew had crowded around the area. Danziger vehemently protested to Yale, "What is she doing?" How ironic, Yale thought to himself, wasn't Danziger himself doing something very similar not less than a week ago when True was captured by a Grendler? The Terrians began to trill and Alonzo interpreted the sounds. As expected, they could not comprehend Devon's pleas and would not consider her request.
Danziger strode toward the Terrians and pointed his Mag-Pro straight at one of them. He stated, "We....". He paused to examine the faces of those about him, pale with fear, "..I can't allow this to happen. This is wrong." And he proceeded to power up his weapon. Panic broke lose and cries filled the air. "Stop it Danziger!! You're not using your head!" "Dad, don't do this." "John, this won't accomplish anything!" The Terrian force started to close in on the camp with their spears drawing power as well. "We're going to die!" Morgan screamed in a frenzy, diving to the ground while shoving Bess beneath him. Danziger stood his ground and turned a deaf ear to their protests. Devon rapidly turned to Danziger and looked him directly in the eye, "John, put the gun down, now." Disgusted, he powered down his weapon, shoved aside his gun, and gave a look of utter malice and contempt at the Terrians and those around him he thought he knew. The Terrians ceased advancing toward the Eden crew members and placed their spears aside.
Suddenly, a Terrian stepped out from the crowd and approached Devon and Uly. His appearance was somewhat different from the rest. About his neck he wore a coarse rope with pieces of yellow cloth attached to it. The colonist were confused, for Devon appeared to recognize him and rose to walk toward him, while still clutching Uly's hand. She realized that this was the Terrian who had appeared in her dream, the one who had helped Uly in the future. She spoke to him, "I know you. You've helped him before, please watch over him again, I beg you...Take good care of my boy..." Dr. Heller feared Devon was becoming delusional and hurried over, just as the Terrian reached out his glowing staff and gently touched Devon's temple. She fell to the ground. He grasped Uly's hand, then the entire Terrian group disappeared beneath the ground. Later Yale reflected that this was rather odd. While the Terrians denied they had emotions, one would almost think that particular creature had a sense of compassion. It was as if he instinctively knew that Devon couldn't release the boy as long as she was physically able and conscious.
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Later that day
Julia was walking over to join the group congregated by the fire in the middle of camp. She had just completed checking in on her patient. After Devon had collapsed, Dr. Heller rushed to examine her. She was unconscious but Julia determined that the Terrians had not done any permanent damage to her, at least not physically. They had placed her on her bunk to rest. Julia dreaded facing her when she woke. Would she be angry with her for agreeing that it was best for Uly to go? She was frightened of the potential repercussions of the events which had transpired within the last few hours. It was cool outside, but Julia didn't care to be in close proximity to Devon at this time. Judging by the crowd at the campfire, others felt similarly. She warmed herself then sat down by Bess, whom she hoped was an ally. "Do you think Devon will ever forgive us?" Bess asked her. "I hope so," Julia responded. Bess tightened her arms about her husband who was sitting on the ground wrapped in a blanket, with his back against Bess's legs. Morgan was having trouble coping with what had happened. He began to ramble, "I don't know... Devon Adair can be vengeful if you cross her. I remember how she dealt with some of the officials at the station who treated her poorly. She publicly humiliated one of them and sabotaged all business contacts for another... I'm scared." He cowered, "Maybe she'll leave us here, taking her cyborg with her so we have no directions or any idea where we are or where any more supplies are...We're gonna die out here on this God forsaken planet." Julia glanced at Bess to see if she wanted her husband to have a sedative. Bess vetoed the idea. "Morgan honey, don't say such silly things. You're being paranoid." Despite his shortcomings, she loved Morgan very deeply. In fact, she was proud of him. Her left cheek still stung from where it had been scraped against the rocks as her husband had shoved her to the ground to protect her, covering her with his own body.
Magnus commented, "But has anyone seen Danziger? I think he's the one to be afraid of. He almost got us all killed. I wouldn't put it past him to track down the Terrians himself and shoot at them, endangering all of our lives again. You know how he tends to disregard authority and take matters into his own hands." "Devon might even encourage him to do it, in order to get her boy back" Baines claimed. "You're being ridiculous, Baines. Devon has been unconscious for the last couple hours. The last thing on her mind is revenge plans" Julia chided. "I agree" Yale's voice boomed as he drew closer to the group. He had his arm around a frightened True Danziger. "Where is your Father?" Magnus accused. "I don't know... He was angry. He usually likes to be alone when he's mad" she responded, clinging to Yale. She hadn't seen her father for several hours and was becoming anxious. "Stop this at once" Yale commanded, "You're scaring the child with your groundless accusations! Look at yourselves, how can you say such things about these people. You know them - look at all you've been through together. We are all distraught and exhausted. A terrible thing has occurred this day. This should be a time for us to draw strength from one another, not rip each other apart. Danziger's actions were not rational - he let his fear get the best of him. As some of you are doing now. We're all human. We must forgive each other for our mistakes and move on. Let us set an example for this child here." Yale returned his attention to True whom he escorted back to the Dome.
As soon as Yale and True were out of earshot, Morgan commented sarcastically, "Guess he told us." Bess sighed, she knew in his present condition Morgan didn't mean half of what he was saying. She only hoped the others did as well. He continued to ramble, "Devon does go on and on about that kid. Sometimes it drives me crazy. You'd think the world revolved around him." Bess gently reminded, "Morgan, he is her only child. And now he's gone." Alonzo said, "Sometimes the good of the many has to outweigh the good of the few." "Really?" Danziger appeared and strode toward the group. "Tell me," as he looked directly at Alonzo, "Does that hold true when the Terrians come for Julia?" Shifting his gaze to Morgan, he demanded, "Or what about if it's Bess they want next time? Tell me, Morgan will you be selfless enough to sacrifice your wife for the good of the group? Will you?" Morgan couldn't answer him and burrowed into his blanket to hide. "That's not the point John" Alonzo began to defend his views. "The Terrian wanted Uly for a special purpose and they don't intend to harm him. Besides, there was nothing else we could do. Violence would not have worked. All it would have done was put us all in danger. You weren't thinking clearly." Danziger held up his hand as if surrendering, giving Alonzo a tired glance and said, "Buddy, I don't want to fight with you. I lost my head. I just wish we could do something. I feel sick about this." He was shouldering a heavy burden of guilt. Refrains of Devon saying 'I hate to admit that I depend on you' kept ringing in his head. "I just don't trust these creatures - I don't understand them. And I sure wouldn't want to have to trust them with my kid."
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Evening
Yale was visiting Devon in her room She was lying on her stomach on her bunk, resting her head on her arms. When she looked up towards him, her eyes were unfocused, dead-looking. Yale sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing her shoulders to attempt to comfort her. "It's all right, child. I'm here for you," Yale assured her, "You know I'll always be here for you. We're going to get through this. We have faced the impossible before, we will figure something out." He decided to get her some food and water, though he doubted he could make her eat anything. When he opened the door to Devon's quarters, Danziger was outside waiting. Feeling protective of his vulnerable charge Yale blocked his entry, closing the door behind him. He admonished, "Don't bother her, please. Devon is a rather private person and has always preferred to be alone when she is upset." Though Yale considered himself a member of the privileged inner circle. "Do you think that's good? That she's alone?" John asked. As the words came out of his mouth, John disregarded the incident where Devon had approached him after the Grendler scare. She had wanted to express her concern, but he had cut her off... yet that was different, he had a kid to return to. She didn't. Yale was inclined to agree with Danziger, "It is not good to be alone when you feel your world has ended." Danziger spoke as if stating of a fact, " I have to see her." Yale gave the matter some brief consider and after examining the determined expression on John's face, he consented. Without misgivings, he opened the door and allowed John to enter the sanctuary of protection he had maintained for Devon. She had moved and was sitting up on the edge of the bed, staring at Uly's empty bunk. She barely registered John's presence as he entered the room. He sat down beside her on the bed and asked, "How's your head?" He brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen into her face. "Look..." he put his arm around her, "I'm sorry... I let you down." "You didn't have a choice, John. It's not your fault. There was nothing you could have done.." she whispered back with as much strength as she could muster. "We'll just have to trust the Terrians to honor their word." She buried her face against his chest as he wrapped his other arm about her to draw her close to him. Tomorrow she would put on a brave front and as leader of the Eden crew encourage the others that they were building a strong foundation for their new world. But not now. She felt as if she had lost a part of herself. She was too tired to cry anymore, she didn't have any tears left so she just closed her eyes with her head against Danziger's chest and let him hold her. Right now she would just concentrate on living minute by minute.
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(voice of Alonzo)
We learned a lot that day about the Terrians and ourselves - about what we believed in and the fragile nature of trust. For in order to establish a relationship of mutual trust with the Terrians, we had to be willing to make ourselves vulnerable - to step out in faith. Overall, we were hopeful that this event would represent a stepping stone which would continue to bridge the relationship between humans and Terrians on this planet. We believed the Terrian's intentions were honorable - that Uly would not be harmed, and that he would be returned to us within a reasonable time period. Yet doubts plagued some of us. Had we done the right thing? Had we irrevocably compromised our integrity? While Danziger had acted rashly and foolishly, at least he knew that he had done what he could to stand for his principles. The battle of conflicting priorities had taken some casualties who would heal over time. While our consciences would pass judgment on these issues within our own hearts, only the passage of time would reveal the truth.
-The End-
Chapter End Notes:
(Thanks to Chris and Tara for discussions about the Terrians.)
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