And So It Begins...

By Eric B. Thomasma

A collision in space leaves Captain Darien Stolt and his crew searching for a suitable planet on which to land their fatally wounded ship. The passengers, a group of Utopian colonists set on making a new home for themselves on a distant world, lose their founder and leader, Jacob Slowdon, in the crash. A new leader, Susan Stark, steps forward and lays claim to the new world on behalf of the colonists. She tells the captain that his crew, and the handful of aliens rescued from the other ship, must adopt their way of life. But that life wasn’t supposed to include murder. Security Chief Todd Sureenon must do his best to apprehend the murderers.
It’s a perilous start for a new civilization.
And So It Begins...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eric B. Thomasma
• Release date: Aug 30, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465779496

Eric B. Thomasma

Born and raised in West Mitten, USA (Grand Rapids, MI), He still lives in the area in a house he built, (literally), with the help of his wife, Therese, and two sons, Eric Jr. and Nicholas, (and various other friends and relatives). The boys are grown and gone now, although they both live in the area. Eric and Therese have managed to get past the empty nest syndrome and currently only share their home with their dog, Tucker. For more information, visit Eric's website at http://ericbt.webs.com

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And So It Begins

by Eric B. Thomasma

Smashwords Edition

Copyright (c) 2011 Eric B. Thomasma

All rights reserved

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashword’s Store and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

+++

With thanks to my wife Therese, for her unfailing patience and feedback, and my sister Patricia and her husband Carl for their assistance.

I would also like to thank my brother Lanin for creating the cover art for this book.

Lanin’s comic, Rangers! can be read on the internet at: http://rangers.comicgenesis.com

For more information about me and my writing, visit my website at: http://ericbt.webs.com

Foreword

While I consider this story to be part of the SEAMS16 series, it is not a SEAMS16 novel. The story does not take place on the Space Equipment Authority’s Maintenance Station 16 and there is no mention of the station anywhere within its pages. There is, in fact, no Space Equipment Authority, no one named Charlie, and no ZeeGee matches being played in a field of poles.

It does, however, take place in the same universe. For those who have read SEAMS16: A New Home and SEAMS16: Arrival, many of the names will be familiar, but these are different characters in a different time. This story happens roughly 1000 years before SEAMS16 is even constructed.

Chapter 1

The lights dimmed and a red warning light came on, indicating that the bridge was running on emergency power. The main screen went blank and the rest of the displays followed suit.

The navigator tapped her console. Captain, my console just went dead.

Mine, too, sir. The pilot swiveled around to face the captain’s chair.

The communications officer removed his headset. And mine. Whatever we hit took out all systems.

The captain stood up. Not everything, Perry, we have lights and artificial gravity. Emergency systems seem unaffected. Can we reach auxiliary control?

Perry turned to face him. I can try. He turned back to his console, lifted the old style handset and pressed a button below its cradle. Auxiliary control, this is the bridge. What’s your status?

The captain crossed the deck and stood behind the com officer. Well?

He took the handset away from his ear and looked up. Their consoles are dead as well.

Engineering? The captain inquired.

Perry turned back, told auxiliary control to stand by, then pressed another button. Engineering, this is the bridge. What’s your status?

The captain drummed his fingers on the back of Perry’s chair, waiting.

Acknowledged. Perry turned to the captain again. Engines are functioning, but we have no control. Mac says he can make adjustments by hand to adjust the output, but we don’t have any way to steer.

All stop, the captain ordered.

All stop, Perry repeated into the handset.

The captain turned back to the navigator. Can you pinpoint our position?

She turned back to her console. Not without my console, but before it went dead, it showed we were just outside the Solenty system.

Captain? Perry interrupted. Mac says he can’t manage all stop. He has slowed us to minimum, but all stop requires navigation.

The captain nodded. Understood. He turned to the pilot. Ken, implement direct visual.

Ken went to the front of the bridge and started turning a hand crank next to the main screen. The screen moved up and into a pocket in the wall above. As it rose, it revealed a window that looked out over the bow of the ship. Perry looked out as he cranked the handle. Captain, you’d better come look at this.

He headed toward the front. What is it?

It’s another ship. Ken stepped aside and pointed.

The navigator started for the window. That’s not possible. We’re the only ship that’s ever come out this far.

Ken turned to her. And there was nothing on sensors. Nonetheless…

The captain stepped in front of the window and looked where Ken indicated. He turned back to Perry. Tell Mac to get up here. We’ve hit another ship. Then he stepped back so the navigator could look.

What kind of ship is that? she asked.

It’s not any kind I recognize. Ken shook his head.

Mac’s on his way. Perry still had the handset to his ear. Can I come take a look?

The Captain put his hand on the Ken’s shoulder. Would you cover com so Perry can have a look?

Yes, sir. He took one last look at the ship, then went to relieve Perry.

A few minutes later a man climbed up the ladder that served as the primary access to the bridge. What’s this about hitting another ship?

The captain turned to the man. Mac, welcome to the bridge. Come see for yourself.

Mac crossed the deck to the window. The navigator stepped back to allow him to view the other vessel and turned to the captain. Captain, she said, based on what I can remember from the long range probes to the Solenty system, I think we’re in proximity to its sixth planet.

Habitable?

I only studied position, not composition.

The captain nodded. And without our scanners, we can’t find out.

The navigator shook her head. Not for sure, no, but I don’t see an atmosphere, and from this distance we should. If there is one, it’s not a type that will support us.

I see… Thank you. Well, Mac, what do you think?

Mac continued to stare out the window. I don’t recognize the design. It’s not one of ours, for sure, nor any I’ve ever seen. But it’s damaged. Severely. My best guess, based on the design of the rest of the ship, is that the impact has destroyed their propulsion system.

They are drifting toward the planet, yes?

It looks that way.

The captain frowned. Can we mount a rescue?

Mac turned to face the captain. I don’t think so, no. We’re pretty severely damaged ourselves. We might be able to reach them using thrusters, but we don’t have any way to communicate and without power, we can’t extend our hatchway to interface to theirs.

The captain looked back out the window. Can we at least stop their drift?

Mac thought for a moment before answering. Maybe, but I don’t think it will do any good and the more we use the thrusters here, the less fuel we’ll have when we find a place to set down for our own repairs.

Set down… Our damage is that severe?

Mac sighed. I don’t know. One of the fuel tanks was ruptured, but it’s going to take some time to determine how much was lost. Stopping their drift will require a lot of fuel and will only be a temporary measure. As soon as we stop pushing, they’ll start drifting again. If we use up our fuel now to stop their drift, and it turns out we do need to set down somewhere, we won’t be able to land safely, and even if we manage to survive the landing we’d never be able to take off again.

The captain continued to stare out the window at the other ship for several seconds, then turned to Mac. Do what you need to do to stop their drift. We caused their damage and I’m not going to let them crash into the planet without trying to help them.

The navigator spoke up. How do you know they didn’t cause it? They could have run into us.

The captain ignored her and spoke calmly and quietly. That’s an order.

Mac looked into his captain’s eyes. Yes, sir. He turned and headed for the ladder.

The captain watched Mac go, then turned. Perry, see if you can come up with some way to communicate with them.

Begging your pardon, sir, but with the com panel down we don’t have hailing frequencies or translation circuits, and we don’t even know what species they are much less what language they may know.

The captain smiled. I’m not asking for a conversation. I just want to try and let them know we’re trying to help.

Perry sighed. Well, I suppose we can rig a switch to one of the exterior lights and blink out a repeating pattern. That should at least signal that we’re trying to communicate, even if we can’t understand each other.

The captain nodded. Sounds good. Get started.

Yes, sir.

Captain? Ken still had the handset to his ear. Med-bay just reported in. We’ve got casualties.

The captain turned to him. How many?

Fourteen dead, twenty-two wounded.

The captain closed his eyes on hearing the numbers. Thank you, Ken, advise med-bay to do the best they can.

Yes, sir, but Doc says if we can’t get power restored soon, he’s going to lose more.

Understood. Call Mac and tell him to see what he can do about getting power to med-bay. But stopping the drift of the ship out there is still a top priority. He turned to the navigator, who was still looking out the window, but not at the other ship. He moved to stand behind her and followed her gaze.

What do you see? he asked.

I’m trying to verify where we are, but I can’t find anything distinguishable to build a pattern from. With my console, I could find enough recognizable characteristics to triangulate from, but with just my eyes and the limited view of this window, I just can’t get enough to work with.

It’s okay, Mia, we have more pressing concerns at the moment. I want you to coordinate with Mac. You’re going to have to be his eyes for steering the ship.

She turned to look at him and spoke softly. Do you really think it’s a good idea to try to help them? We don’t even know the full extent of our own damage.

He looked in her eyes for a moment. It may not be the smartest, but it’s the right thing to do. We still have engines, so we will be able to make repairs and restore power eventually, but they’ve lost their engines, and if they’re anything like us, that means they’ve lost everything. Letting them fall to the planet without at least trying to help them would amount to murder. I can not, and will not, abide that.

She looked back out at the other ship. Aye aye, sir. I’m on my way to engineering. We’ll reverse their descent, but you’ve got to figure out the next step.

He smiled. The very definition of ‘Captain’.

She turned and headed for the ladder.

He watched her go, then turned back to the window, and the other ship. Ken, you have the bridge, such as it is. See if you can rig a com unit so Mia will be able to talk directly to engineering while stationed at the window. This is going to be difficult enough without adding the delay of having to repeat instructions.

Yes, sir. I should be able to tap off the handset and extend it over there. May I ask where you’ll be?

The captain nodded. I’m going to the cargo bay to check the cryo units. Then a quick stop in engineering to check on their progress, on my way to med-bay. I’m going to see if I can help get power restored there.

+++

Ah, Captain, I’m glad you’re here. I understand we hit an alien vessel?

The captain frowned. I’m afraid it’s true, Doc. I’ve come to see if I can help get your power restored.

Doc pointed his thumb over his shoulder. Sanders already has. At least, temporarily. You know, I don’t know how, but he carried Logan all the way from Engineering to keep him from dying. When he discovered we didn’t have main power, he didn’t even stop to catch his breath. He just went to work on it immediately, and thanks to him, I don’t think we’ll lose any more people.

The captain nodded. He’s a good man, no question. How bad was Logan injured?

The damage is pretty severe and he lost a lot of blood. He’ll recover, thanks to Sanders, but it may take months before he’ll have full use of his hands.

The captain looked around at the injured people being attended to by the medical staff. Do you have the list of the deceased?

On my desk. Doc started toward an office in the rear of the room. The captain followed. Mostly colonists, one engineer, and one security. We’re lucky there wasn’t a major hull breach or we would have lost them all.

Lucky… the captain repeated.

Doc sighed. You know what I mean.

The captain nodded. How did they die?

Doc went around behind his desk and picked up a clipboard with a list of names. Most of them were crushed when the hull crumpled in. He handed the clipboard to the captain. "Roberts, the engineer, had his hands in a control circuit at the time of impact. The surge electrocuted him. A support beam collapsed on security officer Daniels’ head. We might have been able to save him if we hadn’t lost power, but it was too late by the time it was restored.

The captain looked over the list of names. Roberts was a good man, I’ll miss his defensive arts classes. I’m afraid I don’t know much about Daniels. He just transferred in at the start of this mission. He had a good record though. What do the asterisks mean?

We don’t have a body. They were in the outer chamber that was crushed. I’m told the rescue team couldn’t access it.

The captain continued to read each name carefully. Any chance they’re still alive?

Doc shook his head. None. The outer hull breached there. They lost atmosphere almost instantly.

Oh no.

Doc closed his eyes for a moment. I know. I’m not sure what they’re going to do now.

The captain looked up at Doc. This whole trip was his dream. Most of those people only came because of him. This is going to be hard on them.

Doc returned his gaze. I don’t envy you having to break the news.

The captain sighed. Thanks. I guess I’d better go get it over with. The sooner they know, the sooner they can start dealing with the loss. But before I go, you should know that we are going to attempt to rescue the beings in that other ship. You may have more patients before too long.

Doc nodded. We should be able to accommodate them, though we may need to take tables from the mess hall for extra beds.

Do what you need to. You have my support. He held up the clipboard. Can I borrow this?

Doc nodded. Take it.

Thanks, I’ll be with the colonists if the bridge calls.

+++

I’m sorry for your loss and I realize what this means to the success of your endeavor, but I don’t think he would have wanted you to give up.

A man stepped to the front of the crowd. It hardly matters what he would have wanted now, does it? I can tell this ship is badly damaged. We’re not going to make it to Baly and we’re too far out to expect a rescue. We’re all just going to die here in space. A forgotten colony. No one will care.

The crowd began to murmur.

The captain spoke loudly. Please! Please! Quiet down. The ship is damaged, but we still have engines and they’re the foundation for nearly everything else. It may take a while to repair the damage and continue our journey, but there’s no reason to believe we won’t be able to. Don’t talk yourselves into despair. You’ve suffered quite a loss today, but you are still alive. You wouldn’t have been willing to take on the challenge of colonization if you weren’t a hardy people. You need to come together and plan your future. I have checked cryo-storage and there has been no damage there. The cryo units are independent of the ship’s systems and have not lost power, so all of your livestock and food seed are protected and viable. Your numbers are sufficient to continue, if you choose to do so, and if you do, I will do everything in my power to see it through.

A woman stepped forward and put her hand on the outspoken colonist’s shoulder. The captain’s right. We can continue. We just need the will and the courage to do so. Losing Jacob is a great loss, but we can keep his dream alive. We can go forward and multiply. We can still create the world we desire.

The crowd responded with tepid, but generally positive words, so the woman turned back to the captain. Thank you for coming and letting us know what’s happened. We’ll need to prepare Jacob’s body for the memorial service.

The captain interrupted her. I’m sorry, but there is no body. He’s one of the men that was in the outer chamber when it was breached.

The woman frowned. I see. Then she sighed, It’s clear we have much to discuss, but you have your ship to attend to. We’ll talk more when you have more control over the situation.

Thank you, I do need to return to the repairs, Miss…?

Stark, but you can call me Susan.

The captain smiled. Thank you, Susan, let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

+++

The captain stepped off the ladder and turned to look over the bridge. Status report?

We’re nearly ready, Ken reported. Mia’s on her way up from engineering and the makeshift com system is ready. Mac says it’ll be a little rough, but we should be able to move them without causing further damage.

Excellent. Has Perry made any headway in trying to signal them?

Ken shook his head. I haven’t heard from him. Do you want me to try to track him down?

The captain crossed to the window. Yes, I want to know if he’s had any success before we start moving in their direction.

Yes, sir. Ken turned to the process of checking with each department to locate Perry, using care not to disturb the open panel and spliced wires coming out from below the handset.

Mia came up the ladder. We’re ready to go. Perry’s on his way. He says he’s got a way to signal them from the bridge, so as soon as he gets here we should be able to start.

Excellent. The captain continued to look out the window.

Mia came up beside him and spoke softly. I’m still not sure about this.

But Ken informed me that Mac said it will work.

Mia looked out the window. Oh, we can move that ship, but we can’t keep it out forever and we’re not going to be able to bypass the whole ship the same way we bypassed med-bay. We’re going to have to prioritize systems to get us to a place where we can make true repairs.

The captain sighed. I’m hoping that moving them further out will allow us more time to effect a rescue. Then we’ll concentrate full attention on repairs.

I know… but Mac’s the one that has to make those repairs, and he doesn’t hold a very optimistic view of our chances.

Understood.

Perry poked his head and shoulders through the hatch and hoisted an emergency light housing onto the deck. He finished climbing the rest of the way up and scooped up the housing on his way to the front. It’ll just take me a few minutes to get this hooked up to the running lights and we’ll be good to go. He opened an access panel, low on the wall, left of the window, pulled out the running light housing and removed the cover. Once inside, he identified the leads to the bulb and disconnected them. He then turned to the housing he had carried in and opened the lid. He pulled out a length of wire and connected it to the bulb leads, then pulled another length of wire from the housing, at the end of which was a crude multi-switch assembly. He flipped the red switch and the bulb lit up, momentarily blinding him and everyone who was watching him work. He quickly switched the light back off. Sorry. I should have warned you.

Once his eyes readjusted, he disconnected the wires. He removed the umbilical cable from the feed socket, and then removed the socket from the running light housing. He took the wires from the emergency housing and routed them through the hole left by removing the socket, then reconnected the wires to the bulb. Watch your eyes, he announced and flipped the switch again. The light came on, but this time he was prepared and when he flipped it back off, he didn’t have to wait for his eyes to adjust. He closed the housing back up and slipped it back into the cavity for the running light.

Ready. He stood up with the switch in his hand.

What are you going to use to establish contact? the captain asked.

I already established contact through the airlock hatch window. Perry explained. I started with a repeating pattern of three blinks, followed by a pause of the same duration. By the third cycle they responded with three blinks of their running lights. I switched to two blinks, and they repeated it back. Then I went to four, and they repeated that. I did a quick countdown, three, two, one, and they responded accordingly. I left the beacon there blinking steadily, hoping they’ll interpret that as ‘stand by’. They haven’t copied that, so I’m hoping they get it. I’m going to start the repeating threes again from up here. Sanders is going to watch for it and stop the beacon in the airlock. Hopefully, we’ll get an acknowledgment from them soon so we know they’re looking in the right place.

The captain stood back and allowed him access to the window. Okay, so what are you going to tell them?

Perry started the repeating three-blink pattern while watching the other ship. I can’t tell them anything. We don’t have a language to work with, just signaling. The best we can hope for is showing that our actions are deliberate and not intended as hostile. There, they’ve responded. We can get started whenever you’re ready. He flipped the green switch on the assembly. "Okay, if they understood the earlier signal as stand by, they should be seeing this the same way.

The captain returned to his seat. Excellent. Mia, it’s all yours.

Mia turned back to Ken and he pressed the button for engineering.

MacUlvy, came from the speaker mounted next to the window.

We’re ready up here, Mac.

Okay, here we go, Mac responded.

100 meters, 90 by 70… 90 meters, 90 by 80… 80 meters, 90 by 90. Okay, we’re dead on, you’d better adjust to get below them… That’s right. 70 meters, 80 by 90…60 meters, 60 by 90… That’s far enough down, level her out… 40 meters, 45 by 90… 40 meters, 35 by 90. Slow us down… 40 meters, 15 by 90… Okay stop. We should be between the planet and their ship now. Take us up slow… 30 meters… 25 meters… 20 meters… 15 meters… slower… ten… nine… eight… seven… six… five, four, three, two, one, contact. She turned to the captain. How far do you want us to push them?

Ten kilometers, then we’ll reassess a rescue.

Aye. She turned back to the microphone. Ten kilometers.

Okay, setting burn for ten kilometers… mark.

The captain got up and paced the deck while the joined ships traveled to his designated distance.

Burn complete, Mac’s voice announced. We should be at ten kilometers in five, four, three, two, one, mark.

Mia was straining to see the ship above them. Give us a momentary reverse thrust for separation.

Reverse thrust, aye.

Mia looked at Perry, but spoke to Mac. Okay, now let’s back away to get them back in view.

Aye. Backing off.

20 meters, 10 by 90… 30 meters, 15 by 90… 40 meters, 20 by 90.

Perry nodded. That’s good. We can signal again now.

That’s good, Mac, all stop.

Perry pointed out the window. Look, something’s coming out of their ship.

The captain moved to the window. Did we damage them further?

Mia shook her head. I don’t think so. It doesn’t look broken.

That’s a docking port. The captain smiled.

A docking port? Mia turned to him. That’s not like any docking port I’ve ever seen.

Maybe, but if we can align our airlock with it, it’ll act as one. We can bring them on board through it.

Perry turned to him. I’ll bet they’re thinking the same thing. But we’ll never be able to get it aligned from up here. We’ll have to set up communications to the airlock and guide Mac from there.

How long will it take? the captain asked.

Perry bit his lower lip a moment. Not long, as long as we have enough cable.

Mac, are you hearing any of this? Mia asked.

I’m already on it. We should be ready to go in ten minutes.

The captain smiled and looked at Perry. Signal them to stand by again.

Chapter 2

Three, two, one, contact. From the way it snapped in place, it looks like it has magnetic seals. Sanders turned back to the captain. That should make it easier, we just have to attach safety hooks to keep it from pulling apart.

Okay. The captain picked up the com unit and backed out, pulling the cord with him. We’ll get out of your way and close the airlock. You get the outer hatch open, set the safety hooks and equalize the atmosphere.

And then go knock on their door, I know. Sanders put his helmet over his head and Mia made sure it was sealed.

And don’t forget your safety line. The captain set the com unit and cable down in the corridor. If the ships separate I want you back.

Mia snapped the safety line on Sanders’ belt. I want you back, too. She stepped back and closed the inner hatch.

Sanders did as directed, opened the outer hatch and set the safety hooks. Then he came back into the airlock and hit the control to fill the airlock and docking port with atmosphere. He waited for the pressure to equalize, then went the half dozen steps to the other ship’s hatch and knocked on the door. Within seconds the hatch started to open then stopped. Sanders stepped back as the pressure equalized. Then the hatch opened the rest of the way. Two bipeds were standing in wait, dressed in suits eerily similar to Sanders’. Sanders bowed with arms out and palms up, then pointed back to the ship. The two aliens bowed similarly, then followed as Sanders returned. Once they were all in the airlock, Sanders closed the outer hatch, then turned and removed his helmet. The aliens did likewise to reveal remarkably normal looking heads and faces. Mia opened the inner hatch.

The captain stood with arms out and both palms up. Hello, I’m Captain Stolt. Welcome aboard.

The two aliens returned the open palm gesture as best they could while still holding their helmets. One spoke. Bemennin corsde putin andoric.

The captain put his arms down and frowned. Unfortunately, we do not have a translation device. This is going to be difficult. I’m not sure how we can explain our situation. He looked around to the others. Suggestions anyone?

Perry stepped forward. May I suggest that the priority is to make sure all of their people get moved to our ship as soon as possible?

The captain nodded, so Perry stood in front of the alien that spoke. He pointed to himself, then held up one finger. Then he pointed at the two aliens and held up two fingers. Then he pointed at the captain, Mia, Sanders and himself and held up four fingers. The alien looked at his companion then turned back to Perry. He pointed at himself, his companion, and then Perry, then held up three fingers. Perry nodded his head in an exaggerated fashion. Then he pointed at the two aliens, held up two fingers and nodded again. The alien nodded with him. Then Perry pointed at the two aliens, held up four fingers and shook his head side to side in an exaggerated fashion. The alien looked at his companion and back to Perry, but did not return a gesture.

Perry pointed at the two aliens, held up two fingers and nodded. Then he pointed at himself, held up one finger and nodded. Then he pointed at the two aliens, then himself and held up one finger and shook his head. The alien smiled. He pointed at his companion, then Perry, then held up two fingers and nodded. Then he pointed at his companion and Perry again, and held up one finger while shaking his head. Perry smiled and nodded, then he pointed through the airlock at the other ship. He held up his fist and slowly lifted one finger at a time while shaking his head. When he had all of the fingers of one hand extended he started on the second hand. The alien put his hand on Perry’s to stop him and nodded. Perry then pointed through the airlock again, then bowed with his arms out and palms up. He lifted his hand and quickly lifted his fingers, one at a time repeatedly.

The alien smiled and nodded. Grednat porcanni. He turned to his companion. Notenni bugno amman tooeny. Mentoola hency.

His companion looked at him. Fim…

He smiled again. Toola. Amman tooeny.

His companion then turned and headed back to the ship, as he turned to Perry. He held up his hand with all five fingers extended, then he closed it into a fist and reopened it, closed into a fist again and reopened, then held up two fingers.

Perry pointed at him, and the alien smiled and held up one more finger.

Perry turned to the captain. It looks like they only have 18 people on board, including this one, who I believe is their cap—

Did you see that? Mia blurted out, interrupting Perry.

Everyone turned to her. What? the captain asked.

The other alien… she pointed through the airlock. As soon as he got back to their ship, he just disappeared!

Captain Stolt nodded. Well, I’m sure he’s just gone inside for the others.

Mia shook her head. No, I mean he literally disappeared, vanished!

The captain looked at her. You know that’s impossible, you must have just missed them going through a door or something.

Mia frowned. I know what I saw.

The captain ignored her and put his hand on Perry’s shoulder. We need to start making arrangements to house his people. Let’s start with introductions, see if he has a name.

Perry nodded and turned back to the alien. He pointed at himself and said, Perry, then he pointed at the captain and said, Captain, then he pointed at the alien.

The alien looked at him, then at the captain, then back to Perry and shook his head.

Perry smiled and pointed at himself. Perry. Then, while still looking at the alien he tapped Mia and said, Say my name.

Perry, Mia obliged.

Perry turned to look at her and said, Okay, Captain, now you say my name.

The captain smiled. Perry.

Perry turned to face him.

The alien said, Perry.

Perry smiled, turned to the alien and nodded while pointing at himself. Perry.

The alien nodded, then held both arms out with palms up, repeated, Perry.

Perry pointed at the captain. Captain.

The alien turned to the captain and holding both arms out with palms up, said Captain.

The captain returned the gesture.

Then Perry pointed at Mia. Mia.

The alien repeated the gesture to Mia and to each of the rest, as Perry pointed them out and said their names.

Finally Perry pointed at the alien, then held his arms out with palms up.

The alien smiled and pointed to himself. Enro.

The captain repeated the arm gesture again. Welcome, Enro.

The other alien returned with