The Long Walk Home

By Scott C. Anderson

This is a story of loneliness and fulfillment.
A young man will leave the paradise of his blue-water world and start a journey to find and save his people. An occupation could be called slavery, depending on your viewpoint. Dhan Sokin will fight for his people, so they in turn can fight for their own freedom.
A young woman will discover that the leaders of her people place a finite price on personal value. During a negotiation, a battleship captain will underestimate the value of Jasmine Jones, freeing her from the bonds of one man’s appraisal. Jasmine will thrive, but not without hard work and persistence, and the help of a few friends.
Fear is more comfortable when treated as a friend. Jasmine will acquire the tools that will change her fate, as starting at the bottom can only lead to the top. Dhan will find that he always had what he needed. A fresh pair of eyes from a machine race will show him the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781387316960

Book preview

The Long Walk Home

The Long Walk Home

By Scott C. Anderson

This is a book of fiction. Characters, places, names, theories, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons, alive or dead, along with their events or locations is purely coincidental.

Disclaimer:  These stories are written in a conversational style.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

First Edition

© 2017 by Scott C. Anderson. All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-387-31696-0

Alone

Dhan Sokin stood from the freshly-turned dirt that covered the grave of his mother.  Sharon Sokin died one year to the day after her husband, Torrel Sokin, had passed away.  Torrel had lived to be four hundred and six, which he explained was an average age for a member of his race.  Dhan understood that his mother was only three years older, though he firmly believed that she died from a broken heart.

Alone for the first time in his life, Dhan would turn one hundred and seven in two days.  Preparations for a simple birthday celebration were still strewn about the rambling glass and concrete house that sat alone on the blue-water world of 9744.  The planetary body and solar system didn’t have a name, only a number given by Sharon and Torrel Sokin.  Their arrival on this world was over one hundred and six years ago.

At that time, the young couple explored and colonized 9744 in the hopes of finding peace.  Events on their homeworld forced the couple to put an end to the responsibilities of dealing with an offworld occupation.  Torrel was still considered a young man and vowed to protect his wife and son at any cost.

The midday sun was warm on his back and Dhan patted the fresh earth with care.  He then stepped back and examined his handiwork.  The simple burial ritual was now finished, though the young man felt anything but complete. 

Dhan, do you have needs?  Peahman bot One floated behind the young man, waiting to serve.  The brass and stainless-steel robot swiveled sensor eyes to provide Dhan with a point of focus.

One was Dhan’s only friend and, to his knowledge, the only member of the machine race on planet.  The bot floated two feet above the floor and used two articulating arms to assist with everyday chores.  Dhan knew the bot to be a member of an intelligent machine race built by the Peahman civilization.  One was human enough to provide an extensive amount of support to the isolated family. 

Dhan’s resting-look was now deeper, with a loneliness that One could understand, but not mimic.

It’s just the two of us.  Dhan said the words easily.

No.  There are others.  One waited patiently until Dhan showed signs that the burial ritual was complete.

The Peahman bot had always been truthful and dependable.  Dhan took a long silent look at the two mounds of earth, and asked, Please explain.

One produced a floating viewscreen.  Hanging in midair, the two foot tall by three foot wide screen pictured the entrance to the parking garage located towards the rear of the house.

Dhan needed a distraction and this was certainly welcome.  Ready to investigate an area he rarely visited, Dhan indicated that One should lead the way.  Turning as directed, One moved from the manicured backyard to a small depression built into the lawn of the hilltop retreat.  The sleek and modern Sokin home had an unobstructed three hundred and sixty degree view of the countryside surrounding the house.  Large shade trees dotted the front, back and side yards.

This small depression had recently been cleared and cleaned.  One then activated the entrance doors.  Two flat and wide doors slid open to reveal a stairway.  Dhan had visited the parking garage several times during his life, though the last time was over ten years ago.

Sections of lighting within the garage started out very dim, and then increased very slowly.  Dhan noticed that the stairs had been cleaned of dust and dirt.  The entire parking garage seemed to have been cleaned.  Reaching the bottom step, the central walkway led to one of the parked vehicles.

One floated down the stairwell and kept pace with the young man.  Two small robotic cleaners worked tirelessly as they passed from one shadow to another.  Standing on the central walkway, Dhan could see down into the lower main floor, and the smaller machines and vehicles.  At this height, he was even with the upper exterior pressure door of the parked saucer. 

Brilliant white and silent, Dhan knew to step close to the hull’s featureless control panel and pause.  Waving his hand in a motion to indicate he wished to enter, the large pressure door began to unseal.  Pulling out slightly, the pressure door slowly swung out and pivoted on massive hinges.  The interior of the saucer began to brighten.  Dhan took a deep breath and sniffed the familiar smells of home.

This was his parent’s ship, this brilliant white saucer.  He didn’t recall ever riding in it but knew the controls well.  As a young boy his father would run-through the startup drills to prepare the young man for just such an occasion.

Dhan didn’t fully understand his father’s meaning when he had said, And the others will help you.  The onboard systems of the saucer were both interactive and intelligent to the point that most of the functions of the saucer only required a simple confirmation from the operator. 

When Dhan was a young boy, Torrel Sokin explained that the onboard systems of the ship would telepathically connect and learn with Dhan.  In turn, the systems would prepare for Dhan’s next move without being instructed or told what to do.  This was a natural condition of the saucer, and a feature of the machine race that accompanied the family at all times.

The forward lounge and its clean panoramic window were just as he had always remembered it.  The onboard systems knew of the young man’s presence and confirmed his identity.  Content that all was in order, Dhan then took the gravity elevator to the lower floor. 

The half circle on the right side of the lounge was open to the floor below.  Dhan stepped to the half circle and paused.  Stepping into the air, Dhan was held in a holding field and slowly lowered from the main to the lower floor.  Stepping out of the half circle, Dhan felt the release of the protective field.

Leaving the saucer, Dhan then stepped from the lower right pressure door.  The young man followed One to the storeroom indicated by his onboard systems.  One opened the door and allowed the lights to fill the cold room with mystery. 

A mound of familiar machine parts appeared to be similar to the design of One.  Dhan walked with his old friend and moved closer to the mound.  As if by instinct, Dhan reached out with his right hand and placed his palm on a casing of cold metal.  One also repeated the simple procedure.

Flashing lights, sounds, and a slight vibration could be felt under Dhan’s palm.  The young man stepped back, but felt as though he were still connected to the mound of machine parts. 

Catching the glint of light coming from One, Dhan’s old friend illuminated a number 1 on the left side of the machine chest.  Floating an inch away from the casing, the number would move with One in any direction.  Dhan then saw the pile of machine parts take shape.

Each individual member of the machine race appeared to lift and then pull from the pile.  Years of inactivity easily fell away as each Peahman bot lifted and then floated in a line in front of Dhan and One.  Numbers then began to illuminate on the left chest casing of each bot.  One was now accompanied by bots Two through Nine. 

Surprised by not shocked, Dhan would spend only a few minutes talking to each of the bots, and then each bot would take their turn to speak to him.  The words of his parents began to ring true.  Somehow Dhan knew he would never be alone, though he didn’t fully expect this much company.

Glancing at his watch, Dhan saw that this had already been a long day.  The young man returned to his ancestral home with his bots.  The new animated voices of the machine race caught his attention, even when he was completely alone.  After retiring to bed, Dhan found that the voices would stop, allowing him to rest.

The next day, while sitting in the forward lounge, Dhan continued to look through the tutorials of the saucer.  The dark blue walls and cabinetry were complemented by a black tile floor that reflected as cleanly as a mirror.  Simple black plastic panels were strategically placed to offer Dhan a focus to interface with his saucer.  The intelligent onboard systems knew his every step, his every movement.  Since birth, Dhan’s implant, which was located under his skin and above his heart, would provide real-time monitoring of Dhan’s whereabouts and physical condition.

Outside the compound, Peahman bots Six through Nine were returning from a quarry located some fourteen miles away.  The harmonics of the lift field could easily be heard, though not through the layers of earth and stone covering the parking garage.  From time to time Dhan would glance at a screen that provided the bots’ progress.

Seven glided across the countryside accompanied by two slabs of granite that trailed behind.  Floating a distance of eleven to fourteen inches above the ground, the granite slabs vibrated with a high-pitched resonance.  Seven had cut the stones in a specific pattern that, from a distance, would resemble a somewhat natural stone formation.  The two slabs moved through the valley at eighteen miles per hour, sufficient for these purposes. 

Eight had also sectioned and cut two slabs of granite.  Eight was in the process of sliding one of the slabs against the Sokin house at a desired place and at a precise angle.  The tonnage of the single slab would cover a significant area of the house and become part of the natural camouflage. 

When viewed from above, the Sokin house almost disappeared as the green-grass roof blended with the natural and manmade landscape.  The rock formation would look manufactured, at least for the first twenty years.  In time the structure or mound would appear more conventional, though the stones were placed in a specific pattern that could be read by the saucer’s onboard systems as a landmark.

The four bots would work through the night to prepare the home site for Dhan’s departure.  Nine would perform the final sectioning and cut of the granite stones.  A specific cover stone would be placed over the burial site of Sharon and Torrel Sokin.  And, an additional cover stone would be placed over the entrance to the parking garage. 

Locked within the house, two cleaner bots would power-down and wait for Dhan’s return.  The bots were important to Dhan, and leaving them behind didn’t sit well with the young man, though he fully expected to return after only a few months.  Dhan could have left one bot within the covered structure, but the young man felt that no bot should be left alone.

Dhan had no real reason to hurry, so he took extra care to ensure that he did not leave his home and world vulnerable to the needs of others.  Dhan knew that he had been heavily protected by his parents, but that would not stop the young man from exploring the galaxy.

The one-word confirmation would allow the exterior parking garage door to unseal and lower into the floor.  The brilliant sunshine made Dhan wince as he laughed to himself at the idea of leaving the only homeworld he had ever known. 

The parking garage door lowered on massive hinges and laid flat on the garage floor.  The way was now clear.  The saucer had begun to retract its landing gear the minute the massive door began to move. 

Sliding forward and then out of the garage, the brilliant white saucer circled the hilltop, allowing Dhan to inspect his home.  The newly-constructed stone structure surrounding and protecting his home wouldn’t fool anyone, but that was not the purpose.  The sentimental reasons for protecting his home were more important than the technological value.  Dhan would return, he was sure of that, and this suited his purpose.

9744.  Dhan never questioned the simple number of his homeworld.  From the surface, the blue-water world meant more to him than life itself.  But, he also needed change if he were to grow.  His parents had always taught him that he would leave this world when the time was right.  Lifting through the atmosphere, Dhan attempted to remind himself that this was the right time for change. 

Reaching the upper atmosphere of 9744, the saucer transmitted the final bump of gravity through the polished deck of the forward lounge.  The slight vibration meant a true sense of change and Dhan shivered for the first time in a decade.

Sharon Sokin had literally spent years telling stories of life in the universe.  Dhan didn’t know the full details of his parents’ past, but that did not stop him from asking questions.  His mother also provided images and video of the space around their homeworld.  Seeing his solar system unfold in front of him provided a warm familiar feeling.

The onboard systems then provided a three-dimensional model of the route to the Sallen Station.  Dhan’s confirmation allowed the saucer to pivot and point straight up, away from his homeworld.  Popup screens were provided in front of the panoramic window, now open to view the never-ending starfield. 

Moving slowly at first, the saucer began to increase speed.  It took several minutes to exit the solar system, mostly due to the onboard operations desire to pass by several of the planets that made-up his homeworld system.  After passing the eleventh planet, the speed of the saucer increased.  The exit was timed at eleven minutes.

Dhan stood in front of the panoramic window for most of the next hour.  The center of the starfield remained stationary while the borders moved at a slow pace.  In preparation, One floated close to Dhan and waited patiently.  The two said little, though Dhan knew what to expect.  The black hole literally jumped out to fill the limits of the panoramic window.

A marker buoy, unseen at first, illuminated and then provided a slight chime of recognition.  The communication systems received the expected call.  A holographic image of the Taman Central Operator appeared within the forward lounge and stood in an open area.  This intrusion was allowed by the onboard systems of the saucer.  The call was recognized and confirmed as an authentic Taman transmission.

The image of a young woman approximately thirty years old solidified on the deck.  A screen floated next to the woman and provided translation.  Good day, I am Sel of the Taman, please state your destination.

Sallen Station.  I am traveling to Sallen Station.  Dhan said the words with as much confidence as he could muster.  He knew this was a checkpoint but he was not asking for permission, only the correct route of travel.

Sel answered, This slipstream will accommodate a route that will provide safe travel very close to the Sallen Arm located within the 3227 Solar System.  Your ship has been cleared.  Taman protection will not be provided at this time.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Sel’s image began to degrade as Dhan noticed that he had waited too long to respond.  He desperately wanted to ask more questions, but was distracted by the ease of interaction and technology.

Dhan did recognize the earlier reference of the slipstream.  Taman protection was provided as travel through a slipstream was both dangerous and life threatening.  Asteroids and debris traveled within the slipstream at a rate and direction that could easily cripple or destroy a ship or transport.  Then there was the spacial distortion to consider.

Glancing at the onboard systems, Dhan saw that his saucer was moving into the black circular entrance of the slipstream.  The deepest black imaginable was then replaced with a cylindrical passage that looked like rain.

The systems of the saucer locked onto the dead center of the anomaly.  Dhan had read that slipstream travel contained a minor time distortion, usually anywhere from two hours to two days.  But, travel toward the walls of the anomaly and time could distort with unpredictable results.  Through study, Dhan knew that a probe sent by the Taman civilization over six-hundred thousand years ago had tested the limits of the slipstream boundaries.  Values of twenty to two-hundred thousand year distortions were recorded before losing contact with the navigational probes.

Casually, Dhan said, I guess we don’t rate protection from the Taman.  His words were not directed to anyone in particular.

One and Three were standing near and One provided clarification.  A standard Taman ship is far more advanced than most races within the known universe.  We, as by design, are in some ways more advanced than the Taman.  Therefore, we do not need their protection.  At least, not at this time.

Dhan was taken aback as this was the first time he had heard that his equipment was more advanced in comparison to others.  His parents had talked about depending on the bots in time of need or distress, but technological comparisons were never mentioned.

Three moved to the panoramic window, turned to face Dhan, and raised its right arm.  Creating a floating screen that would magnify the action, Three waited. 

An asteroid, about the size of a small car, moved at an angle through the slipstream.  The saucer was only twenty-eight seconds within the slipstream and was already in the path of danger.  Traveling at speeds that Dhan would find unbelievable, the rock in space instantly appeared ahead of the saucer. 

One indicated that the saucer always traveled with active shielding and, in an instant, the asteroid was gone.  Dhan knew that the action must have happened to quickly to be seen.  One was accommodating.  Three lowered his right arm as the screen dissipated.

One then created a popup screen and replayed the violent confrontation at a much slower rate.  The images clearly presented the asteroid in flight as it approached the yellow/gold shielding of the saucer.  Passing quickly through the shielding, the asteroid realigned at the molecular level.  Tons of rock were realigned to a soft beige dust, similar to the base elements that made up the planets in the galaxy.

A cargo holding field gathered and moved the tons of dust material, which was collected at the rear of the saucer.  At a convenient site, the debris would be released to enter the gravitational pull of a planetary body. 

Dhan had to comment that at no time did he feel a rumble through the deck or any sort of vibration.  This time Three took a moment to explain a very common procedure for space travel.  The Taman civilization had mapped most of the known slipstreams and had placed marker buoys to aid safe passage.  A ship incapable of protecting itself from this common problem within the anomaly need only ask for assistance from a Taman ship.  The Central Operator would coordinate safe passage for any race, thus providing a valuable service and furthering communications between civilizations.

How simple.  Dhan was impressed.

Yes.  One answered without judgment.  It has taken a long time and a lot of effort to make this simple.  And, we have only the Taman to thank.

Dhan was about to ask for details.

One added, We will be within this section of the slipstream for the next four minutes.  The bridge is only one hundred and fourteen miles, and then the exit will be another six minutes.

Dhan had read the technical manuals explaining the process, but he also read fictional stories about people living in space.  This all seemed so familiar, though it was good to see the events as they actually happened. 

One went on to explain that the anomalies in space may have been formed during the original creation of the universe.  Pulled and stretched, these slipstreams as they were called, provided a conduit that cut years of travel down to minutes.

One’s explanation was longer than the remainder of the travel time through the slipstream.  Exiting the anomaly, the onboard systems of the saucer calibrated location, date, and time with the Taman-supplied marker buoy.  Checking his systems, Dhan found that he had stepped back in time nine and a half hours.  Dhan’s systems indicated that this was an acceptable condition that fell within the parameters of the anomaly.

One was communicating with the onboard systems and requested that Dhan take a seat in the forward lounge.  As Dhan sat down, another three-dimensional presentation filled the space between the comfortable couches and the panoramic window. 

A brilliantly colored starfield depicting the 3227 Solar System and the Sallen Arm of planets appeared as a model.  Names and designations began to populate the points of interest.  Near the center, the massive Sallen Station came into view.

Standing, Dhan moved closer to the presentation and extended his right hand.  A popup screen, acting as a magnifier, floated and was guided by Dhan’s arm movement.  The magnifier revealed details of the station, its distance from the cluster of planets that made-up the Sallen Arm, and the current location of the saucer.  Taking his time, Dhan surveyed the galaxy and chose several inhabited blue-water worlds to examine. 

Dhan would check the progress of the saucer from time to time, noticing how fast the ship was actually moving.  He would then find yet another blue-water inhabited world with people in various stages of advancement.  His mother had told him that the universe was filled with worlds capable of sustaining life.  At the same time, timing would dictate whether these evolved races would actually be in a developmental stage where a visitation would be possible.

Sharon Sokin went on to teach Dhan that ancient cultures had come and gone long before the Taman’s million-year history even began.  The Taman were in their second million year cycle, yet they drew from the archeological remains of many advanced worlds that died-out long before their civilization was created.

Moving the magnifier around, the floating space station and rest stop gained in size.  The saucer would be within hailing distance in just a few moments.  The onboard systems detected a scan and call.

This is the station at Sallen.  Please identify.  The male voice was calm and measured.

The onboard systems created a popup screen with the image of the Sallen Station Central Operator.  Dhan stood in an area that he knew would be easy to transmit.

Station Sallen, I am Dhan Sokin.  Here are my credentials.  Dhan physically touched a key to confirm transmission of his identity and that of his saucer. 

Lieutenant William T. Braxmier had already scanned the saucer and detected the manufacture of origin and current registration.  All advanced shipping projected a form of identification that would allow allied races the ability to tell friend from foe. 

Lt. Braxmier also ran several scans that would detect deception, as this ship’s registry was unusual and impressive.  Always a prudent procedure, William wanted to ensure that a guest of this caliber was greeted properly.

The young man’s image never left the screen, though the lieutenant did look off-screen as he worked his systems.  After a moment, he transmitted a docking location directly to the ship.  All Dhan had to do was provide a confirmation.

Sitting alone in the quiet of his forward lounge, Dhan mindlessly pressed the physical confirmation key.  This all seemed too easy and Dhan took several moments as he watched the saucer approach the massive station.

Built in the shape of a diamond, the upper and lower sections were actually constructed as two pyramids attached at the base.  The pyramid structures contained a massive warehouse, a repair facility, and a section for the permanent personnel stationed aboard the station.  A hotel also offered accommodations that were rarely used.

Dhan had turned off the magnifier, but wished he had left it on to further examine the details of the station.  Only one large and imposing ship could be seen.  Almost as long as the two-mile long central base of the station, the battleship bristled with armaments.

Turning back to focus on the station, the designated garage door began to open up like a canopy.  Much bigger than the lithe little saucer, the parking garage door slowed to a stop on massive hinges. 

The onboard systems of the saucer would not allow the station to takeover navigation or command functions.  The parking systems of Station Operations would talk to the saucer, as both intelligent systems would coordinate the approach and parking functions.

The airlock was big enough to handle a saucer much larger than this.  Moving forward to a specific area, the saucer stopped in front of the inner airlock door.  The outer door lowered and slowed to a stop.  The outer door began to pressure seal.  After a few moments, the inner door fell forward and dropped into a depression in the garage floor.  The saucer moved forward as all lighting began to dim. 

A specific parking stall began to illuminate as the saucer turned to the right to follow the directions of the parking attendant.  The interior of the garage was large enough to house eleven vehicles of various designs.  All were in a state of readiness, as this was a parking area only. 

The room was abuzz with the activity of simple craft preparations.  Dhan noticed that his onboard systems used the panoramic window to highlight each ship, and provide details of planet of origin and principal race.  Workmen dressed in overalls barely gave the saucer a second look. 

From the height of the saucer, the size of the garage was impression, with a familiar design.  One, Three, Four, and Seven stood with Dhan in the forward lounge as the young man couldn’t take his eyes off of the activity in the garage. 

Seven said, We will stand with you, while you are aboard the station.

Dhan acknowledged his bots, especially Seven.  The robotic tone was forceful and concerned, a tone Dhan had never heard before.  He didn’t ask questions, even though he was curious about the tone of the remark, and decided to wait for an opportune time.

The onboard systems of the saucer completed its catalogue of the contents of the parking garage.  From an access door, seven people stepped into the garage.  Their dress was different from the ground crew and appeared to be station personnel.  Dhan wished that he had had more experience with offworld contacts.

The systems provided a confirmation that the air was breathable and gravity was close to that of his homeworld.  Dhan didn’t feel that he was ready, but he knew that he had to be prepared if he were to make his next move.  A nearby status screen indicated that the lower pressure door could be accessed at any time.

Finian Tau, the Operations Manager, and Teresa Jannet, the Director of Operations, stood with several of the operations crew.  This was not an everyday visit and Finian knew that Teresa needed exposure to a visitor of this stature.  Anyone who could get away from their Operations duties wanted to join the Director and Manager for this momentous occasion.

Both Finian and Teresa were human.  Teresa was the more educated, thus she was employed as Director.  Finian was more experienced and had earned the title of Manager.  As a human trait, he wanted to protect Teresa, a trait that she appreciated at this time.

The sight must have been imposing.  Dhan stepped from his lower pressure door and into the artificial lighting of the garage.  Behind him, four Peahman bots floated in a formation, and then followed the young man as he stepped towards the station administrators.

Everyone within the parking garage stopped.  The noise quickly dissipated as spectators literally stared at the five visitors.  Dhan remembered that his mother had told him that the reaction from people may be, at first, harsh or confrontational.  Dhan looked human, but would probably not be considered human by other races. 

Taking a slow deep breath, Dhan walked purposely to the director and her crew.  Dhan was grateful that he had practiced his language imagery with the bots, and with his saucer for that matter.  At first glance these people appeared to be more scared of him that he was of them.

Teresa Jannet smiled, as she had no reason not to.  Watching Dhan Sokin and his bots approach, she also took a long deep breath.  Suddenly she blurted, Welcome.  Do you understand me?

Yes.  Dhan answered easily and felt the first pangs of relief.  Teresa Jannet?  I am Dhan Sokin and these are my bots, One, Three, Four, and Seven.  They will stay with me during my visit here.  Dhan knew he sounded a little flat, but he was trying to keep things simple.

Finian Tau bowed slightly.  He added, I am Finian Tau, Operations Manager, on behalf of our crew and station, welcome.

It is good to have you with us.  Teresa desperately wanted to break the ice.  How long will you be staying with us?

Five days.  I will be meeting with a Dora inter trader, Sir Anselmo Holt.

The silence within the parking garage continued.  The mention of the Dora inter trader caused the first sounds to come from the ground crew.  Several of the Operations crew wanted to ask questions.

Teresa was the first to speak.  Thank you for confirming your meeting with Sir Anselmo Holt.  It will be a pleasure to have the two of you aboard this station.

Dhan could feel the slight tension, as though this were an important event.  He pressed on.  The operations team then stepped towards the open station access doors.  Dhan said nothing but walked with Teresa and Finian.  In the background he could hear the closing of his lower right pressure door.

The doorway from the garage led to a hallway and