The Quay Way

By Emmy Ayarza

The Quay Way is a science fiction story of star-crossed family reunited in another world as they are forced from Earth. This story revolves around Ani and Myles Dace and their family and friends as they leave Earth at a time of solar disturbance predicted to impact Earth with devastation and possible extinction. The Quay offers the population of Earth a chance to relocate to their galaxy to inhabited planets with their assistance. The family struggle with being pulled into the internal discord between Quay factions and war. Their own survival and species survival at stake they enter the world of space travel in cooperation with a people evolved beyond them. A new world of synthroids like Tii, Anhe, and Guarda as they recognize the legends they were told come true to take up their cause the Quay way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781514414477

Emmy Ayarza

Emmy Ayarza is a true American of Scottish Irish, German Bohemian, pioneer-immigrant ancestry. She traveled to Europe several times and sought out higher education and learning. Emmy was born and raised on a farm-and-ranch combination and still lives on a ranch with her husband of forty eight years. The middle child of loving parents of a large family of seven children and her rural background sheltered her yet exposed her to a unique life and background of independent, rugged, musical, and yet tolerant family and friends. Both of her parents were small-airplane pilots, and her mother’s love of progress and inventions spurred her own fondness of science fiction and futuristic possibility.

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Copyright © 2015 by Emmy Ayarza.

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 permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/22/2015

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Contents

Prolouge

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chaper Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Dedicated to my family who inspire and support

Prolouge

The Quay were humanoid, with smooth, silver skin. They seemed to have a light under the first layer of skin that made them appear to glow. Their features appeared to be the same as humans on Earth, except for their inset ears. The Quay were six foot and over. They inhabited five planets in the Quay Galaxy. All of the Quay looked a lot alike except for their eye color which had evolved to match their environment on each of their five planets. The color of their eyes were either, pale blue, light green, light gray, dark violet or navy blue. Their eye color was how the Quay could tell which planet the other Quay were from. The Quay also varied in build and facial features.

The Quay made contact with each other centuries ago, and sharing their inventions and resources resulted in their rapid physical and especially technical evolution. They developed and utilized computers called visus as service tools early in their evolution. The visus scope of service increased along with their own evolution. Languages were never a problem for the Quay. Translators were one of the first visus programs developed. They placed visus translator programs into all their armor so that everyone understood everything anyone said, whatever language was spoken.

The Quay Master created an artificial intelligence program with a moral concept, and then created body forms shaped like Quay, with a moral concept integrated throughout the makeup. The Master combined the two creations of body and Artificial intelligence programs, and called them synthroids. As their artificial intelligence program evolved they developed an intelligence that could learn from experience, and made evolving synthroids. These evolving synthroids (ES) were the Quay’s ground forces and assistants. They also had worker synthroids and task synthroids, which were not evolving. The Quay used these synthroids to perform all tasks.

The Quay discovered air energy that could be harnessed into an air engine. They created air concentrators the size of quarters that could create air in an environment without air. The Quay used air thrusters to accelerate any type of transport. This allowed their transport ships to travel great distances in a short time, faster than light speed, it was air speed. The Quay were always experimenting with air energy to expand its use. Everything the Quay used tools, uniforms, vehicles, equipment, appliances, and synthroids used air energy as their source of power.

One of the Quay’s most critical discoveries was a protein plant they found on an uninhabited planet in the Quay Galaxy. They transplanted some of the plants to their planets and found they met all their thirst, hunger, and health needs. The plants had healing and aging aspects for all living beings. The protein plant slowed aging. It stopped the aging process at fifty and reversed the aging process to fifty. In the absence of natural death, the only threat to the Quay was unnatural causes or injuries.

Many injuries could be healed with condensed protein tables or protein injections. Severe injuries to vital organs or those not treated in time could lead to death.

The Quay were happy people. Quay societies were tolerant, progressive and wealthy. The Quay planets were devoid of any animal life, but the reason was unknown. The Quay developed agricultural holds to grow protein for consumption. The Quay created factories to manufacture the things they invented and needed. Stores, or disbursement centers, as they called them, were developed to distribute items to the population.

The Quay people developed individually at first, but once they began to share the best discoveries and inventions, they focused their development on all their planets. Their evolution mirrored each other. Since the Quay manufactured the same materials and equipment, they developed an amour that was provided to all. Every Quay was given a shelter to live in which had everything they needed to live.

Public transportation was provided, or you could use credits to purchase transportation equipment from distribution centers. People in some careers were provided transportation equipment as part of their jobs. The Quay shared their military and public assistants to protect the population, and created schools and training centers to teach and train the population in their chosen careers. There were entertainment areas and parks.

The Quay were only allowed to have children when someone died, or a new habitable planet in another galaxy was discovered. If such a planet was found, each planet was allowed the same number of Quay and synthroids to settle the planet according to its capacity. After they were settled on the planet, the new residents could have as many children as they wanted until planet capacity was met. This made populating habitable planets in other galaxies especially popular to the young Quay. The settled Quay, those age fifty and over, had priority when an opening to birth children was allowed on their home planets. The Quay also controlled the number of synthroids to be created so they wouldn’t outnumber the Quay. This was necessary to keep the Quay who opposed and resented the existence of the synthroids satisfied. The Master was requested to view and monitor the synthroids to relieve tensions about synthroid existence.

The Quay varied in personality. Some had different views of what should be allowed and what shouldn’t. They tried to combine their laws but found they were so different a compromise was necessary. They created a consortium of the planets to rule together. There was one legate per planet in their consortium. A lead legate was voted in by the consortium legates themselves. Each planet had two representatives. They also had four spokesmen each citizen could consult. Spokesmen passed the consult to representatives who passed them to the legate.

The Quay people found it necessary to develop laws to protect them, codes of conduct, rights and reason for their existence. Laws, codes of conduct, and rights could be amended or added if a quorum (three of the five) of planet legates were present.

The expectations were simple, follow their laws and codes of conduct and you were entitled to your rights. Quay laws appeared simple.

1) Practice tolerance; cause no harm to living beings.

2) Contribute positively to society.

3) Maintain the population.

The penalty for breaking the laws was exile to savage planets in the Quay Galaxy. Some of the exile planets contained protein plants, and were used for more minor offenses.

Two of the most savage exile planets did not contain any source of protein. These two planets were used to exile major offenders, mainly murderers. Those who committed murder or grievous assault to living beings were sentenced to exiled life on one of these savage planets. Every adult, age twenty and older, was required to have a career. Parents had to choose a career for their children before he or she could be conceived. All children were expected to attend school from the age of seven, the age of consciousness, to seventeen. At age seventeen, they began training programs designed specifically for their careers. Length and training was dependent on career choice.

Each Quay worked three days per week, and six hours per day, and earned the same amount of credits for each hour worked. The exception to the number of days and hours worked was in public service careers. If you chose a public service career, you were expected to work as many days and hours as necessary for your assigned duty. Quay could choose credits for the hours worked, or large blocks of down time for extra hours worked. Credits were used to obtain extras from distribution centers such as entertainment or usable items such as transports and air ships.

The codes of conduct were more difficult to develop because the planets were so far away from each other. Even when they agreed on codes of conduct each planet was supposed to enforce them. Some planets did not enforce the codes of conduct as seriously as others, making it easier for Quay to break codes of conduct than to break Quay laws. There were sometimes heated disagreements between planets over codes of conduct. The greatest disagreement concerned intimate conduct. The subject was argued so long and in such detail many of the planets became frustrated. Some planets wanted to prohibit mating between planet occupants. That was determined to be a breach of Quay rights, which granted them the right to happiness. Rights were developed to ensure all citizens would benefit from their society if the laws and codes of conduct were followed.

The codes of conduct were fairly basic.

1) No public immoral acts of displays.

2) No stealing.

3) No public intoxication.

As were the Quay rights.

1) Right to happiness

2) Right to object

3) Right to appeal

4) Right to own property

5) Right to prosper, if shared with all other planets

The Quay made one agreement for expansion, between all their planets, but it took much discussion, argument and even threats of war.

AGREEMENT of EXPANSION

Planets Lee, Bob, Nam, Duu, and Obe agree not to populate any of the other five uninhabited habitable planets in the Quay Galaxy with any of the populations from any of the five listed existing planets, in order to insure cooperation and peace and ensure no existing planet have any advantage over any other.

Chapter One

When the tall, glowing, silver-skinned Quay made successful contact with Earth, it was at an American congressional meeting. They appeared en mass while a live transmission feed was being transmitted to ensure their safety and an uncensored broadcast. The room was quickly secured by Quay forces using their electronically produced shields. They did not want any interruptions to their contact. Their lead legate, Quay Lee Pascar, explained their arrival: The Quay are not here to cause any conflicts with Earth, but to inform Earth’s population of an approaching cosmic disaster predicted to occur in four short years, Pascar said.

The Quay projected a view of the Milky Way on a screen. Quay scientists have discovered an anomaly on the star Earth calls the sun. It is building in intensity, and scientists determined an explosion on the sun would occur in approximately four years of Earth’s time. This explosion, though not harmful to the sun, would result in dislodging planets’ Mercury and/or Venus from their orbits. One or both of the planets projected paths of travel could collide with Mars, Earth, or both. There was no way to determine if any of the planets involved would be destroyed. The effect on Planet Earth, as the only populated planet, would have the greatest galactic impact. It was probable all life on Earth would be destroyed.

Pascar’s voice projected out to the witnesses and was transmitted.

The Quay have been observing planet Earth carefully for some time. Our previous attempts to engage Earth in communication has resulted in attacks on our space transports and our scientists. Our scientists have discovered and verified a DNA relationship of Quay to Earthers. Some Quay did not want to contact Earth. They fear harmful and disruptive impact to our societies. The majority feel the risk is necessary due to the gravity of the circumstances.

It was determined our contact would be transmitted through all of Earth’s communication devises, and translated into all Earth’s known languages. We intend to insure as much of Earth’s population as possible will be made aware of our contact and the predicted disaster. We come to offer our relatives, a relocation option for all of Earth’s population. We realized Earth’s leaders want to confirm the Quay predictions. We have sent proof of findings to Earth’s leaders and scientists. Earth’s scientists have confirmed the anomaly will occur, and the leaders agreed.

Pascar displayed a calendar with dates marked on it.

These are the times of future meetings with Earth’s leaders, and we promise transmissions of the meetings to all of Earth’s population. Our proposal is to relocate Earth’s population as quickly as possible, which would probably take three years to complete. We want the relocation completed well before the cosmic disaster is predicted to ensure the relocation success.

"The Quay galaxy is located two galaxies from Earth and has sixteen planets and three suns. Five of the planets are inhabited by the Quay. The inhabited planets are planets Lee, Bob, Nam, Duu, and planet Obe. The planets currently uninhabited but habitable in the Quay galaxy to relocated Earth settlers were:

1) Len (recommended for democracy and republic factions)

2) Nin (recommended for dictatorship and kingdom factions)

3) Bub (recommended for religious factions),

4) Duz (recommended for communist and socialist factions)

5) Ood (recommended for all other factions).

The Quay plan to mediate planet choice based on our observations, our meetings with Earth leaders and contact with Earth individuals. Placing different factions of Earth on different planets would help to quell the conflicts observed on Earth. The choice of planet to relocate would be finalized by the individuals. Each planet is expected to maintain the Quay laws and develop their own additional laws if necessary. The five relocation planets are located close to one of the Quay existing five inhabited planets, Pascar said pointing out the planets on screen. Each of the five inhabited planets would send advisers to the planet nearest to them to assist Earthers with their relocation, shelters, and necessities. There is much to do and only an approximated time of four of Earth’s years to achieve.

The Quay proposals were transmitted as promised by television, internet, cell phones, land lines, and person to person. The promise of individual choice was popular with Earth’s population. Confusion and panic was the reaction from the public at first, so Martial Law was declared. Shortly after Martial Law was employed, the Quay’s forces arrived and began to organize the relocation. Groups began gathering and declaring their choices. The United States, their Allies, and many individuals who chose the democracy and republics as their choice were the first to accept the offer officially, and were the first to be processed by the Quay.

The magnitude of the process was mind boggling, yet the Quay were prepared and had the resources, and ability to achieve what they had proposed. The size of their space transports was unbelievable. Most transports were the size of small cities. The Quay had simple and clear guidelines. Make your choice, pack up, and prepare to be relocated.

The diplomatic meetings appeared to be successful. What the leaders of Earth failed to disclose to the Quay and their population were their secret meetings. The leaders conspired to let the Quay busy Earth’s population while they completed the development of their own escape without the Quay assistance or knowledge, or so they thought. Earth’s leaders had been aware of the approaching disaster for over two years. They had not disclosed the discovery to the population. The leaders had been developing an underground survival base and shelters on the moon. Their advisers and specialists agreed the moon would not be included in the collisions. The leaders rationalized there would only be room for their families, close affiliates and their families.

Respect and discipline were the Quay way. Their technologies had developed far beyond Earth’s, yet were recognizable as related to Earth’s. Disclosures of the Quay technologies and knowledge were discussed, argued, and feared.

Most Quay considered the synthroids as partners of the Quay, not something to fear. They equated the relationship of the Quay and synthroid to the horse and cowboys of the Wild West so Earth’s population could understand the synthroids role in their relocation. The Quay began transmitting visuals of themselves and the synthroids, to familiarize the Earthers with their appearance.

Visual transmissions of the proposed planets began to be transmitted to all of the Earthers. All of the planets offered for relocation appeared to be similar to Earth, with like gravitational atmospheres, vegetation, mountains, water bodies, and small endogenous life. All settlers were promised to be indoctrinated to the local endogenous life and the Quay’s equipment and tools. The first settlements to be transported were determined by the Quay to be agricultural based communities. That was a shock to most Earthers, especially the leaders who argued the politicians and developers should go first. The Quay told them there would be no need for politicians without population first, and there was no need for money on any Quay planets.

The Quay insisted that the relocation had to start with those that knew how to survive on the land and grow food for all that followed. In this case, one particular crop would be grown, protein. Protein crops would be the key to the success of the Earth’s population relocation. The next communities to be relocated would be production, then commerce and entertainment, then public assistance and politicians.

Chapter Two

The Dace couple, Myles, age fifty five, and Ani, age fifty three, had met at high school the start of Myles’s junior year. They dated through two years of high school and two years of Myles’ college, and married after Myles graduated. Ani was an attractive woman, five foot four, with beautiful shinning gold colored hair that had not yet started to gray. She had lovely large dark brown eyes. She had light skin that complimented her hair and eyes. She was very attractive and her looks cause a stir wherever she went. Ani was oblivious to her attractiveness. Myles was a distinguished looking handsome man, with dark brown hair and blue eyes. He was five foot eleven inches tall and had a broad muscular athletic build. They made a striking looking couple.

Myles and Ani had been married thirty five years, and had two handsome sons, John and Antone. John age thirty four was six foot had blue eyes, dark hair and looked a lot like his father. He married Kate James-Dace, thirty four, with dark hair and eyes. They had two handsome sons Mason ten, and James six. John was an electrician and worked for a power company. Kate was a stay at home mother and volunteered for the Red Cross. Antone age thirty two was a handsome average height man, with gold hair, brown eyes and looked like his mother.

Antone married Julie Fields-Dace, who had blonde hair and blue eyes. They had two beautiful girls, Mylee five, and Angela three. Antone had an Associate’s Degree in Agriculture and was ranching with his mother and father. Julie had a nursing degree, but was a stay at home mom since the birth of their first child. Antone, Julie and their girls lived in a house next to Myles and Ani on their ranch. Although Myles and Ani were both reared on ranches, they did not inherit one from their parents. Myles had a degree in mechanics, and had been a machinist at a gun factory until he set in his union twenty year retirement. Ani had a Bachelor of Science in Administration, and had been an Administrator at a private non-profit organization. Myles and Ani had bought their ranch after Myles’s twenty year retirement was set.

Myles and Ani had owned their working ranch fifteen years. They enjoyed working with the livestock, growing their food, and their lives together. John, Kate and the boys enjoyed spending their weekends and holidays on the Dace ranch. The boys loved spending time with their grandfather, helping with the cattle and other livestock and riding horses. The younger children loved making cookies, gardening and shopping with Ani. Antone and Julie’s girls were their grandmother’s shadows. Ani’s great niece and nephew Ann and Johnny age six and two, were also Ani’s shadows. Ann and Johnny spent a lot to time with the dace family when their mother Joy was off adventuring with a new boyfriend. Ann and Johnny’s grandparents, Rachel and Dave, lived up the street from the Daces. The children visited their grandparents daily when they were staying with the Dace family. Ani started caring for her niece’s children when her sister and closest friend Rachel became ill with cancer.

It was on one of those family weekends when the Dace family was together the Quay’s broadcast aired. The grandsons had turned on the television to watch cartoons. The men were sitting around the table having a cold drink and talking to the women. The women were beginning to prepare dinner, when Mason ran into the room. Mason yelled.

Aliens are on the TV. Come quick you have to see this.

The grownups laughed and followed Mason into the living room. The broadcast was blaring on the TV.

Is this some kind of movie? Myles asked.

No, I don’t think so. Ani answered.

Julie and Kate began to cry as soon as they heard Earth was predicted to have a disaster. John and Antone went to their wives and held them.

Do you believe them, Mom, Dad? John asked.

Yes, yes, I do believe it. Ani said. Ani went to her barley two year old nephew, Johnny, picked him up and held him. Myles went to them and hugged them.

I do too.

What are we going to do? Antone asked.

I’ll tell you what we are not going to do. We are not going to panic and die without a fight, Ani exclaimed. We are going to do whatever they tell us to do, and pray. These beings are offering us a chance to live, to insure our children and grandchildren futures.

What if we go with them and they kill us? Antone asked.

What if we don’t? Our own scientists have confirmed the planet’s collision. We will most probably die if we stay. I will call Aunt Barbie she was on the town council for many years, and Uncle Joe was in the military. I will talk to them and see what they say. Barbie and Uncle Joe told me they had an encounter with Aliens before. I thought they must be kidding me.

I think we should hear the Quay out and talk to Barbie and Joe then decide. My gut is telling me we will need to go or die. In the meantime I think we need to keep busy, and do what we always do until we are told differently.

Myles handed Ani the phone and she called her Aunt Barbie.

Did you see the broadcast on TV, Aunt Barbie? Ani asked.

Yes dear, Uncle Joe and I watched it. Joe and I have seen Quay before, and you need to believe them this is no joke. They are friends to Earth and mean us no harm. We meant to tell you, especially of our experience with the Quay many times, but it never seemed to be the right time, Ani. They have been on Earth before and interacted with us personally, Barbie said.

Ani hung up the phone and told Myles what Aunt Barbie said.

It must all be true and I think we should start packing.

The family watched each and every additional broadcast intently. John and Kate quit their positions, and showed up at the Dace family ranch with scant belongings and bags and John smiled.

Well, here we are, whatever comes, happens to all of us together.

Ani’s eyes filled with tears.

I am so happy you have come.

Joy came the same day and got her children, Ann and Johnny.

I want them to be with me and my new boyfriend under the circumstances, Joy left with the children.

Ani was sad for them to go, and cried when they left. Soon after Joy left with her children, the Quay broadcast their intention to start transporting agriculture communities first. The phone rang and Ani answered it. Ani talked for twenty minutes and then joined the family in the living room. Ani stood in front of the television very pale, and addressed the family.

We have been chosen to be one of the first communities to be transported and relocated to Planet Len. I have to make lists of family, pets, friends, neighbors, closest town, livestock, equipment, and belongings. We get to take everything except vehicles and food. They are sending workers tomorrow to help us. I am going to need your help with the lists.

They all hugged and cried then Ani started laughing.

The whole world and we get chose to go first. Here is that lottery we were always hoping to win, Myles.

Myles hugged her and they all laughed together. The next days were frantic and no one had time to think what was or wasn’t going to happen. They had agreed they would do this together, especially for the children. They called their family and friends and told them they could go with them if they wanted. Both Ani and Myles’s parents were already passed. Ani and Myles were surprised many of them wanted to go. Aunt Barbie and Uncle Joe were the first to agree. Ani’s younger sister Rachel and her husband Dave agreed to go. Myles’ two brothers Mitch and Morgan, their wives, children and grandchildren, and Uncle Rod and Aunt Alma agreed to go.

Ani made a special call to her sister Rachel’s daughters.

Joy, they have chosen us to be on the first flight to the Quay Galaxy. Your mother and father are going with us and so are Aunt Barbie and Uncle Joe. We were hoping you, the children, and your boyfriend would join us.

Auntie, they are saying we will have four years to leave and my boyfriend has been offered a bonus if he stays a year. We will come when he does.

Joy, this is no joke Earth is in danger and you could be too. Think of the children, Joy.

I am thinking of them. We need this bonus and we will be well off and can buy them what they need, Auntie. We will come when the year is over. We love you and I will call Mom and Dad and tell them goodbye. Ani hung up with a heavy heart and then called Bailey.

Bailey, this is Auntie Ani.

I know why you are calling, Auntie. Mom and Joy have already called me and I told Joy I would stay and finish my degree. I will come with Joy, the kids, and her boyfriend.

Bailey, Aunt Barbie and Uncle Joe say they have seen the Quay before. They have been here on Earth before and this is no joke, dear. I wish you would reconsider. I got a bad feeling about all this.

I will wait and come with Joy and the kids. You know I couldn’t leave the children.

I know dear I wish you were all going with us, Ani said.

Give everyone my love, I love you all very much.

Bailey hung up. Joy was a free and wild spirit, and was always finding some cause to join along with a new boyfriend who shared the cause. Bailey, Joy’s younger sister, was reserved and quiet and was in her last year of college to become a teacher. Bailey would have been graduated from college, but spent several years helping her sister with her children. Ani gave up trying to talk them into going with them with a heavy heart.

The television was full of news about the Quay, showing their ships landing and being loaded by synthroids. They showed pictures of the Quay over and over. When the Quay arrived at their door, the Dace family knew exactly who they were. There were so many of them. They took their pets and their livestock, then their belongings and equipment. They took everything but their food and vehicles. They were told they would not need them, as food and transport would be provided by the Quay. They were to carry their own personal travel bags with them.

A limousine arrived to take the Dace family to the airport. Ani blew a kiss goodbye to their beloved ranch and home, and got quickly into the limousine. Anything they did not want was left for anyone to take. Myles was not happy to leave his old Chevrolet car he had rebuilt and called Chili. He went to the garage and told Chili goodbye. The Dace family met their family and friends, who had decided to go with them, at the airport. They were met by a Quay Lee humanoid female named Shold. Shold was tall and very pretty with fine features. She looked about thirty years old with glowing silver skin, pale blue eyes, and very long wavy white hair. Shold said she was to be their Adviser and greeted them warmly. She told them their family, friends, community and closest town would be the first settlement on planet Len. Everything felt like a dream and seemed surreal. They all clung together not sure what to expect, especially the children hanging onto whoever was closest.

In order to ease fears and if you agree, Myles and Ani, you have been chosen to record and transmit your experiences of your relocation to all the other Earthers, Shold said.

Myles and Ani looked at Shold surprised.

Recording us sounds harmless compared to the whole leaving Earth situation.

We agree to the recording and transmission of our experiences. Hopefully it will help others not fear this necessary experience. Myles said.

Shold gave the adults small objects that looked like computers.

We call these devices visus. They are much like the device Earthers call computers. They also serve us as communicators. The rest of your family and friends are going to be turned over to my assistant, Tah. She will take good care of them while we get you ready to record, Ani and Myles.

Shold led Myles and Ani out of the room and they hugged everyone as they left.

Your family and friends can watch you on the monitors. You will join them later on the space transport.

Miles and Ani waved to the family as they were led away. Shold took Miles and Ani to a small room.

Please sit here with me. Not only have you been chosen to be relocated and recorded, but the reason you were chosen was because of your ability to adapt, survive, and accept different cultures and circumstances without bias or fear. Because of these rare aptitudes the Quay chose you to be spokesmen for the Earthers. You will be fully informed, but some of the information you receive cannot be disclosed to anyone else. If you do disclose it, we will choose someone else to replace you. Do you understand what I have just told you? If you do are you in agreement to continue? Shold asked.

Miles and Ani looked at each other and held hands and Myles nodded. We understand and agreed to continue.

Your pets and livestock have been put into hibernation. Many of the Earthers will be put into hibernation as well. It is easier to travel without any discomfort or emotional distress in hibernation. A fully loaded space transport will take about a week to get to the Quay galaxy. As spokesmen, you will remain awake, and your trainings and experiences will be recorded to be reviewed by all those in hibernation, and the other Earthers. Your belongings are already going through customs. Any vehicles, weapons or food will be left behind.

Shold pointed to their visus.

You need to view the lists of your family, friends, pets, livestock, belongings, and equipment and say agree into the visus if the lists are correct. There are lists for your information of neighbors, community, and the closest town’s occupants traveling with us on the same space transport, Shold said. There are lists of the agricultural community occupants on three other transports that will be traveling in formation with this transport to planet Len. There are three couples on those other three transports also chosen to be Spokesmen. You will meet them later on in your travel. You will find a list of shelters, equipment, and supplies you will be given by the Quay upon your arrival. If you need I will go over these lists with you later.

Shold helped them and it still took over an hour to review all of the lists they needed to agree were correct and both Ani and Myles agreed.

We are going to the areas where you will be recorded. You will be taken next to a medical review room, where you will be scanned and two injections will be given. One is for space travel and the other is an immunity injection that will eliminate and cure any and all health concerns.

Shold took Miles and Ani’s hands in hers. Her skin felt warm and soft.

You, your family, friends, fellow settlers, and animals will all have very long lives now. You will never have to worry about dying from aging or health issues. Aging will slow down for those under the age of fifty. Anyone over fifty, as in your case, will find their age process reversed to age fifty. Death only occurs from misadventure or severe vital injuries.

Both Myles and Ani were incredulous and elated.

My sister Rachel is ill with cancer, are you saying this injection will cure her? Ani asked.

Shold smiled and nodded.

Our aunts and uncles are getting old, you are saying they will reverse the aging process and stop at fifty? Myles asked, shaking his head.

Yes and your family and friends will be told about the injections in the medical room just before they received them. You cannot talk about this secret with anyone until they have their injection. There is no need to eat animals or any living thing, as protein is grown for all of your dietary needs including liquid.

Ani and Myles held hands and hugged. Shold patted their hands.

You will be expected to follow the laws of the Quay. The laws are number one, tolerance; do no harm to living beings. Number two, contribute positively to society. Number three, maintain the population. After the medical review, you will be taken to a lift that will board you on the space transport. On the transport you will be introduced to your evolving synthroids or ES as we abbreviate. I know you are going to have a lot of questions and we will provide answers later, but now you need to finish the customs inspections, so the others can be processed and loaded. You will be recorded from here on.

Myles and Ani held hands as they went to the medical review room. The injections were painless. Ani looked at the camera, waved, and blew the family kisses.

Children, the injections did not hurt at all.

After the injections, Myles and Ani hugged and once again held hands as they were taken to the lift and boarded the space transport. They could see their family and friends on their visus as their family and friends watched them being loaded onto the transport.

You can talk to them if you want.

Myles and Ani gave those watching the thumbs up.

This is a new beginning for all of us traveling to a new world, Ani said. Like our pioneer ancestors heading west embarked on creating a new life on a new land. We just finished reviewing lists of our belongings and those traveling with us. Have faith and believe me, no one is going to hurt you, be safe. We love you all.

Ani and Myles were taken to an observation room where they could watch their family and friends getting their injections and being put into hibernation.

Will being put into hibernation hurt, Shold? Ani asked.

No, we are letting you watch, so you don’t worry. You can visit them whenever you want or view them on your visus. They will wake up, as if from a nap upon arrival at the planet.

Myles and Ani’s sons and their families were taken to their rooms. They were told they needed to lie in their beds for the takeoff. The children were allowed to lay in the beds with their parents. Immediately they were asleep, and then the beds were raised so they were in a standing position.

I am relieved to see how uneventful it is. Can we touch them while they are in hibernation? Ani asked.

Yes they will be in their beds but in a standing position to allow better circulation. You will be able to touch them, if you want.

It was hard for Ani and Myles not to laugh at the sight of their loved ones standing in bed, until they thought about their situation going to a strange land at the mercy of a strange glowing people. It was like they were in one of those science fiction movies, but this was real. Ani promised herself that she would write a journal of their experiences to remind her in the future, if there was one, of what it felt like to leave not just your home but your entire world. Shold took them to their room and Ani wondered if their room was next to their family and friend’s rooms.

I feel a great weight of responsibility for all of them, but especially to the children and our grandchildren, Ani said. Our grandchildren are so young, and have all their lives ahead of them and no guarantee they would be able to live their lives out like we have.

They are the legacy we had lived and worked for to leave to carry on. Myles, we have to do everything we possibly can to make sure the children get a chance to live a full life. Ani took Myles’ hand and Shold smiled.

Shold pointed to a dispenser machine.

Protein matter is the base of all the food and drinks. There are different dishes to choose from and flavored drinks, hot or cold. You will find the foods and drinks all fulfilling and satisfying. The Protein dishes contain all you need to maintain your health.

There was an entertainment center with a television, games, movies, and shows from Earth. Shold showed them how to contact her on their visus.

This is the cleansing room or as you call it, the bathroom.

The bathroom was amazing the sink was sensor operated with a fragrant sparkling air for cleansing. The shower’s cleansing air had a scent that made you feel happy to smell. There was a tooth cleaner that you put into your mouth and it automatically cleaned your teeth with several different fragrances you only needed to use it once a week. Shold showed them a dresser with purple colored armor and boots folded into small squares.

You will need to wear these armors during travel, as they will provide protection and life support if necessary. You don’t need to wear them in bed as the blanket sheeting also provides protection and life support. The armor has its own air supply if needed and is self-cleaning and temperature adjusted. It is also equipped with a translator. There is no need for any specific care. If they are damaged then just get a new one. I am leaving you to get some rest. Shold left their room.

Myles and Ani were extremely tired and had a hot drink. They went to the cleansing room took their clothes off and then went to bed. The bed was amazing, it formed to their body and they could feel all the tension in their muscles relax. A fragrance soft and enjoyable lulled them to sleep. Myles and Ani wondered if they were also being put into hibernation, but were so sleepy they really didn’t care.

Myles and Ani woke up at the same time. They looked at each other and laughed. Both of them had wondered if they were being put into hibernation or worse. They got out of bed and put the purple armor on. The material was soft and had a pleasant fragrance.

The boots surprised them when the soles filled with air and they both laughed. They got hot drinks and ate breakfast from the dispenser. There was a strange tinkling sound, and Ani realized it was coming from the visus and touched it.

Are you ready for indoctrination? Shold asked.

Yes, we just finished breakfast.

You will be getting a visitor shortly, see you soon.

There was a knock on their door. A synthroid came in.

I am your personal assistant Anhe.

Anhe was tall and attractive with pale blue eyes. He looked like the Quay with silver skin that did not glow. He was dressed just like all Quay in a purple armor. Myles and Ani both shook hands with Anhe. Anhe took them to a room that had a view of space. It made Ani feel dizzy, so she sat down at a large table away from the viewing