Fox Flash Alpha: Beckoning

By M.G. Brown

About the Book
Survivors of Wolf Streak Beta are again reunited with some few of crew of Fox Flash Alpha in their galactic quest per Project Blue Jay. But most of foxy crew is still captive of vile Kur Mizeno on far planet in Sexto solar system. And can a shaky alliance with one troubling faction of colonial culture be trusted any more than challenging the nasty Kur Mizeno?
Yet beckoning to seek recovery of missing captured Blue Jays is compelling!
Should they trust to become one crew again for rescue of companions by flying beyond into the solar system in Fox Flash Alpha?
Or will the solar system Sexto throw more trauma at them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Nov 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889259541

Book preview

Disclaimer

Fox Flash Alpha: Beckoning is a tale of science-fiction (as are all entries in saga of Perspectives of Blue Jay and series of Begin an End for a World?), hence, all characters, all science technology, all places, and all terms and naming for such and situations are merely from the author’s imagination. No actual person or event or brand name for any tech is intended. Any resemblance to the past, present, or future reality is totally coincidental.

Prologue: Radhin into Sexto

Radhin awoke with a startled abruptness.

While her vision acclimated to the unusual view in front of her sleepy eyes, her eyelids fluttered for a few seconds and then blinked open finally. Less than two feet before her face, several long slender lavender tendrils flexed and writhed. Slowly, meticulously these tendrils uncoiled from the contiguous weave around her body.

The sharp clarity of this strange sight registered instantly on her awareness. Radhin remembered that Jamyk had predicted this amazing keenness of visual sight. He had told her that all of her normal senses would be enhanced. Now, as she witnessed the gradual unraveling of the alien tendrils from the cocoon around her, Radhin could understand the prior prediction of the young man.

She recalled the original purpose of permitting the alien cocoon to enclose her. Jamyk and Doc Kymil had suggested that the Itcac talent to enhance the ability of an individual human might strengthen her natural eidetic memory trait. She could be the best of the three foxes to remember the events which had occurred on the ConCen of Fox Flash Alpha when the spacecraft had first entered Sexto System so many months ago now. Her eidetic memory trait would make this a reasonable likelihood. So, being a true loyal Blue Jayer, she had agreed to the request and had entered a tendril embrace so as to further enhance her unusually unique natural memory talent.

When the wriggling lavender tendrils separated from one another, she noticed the light green tendrils flailing and swaying less than two yards beyond the confines of her cocoon. Another cocoon of green tendrils disassembled in the golden light of this strange alien place. Her sight experienced the incredible sharpness and visual delineation of edges and shadows, of colors and contrasts, and of unusually keen depth perception. Through the constant movement of the tendrils of lavender and green Radhin saw the smile on the face of the young man inside the other tendril embrace.

Then as the green tendrils flowed apart, she observed the widening trunks of the six tendrils attached to scattered spots around the round golden bubble. She could not see the full lengths of the lavender tendrils composing her cocoon, but she did view most of the green tendrils forming the cocoon around Jamyk. The thin tips of the flexible tendrils thickened as they retracted back to the six places on the golden bubble. With her present acute eyesight Radhin observed this pattern easily. She realized instantly that the lavender tendrils around her were moving in the same manner. Within minutes all the tendrils were gone from inside the golden bubble. She stood there facing the short figure of Jamyk.

With a grin on his boyish face, Jamyk asked with a raspy voice, Do you feel awright now, Radhin? No doubt, you can feel the stimulating difference of this awakening as compared to a normal awakening from a Saphyndenlairoum.

The pitch of his raspy voice reverberated with more resonance that she could remember. He stood there wearing only the green JMO shorts around his narrow waist and hips. His favorite green Clarinkev running shoes were on his feet. His physique seemed thicker, more nearly adult than the eidetic memory of his body from their shared time on Steppingstone Quinto many months ago. His firm stance and bearing exuded much greater assurance than her memory of his boyish slouch of his former youthful appearance on Quinto. Was this the new Jamyk now who the other wolves had whispered about recently? Or, were her perceptions of him only enhanced visions of her time in the alien cocoon?

Very unsure of her thoughts then, Radhin realized she must respond politely, so she chirped in her soprano voice, Hey, Jamyk, you were right. All my senses seem so alive. Even your skinny toxx body looks so adult to me now. My brain is as lively as I’ve ever experienced.

Indeed, this is just as we planned, Jamyk exhorted stepping toward her. We must get into the dioncopu suits. We should not let your heightened memory go to waste now. Doc Kymil has the clothes just inside the hatch of the Wolf. We must go to her now.

As his sweat-drenched slender body approached, Radhin noticed the well-toned muscles of his naked arms and legs. Jamyk was no longer the scrawny boy of just skin and bone any longer. He was not the muscular athlete as Bhiros or Domyn, or even Chitir and maybe Khebol, yet his build had become toned and toughened since she had seen him on Steppingstone Quinto. She wondered, what had happened to him since then to bring about this change?

However, instead of asking this question aloud, Radhin chuckled in her high trilling manner as she strode beside Jamyk toward the outer hatch of the Wolf which was presently also inside the large golden alien bubble, and she said, Yes, we should go now. I suppose we will be more professional in our uniforms than traipsing around half-naked in our JMOs. Dubious, don’t you think?

As she walked she noticed that his boyish odor of past memory had been replaced by a pungent musky aroma with a hint of acrid scent stimulating her currently enhanced nose. This was mildly unpleasant or at least different. Then as she repositioned the top line of her JMO over her small yet firm shapely breasts and also smelled a wafting scent of acridity rise from her torso, she realized that she gave off a similar aroma then. Perhaps, his scent was not completely unappealing at the moment?

Awright, no doubt you are finding that your senses now give you a vastly different viewpoint of the world and people around you. Indeed, we are certain that your intelligence will be tolerant of any unpleasant sensations which you may experience. Since our many turns within the Itcac cocoons and the resulting enhancements, we wolves have all needed to redefine our presumptions of acceptability, Jamyk stated in a way so unlike the boy who she remembered.

Astonished by his statement, Radhin wondered if he had peeked into her thoughts. Perhaps, he had read various facial signs which she may have inadvertently displayed? She had overheard Whyvvi mention several times over the past two weeks that Jamyk often seemed to anticipate the remarks and thoughts of others. This young man would be an enigma to know now, or so Whyvvi had predicted.

Yet, she realized that this was not an important issue now, so she exclaimed instead, Anybody here have a notion? From what I’ve heard about your adventures with Wolf Streak Beta and I’ve also had with my Fox Flash Alpha, we both have had vulching nasty changes to our planned Blue Jay missions. We’ve both been forced to adjust to unfathomable circumstances. Isn’t this right, Jamyk?

Awright, indeed you understand, he announced as he escorted her to the outer hatch of the Wolf. Now we must try to adapt new ways to attempt to fulfill our former mission if this is possible. Such a challenge will not be vulching easy!

Hey guy, but we are Blue Jayers! We can adapt, Radhin proclaimed glancing at his sweating figure and wondered if he had grown two inches taller since the time at Quinto. You small toxx, you seem to have vulching adapted already. Small Jamyk, you aren’t so small anymore to my eyes.

He snorted with a hearty laugh and then said, No doubt, we have all adapted to the nasty threats of this Sexto System. Awright, here is Doc Kymil with our uniforms. We hope that she has found one of Emkhat’s to fit our scrawny form. We doubt that our chest can fill the front of any of her recent dioncopu suits. Emkhat is one young woman already more muscular and filled out that our sorry toxx.

When she peered inside the outer hatch, Radhin observed temporarily only darkness for the few seconds while her now keen eyesight acclimated to the lack of the bright yellow glow of the outside light, yet her acute hearing heard Doc Kymil whisper, Oh my, you both have such energy to your steps. I see that the tendril embraces of the Itcac have invigorated your normal metabolisms. But, then you two do always have higher energy levels than the rest of us Blue Jayers. I’m surprised that the Itcac could enhance such energetic individual metabolism any further. Yet, to my PEQA sight, you both do appear stronger and livelier than your norms.

While she received her lavender dioncopu suit from Doc Kymil, Radhin chuckled gaily, Hey, Doc, I’m just so ready to test my memory now with the improvement given by your new alien allies. You know me. I’m ready to break new horizons any day. This will be a fascinating challenge to go beyond my normal eidetic memory recall if such is possible. I’m thrilled to try this now!

Still standing in the golden light of the outer hatchway, Jamyk’s slender figure glistened with the wetness of his sweat, and then when he grasped the bulky yellow dioncopu suit from Doc Kymil, he muttered with dismay, Vulch, we’re surely not looking forward to dressing in this garment belonging to Emkhat. Our guys, Chitir and Khebol, will no doubt have a cherp time goading us in this female attire.

Oh my, young man, this was your notion to dress as closely as possible to the norm on Fox Flash Alpha just to give Radhin as much similarity of setting as possible to stimulate a very precise memory recollection, Doc Kymil said and then with a mild chuckle she continued, Yet, since I’m certain that you are correct to anticipate some ridicule by those two boys in manly bodies, you could change your mind now and not simulate Emkhat in the upcoming setting. This is your choice, you know.

While she squirmed into her lavender dioncopu, Radhin observed the frown crease the face of Jamyk as he held the yellow clothing in his arms, and then he said in a hushed voice, Awright, we did intend to do this to aid you in your task of giving us as accurate a depiction of what happened on the ConCen of Fox Flash Alpha. We suppose this won’t be the first or last harassment we suffer from our friends. Vulch, we won’t whip our toxx self for dressing in yellow for your benefit, Radhin. In fact, we can look at our act as an honorable memory of our own Swyllo just as well. We can do this task. We can pretend to be your crewmate Emkhat this one time. Vulch, this will be cherp just to sit in such an honored yellow chair! For our Swyllo, we can do this!

Swyllo, yes Swyllo was dead now, Radhin reminded herself silently, or so the wolves had reported during these past two weeks since Fox Flash Alpha had landed on this alien moon called Bayn. She watched Jamyk dress his perspiring figure into the yellow garment normally worn by Emkhat. Yet, this time Radhin thought of the tiny girl Swyllo of Wolf Streak Beta. Also a wearer of yellow, Swyllo had been a cherp friend and Blue Jayer. The report of her death had not seemed real. Nor nicely pleasant!

Radhin, even now, hoped that the report from the wolves was in error, but their sadness had seemed genuine. Her own experiences of the past several months after Fox Flash Alpha had popped into Sexto System had been horribly unexpected. Her intellect could readily believe the terrible reports of the deaths of so many of the wolves. Fox Flash Alpha had not fared much nicer!

While she watched Jamyk wiggle into the yellow dioncopu of Emkhat, Radhin remembered that this present reenactment was intended to stimulate her special memory so as to provide all Jayers here now on Bayn with as cherp a recall of the moments during the entry of Fox Flash Alpha into this new solar system. Yes, truly this exercise of memory recollection should be worthwhile, Radhin mused.

Oh my, for all of us, we must do this, Doc Kymil said with conviction. We must try to recall just what steps and activities were undertaken by your fox crew, Radhin. Since the recording of the foul incident was damaged by the attack on Copulatus, the normal holovision replay of the core memory is incomplete and inadequate now.

And, the vulching memories of those two sasquatch Chitir and Khebol have never been very accurate, Jamyk chirped in a squeaky rasping voice as he wriggled his shoulders and torso into the dioncopu. Those lads are remarkably insightful and creative in their primary functions and their pranks, but their memories have never been particularly sharp. No doubt, the trauma of their recent ordeals in captivity of Kur Mizeno did not improve their questionable memories. We are fortunate to have you, Radhin, to serve as our gift of recollection.

A gift? This is rather dubious, don’t you think, Jamyk, she chuckled with her usual twittering melody of laughter, and then when she noticed that he was having trouble sealing the lapels of the more than baggy chest cavity of the yellow dioncopu, she giggled again and exclaimed, Anybody here have a notion! Let me help you close this dioncopu. Obviously, it is fit for a buxom young lass and not your skinny flat boyish chest, you small toxx!

Oh my, you are correct, Radhin, Doc Kymil sighed. I did try to find an older fit of Emkhat when she was younger. Yet, even then that young woman was very athletic and well-shaped. I did the best I could, Jamyk. Your plan requires your mind not your body imitation of Emkhat, right?

As they helped Jamyk seal the yellow dioncopu, he laughed hoarsely, Vulch, this isn’t so uncherp! We don’t require this dioncopu to function. We just wish to appear as similar to your crewmate Emkhat as we can. We do not intend to fill out the breast cavity of this suit. This should not make any real impression upon your memory and your perspective of being on your ConCen with your fellow foxes as you were during the popping into Sexto. This fit is cherp enough. Let’s go into this Wolf and begin your memory recall while your brain is enhanced still from the tendril embrace of the Itcac.

Oh my, yes, the others have been waiting there for some time now. I’m certain Nyba is getting whipped being inside a dioncopu of Cap Bhiros. I don’t know if she was able to find one that had been washed recently. Cap Nyba can get a bit irritated with the young men when they are tardy in their washing, Doc Kymil exclaimed with a chuckle.

Awright, then enough of this chatter, let’s not dawdle any longer, Jamyk commanded holding some of the loose breast lapel to his chest with one arm. We perceive emotions of annoyance and impatience from our fellows inside the Wolf. We are tardy now. We are fortunate that our Blue Jayers in there have waited for us this long. Let’s not challenge their patience any longer.

Hey guy, I’ve been ready, Radhin chirped and then strode through the short entry to the inner hatch and once inside the Wolf she called out loudly, Hey, Jayers! Anybody here have a notion of what we’re doing? I’m a bit suspect for any event arranged by toxx Jamyk!

Several chairs spun toward her voice as she entered the dim yellow lighting in the Wolf. This looked so much like the ConCen of Fox Flash Alpha, she thought. Instantly, she observed Neer Khebol in his light brown dioncopu and Cap Nyba disguised in an orange dioncopu of Cap Bhiros. They sat in the brown and blue chairs of command closest to the hatchway.

Now, I wonder which little toxx rascal is to blame for making me wait in this very aromatic suit of Bhiros, Nyba complained as soon as her eyes gazed at Radhin and the other two people following her through the hatchway. I’m positive that the toxx rascal is goading me with malicious intent.

With a loud snort and a guffaw Chitir laughed exuberantly from the green chair on the far left of the formation of chairs, Vulching sour, I don’t see the little rascal, Nyba. Isn’t this young lass in the yellow suit, our own sweet and tasty Emkhat?

This is so very cefatious! Khebol laughed in his rumbling baritone. Our Emkhat seems to have lost her bodacious breasts. This young lass is no more than a flat boy, a rather skinny boy at that!

Giggling with the jovial mood and the lack of tension now in the ConCen, Radhin walked to the purple chair on the far right of the semi-circle of colored chairs. She realized that this would be Milyr’s station on the ConCen of Wolf Streak Beta. Yet, for this format, she must convince herself that this was her own purple chair on the ConCen of Fox Flash Alpha. If Jamyk could endure the ridicule by his mates to play the part of her closest crewmate Emkhat, then Radhin realized that she must deceive her mind just for this moment. She must believe that she was actually on the ConCen of Fox Flash Alpha now.

As she sat into the purple chair, Jamyk in his yellow disguise plunked his narrow toxx into the yellow chair beside her and laughed heartily, Vulch, we didn’t need to foresee this reception with any perception. Our cherp comrades are so easily predictable. No doubt, you will have your merriment now. This is most likely cherp and healthy for all of us. However, when Radhin is ready to begin her memory recital, we must all be serious and attentive. We all know by now of the importance of her recollection of the sequence of events on Fox Flash Alpha after the popping into Sexto. Neer Khebol, you have not had any further success in retrieving any useful recordings from the core of Copulatus, have you? We know you have tried for such often in past days.

The tall slender young man dressed in his familiar tan dioncopu peered intently and with a slight scowl at Jamyk for a moment but then replied, Nega, the recording of the sensor and comm functions of Copulatus were damaged too severely. We will never get this back. Reprogramming Copulatus for future operations will be relatively easy. I’ve begun already. However, some of the past recordings are ruined. We need our human memory recorder to fill in this time period for us now.

While she listened to Khebol speak, Radhin observed Doc Kymil sit gracefully into the gray chair beside Cap Nyba. Doc Kymil wore the black dionpromi uniform of Doc Thebon of Fox Flash Alpha. The silver colored lightning bolts along the arms and legs of this dionpromi seemed to gleam a yellow glow in the golden light entering through the window of the Wolf. This forty seven year old woman was not at all disturbed to wear the uniform of Doc Thebon in spite of his weird penchant for the showy decorative streaks. No, Radhin mused, Doc Kymil seemed comfortable in Thebon’s clothing as she sat into Prof Lyndyn’s former chair. Most likely some professional respect for the other doc?

As she considered the strength of the determination of the elder doctor, Radhin wondered briefly, how had Doc Kymil and the other wolves endured their ordeal in their first months in Sexto System, but then quickly her attention was brought back to the purpose of this gathering in Wolf when Whyvvi blurted bluntly, Well, surely we should begin this memory recall before Radhin loses the enhancement of the Itcac. We should save all the other discussions for later after she recites her memories. Is this not why we are all here now dressed as if we are the fox crew?

Vulch, you’re right, bodacious lass, Chitir agreed from the green chair beside Whyvvi. Let’s get on with our reenactment. I’m sweating my nads off in this dioncopu in this pretend ConCen of Fox Flash. This is nasty hot in here. This is not at all cherp for my tasty body!

Well, at least you do not stink as uncherp as the little toxx who normally sits there beside me, Whyvvi retorted with a grin toward Jamyk. However, this is not our purpose now to goad our toxx rascal. We are here to assist Radhin with her memory recall.

Indeed, this is the goal here now, Jamyk agreed beside Radhin. No doubt, everyone would be able to be more focused if we all adorned our respective caps and visors just as would be the situation on ConCen of Fox Flash Alpha. Vulch, perhaps, if we cover our ugly rascal face, then perhaps you others will view us as Emkhat. Then you will not distract Radhin with foolish Jamyk jokes.

Now, this is one of your best notions yet, Nyba snorted as she slid the orange cap over her bald head. If only I could have thought to disguise your toxx rascal self as anyone else during our journey from Quinto, then maybe I could have enjoyed the voyage with more tranquility. Please hide your annoying toxx face beneath that visor and pretend to be Emkhat.

Vulching sour, that will be impossible. This little vulcher just doesn’t have the mams to imitate our Emkhat, Chitir laughed while he lowered the double visor from his forehead to in front of his eyes. How’s this, Radhin? Is this the gorgeous look you recall of my big and tasty body when we were coming out of Weznuski space during our entry into Sexto?

Hey guy, you look just like your usual tedious self, Radhin chuckled with a high-toned giggle. Your appearance resembles my wispy memory of those hours when we entered Sexto. Wave your arms around like you do when you pilot the spacecraft. Try to work up your normal sweat stains, you big sasquatch. Then you’ll really appear like your toxx self!

Well, is that really necessary? Whyvvi asked with a slight snort as she flipped her visor down from the pink cap over her forehead and scalp. I was hoping we would do this without making this young man aromatic, at least more than he is already. Can we just do this now? If I stop talking, Radhin, will you be able to see me as Carhel sitting in her red chair next to this gangly green pilot?

Yes, we should do this memory retrieval now before Radhin loses the…the improvement given by the aliens, Neer Khebol proclaimed. This alien improvement to a human physiology and brain function is unknown, unnatural, and could be very limited. Radhin, Jamyk, we should begin, shouldn’t we? We don’t want anything nasty to happen to our favorite human recorder.

As the tall young man in tan dioncopu spoke, Radhin glimpsed the Blue Jayers sitting around the semi-circle of colored chairs. Yes, she mused silently in her mind, in response to Whyvvi’s previous question. Chitir was just himself sitting there right where he would normally pilot. Whyvvi was in the same color uniform in the same location as Carhel would sit on Fox Flash Alpha. Then the gray chair of Prof Lyndyn was perceived readily as the black chair of Doc Thebon especially now with Doc Kymil disguised there within Thebon’s black and silver dionpromi.

Oh yes, all these Jayers were helping her to do this chore now, Radhin mused. Nyba hidden within the orange dioncopu of Cap Bhiros occupied the captain’s chair. Khebol sat in his usual tan dioncopu in his usual position in the chair of the Neer. All of the Blue Jayers present were visible to Radhin in the precise positions and colors to provide her a perspective for actual memory recall as if she were sitting in her purple chair on the true ConCen of Fox Flash Alpha.

From the yellow chair immediately to her left, the small figure in the yellow dioncopu whispered from a mouth below the visor eyepiece covering part of the face, We must begin now, Radhin. Allow your mind to return to the moment of first viewing the stars and space of Debordo again. You are sitting next to your Blue Jayer friend Emkhat. You are searching the Debordo space with your comm scans. You can hear the voices and excitement of your fellow foxes here on the ConCen. Your Fox Flash Alpha has just popped into Sexto System…

Many voices murmured in the background while this hushed raspy voice dominated her auditory focus. Her eyes glimpsed the narrow face beneath the yellow cap and visor. Yet, she felt the strong dominance of the suggestion from the voice coming from the face, which began to look like Emkhat. Yet it was not a specific person any longer to her perception. It was just a very powerful persuasive voice. As if, her friend Emkhat, like Jamyk, owned such potent mind persuasion. Radhin felt a subtle attraction pull her awareness from the face and to the whispering influential voice.

The rasp of the whisper gradually transformed into a mellow smooth alto tone, perhaps like Emkhat, and her crewmate in the yellow dioncopu asked from a yellow chair not far away, Radhin, what do you scan on your comm now? Tell us now, what do you see and hear on this ConCen of Fox Flash Alpha. We are for you now. We are listening. Tell as all that you perceive.

For a moment her normal human senses ceased to accept any stimulation. Her awareness seemed glued to the persuasive dominance of the voice. Then the temporary lack of sensory input dissipated. Radhin peered into the youthful face inside the yellow cap and visor less than four feet away. Her awareness was lured into the recesses of her potent eidetic memory. She felt her mouth speak in response to the voice. Yet, she did not really hear her own voice, but instead heard and spoke along with the voice. Then the recognition of Emkhat registered with her mind…

…Emkhat said, We’re out of Weznuski. We’re in Debordo again. Yeah, this is so cherp! Radhin, do you hear any signals yet? Is there any sign of colonial transmissions here?

As her right eye observed the display on the visor monitor, Radhin saw with her left eye the athletic form of Emkhat swivel in the yellow chair just to her left. There was nervous energy in the way which Emkhat moved in the chair. There was anticipation in the young woman’s voice. Radhin realized that her friend felt the same now as she did, hopeful and optimistic of the success of their Blue Jay mission to the Sexto System. Future glory might be won by them today?

Radhin replied, Hey girl, we just got here. Do you believe there would be random residual transmissions here? This is so far from the center of this solar system. We are just barely beyond the point of the Kil-Kol now. The colonials would not know to station a ship here waiting for us.

Yet, Radhin, your sensor scans can detect long distance transmissions, can’t they? Don’t goad me now! Tell me what your scans detect, Emkhat pleaded with her one exposed eye bulging wide beside the visor covering her other eye.

Several feet beyond the seated form of Emkhat, Khebol announced loudly from his brown chair, I’m retracting the Wilchrison now. All braiding has stopped. Chitir, adjust your pilot maneuvers to normal Debordo space protocols. Cap Bhiros, we will need your decision on our new course vector.

The orange figure next to Neer Khebol replied in a deep baritone voice, We can’t go into this system yet until we launch our last Buffalardi probe. However, we must be audacious in our actions. We must not wait to discover facts. We must be bold to surpass the deeds of Wolf Streak Beta.

Vulch yes, this is for sure! We just must do more than those toxx wolves, Chitir chortled.

Cap Bhiros frowned at the other boy for the interruption and then continued with a decisive tone, If we wish to become legends as those wolves, then we must go forth now even as we learn new data. Chitir, pilot a course vector which will take us tangential to the solar system and also give us a reasonable launch trajectory to the projected region of space where we have calculated the end of the currently existing Buffalardi relay chain of beacons. Do you understand this command?

Erhh, vulch, Cap, my simple mind will need the help of Copulatus to calculate the spatial coordinates for this proposed course vector, Chitir griped from the green chair on the far side of the ConCen from Radhin. Cap, you know how I don’t get along with spatial math and science…

A waspish female voice complained from the other side of Emkhat, You lads never did like to pay attention to your lessons in astrophysical math and science which we attempted to instruct to you on this long journey. I’m stunned that you know how to pilot this spacecraft.

Radhin recognized the matronly tone of Prof Hethep as the older woman of thirty-eight chastised Chitir. With a glimpse of the Prof when she leaned toward Chitir, Radhin observed the short form dressed in the gray dionpromi sitting between Emkhat and Khebol. Radhin felt sympathy for Chitir at that moment. He was often scolded by harsh moody Prof Hethep.

So Radhin sighed in encouragement in her shrill soprano, Chitir, you’re not as whipped by the math and astronomical configurations as you pretend. Just go to work with Copulatus and design our new course. Hey guy, I trust you can do this.

Yes, so do I, Cap Bhiros stated from his orange chair. Chitir, your function has priority now. Use as much of Copulatus as you need to plot this projected course. Exactness is not critical until we have a definite goal. We have lots of space here to find our way next hours and days.

I’ll do my best, Cap. With Copulatus I can calculate this. Perhaps, I’ll just fly by my toxx. I’ll pretend that I’m Jamyk and pilot by feel and intuition, Chitir chuckled as his hands and arms swayed and waved with the movements of his piloting interface with the artigence Copulatus.

Neer Khebol announced, The Wilchrison is retracted now and stored in its bay. Should we begin prep for our Buffalardi launch, Cap?

Cap Bhiros suggested, Yes, I’ll give this duty to you and Prof Hethep to coordinate. Get our probe ready, but don’t program any specific trajectory or course just yet. You may establish a general spatial region for deployment but wait on the particular course calculations for now. I’d like to have some cherp positive report to include with our initial message to MisCom at Quinto. Hopefully, we’ll be including our first contact with colonials in our message.

Prof Hethep asked, Are you being a bit overly optimistic, young lad? Such a message would be nice, Cap Bhiros. However, have you checked to discover if we are in fact in Sexto System? Are you allowing your intense desire to succeed hinder proper post-popping procedures?

I do what I want, Prof, Cap Bhiros proclaimed bluntly. As captain, I have the options. Yet, you do mention an important consideration. Carhel, are your sensor searches at the point yet to allow correlation of the planetary orbits and locations of this system with the prior long range reads taken from Steppingstone Quinto? Can you confirm that we are in Sexto System now? I’m sure that you have been investigating this since we entered Debordo space.

The thin young woman in the pink dioncopu in the red chair beside Chitir peered with her one exposed eye at Bhiros and replied in her soft voice, Of course, Cap, just as we had planned in our practices, I have been sending zeta ray sensors in all practical directions. Some of the sensors have returned as of now. Others will require more time as they seek spatial bodies on the far side of this system. I do know how to perform my function!

Can you display a partial schematic yet? Prof Hethep inquired. Have you begun correlation calibrations with the artigence Copulatus yet? You young people seem to need guidance on occasion. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what you are doing.

Carhel muttered, Erhh, uh, now Copulatus and I don’t need any special help, Prof. We need adequate time for our sensor rays to travel to the planets and moons and sun and then back to our receptors. We are dependent on the limitations of our sci-tech.

Prof, could you help me align to an appropriate spatial zone for possible Buffalardi deployment? Neer Khebol asked while he finished exchanging his tan cap and visor used for the Wilchrison braiding procedure with his new cap and visor for his normal function as Neer of Fox Flash Alpha, and he continued patiently, We are supposed to have this prepped for Cap Bhiros by the time he must decide to launch. I could use your assistance now, Prof.

Hmmn, I get the idea that two young pups are patronizing me now. You wouldn’t do that, would you, Khebol? Prof Hethep exclaimed with obvious sarcasm. Yet, I suppose that you could need my past experience on Gopher Run where my crew established the most recent protocols for maximizing the precision of deploying the final beacon in the long chain of beacons stretching back from one Steppingstone to the previous Steppingstone. Now because of the success of Gopher Run, Blue Jay had a very precise format for aligning all beacons effectively and securely. Yes, you will need my expertise in this task, Khebol.

Yes, this task is slightly cefatious for me, Khebol admitted, and Radhin noticed a subtle grin appear on his face beneath the one eye piece, and then he continued, Programming artigences is easy for me. But, this unpredictable probability is more of a challenge. Help me please, Prof.

Seriously folks, does anybody really have a clue? the large man in the black dionpromi with the silver bolts on the arms and legs asked as he laughed in his smooth clear voice, Do we know where we are yet? How will Prof and Khebol know where to deploy our beacons unless we are sure we are in Sexto System? Surely by now, Carhel, you can display some reasonable scene on the holovision for us.

Yes, yes, Doc Thebon, perhaps you are right, Cap Bhiros agreed from his orange chair just to the right of the black chair of Thebon. You are correct in that we don’t wish to dally while we confirm our location for certain. Carhel, put what info you have read from your sensor searches onto the holovision. Chitir, by doing this chore with Copulatus will she interfere with your course calculations with the artigence? Don’t wish to boggle your limited mind, guy!

Chitir replied hastily, Not likely, we are just guessing now anyway. Perhaps, if the holovision provides a more accurate read of this solar system, then Copulatus can estimate and project a more accurate course for me. Now I’m just winging it trying to keep a central line between the sun there and the vicinity of the Kil-Kol. We’re not moving very rapidly at this time…

Interrupting him tersely, Emkhat demanded with some churlish insistence to her voice, Just you be vulching certain that you keep us in some reasonable amount of sunlight. That sun is a long distance from our position now. Harvesting light is not efficient from this distance.

Emkhat, do you have the maximum possible harvesters exposed on our outer hull now? You should use all receptors in a cherp position now while we are on the outskirts of this solar system, Cap Bhiros declared and then turned to his left and asked, Carhel, how are you progressing with the holovision display? Let’s see what you have now.

Doc Thebon said beside her, Yes, Carhel, perhaps your display may aid the correlation to confirm our actual location now. Are we in Sexto System? Do we gain any useful advantage by launching our last Buffalardi now?

Emkhat blurted with mild excitement, Cap, I’m reading another moderately strong light source in this system other than the sun. Carhel, do you read yet what this other light source could be?

Carhel stated, Cap, with your permission, I have a holovision display ready with Copulatus. This is not complete yet. Some of the zeta rays have not returned from the most distant planets yet. But, I believe that there is enough data now to show us something.

We’ll make do with what we have now, Cap Bhiros said impatiently. Copulatus, oh grand artigence, please portray a holovision per the sensor data from the station of Carhel now.

Radhin pivoted her chair slightly to glance across the open space between her position and the chairs of Carhel and Chitir on the far side of the semi-circle of chairs. In this space she knew the holovision would appear as organized by Copulatus and Carhel. There was no direct window or port view to the space outside Fox Flash Alpha. Instead, Blue Jay sci-tech had placed the ConCen of the spacecraft in the very center of the rounded craft. Any outer view was normally shown in various forms on the holovision or in the visor monitors of the individual crew stations. Now she waited with curiosity for the first view of this solar system besides her narrow focus in her visor. Would this be Sexto System, Radhin wondered and hoped?

Meanwhile in the single monitor in front of her right eye, she observed the faint squiggles of some electromagnetic waves. Her monitor had been preset to read the results of sensor searches hunting for any type of radio or laser transmissions possibly in use by the alleged colonials. She had set her sensor searches to ignore all normal electromagnetic background noise common to the space near and inside a solar system. Radhin suspected that the squiggly patterns now on her monitor were beyond the regular background noise. Yes, yes, she mused silently, this was likely to be a sign of intelligent transmission from a life-form, hopefully the human colonials?

Suddenly, before she could announce this possible finding, the space between Chitir and her glimmered alive with holovistic energy. Several startled yelps and cheers struck her ears through the auditory receptors in her lavender dioncopu cap. Her crew mates were happily surprised by the portrayal on the holovision. Radhin quietly emulated their enthusiasm and curiosity.

In the three dimensional imagery, the holovision portrayed a spherical expanse of darkness not quite black, more grayish. Yet, the many orbs representing planets and the strong yellow sun in the center of the solar system were brightly distinct in the expanse of gray. Several medium-sized planets shone with the reflected light of the sun. Most of these orbs were located currently to the left octants as depicted on the holovision.

This was a view set to the present perspective of Fox Flash Alpha as aligned centrally to the chair of Cap Bhiros. If Chitir piloted the spacecraft as commanded previously by Cap Bhiros, then the position of the position of the spacecraft was outside the outer boundary of the solar system. From her point of view most of the planets were on the far side of the holovision now. Radhin grumbled silently.

However, one very large planet dominated the forward octant now almost obscuring her view of Carhel, and just as Radhin noticed this unique planet, Emkhat blurted sharply, Vulching true, that giganormous one over there must be the secondary source of light detected by my harvester receptors. Capo Bhiros, can I open more ports to harvest some of this reflected light. This would aid me enormously in harvesting for our energy supply while we are so distant from the sun.

Yes, your suggestion sounds logical, Cap Bhiros agreed.

From the left of the orange-suited Bhiros, Doc Thebon advised, Truly, we should use all the sci-tech available to us. Carhel, have you been employing the fullest potential of your sensor options to search this solar system? Have you used all the hull ports possible to create the holovision depiction?

Prof Hethep stated dryly, Also, use of the maximum available sensors would immensely shorten the time needed to confirm whether we are in Sexto System. The more data input to Copulatus the sooner the artigence can compute the correlation with the prior parameters set back on Quinto.

I’m not an ignorant toxx! I know how to set my sensors, Carhel retorted in her usually mild tone even when upset or angry, and Radhin marveled at the restraint of her friend as the girl continued, I just do not wish to open too many ports on our outer hull. We should all remember that any solar system is an emitter of all types of cosmic radiation into space. I don’t want to invite any excess of negative radiation through the defensive structure of our hull.

Yes, yes, this is wise of you, Carhel, Doc Thebon admitted sitting beside the girl in the pink dioncopu, However, Fox Flash Alpha is currently well away from the concentration of worst harmful cosmic rays of the sun of this system. There appears to be no danger of absorbing any critical amount of hazardous emissions through the opened hull ports. Seriously, young lass, we can use as much sensor input now as you can detect. This is our most important info now.

From just beyond Emkhat Prof Hethep declared from her gray chair, Certainly young folks, this is not the time to be conservative with your sensors, harvesters, or scanners. We need to attain as much information, energy, and communication search as we can now. If I understand our daring captain now, then my intuition suggests to me that young Bhiros desires to make haste in our quest to find the colonials residing allegedly in the Sexto System. Am I not correct, young Bhiros?

Oh our Cap is very audacious and desires much, Neer Khebol chuckled.

Yes, of course! Cap Bhiros agreed quickly. We must use our head start of nineteen days, and perhaps more now, to find and contact the colonials. Nothing less will be acceptable. I do desire very much to surpass the legendary accomplishment of our partners on Wolf Streak Beta...

Hey folks, we’ll do this for sure, Radhin chirped enthusiastically. I’m beginning to scan various radio style transmissions now. Waves seem to be distinct from the white noise of the solar system…

Vulching cherp! Can you understand any meaning yet? Chitir asked with excitement while he wiggled and flailed his hands and arms in moderate pilot maneuvers.

Nega at this time! The sensor traces are still well out into this system. Yet, I’m truly certain that I scan actual transmission residues from other than the natural noise of this planetary system. I’m scanning real signals from real radio transmitters, Radhin reported hoping to provide her crewmates with optimism and hope for success.

Cherping great, this is why we travelled through LaOgres to Sexto System. We’ll be the grandest Blue Jayers when we find the elusive colonials. We’ll be grander than the wolves, Chitir proclaimed from his green chair on the far side of the holovision.

Seriously, young lad, do we have a clue yet as to whether this is Sexto System? Doc Thebon inquired and continued then, We are waiting still for Carhel and Copulatus to give us a report on the degree of correlation with the pre-recorded projections taken from Quinto. I do hope that you are correct, Chitir. Yet we don’t have that confirmation still.

Prof Hethep muttered almost as if to herself, Now this is interesting. There was a massive gas giant planet in Sexto System projected on the long range sensor read from Quinto. At least, we do have this obvious similarity. Though, this huge gas giant is much larger that the projection indicated.

Cherp info, this is, Neer Khebol said, and then as he flicked his light brown gloves in a modest twitching movement he announced, Cap, we have prepped the Buffalardi for launch whenever you wish. Only minor adjustments in trajectory calculations will be necessary now for the positioning of the deployment. Prof has preset the calibrations to allow Copulatus to make any minor changes at the time of launch. We are ready to go when you wish now, Bhiros.

This is cherp to hear, Neer. Yet, I believe that we’ll wait for launch awhile still. I’d like to have something really important, maybe more than big and tasty, to send as our initial message through the relay chain of beacons back all the way to Steppingstone Quinto. I wish for us to be able to report the first actual contact with the legendary colonials. I wish for Fox Flash Alpha to outshine the deeds of Wolf Streak Beta, and this will require something amazingly special, Cap Bhiros proclaimed with his two arms stretched outward from his chest in his excitement, as if, Radhin mused, to clutch the accomplishment of his dream into his grasp and pull it to his broad chest.

As the wavy representations on the monitor over her right eye began to resemble more and more the standard transmissions of a radio-oriented technology, Radhin announced with confidence, Cap Bhiros, you may have your desires fulfilled after all. My scans reveal with more accuracy and consistency now that there are very real radio waves in this solar system. I’m not sure exactly from where or when these waves originated, but I do know now that they are real and are artificially generated. We may have found the colonials!

With more critical accusation than Radhin would have liked, Doc Thebon inquired, Are you sure? Do you have all the scanners active in all directions to receive the maximum transmissions? Can you locate any patterns of radio density yet?

Hey, Doc, your questions are a bit dubious, don’t you think? Of course, I’m using my sensor scanners to their max, Radhin retorted to the man in the flamboyant black and silver dionpromi. I do know now due to my proper use of the scanners that radio transmissions flow throughout this solar system. I do know that most of these are relatively old and are merely residual echoes now. Yet, I also detect fresher and higher energized signals from many regions of this solar system.

We get radio transmissions from this system. How cherp is this? They must come from colonials. There could be no other people out here. We’re the first from Zerosolis System to get here by way of the Blue Jay project, Emkhat exclaimed beside Radhin. I’m heeding you, Radhin! You’re the first of us to detect any evidence of the vulching lost colonials. You’ll be a legend someday!

Hey folks, I don’t desire to be a toxx legend. I’m just here to do my function, Radhin protested though she appreciated the recognition of her friend.

We should be able to get some degree of calculated confirmations of where we are by now, Carhel grumbled in obvious consternation. This isn’t cherp for me! Copulatus, can you give me some estimate of the correlation between our present sensor read of this solar system and the previous long range projection from Quinto System?

As quiet settled throughout the ConCen of Fox Flash Alpha except for the rustle of working dioncopu uniforms, Radhin realized that she was holding her breath in anxious anticipation. Chitir turned his chair toward Carhel while he continued the movements of his arms to fly the spacecraft. Others watched the holovision or also peered at Carhel. Her command to the artigence had focused the full attention of the foxes upon her and the long awaited answer to her request.

After two minutes, a male voice said from the air of the ConCen, Carhel, based on the limited data collected by your sensor searches and the presently portrayed holovision, there is a seventy-four percent positive correlation suggesting this is the Sexto System. Do you wish periodic updates of this correlation as more data is available and analyzed from ongoing sensor searches?

Cap Bhiros replied hastily, Nega, Copulatus, your assistance with this calculation is welcomed. Your response is adequate. I’m satisfied that this is Sexto System. We will not require further updates. Vulch, foxes, we are here finally in Sexto System. We beat the toxx wolves. We have a cherp chance now to outdo their already honored deed of escaping the trap in the vulching nasty Kil-Kol…

Yeehaw! We’re going to be the cherpest, biggest, and tastiest Blue Jayers ever! Chitir cheered spinning his green chair into a full circle, and then abruptly quipped with slight guilt, Vulch, sorry foxes! It’s cherp that this bodacious foxy spacecraft has the best internal gravity system ever made. Don’t worry! I’ll have us back on course shortly. Oh Cap, do you want me to stay on the same vector as before? Or, do you have a more specific heading now that we know we’re in Sexto?

Surely, this is the question now, Chitir, Cap Bhiros chuckled from the orange chair. Yet, your spirited antics did not affect our destination. This bodacious foxy spacecraft can spin around and still stay on course. We do not have any specific region of Sexto System to target yet. Radhin, can you give me any notion as to a prevalence of transmissions? Carhel, have you read any evidence of artificially constructed stations, or ships, or cities, or anything?

Emkhat declared tersely, If you ask me, I’d prefer we head for the sun in the middle of the Sexto System. I could get better light harvest as we got closer.

Doc Thebon agreed, Yes, this is a logical notion. Also, we are sure to encounter more colonial populations by going toward the center of Sexto. At the very least, our sensors and scanners would receive the maximum of data to investigate the system around the spacecraft. Out here on the outskirts, we don’t get the best of sensor or scanner data.

Neer Khebol said from his brown chair beside Cap Bhiros, If we move into the solar system, then we should launch our last Buffalardi probe while we are out here and have a clear launch window.

Yes, yes, this all makes sense, Cap Bhiros murmured.

Really vulching silliness! Chitir laughed, and then more controlled and thoughtful he continued, To me, I don’t have any opinion. I’m just a big and tasty guy! Or, so my Swyllo is always telling me. I’ll pilot this foxy spacecraft anywhere you command, Cap. My only request is that we make our shot really count. I want to surpass the wolves and my friend Jamyk and that toxx vulcher Milyr. I want to succeed beyond their previous achievement. Let’s go before those pesky wolves get here.

Well, don’t get whipped nasty, cherp guy, Khebol said. We have at least nineteen days of time for searching before the wolves can get here. Perhaps we will have more than that. After their delay when they needed to pop back into Debordo space to escape the nasty Kil-Kol trap, most likely several days were added to their travel time. I’m sure you remember how much faster we all travel in LaOgres than in regular Debordo space. I’m very sure that we have a cherp head start on our friends from Wolf Streak Beta.

Chitir laughed heartily, For certain, I know that science to a tiny degree, Neer Khebol. Yet, you must realize this is me, a big and tasty lad. I’m not very cherp on the science of all this Blue Jay sci-tech. I’m a tasty guy at using it, but don’t expect me to comprehend how it all functions. I’m a simple pilot!

From behind the large image of the gas giant, Carhel’s voice laughed, Vulch, I can sure reckon that attitude, oh big and tasty boy! Study is cherp, but action is cherper! Speaking of action, my sensors have now discovered some more of the planets on the far octants of our perspective. Two, no make that three more planets are on the far side of the Sexto sun. This solar system seems to have at least as many planets as the Zerosolis System. We may find more soon.

Cap Bhiros exclaimed, Cherp, Carhel, this is encouraging data. I see that the new additions are about the size of Homeworld in Zerosolis System, if my shaky memory is accurate. Now, Radhin, do you scan any more precise transmission patterns yet? Do you have any direction for us to travel to improve our chance at a quick contact with the mysterious colonials? I’d really like to wrap up this Blue Jay mission soon and signal MisCom at Quinto of our success…

Interrupting him, Emkhat giggled, Vulch, yeah, I’m heeding you, Cap! Once we get the mission finished then we can enjoy the socializing with all the colonial young men…and maybe some women for you tasty guys! Sure by then you’ll be manly moody, right?

Vulch tasty, I’m delicious! Cap Bhiros exclaimed as he laughed a deep belly guffaw, and then after several seconds of uncontrolled mirth he calmed himself and said more seriously, However, we should focus on our primary mission first. Radhin, what’s the status with those radio patterns?

Since his original request, Radhin had flicked the fingers of her lavender dioncopu gloves to change the image on her monitor. She had wished to begin to organize a system-wide view of the residual and active radio signals bouncing throughout the Sexto System. Her new view was much more informative to her well-trained eye and ears. Radhin was elated to now have info of significance to report to Cap Bhiros and the crew of Fox Flash Alpha.

Hey folks, you’ll cherply like the info now, she chirped with enthusiasm. Can we compile my scans with the scene on the holovision now? Most of the sensor scans have now returned and my search pattern is nearly complete. We can coordinate the radio transmissions with the spatial depiction of Carhel’s sensor searches. I’m sure Copulatus can do this now. Anybody here have a notion?

I’m heeding you! This is a cherp idea, Emkhat blurted from the yellow chair beside Radhin.

Yes, Radhin, your notion is appropriate if we have enough data now. Is your station image comparable to Carhel’s now? Cap Bhiros asked, and his wide shoulders leaned forward in what Radhin interpreted as curious anticipation.

Yes, Cap, I’m prepped and configured with Carhel now, Radhin reported hastily.

Cherping marvelous! Cap Bhiros exclaimed with vigor. Copulatus, compile the scans of Radhin’s station with the present depiction on the holovision. As usual for this form of compilation, use the same common points of perspective available. We are ready now, oh mighty Copulatus!

 In his male voice the artigence Copulatus said, Stroking my programs is not necessary, Cap Bhiros. I can fulfill your command in two minutes. The resultant holovision will be imperfect as the data currently available is fluctuating and constantly updating. This mighty artigence shall attempt to fulfill your desire now, grand Cap Bhiros!

Seriously now, Khebol, have you been tinkering with some of the psychological programs of Copulatus? Doc Thebon inquired with a mild scowl on his round face.

Well, that’s cefatious! Doc, I would not do anything to harm the infallible artigences, Khebol declared somberly, yet Radhin witnessed the subtle grin on his face beneath the one visor. Our cherp artigences are the core of all of our functions. My main duty is to maintain and communicate with them. I’m sure that you know this, Doc.

Hmmn! You’re not attempting to stroke my naturally swelled ego, young lad, are you? Doc Thebon growled in his normally mellow alto voice, and then Radhin observed a surprising smirk on the older man’s face when he added, I’m certain that you do realize how fragile your youthful health can be at times out here in the Sexto System so far from our Blue Jay support back at Steppingstone Quinto. When you require my talents and interface with Promiscuo, I hope the artigence doesn’t suddenly develop a serious ailment of prankster humor like a certain devious lad.

Well, I can ponder on this, Doc. I’m certainly going to be cautious with any upgraded programming which I might perform when our artigences need my tender touch. I’ll promise you this, Khebol said again with a reasonable tone yet also a wide grin.

Then abruptly the scene of the planets and sun of Sexto System changed on the holovision. The addition of a complex of silver and gold streaks, waves, and pulses entwined around and between the many planets. Momentarily, Radhin sensed a slight confusion as she attempted to reconcile the duality of the holovision with the singular view of the radio transmissions in her one-eyed visor. Yet, she was familiar with such a sudden change of perspective and acclimated her left eye and mind rapidly to the new view. So was not the first time she had to adapt quickly to such alteration of perspective!

Even as she noticed the obvious concentrations now of the system-wide radio signals, she listened to Prof Hethep state, There around the gas giant, in view see how dense the transmissions appear. There must be a focal point of colonial activity in that region. There would be a practical place to visit now, don’t you agree, Cap Bhiros?

Emkhat blurted hastily, Yeah, I could go there. It is closer to the sun. Also, the light reflected from the huge gas planet would be cherp to harvest as well. I can vote for that target.

Cap Bhiros declared, Perhaps this would be a cherp notion. However, I would like to contact colonials and also sanbeam a message to Quinto at the same time. We do wish to get first honor for the contact, don’t we people? See the other more moderate concentrations of signals around those two planets just to our right octant on the farther side of the sun. I prefer this region of Sexto as our goal…

Are you sure, Cap? Those planets are much farther away. The transmission residue is less, Doc Thebon remarked as his eye seemed, in view of one eye of Radhin anyway then, attracted to the larger planet in front of his position on the holovision in the ConCen.

While she observed the two moderate-sized planets almost in front of her chair, Radhin said with confidence, Hey folks, the scans from these smaller planets are returning still. We are not reading the full impact of this distant region of Sexto yet. Vulch, don’t disregard any planets just yet.

Emkhat spun the yellow chair toward Radhin and said politely yet emphatically, Surely you jest, my cherp friend. You know I need to resupply our energy soon. Travelling this distance from the sun slows the harvest. I like the idea of going straight for the giganormous planet and all the reflected light. We could be approaching closer to the sun at the same time.

Cap Bhiros asked, Emkhat, is our energy supply critically low?

Khebol said quickly, "Remember, Bhiros, we must launch the Buffalardi still. This will require energy usage.