The Gathering. Carl Read
atmosphere. Descending through the night skies it circled the planet quietly and headed towards Snakeisles’ largest landmass and the light of day.
The spacecraft traversed a range of snow-peaked mountains and gradually descended over the other side, passing over an enormous waterfall that cascaded from the mountaintop to drop into a basin eight hundred feet below. A river stretched out from the lagoon across a lush open plain as far as the eye could see.
The craft silently touched down four hundred feet from the river’s source. A gentle hum of the extending ramps descending from the side of the spacecraft was the first unnatural sound to be heard by Telluric’s first inhabitants. People streamed through the open doorways and down the ramps only to halt spellbound at the sight of the mountain before them.
Glistening silver in the sun’s rays stood an eight-hundred-foot angel with wings outstretched. The formation of the mountain face, coupled with the flow of water spilling down its sides, gave the outward appearance of an angel welcoming them to their new home. So it was that the Redskin Clan named their first settlement of Snakeisles, Angeni (spirit angel).
With its high snow-peaked mountain ranges, deep valleys, rugged countryside, magnificent forests and sweeping plains, Snakeisles contained some of the finest farming and agricultural land on all of Telluric. Angeni was also home to the Woodlands and was the Snakeisles’ seat of parliament.
The Whiteskin clan was the second to touch down. The spring thaw had arrived by the time they landed and the once barren white plains and snow-covered mountain ranges had been transformed with the new growth of Spring. The mountains that formed the body of the bear were now a lush forest. Waterfalls tumbled from the rocky slopes to the valleys and rivers below that led across the open plains sown with a rich harvest of wild oats. Riddled throughout the mountains were subterranean caverns that provided a safe place to live. Deep volcanic vents kept the people warm with hot mineral springs for bathing. The Whiteskins chose the largest cavern to establish their legislative body and named their first city of Sewati, Teangi (earth).
The Yellowskins had requested to be last to settle so the Darkskins happily landed on their tropical paradise. They chose for their landing site the headland at the base of the head of the butterfly. Shaped like a crescent moon, a river ran through its centre to empty into a large bay cupped on either side by mountains; it provided the perfect place for their first settlement. The Yellowskins called their first capital of Aponi, Heli (sun), for it is on this continent that the sun shines the longest and hottest.
The Yellowskin Clan had chosen the smallest continent on Telluric. However, it was still a considerable size. The head of the dragon continent was approximately four hundred miles square, with a huge bubbling red mud pit representing the dragon’s eye. Steam vents formed the dragon’s nostrils and a smouldering volcano that had at one time erupted from its side formed the dragon’s mouth, sending gaseous substance skyward. The dragon’s neck was a lush plateau one mile above sea level, two hundred miles wide and five hundred miles long connecting to a rectangular-shaped body. The body was six thousand miles of prime farming land that travelled across a broad expanse to reach the dragon’s tail which was fifty miles wide, twisting up and around, resting just behind the dragon’s head. The Darkskins formed their colony at the base of the dragon’s neck and called their capital city and seat of parliament Nandali (fire).
ANTARES
Once the populace was settled on Telluric, Ogima called a meeting in Antares’ wardroom with the other clan leaders to discuss a crew for Antares.
“Antares,” Ogima began, “how would you like us to proceed with the recruiting of your crew?”
“First thing would be a captain, I suppose?” Antares ventured.
“Excuse me, Antares,” Sabir interjected. “But the captain’s position is already taken.”
“Really! By whom?” Antares asked, shocked.
“You, of course,” Sabir answered.
“Me!” Antares responded in surprised.
“No one knows the functions of this ship better than you!” Sabir stated. “Some of those new systems you had installed before we left Cadby are beyond our most qualified personnel.”
“The clan leaders have given this matter a great deal of thought, Antares,” Ogima intervened. “It was unanimously decided that there was only one candidate worthy of captaincy – you.”
“I thank you, gentlemen for your vote of confidence,” Antares began. “However, how will the crew react to a woman captain who is also the ship?”
“Excuse me!” Rayan hollered. “If they don’t like it, you don’t hire them. It’s that simple.”
“This is your command and the crew do as they’re ordered!” Tadashi exclaimed.
“Antares,” Ogima interceded gently, calming everyone down. “Like us,” he said, indicating to all present, “you have lived under the yoke of tyranny, but no more. You’re free.”
“Thank you for your continued kindness, gentlemen,” Antares replied. “You are correct; this is my command! I will need a first officer.”
“May I suggest,” Ogima counselled, “that after you’ve chosen your first officer, you advise him or her of what you require of your officers and let them choose a crew.”
“Thank you, Ogima. Gentlemen,” Antares began, “let it be known that Captain Antares of the deep space interstellar starship explorer requires officers, staff and crew members along with their families, who are interested in deep space exploration. I offer apprenticeships in all areas of engineering, space agriculture, medical and scientific research to any young person who has the aptitude. I have been designed to sustain life indefinitely; however, I would like to use Telluric as my homeport. I will return every ten years to replace any officer, staff and crewmembers wishing to be planet-side. Is that acceptable?” Antares asked.
“It is,” they all replied.
“Upon my return I’ll be in a better position to offer a greater variety of apprenticeships to those interested. While in dock I’ll carry out any refits that may be needed and download all the knowledge I have gathered on my journey.”
“That is most generous of you, Antares,” Tadashi remarked.
“How many crew members do you require?” Sabir queried.
“One thousand eight hundred souls plus apprentices for the operation of this vessel, and their families,” Antares replied quietly.
“Are you sure?” Ogima said, surprised. “That’s not many souls in a ship of this size, Antares.”
“Prudence is required all round, Ogima; we are both starting a new life,” Antares answered.
The response to Captain Antares’ request was overwhelming as volunteers from all walks of life rushed to be first in line. Antares was no fool when it came to those she wanted under her command and gleaned the best of them, fulfilling all her requirements. Sitting once more in her wardroom the four clan leaders joined to wish her bon voyage.
“Are you satisfied with the proficiency of the candidates, Antares?” Sabir asked.
“Yes, thank you, Sabir,” Antares responded. “They’re all conscientious and show me the utmost respect as captain.”
“As they should,” Tadashi stated.
“May I suggest gentlemen,” Antares began, “that you move your fleet to the far side of one of Telluric’s moons, away from electronic detection devices and unwanted visitors?”
“That’s a good suggestion, Antares, thank you,” Rayan replied, smiling. “We have already given orders to that effect.”
“While on one of my surveys,” Antares continued, “I discovered an abundance of crystals that would work more efficiently as communication devices and energy providers than the equipment