Space travel can be hard on the body in less sophisticated spacecraft. The better the design, the more capable of shielding its occupants from the deleterious effects that rocketing through space and time can have on organic beings acclimated to a specific spacetime.
The Druinte of the planet Druont are master engineers and their spacecraft technology has evolved to the point that space faring Druintes travel in luxury with no fear of impact with any celestial bodies or detection from hostile entities throughout the universe who might do them harm. The Druinte have spacecraft cloaking technology that makes their ships practically invisible even to other Druinte ships, and the inside of their crafts are usually large enough to comfortably transport a crew and passengers numbering into the 100,000s. The interior of a typical Druinte exploratory vessel can resemble the interior of a mall on Earth with long hallways and many entrances to spaces with various functions.
When Eakran 15 traveled to Earth on assignment from the Interstellar Panel, he took a ship designed for one that had an interior about the size of a typical two-story home on Earth, about 2,000 square feet. When he landed on Earth, he modified the interior and exterior to comport to the design of a typical home on Earth, and he mostly kept the cloaking technology engaged to avoid unwanted visitors.
Eakran decided to leave Earth after almost forty years. His original assignment to evaluate Earth for inclusion into the Interstellar Panel was apparently completed, though he had not received word from his superiors about the induction of the Consortium of Human History into the IP as the representative body of all beings on Earth. He wondered why, and rather than summon them on a communicator, he decided to confront them in person. Their failure to inform him was unusual to Eakran, who received regular transmissions from the IP to confirm receipt of his regular reports, and long reports that updated him on news of the IP and about the universe at large, including his home planet of Druont. If his work was done, Eakran hoped to end his work for the IP completely and he would have to travel to Druont to present his findings to the MDDS, as is customary for Druintes who travel off planet and complete whatever assignment took them offworld.
He plans to return to Earth, he took an extended leave from the Institute for Brain Function where he worked, and on his last day there, he spent most of his time checking on the only patient who would remain at the Institute in his absence. Nebuchad Abed was left in the care of Anesu Chimutengwende, a nurse who is called Wendy by everyone who knows her, and who assists Dr. Sylvia Hansberry on the third floor of the Institute.
“He’s been really quiet,” Wendy said as Eakran sat next to Nebuchad who was on his hands and knees, completely oblivious to others in the room.
Eakran nodded. “I’d hoped to have done something for him by now, but we’re leaving soon and delay is not really an option. I appreciate your assistance here. I should only be gone for two years, three at the max.”
“If he stays like this, it shouldn’t be too hard to handle. I’ll check on him personally everyday. Doctor, I think you should really try to talk to…”
Eakran interrupted, “I know what you’re going to say and it’s out of my hands.”
“But, what will happen when…”
Eakran shook his head slowly and smiled at Wendy. “Kevin will be here, and if anything happens, you know how to reach us and we’ll be back as fast as possible.”
Wendy nodded slowly. She hadn’t actually met Kevin, but Alia had told her good things about him. She watched Eakran leave the room and then she looked to Nebuchad who had sat on the floor and was looking out the window.
“He’ll be back,” Wendy said jokingly.
Nebuchad looked her in the eyes.
“Don’t be so sure.”
Wendy was startled to finally hear the man speak after months becoming familiar with his condition. She thought to call Eakran, but it wasn’t abnormal for him to speak very sparingly.
After he left the IBF, Eakran went to his invisible home to meet with Maria and Darker who would accompany him on his trip. He found them in the kitchen with the woman Alia, who had been his patient at the IBF. She hadn’t been under his care for years.
“You should rethink your decision,” Eakran said to her.
“We’ve been trying to talk her out of it for weeks now,” Darker said.
“You have,” Maria said rolling her eyes.
“A lot of people are nervous. I just spoke with Wendy and she brought it up again.”
“It has to happen,” Alia said. “I know things are crazy on this planet, but there are people here who can help while we’re gone. I’m going, it’s settled.”
Alia left the kitchen with Maria and the two went to review material from the Interstellar Panel in English that Eakran had used to learn the language.
“You think it’s a bad idea, right?” Darker asked Eakran.
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea. I don’t understand her reason, but if she wants to go, I can’t see why it’s bad.”
“It was after the last time she passed out for no reason. She had talked to Maria before and she didn’t seem interested at all in space, and then the last time she passed out for a day, she changed her mind. It worries me.”
Eakran shook his head. “How anyone could doubt that woman after everything is beyond me.”
“I don’t doubt her, but what if something does happen to her in space? A lot of people depend on her.”
“She is always where she needs to be,” Eakran said.
Preparations for the trip to the central command ship of the IP were done a few weeks later with the help of Giovanni Montovani, Eakran’s security guard, who would accompany the crew. As they left Earth, the native Earthlings stared down at the shrinking planet that was the only reality they had ever known.
But it seems that Eakran’s ship was intercepted in its travels, and three of the native Earthlings on board have been lost in space, presumed dead.
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