Turning around looking for a sign of the whirlpool and
seeing nothing was distressful until awareness of the
surroundings drown out any other thoughts. The sun’s up about 45
degrees above the horizon. What immediately captures my attention
is that it’s light green in color and about the size of a dime
held at arm length. The sky is amethyst in color sprinkled with a
few gold colored clouds not fluffy, more like the wispy strato-
nimbus clouds of home. My first thought was “Toto this is
definitely not home.”
Can’t tell how strong gravity is, I don't seem to have any
weight at all. And at the same time don’t seem to be able to get
more than about two meters above the ground. Can see everything
around me, but can’t see myself. Began to practice moving and
sensing things around me, developing a feel of what and how to
interact with these new surroundings. Found that movement could
be accomplished the same way as it could in the last world or
place. Practice sensing things like color, texture, and firmness.
The area close by is mostly covered with vegetation that looks
like blue colored grass. The grass is growing on gently rolling
ground that gives the illusion of an ocean, with long gentle
swells.
The ground is firm with stones sticking up through the
grass here and there, adding whitecaps to the picture. Breaking
the illusion is a few sparsely scattered taller plants. The
taller plants are reedy like bamboo, maybe 5 meters tall, also
with bluish colored foliage. Found that I can use them to gain
elevation. Used one and climbed if climbing is what I was doing
to get a better view of the local surroundings. Seeing more of
the local area didn’t help much there was just more of the same.
Moving over the next hill, there were some large plants,
sprinkled about, most of them grew very close to the ground. Most
of the foliage of these is some shade of blue or blue green.
Looking off in the distance there was an area that looked
different. Like it was something constructed. And there is
something over there moving in the sky, that shines like a
reflective surface. Most natural things don’t have that kind of
reflective property, indicating that it’s a manufactured thing,
indicating intelligence. Whatever it is climbs into the amethyst
sky and disappears, not making a sound.
I continue to examine everything in sight while heading in
that direction. Found a patch of wildflowers, that was of various
colors scattered about. There are some small creatures flying
around them, landing occasionally. Interacted with one, found
that it was not intelligent, it was acting purely by instinct, no
thoughts just doing. Curiosity continued to lead me in the
direction of the area that was different for what seemed like a
long time. Some time later the area didn’t seem much closer, but
the sun had moved maybe 20 degrees. Progress was slow; especially
when there were so many new things to study.
There was a breeze-blowing counter to the direction of my
exploration, but it didn’t seem to deter my progress. The terrain
was not rough, just easy rolling hills. Eventually came upon an
area where only one type of plant seemed to be interspersed here
and there in the grass. It stood about a meter above the ground,
with pale blue petals like pieces of paper that drooped clear to
the ground. It had the appearance of a cross between a giant
mushroom and a giant blue sunflower with a yellow center. They
were about 1 meter tall and were two meters across. Small insect
type creatures congregated around the fringes under the leaves,
of these plants. Interacted with one and found that they were not
intelligent either.
There were a few larger creatures around. The most
interesting of these stood about 1.8 meters tall. What was
interesting was that they had six legs. When they moved, the
front and back pair moved together, then the center pair moved.
Giving the creature a wave like motion as moved. They browsed
around the sunflower like plants, eating grass and the bugs with a
tongue that was reminiscent of an anteater. By interacting with
one found that they were quite docile and received a few mental
pictures of running, no being ridden, being groomed and being
fed. From this, gathered that these creatures were domesticated.
They had a form of intelligence but were not cognizant to the
degree of reasoning. Also because they appeared to be fenced in.
Structures could now be discerned in the area, rather than
just a spot off in the distance. Something momentarily cast a
shadow and was gone. Looking toward the sun, there was a long
triangular shape moving rapidly. It was impossible to judge its
size not having any prior knowledge of any craft of this world.
This also made judging the speed of the craft highly suspect. The
craft headed straight toward the dark area. Judged it to be a
craft because of how it looked and moved. Continuing toward the
dark area, a tall insubstantial looking fence barred the way.
Brushing against the fence became instantly repelling, a raucous
ringing, of what seemed to be high frequency sound, jangled my
nerves. The volume of the ringing varied, depending on how hard
it was pushed against. It had the appearance of some kind of
crystalline material. But that was unlikely because it flexed
when pushed against. Approaching the dark area began to take on
the appearance of an airport.
Off to the left a ground vehicle moved through a gate.
Rather than take another zing from the fence, looked for another
way there. Looking around spotted an opening with a rotating
device, like a revolving door and managed to pass through it
without getting zinged. There was a similar fence around the
airport. The gate that the vehicle passed through appeared to be
the best way in, not wanting another zing from the fence. There
was what looked like a guard shack at the gate.
There was a being in the shack watching what looked like a
TV. This being took no notice of me what so ever. That is until
touched, it then reacted as if startled. Learning from the touch
that the creature was a she and her name was Tania. Desiring more
information touched her again. She threw up her hand as if to
ward off a pest, as her hand was passing through me, became
ensnared. Becoming in part her, yet maintaining my own identity.
Tried to back away and found that it was not possible. Upon
realizing that freedom was impossible disturbed me and caused me
to feel distressed. She felt my distress and reacted in like kind.
I spoke to her saying.“Calm down, I mean no harm.” In
about 20 ta their time, learning from her equals 10 seconds, she
did. Gradually with foreboding at first, we began to exchange
information. She continues to look around, as if expecting to see
someone. All the while we were sharing. “Who or what are you?”
Sharing undirected feelings of uneasiness, fear, and distress.
With questioning thoughts of who or what is this a god, a demon,
or madness.
“I am a traveler.” Sharing that I was human. “What is a
human?” Visually sharing a picture of what I was. “This is a human.”
Sharing that I wasn’t sure of that now. “Are you a ghost?” Seeking
my intentions, with the fear of possession still being in the
forefront of her mind. “I don’t know.” Trying to give her
reassurance that possession was not my intension. She stated “you
are a ghost.” While continuing to seek my intentions. “Maybe I am
and who are you?”
Thinking from this being’s perspective, maybe I am a ghost.
“Taina, what do you want?” Continuing to share the fear of
being possessed. “Information, what is this place?”
Visually sharing my experiences, since I arrived. “This is Rax.”
Not being sure that this was the appropriate answer. “Ok what’s,
Rax?” Questioning the answer. “This is Rax.” Sharing a mental
picture of the world. “What's this?” Sharing a visualization of
the local surroundings. “Qarum’s Corporate space port. ”Sharing
some visual pictures with many associated feelings.
During this sharing, a lot of information was passed
between us, much more than what was spoken. Like, flitting images
of past events and feelings associated with them. Thoughts of
past, and present dreams, aspirations and feelings about them.
These things when combined together imparted much of the character
of this being.
This seemed to work both ways. Finding in the process that
we could not lie or even hide anything from each other. She
appeared to be learning as much about me as I was about her. This
led to a few embarrassing moments, when personal thoughts entered
into the fray. With sharing, not only was the thought shared. But
there were visuals of events and the emotions evoked by them. Also
there were conclusions, that were formulated from them. The events
invoking feelings coalesced into conclusions that were shared
also. With the feelings came the history of where a feeling came
from and why a certain feeling was. Because with sharing, a
complete understanding of the history of where a feeling came
from. Made the reasoning clear as to why a specific feeling was
associated with an event. With a complete understanding of the
whys and wherefores, enough information seemed to be shared that
the embarrassment just faded into the background.
She was 26, single, looking but not seriously, for a mate.
Enjoyed doing physical things. Was not too serious about most
things. It did feel a little strange to feel things through a
female body. There were subtle differences. Exploring these
differences was becoming very interesting and exhilarating. As we
were sharing Taina's replacement, Pocor showed up saying.
“Ok, you can go now.” After a rim (50 seconds) passed, when no
apparent acknowledgement of her presents was made asks. “Are you
ok?”
Taina: “Hum, Yes, I'm fine.” She decides not to tell Pocor about
the sharing.
Pocor: “You looked like you were lost”
Taina: “I was but I'm fine now, I was just thinking.” Internally
thinking, oh boy was I.
Pocor: “Must have been something serious.”
Taina: “Yeah it was, but I'll deal with it. ” Still sorting out
the confusion.
Pocor: “Are you having problems?”
Taina: “Maybe, I’m not sure?” Thinking at least I hope that I can
deal with it.
Taina began closing the logbook and tidying up some
scattered papers. Gave Pocor the special orders for the day.
Showed her the sheet of who was supposed to be coming and going.
Taina: “See you tomorrow, bye.”
Pocor: “Have fun, bye”
Taina left with me still a captive, headed for home, still
sorting out some of the shared information. Sharing was
exhilarating but digesting all of the information was quite
tiring. Taina arriving at her place. Walked in the front door, and
turned a knob the walls and ceiling began to emit a soft but
illuminating light. While heading towards the kitchen I noticed
that there were windows that could not be seen from the outside.
Taina was thinking about grabbing a bite to eat and taking a bath.
Headed for the kitchen to fix a ringer (fish like tuna) sandwich
and a bowl of toga (vegetable soup).
While eating we continued sharing, she wanted to know more
about my world. So I took her on a visual trip, with a view of
earth from space, the Seven Wonders of the World. Gave her a
little history on the rise of civilization, trying to downplay the
wars. Sensing what I was doing she questioned why we had wars.
Told her that on our world there were differences in the way
people looked at things from place to place. These differences
were brought about because of the things they were taught as they
grew up. And each group was led to believe that their way was the
right way. “What’s a typical day like?” More visuals, step by
step, alarm clock, shower, breakfast, going to work, building
houses, dinner, Bob, Arnold and I, experimenting out in my lab. As
I shared these things with her, there was a counter sharing. It
seemed that each time I shared an event with her it would trigger
an associated event in her mind. Which she would share with me?
There appeared to be little control as to where the sharing led.
Like a conversation we led each other. She wanted to know if there
was someone back home for me. As I was trying to tell her no a
flood of events of my experiences came forth one by one. For each
one mine that was shared one of her experiences was shared with
me.
For each event picture, there were associated thoughts and
feelings. After eating, heading for the bathroom she stopped.
Thinking of me then decided that I knew her more intimately than
anyone that she had ever known. In a matter of hours it seemed
like Taina and I, had become one, at least partially. This helped
overcome her, our prudishness. We ran the shower, striping off our
cloths. In the process I got a good look at what she looked like,
in the mirror. “Well, how do I look?” Interrupted my visual
inspection. “Ok, I guess, what’s Raxtheon females suppose to look
like?” Received a visual picture, “This.” What was in the mirror
was not as quite as curvy as the mental picture. With the picture
came feelings that this is what she wished she looked like. “Is
this the ideal or is it the average?” Indicating the mental
picture. “It’s what I wished I looked like.” So analyzing the
differences I said. “Hum, ok.” And began lustfully imagining her
with long blond hair and blue eyes. “Stop it.” A feeling of
embarrassment swept over me. She was blushing, all over. The gray
was being replaced by a color that made her look more like a human
female. “Not bad looking at all,” with genuine feelings this time.
“Cut it out.” The embarrassment flared again. “Ok, I’ll try.”
Meaning it without much success.”
“See that you do.” Trying to mean it, but liking the feeling that
came with the visualization.
She began to study herself in the mirror, with a new
perspective, bolstered by my true feelings. While she studied
herself in the mirror so did I. She was, gray in color with no
hair anywhere and large almond shaped very dark eyes, which at
first looked to be all pupil, upon closer inspection revealed an
iris like a cat also very dark. The eyes were spaced about 15
centimeters apart, two thirds of the way up from the bottom of the
head. Her head was a bit larger than a human’s was. With ears that
looked like a pattern embossed on each side where ears would be
normally. Her mouth was about six centimeters wide. Her lips
covered what looked like omnivorous teeth. She had no nose to
speak of just two small humps covering holes that looked like
nostrils. She massed about sixty kilograms. She was a biped and
stood about 175 centimeters tall. The joints in her arms and legs
all appeared to bend the same way as a human’s. With all the
curves in the right places was definitely female. “Cut it out.”
She had long arms that ended with hands that had four fingers, two
pair opposing each other, ending in something between claws and
fingernails. All in all, she was very humanoid. I ask, how the
males differed. And received several mental pictures of past
encounters with mixed feelings, of embarrassment, curiosity, and
desire.
Finishing her bath. Got dressed, looked in the mirror
again, making sure that everything was just right said “ hum, that
will have to do.” Feeling somewhat satisfied with the image.
After sharing a bit more she decided to go looking for company.
With her expressed desire that I would remain strictly an
observer. Conceding to her desire, we went to the Gamber's lounge,
it was the best of the local hangouts, there was music, and quite
a few people talking and dancing. Some were setting in booths
eating and some were just drinking and getting intimate.
We walked up to the counter and ordered a zinger (fruity
flavored mixed drink). Took a seat and began looking over the
patronage, while sipping the zinger. She sat there just looking
around while I made like an observer as promised. She was looking
at a sign behind the counter when. “Hi there, what are you
drinking?” Interrupted the reverie. “A zinger,” looking him over
began to smile. “Would you mind some company?” Thinking he’s not
bad looking, “Why not.”
“What’s your name? Mine’s Tacker.” She wondering what he does for
a living said, “Taina.”
“Do you come here often? Haven’t I seen you in here before?”
“Occasionally,” boy that’s a cliche line.
“Would you like to dance?”
“Maybe, to a slow one,” hoping that he's not too handy with his
hands.
While they waited for a slow song. Tacker asks her if she would
like to take in a Vid. She told him not tonight. A slow song
started to play. While they were out dancing.
“You look great and you smell good too.”
“Thank you.” Thinking flattery I like.
Tacker: “What do you like to do on you’re off time?”
“Read, play rapor (like tennis), ride walups (six legged horse),
watch the Vid tube, dance.”
“I like to read, watch the Vid tube, talk and cuddle.”
“Oh,” haven’t known him a rim and he’s already hinting about sex.
Tacker: “What line of work are you in?”
“I’m a security guard.”
“How do you like that?”
“It’s a boring job but it pays the bills.” Noticing grease under
his nails.
“What do you do?” Wondering if he would be truthful or not.
“I'm a mechanic for Qarum Aerospace.”
“Do you get to take ships up?” Thinking a ride into space would be
a great experience.
“No, I just fix them.”
The song ended, and as they walked back to the bar. Slightly
disappointed about the space ride.
“I’m tired it‘s been a long day think that I’ll go home.”
Tacker: “Would you like me to walk you home?”
Taina: “No, maybe some other time.” He reluctantly let her go.
At home she lay down and went to sleep, with a little
help. As soon as she was asleep, found that freedom to come and go
was possible. So I went out, to see what else I could learn, about
this world. Coming to the realization that while in this form I
didn’t need sleep.
My curiosity was demanding, further exploration.
Considering that these beings did not notice my presence, unless
touched. I set off to explore. Heading out on the path to the
street avoiding contact with any more beings. Wanting time to
explore. The streets and walks all looked like they were made of
the same kind of material as the buildings. It looked like
everything constructed was. I could tell that there were
differences in rigidity and density and material, by interacting
with them. Without interaction the only differences were color,
texture and form. There were shrubs and plants about, I supposed
to add a more natural atmosphere. After looking around for a
while, headed for the nearest building.
All of the buildings looked like they were made out of
metal, glass or crystal, similar to the fence, but with various
colors for trim, all shiny with various textures. The shapes and
layout of the buildings were pleasing to the eye. Inside, they
were well lit; light seemed to come from the walls and the roof,
like one way glass. There were also windows that could not be seen
from the outside. Just like Tania’s place only brighter. It was
hard to tell if they generated the light or just let it through.
This was an interesting building material.
While studying how the light was created, one of the
creatures walked right into me, and froze. Fear, that made getting
my bearings next to impossible, tried reaching out to stop from
falling down. Confusion for both of us, I seemed to be snared
again, can’t back out, run, or flee. Can’t get free. He’s
thinking, what’s wrong with me? I’m sensing a duality, he seems to
hear my thoughts, and at the same time I seem to hear his as
echoes in my mind.
“Who, what, are you?” Feeling confusion, anger and fear.
“Jack, A human traveler or was I’m not sure of that now.”
“Out, get out, out of my mind.” While he was thinking I can’t
have this, not now.
He calms down, only after I decide to just slip quietly into a
dark corner in his mind. Making like an observer nothing more.
Shortly after that his wrist communicator chirps a reminder that
we need to be on the launch pad in 1/2 ur (41.5 minutes), 25 rims
(21 minutes) to get ready and be there and 20 rim’s to prep the
ship only leaves 5 rims to spare. Learning through sharing that
their time measure was.
Ta = 1/2 second
Rim = 100 ta or 50 seconds
Ur = 100 rim or 83 minutes
20ur = oll or 27.66 hours or a day
Tada = 10 olls
10 tada = simoll or season
4 simoll = yank or year
400 oll = yank or year.
And the time of day was stated by giving a number from 1
to 20 and putting Ur’a behind it. He began to think about his
schedule. “Suit that’s what, after my flight suit, move, only have
five rims to spare.” I ask.
“Where are you going?” He freezes up, I feel him trying to push
me out again.
“Out, get out and leave me alone.” Try to leave again but can’t,
begin to feel frustrated. Thought
“Caught like a rat in a trap.” He asks, “What’s a rat in a trap?”
Gave him a visual: impression of a rat in a trap. And added that
it was an unsavory pest. “Like this?” Received a visual of an
eight-legged creature with a neural net over it. “Yes.” The
connotations were about right.
“What do you want?” I tell him, “to find my way home.” He asks,
“Who are you?” As some of his fear was being replaced with
curiosity.
“As I said before Jack.” A human, traveler, new here and I don’t
mean any harm. “Who are you?” He says “Samoa.” A Raxtheon, pilot-
trader, and pushed for time right now. It’s important for me to have a clear mind, so don’t bother me now. Curiosity made me ask,
“What is this material?” Giving him a mental picture of the wall.
He replies, “metalized crystal.” Shut up and leave me alone, don’t
have time for this.
It was his body so temporarily I obliged. During the
exchange I learned that he was also a Raxtheon. That his name was
Samoa Linger and that he is a pilot trader. This trip was to be
his maiden voyage. And that he wants to do a good job of it and
make a good impression. That he wants to see a Bin trade ship up
close and personal and meet with the other races face to face. We
began to head for the slipper (spacecraft). We climb aboard a
glider (6 man ground transport). Pod thirty-two, he says, and
without so much as a whisper we head for a distant part of the
field. After a rapid transport across 15 clicks (kilometers), in
half that many rims arrive.
Samoa, as soon as the glider stops, jumps off and slips
down a drop tube to a walkway that leads straight to the flight
deck of the slipper. Climbs into the pilot’s chair, turns to the
co-pilot and navigator and says “ready?” After receiving an
affirmative from each proceeds preparation for launch. First
opening the launch bay, then clearing with central. Receives a
countdown for launch.
When launch did come, it was disappointing for me. Through
Samoa’s senses the only sound is a barely perceptible hum and a
sensation of acceleration. As we pass through the launch bay doors
the ground just seems to fall away. The acceleration feels about
twice normal and is constant. The spaceport shrinks to a point in
2 rims. In about three more we must be about three hundred clicks
up. Still accelerating because the planet starts to shrink. Dorbo
plotted the course and set the slipper on autopilot. Samoa went
back to his quarters. During the flight Samoa and I exchange
information about each other.
“Are you still there,” with ambivalent feelings of curiosity and
the hope that I wouldn’t be? “Yes.” Still wishing that I were
free. “What are you?” As I said before I’m Jack, I was a human,
now I’m not sure. “It feels like you are a ghost.” Thinking this
talking to myself and receiving answers feels eerie. “From your
perspective, guess that I am.”
“Do you know how you became a ghost or whatever you are?”
“I was doing an experiment and ended up I still don’t know where,
then was sent here.”
“Who sent you here?”
“A being called Athra,” sharing a visual picture of Athra.
“All right human, Jack, what ever you are. I felt that, you felt
trapped, explain.”
“It seems, when interacting with intelligence, as long as it is
conscious of me, I can’t leave.”
“So if I ignore you, you will go away.” With some hope that this
would be true.
“Not quite, you need to be unconscious.” I began to share how I
gained freedom from Taina during the sharing some of Taina and my
experience became shared with him. “All right!” He was thinking I
wouldn’t mind being hooked up with her. “I could help.” Sharing a
few thoughts, of how to make it happen. He replied with, “I don’t
have time right now “ sharing a long list of things to do first.
Hearing this I replied, “That’s why you’re still single.” Running
the long list right back at him. “After this trip, with schooling
over and having just a job now I’ll have more time to socialize.”
We continued to learn things about each other, through
sharing. Like both of us were single and enjoyed female
companionship. His family was poor and he grew up not having much.
Wanting desperately to have better options took his schooling very
seriously. Not leaving time for relationships that didn’t directly
help achieve his goals. What our respective worlds were like. What
transpired for each of us in the course of a normal day? That he
was 30 yanks (years) old.
I also learned from him about their distance measurements.
Click = Kilometer
Declick = Meter
Taclick = Centimeter
Jack: “what kind of propulsion system does the slipper use.”
Samoa: “I don’t know specifics, but that it’s an inertial drive.”
Jack: “How far is the trade ship from Rax.”
Samoa: “1.25 trillion clicks.”
Jack: “Considering that we felt very little acceleration. How
could we cover that much distance that fast?”
Samoa: “Acceleration dampers compensate for the acceleration.”
Jack: “What is the slipper’s acceleration rate?”
Samoa: “The slipper has an acceleration rate of 20,000
meters/second
In about 3 hours we must have been about half way because
the acceleration gradually reversed. After another 3 hours of
deceleration checking the view screen, the Bin Trade Ship looked
like a moon, about the size of a dinner plate and getting larger
every second. Samoa says, “there it is.” Sharing with me that
it’s, diameter was 200 clicks (km). This trade ship is enormous.
There are several craft larger than the slipper, coming and going.
These were ferries and they were 150 declicks (meter) long by 100
declicks wide with a draft of 30 declicks and they could carry 500
Tons (1000 kg). Had a crew of 5. These, ferries were bringing
cargo to and from the trade ship. I ask about the slipper’s
specifications and was told that it was 35 Meters long by 15
Meters wide, with a draft of 8 Meters. They massed 100 tons and
had a crew of 3 but could seat 6 and could carry 20 tons of cargo.
We continued to share and I learned that he was selected
from about 10,000 other aspiring pilot-traders. And there were a
lot of space jockeys but selection was based on not only piloting
but also diplomacy and the ability to think on your feet. Also
they needed the ability to assimilate vast amounts of information
to be a sharp trader. After selection there was a 10 yank (10
year) training period. To learn things like what were useful and
what the Raxtheon needed. Also whatever the race they were trading
with needed or wanted. What customs they had and how to deal with
them. Also how much, of what each of these were worth.
They used basically a barter system. The value of most
things had been established over years of trading. For anything
new, the rate had to be established using man Ur’s (83 minutes) of
labor as a fair rate of exchange. Gold had had a man Ur rate,
established through years of trading, throughout the system
Making it the medium of exchange. The reason for barter was there
not enough gold to cover all of the trades. Samoa appeared to be
very intelligent and versed in many things. He was also quick to
learn new things. Through years of training he had become a fact-
oriented person. He had the ability to be diplomatic but lacked
personal social skills.
I found that limited control was possible but fear of
being possessed and reluctance of relinquishing control made it
very difficult if not impossible. It was easier just being an
observer. Noticed that Samoa’s thoughts were beginning to be
assimilated as my own. Not that I was losing my identity, but that
his and mine were becoming one. Our exchange was going smoothly
until.
Let me know what you think