Page 268 - The Chronicles Ser2 (6-10)

They were more serious for a start. They seemed remote and not as
eager to “experience” things like the Flutvarn were. Their skin too
seemed to be not so amphibian like. It was probably just a case of
Parallel Evolution she thought. Their eyes were more like those of the
Untharans; but that froglike mouth and smile put paid to a common
ancestry. The colour of their skin was iridescent. It was a bluish green as
opposed to the tans and browns of the Untharan skin. The females also
had crests; there were a few in the crew. Zyra wondered if there was
some way of distinguishing the sexes. The Lingva male surprised her by
answering to her unspoken question.
“Males don’t have the crest colour change during mating season” he said
curtly. The Lingva it appeared had telepathic ability. “Our telepathy surprises you; forgive me I’ll
have to remember to curtail my mental scanning. But I too find your species intriguing. You are a
mixing of two races I gather. Terran and Delevan; we had some Delevan in our protectorate a while
back. Since the change of political stance at Home System; we have sent them back to their Galaxy
with our apologies for our Ancestors actions.” He added. Zyra didn’t quite know how to react to that
news. “My name is Xing Chu. If you would be willing I would like to probe your mind deeper for your
species history; but I will only do so with your consent. I will keep it brief” he asked. Astonished she
agreed and she felt a strange tingling sensation for a few minutes. After which Xing dropped into a
sort of blank stare. “I can see where you derived your assumptions from; but you are wrong. If
anything the Flutvarn could be distant cousins developed from seed materials sent out in deep space
probes long ago. It would take closer DNA comparison to see what genetic markers our races have in
common. What intrigues me more are these Terrans; such a young race and so insatiable in their
curiosity. Our Galaxy is going to become a much more interesting place should they stay. As to your
unspoken desire about “compatibility” who knows; but it could be interesting to find out” he said
apparently unashamed. She glared at him and he apologised for being too forthright. It was just in
his species nature not to hide feelings…

The pods were taken to one of the Unity fleet vessels that had large biological facilities; so
the occupants could be studied more freely. All information found was to be shared; that had
already been agreed. Basic scans had shown the creatures to be insect-like in appearance; but
internally they were more like primitive mammals. They had the equivalent of lungs rather than
breathing tubules; their “exoskeleton” was actually more like a thick leathery skin that the chitin of
insects. Their brain wasn’t as centralised as higher life forms; theirs seemed to be split into three
nodes. The one in the creatures head seemed to also have some kind of cybernetic attachments;
with connections to two springy, metallic looking antennae. Although their bodies seemed to be
primitive; their minds apparently, as shown from their behaviour when brought out of stasis, were
very much like social insects. They seemed to have both sexual organs within them; but, as
“workers” they were under developed. For some reason that was not initially obvious; they seemed
to be able to control their mental state. They seemed to be equally curious about their captors as
the Eloi and the others were about them. It later transpired that they had been captured before
receiving the signal to self-destruct.

It was a few days after the delivery of the pods that a beam message came through from the
Eloi home ship Helexar. They were setting up a relay point for matter transport via beam to Hylon
from Home world. Specifications had been changed some time ago and these changes were being
implemented to most of the Beam stations in the sector. Home world wanted to try for a greater
distance. In short they wanted to try a transport link with the Beam unit that was situated in Sol
Asteroid belt. It was hoped that the distances involved would minimise the detrimental effects upon
the receiving unit. It was asked that the Platform set up a relay link with the Unity Central Council
and inform when that had been accomplished. It took about a week to make the necessary
adjustments; and confirmation of the link was sent. It was relatively easy to guess what the intended
transmission would be.