The Valkyries of Andromeda

CHAPTER ONE

  Over the coastal range we scooted to the coastal climate zone and found Chugtallis was a lot like Caliuga City -- wet and warm, but because it was further south, even moreso. Commotion and clamor greeted us when we left the speeder, and beyond and beneath the crowds were mud and dust and green, green everywhere.

  In Chugtallis stuff grew just about anywhere that wasn’t paved, and since Chugtallis was new, that was just about everywhere. The growth was kept in check by people who looked at the weed control as harvesting; seems they’d figured out ways to make use of the extra greenery as food, fuel when fermented, cloth from the fibers, and who knows what else.

  In fact, the whole town was like that – growing fast, getting reaped (that’s two ‘e’s, there), re-sowing, spreading – chaotic and exhilarating, so full of life that it was hard not to get caught up in the mania. Zeno seemed ill-at-ease.

  “Try not to say anything that means anything, okay, Jaf, Wanliet? If you’re not judicious they’ll read something into some casual phrase and, by nightfall, they’ll have launched a new business to capitalize on some opportunity you unintentionally advertised.”

  Wanliet was smiling more than I’d seen since we’d started this trip, his eyes darting and head swiveling. “Sounds like fun, a machine-gun mouth would pull ‘em all south, up north’s your tired back-and-forth!” he babbled.

  “Zeno, making plans based on Wanliet’s words is as reliable as using dreams to plan your future. An exciting way to live, ya know? As for me, I can talk out of both sides of my mouth, too. Don’t think I’ve survived this long without learning some of the politician’s craft. We’ll be fine,” I summed up.

  If he was insulted by my remarks about politicians he didn’t let it show, which disappointed me some. “So where’s the reception committee, the mayor, the girls, the key to the city and all that?” I continued.

  “Chugtallis is not like that. They’re ignoring us, hoping we’ll go away. They want no part of the Empire or of the P. U., preferring to keep their freebooting ways. There are some who are more enlightened, and agreeable to joining our federation, but they’re keeping a low profile, working behind the scenes. We’ll have to make our own way to our lodgings, Jaf.” Mind you, this claptrap about freebooting was coming from a descendant of smugglers – as crazy as the universe is, humans are crazier.

  “Lead on, Zeno” I said, grabbing Wanliet who was entranced by a couple of street performers, a musician and dancer. Zeno hailed a horse-drawn cab, and after the fellow loaded up our stuff we got a brief tour of Chugtallis on the way to our lodgings, and what wonderful sights we saw and smells we smelled and sounds we heard. So much going on – once I got Wanliet’s attention I mentioned to him that this would be a great place to run cons – people here would believe anything, because right before their eyes, every day, amazing things were happening -- and Wanliet nodded eagerly. “It’s glorious,” he whispered. I couldn’t tell if Zeno had also heard me, or if his sneers were for Chugtallis in general.

  We checked into a pretty nice place, hardly what we were becoming accustomed to but still better than we’d known before we’d arrived on Caliuga as the emperor’s representatives. Zeno asked at the desk where City Hall was, and after the clerk told him we walked outside then turned about and came back almost immediately. “No, I want City Hall. That little place next door can’t be where the government of this place is!” But it was; we were right next door to City Hall, barely more than a kiosk and was, clean, orderly, and had only the one attendant.

  Our rooms, on the other hand, were comfy, cozy, and quiet. Wanliet and I changed our separates to a two-bedroom suite, overlooking the street and its activity. The place had us plotting and thinking and we agreed it was best to do it out of sight of Zeno. “Jaf, I want out. Lemme down there, lemme soak in the noise and roll in the grit, get a snoot full o’ dust and doughballs! Come on, boy, we got a city to love!” Have to admit I felt the same way. Once our stuff was parked in the suite we were gone, and as we skedaddled past we waved to Zeno who’d parked himself on a chair in the City Hall.

  Wanliet and I were reveling in the to-and-fro when I heard a hail. “Inspector General, Adjutant Daskal, how wonderful to see you!” I looked about and there was Erah Rekaburb, the mayor of Caliuga City. With him was a handful of other Caliugans, but they looked different now. At first I thought it was because they were no longer in Caliuga, and so were having fun instead of working, but I realized it was more. They were truly delighted to see us, and in fact the mayor forgot protocol and came over to embrace us both.

  “Your Excellency, it’s so good to see you here! Are you here for the free lecture tonight? It’s sure to be very well attended, but I’m sure we’ll be able to find you both a place!” he beamed at us, and the others nodded joyfully. As in Caliuga, I took the lead. “We’re not sure if we can make it. What time is it, and where?”

  “The Gurjoo will be speaking at dusk, from the stage over there” he gestured at a platform towards one end of the plaza. “We would be so happy and honored to have you join our little group in the services!”

  The Gurjoo! Again! Well, maybe now I’d get to see what the excitement was all about. “Your Honor, I’m a little surprised to see you here for this. Wasn’t Caliuga founded along different religious lines?”

  “Our faith was of the old world, old Caliuga. It is time we accepted, no, embraced our new home, and the Gurjoo is leading us, all of us, to become Caliugans, together at last!”

  “Have you heard the Gurjoo before?” Wanliet asked.

  “Only his message, which we heard on the municipal radio last week. All who heard it were transfixed, and those who were able made arrangements to hear him in person, down here in Chugtallis. And how did you learn of his message, Mr. Daskal?”

  “It’s our job to check developments such as these out. The message seems reasonable, but we must evaluate the messenger, also.”

  “Well, you’ve only a few hours to wait. I guarantee your life will be changed, as ours have been. Hope to see you here at dusk, both of you!” With that the little group bounced away, full of life, hope and love.

  I was definitely going to check this out. It seemed the religious revival was sweeping Caliuga, and in Chugtallis we’d stepped right in it.