The Upward Glance by Chipka
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Description
Spacer's legend spoke of luck when Kethren and its moons aligned in perfect conjunction, and perhaps luck was behind the Marlowe sliding into hard dock at Kethren Station during such a phase of quiet orbital dynamics.
It was what Déo Malenti chose to think, as he stepped through the harsh blue light of decontamination. Three weeks of off-ship diversion lay ahead of him, and now, he marked this moment with an upward glance and a half-smile at the red glower of the Corinthian nebula. There were ships within the cloud: sister-ships in the Marlowe's own fleet. Marilyn and Tara were there...on board the Ruskin. Chaddis and Vitt were on board the Volga, within the depths of contact negotiations with beings of rakish complexity. He didn't envy them their duties, their long shifts spent building the mad interspecies vocabulary that would serve both races. They loved their work, Déo assumed, but in glancing upward, straining—as if he could spot those distant ships—he wondered what thoughts might go through their minds, after weeks, and more weeks in the depths of contact negotiations....
“We're not like everyone else,” Chaddis said to him once. “How can we be if speaking to the Hlan'ai is a part of our job?”
The Hlan'ai were creatures who made extensive use of the nebula: they lived in vast hives, secreted from the spinnerets of space-adapted females. They breathed a witch's brew of methane and carbon dioxide, and perceived the universe through senses with no human equivalent.
It was Chaddis' job to deal with them. To learn from them.
It was Vitt's job as well.
“Eventually,” Vitt once said, “we'll know their language, and the universe will be something else to us.”
The Marlowe was a smaller ship with lesser ambitions: a supply hauler in need of engine room crew. Déo pulled shift in environmental control—monitoring water grades, atmosphere intermix levels; he was an environmental housekeeper and the pay was good. It was simple work, and it was behind him now. For three glorious weeks.
Perhaps it was all the time that remained to an unchanged universe. Perhaps Chaddis and Vitt would work some linguistic miracle and shift all of reality with but a single, alien word...
But until then, there was time enough to relax, and to wish safe success to the friends not here with him now.
***
As always, thank you for reading and commenting and viewing, and hopefully you've enjoyed this little glimpse into a somewhat strange universe.
Comments (22)
mbz2662
Very interesting image. I like how your character Déo is looking up taking in the great scenery. And as usual, I was captivated by your story. Good work.
ARTWITHIN_II
Your image is stunning, with a perfect palette. The planet and moons are beautiful and the scene is perfectly constructed to give a visual component to your attention getting story. Methane and CO2, oh my, what a combo. I think I'd stay away from the Hlan'ai. ;( You set a great scene, and strange but I can hear sounds that would fit the scene. I'm looking forward to the events of the R&R. Excellent work.
theprojectionist
Original that it is Bravo
MrsRatbag
Excellent as always, Chip. I'm sorry I can't get more detailed with my analysis right now, but I'm in the midst of a personal crisis tonight, and just don't have it in me. I'll try again tomorrow. :(
beachzz
Wow, I've never been in a story before, let alone in space~~this image feels so real, so true, I'm almost there--awesome--again!!!
romanceworks
'secreted from the spinnerets of space-adapted females'. That couldn't be good.:o) Fantastic image that supports your scene perfectly. You have such a vivid imagination - it's like you live in two worlds - and the one inside your head is more real. And you have the skill to put all those thoughts down for others to experience. Really great. CC
Rainbowgirl
As always you tell a tale of wonder and implications. I admire your imagination that shows through the few words as well as through the awesomely created scene. The moons of Kethren look fabulous!
Heathcroft
Very neat image- excellent prose- good combination. Works well!
rainbows
A wonderful image, chip. It is superb. Hugs. Di. xx
MagikUnicorn
WONDERFUL REALIZATION!
bogart137
Greaaat compositing effect! Looking forward to what follows.
auntietk
I am imagining myself on board the Ruskin, bathed in the red light of the Corinthian nebula. Makes me think of Darkover's bloody sun. And I love the idea of your friends learning such an alien language. Did you see TNG's "Darmok" episode? You've made my mind just bounce all around today, my dear! :)
samyyous
Excellent composition, very well done !
alienvisitor
I like the image and the writing,very scifi.I create mostly Alienscapes,one of these days I'll add figures!. Nice stuff,well worked. AV
shahlaa
Wonderful, detailed writing and image dear Chip.....it's always a pleasure looking at your work and reading what you write!
CaressingTheDark
Awesome work here and the description puts me right there.
kimariehere
Amazing work brilliant compo and details !!!! fabulous work of art!!!
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent!
flyairth
Perfecto!
photostar
Great narrative, Chip, and I especially like the SciFi render.
Djavad
Hallucinogène !
Tanglimara
Now that is one stunning sci-fi render. I enjoyed my brief glimpse into a somewhat strange universe. Tony :-)