(Picture Credit - The ocean by XIPX)
The
Space-Timeship “Leeds” is on another expedition: Dave Smethurst and Pete Smith
in the cockpit. Hundreds of light years from home.
It was a mystery. Any space textbook would tell you
about a certain class of “Super-Earth”: classically about twice as big as our
Earth. Such a planet would typically reside in the Goldilocks Zone of a G Type
(yellow) star like ours. It would be a rocky planet, but would be completely
covered by a water ocean hundreds of miles deep. Ten such worlds were titled
“Marinia”.
The attraction of such a world would be its great
variety of sea-life. The downside was the absence of one important thing: land.
Yet Marinia 7 had become a puzzle. The latest probe into its vicinity had sent
back pictures of ... land! This required investigation. Cue the Space-Timeship
“Leeds”. Cue Pilot Dave Smethurst and his Co-Pilot Pete Smith.
Now they were in parking orbit over Marinia 7. The
view was breathtakingly beautiful. You cannot beat an ocean planet for an
awesome sight. But the boys were busy.
Dave: “What’s the computer say it is?”
Pete: “Well, it’s real, that’s for sure. But I don’t
think it’s land as we know it.”
Dave: “Eh?”
Pete: “Looks organic. Must be a cross between
seaweed, coral, oak, and a giant spider’s web. Like coral, live stuff growing
on dead stuff.”
Dave: “On THAT scale?”
Pete: “Yep.”
Dave: “We better fly in and take a look then.”
So they headed down towards what looked like an
impossible continent. As they cruised lower, however, they could see that they
were approaching a vast scattering of “islands”. Dotted all over this super
archipelago was evidence of towns and villages! They chose an island and
landed. There was a town just over a small “hill” nearby.
Dave and Pete left the safety of their ship and
tiptoed over the contorted latticework that provided this land. They aimed
themselves in the direction of the town.
Suddenly they were stopped in their tracks. Three
figures just materialised before them. Two humanoids with bows and
arrow-pouches over their shoulders stood regarding the two explorers. And
hovering between these men was a dolphin!
Dolphin: “Welcome to Flotia. I am Fast Fin. Yes,
what you call a dolphin. I am speaking to you telepathically. Would you like to
visit our homestead?”
Dave: “We would be honoured Sir.”
Fast Fin: “I’m a female actually. But no offence
taken. Would you like your vehicle to come with us? It will save the walk
back.”
Dave: “Okay.”
Without hesitation the dolphin stared at “The Leeds”
and made it rise about ten feet in the air. She made it hover before them as
they entered the town and gently lowered it into the central square. By this
time they were surrounded by a crowd of dolphins, humans and other “fish” and
“animals”.
Presently Fast Fin approached the two astronauts.
Fast Fin: “I have something to show you two.”
Instantaneously they found themselves, alongside
Fast Fin, looking directly at a red star. They were now somewhere on a gloomy
plain, a chill wind blowing from some alien North. There were trees and bushes
all around them, forming a dark parkland: for all the plant-life was BLACK!
Pete: “Where the Hell are we?”
Fast Fin: “Do not be alarmed my friends. You are in
no danger. We have only travelled ten light years. This planet is the nearest
one to mine that supports life. As you can see, it is what you would call a Red
Dwarf M Type star. See those great things over there?”
The boys picked out what looked like giant turtles,
twice as big as elephants and with huge gaping mouths.
Fast Fin: “That’s the most advanced animal life
here. They barely move and just catch food in the wind.”
Dave: “Yes, Fast Fin, we’ve seen many planets like
this. In fact the vast MAJORITY of inhabited worlds revolve round M type stars.
They are all tidally locked so there are no seasons or even days there. And no
change means very little evolution.”
Fast Fin: “That’s generally true Dave. And your
theory applies here too. But the point I want to make is that ocean-planets too
have restrictions on development, but occasionally, very occasionally, such
restrictions may be overcome.”
Pete: “Through a different evolution you mean.”
Fast Fin: “Precisely. We could never develop Your
technology. We have almost no metals for a start. But we have evolved with
higher “mental” abilities such as telepathy, telekinesis and, as you see,
teleportation. And much more, but I think I’ve shown off enough already.”
With that, they were instantly transported back to the
town square on Marinia 7.
Fast Fin: “We
look forward to a new age of cooperation between our worlds. A mutual exchange
of knowledge and goods of all kinds.”
She turned to the crowd.
Fast Fin: “Come on everyone. It’s time to party.”
(800
Words)
Paul
Butters
