Third Moon Rising Page 28

  “The third moon exhibited amazing control in another manner—it slowed its speed measurably as it came into line with the outer moon that first night. Then, as it moved on by, it increased velocity to what it had been before approaching the moon. It maintained this velocity until passing out of sight at the eastern horizon. It repeated this maneuver each night when illuminated.

  “After we discovered that the third moon remained darkened the fourth night, we were able to track it during its full orbit of Zilia. We continued tracking up to and during the night of the full eclipse of the three moons.

  “During the full eclipse, the change in the third moon’s velocity as it eclipsed at nadir with the other two moons was more dramatic than in previous nights. It slowed to stay eclipsed with the inner moon from right before until a little after the full eclipse of the two moons. The third moon then increased its velocity to match that of the two overlapped moons and dipped below the eastern horizon as the coupled moons dipped below the western horizon. Once below the horizon, the third moon changed to the darkened state and disappeared.”

  The leader had listened intently throughout this presentation, but he slowly relaxed and resumed eating before commenting.

  “Thank you, Carlos,” Bnethem finally said, addressing him informally by first name for the first time. “For an object of that size to appear and behave as it did is miraculous!” The leader paused, then asked, “Have you covered every detail of what you observed?”

  Carlos looked over quickly at Ceripe. She had evidently told the leader about the shimmering behavior of the sphere as observed from the New Horizon.

  “There is another observation, but I hesitate to mention it because we suspect it may be related to some equipment problems we are experiencing aboard the New Horizon. It does not make any sense to us otherwise. The third moon appeared to be oscillating at an extremely high rate between two adjacent points as it traveled through its arc over Zilerip. One of our team suggested it might be doing this to set up the appearance of two independent orbits as viewed from Zilia. But this is unlikely, because as close as the adjacent tracks were in space, observers on Zilia could not help but see the object in both orbits, or as a blurred image.”

  “This is intriguing,” the leader said. “Ceripe mentioned this, but I had to hear your words directly on the matter. Ceripe, have you told Carlos about the observations from Oehinaz?”

  “Yes, sir, but not any recent information.”

  “Please do so. It will give Carlos time to catch up in eating his dinner.”

  “I did not provide you any details because we had difficulty believing what we were told was observed from our southern hemisphere,” she began. “But we now have video taken from the observation point in the Temple of Oehinaz, and it confirms that they observed the third moon as if it were aligned for observation from that point.

  “Your observations from the New Horizon support what our eyes and hearts tell us has happened. The observation of the Holy Third Moon full eclipse with the other two moons occurred simultaneously from the Temples of Zilerip and Oehinaz! We believe this sent the message that our population in the southern zone is as important as that in the northern zone, which of course is how we feel. But it will make us assess more closely our administration of the southern zone to make sure we are not being discriminatory with respect to our people there.”

  So the Zilans are now aware they could be exercising discriminatory practices, however subtle and unintentional, Carlos thought. He prudently decided to not say something about his concerns along this line.

  With the pause in conversation, Pteleg Bnethem stopped eating and again addressed Carlos.“Our religious leaders are working feverishly to make sure we interpret the true meaning of the Holy Third Moon Rising event. We must do this quickly to avoid confusing our general population about the religious significance of the events. One thing is certain—you and your team played a significant role in the event, and we expect you will continue to do so as we begin the period of advancement prophesized by our holy Book of Zil. Now that Zil has come, we must do our part in leading our people into the future. The physical manifestation of Zil is no longer interacting with us, but the spirit is, greatly enhanced through these manifestations.”

  All was quiet for several minutes as each continued to eat and reflect. Carlos made a decision he had postponed until now and pulled a small holoprojector from his briefcase.

  “With your indulgence, I would like to show you some of the observations made from the New Horizon. One thing clearly apparent is that the darkened third moon is still near Zilia, in a geostationary position almost directly over Zilerip.”

  This last statement startled Pteleg Bnethem and Ceripe, and the latter dropped her eating utensil with a clatter.

  “Ceripe, I apologize for not letting you know this earlier today. I wanted to make sure of our observations and that the third moon was going to stay in the geostationary position.”

  “How could the third moon be stationary over Zilerip?” the leader asked pointedly.

  “The third moon is currently in an orbit where it is traveling around Zilia at a constant velocity,” Carlos said. “This keeps it positioned directly over one spot on the surface but considerably higher in space than it was during the Third Moon Rising events. Let me show you the sequence of events we observed from our spaceship, including the current position assumed by the sphere. I will accelerate the action to let you see more quickly what occurred.”

  He activated the holoprojector and summarized observations as the three-dimensional image materialized over the table and began its sequence. The two Zilans watched in rapt silence.

  “There is much we cannot explain about the actions of the sphere.” Carlos pointed out anomalies as the image sequenced through the several nights following the third moon’s first appearance, and then showed the current position of the darkened orb in geostationary orbit. “We did not observe the third moon relocate to the position you are seeing represented in the projection, but rather discovered it there last night. We will continue monitoring and will let you know if any changes in its position or characteristics are detected.”

  As the animated projection disappeared, the leader addressed Carlos in a voice tight with emotion. “We deeply appreciate you providing this information. May we take this to show to our people?”

  Carlos did not hesitate. “Yes, Your Eminence. The unit automatically resets as it comes to the end, and you can run it forward and backward or pause it by use of the controls. I will make sure Ceripe understands the controls before I leave.”

  “Thank you. This will surely become one of the most holy artifacts representing the Third Moon Rising event,” the leader said reverently.

  “You are welcome, Your Eminence, and we will provide you any additional information we obtain from observation of the third moon.”

  “We have a delicious light desert I recommend,” the leader said as way of closing off discussion of the Third Moon Rising event. “And while it is served, perhaps you could summarize plans for initiating action under the exchange agreement.”

  As they consumed a fruity desert and hot, milky beverages, Carlos summarized the recommended actions. He then advised that Earth approved proceeding immediately with the agreement. The leader simply nodded positively at mention of Earth’s approval.

  Carlos also mentioned the direction by Earth to conduct complete diagnostics of New Horizon systems to make sure everything was all right in light of recent problems. He indicated this would occupy many of the team for several weeks, because both detailed reviews and physical inspections would be necessary for select systems. This would affect the early exchange of technical information in some areas.

  The leader waved aside Carlos’s comments about this delay. He seemed intrigued by the proposed medical exchange activities and wanted to hear more.

  Carlos looked over at Ceripe and thought, See, I told you I needed to bring someone else along with me. She looked dow
n at her plate to avoid his eyes. He went back over the medical information exchange plan in as much detail as he could remember, and perhaps too much, for the leader asked a very pointed question.

  “I believe you are describing a process that will require your people to immediately begin working closely with ours in our best training and research hospital.”

  “Well, yes sir,” Carlos replied tentatively.

  “Good! That is what we need” was the surprising strong reply. Then Bnethem asked a startling question. “Do you think your people can help us solve the infertility problem exhibited more and more in our male population?”

  Carlos was pleasantly surprised. This was the very thing that Earth wanted, and the Zilan leader was asking if they could help. His discussions with Ceripe on this topic had been somewhat contentious, which made the leader’s direct question seem even more surprising.

  He recovered quickly. “Yes, and we would like very much to do so. Our Dr. Laura Brown has researched a similar problem that occurred on Earth about three centuries ago, and she has organized ideas on what to investigate here. However, in your society it will be very difficult to isolate a cause because of the resistance to investigating anything affecting your basic physiology. In spite of this, we can do it. It will just take longer under current social and religious customs.”

  He thought that he had offended the leader, for there was no immediate reaction to his statement. Perhaps he had been too forward. He looked at Ceripe for some indication of whether he had crossed some boundary, but all he got back was a blank look. Finally, the leader looked up from the reflective position he had assumed upon hearing Carlos’s statement.

  “It is sometimes hard to assimilate and accept the truth, even when it is right before you. It will indeed be difficult for our people to accept many of your medical procedures and practices, but we must change that. I believe your team has been sent to us for a divine purpose, a continuing purpose, and not only to fulfill the prophecy in the Book of Zil. We in leadership roles must set a forward-looking example by working closely with you to advance this cause.”

  He looked at Ceripe and added, “We need to get our young people involved, those who have less rigid structure in their thinking and are a little more radical in their practice of medicine. They will be more willing to adopt new practices than those who have long practiced our way.

  “I will address with our religious leaders the need to change the perspective with which we view our body, our personal temple, with respect to medical diagnosis and treatment. This may take a generation or more to effect completely, but we must start now. We will move slowly initially, but will accelerate this initiative once new techniques start showing results and gaining acceptance. I will make sure everyone in a leadership role knows the importance of cooperating fully as we begin this process.”

  Turning back to Carlos, he said, “I believe we have started a process tonight that will bring our two civilizations much closer together. I trust we will meet periodically to discuss the progress of our collaborative efforts. But now Ceripe and I must go and prepare for our meeting tonight.”

  As the leader rose, Carlos did likewise and said, “Thank you for your gracious dinner and discussion tonight, Your Eminence. I would like to leave you a gift to show we take our role here very seriously.”

  He pulled out bound copies of the seven medical handbooks Alex and Laura had translated, and placed them on the table in front of the leader. The leader picked one up and looked it over carefully, and then looked at another.

  “Very impressive, Carlos. You and your team continue to surprise us. Medical handbooks in our language, ready for use! And I assume there will be more?”

  “Many more, sir,” Carlos replied.

  The leader handed the books to Ceripe, then looked Carlos in the eyes and asked, “What is your personal impression of the Third Moon Rising event?”

  “I stand in awe of whatever could cause such an unbelievable event.”

  “As do we, Carlos, as do we!” He came over and gripped Carlos by both arms up high at the shoulders. “The gift I have for you is this. Wherever you go on Zilia from here tonight, let it be known you are considered a Zilan by me.” He hugged Carlos and then shook his hand. He backed away, bowed briefly, and turned to depart.

  Carlos responded to the surprising departure ceremony of respect and friendship by bowing his head respectfully until the leader departed the room.

  Ceripe turned and touched him on his arm. “You did great tonight, as I knew you would. You have made a strong ally in Pteleg Bnethem. There will be a communiqué sent out first thing in the morning expressing the sentiments he just shared with you.

  “I watched you, and I believe I can operate the projector. I would escort you down to the lobby, but I have very little time before the next meeting. I will have someone come for you, if that is all right.”

  “Of course, and I hope everything goes well in your meeting.”

  She squeezed his arm and turned to leave but abruptly turned back and embraced him in a quick hug. It lasted only a few seconds, but the feel of her close to him lasted much longer. He was not embarrassed, nor did he feel the hug was out of place. He was still savoring the moment when the escort came to accompany him out of the building. It was only then he thought of Gloria and felt a sharp pang of guilt.

  On the way back to the embassy, Carlos recalled an issue he’d expected the leader to bring up. Pteleg Bnethem had avoided raising the question of the team’s ability to have caused the third moon to appear.

  Apparently he had allayed those concerns during the evening discussion.

  TWENTY-TWO

  EXPANDING RELATIONS

  The Holy Seven-Year Two-Moon Phase concluded with no additional appearances by the third moon, which remained in geo stationary orbit. The Zilan leaders were quick to affirm the appearance as fulfilling the prophecy of the Book of Zil heralding the beginning of an extended period of advancement and well-being for their civilization. They also cited arrival of the Earth team as fulfilling the precursor prophecy to the appearance of the Holy Third Moon.

  The Zilans publicized the formal agreement consummated with the Earth representatives as a major step toward the prophesized advancement. At the same time, the supreme leader made known by public proclamation the high regard held for the Earth emissaries, with particular note made of their leader, Ambassador Carlos Geraldo Sepeda.

  The High Council of Priests issued a proclamation indicating that changes in how Zilans viewed their personal temple were necessary to advance society as a whole. By religious decree, they lifted many taboos regarding examination and treatment of the body. This caused significant discontent among those of the older generation, but there was no organized resistance to the decree. However, all in leadership positions recognized that overcoming the passive resistance would be a long process. After all, beliefs could not be changed by decree. Nevertheless, it was a starting point, and it opened the door to revolutionary changes in the medical community.

  Alex and Laura immediately began working with Ceripe’s staff regarding how to introduce new medical practices and training, with Karen and Samuel participating remotely from the New Horizon. Caron Cenenteh, the young doctor on Ceripe’s staff, had been educated and served his internship at the University of Zilerip Medical Center. He coordinated this activity on the Zilan side. It was no surprise when the medical team decided to focus activities at Caron’s alma mater, the main hospital in Zilerip and the premier medical school and research hospital on Zilia.

  Ceripe and Caron arranged for some very bright young doctors from the medical center to join the planning sessions, and a spirit of camaraderie soon evolved within this group. This lifted the hopes and aspirations of the New Horizon medical team, and they forged ahead with vigor to begin the education and training process.

  A sticky issue they had to address early on was the assessment of the basic Zilan DNA structure, something never done by the Zilans. They would
then compare the Zilan DNA to the Earth human DNA to identify fundamental differences that would make the Earth medical practices and medicines ineffective, or dangerous, when applied to Zilans.

  At first, it was difficult to convey the concept of unique genetic information existing in the body that guided the creation, growth, and deterioration of the body and that was passed on to one’s offspring. The Zilans found the concept of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and attendant ribonucleic acid (RNA) guiding evolution very repugnant because of their beliefs about the sanctity of the body. The idea of nucleic acids existing in the nuclei of body cells, especially in genes that guided all aspects of what a person became, was overwhelming to them. Intuitively the Zilan doctors knew a road map of life existed, and they finally turned to learning what it was.

  After extensive interaction, the Zilan medical staff achieved a basic understanding of DNA and RNA and their functions, and agreed to support assessing the Zilan DNA at the earliest convenient opportunity. Immediately after this, Laura pulled out the necessary equipment to take blood samples and asked Caron Cenenteh if he would be the first to volunteer blood for assessment. He laughed at her forwardness and stuck out his arm.

  It did not take the automated medical system on the New Horizon long to sequence the Zilan DNA. The results showed the Zilan DNA to be over 99.8 percent identical to Earth human DNA, which amazed everyone. Assessment of the Zilan RNA provided similar results. The medical team conducted additional analyses to make sure the specific sequences contained in the differences would not cause deleterious effects when administering Earth medicine to Zilans.

  In parallel with the medical team activities, Jorge, Licia, Amanda, and periodically George conducted meetings with representatives from Ceripe’s staff and the agricultural cooperatives to assess farming and food production processes. Again, Ceripe was successful in finding representatives receptive to new ideas. The assessment and plans evolved quickly, as did the close bond among those participating in the process.