Aardvarks to Planet X (book 1 of the hexology in seven parts)
Chapter 13: A Brief Delay Around Calisto

The five-minute tirade of abuse given in fluent eastern European was the apt response the flight attendant got. He had just announced a delay in our arrival at Europa Sea world. It was biggest aquatic life centre in the known solar system. That the captain had over shot the sub jump, and now needed to sling shot around Jupiter’s crater strewn moon, to get back on track. Was exasperating in the least. Now panting in exhaustion from her condemnations, the lady next to me leaned on the wall. I merely carried on. “What she said, for me too.”

The delay would cost us three days off the holiday of a lifetime. We should have had week on the only planet to have alien beings. I turned on my Dawcyphone, and my new companion in adversity shared mutinous complaints about our inefficient pilot. For her part, my co conspirator had a Babelophone. It was the cheaper, and generally more available generic version of my Dawcyphone. Which was the corner stone of the Miller Corporation. Which in turn was the biggest telecommunication network on the globe.

My translator did all the usual languages, but also odd variations like Nadsat or Glaswegian. You could even download Elfish or Klingon, if you were that way inclined. I had got mine at the Sky lift store on my way up. It was a special edition Sky lift centenary model, but also marked the half-century of the first one ever made. Of course back in those days you needed a shoulder strap to carry one, and it weighed as much as a brick.

I had sat in the upper terminus departure lounge, watching another colony ship being built. Ready for departure to one of the myriad of Exo-planets, discovered over the years. There was a flash far off beyond the moon, as a space trawler set off to the Asteroid belt. Where it would drag its catch back to the far side of the moon. Partly for the minerals, but mostly to replace bits of the Moon lost to our satellite and the Earth. Which happened every time a bit of humanity and its numerous trappings, left to spread our species across the stars. We had exhausted our reserves of abuse for the pilot by the time the meal arrived, and so I mutely concentrated on my Shepard’s pie as I tucked in.

The extra days on board passed uneventfully. I stayed in my cabin for most of it, spending the time playing with the features on my Dawcyphone. So I could watch Mexican comedies in perfect English. Finally we were informed of our imminent arrival, and I repacked my case. The contents of which were now strewn about my cabin from random use. As our yacht of the skies approached Europa station, I looked out at the glistening spike rising from the ice to the entry port above. While the info-vert droned on for, “the passengers betterment.”

How once the sky lifts were up and running, Smoky Joe the first scrap man in space, had taken the opportunity to clear the earth orbital junk. It had accumulated from man’s trips off the planet, before the golden age we were now enjoying. How the invention of the Sub jump drive, had enabled the satellites now orbiting the other planets. Man could now observe these extra terrestrial orbs, much to the advancement of science. How “Mars was being colonised as we speak”, and of course the galactic jump drives. These enabled the colony ships to be a practical idea, so man could reach the stars in generations rather than millenniums. How those proud ships had set off, with a promise that any advance in star drives would be transmitted to their engineers en route. And so with a dull thud we locked onto Europa station, and I stepped into the reception area ready for the journey down.

Taking my seat in the lift, I took in the guide as she greeted us. “Hello my name is Stacy, and I hope you had a pleasant trip to Europa.” Mumbles of decent arose, but she rode over it. “As you may know, Europa is the only heavenly body found so far to have extra terrestrial life. It is a moon of Jupiter, the fifth planet of nine. Pluto being restored in ’49 to full planetary status, by popular opinion.” She looked the group over from her seat, and directed her next question towards some kids. “Who knows why you can’t see the complex from space, just the Sky tube going into the ice?” A number of hands rose, and picking one she got her answer.

“The whole resort is under the ice as it’s too cold on top.” “Exactly, so Sea World resort is contained in a vast bubble of super strong plexi glass, constructed a mile below the planets surface. Located in the ocean world, beneath the ice. Water currents circulating through the oceans power the complex. The whole complex is kept from freezing, with warm water that rises naturally during this process. And now if you proceed to the baggage collection point, you can catch the monorail service to your hotel. My name is Stacy, and I hope your stay on Europa is a pleasant one.” And with that I disembarked to collect my bag.

“That’s the one the blue Mallowmite case.” The attendant checked the label, “Mr Johnson?” I held up my I.D. card, and he handed over my luggage. The monorail trip was an education in itself, as the short journey took me past a school of what might have been whales on Earth. Their massive pail bodies obscuring any view further out. After check in I changed in to shorts and tee shirt, as the inside environment was kept at a pleasant temperature. Then I headed for a restaurant, I was famished. So with my stomach full and a brochure of the resort in hand, I headed to the attractions. I thought I should get a least some knowledge of this strange land. Seeing as I was now officially an alien on this new world, and after that I could enjoy the rides.

The Aquarium was quite full, and I got jostled a few times. Until I got the rhythm of the crowd, as it mulled round the exhibits. Strange many legged starfish clung to one tank wall, as a sea slug like creature waved back and forth. The auto guide cheerily informed us that these creatures; usually lived all their lives on the backs of larger creatures, there being no rock to cling to. They feasted on the clouds of plankton and other sub species; blown about by the ever-moving currents. My translator converted the Mandarin this exhibit was presented in. As it was sponsored by the Tamogotchi Corporation. There didn’t seem to be any forms of crustaceans, but I assumed this was because they would replace it hard to cling on. There were some species of armoured fish though, slowly making their way round the tank that held them.

One tank looked more like a child’s play room, and held a single exhibit. It was a Cephalopod of sorts. At the moment it was altering it’s colour patterns, to match the tee shirt a child in front of it was wearing. The crowd gasped in amazed amusement. As I approached my Dawcyphone caught the monologue, coming from the speaker beneath the tank. “This creature similar to the Earth Octopus is relatively intelligent. Like it’s counterpart on our world, it can perform simple tasks, and solve some quite complex puzzles.” As I stepped in front of the tank, its rectangular pupils seemed to be drawn to my hand, which held the translator. It made to reach for it, but was stopped by the plexi glass. Just for a brief instant our gases met; as if I were meeting a kindred spirit, and then the crowed moved on. I continued my journey round the various life forms both Fauna and Flora. The use of flotation sacks in the latter was evident. “But instead of light they derive their food from geo thermal energy. Which is why they don’t have the distinct green of Earth plants, who use chlorophyll to get energy from the suns rays.” My Dawcyphone informed me over the perfect English the display spoke in.

After supper I readied for bed, keen to cram as much fun in to the next day, and make up for the loss of time on the trip here. Bubble land was a fun packed Aqua Park. There I found more ways to get wet, than I thought imaginable. It’s Trip to the Deep was the most fun, and the longest tube ride I had ever known. A lot of it was all enclosed, so you could shoot outside the park’s bubble of a wall. A school of brightly coloured fish surrounded me, darting out of the way in case I was a predator. Then I was back in the park again, for a plummet of a lifetime. There was a water proofed lift to return you to the top. It was that high.

A wave pool buffeted me about; and several rubber-dingy rides; both thrilling and relaxing brought the morning to an end. I tucked in to my Europa burger with relish, both mine, and the one put on it. I was so hungry from all this hard fun I was having. Then I got changed and visited Wetland Wonders. A sort of magical plant festooned park, where some Earth animals were mixed in with theme rides. I tried as many as I could, until the park finally shut down for the night. But only after a laser and music show, to rival any back on Earth. I decided to dine out in style for my last night. I had a twinge of bitterness, as this weekend should have been a week. But I vowed to put off complaining, until I was safe back on terra firma. I ate lavishly, having plenty of Europa’s. The local currency they make you buy, just to stiff you on the exchange rate. Then staggering fit to pop I went to my bed.

The last day would end with a trip back up the tube. So I was determined to get a real feel for this alien world. I read the safari tour brochure as I munched my breakfast. It was all timed so I couldn’t miss my flight. I had rung through to pre-book my ticket while still in bed, as I didn’t want to miss out on this. So at the appointed time, I stepped off the monorail at the Deep Sea Docks. It was a nautical shanty of a facade, through which you had to pass to board the sub.

I took my seat, and waited for the remaining guests to assemble. Then with a full party, the tour guides voice came through the speaker. Then my Dawcyphone converted the French, into good old English. “Welcome to flight 267 to the alien depths of Europa, the ocean world.” Then he proceeded to be informative, as we were shown the delights of various sea creatures in their natural environment. “See the school of whale like creatures off to right. They roam most of the planet, which we have found from radio transmitters. Some will disappear for ever into the unknown depths of this vast ocean.”

At this point some pre-prepared noises emanated from the speaker. “Oh no we seem to be caught on something”, the obvious script intoned. “Well I’ll just have to suit up and have a look.” From the left we could see a deep-sea diving exoskeleton suit emerge, and through the face mask a man smiled. He waved to the crowd while photos got took. “Jack here is equipped with 3D vision cameras and a hydrophone. So although he is limited to the view through his face plate, you can enjoy the special 3D viewers now descending from the ceiling.” Everyone complied, and suddenly it was as if I were out there. As I turned my head I could see in every direction I looked, and my earphones from the Dawcyphone relayed the sound emanating from the speaker.

I heard a sort of rippling whale cry, and the humming of the engine as it worked away. I looked back at our craft and got an eerie feeling, as I saw myself through the porthole. My head stuck in the visor, turning this way and that. Suddenly there was a thud. Something had attached itself to the back of the diving suit. Looking down I could just make out a tentacle, was it one of those Octopi? I noticed it had a sort of backpack strapped to it, with an electronic device sealed in the clear watertight case. Ripping my visor off I looked out the porthole, my fellow passengers seemed to be too disoriented from this turn of events. They were looking every which way, still in their visors.

Out there was of the suited man, held fast by the octopus on his back. Which did indeed have a backpack. It was impossible to tell what it contained from this distance, and then a voice came through my earphone. A sort of mix between sparky the talking piano, and gargling. “We a peaceful, do not hunt us, you are intelligent, let us be friends.” Then all of a sudden there was a scream. I looked out of the porthole again. The suit must have had some sort of electro stun net covering the surface, for blue sparks were emanating from it. The next second the limp form of the octopus, sank from view into the deep below.

Meanwhile the suited park attendant quickly returned to the hatch. Inside a hubbub of conversation had struck up. “Did you hear it glugging and slavering?” “I wonder if it’s part of the show?” “But it seems so real.” I turned to the guest next to me, and asked if he had heard the voice. He shook his head a little worried at my suggestion, so I looked around the cabin. No one else seemed to be mentioning it. I couldn’t think why, and then it struck me. A quick check confirmed my suspicions; they all had Babelophones. Perhaps my Dawcyphone with it’s better translation range; had picked up more than it should have. I kept my observations to my self, and I was all too glad when that faint pressure of the sky lift; took me away from that aquatic world.

The strange thing is, after that no one saw any of the octopi again. Even the one from its tank in the Aquarium disappeared, much to the embarrassment of the keepers. “We just got there one morning, and the only thing in the tank were some kids blocks spelling out. “Good bye.”