{"id":1569,"date":"2016-07-27T07:23:35","date_gmt":"2016-07-27T12:23:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1569"},"modified":"2016-07-30T07:27:26","modified_gmt":"2016-07-30T12:27:26","slug":"buck-rogers-part-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1569","title":{"rendered":"Buck Rogers – Part 18"},"content":{"rendered":"

Buck Rogers<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 18<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Buck made his way to the council room once more unsure why they wanted to speak with him this time. He had no other information they might need and walked in seeing several familiar faces already sitting down.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you captain, have a seat,\u201d the Chancellor said, which Buck walked over and sat down. It was becoming almost routine and this time he felt none of the nervousness of the past couple of times.\u00a0 \u201cIts been an exciting twenty-four hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Buck replied, going for respectable for now.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had contact with the Rizonian Empire regarding your appearance. They are satisfied with the findings, and it seems the scientific community is more than excited over what happened once the information was released.\u00a0 We haven\u2019t seen so much chatter in years,\u201d the Chancellor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the test was to improve our scientific understanding of the universe,\u201d Buck said wondering if the people involved ever knew the excitement they produced.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it appears you have now become a celebrity beyond Earth,\u201d the Chancellor said surprising Buck a bit by that statement. He never expected to hear those words in his lifetime, he also had a feeling something else was up.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems that another race is asking to see you,\u201d another senator said and Buck saw the nameplate as Iris Smith. The comment left Buck a bit speechless.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were hesitant to accept on your behalf, but this could be an opportunity again for us,\u201d the Chancellor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore spying?\u201d Buck asked, not really wanting to do that.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, no, this one is different, as an ambassador to strengthen ties between our two races,\u201d the Chancellor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure this cave man can be civil?\u201d Mark said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll just be sure to act the opposite of you,\u201d Buck replied looking over at Mark watching as the man\u2019s face reddened in anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain Rogers is more than capable of being a good ambassador,\u201d Doctor Theopolis said from where he sat off to the side.<\/p>\n

\u201cI concur, everything he\u2019s done has been exceptional,\u201d another robot adviser said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to ask you before accepting, you\u2019ll be going again with Doctor Theopolis, as your advisor and Colonel Deering,\u201d the Chancellor replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see a reason who not, and I\u2019ve always wanted to see another planet,\u201d Buck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I can inform them to expect you,\u201d the chancellor said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho am I going to be seeing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Tsandrians, very likable,\u201d the Chancellor said. \u201cI\u2019ll send the information over to you before you leave so you can review it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Buck said before being dismissed. Another trip to another planet.\u00a0 Never before the experiment did he think he would actually be heading to other planets and visiting other races and yet here he was doing exactly that.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Buck walked over to where there were several aliens standing waiting for them. Wilma and Twiki were already making their way over as well and he hoped they spoke English, or had a translator ready.\u00a0 Theopolis said they would as Buck knew he could not speak a word of their language.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to Tsand,\u201d one of the aliens said, looking a bit like the drawings of \u2018grey\u2019 aliens, grey skin, large eyes, and about the height of a human though the clothing seemed a bit odd to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a pleasure to be here,\u201d Buck replied, already feeling it different than when he visited the Rizonians, the Tsandrians were much more social already.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re the remarkable pilot who managed to survive the Thu\u2019lue drive,\u201d another one said speaking up.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yeah, that\u2019s me,\u201d Buck answered knowing that much. The drives were considered very unstable and dangerous, and he had done some reading up on the subject and realized how close to death he had come to.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re read up on what happened from the Rizonians, simply amazing,\u201d the Tsundrian said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had always assumed the first flight had ended in tragedy, until we received the call from the Rizonian government,\u201d Theopolis stated. \u201cIt was a tremendous shock to learn what really happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can imagine, its even more surprising that you were not blown up right away,\u201d the Tsandrian said looking right at Buck. \u201cThey don\u2019t allow many visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that was probably due to my sending out a signal for Earth right away, doubt a spy should would do that,\u201d Buck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, gave them some hesitation to allow their curiosity to come forth to figure out who you were,\u201d the Tsandrian replied back to him.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t the first time Buck wondered how close to death he came during that test flight, and how many different ways he could have died. The ships itself had several, add in the Rizonians, it really was a small miracle he was even standing there.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, shall we give you a small tour,\u201d the Tsandrian said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Buck said as they were led away from the hanger.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Buck sat down on the bed wondering if somehow all advanced societies somehow evolved along the same lines. The Tsandrians had a similar transportation system as Earth, and the Rizonians, in high speed transports which allowed them to move quickly between different cities and buildings.\u00a0 Even how things were set up within the buildings were similar, living areas, shopping and recreational and other things all housed in a close knit society.<\/p>\n

The Tsandrians had a schedule for him, he would do a couple of interviews which seemed a bit different, he had never done such a thing for another race and wondered what type of questions they might ask. The door opened allowing Wilma and Twiki to enter the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo Captain Rogers, how\u2019s your first official visit to another race going?\u201d Theopolis asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cInteresting,\u201d Buck replied back to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI received word from Earth on the attackers,\u201d Wilma said gaining Buck\u2019s interest. \u201cIt appears all the fighters were drones of some sort.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrones?\u201d Buck replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were no organic remains, and we have yet to encounter a race made up completely of robots, it\u2019s the most logical conclusion. They are working on getting more details through the computers on board the ships to see if we can figure out better who they might have been,\u201d Wilma stated, leaving Buck wondering who might have set something up like this.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would explain why one was flying erratically, probably the brains behind it all,\u201d Buck replied thinking about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the signal was telling the others to retreat,\u201d Wilma said.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery interesting,\u201d Theopolis said. \u201cI have no knowledge of any race which would create something like this, but every single one is capable of deploying such a group of fighters.\u00a0 Why any of them would is questionable at best due to the fact such drones re easily jammed and hacked to give new instructions to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about you, you\u2019ve been away several times,\u201d Buck said looking at Theopolis.<\/p>\n

\u201cI go through an extensive program check upon returning,\u201d Theopolis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBiggy, biggy, as do I,\u201d Twiki replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you do Twiki,\u201d Theopolis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you going to share that information with the Tsundrians?\u201d Buck asked finally after several seconds of silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur government is already sending the information to them through official channels,\u201d Wilma replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight, the official way,\u201d Buck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll you have to do is give the interviews,\u201d Wilma said. \u201cThat\u2019s the only reason why we\u2019re here\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, just feels like I should be doing more, that\u2019s all,\u201d Buck replied back to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re doing enough, allow the others to do their jobs as well,\u201d Theopolis said back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, should we try out the food?\u201d Buck finally said,<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you should allow me to order,\u201d Theopolis said. \u201cI have a vast knowledge of what is most similar to Earth food, and what isn\u2019t poisonous to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy all mean, go ahead,\u201d Buck said, wondering what type of food they would get.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Buck stood next to Wilma in the middle of the party which was hosted by the Tsandrian government. Buck was actually surprised at the number of people who spoke English on the planet and had asked about it.\u00a0 It seemed due to the fact Earthlings were so social, their language was picked up as the language of business even among other races.\u00a0 He wouldn\u2019t complain about it as it made things easier.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain, I\u2019m so glad you could make it,\u201d another Tsuandrian said walking over to him. Buck had no idea this one was, and without the clothing he doubted he could tell them apart.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Buck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the official aide to the Senatehead,\u201d he said, which Buck understood as equivalent to being the President of Chancellor of the planet.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, how\u2019s that going?\u201d Buck asked watching as the Tsandrain paused to think about it for a second.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a position of great importance,\u201d he finally replied. \u201cI enjoy it a lot.\u00a0 I am to inform you that he is running a bit late, something with your government, an attack or something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yeah, we were attacked not long ago by some unknown race,\u201d Buck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would explain the numerous meetings lately,\u201d the aide replied. \u201cAnd why things are so secret for now, but I think it will be let known shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019ve heard the NAA is asking other races if they know anything about them,\u201d Buck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a military person, so I wouldn\u2019t have that information,\u201d the aide said.<\/p>\n

Buck nodded as the aide then made his way over to Doctor Theopolis. It was an odd aspect of the Tsandrian race, they didn\u2019t introduce themselves, which made things even harder for Buck as he had a hard time telling the difference between them.\u00a0 He briefly wondered if they had two sexes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look worried about something?\u201d Wilma\u2019s voice asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid I\u2019ll say something and not recognize I\u2019ve talk to the Tsandrian already,\u201d Buck said. \u201cHow do you tell them apart?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClothing,\u201d Wilma said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorks until they change their clothing,\u201d Buck replied back to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever said my system was perfect,\u201d Wilma said. \u201cBesides, I only have to stand here and watch, everyone wants to talk to you, not me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah, lucky me,\u201d Buck replied back with a bit of sarcasm.<\/p>\n

Everyone looked up at the gong, and then he heard an announcement made in the Tsandrian language which he didn\u2019t understand before the translation to English.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnnouncing the Senatehead Urlic Uvollert.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least I\u2019ll know his name, I think,\u201d Buck said to Wilma as they watched a Tsandrian walk through the doors dressed in what could pass as a dress, but normal for them, colored purple.<\/p>\n

They watched as he greeted a few people before making his way over to where Buck stood.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, the man of honor,\u201d Urlic said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir,\u201d Buck said. \u201cPleasure is all mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI caught your interview this morning, very interesting,\u201d Urlic said. \u201cI can\u2019t imagine how my life would be if I suddenly found myself so far into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIts been an adjustment, that\u2019s for sure,\u201d Buck said. \u201cA lot to learn and then trying to fit back into society which has changed, yet hasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard an old Earth saying, the more things change the more they stay the same, is it true?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yeah, somethings change in how its done, but it still has to be done, like farming and such. We can\u2019t live without eating so someone has to farm the fields,\u201d Buck said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see, yes, I can see that,\u201d Urlic said turning to Wilma. \u201cI told your government this, but we do not know who attacked you.\u00a0 The technology is not familiar, nor are the computers used.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t think so, but we\u2019re asking everyone,\u201d Wilma said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve put our military on alert just in case, and reached out to the races on the outer edges of known space if they know anything,\u201d Urlic said. \u201cWe are working with your government to try and solve this mystery.\u00a0 Speaking of mysteries, you\u2019re arrival in Rizonian space must have some to a huge shock to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo them, it was a bigger one to me, suddenly finding myself close to a planet which looked very much like Earth instead of a dead, red planet,\u201d Buck replied back. \u201cThen seeing that ship, it was like something out of a sci-fi novel of my time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf all the races to end up near, you had the worst luck,\u201d Urlic said. \u201cWe would have treated you much better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Buck replied, unsure what type of reception he would have received here, but it might not have been at the end of drawn weapons and tossed into a cell.<\/p>\n

Another announcement indicated the food was being delivered and they went to head to their tables. Buck had a flashback to the last time he was in such a situation back on Earth.\u00a0 That dinner was interrupted by a bombing, and hoped this time it would be more peaceful.\u00a0 Of course the intelligence reports did not indicate any problems within the Tsandrian government.<\/p>\n

He settled back to enjoy the meal and look forward to what might happen next and the food they were about to be served which he hoped was edible to humans.<\/p>\n

End part 18<\/p>\n

Continued in part 19<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Buck Rogers by AJ Marks Part 18 Buck made his way to the council room once more unsure why they wanted to speak with him this time. He had no other information they might need and walked in seeing several familiar faces already sitting down. \u201cThank you captain, have a seat,\u201d the Chancellor said, which […]
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