New to Space Traveler Fargone? Start at the beginning.
“Uh. Greetings, Earthlings.”
I looked at Em and started laughing.
“Sorry, I am not very good at video,” Longdistance said.
“No problem, just be yourself,” Em said, then gave me a dirty look.
She continued the interview.
“How did you end up here on Canyon Planet, Paul?”
“It was just a curiosity for me, really. As you know, I was exploring uncharted space. I came upon this planet and noticed the canyon that seemed to go on forever. I wanted a closer look, so I landed beside the rim. When I saw the Caya—canyon dwellers—and their cable system, I decided to climb down into the canyon. I was almost to the highest level of caves when a powerful wind hit my ship. I had to let go of the cable I was climbing down. I broke my leg, and my ship was destroyed. The Caya tended to my injury and welcomed me to their home. I have lived here happily ever since.”
“You have decided to stay here, despite our offer to return you to Earth. Why is that?”
“I view life as an adventure. For many years, I chased adventure in space. It was thrilling, dangerous, and fascinating all at once. But it was also lonely. When I got stranded here, it seemed like my adventure was over. But it was just the start of a new chapter. Learning about a new civilization and making a home. I taught one Caya, named Cava, to read and write, and he taught me to make furniture. I was surprised to discover how much I enjoyed furniture building. And in turn, Cava fell in love with writing and has written hundreds of books.”
“I would love to see some of the furniture you made.”
“You have. I built all the bookcases in Cava’s dwelling.”
“Nice. And you really have no desire to return to Earth?”
“I am somewhat curious about how Earth has changed, but not enough to leave my home. I am content here.”
“And you no longer want to be a space traveler?”
“I will always be a space traveler. But I no longer have any desire to travel. I am old. Space travel is a young person’s game. I would rather putter around in my workshop and enjoy the company of my friends in this beautiful canyon than fly into the unknown. I leave that to you, Flow, and Fargone.”
“Thank you, Paul.”
“My pleasure, Emma.”
Em turned off her com and said, “That was great, Paul. This is going to go viral for sure.”
“Good. Enough of that. I have more to show you,” Cava said.
Longdistance laughed.
“You are always impatient, my friend.”
“And you are always talking.”
They both laughed.
We got back on the barastand and headed further down the river. After another pleasant cruise, we arrived at a dock and debarked the barastand. In front of us, the canyon was carved into a majestic facade towering at least 50 meters. The carvings contained planets, pillars, Caya, waterfalls, and animals. It appeared to be some sort of church.
“This is Daya Ah Dei,” Cava said. “House of the Creator.”
“The Caya believe in a god?” I whispered to Longdistance.
“Yes,” was all he replied.
We entered the cave. But it was no cave; it was more of a cathedral. Larger than St. Paul’s in London. Four rows of towering columns ran through the middle of the cave. There were places to sit and what appeared to be altars that lined the walls at regular intervals.
“This is where Caya gathers to worship The Creator.”
“Who is The Creator?” Flow asked.
“The one who created everything.”
“Their god,” I said to Flow.
“What is a God?” Flow asked.
“Care to take that one?” I said to Paul.
“The Caya believe in a being, or consciousness, that created everything in the universe.”
“Fascinating. Other species on Manifold have similar beliefs but different names for their originators. We Metallum are a collective consciousness that can be separated and manipulate the metallum we inhabit. So The Creator is a consciousness that can inhabit and manipulate everything in the Universe?”
“That is what they believe.”
“Do you share this belief?”
“I always thought religion was pure superstition. I was a man of science. That was my religion. But I have seen so many unexplainable things on my travels, I no longer think it is possible to know or explain everything. That is just human pride. I am not sure if I believe in a creator, but I don’t dismiss it out of hand anymore.”
The cave cathedral was impressive, but I was glad when we left. The whole experience made me uncomfortable.
We made our way back to Cava’s home, and as Cava prepared our dinner, Longdistance showed us the bookcases he had built. It was exquisite workmanship. As we dined on a delicious stew-like dish, Cava and Longdistance told us many stories of life on Canyon Planet.
The following morning, I was shaken awake by Longdistance.
“You must leave now.”
“What?” I said, groggy and half-asleep.
“Flobo is early. I can hear it in the distance. You must leave now or stay for six more weeks.”
We all got up and gathered our things into our backpacks. After heartfelt goodbyes and hugs, Flow shifted into a ladder, and we began our ascent out of the canyon.
“Safe travels!” Longdistance shouted as we crested the rim.
The sound of the wind was much stronger above the canyon. We hurried to Rustbucket, did our checklist, and lifted off.
“I am grateful for the invitation to travel with you. It has already been beyond my expectations,” Flow said.
“We love having you along,” Em said.
“And we would be dead without you,” I added. “Care to pick a sector.”
Flow did, and we were off. Hurtling through space at unimaginable speed.
When we arrived at our new location, Flow looked out the window and said, “Oh my.”