STARGATE: EXPLORER

by Lady Grey
Alpha/Beta by Jude

October 31

The Next Day

No greeting party met Jack and Daniel when they arrived on Furdani. The rocky, arid landscape was empty, no signs of dragonflies or any other alien creatures in view. It was early morning, an hour or so after sunrise, and the air smelled of recent rain, but the skies were clear and cloudless, a brilliant crystal blue.

"Okay," said Jack after a quick scan of their surroundings. "Now what?"

The two Polaris ATVs were exactly where Daniel had left them months earlier, in the abandoned camp overlooking the stargate. He felt a slight tinge of disappointment, wondering briefly where the Furlings might be. Hadn't they said they'd welcome him and his friends back?

"Maybe they'll show up as we travel," he guessed. He glanced at the other man, hoping Jack would understand their caution and not presume a trap had been set.

Jack's eyes, shaded by his black ball cap, were narrowed, squinting against the brightness of the sky. He looked wary. "Yeah," he agreed as he grabbed his sunglasses from where they hung on their cord around his neck and slipped them over his eyes.  "Can't see 'em, but I can feel 'em. They're looking me over, all right." 

What Jack didn't say, his immediate sense of distrust flagged by the absence of their hosts, was written clearly on his face.

Daniel didn't know how to work the transporter that had brought him from Shahr to the 'gate, didn't even know where to find the controls. Touching the Furling communication device, which he still wore attached to the curve of his ear, he called for Scout, but there was no immediate answer.

"Well, we should be on our way, then," Daniel suggested, nodding toward the vehicles. They want us to go to the pyramid at the end of the road, and meet them there. It's about three days' journey on the ATVs. I don't think you want to walk that far."

He and Jack began their journey down the long road, their gear stowed in two of the ATVs taken from the abandoned camp. They'd been driving for several hours when the Forest elder's deep voice sounded unexpectedly in his ear, causing Daniel to flinch and swerve slightly. “Greetings, Daniel. Please continue toward the wreck of your other vehicle. We will meet you there."

The transmission was clear above the noise of the ATV's motor, but Daniel wasn't sure his response would be. He pulled over and cut the engine, and Jack followed suit a little further down the road. "Hey, Scout! Where are you? I was expecting someone to meet us--"

"We prefer to allow your friend to become accustomed to our world before we make his acquaintance," said the elder pleasantly. "There are things he should see before he meets us. Take your time, and show him the abundance of our world. We will join you soon."

Jack cut the engine and got off the ATV, wandering up for a chat. "Somebody finally talk to you?" he guessed.

"They'll meet us later," Daniel told him. He glanced down at the P-90 strapped to the other man's body. "It's okay, Jack. They want me to show you around, and to be sure you won't hurt them. Once burned, twice shy, you know? They were betrayed by people they believed were their friends."

O'Neill considered that in silence. Then he nodded and, without further comment, returned to his vehicle to continue their journey down the long road.

The People waited until Jack was sleeping on the first night, and Daniel was on watch.

Claire came into view first, barely visible in the glow of the campfire near where Jack lay in his bedroll. She didn’t speak to Daniel, just hovered in the air, helmet open, and studied the sleeping man. 

“I was wondering when one of you were going to make an appearance,” Daniel whispered. “Is there a problem?”

“He knows he is being watched,” she told him, turning up the vocal volume on her suit just enough to be audible to him. She smiled a little. "You did not tell him we would be observing."

“I didn't have to say anything. He already knew. He’s a lifetime warrior.”

Claire motioned to her nearby cohorts, and Daniel watched as one of the black-suited Sky Clan settled to the surface of the road just above the top of Jack’s head. The Furling's hands moved over the controls on the chest plate of his suit, and then he held out his arms and stood very still.

“Wait, what is he doing?” Daniel whispered, glancing at Claire.

“Recording his thoughts, as we did yours,” she told him.

“No, stop!” Daniel begged, holding out a hand to the little guy doing the scanning. He felt alarm rising inside him as he turned wide eyes to Claire. “Look, you can’t do that with him. He’ll never trust any of you if you do, and I can't tell you how important this is. Please!”

The lavender-haired fairy gave a signal, and the Furling performing the brainwave review stopped, eyeing her for further direction.

“We must be certain we can trust him,” Claire returned with a little shrug. "As you said, he is a lifetime warrior. He is not certain you have judged us accurately."

“You trust me,” Daniel whispered, calming down a little. “I trust him. I’m vouching for him and asking you to stop the recording. He’d see what you’re doing as reason to make war against you. He’s the leader of the remainder of our people, and he knows things… things that can’t be shared. It’s vital, or I wouldn’t ask for this. Please.”

She cocked her head in a listening posture, hesitating for a moment, probably receiving instructions on her communication device. Then she nodded and lifted her gaze to meet his. “We trust you, friend,” said Claire softly, giving him a gracious bow. "Follow the road to its end, to a special place that we call Heavy Light, and we will meet you there for a formal ceremony of introduction to the People." Then she activated her helmet and flew off with her companions.

For a long time, the night was quiet. A gentle breeze ruffled Daniel’s hair, which was starting to get a little long, since he hadn’t had a haircut in more than three months. He pushed it back and glanced at his companion, stretched out on the road in his sleeping bag. 

“I suppose you heard all that,” Daniel said quietly.

Jack didn’t move a muscle, nor did his breathing change. He gave every appearance of being sound asleep. “Yup.”

Daniel nodded, fully aware that Jack couldn’t see him well in the flickering light of the campfire. Daniel had just been confirming things for himself. “The Furlings don’t understand the concept of privacy, even in your thoughts. I just figured you had state secrets and… other things they didn’t necessarily need to know.”

“And you figured right. I was getting ready to shoot that little mosquito.”

“Not mosquitoes,” Daniel challenged. He couldn’t help grinning. “Wait till you see ‘em, Jack.”

“Sounded like mosquitoes.”

Daniel tried to picture the meeting in his head, but just couldn’t.

There was something about the thought of Jack O'Neill laying eyes on real, living fairies that would just never get old. 

November 3

Three Days Later

None of the People made additional appearances. For three days, he and Jack traveled down the barren road, apparently alone.  As they bypassed the wreck of Daniel’s Kawasaki mule, destroyed on his previous visit to the planet, he told Jack about the creature that had stomped on it.

As they drove warily down the section of the road cutting through the wooded area, continuing into the mountains, numerous wild animals made their appearance, seen from a safe distance. Jack was impressed. “Something that size could feed quite a few folks,” he observed after a brief view of a massive, fleeting dannu. “That would be quite a hunting trip, to bag one of those.”

“I’m sure the Forest Clan would be happy to take you on safari when we get done with the meet-and-greet,” Daniel returned with a grin.

It was close to sunset on the third day of travel when the end of the road finally came into view, revealing the step-pyramid, which was old and weather-beaten, worn down by the elements until the edges of each level were cracked and rounded, rather than smooth and sharp-edged. The structure had piqued Daniel’s interest from the initial UAV survey conducted months earlier.  This had been his original destination, but destiny had sidetracked him, brought him new friends, and reconnected him with part of his past.

Now he had the opportunity to see what he'd come to study, as well as to discover its purpose in an alien society.

He relaxed a little as he spotted a welcoming party waiting for them at the base of the pyramid, but it was not made up of the race he had expected. Four of the Mountain Clan stood as honor guards, each of them carrying a device that looked much like a staff weapon, but topped with what appeared to be flaming swords. The giants had their feet spread at shoulder width, their arms extended, both hands clasping the long handles of the blazing weapons. They made no move, no threatening gestures, standing perfectly still, eyes fixed straight ahead.

Daniel recognized one of the aliens as the fellow who had greeted him upon his arrival in Shahr. Denali turned his head and inclined it slightly toward Daniel, whispering brief instructions in Ancient, then gesturing toward the steps with one hand. When he finished speaking, he gave another tiny bow and resumed his previous stance, eyes forward, face composed, both hands on his staff.

“Daniel?” The question in Jack’s expression spoke volumes. Uncertainty threaded through his voice.

Without looking at his friend, Daniel knew Jack's grip would be tightening on his P-90. Threatening or not, the aliens had weapons, and pretty impressive ones at that.

He glanced at his friend and gave him a reassuring little smile. "Let me take the lead here. All right?"

"You didn't tell me they were so big," said Jack, "just that there were four races of them, but… Well. I wasn't expecting this."

"I intentionally left out a few details. Some things you just have to see in person." Daniel nodded and let his gaze travel up the steps, where he spotted the Mountain Clan elder waiting for them on the first level. He gestured toward the elder with his index finger. “We’re supposed to go up. This is a ceremonial thing for them, a formal introduction of the People to the leader of Earth. It's a great honor.”

He walked purposefully between the four giants at the base of the pyramid, headed for the steps, and felt Jack edge a little closer to him. “Don’t worry. They're big, but they won’t hurt us.” He was sure Jack was just moving in to protect him, but it gave him a little internal chuckle to think Jack might just be a tad intimidated by their sheer size. These weren't the first aliens they'd met who dwarfed humans so much, but Mountain Clan had a presence about them that was undeniably powerful. 

Jack cleared his throat, casting his gaze up at the ten-foot-tall sentinels. “Definitely not mosquitoes.”

“These guys weren’t our visitors last night,” Daniel clarified. “This is the Mountain Clan.”

“Of course they are.”

Jack followed him up the long flight to the first level, and Daniel greeted the elder warmly, using the palm-up/palm-down hand gesture he remembered from the council meeting.

“You are welcome, friend,” said el-Rafa, his lined face breaking into a smile and returning the gesture.

Daniel was surprised to hear the alien speaking fluent but elegantly accented English.    

“I’m glad to be back,” Daniel told him honestly. He hesitated with the introductions, then decided to start with the familiar, gesturing toward Jack. “This is General Jack O’Neill, leader of the survivors of Earth.”

Jack let go of his P-90 with his right hand and extended it toward the enormous alien. “Pleased to meet you,” he said formally. Then he glanced at the size of the hand reaching out to return the shake and drew his back, giving a little wave instead. "Never mind the handshake."

“Only one leader?” el-Rafa inquired, squatting down to be closer to eye level with the humans. “No council?” 

“Well, we do sort of have a council,” Jack said, “but I’m kind of the primary… Um. Listen, no offense, but I really didn’t come to talk politics. We’re still trying to get our act together. Better government will come later. Right now, we need order, and I’m the most experienced, sad to say. We’ve got more important things on our minds right now than who’s in charge.”

“Yes, of course,” said el-Rafa with a gracious nod. “We can help you, if you wish it. We have plentiful resources your people are welcome to share.  We have come to understand your people have many fine qualities through the example of our mutual friend.  It is because we trust and honor him,” he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment to Daniel before turning his attention back to Jack,” that we make this offer of assistance to the survivors of Earth." 

A wave of warmth and respect swept over Daniel. He and Jack hadn’t even asked yet, and already the Furlings were offering to help. These people knew what it felt like to be refugees. They understood the challenges and stood ready to help meet them.

It was something the SGC would have done, once upon a time.

“That’s very generous,” said Jack.  He shifted his stance slightly, tilting his head as he studied the alien, his gaze narrowed, studying the giant.  

Daniel saw the gleam of distrust in those brown eyes he knew so well, but wasn’t fast enough to speak before his friend got the question out of his mouth.

“What do you want from us in return?”

“Your survival.”

“Why?”

“Because you are a worthy race.” El-Rafa’s expression was serene, confident, completely sincere.

Jack turned to Daniel. “You must’ve made quite an impression on these folks.”

Daniel shrugged. “They know what it’s like to be in our position, Jack. They’ve been there, remember?”

“Nobody wants nothing for something,” Jack returned thoughtfully, turning his penetrating gaze back to the elder. “There has to be a catch.”

“Translation?” asked el-Rafa, turning to Daniel.

“A price to be paid for your generosity,” he explained. “Jack thinks you’re trying to hide some kind of condition on the deal.”

“Ah.” The giant studied Jack with a slight smile. “Were our positions reversed, would you ask a price for our lives?”

Daniel squelched a grin, pleased that the alien seemed to understand the way Jack’s mind worked, which was a pretty amazing feat by itself.

“No,” said Jack. He considered, then nodded. “Okay. That’s good. We appreciate it.”

El-Rafa stepped aside, one massive hand gesturing toward the stairs. “Please continue. There are others waiting to meet you, General O’Neill.”

The two men mounted the steps again, ascending to the next level of the pyramid, where Scout waited for them.

A murmur of noise made them turn after they'd gone halfway up to the next level. On the ground below, a crowd was gathering, seeming to appear out of thin air, some in large groups forming from flashes of transporter beams. This was starting to appear like a much bigger deal than a simple welcome for Daniel’s return visit.

Jack shot Daniel an inquiring look. ”What was that fella’s name, anyway?  Don’t think I caught it in the introduction,” Jack observed as they made it up the last few steps.

“You didn’t,” Daniel returned wryly. “I can’t give you their names. You’ll have to wait till they know you better. They have to share that with you when they're ready.”

“Huh?”

“You can call them whatever you want. Anything inoffensive, I mean. Good names.”

“Really?”

“Greetings, and be welcome to Furdani,” said Scout with a broad smile as they made it to the second landing. "This is an ancient place of celebration for the People. We are pleased you have joined us." His handling of English was graced with a melodious flair, with glottal ‘r’s and subtly dropped vowel-sounds at the ends of his sentences. 

Daniel performed the introductions again, informing Jack that he called the Forest Clan elder Scout.

Jack glanced below and nodded in the direction of the forming assembly at the base. “What’s with the crowd? You guys planning a human sacrifice or something?”

Instantly, Daniel shot Jack a frown and elbowed him gently in the ribs to silently tell him to cut the crap. "Jack!"

Scout laughed. “Nothing so unpleasant, I assure you. We are here to initiate a formal meeting of our people, as well as the return of our friend. We wish to honor him with a celebration of the gifts he has given us.”

Daniel glanced at Jack’s face, his eyebrows raised in silent question. “Beats me,” Daniel said with a shrug, clueless about what those ‘gifts’ might have been.

“Well,” said Jack, hooking his left thumb into the waistband of his trousers, a relaxed set to his shoulders, “I like parties. Especially if there's cake.” He winced a little, shifting his weight and adjusting his stance slightly.

Even though Scout undoubtedly didn’t understand the reference about cake at parties, he didn’t miss the grimace. “Is there a problem? Are you uncomfortable?”

“His knees,” Daniel explained, knowing Jack wouldn’t admit his pain and recognizing the look he'd seen on his face. “These stairs are hard for him.” He glanced back at the stone steps they had just traveled.

“Ah. Please allow me to help.” The elder took a step toward Jack and knelt on the hard stone platform. His face just at Jack’s hip-level, he raised his hands, palm out, as though intending to grasp Jack's legs. 

O'Neill stepped back instinctively, hands going to his P-90. “Whoa. Hold on there, buddy!”

Daniel put a restraining hand on Jack’s arm. “It’s okay, Jack. Just stand still.”

Scout glanced up at Jack, waiting for permission to continue, his hands in the air, hovering near Jack's knees.

After a moment’s consideration, Jack stepped back into place, shooting a warning glare at Daniel. Scout placed his palms carefully, lightly, on Jack’s legs, took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and exhaled slowly. He didn’t move for a couple of minutes, but the tension in Jack’s face drained away.

The green-haired elder stood up, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. “Feel better?”

Jack shifted from one leg to the other, flexing his joints, testing them. “Haven’t felt that good in thirty years,” he answered, wonder lightening his tone. “Thanks.” Eyebrows lifted in Daniel’s direction again.

“I didn’t know they could do that,” Daniel responded with another shrug.

“These folks are just full of surprises, aren’t they?”

“Four races,” Daniel returned. “They should be.”

That reminded him of why he’d asked to come back to this world. The Furlings had let him leave with the device that held them prisoner, with no guarantee that he would ever return. They had been kind and hospitable to him, and he had seen nothing in their history to indicate they had deserved their fate; at least, not by human standards. He had never truly understood the positions the Ancients, Asgard, and Nox had taken in their refusal to help Earth fight the Goa’uld.

The Furlings’ similarity to human nature was striking. They had trusted him, and by allowing him to leave without any conditions, they had earned his trust. Suddenly, the decision was firm in his mind and heart.

They deserved to be free. If time proved he'd made the wrong choice, then he was willing to take full responsibility for that. For the moment, the Furlings were needed on Alpha, and the only way they'd get there was if he unlocked the stargate.

He faced Scout, squaring his shoulders. “Scout, I’d really like to stay here a while longer to study your history, languages, and culture, but I can’t. I have to go back to our outpost and teach what I know about Earth, so our history won’t be lost. I doubt I’ll be able to return to your world.” 

The elder studied his face soberly, his disappointment obvious. “This is your decision?”

“No, it was mine,” Jack answered. “Daniel’s an expert we can’t afford to lose. We need him.”

“It is not so much the man,” asked Scout, “but his knowledge that you must have?”

Jack nodded.

“Then we can provide you with what he knows,” the elder returned confidently. “That is an easy thing. We can also give you ours.”

Daniel looked right into Scout’s eyes as he spoke, watching the elder’s gaze move from Jack’s face to his. He wanted to make his announcement subtly, without letting Jack know the Furlings were prisoners here. “You could also send some of your people to our colony, if General O’Neill requests it, to help with labor, hunting, and expert advice on building a new civilization from the ground up.”  

A wave of surprise flashed across Scout’s face, understanding Daniel's secret message instantly. “You are certain?” His response was breathless, startled.

“I am. It’s time the People returned to their travels through the universe.” He smiled at Scout. 

The elder’s amber eyes filled with tears as he turned to O’Neill. His voice was husky with emotion, and his chin quivered slightly. “Is it your wish to have our help as you rebuild?”

“We’ll talk about it,” said Jack. "We'll get to know each other, see what the possibilities are. We'd prefer to trade, where we can, instead of just take hand-outs."

Scout nodded. "You have your pride," he agreed, and patted Daniel's shoulder. "We have seen this through our friend, and we understand. You will have our help, as much or as little as you desire, and we are happy to teach your people all we know. We ask only that you also listen to our counsel about how that knowledge is used."

"As long as we're not obliged to take your advice, if we choose not to," Jack returned with a nod. He frowned and lifted his chin, looking a little clueless. "So how, exactly, do you plan to give us Daniel's knowledge without Daniel? I don't get that part of the deal.”

“They’ve recorded my whole life, Jack,” Daniel explained, then turned quickly back to Scout, “which I’d like to edit, by the way, before it leaves this world. There’s stuff I’d like to keep private, if the People don’t mind.”

“Like?” asked the General, his eyebrows lifting in obvious curiosity.

“None of your business,” Daniel shot back, feeling his face heat up. “Same kind of stuff you wouldn’t want in a holographic library.”

“That would be my whole life,” quipped Jack, “but I think I get it.”

“Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.”

“We wish to make our friends welcome guests,” Scout continued, lifting his hands upward and outward in a magnanimous gesture, as if offering them the world, then gave Daniel's shoulders a brief squeeze before settling loose fists on his hips. “We believe Daniel will make an excellent liaison between our people, able to advise us on many cultural matters.”

“As long as he reports back on a regular basis, I suppose that’s a… maybe.” Jack didn’t look too happy about this turn in conversation, and the glance he shot Daniel said so in glaring silent detail. This was what he’d told Daniel was not going to happen, and now it had.

Daniel wasn’t sorry about that, nor was he going to pass up the opportunity to learn more about the aliens. “Then it’s settled?”

“There should be more talking,” Jack assured him. “We’ll send over a couple of diplomat types to tidy things up, make sure there are no more shoes to be dropped. You know how I feel about falling footwear.” That last comment was meant for Daniel, accompanied by a frown as he shifted his gaze.

“I do not understand,” said Scout. He clasped his hands behind his back and leaned slightly forward toward Jack for emphasis.

“I’ll explain later,” Daniel assured him with a grin.

"Very well, then." The elder gave him an elegant bow. “This is a great day for the People. Please continue.” He gestured up the steps.

Jack and Daniel ascended to the next level, where Hunter stood waiting.

The Grass Clan elder had his hands clasped behind him, and he was looking up at the stars, humming some tune that had to be off-key, but since Daniel didn't know the music, it could be perfectly pitched. He beamed at Daniel, speaking in heavily accented English. “Welcome!” 

Then his eyes raked Jack up and down with a note of disapproval. “Who this?”

Daniel told him.

Hunger grunted, then glanced up at the man he knew. “You better looking.” 

A startled, nervous laugh burst out of Daniel. That was the last thing he’d expected to hear. “Uh, well, um…”

Jack just glared at Daniel, wordlessly condemning Daniel’s bad taste in friends. “Nice to meet you, too, Shorty,” he told the little alien, a trace of irritation and wounded vanity in his voice.

“Grass Clan are very blunt,” Daniel hurried to explain to his old friend. “Who’s to say they even have the same standards of--”

“It’s okay,” Jack shot back, lifting his chin and staring down his nose at the alien, one hand raised, palm out, as if to stop the conversation. “The elf guy was prettier than this pipsqueak, too.”

Hunter cocked his head, looking up at the General. “You like fishing?”

Jack’s head whipped around and down to regard the elder. “Yeah. Why?”

“We go fishing.” Hunter stepped aside and waved them up the next set of steps.

“That was kind of…” Jack observed, glancing backward. “Maybe I misjudged the little shrimp.” 

Daniel shook his head, unable to stifle a grin. “I think the feeling’s mutual.”

“Well, we’ve seen giants, elves and dwarves. What’s next, fairies?” asked Jack flippantly. "They seem to be getting smaller as we go up.

“You’re not gonna believe it.” Daniel kept his face composed as they mounted the last few steps to the bare, flat top of the pyramid. There were no structures here, just a mosaic of various sized square, rectangular and L-shaped stones paving the surface.

At first, they didn’t see anything, so Jack turned around and looked down on the crowd below them. A multitude had congregated all around the base of the monument. There was a festive air to the gathering, dotted by impromptu performers and tents with clouds of smoke drifting out from beneath them, accompanied by the smell of roasting meat, cooking vegetables, and fragrant teas.

When Daniel spotted the mint-green-haired Sky Clan elder rising up from the middle of the platform and zooming toward them, he tapped Jack on the shoulder. El-Riel hovered in the air at eye level a few feet away from their faces. Her shape was clear against the bright sky, colored in beautiful ribbons by the sun descending toward the horizon. Her beautiful turquoise eyes glowed in the waning light.

“Daniel,” said Jack casually, just staring at the elder. “There are fairies. I’m looking at one.”

“These are Sky Clan,” Daniel corrected, offering a slight bow of respect toward the tiny alien, “fourth tribe of the Furlings.”

“Maybe Gramma O’Neill wasn’t nuts after all.”

“We welcome the survivors of Earth,” el-Riel announced, lifting her arms. “May our people grow strong in friendship, for we are much alike.” 

“Pleasure to meet you,” Jack told her, still slightly in shock. He hadn't even blinked since he first caught sight of her. He held out his hand, palm up, just below her in invitation.

With a great show of trust, the Sky Clan elder lowered herself and settled there, her wings falling still and silent. Jack brought her closer to his face, looking her over carefully. “Wow. Hot.”

El-Riel embraced Jack’s thumb with one arm, holding on as he turned his hand this way and that to get a better look at her. “You are fortunate to have arrived in time to participate in a cultural celebration of the People,” she told them gaily. “You will be our honored guests. We hope you will join us as we eat, drink, and enjoy the treasures of Heavy Light.”

Daniel leaned forward. “Heavy Light?”

The elder swept the area with her free hand, her tiny face beaming with pride. “This place. It is a monument to all we once were, and hope to be again.” She let go of Jack’s thumb and leapt into the air, her wings automatically kicking into high speed, allowing her to hover again. “Please be at home with us. When you have reached the base, turn your eyes here to the top, and you will understand the reason for the name we have chosen for this ancient place of celebration.”

“Sounds like fun,” said Jack.

El-Riel zoomed off, disappearing quickly.

Jack turned to Daniel. “Fairies, elves, dwarves and giants. I’ll be damned. I think you left a lot out of your mission report.”

“I thought you needed to see this for yourself.” Daniel turned and toward the steps with Jack at his side. “How’re your knees?”

“Don’t start, Daniel.”

“So. Party?”

“I think so, yes. There aren't any papers to sign, sacred dances to do, stupid ancient customs to follow?”

Daniel glanced around them at the empty platform, then down the long staircase at the elders ambling down toward the base. “Apparently not. I think we’re done.”

“I like their treaty negotiations. Simple.”

“Yeah, that was easy, wasn’t it? Let's go find some cake.”

"They have cake?"

"Yes, Jack. They have cake. And pie and a lot of other sweet stuff."

"I think I'm gonna like it here."

"I think you will, too."

They went down to the base, where lavender-haired Claire met them, zooming around Daniel’s head excitedly. She perched on his shoulder, holding onto part of his black cloak so she could talk to Jack, who seemed completely enchanted with her. Daniel concentrated on leading his old friend around the festival, barely listening as Jack relaxed and flirted his brains out with pretty much everyone. The smile in his voice was obvious.

Daniel procured drinks for them, along with the necessary pastries, as they wandered aimlessly through the crowd. When the sun dipped lower in the sky and began to set, Claire leaped off his shoulder and led them back to the road facing the front of the pyramid. The hubbub began to quiet, and all eyes turned to the monument.

Claire hovered in front of Daniel, a dark shape in the air. “Tonight, we honor your Beethoven, friend.”

“What? How…”

“This is one of the many wonderful gifts you have given us,” she explained. “In your memories we have found so much beauty and wisdom from the history of Earth. Now these treasures belong to us as well.”

A faint grinding noise drew his attention back to the pyramid. Some of the stones on the top level began to rise, and along with them, long beams of colored light flashed and held like lasers. The light seemed to vibrate, and notes of music played in concert with the glowing colors. A gigantic stone arch lifted into view, high above the other stones that rose, sounded their notes of colored light, then sank out of sight into the platform. Then a ball of light began to form on the underside of the enormous lintel.

It fell from the arch as if it were a drop of water, striking the surface of the roof.  The sound it made was something like a clap of thunder, a heartbeat, and a bass drum all rolled into one.

“Ohhhhh,” breathed Daniel, as awestruck by the sight as he was by the sound.

Another drop of light fell, then another, setting up a rhythm. Two pillars exchanged a red beam between them, quivering with the harmonious voices of something akin to violin and viola. Another set of stones sang the sweetly melancholy notes of a cello with a green glow, and another piped the clear golden notes of a flute. The instruments of an Earthly orchestra preached the glorious, familiar music in light and sound, drawn from Daniel’s soul through the stones.

When the piece was finished, Daniel sat quivering in the darkness, staring up at the alien instrument in wonder. He had never heard Beethoven's Fifth Symphony played with such tremendous passion.

Jack’s hand patted his shoulder and gave him a long look.

He didn’t have to say anything.

Daniel knew his old friend understood now. Music really was the most universal language of all, and the Furlings had expressed themselves eloquently. He’d have to talk to them about that sometime, if he could ever find the right words. 

End Chapter 15
 

Author’s note:  Any readers who would like to see this spectacular Heavy Light show for themselves can find it on a DVD called “Animusic 2,” which uses cutting-edge computer animation and digitally created music to produce an entirely new genre of music entertainment.
 

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