CHAPTER 5: WHERE THE HEART IS

       Several faces in the windows disappeared as we mounted the low steps. The door hissed open as Astra reached for the controller, and a distinguished-looking gentleman met us as we entered. Astra gave him the type of kiss reserved for family, then said in formal introduction, "Father, I am pleased to present Kal-Thar of Terra. Kal-Thar, I am privileged to present my father."
       "I welcome you to my home in love and light, Kal-Thar."
       "In love and light, your welcome honors me, sir," I replied. The formalities were repeated with her mother, and then with the rest of those in attendance as a group. That done, I was apparently accepted as a friend of the family, and Astra brought me around to meet them on a personal level.

       About an hour of social conversation ensued. I talked with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and several dignitaries that indicated that the family of Setarr was of considerable station on Korendor. Astra confirmed this by saying that her father was an Alliance ambassador-at-large to planets being approached for membership, and had arrived home the previous day on a leave requested for this occasion.

       After the hour, the guests departed, leaving only Astra, her parents and me. We took seats in the parlor on extremely comfortable two-seat sofas arranged about a large, low glass table, with a centerpiece of bushy, red-flowered plants growing in a domed terrarium that was inset into the table-top. Four crystal goblets and a pitcher of an orange-colored drink rested on a silver tray near Astra. She filled them and distributed them to us, then took her place across the table from me.

       Her father spoke first, with charming informality. "First, Kal-Thar, I would feel more comfortable being called Dal-Tren. 'Sir' is fine for the outside, but in here there is only family."
       "Thank you, sir... Dal-Tren... but do excuse me if I say 'sir' most of the time. It's a force of habit and respect when I'm amongst people."
       "Understood."
       "Father," Astra said between sips on her drink, "I've always wanted to ask you this, and the time is certainly appropriate. How do you feel about the fact that I have given my love to a Terran?"
       If the question caught him off-guard, he gave no outward indication of it. He looked directly at her. "I find the possibilities intriguing, Little Star," he said using a term of endearment that I'd never heard before. She blushed slightly at his use of the childhood name.
       "Little Star," I echoed, looking into her beautiful eyes. She knew then that I'd have another intimate name for her, and just sighed softly, as though an eternal secret had been revealed. "I love you, Little Star," I mouthed to her, and she relaxed and returned to her drink.

        I took up my own goblet, and swirled the liquid gently, savoring the aroma that the agitation created. As I sipped it, I noted that it had the consistency of a thin syrup, with a taste that might be compared to a combination of cherry and orange, tinged with a hint of some delicate spice suggestive of cinnamon.
       "If you have the recipe for this, I could become outrageously wealthy back home."
       "Ah, but then, you have a saying on Earth that money cannot buy happiness," Dal-Tren replied.
       "No, it can't, sir, but it certainly makes misery more enjoyable," I said with as straight a face as I could manage. Evidently, Dal-Tren had not heard the popular rebuttal to that time-worn truism. He laughed merrily, then picked up his drink.
       "It seems that, like us, Terrans have a facility for puncturing pompous philosophizing."
       "Only those philosophies that need to be relieved of excess gas, sir."
       "Wonderful," he said brightly. "I can see that we have much in common." He finished his drink, then turned toward Astra. She looked hopefully at him.
       He spoke to her in the formality of the Old Words once more. "Cherished daughter, you bring honor to the Lineage of Setarr. Your chosen one has found favor."
       "You have made my love whole, revered father," she said with her head slightly bowed.
       He turned then toward me, and said, "Son in spirit, we accept you in love and light."
       "You have made my life whole," I responded, my heart pounding with emotion.
       "My children, may the Infinite One guide you in all your days. Go in love and light."

       I looked across the table into Astra's tear-moistened eyes, and saw in them a joy that I had never before sensed. Deep within me, serenity reigned. My oneness with the people of Korendor was now complete. Tears of happiness traced down my own cheeks. Astra and I rose from our seats, and we left the room, to be by ourselves in the privacy of the garden.

       It seemed only seconds had passed when Astra's mother, Dara-Kel, joined us beneath the high flower-laden arches that shaded the garden benches. "It's time to go. We certainly can't have the reception beginning without the guests of honor."
       "Yes, that would be frightfully bad form," I agreed, to which Astra giggled and added, "Quite so, my good sir." We followed Dara back into the house, ready for anything.

CHAPTER 6: THE RECEPTION

       The dazzling colors of the setting sun painted the scattered clouds slowly drifting across the early evening sky. I drank in its serene beauty as my beloved piloted her craft over the expanse of Vrell city toward a large campus of buildings. It was somewhat familiar to me from a previous strictly-business journey, but tonight it would serve a totally different purpose, as Korendian dignitaries gathered together in a formal reception for a guest of honor and his newly betrothed sweetheart.

       She reached over and took my hand, pressing it gently. I wondered whether it was to reassure me, or her. It didn't matter, because we were together in body, in love and now in union. Off to the left, what appeared to be a telescreen news vehicle paced our little craft. Astra brought us down toward a parking area, where several people awaited our landing.
       "Not bad, kid," I said as she switch off the drive. "One more lesson and you'll get your license."
       "Oh, thank you, good sir. I was so hoping that my skills would meet with your approval". She flashed a smile as the doors swung open. Her father and mother were waiting for us as we walked toward the group, their pride and happiness showing on their faces.
       "Didn't we just meet somewhere?" Dal-Tren asked playfully.
       "Why, yes, sir, I believe we did. Let me think for a moment … my mind has been on other things today." I gave Astra's hand a brief squeeze, which she returned.
       "Yes, I suppose that it would be." He smiled and introduced his companions. Karlon-Remik, who had greeted me when I arrived, was there along with the Harel Verik, the High Director of all of Korendor, several masters and a contingent of city and planetary officials. Several telescreen cameras flitted about inconspicuously, relaying the events to an unseen control room.

       With the introductions made, we walked toward the main entrance to the Hall of Korendor, the heart of Korendian government. The stairway was populated by what seemed to be hundreds of citizens who had come to be a part of the festivities. They smiled and waved as we passed. Many had cameras to record the moment. Noticeably absent were security personnel for crowd control, but it was obvious that the precaution was not necessary there. Orderliness and propriety are natural to Korendians.

       The doors closed behind us, and I took a minute to survey the architectural splendor of the huge foyer. The ceiling was dome-shaped, with the surface glowing softly from unseen lighting. Astra told me that the surface itself was luminscent, a variation of the ubiquitous Lumiglow lighting that I had seen so often in the past. The walls appeared to be made of highly polished marble, cream-white in color. On the wall opposite the entrance, a portrait of Ageless Life was set into an illuminated recess, its arresting beauty renewing itself in my mind.

       Astra brought me back to reality with a whispered, "The people await, your majesty."
       "Thank you, my queen. Let us hie ourselves thereto." She giggled, and we followed the group down a long corridor to a wide double door at the end, which opened as we arrived. When we entered, we were at the front of what appeared to be a ballroom, although it was fitted with dozens of tables, each one occupied by four to six people. They all stood as we entered.

       The sound system played an exquisite rendition of what we would call the Korendian Anthem, although it had no specific title. When it ended, our group took their seats at the two curved tables that extended from either side of the central podium. Once we were seated, the people at the tables resumed their places.

       After a moment, Heril Verik rose and went to the podium. Telescreen cameras positioned themselves about ten feet away and above the line of sight of the audience. Not a sound could be heard in the room.

       "Alen, my brothers and sisters of Korendor." As he began his introduction, I took a moment to look around the room. I noticed that although this was a formal affair, the Korendian equivalents of white ties and gowns were conspicuously absent. It was typical of them to eschew the pomp and ceremony that attend such events here on Earth. There was no flaunting of rank and position. It reinforced my understanding that Korendians hold deep reverence for the concept that all men and women are indeed created equal. Would that we of Earth gave more than lip service to that truth.

       "… And it gives me great pleasure to open this welcoming ceremony honoring our brother and adopted son from Earth. At this point, I'll turn the podium over to Ambassador Dal-Tren, who has some wonderful news to share with us." The people applauded as Heril Verik took his seat and Astra's father replaced him in the spotlight.

       "My brothers and sisters, as an at-large ambassador to planets seeking Alliance membership, I've welcomed many people from many worlds at events such as this. But tonight is unique for three reasons. The first reason is that Kal-Thar, our guest from Earth, is the first person honored in this way from a world that has not yet been formally approached with an offer of Alliance membership. This is what his people would call a 'groundbreaking' event.

       "The second uniqueness is that Kal-Thar is a descendant of the first Korendian expedition to Earth that arrived on his world in their year 970 AD. Therefore, he is of Korendian lineage." A gasp of amazement and awe stirred the listeners as the impact of Dal-Tren's statement took hold.

       When the audience had become quiet again, he continued, "The third, and in my opinion, the most wonderful, is that this afternoon, shortly before we left my home to come here, I was pleased and honored to give my blessings to the betrothal of Kal-Thar and my beloved daughter, Astra-Lari."

       As one, every person in the room stood and united in a thunderous ovation that lasted for well over a minute. Astra and I stood, hand in hand, our hearts overflowing with the love that her people extended to us. Tears of joy moistened her eyes, and I barely contained my own. Big boys don't cry, so we say.

       After calm had been restored, Dal-Tren brought his glass of pera trala to the podium, and raised it toward us. "I am moved to repeat the Old Words as a toast to my daughter and my future son. My children, may the Infinite One guide you in all your days. Go in love and light." The people raised their glasses and said as one, "May the Infinite One guide you in all your days. Go in love and light." We then shared a sip of the delicious nectar.

       Dal-Tren continued, "It is unfortunate that this betrothal cannot be completed in the ways of our tradition, because Kal-Thar's earthly parents have departed to the higher realms. However, let that not lessen the joy of the union. When the day has come, by the power of the Father, our Infinite One, they will be here in spirit."

       I had no doubt that they would indeed be there, unseen but seeing.

CHAPTER 7: RAPPORT

       As Dal-Tren spoke of other matters, I had the opportunity to look around at the sea of faces. Many were very familiar. Near the front, Master KALEN-LI RETAN shared a table with Orii-Val, Lin-Erri, ArKay, Arta Dorrec and Master AKRIM-VESTA ANTIRI. Orii nodded acknowledgement as our eyes met, which I returned. Lin-Erri's beautiful face was beaming with happiness as she watched the proceeding. The Masters were listening intently to Dal-Tren, and I had no wish to interrupt their concentration.

       Scattered throughout the audience were people from my years of communications and personal meetings. The rest could have been people off the street. Their lack of formality and pomp made it difficult to discern who was “important”. That was by intent. Korendians do not stand on ceremony.

       Dal-Tren was wrapping up his address as my attention returned to the event. He turned to me and said, “And now, having bored you long enough, I'll turn the podium over to our guest of honor. My brother, the stage is yours. Break a leg!” I decided to ask later how he came to be familiar with an old Terran show-biz expression, but I nodded at the sentiment and shook his hand as we passed.

       And then I was on. Telescreen cameras positioned themselves, and I took a long breath.

       “Kalo, alen, and good evening, my brothers and sisters in light. On the sage counsel of some who are aware of my tendency to wax verbose, I have chosen to restrict myself to a shortened oration. Therefore,” I said as I feigned looking at my watch, “I should be finished ... oh, sometime before morning.” The laughter from the audience broke any tension that remained.
       “To be frank, I have no idea why I was asked to speak this evening. I stand here surrounded by great men and women, many of whom individually possess knowledge that would pale the great libraries of my world into insignificance. I am a first-year student amongst scholars, a commoner amongst kings and queens. This is indeed a humbling experience.
       “Everything that I have learned from my years of life on Earth tells me that I should be, as my people say, quaking in my boots. And yet, I am comfortable. This has been my experience for my entire 46 years of contacts, meetings and personal interaction with you wonderful people. You know how to make a person feel at home, and I am in awe of it.

       “I'm from a planet where each day is a constant battle of wills and egos, an endless quest for getting through the day without losing much and occasionally gaining a little. And while we're looking out for number one, everyone else wants to be number one.
       “The constant struggle for importance and power has resulted in a million-level hierarchy of perceived significance. From the biggest kid in the schoolyard sandbox to the richest man on Earth, there is an almost obsessive quest to become more important, to 'be somebody'.
       “I have no desire to rise to the ranks of the world's elite. Fame, fortune and power are the gods of many of my fellow Earthers. And having seen what the worship of those false idols does to people, I don't want them. When they become the goals of one's life rather than benefits of success in life, they only destroy.
       “The illusion that if we just have this or that, we will be happy, is always shattered when we DO have this or that and there is no happiness. On the Earth science-fiction program, Star Trek, the character called Spock said to another of his kind, 'After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true.' It is impossible to argue with that.

       “You wonderful ladies and gentlemen have taught me that life is much more than achieving fame and importance and acquiring 'stuff'. I am content to remain a 'nobody' on Earth if the alternative is contrary to the greater needs of man. Through your guidance and teaching, I now find myself living my life in acceptance of what I am and in enjoyment of what I have, and seeking betterment for noble and selfless reasons.
       “Nothing reinforces that goal for my life as much as standing before this assembly and feeling welcome and important. You bless me with your warmth, your openness, your camaraderie and your kindness. And you give me hope that, if we avoid rendering our species extinct, my people will abandon their ways of darkness and selfishness and set off in a new direction, toward the glorious future that I see here tonight in microcosm.

       “On behalf of the billions of men and women of Earth, none of whom have the slightest awareness of your presence on my troubled little world, I thank you for your seemingly boundless patience with us, and for your obvious love for us that is shown in your unwavering commitment to free us from the bondage of hostile forces from beyond our world. This you do, not for accolades from us, but because your great minds and your tender hearts tell you that it is good and right and just. And that is the most wondrous thing of all.
       “One day, my people will be made aware of what you have done in secret for all these decades. They will understand that you have labored tirelessly and zealously for our world to rid us of an evil that we could not possibly have driven out on our own. They will know why you could not make us privy to your operations. And I hope beyond hope that you will be as welcome on Earth as you have made me on Korendor.
       “Perhaps, in not too many years, my people will join the universal brotherhood of mankind, become a part of your great Alliance of worlds, and seek their destiny in the stars. To paraphrase a famous television commercial, 'Earth is in good hands with the Alliance.'
       “And now, my wonderful brothers and sisters, the most beautiful young lady in a million galaxies awaits me. May the light of the Infinite One guide you in all your paths. Va i luce!”

       As one, the assembly rose to their feet in applause. Astra joined me at the podium, wrapped her arms around my neck, and delivered the kind of kiss that cannot be described in mere words. A moment later we returned to our seats, almost oblivious to our surroundings.

       The night held great promise.