Chapter No.78. Respite

Sometimes you get the prize.

The last habitable system on Molly's list turned out to be an Earth-like planet orbiting a main sequence G2 class orange dwarf star. It was the only rocky inner planet in that system, which also contained three gas giants further out.

"The planet has three small moons," Molly told us. "It might be because the remaining rocks in this system smashed into pieces that ended up in the star. Fortunately for this planet, a few rocks ended up orbiting it."

"There is some sort of object in orbit around the planet," Margaret said. "I'm not sure about its function."

"Put is in stealth mode, Judy."

Judy nodded.

"It looks like a giant mirror," Molly said. "It might be a space telescope."

"That would imply that the species on this planet is intelligent enough to launch into space," I said.

We are in a stable orbit, Jason."

"Thanks, Judy. Maintain stealth mode."

"This planet has about twenty percent land mass," Margaret said. "Most of it is concentrated in the northern hemisphere. This is relative to the north pole of the planet's magnetic field."

"There appears to be groupings of structures on the surface," Molly said. "They appear to be concentrated around a long river that snakes up through the main continent."

"I believe they maintain contact with the space telescope by means of a laser," Margaret said. "I'm detecting a collimated light beam from the planet to it. The beam is in the blue region of the spectrum. It's in the 400-millimeter range and is modulated."

"That's interesting," I said. "It's not what you would expect for a long-distance communication system."

"Maybe it's the only technology they have," Molly said.

"Can you detect any radio waves?" I asked.

"Nope," Molly said. "However, we might be able to connect into their land-based communication system."

After several minutes, we made contact with their main communications system, and what we saw confused us.

"What in the hell kind of beings are these?" I asked. "They look like featherless birds."

"Maybe they evolved from birds," Margaret said. "There are lots of birds flying around in the air of this planet."

"They have peculiar beak-like mouths and beady eyes," Molly said. "But it's hard to tell what they really look like because they're wearing what appear to be robes. All you can see is their heads."

"Their hands look more like claws," I said. "We can't see their feet because they're wearing boots or whatever those things are."

"Judging by the whistles and tweets, they are birds," Marie said.

"Hopefully, the translator can decipher those," I said.

"This looks like some sort of meeting," Alexa said. "They seem to be arguing about something."

"We won't know until the translator kicks in," I said.

The video feed scene eventually changed to an outdoor setting. It showed a large group of aliens standing around a large round platform or stage. They remained silent, showing no emotion. After some time, an alien appeared from an opening in the stage or platform. This alien was not wearing a robe or boots and it strutted around the stage while the audience began to tweet at a high frequency.

"What the hell is going on here?" I asked.

I didn't get a response until after the naked creature jumped off of the stage and was caught by one of the audience creatures, who carried the naked one off to a building nearby the stage. After a few minutes, a new naked creature appeared on the stage and began to strut around, stopping to bend over occasionally."

"That is weird!" I said.

"I think I know what's going on here," Molly said.

We all turned to her.

"I think this is a mating ritual. The audience is composed of males and they bid for females that strut their stuff. I assume the highest tweet gets the prize."

"I don't see what they're bidding on," I quipped. "Those females look like plucked chickens."

They laughed.

"Actually, I think the males are admiring the female's cloaca because these males have a phallus. See how the female stops and bends over to expose her portal to them."

"Well yeah, that makes sense," I said.

They laughed again.

"It just means that we don't understand aliens because we don't have enough experience concerning them," Alexa said. "If we hadn't seen this ritual, we wouldn't realize that they have a primitive nature while demonstrating a sophisticated society."

"Hey, Jason!" Margaret exclaimed with a grin. "I'll bet you'd like to see us strut our stuff on one of those stages in your living area."

"Yeah, Jason," Marie butted in. "We could exhibit our love portals to you!"

They giggled and laughed.

"You gals are not acting in a professional manner," I said, trying not to smile.

"The hell with professionalism," Alexa said. "We gals just want to have fun!"

They continued to laugh and giggle. Obviously, their inhibitions have gone haywire.

"I think you gals should not be allowed to view this alien porn."

"I think we should go down there and talk to them," Molly said. "They have to be the most interesting alien species we've ever discovered."

"I was planning on doing that. They might have some data from their space telescope that we could use."

"When are we going down?" Margaret asked.

"As soon as you can determine if they're not violent."

That meant it would be at least another day.

After our usual gathering in my kitchen area for supper of corn beef and cabbage with a beer, we gathered in my living area. Molly and Marie walked up a small staircase to one of the performance stages.

"Hey, do you realize that these stages have a central pit?" Molly yelled back to me.

"No, I was unaware of that. I suppose the androids did that to make it possible for performers to appear on stage in a professional manner."

"We could use it to make our appearances, Jason," Margaret said, grinning.

"Yeah, Jason. That would make it more dramatic."

"I think your appearance would be dramatic enough."

They laughed.

"Seriously, I do think we have something to contribute to the arts," Alexa said. "We can dance quite professionally. All it takes it a little practice."

The other women didn't seem to object. I decided not to comment. No use stirring the pot. We ended up discussing the alien's strange rituals, but with no resolve of any of them.