Author: I. Graham Smith

Terminal Reception (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

The Index -|-

Kpleeb raised his hand emphatically. “Biortl is out of the question. You think they haven’t fortified it with every vessel and defense array they could muster? It’s their most ancient stronghold beyond the twin orbs of Jiwlat and Qaplas.”

“There are not many orbs left to conquer, sir,” said Oiitr. “It will be more dangerous whichever way we decide to go.”

Kpleeb shook his head. “I know that we are running out of options. I know this, but Biortl is directly across the core and has the most natural resources while Qaplas and Jiwlat are in the direction away from the core. I believe they will expect us to take Biortl, and yes, I could be wrong. We are in a game of lynx and hare.”

Oiitr paused. “Lynx and hare? I am not familiar with this comparison.”

Kpleeb nodded absentmindedly. “An old saying from Fab Elder Shoofit… about the lynx and the hare. I never understood it until the Xih altered my brain, but the main point is… His eyes suddenly widened. “What about sending a spy probe through the terminal to Biortl?”

“Uhm-” Oiitr looked down at its red tiered device momentarily while adjusting to Kpleeb’s thought shift. “A spy probe. Unfortunately, we do not have a terminal registration for any probe. We could send a vessel, but it would not seem wise to waste a vessel and crew just to see if it comes back alive.”

Kpleeb grunted. “How many days to send a probe to Biortl without the terminal?”

“595 days.”

Kpleeb grunted again. “We are effectively stuck. What will it take to register more vessels for the terminal?”

Oiitr responded quickly. “The vessel has to have at least a hu-class control system, and then the vessel’s identifier must be added to the terminal database. This can only be done at the First Terminal.”

“That’s near Jiwlat, correct?”

“Yes, sir.”

Kpleeb raked his hair back with his fingers and paced across the command center twice. “It seems the noose will only tighten around our necks as we carry on. We have to go the First Terminal and change the balance of the future in our favor.”

“If you mean to register more vessels, we cannot unless we have vessels that are ready. We could travel to the great lutu manufacturing facility at Diport and take all of the smaller vessels for registration.”

“No,” said Kpleeb.”We will make the terminals allow any ship that can transmit a request code. I bet Zara can set this up with your help, and perhaps Tiirw can help as well.” He cracked his knuckles. “Someone will get it done, one way or another. I’ll talk to Zara about it.”

When her communicator beeped, Zara answered and spoke first. “Yes, Da?”

“We will need the terminals to work for us. Oiitr and I were talking about going to the First Terminal and changing the system to allow any ship to pass through as long as they can identify themselves using a simple code transmission. Can you work with Oiitr and Tiirw to make that happen?”

Zara paused to think. “Well- It’s a good idea. It will give us options we did not have before. Also, perhaps we can find a way to mine the First Terminal records for Xih ship patterns and locations of Nidix. That reminds me as well. Viinox and I went to the Yowiil Observatory and have not spotted anything where I believe Nidix is hiding. Our plan is to take the Hsstak to the region and obtain closer scans. We will first alter the Hsstak and Greki to make them appear invisible to the regular Xi vessel tracking systems.”

Kpleeb shook his head. “Seems like a waste. If the observatory can’t see Nidix, how will you see it by going there? Seems like a lot of risk.”

“If Nidix is there and cloaked, it would have been tuned to appear invisible to all known observatories. There is nothing more real than being there in person with our own eyes and sensors.” Zara smiled at her Da. “I would prefer to take the Hsstak to Nidix alone in secret, but first we can go to the First Terminal. Perhaps I will find more information about the Xih and Nidix.”

“Okay,” said Kpleeb gruffly, “We’ll start making plans.”

If seems like there are never ending tasks. Never ending barriers between the Predominant and my vengeance. … but I suppose that’s why they set all this up, to protect themselves.

###

Kpleeb felt an uncommon tension as the Hsstak and Greki coalesced into the void at the terminal nearest to Jiwlat. Tiirw had expressed uncertainty about whether the alteration to the Xih ships would function as expected.

According to Tiirw, “Only the Xih vessels have this extra hardware, the combination of certain hu-flugens and other exotic materials I have not seen before. I see the interface and the effects on the vessel, but I don’t fully understand the source.”

Now, the void around the terminal was empty, and the two ships approached the First Terminal. It glittered in the distance, and to Kpleeb, it looked like a needle. On one end, the gleaming tip was as sharp as anything. On the other end, a teardrop bulb spun lazily. As they approached, the structure grew in size until it dwarfed the two ships “So, very huge,” said Kpleeb quietly.

The ships both landed in a large slot that was set in the side of the First Terminal, and passed through a faintly glowing field that appeared to protect them from the void. Twenty-eight Xi in silvery armor stepped forward from the edges and surrounded the ships where they rested.

Kpleeb grinned to himself. “They want to show power?” He tapped a nearby console and spoke. “Dear Xi. If you attack us, I will destroy you. We wish to talk with your Iteek.”

Oiitr spoke softly. “Sir. If they attack, it will be directed at you and Zara. They will not harm the vessels while we are docked at the First Terminal as it would also harm the structure.”

Kpleeb nodded. “Zara, exit together prepared to defend.”

The doors to both the Hsstak and the Greki opened in unison, and there was a long pause before seven Ganix warriors trotted out from each ship and stopped in front of the Xi guard. Zara and Kpleeb exited at the same time as well, followed by Viinox and Oiitr.

Kpleeb looked at the Xi warriors as if he was a commander surveying his troops. He had become confident in Zara’s ability to shield him from harm, and after a moment, he walked out to the Xi, passing in front of their lines slowly. He eyeballed each of the warriors slowly as he passed them. They were identical in every way. Their eyes a cold blue and petite mouth closed. Their burnished silvery armor extended to the crown of their head, completely covering the breathing slits, yet still leaving a bare circle of skin exposed on the very top.

“Well,” said Kpleeb, stopping in front of what appeared to be a large doorway, “take us to your leader.” He gestured at the door. “I don’t want to stand here here all day.”

After a few moments of silence, Zara approached. “Da, Viinox says there are no messages and no movements. I am sensing nothing odd about the aji in this place.”

“Does it know where the command center is located?”

Zara nodded. “Viinox says it is not far from here.”

Kpleeb looked at one of the nearby Xi. “We will visit your command center now.” Looking at Viinox he said. “You lead the way.”

Fourteen Xi warriors pivoted and walked through the door followed by Viinox and seven Ganix bringing up the rear, disciplined and wary. Zara walked with Kpleeb. “Da, I have a bad feeling about this. It’s all just too strange, the warriors, and lack of a receptive leader.”

“We will be very cautious. You do have an aji shield ready?”

“Yes,” said Zara. “I am covering me and you, Viinox and Oiitr mostly, but a little on the Ganix as well. I am trying to grow stronger with the coverage, but…”

“Just do your best.” He winked. “We’ll be fine.”

The squadron exited the landing bay, their footsteps echoing down the corridor. They’d barely reached the first set of doors flanking the passage when twin explosions ripped through the metal. Shards of lak tore into the front line of Ganix warriors.

The impact slammed against Zara’s shield, her cry lost in the deafening blast. Her vision stuttered, and suddenly the hallway tilted—the floor now a vertical stripe to her right. Through swirling dust, she glimpsed the broken forms of her friends. Qon grew slippery in her palm; she clutched it tighter.

Silver-booted feet pivoted in slow motion. Lightning spears discharged behind her with their distinctive whine-crack. Her ears rang, muffling everything else. Xi warriors fell, their armor catching the light in one final gleam before darkness swallowed her consciousness and Qon slipped away.

Consciousness returned to Zara in an instant. Above her, shadows gathered on the ceiling, while harsh light flooded in from the sides of her vision. When she shifted her gaze toward the light, she found her Da stretched out on a lak table nearby. A Xi loomed over his body, its lanky form draped in a soft red cloak, while crimson droplets dripped steadily onto the floor below.

Instantly and without thinking, Zara reached for Qon’s familiar power and let out a hoarse scream as a blunt jackhammer of Qon erupted from her outstretched hand. The Xi’s red cloak ballooned violently outward as its torso erupted. Viscous gray goo sprayed in all directions as the Xi crumpled into a formless heap of cloth and ooze.

Viiinox immediately appeared before her with its neck-slits fluttering rapidly. “Zara, you’ve killed Jiartl-wa, the primary medical officer here at the First Terminal.”

“I don’t understand,” said Zara with a shake of her head.

“The Builder is injured, and Jiartl-wa was repairing his body.”

It took Zara a long moment to realize what she had done. “Da!” she cried. She lurched upward only to collapse as needles of pain shot through her. Viinox firmly pressed down on her shoulder with gentle insistence. Beyond them, she could see a teardrop-shaped device methodically vacuuming the gelatinous remains of what had once been Jiartl-wa.

“Zara, we have already called another medical officer. This one will arrive soon and continue its work.” Viinox blinked as if the loss of the primary doctor was no issue.

Tears welled in Zara’s eyes at the sight of her Da on the table. His exposed chest rose and fell with shallow, uncertain breaths while crimson droplets marked time against the floor below.

Moments later, a red-cloaked Xi hurried into the chamber. Two Xi warriors followed in its wake, only to find their path blocked by a cluster of Ganix standing guard at the entrance.

The doctor brushed past Zara without acknowledgment, focusing instead on Kpleeb’s prone form. After a brief examination, it turned, addressing Zara first before shifting attention to Viinox. “Your Builder, as you refer to this primitive specimen, suffers critical injuries. Death approaches. Treatment must commence immediately.” The doctor’s gaze returned to Zara, voice dropping. “Please do not kill me.”

Zara nodded. “You must heal him.”

The red-cloaked Xi worked rapidly over Kpleeb, as Zara watched anxiously. Each labored breath from her Da felt like a countdown. Viinox grasped her hand. “You are injured as well. Sleep.”

Zara focused inward, still holding Qon. Each of her own pains registered again through an incoming haze. Viinox patted her hand. Then, nothing.

Night Skies (Caveman Chronicles)

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

The Index -|-

Zara woke in her sling on the Hsstak. The low light and gentle whir soothed her senses, and slowly, she stretched and yawned. Pushing the thin blanket off, she stepped to the floor. “Light,” she said quietly. A glow incrementally brightened until she could properly see.

With another expansive yawn, she commanded the food cubby to make her hot tea. It took no time at all, only a long moment, but it had taken her much longer to ensure that the flavor matched the tea leaves Jial had used back home on Phaedro. After waking fully, she went to see Kanta who was just donning her airo-walking helmet when Zara arrived.

“Good day to you, Zara,” said Kanta with a smile. The water level in her helmet was just above her large, round eyes, and she reached to connect a tube to the intake port.

Zara’s eyes lit up. “Once I finally dozed off, I slept like a rock. But I kept thinking about that mural from yesterday—I can’t shake the feeling we’ve stumbled onto something really important.”

Kanta’s eyes gleamed through the water in her helmet. “Let’s go see this mysterious mural of yours!” She secured the last seal with a click and hefted her lightning spear from its stand beside the doorway. “Ready when you are. I bet Viinox is pacing the library already.”

Zara and Kanta found two Ganix warriors waiting for her and walked to the Yefrtil administrative center to meet Viinox.

Viinox’s neck slits fluttered at their approach. “Miss Zara. Your rest was adequate?”

Zara smiled and did not try to contain her excitement. “I did! You’ll never guess what I found yesterday. You have got to see this!” With a few taps, she brought up the image she had captured of the mural.

Viinox gazed silently for a long moment at the image before speaking. “This is very old. Where did you find it?”

“It’s just down the hall. There is a crossway there with two shorter halls that branch off. This is at the end of one of them. Which reminds me, I need to look at the other short hallway. There could be so many more past these!”

Kanta issued a command to the library system, and her water helmet sloshed as she turned to speak. “The night sky in this image may not be in the library, so I’ll search the star maps for the origin.”

Viinox lifted its chin slightly. “Good idea. I have never seen this image. The style is much different than today’s Xi design. It has so much more color, and this character…” By the way its neck slits fluttered, Zara could see that Viinox was experiencing some unusual emotion.

“It must be a past leader,” she said. “It’s so majestic!”

Viinox queried the library for an estimate of the mural’s age or the identity of the Xi in the image. After a few long moments, the library database stated with certainty that the painting did not reflect any known Xi, past or present.

“I don’t believe that” said Zara quietly. “This is too different, too unique and special. It must have been someone important. I wonder if this place has been closed to the public for long. Otherwise, wouldn’t there be other images of this?”

Viinox queried again. “The Yefrtil Administrative Center has been sequestered as a historical structure for over four-hundred and fifty ko. This is longer than any Xi has been alive. It is possible that you are the first to see this mural in over seven hundred of Phaedro’s years.”

Zara exhaled slowly. “Incredible. We will look for more artifacts. Will you come with us?” Just then, Kanta’s star map query returned its result.

“The map says the stars as were drawn from Yefrtil pointing in the direction of Ifdawn.”

Viinox appeared uncertain. “Are you saying Ifdawn is Nidix? That does not seem right. I have been there. It is very old and uninteresting.”

“But you also said that the Predominant only appear indoors. Couldn’t they be anywhere?”

Kanta spoke up in her bubbly voice. “It’s possible, and based on that theory, the Predominant could be here on Yefrtil or even have been destroyed with Juma.”

Viinox lifted its head. “However, our history has never wavered from Nidix being the seat of power.”

“You’re right. I suppose the best course of action is to look at the mural and look for more clues.” Zara stood. “Let’s go see it. You are going to be amazed!”

When they arrived at the mural, Viinox stood silently for many long moments before finally looking at Zara. “This painting is quite old,” it said matter-of-factly. It walked up to the wall and sniffed the surface while running its thin fingers gently over the dark blue background. Stepping back, Viinox turned around and looked the other direction. “We should go scout other areas.”

Zara was surprised at the lack of enthusiasm that Viinox showed, even for a Xi. They started to explore and found that the hallway across from the mural was unadorned, though equally short. They turned right at the main hallway instead of left toward the entrance. After five minutes of walking, another set of cross hallways appeared.

“Doesn’t it seem like these hallways come out of nowhere, at least visually?” said Kanta.

Viinox lifted its chin. “This is a well-known classic Xi architectural feature which is intended to make the main hallway appear infinite and unbroken.”

Zara turned left, and at the end of the short hallway was another enormous mural that depicted a majestic Xi standing on a hill with a background of night sky. It was dressed in a faintly bronze-colored armor, and in its hand was a flail. The handle was studded with grippy crosshatching and a short chain connected it to a spiky ball. “Amazing,” she said. “This is so similar to the other painting, but this Xi is different.” She stepped back to look for a name or a label. “Any idea what its name is?”

Viinox was still looking closely at the mural, but it murmured quietly. “This Xi is unknown to me.”

Aside from the mural, the hallway only contained its normal fixtures: ornate patterns on ceiling and walls and a lavish baseboard and a row of small statuettes perched on the angle between ceiling and walls. After a close examination of the area, they moved on and found that the pattern was repeated many times in the Grand Yeftil Administrative Center. Finally, back at their workroom, they processed the images they had captured, ate a meal together, and talked about what it all meant.

“The murals all contain stars in the background, and the search results show that each one was painted from a different location.” Zara pointed to one of the images. “Yefrtil, Ifdawn, Qalas, Bipsum, and Biortl.”

“These are the oldest known Xi orbs,” said Viinox.

“Right. They all center in on one location.” Zara displayed a large star map and pointed to the empty space in its center. “Nidix.”

Viinox tilted its chin down slightly. “There is nothing there.”

“How can we prove that? Is there a way to see with our own eyes?”

Viinox conducted a query in the library and then responded. “Yefrtil has an observatory on the other side of Yowiil. We can go there, but it will require the Hsstak and most of the day. Other than that, the only other method of viewing this area in space will be to be there.” With a few commands, the library displayed a land map of Yefrtil. Yowiil appeared to be almost halfway around the orb.

Zara nodded. “We will try this observatory, and if we have no results, perhaps we will take the Hsstak to Nidix.” She tapped her own communication device. “Da, Viinox and I plan to take the Hsstak to the continent of Yowiil. I’ll take the Ganix with me.”

Kleeb’s voice replied. “I will make arrangements with the Iteek so that there are no surprises.”

“Thank you, Da.”

###

For most of the long trip, Zara and Kanta huddled together in the command center and discussed Nidix’s possible locations. Finally, Viinox made an announcement.

“We will soon arrive at the Yowiil observatory.”

Zara stood and stretched while Kanta displayed a large view of the landscape ahead of them. It was dark outside, and even with the sensors amplifying the light, there was little to see. The outline of a huge pyramid was ahead of them, and soon the Hsstak approached and was enveloped in darkness somewhere on the side of the sloping structure.

Six Ganix warriors stood at the door as it opened. They fanned out into the space beyond, disappearing for a few moments. Finally, Tiv trotted back through the door. “Landing area secured,” he said with a terse nod.

Viinox led the way with Tiv, and Zara and Kanta followed. The landing area was smaller than Zara had imagined. She estimated there was around thirty paces on every side of the vessel. The ceiling overhead was pitch black, giving the illusion that it extended farther upward. At one end, an expansive doorway almost entirely filled the wall. The door stood open, and a bright light spilled illuminated a portion of the landing area in a highly contrasted semicircle. On the perimeters, the lanky figures of her warriors stood at the ready, and in the center, a Xi waited for them.

“We are here to use your long-distance telescope.”

Viinox tilted its head to the side and then looked at Zara. “This one, Ceetil, is the Yowiil Observatory administrator. It refuses to speak in audible words.”

Zara looked at the Xi, and it’s eyes stared back at her. She could see that it was old, and recognized that even in the vacuum that might be created between the outside world and the observatory, this Xi was used to getting its way. “My dear administrator,” she said, “we have come to look for ancient artifacts in the area around Yefrtil. We welcome your participation in this exercise.”

After a long pause, Kanta murmured quietly. “Participation denied?”

Viinox spoke again. “The administrator has no interest in helping Kpleeb and his conquerors.”

“That’s okay as well,” said Zara. “We will conduct our search without your help.” She gestured to Tiv. “Please make sure he stays with us. Viinox, lead the way.”

Soon they arrived at a small control room. One of the walls contained the door, but the others were entirely covered with stars. Tiv and Ceetil stayed outside, and Zara closed the door before speaking quietly. “For the sake of not alerting the Predominant that we look for Nidix, we should search toward Ifdawn, but be careful to make the appearance of scanning a broad area.”

“We will make a cursory grid search in that region but pass over our target many times using different wavelengths. Perhaps this tactic will conceal our true intent and still provide the information we need.” It sat at the console as Zara opened the door.

“Do you wish to observe our search?”

Viinox answered without turning around. “Ceetil declines. I am beginning the search process.”

Zara shook her head and closed the door again. “Not my problem!”

Kenya, Summer 2023

~ I. Graham Smith ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 14:31 (NIV)
“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

Luke 14:13-14 (NIV)
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

This morning I was thinking about a trip my wife and I took to Kenya a couple of years ago. I realize that I spend a lot of time thinking about things but not a lot of time writing about them, and I am inspired by others who bring more personal notes into their writing. As a result, this is my short account of the trip, its background, and a couple of pictures I took from this amazing experience.

Overall, one reason I love travel because of the way my eyes are opened every time I experience another culture. It has happened every time, from Scotland to France, and other places. Without experience, we tend to view the world through narrow vision. I feel like it is easy to see ourselves as the center of the world where we are always right and God loves us more. Perspective is a good thing.

During a Sunday morning service in late October 2022, our pastor announced that Hydrating Humanity wanted to send three teams to Kenya in 2023. The main focus of these trips would be to repair and build Hydrating Humanity infrastructure. My wife was working in the children’s class that day and didn’t see the announcement, but I felt like this was possibly something that God would have me do. After the service I added my name to the contact list to gain more information. I will add that the desire to go was not something I was expecting, and I feel like it was God-given. Growing up as a missionary kid, I am generally not drawn to mission trips, so it came as a bit of a surprise to me.

I spoke to my wife after the service and let her know that I had inquired about the trip. She also said that she was interested in going. We had never discussed anything like this before. Within the following months, it became clear that we were on the list and that God was confirming that we should go together.

I had an expired passport with my middle and last name only, so I began the process of applying for a new passport with my full name on it. The first application was submitted on November 8th 2022. The passport was approved in around 5 months. I think the major delay was simply that the passport offices were inundated with requests in the post-covid travel environment.

I’ll admit that during that time, I was concerned a bit. There were several steps that we had to take in faith. For instance, we bought the air tickets before I had a passport and before we had even saved the money to pay for those tickets. The whole time, I felt a sense of peace about the trip, and I kept telling God that I trusted Him. I figured, if He wanted us to go, he would provide.

I’m listing these milestones because they remind me (and hopefully others) that God is a loving and generous Father. He doesn’t ask and then not make a way. Here are some of the ways He provided.
* God provided peace and confirmation that we should go. This greatly increased my faith.
* God provided my passport in time.
* God provided finances during a time when we had spent most of our personal finances on moving to and settling into our new home.
* Though we did not solicit help, He provided a few donations from people that knew we were going. These are very meaningful and remind me that the kingdom of God is filled end to end with those who are sowing and reaping.
* I received an unexpected bonus from my employer.
* The Lord provided a bigger tax return than I had expected (usually I pay!)
* He kept us safe in a country that had ongoing political protests as well as plenty of diseases such as yellow fever, hepatitis A, and malaria.

Our travel was smooth. We were blessed in every way while we were there, giving our best to the Lord. We met a bunch of amazing people and made friends that I hope are will last for the rest of our lives. The people in Africa are

What was accomplished:
The team built a roughly 16’x42’ storage building for Hydrating Humanity well drilling equipment. Working with Hydrating Humanity staff, we poured concrete, welded, manufactured, and assembled (a lot of manual labor.) We painted and repaired the mission house on the property which I think is about 70 years old. We also lowered the property’s well-head and built a concrete box around it so that vehicles can park there without damaging the well.

Why did this all happen? Because God loves people.
Africans drink from rivers, puddles, runoff streams, and rainwater collectors, all of which are also used for washing, feeding livestock, and other things. All of these are contaminated with disease, and so many people die from a simple lack of clean water.

We visited the site of a water project and spoke to Hellen Ndere, who is the school principal. St. Celestino Nyangubo Girl’s Secondary school is on the side of a hill in Migori county Kenya. The girls there are one of many examples of how much God loves the poor, the downtrodden, the widows and orphans. His love is practical and He calls His children to be His hands and feet. At this school, they collected water from their rooftops as much as possible, but that water is never enough. The girls walk to the river every day to get water for washing and drinking. This situation exposes them to unclean water with all of its related health issues and to human predators that lure them away from safety and abuse them. It also eats up their available time for studies.

Hydrating Humanity partnered with the school to drill a well. A small plot of land was purchased at the bottom of the hill, roughly 300 meters away. The well was drilled, and a tank was installed that brought and stored the water up the hill, inside the school grounds. The school raised additional funds to add a return pipe that allowed excess water to be given to the surrounding village every day – their heart was to share God’s blessings with their neighbors. Ms. Hellen said that the water changed the life of the kids as well as the surrounding community. The girls are safer, can focus on studies, and as a result, the school’s test scores skyrocketed, and its growth has been astronomical – growing from 15 students in 2015 to around 1100 students in 2023. These are real effects of something as simple as clean water, something that we take for granted.

On our way back up the hill from the well, we visited a classroom. The level of hope and joy that was evident in these girls was so astounding that some of us were in tears when we left. God loves people, and His heart beats with a love that is no less for these poor and downtrodden Africans than it is for us in the western world. It is by His hand and in His name that these life-changing projects are initiated.

The organization we went with is Hydrating Humanity.
They partner with regular people and anyone else to bring clean water, hygiene education, and the love of Jesus to the poor and needy in Africa. See their website, hydratinghumanity.org for more information about how God began this work and how His love is being poured out on Africa. This group has completed over 1100 clean water projects, usually finishing 2-3 a week with four drilling teams. All of their wells are always maintained and repaired by Hydrating Humanity for free.

The Great Rift Valley west of Nairobi.

Tea fields on the outskirts of Nairobi