Night Lights Book Two Chapter One
2/24/02
Once a month, selected members of the “others” went on missions for the colony. A portal of sorts provided access to the universe. The portal remained open for exactly ten hours. Anyone on the wrong side once the portal closed was in permanent exile. Those in exile rarely survived more than a few days. Once outside the colony environment for twelve hours, their bodies reverted to a human-like form and demanded maintenance or, if captured, the earthlings took them as scientific experiments. The metamorphosis to a human-like form is an instinctive protection that all members of the colony possess. They preserved the secrets of the species at all costs. If they conceal their natural form, knowledge of their species remained limited. One large disadvantage, though, is that the “others” lack the survival instincts of humans. Historically, they never needed to hunt nor seek shelter. They were a low-maintenance, peaceable species. Suicide was not an option for a colonist. All members of the colony firmly believed in their reasons for being and in their continued existence. Members rarely became extinct. One would have to be literally useless before becoming extinct. The portal had opened a week ago and they had invited Jim to join the colony. It would not open again for another three weeks.
The colony was not like Earth. Time was the same–an hour was still an hour, a day still a day. Night, though, was just a continuation of day. Darkness did not exist. The “others” blamed darkness for many problems found on Earth. Activities were less visible in the dark and more likely to lead to temptation. Because of its association with evil and illness, they banished darkness in the colony. Artificial sunlight flooded every life space of the colony. They noted the passage of time only by the ringing of chimes every six hours.
New members of the colony might show concern for an earthling only until the next portal opened. Once the portal closed again, the emotional slate was to be magically cleared. Humans had a great deal of difficulty leaving their emotions behind.
The colony favored nepotism only when it suited the makeup of their population quotas and long-range goals. Active recruitment replaced members lost to exile, or extinction. A roster of carefully selected candidates provided a base for recruiting. They monitored and prepared each candidate for life in the colony. Earthlings were added to the roster upon birth. Every two years, they reviewed potential candidates for usable qualities. Dropping names from the roster for incorrect career choices was normal. Once they elected to pursue a candidate, the “others” subtly guided them in the proper directions. Both the human, Jim, and his wife, Emma, were desirable for their work with animals. The fact that Jim and Emma shared a previous life only intrigued the “others.” This would provide an opportunity for them to study human relationships in the older adult.
The knowledge of the “others” was already quite extensive. They were, however, extremely interested in learning more about the human side of life, the animal characteristics of both humans and animals, and how both interact with their environments. Animal life in the colony was nonexistent at this time, but plans were in place to recruit this population over the next few years. The “others” believe that animals possess a greater intelligence than ever credited.
The mind and intelligence were the primary focus of the colony. Contributions of information and knowledge were the supreme reasons for being. Opinion was considered only when known facts conflicted. Non-contributory behavior could result in extinction. It was not a crime to be ignorant in specific areas if one could compensate for this lack in other areas.
The body was not an important component of being. It was simply a vehicle, or container, for intelligence. All of the human functions associated with the maintenance of the body were now invalid. Eating was still acceptable, but was strictly for enjoyment. Fuel for the body was no longer necessary. Since they took no garbage into the body, they eliminated no waste from the body. These functions were still available, but, the environment and living conditions diminished their use and importance.
Once a month, selected members of the “others” went on missions for the colony. A portal of sorts provided access to the universe. The portal remained open for exactly ten hours. Anyone on the wrong side once the portal closed was in permanent exile. Those in exile rarely survived more than a few days. Once outside the colony environment for twelve hours, their bodies reverted to a human-like form and demanded maintenance or, if captured, the earthlings took them as scientific experiments. The metamorphosis to a human-like form is an instinctive protection that all members of the colony possess. They preserved the secrets of the species at all costs. If they conceal their natural form, knowledge of their species remained limited. One large disadvantage, though, is that the “others” lack the survival instincts of humans. Historically, they never needed to hunt nor seek shelter. They were a low-maintenance, peaceable species. Suicide was not an option for a colonist. All members of the colony firmly believed in their reasons for being and in their continued existence. Members rarely became extinct. One would have to be literally useless before becoming extinct. The portal had opened a week ago and they had invited Jim to join the colony. It would not open again for another three weeks.
The colony was not like Earth. Time was the same–an hour was still an hour, a day still a day. Night, though, was just a continuation of day. Darkness did not exist. The “others” blamed darkness for many problems found on Earth. Activities were less visible in the dark and more likely to lead to temptation. Because of its association with evil and illness, they banished darkness in the colony. Artificial sunlight flooded every life space of the colony. They noted the passage of time only by the ringing of chimes every six hours.
New members of the colony might show concern for an earthling only until the next portal opened. Once the portal closed again, the emotional slate was to be magically cleared. Humans had a great deal of difficulty leaving their emotions behind.
The colony favored nepotism only when it suited the makeup of their population quotas and long-range goals. Active recruitment replaced members lost to exile, or extinction. A roster of carefully selected candidates provided a base for recruiting. They monitored and prepared each candidate for life in the colony. Earthlings were added to the roster upon birth. Every two years, they reviewed potential candidates for usable qualities. Dropping names from the roster for incorrect career choices was normal. Once they elected to pursue a candidate, the “others” subtly guided them in the proper directions. Both the human, Jim, and his wife, Emma, were desirable for their work with animals. The fact that Jim and Emma shared a previous life only intrigued the “others.” This would provide an opportunity for them to study human relationships in the older adult.
The knowledge of the “others” was already quite extensive. They were, however, extremely interested in learning more about the human side of life, the animal characteristics of both humans and animals, and how both interact with their environments. Animal life in the colony was nonexistent at this time, but plans were in place to recruit this population over the next few years. The “others” believe that animals possess a greater intelligence than ever credited.
The mind and intelligence were the primary focus of the colony. Contributions of information and knowledge were the supreme reasons for being. Opinion was considered only when known facts conflicted. Non-contributory behavior could result in extinction. It was not a crime to be ignorant in specific areas if one could compensate for this lack in other areas.
The body was not an important component of being. It was simply a vehicle, or container, for intelligence. All of the human functions associated with the maintenance of the body were now invalid. Eating was still acceptable, but was strictly for enjoyment. Fuel for the body was no longer necessary. Since they took no garbage into the body, they eliminated no waste from the body. These functions were still available, but, the environment and living conditions diminished their use and importance.
posted by Vickie at 4:49 PM
2 Comments:
They sound a bit like automatons - almost mechanical - I hope we find out if they have emotions, or if they're like the eating option - there, but rare...
I'm not sure I'll be helping you out there, hon. I'm concentrating mostly on Jim and Emma, but you'll see.
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