Page 35 of Whoops-A-Mate From Outer Space
I was about to visit another planet.
Chapter 7
The trip from the solar system to Lyll had taken just over six hours. Eashai had shown me where to store my things and where the bunks were if I wanted to sleep. Then he left me with Aisho.
The other man had dutifully shown me around the ship and talked to me about whatever I wanted to discuss.
But, despite knowing it was best for Eashai to sleep through his discomfort, I missed him.
It had almost been a relief when we docked at what appeared to be a space elevator, as it meant that he’d rejoin me.
I sat near a large window overlooking the planet—which was covered in a dense layer of teal-green clouds—waiting for him.
“My apologies,” came Eashai’s warm voice. “I did not intend to make you wait.”
I turned to face him. He was slightly disheveled and appeared queasy, but seemed more comfortable than he’d been when I left him at the bunks.
I stood and shook my head. “You’re fine. Are you ready, or do you need a moment before we get on the space elevator?”
He gave me a small smile. “The elevator has sufficient stabilizers. I will be alright.”
“Ok.” I shouldered my bag. “Ready when you are.”
“This way,” he said, nodding in the direction I’d seen others walking.
He led me through the corridors until we reached the docking arm. We had to stand aside for some sort of levitating cart bringing bins onto the ship, then we crossed the bridge to the massive structure.
“I almost expected some sort of molecular transport,” I laughed. “Like in science fiction. But a space elevator is even cooler.”
“Some species have adopted molecular transport,” Eashai stated. “However, many are uncomfortable with the thought of being deconstructed and reconstructed on an atomic level. Therefore, their use has been largely relegated to inorganic matter.”
I thought about it, then hummed. “Yeah. That makes sense. It’s cool in sci-fi. But I don’t know if I’d trust some system to reassemble me properly.”
He chuckled. “For all our advancements, we still cannot fully explain the spark of sentience. Would a single neuron out of place cause a person to be different?”
“Where is the soul?” I mused.
“The question is rooted in human beliefs, but is essentially correct. Is consciousness based in the physical form, or is there a multidimensional component that we have yet to discover?”
“Not my field of study,” I laughed. “But that’s why we do science. Discovering the answers to the questions is far more invigorating than blind faith.”
“You do not share the belief of many humans that there is some creator or higher power?”
I shrugged. “If you’re asking if I’m religious, the answer is no. But—to be honest—for me it’s more a problem with the institution of religion, rather than faith itself. Too many times in human history, religion has been used as a weapon rather than a means of peace.”
I paused and took a deep breath. “I consider myself agnostic. I don’t believe, but neither do I disbelieve. I have no proof either way. However, I’m convinced that if there is some sort of higher power, they would want us to learn and expand our minds. I don’t buy into the notion that we’re supposed to let some deity handle things for us. We have free will—the ability to make choices for ourselves. We wouldn’t have that if all some god-like figure wanted was a bunch of puppets always doing what they’re told.”
“A measured response,” he chuckled. “As is your norm.”
“What about you? Is there some belief system I should know about?”
He stopped walking, one finger against his lips as he considered the question. “That is difficult to answer. We do not believe in a singular deity like many humans. But we admit there are forces in the universe beyond our understanding. However, whether those forces have a direct and deliberate impact on our lives remains speculation.”
“What’s your position?”
He started walking again. “Like you, I do not know. I remain open to either possibility.”
We reached the platform just as the elevator capsule arrived. The doors opened to reveal an inner and outer row of seats.
