The Journey of Atlantis- The Children of Earth

Melon

The cargo transport touched down on Searth bringing more supplies to forward command center number eighty-six. The hold opened, and two half-track type vehicles came rolling out already filled with supplies. There were other equipment and supplies to unload. Thirty people with their exoskeletons cranked up so that even two-hundred-pound containers were lifted with ease. They formed a relay line at first but would use forklifts and carriers to complete the task of emptying the one-kilometer transport.

"Come on, let's move like you got a purpose," Major Janson barked at the men disembarking out of the smaller personnel transports. "If you don't know your assignment, then come and see me." Which was code for you better know your assignments. The men stepped up the pace and got to work. His unit brought startup supplies to the new command center. It was the twenty-first base of operations the major had started since the asteroid hit a year ago. The command centers managed a myriad of encampments and smaller bases that directly worked with the clans. They have all been working hard night and day ever since. The major had no idea just how many Te'Hat lived on this planet, but they were all finding out.

The military under Admiral Johnson on the Intrepid was responsible for infrastructure, supplies, and equipment. The nitty gritty of going from clan to clan and help with whatever was needed fell on the Valiant and her crew. The aid and rescue operations were organized and supervised by the military. There were cave-ins and structural damage which needed immediate attention, and temporary housing needed set up so they could be secure while repairs were made. The Te'Hat also needed help with food. The humans had been around the Te'Hat long enough to understand the biochemistry of their food and could replicate a nutritious substitute.

During this process of dealing with the global disaster, the Te'Hat came to see the humans in a different light. They could make things happen which would have taken generations of Te'Hat to make the same dent in the calamity. The humans were a force of will. Their generosity and compassion for a species which were going to boot them off the planet had been something that perplexed the grateful Te'Hat. Melon had been reflecting on this when his mate Karleen caught up with him on his way to the Mat'Ma meeting at the dome.

"You seem distracted, my always." She was concerned with the burdens Melon had to carry, especially now since he had become the Mat'Ma for the clan.

"I was just thinking about the two-legs and why they give without thought of return. I asked Admiral Johnson about this, and he said, 'we're just funny that way'. I do not understand what he means by that statement. When I asked him to clarify he just said, 'don't worry about it.' I sometimes worry the two-legs may ask for repayment of their efforts at some later time. They may think enslaving us for an unknown time would be an appropriate payment on this monumental debt."

Karleen had not thought of such a dire outcome. "Do you think they would do such a thing?"

"You've seen how powerful they are. How could we deny the humans anything?"

"I had not thought about this as a repayment of a debt. Oh, Melon, what can we do?"

"With the other Mat'Mas from all the other clans together, we will leverage clarity from Admiral Johnson."

Karleen stressed, "Walk carefully, Melon. These two-legs are powerful indeed. We do not want to force a mindset for disaster. It may be just a misunderstanding."

"One of the largest concerns about the two-legs is their capacity for deceit. It is something I struggle with in dealing with them. I do not know how much to trust them. Even Admiral Johnson! Especially after the conflict between themselves which killed many Te'Hat. I want to trust them. But the wrong decisions could mean a terrible trail to walk later."