proto-Jakarta in Hoi-Ka, first draft

 Planet hoi-kah 

 

The hoi-kah where a bipedal feline species. Their red tented planet circled a blue sun. I wanted to do a lot of looking into that, there weren’t many livable planets around a blue star, but after using the laptop on and off over the last week I was wanting to find out what was causing the hate.  

 

I landed VERITAS on manual at the ship-dock in the biggest city Hoi-rew. “What does Hoi mean?” “Place.” 

 

The landing area was busy, and noisy. It was a very large building made out of a grey metal. Light was coming from an unseen source somewhere overhead.   

People of several different humanoid species where busy doing their jobs. At the black, star destroyer like ship next to my parking spot; a red elf like lady was instructing 2 silver tabby gentlemen on where to send a metal crate holding some black looking… fruit maybe that I thought looked unappetizing. 

 Most of the people here were native Hoi-kah. They wore limited clothing resembling piolets of the early-mid 20th century. Boxes and crates made from metal where being carried my automated vehicles. I was the only Earther looking being here but I walked up to what my translator said was the exit desk and started singing papers. 

 

 I was masquerading as an Unthian, the Earthers looking species that the hoi-kah were familiar with.  

 

Stepping out into the purple light of day I looked at interest at the world going by.  

Multiple pieces of silver metal ran down the middle of the red road. There were a few flat cars being loaded with thing from the constantly landing and departing star ships. It was controlled chaos it its best. Ok how do I get out of here?  

 

What might be pedestrian paths separated with signs overhead. One looked like a barrel, one a bowl, a crate and one with a fish. Pictures but no words.  

I followed a group of the red elf people that look like they are here on vacation, making sounds that I interrupted as laughter they carelessly strolled down the road under the crate sign. Well away from the flat cars that were driving themselves.  

 

It turns out red elves can walk pretty far without tiring. This may be in the running for the largest planet bound stricter I have ever been in. 

 

Finally we came out of the landing area and stopped at a public transport area. That I had seen the barrel symbol over the bench. Oh well. One of the female red elf people had just realized I had been following them like a lost puppy.  

They asked me something but my translator didn’t understand, both of us had the Hoi-ka language on our hand held computers though and started talking through that.   

“Hello? Can you understand this/my word?”  Ok so the translation wasn’t perfect. “Yes.” “First time off your world? You are/be an Unthian correct?” um, no and no. “This is my first time here, yes my name is Kathy. What is yours?” “I doubt you could pronounce it, we are Binlierans.” The taller, dark haired young man spoke up. “Have you been fallowing us? I didn’t know an untlian could keep up with us. So much for stereotypes.” He laughed. I wrinkled my nose. “It was a very long walk.”  A golden haired female spoke up. “Why are you here, we came for extra honer for school/tutoring/learning.” “I’m a trader and I found a devise that came from this planet, and I don’t know how it works.” I had looked at information for the devise on online sources. They hadn’t used laptops for centuries so that had been another dead end.  

 

 “I was thinking of going to a computer shop and seeing if they know what it is.” “Would not a computer information getting place work better?” “I didn’t know there was such a thing.”  “I will ask my (stay-at/visit) family if they know where one’s place is.” The more of the hoi-ka language my devise herd the better the translator should work.  

 

The young man called the family he was going to be staying at and got a map from them. He sent it over to my apahch-d. I thanked them. It is a lot easier to stay optimistic about things when I remember that kindness is universal. “The hoi-ka are actually friendlier at night so you might want to wait until then.”  The red elves got on the first public transport. They were long barrel shaped tubes that ran through a set of rings. According to the map I needed the one after next.  

 

As I set on the slightly too tall bench, hoi-ka where a tall people, I had set my shoulder bag next to me. I was watching the world go by when I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye. I young grey hoi-ka snatched my bag and ran down the road. “Hey stop! He took my bag!” no one responded because I was speaking English. Drat it.  

There was no way I could catch the thief, he/she was much too fast, but he shouldn’t be able to open it either. I could track it though. After a few hours I finally found it in a dumpster, unharmed. But now it was late and my feet where really killing me. It didn’t seem like this was a good part of town either.  

 

I didn’t see any of the “drum” transports, and none of the signs I translated were going to help. The crowds on the streets were not thinning out.  Ok what is my plan on how to get unlost on an alien world? I started scouting for a family with young members. The universal mothering instinct was to help those weaker than yourself and I hope that translates to strangers. The lighting was bad but the natives didn’t seem hampered by this.  

I wound my way through the crowd but I wasn’t seeing any one with children but my translator finally found a promising sign, over-day sleeping. Obviously the hoi-ka were nocturnal I stopped and thought. I would probably get more cooperation if I went to the info-shop now but I was very tired, and not on a time schedule anyway. I might as well see what there was to see.   

The building was 5 stories tall and built out of a dark brick. There where small windows but no light coming from them. As I walked up the steps the black door automatically opened like a mouth, with half going up and the other going down. Creepy. As I entered I saw a wooden desk over to the left, a pair of strong smelling plants where on at both ends and a greying tabby slept lightly from a hanging cushioned chair. The tabby was wearing a long green dress of sorts that looked like it was made of a very light silk fabric.   

 

How impolite is it to wake someone while sleeping? I stood for a few seconds and then softly approached the desk. “Excuse me?” the hoi-ka stirred and opened its green eyes. It stood a bit stiffly and we exchanged soft head bumps. At least I had read up on that much hoi-ka manners. I pulled out my aphach-d. “New to the planet?” she asked in a slightly cracked voice. “Yes.” “Your clothes don’t match your eyes.” Didn’t know that was a thing. Going over my very limited wardrobe I had in my bag, I knew I hadn’t bought anything green. Oops. “You want a room? Most (stores/attractions) are open overnight in this place. “Yes please, I know but I had a rather long day and would like some sleep.” Crossing my fingers that this was a hotel of sorts. “’sleep often’ as the greys say.” She reached behind the desk and brought out a black disk and handed it to me. I took it. “It is also polite to blink whenever receiving anything, if you want I can give you a pamphlet on (custom/manners) for hoi-ka.” “Yes please.” 

 

I got a room on the bottom floor. I matched the symbol (I think it’s a number but I’m not sure) on the disk to one of the doors, and stood there. There was no door knob. I pushed it but it didn’t move. Ok now what. I glared at the door, that didn’t work either. Glancing over my shoulder I started scanning with my apphach-d to see how the mechanics of the door was supposed to work. I put the disk over the symbol and the door opened like the front one had. After walking, in the back of the door gave me back the disk.   

 

The room was dark and did not seem to have a light source. There was a chair with no back, and a low round bed in a corner. A curtain blocked of a thankfully normal looking toilet, even if it was a bit tall, but there was no shower. Oh well, I could get a shower on VERITAS when I went there tomorrow to pick up green shirts. Did my whole outfit have to be green? I really don’t want to wear green pants. Maybe I could change my eye color instead. I walked across the brown floor and laid my bag on the light blue bed. Round huh.  

 

It was late (for me) so I just ate an oat/walnut bar I had brought and went to sleep. Because the Hoi-ka are so much taller than me I don’t have to sleep curled up on the bed.  

 

I wake up but I can see it’s still dark through the clouded window. They day/night cycle on hoi-ka is about 36 earth hours. Studying the map at the black table in the corner I figured it would take about an hour to get to the shop, and that was without figuring in the time I needed to get new clothes. Thankfully the pamflit I had gotten said that only my shirt need match.  

 

At the shop 

 

A black  hoi-ka was behind the desk looking at a tablet as I walked in the shop. It (the shop) had very crowded shelves that reached too the ceiling, but overall the place seemed open because of the white floor and large windows. The cat looked up from what he was doing. “Yes can I help/assist you?” he asked in a slightly gravelly voice. As I go closer I see grey on his muzzle “I hope so, I found a devise and I’m not sure what it does. I’m not even sure if this is the right planet to find out.” He reaches over the counter and takes the small square thing with white tipped paws. The hoi-kah’s paws are a little more finger like than cats on earth, but not much.   

 

He turned around to use what looked sort of like a microscope. As he was looking he asks in an “I don’t really care but chit-chat is good for business” voice. “How are you liking hoi-kah?” “I am enjoying myself.” I answered truthfully. Even with the setbacks I really am. I notice the tip of his tail starts twitching slightly. A small alarm sounds in the back of my mind. Why? No one else is in the shop. “Where did you find this?” His voice is very stern now. “It was given to me.” He turns to me, his green eyes very harsh.  “Then you do not know/understand what it is?” “No, that’s why I brought it here.” “I hope for your sake you are telling the truth.” I set my face to show no emotion, a habit whenever I feel insecure. Out of the corner of my eyes I see a privet hover vehicle pull up in front of the shop. There is a symbol of a yellow cat’s eye in a black circle.  2 uniformed hoi-kah get out. I am standing to the side so I can see the shop owner and the officials at the same time, they both look very serious. I take a deep slow breath and wait calmly for the 2 newcomers to approach us. 

 

They are very alert and their paw like hands hover over what I think are guns connected to their belts. “What looks to be the problem?” “This Unthian brought me this. He doesn’t seem to know what it is.” I almost correct him and say she but decide I don’t want them to focus on me. Apparently this is not an everyday devise. I stand quietly. “Both of you are going to need to come with us.” “But I have a shop to run, all I did was look at it and (call/request) you. Why do I need to go?” “I didn’t write the commandments, I want you both to come.”  The shop owner glares at me as the officers take my bag and tablet. Unfortunately the other one tries to look at it and I hear the security ding telling me it just shut off. Now I won’t be able to understand what is being said. We were both taken a set in the back of the mono-rail vehicle.  

 

Ok so was this devise more dangerous than I thought? Why was it on earth? Besides that earth is obviously a magnet to everything dangerous in the universe. But more urgently, what was the hoi-kah law system like. How much trouble was I in? 

The shop owner next to me looked very miffed. I don’t blame him. The vehicle moves very smoothly. I can’t see out very well.  

 

We arrive at what I assume is the headquarters for their police force. And we walk up the steps to the large black building.  We are sent to different offices. A tablet was sitting on the desk between us. “asdfghj?” “Um, I’m not understanding you.” “hkahdlajsdfh?” he wasn’t looking very happy. “If I could have my tablet back,” I held one hand like I was holding my apach-d and tapped it with my other. “I could understand you, and vice versa.” “alksjdhfue?!” gulp. I shrug my shoulders hoping I meant the same thing here as it did on earth. Apparently it didn’t.  The cat behind the desk stood up quickly, his eyes where blazing. He was very mad. “oiejnsoffe!” he growled dangerously. “I’m sorry.” I offered quietly. The tablet I assume was for translating unthian to hoi-kah. But I didn’t know how to speak unthian. I take a deep breath as quietly as I can. God please help. 

 

They finally brought back my apach-e, thankfully they had not tried using it which would have set off the self-destruct.  

“What is your called-by?” name? “Kathy Walker.” “Where are you from?” good question. “I am a nomad, I live on my ship.” “I mean where were you born you insulting ------- Just answer the question.”  Truth or easy way out? Drat you conscious. “I was born on earth.” “Where is that?” “It is a planet that has not made contact with any other so I don’t know where it is on your maps.”  I notice his taill is brisling, I am apparently not giving good answers. “This is a very high authority problem, you being a clever villain will make your (prospect/outlook) very bad. You need to be solemn.”  “I’m sorry it sounds like a lie, but it is the truth. I obtained a ship early in life and have been an adventurer ever since.” To put my story very simply. “Where did you find the devise?” “I found it in a simple computer that was given me.” “Why was it on a primitive planet, assuming this planet exists?” “I don’t know, that’s why I came here, to hoi-kah.” He is now leaning over the desk, close to my face. I meet his eyes, unblinking.  

 

Just then another hoi-kah came in the small office, the officer behind the desk stood quickly to attention. “Sir it is an honor to have you here. I assure you none of my people knew such a devise was in our district.  We will…” “Be silent. I will be taking the unthian and devise back with me. I want them upfront 2 nituns ago.”  He stopped and looked at my devise sitting in the middle of the desk. “That’s not a standard translator. What is it?” the officer fidgeted nervously. “It is the unthian‘s. our translator wasn’t working.” “You let a (foreign/unknown) have their equipment?! I want you to see your greater. I’ll take this captives out myself.”  

 

He grabs my devise and puts it in the pocket of his black coat. And then glares up at me. If looks could kill, superman would not have survived this. I quickly get up and walk through the separating doors. I don’t like people I trust walking behind me, and I really do not trust this guy. He seems to be in a touch of a hurry and very set on doing something.  

 

It was warm outside now. I almost trip going down the steps, the higher officer is so close he almost runs into me. There was the higher’s vehicle sitting in front. As I get in he slipped in next to me. There was no driver it seemed automated. He says something to the vehicle, my devise must have shut of when he picked it up.  

 

I sit quietly. Things are done differently on deferent planets but this seems a bit weird. Why was such an obviously powerful person personally escorting me? Was the devise that important? It didn’t seem so but maybe it affected these people stronger than it did mine.  

I look straight ahead so I can watch him and the passing buildings at the same time. He is also looking ahead, I can’t read his expiration. As time goes’ on I see that the buildings are getting fewer and fewer. The warning bell that had been ringing in the back of my mind grows very loud. Hoi-rew was the center for political power of the planet. Why are we going out here, in the middle of nowhere? I try verky hard to think of a good reason, but I cant.I saw the hoi-ka’s grip tighten on something in his pocket. Maybe it’s nothing but I don’t want to take this chance. I were a necklace with a star pendent.  In the center of the star is a red button that looks like a jewel. The pendent is just large enough to hold a mini stun phasor.  

 

I considered options, I could shoot him now but I don’t know if I could drive this vehicle, most tech like this only responds to voices it recognizes. Most likely he wouldn’t make a move until we had stopped. It was probably best to wait.  He must have noticed the change in my body language. “aslkdjf ;eoieu lkjje.” He was looking at me with a very hard eye. The computer up front spoke. “ncbxvutyue oiwurty.” Built in translator for languages I don’t understand, useful.  Keeping my voice steady I say. “I am sorry but I don’t know what you are saying.” The hoi-kah looks forward again saying something to himself. He sounds cold and sad.  

The vehicle changed track and started going down a narrow tree lined road. The leaves had an almost purple tent, the bark was almost black. Once in a while I catch a glimpse of a tree with white silvery leaves, they are very beautiful. What I did not see was any sings of people. It looks to be quite isolated out here.  

 

The vehicle suddenly comes to a stop. “akjdhfalkjhalskjfh.” He is holding what looks like a black cell phone in his hand and gesturing for me to get out. He himself makes no moves to do so. I fiddle with my necklace and start to back out of my seat. I point the bottom towards him and press the red “jewel”. A blue light enveloped him for a second and then he slumps over in his seat. I barely dared to breathe as I searched his pockets for the devise he had used to lock my handcuffs. I freeze when he stirs. A “normal” humanoid should stay unconscious for about an hour, but apparently hoi-kah have some resistance to being stunned. Do I stay or start running? I think I will have a better chance if I can get out of the restrictors and maybe get some information on what is going on. If I needed to know. It wasn’t my planet and almost every government has a very corrupt part, I couldn’t remove that. But there was the shoo keep to consider, I hope they haven’t hurt him.