My heart began to beat faster. I could feel my hands shaking. What was this issue that threatened life on Mars? Would I be allowed to go to that meeting?
The elder turned to the woman sitting on his right and they exchanged a few words. He spoke to us briefly in Kisoro and then sat down. The woman got up, bowed and addressed the clan. At one point Michu got excited and I wondered why, but when the woman translated her talk into English, I understood. There was to be a Sombrillo practice in two days. I was specifically invited to be there and to join in if I wanted.
The rest of the meeting was taken up with discussion on various subjects. Several clan members got up to give their comments or to ask questions. One woman stood up to give a report on the volcano they had just been to visit. The volcano was not expected to erupt in the near future, even though some tremors had been felt during recent suramas. At the end of each topic, someone would give a summary in English just for me. I was especially interested in one particular subject.
‘Is it true that we are to expect an unmanned spacecraft from Earth soon?’ asked a thin man sitting close to me. He spoke in very clear English, obviously knowing that I would be interested.
‘Yes, it is true, Huron, in less than seven suramas from now,’ replied another elder, rising to his feet and bowing. ‘According to the NASA website, the unmanned probe that was launched in 7444 is due to soft land on 21st March next year (Earth reckoning), that is the 1st day of Surama 7. Of course the exact location of the landing site is kept strictly confidential, but we have an idea that it could be only a few kilometres from here. We do not know the precise purpose of the mission but it will no doubt be collecting soil and rock samples for analysis. You know that Earth people are desperate to know for sure if there is life on Mars. It is for us to prevent them from doing so. We all know the importance of keeping away from the area while the probe is active. If it threatens to reveal any of our activities, we have a standing procedure to deactivate its instruments and put it out of action.’
Shortly before the meeting ended a young woman entered the enclosure carrying something wrapped in a grey cloth. She climbed onto the stage and approached the elders. All of them got up and surrounded her. They all looked very pleased. Then one of the women elders, with her arm round the young woman’s shoulder, came up to the edge of the stage and faced the audience. The bundle was unwrapped to reveal a small baby. The elder spoke in Kisoro and the crowd clapped enthusiastically. Then she spoke in English.
‘May I welcome the newest member of our clan, born today? May he live to be three hundred years! His name by the way is Kim. I joined in the clapping. It was then that I understood why two Similarians had been missing from the meeting.
The white-haired elder closed the meeting and the audience began to disperse quietly. Sofu, Anamaru and Manu came up to join us. The five of us began to cross the hall. All of us were a bit subdued. The news of a serious threat had been received with concern by all Similarians and their concern was infectious. I felt for them. Judging by the elder’s warning, the situation was serious. What part was I to play in the drama ahead?