(… continuing)

“Sit, please,” Ileadees gestured to the group as they reached the table on the mezzanine.
The table was lavishly set for ten, with name plaques at each place. Dukk and Marr were sat either side of Ileadees at the far end of the table. The observers were sat at the opposite end, with Kimince at the head. Annee and Mentor were sat opposite each other, in the middle of the table with some of Ileadees’ team on either side.
“So, Ileadees, this is all very nice. We are honoured. What is the occasion?” Dukk asked when everyone was seated.
“A celebration, of course, of your new command. You are spoken highly of. It is also a reunion of sorts,” Ileadees answered as he looked at Mentor.
“Good to see you, Ileadees. It has been a long time,” Mentor responded.
“It has, Mentor. What have you been up to all this time?”
“This and that. I like what you have done with the place.”
“Why thank you, Mentor,” Ileadees replied, holding Mentor’s stare briefly. He then turned and looked across the table. “Annee, hello again. How are you keeping?”
“Hello, Ileadees. I am thriving. Thank you for your kind hospitality,” Annee replied pleasantly.
“You are welcome, Annee. And, I extend a welcome to you, Marr, isn’t it? I hear you have embarked on a new adventure to be with us here today?”
“Thank you, Ileadees. And yes, I am new to the haulier experience,” Marr answered confidently.
Ileadees smiled gleefully, looking at her directly as he did. He then looked back down the table.
“Now, let’s not forget our esteemed Rule of Twelve representatives, Kimince and Trence. I hear you are new to this game also. Congratulations and welcome,” Ileadees said warmly.
“Thank you,” giggled Kimince and Trence in unison. They beamed big childish smiles.
“Well then, who is hungry, and more importantly, thirsty!” Ileadees added quickly before either observer could say any thing further. “Let me get things started by giving thanks.”

A little later, when the eating was done and the wine had put everyone more at ease, Ileadees turned to Marr.
“How are you finding your first experience of being off Earth?”
"Lots of new things to learn. Some amazing scenes. And, lots of work,” Marr giggled.
“Is Dukk demanding you slave away every waking hour?”
“Not quite,” she answered smiling over at Dukk.
“Being a haulier isn’t for the faint hearted. What drew you to it?”
“Adventure. Seeing more of the galaxy. You know, that kind of thing?”
“What else?”
“I guess I am intrigued by the idea of meeting other advanced life forms. Do you get others here?”
“No, we only have the biosphere for humans.”
“Have you ever met other life forms?”
“Not personally, that I know of,” he replied and smiled. “And from what I’ve heard, it isn’t as glamorous as you might think.”
“How so?”
“Well, for one interacting with them isn’t exactly the same as what we are doing here. You wouldn’t exactly be sharing food and wine together.”
“Why?”
“Well for one, you have the biosphere challenges. You also have communication, culture and all that. And, you have to take into account evolution and different stages of development. Many life forms we have encountered, have largely seen us as food. Besides, any life forms that may be interested in us for more than eating, are not exactly in the neighbourhood.”
“Distance and probability, right?”
“Exactly. It is very rare to find the right conditions to enable life to evolve to a state capable of breaching the galactic horizon.”
“And we can’t interact with those life forms that are conscious but haven’t crossed the space between space?”
“Precisely, the ‘Watches’ stop us from doing that.”
“What do you know of the watchers?”
“No more than you, I suspect. They are seemingly nowhere but everywhere at the same time. We only have evidence of their existence through the consequences when someone breaks one of their rules.”
“Do you think we’d ever see more interaction and presence of similar life forms?”
“Eventually. Some of the early attempts at co-existence are still going. But I can’t see that happening anywhere close to here anytime soon.”
“Why?”
“Why would we or they, when we have plenty of planets to utilise, closer to home.”
“Interesting.”
“It is isn’t it. Perhaps you and I could continue this conversation, over some more wine?”
“That is an interesting offer. For now, I must decline. I am on watch soon. Isn’t that right, Dukk?” Marr replied as she looked over at Dukk.

The mention of his name, got Dukk’s attention. He had been talking casually with the person next to him.
“Rain check, then. So, now I must take my leave. After all, I have a station to run. It has been a pleasure talking with you all,” Ileadees said bowing his head in Marr’s direction. “Oh, and to mark this momentous occasion, drinks and food are on me during your stay. Hopefully, you will all make Maple Tower a regular stop on your travels. Now, Dukk, we have some business to discuss if you wouldn’t mind accompanying me.”
“Of course, lead the way,” Dukk replied as he nodded to Marr and then the others at the table.
Marr smiled at them as they rose from the table. She looked over at Annee.
“Let’s get out of here,” Annee mouthed back at Marr.

(to be continued...)

[Rule of Twelve, Double Take, Chapter 17 - Layover (Passage 3 of 5)]

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