The Proving Ground -An Amtrak Story

My Amtrak story

Whenever I travel by train I always pick up one a large folded napkin big enough to write a short story. My recent essays about aliens inspired this one.

 

The Proving Ground

    The galleria was sparsely populated with the usual evening crowd. Mid-term students from the academy, pilots relaxing on down time and those with nothing better to do.

    Que spotted a group of comrades at a nearby table that offered an expansive view of the sunset; a riot of blood orange, purple and saffron hues.

    They hesitated to join the group until one of them waved a hand in recognition. The greeting was cordial with much humming and nodding. Que took a seat next to Beal, the oldest Po, resplendent in an iridescent jump suit and green tresses.

    "Hail the returning hero, haven't seen you in a long time," Beal said with exaggerated surprise. Que merely nodded with a shy smile.

    It felt good to be among familiar denizens Que knew from many, many tours. It had been a long time but their memory was intact, recalling all the planets of all the solar systems they had lived thru.

    "You toured Earth again?" Beal knew but it was an explanation to the three others for Que's absence.

"Six times," They said with a tired sigh. The remark created a pause in conversation from the young ones.

    "Waa, why so many times?" a student from the academy asked with confusion.

    "Stupidity I guess, I didn't have much say in the matter the last time. I'm not going back, I prefer someplace-quieter," Que replied while hailing a waiter and ordering a drink to hide the understatement. The group was stunned at the admission.

    " We hear it's a great place for training," a stout student the color of eggplant offered.

    "Oh yes indeed, their reputation is well founded," Que tried not to sound bitter and cursed the recruiter who convinced them, this time it would be different-even enlightening, annoying and exhausting was more like it.

    "They still engage in petty, tribal genocide, abuse the environment to obscene levels and their gender inequality is beyond belief," Que stated with assurance. The Po students gasped.

    "Well, I have been considering a tour there for social study but you make it sound like it's not worth it," it's antennae fairly quivered in disagreement. Que was amused by the naviete.

    " If you want to find out how tough you are, go ahead but this spirit warrior has had enough."

    "It can't be that bad if you went back to many times, surely there is some redeeming quality." the stout one challenged. Que sat back and thought on that for a long time until the smallest smile appeared.

    "There is one thing worth the rough ride- chocolate."