Letter to a Friend
28 Dec 2020Quriosyty
“If we don't tell strange stories, when something strange happens we won't believe it.”To: (Marcus Amicus) mamicus@cubeo.chelomey.sta
From: (Quriosyty) qur105syty@cemiess.sub-space.sys
28 December 3006
Dear Marcus,
It’s been a while - probably too long. I would apologise but I know how much you hate that. You’d undoubtedly remind me that friends, real friends, don’t need to contact each other every day to stay connected. But it occurs to me that five years might just be pushing it a little.
What can I say? I’ve been busy.
The last time we spoke you reminded me that I was becoming obsessed: and not just with Raxxla – although that was what we were speaking of at the time. I remember that night on Chelomey Station; getting drunk, then getting into a heated argument with a drunken cargo hauler by the name of ... Drax, or something like that. He was adamant that anyone dumb enough to believe in Raxxla was a prize moron. I’m pretty sure I called him out at one point but I also seem to recall you jumping in and calming things down until, at some ungodly hour of the morning, we all fell out of that dive you call a ‘classy joint’ and, arm in arm, stumbled off towards god-knows-where singing bawdy songs in the corridors until the authorities arrested us and slapped us in the tank overnight to sleep it off.
But that’s not why I’m writing. Something wonderful has happened.
I’m in Soontil again. I don’t expect you’re surprised. I’ve spent every Christmas here since you told me about the damned place all those years ago. I really don’t know why, but I like to hide here during the holidays. It makes me feel ... safe, for want of a better word. And, in case you’re wondering, Yes, I’m still looking.
Now you always told me that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. It’s pretty much become my mantra. So what would you say if I told that I have found evidence?
Don’t get excited. I’m not claiming to have found Raxxla, but I have found something. Something exciting.
One of the first stories you ever told me about Raxxla, and I’m sure you remember it well, was about The Traveller; that shadowy figure, a legendary space traveller, who was supposed to be hundreds of years old and had spent his life roving the galaxy collecting secrets. I remember that night like it was yesterday: you and Meera, cuddled up in front of the fire, Jack and Serena asleep on that old sofa under the potted palm tree and me, sitting cross-legged on the floor of your living quarters, wide eyed and slightly inebriated, hanging on every word you said. I miss those nights. I miss the stories.
You told me that The Traveller was reputed to have visited parts of the Galaxy that no one has been to before, or since, and that on his travels had collected many of the secrets to Raxxla’s location. But you also told me something else about him. Do you remember? His symbol – the Ankh.
Marcus – I’ve found it. The Ankh symbol! Carved into a monolith on one of the planets in Soontil. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. In truth I’m still not sure I do. But it’s there; weather worn and faint but definitely an Ankh. The Traveller has been here. It must be a clue.
Problem is I’m not sure what to.
You probably think I’m crazy, or drunk, or both. Truth is I am, a little bit, but not in that way. Soontil is the key, just like you told me.
I’m going to stay here for a few more days. See if I can find anything else. Then it’s back to the black and ... well ... all the things I’ve been doing since I left Emerald.
I just wanted you to know. Not to try and prove anything to you, I know you’ve always accepted my little obsessions, even if you don’t really understand them. I just wanted to thank you for your stories. Without them I might have dismissed the carving as nothing; not even giving it a second thought. Instead it has given me renewed hope. And isn’t that what Christmas is about?
I will write again ... eventually. You don’t need to reply. I just wanted you to know.
Love to you, Meera and the kids.
Quriosyty
PS: When she asks, and I know she will, tell Meera I still don’t have anyone special in my life. But I haven’t stopped looking. Then kiss her for me. Oh, and a belated Merry Christmas.