Tom may be a bumbling old Bear and an academic, but he has the finest mind in the world. He owes so much to his beloved mate, Bella, but when he is handed the Heavens, he has to make a difficult choice. Which comes first: the wonders of the Universe, or the mate who has dedicated her life to him?


Inspired by  poetigress and the Thursday Prompt.
A version of this story was published in the 2009 Anthrocon conbook and has been rewritten for metassusdotcom.


oOo


The conference was in full swing: three days of theories, suppositions, controversy, arguments and counter-arguments from the leading scientific lights of the day. The Greats had gathered from all over the world: visionaries such as De La Mere; dreamers like Bjoernsson; realists — lead by the persuasive and charismatic MacCulla; and bumblers. Like Thomas.

Thomas was regarded far and wide as a grade-A bumbler and knew it, having been reminded daily for twenty-seven years by Bella, his irascible and beloved wife, whose devotion to her husband had on many occasions delivered him from trouble.
Her favourite line was a soft "Oh, Tom … you big dumb brute of a bear" as she pulled him from the epicentre of another topical storm. "I leave you alone for five minutes and you go and say something that gets them all riled again."

She would then quietly pilot him to the quiet doldrums of the hotel foyer, while the hurricane he had created barrelled aimlessly around the conference hall, casually dragging the unwary, unobservant and unfortunate into its scientific maelstrom.

Bella had been a professional herself before they met, one of the first women to break into the once misogynistic speciality of meteorology. Then she met the love of her life and, one spring morning, realised her profession would not be charting isobars and frontal systems, but as the First Mate and crew of the S.S. Thomas Mullen: a ship of just one fool, albeit the most wonderful, loving, intelligent, forgetful and frustrating fool imaginable. She selflessly placed her own career on hold and dedicated herself to caring for the incredible intellect and endearing incompetence of her bumbling mate as he blossomed into the world's foremost expert on matters of general science.

Although she made rightly sure he knew of her thwarted ambitions at every opportunity, he understood her actions, her love and her huge sacrifice. He adored his precious Bella more than life itself, and the efforts it took to manage him through the years. His reliance on his darling girl provided the bear with that safe place he needed to muse and ponder.

How many times had he completely forgotten her birthday — or their anniversary?

Bella matured from svelte-beauty to grandmother-chic over the decades, but to Tom she was always the sweet, fiery girl with whom he fell in love.

Alone for once, Tom sat at a small table at the edge of the huge auditorium. The young wolf at the rostrum blabbed eagerly through his first-ever public discourse. The peer group he hoped to impress was more concerned with their own pressing matters — specifically: wine, women and partying. His presentation stumbled to an unacknowledged halt and he gathered his notes with a mumbled "thanks for listening" before he sloped from the dais, unnoticed. Tom steepled his fingers as he watched, then rose creakily to his feet. His knees were none too great anymore. Patting his ‘hibernation storehouse', he thought ruefully about the immense amount of food and wine he just devoured. If Bella had been here, he would certainly not feel so plump and gassy. Better that than being full of blasted lettuce! He ambled across to french doors and out to the hotel's beautifully maintained gardens, thinking to share some words of encouragement with the wolf and, perhaps, give him some gentle guidance from a Bear of the World.

Bella would really love these gardens, he smiled, sniffing the air. Pale scent from darkened roses carried through the night, reminding him vaguely of Turkish Delight. Perhaps she would allow enjoy a nice box of Turkish Delight as a gift ...

But ... what was I thinking about … before that ... ummm ...

A sudden flash in the sky startled him. He peered up just in time to stop a beautiful violet meteor streak silently across the sky. The majesty of the night took him as he peered with his small, rheumy eyes up to the deep blue vault of the sky. The twinkling stars glowing warmly. He drifted off into his current pet theory. Simple in concept but, as usual, horribly complex and probably just as impossible as caring for a child.

Distracted by his muse, he continued out into the street and padded slowly through the late-evening silence of quiet suburbs. He blinked in surprise, finding himself in open countryside. He groaned. Distracted again! These moments of confusion where the real world barged in on his thoughts were never as stressful when Bella was there, always ready to rescue him and lead him to safe harbour, a sheaf of notepads and pencils waiting to be used. However, Bella was not here tonight. She was at home with the flu and he was on his own.

He looked back along the road. Relief flooded over him. The lights of the town were less than two miles away. And it was such a beautiful night, still and warm, the richness of planted fields around lending the air a deeper, earthier scent than the flashy perfume of the well-tended roses.

Oh! Turkish Delight! He actually remembered!

Stars low to the horizon shimmered; the brighter ones twinkled. Tom sighed happily, reminiscing, recalling long-ago times as a small cub at his bedroom window, gazing slack-jawed in awe at the huge dark sky and all its beautiful 'twinkles', before announcing to his elder brother in a most serious seven-year-old voice that he was going to find out all about stars, what they were and how they worked, and he would be a famous scientist.

Ah, the dreams of youth! And one dream that came to pass.

Something flickered: a glint of light sparking in Cassiopeia and the bear wondered for a moment if — just perhaps — he would be blessed to see another supernova being born in that constellation. Was it not only a thousand years ago that the last —

The light moved. Tom's disappointment was brief as he watched the light grow stronger and brighter. Perhaps an aircraft, he thought, but they travel in a linear pattern … a helicopter, maybe?

And then — a sudden, dazzling beam of pure white light encircled him, flooding his eyes and mind. The smell of the fields was overlain with a new odour. Ionised oxygen. Ozone.

Oh dear, he thought feebly, it was a plane after all and now I'm under it.

Before he thought any further the light overwhelmed him and faded to an empty blackness, taking him with it.

oOo

A soft hand smoothed the fur of his cheek. A sweet voice murmured soft, soothing words. Tom felt a wave of relief pass over him and relaxed.

"Oh Bella," he said, "I had such a strange dream. I dreamt a ship of light came down from the skies and lifted me up into the stars! It was wonderful!"

He opened his eyes to look up at his beloved mate and continued.

"And the—"

He stopped in mid-sentence, stupefied into silence.

This was not home … and that was certainly not Bella.

The creature was tall and willowy, her hairless face glowed with compassion and kindness. He instinctively felt it was a ‘she' and as shockingly different as she was, she was almost pretty, with light green skin and emerald eyes.

"Rest, Thomas Brian Mullin. You have experienced a stressful event. Relax now, we have ensured your well-being. Rest."

The creature looked over her shoulder and nodded at an unseen someone on the other side of Tom's bed. Everything gently faded again.

oOo

"… And so … to paraphrase your offer … you are willing to include me on your crew and share the vastness of space with me … because you consider mine to be the best mind on our planet?"

The lovely willowy being nodded and smiled lovingly.

"We are explorers, Thomas. We travel the Galaxy, visiting civilisations and cultures, studying and monitoring. We gather data and use it to increase our knowledge of the sacredness and beauty of all life."

Tom listened intently, heart pounding and mind racing. It was almost too much to comprehend and too incredible to be true. Civilisations and cultures! Plural!

"It feels like everything I ever knew was ... limited."

"Thomas, your lovely little planet believes it is alone. Some day it will blossom … like one of your pretty rose plants, perhaps. The Galaxy is awaiting, ready to welcome and share the glories of the universe. Even now, we care and watch over you, like a parent with a new-born."

It was humbling, wonderful, and just a little awe-inspiring.

To be offered an opportunity to participate in it was the most incredible event in his sixty years of incredible events. He would be — effectively — the ambassador for his world to the Galaxy. And that it was offered because the visitors considered him to be the pinnacle of his entire planet's intelligence ...

He was always uncomfortable with public acclamation, preferring to relate one-on-one with individuals. Still, Tom had to admit this was better than any peer review, scientific prize, or comfortable cincture. His mind whirled with possibilities.

"I have given you all the information you requested, Thomas. We consider this sufficient for you to formulate a reply. I shall leave you to your deliberations. When you have made your decision approach the doorway and I will return."

She bowed politely to the old bear and turned, a picture of grace and poise — and he had a sudden burst of realisation.

"Bella!"

"I beg your pardon, Thomas?"

"Bella! My wife—her name is Bella—and she—"

The willowy alien stepped lightly over to the bear and covered both his paws in hers.

"Oh Thomas, I am so sorry. We have limitations in what we can and cannot do. The opportunity is only for you. We're certain you will make the right choice."

She walked away, leaving a faint scent of roses in the air. As the door closed, the long wall at the opposite end of the room gradually grew transparent, to provide the most beautiful panoramic view of the world imaginable; the nearby moon and the bright orb of the Sun filled his eyes and flooded his mind with unimaginable beauties.

Such wonder, such majesty. Such possibilities.

How could he refuse?

He slowly paced up and down alongside the transparent wall, deep in thought and calculating the options.

Bella.

How would she react? The alien lady explained that to the world he would simply go missing and that would be that. A mystery, perhaps, to keep his memory bright. There was no clever doppleganger, no false leads and no hints to explain where and why he had gone: that was how it had been done for millennia. His unfortunate mate — indeed — the entire world would never know why he disappeared or the incredible experience he had. He would explore the Galaxy alone, without his Bella.

Then there was the 'procedure.'

The willowy alien explained that Tom's advanced age was of little import. Death was a rarity in their society, although accepted if and when it happened: the end of a life was usually a result of misfortune, not from old age and wearing out. They had procedures to help new arrivals adapt to life on the glittering bauble that was their spacecraft and home. She radiated purest joy as she waved her arms like a graceful ballerina and confided that her native life span would usually be a mere twenty years.

Amongst the sparkling stars, she had lived for two thousand seven hundred and twenty-five years.

This was sobering. Tom peered through the view-wall, eyes unfocused, mind racing. The ship had moved into the night-side of the world. Stars blazed upon the black velvet fields of the heavens like massive, crackling bonfires. The thread of the galaxy wrapped the scene in luminescence of the most delicate milkiness. It was inconceivable to return to the flat two-dimensional sky that he viewed from the surface mere hours ago.

These constellations were new, as if long-neglected crystals had been taken from forgotten dusty cases, polished to perfection and set on a backdrop of obsidian for a choice audience of one ... countless billions of jewels blazed upon the infinite firmament, like the spangled eyes of a infinity of fiery lovers.

And if he refused this honour... ?

Douglas would be next in line. Tom didn't like Douglas. The horse was so acerbic, full of his own importance, and uncouth. That would not be a favourable outcome. He would give a terrible impression of their world.

Tom steeled himself and made the decision. It was not as hard as he had imagined. His knees cricked painfully as he stood and turned, happily surprised to find the willowy creature was already standing behind him: sombre, quiet and thoughtful; her face impassive.

"Did you make your decision, Thomas?"

He nodded and cleared his throat.

"I'll come with you, if you'll have me."

The alien gripped the bear's shoulders, an angelic smile on her radiant face. She appeared awash with happiness.

"This is such good news!" she clapped, "I will inform everyone! They'll be so pleased! And then we shall be on our way!"

Tom gave a wan smile, unable to figure out his own emotions. He looked down upon the world.

Goodbye, he thought. Goodbye, lovely blue-green planet.

oOo

Over the next few days, the ship zoomed away from the only home Tom had known. Crew members told Tom delightful stories about their experiences and impressed the elderly bear. Each, he discovered, had a job perfectly suited to their abilities, forming a tight, ultra-efficient team. Each one complimented the other. Tom was filled with anticipation for his role, a feeling he hadn't experienced in many decades. His hopes flitted from wondering if he would be manage problem-solving, or perhaps he might have the honour of determining the ages-old questions leading to the Meaning of Life.

He then underwent the procedure.

They explained that he would have to have some small changes made to his physiology to allow him to survive hyperspace and improve his life-span. He trusted they knew what they were doing and consented willingly.

Through a woozy haze, he slowly came around. A soft hand gently smoothed the fur of his cheek and murmured soft, soothing words. Tom felt relief pass over him and relaxed. He opened his mouth to speak and only heard a small growling sound.

He opened his eyes in surprise. Tom heard his willowy friend's voice speak softly to him, but couldn't quite source it. Probably a side effect that will wear off, he thought.

"Thomas, your procedure has been a complete success!" she announced. "You can begin your new role right away. Welcome to the crew!"

She leaned over him, as if to kiss him, eyes full of kindness and warmth, then easily lifted him up into the air.

But — but she was so slight! He was so heavy! Anti-gravity? He didn't understand —

Before them was a mirrored wall. To their right, a group of technicians were dumping something large, brown and furry — a something that looked sickeningly familiar — from a surgical table into a large black cart. He turned his eyes away from the horrid sight to look at his own reflection.

"I am so glad you chose to join us, Thomas," she beamed, lifting him up into the air, his tiny body light and compact. "Ever since poor Rathos fell through the airlock we've really missed having a Ship's Cat. It was so hard to find a primitive planet with clever animals like you. I know you'll be just perfect!"

She cuddled him close, rubbing his fur with her gentle, willowy fingers, as the mirrored wall shimmered back into its transparent state, the light from the receding Sun lost in the rich glow of the Galaxy.

Tom closed his tear-filled eyes and gave one anguished meow. Only he knew what he said as the willowy one hugged him.

"Help me, Bella ..."

oOo