Little Cherine Book 12 - BPost055

I clasped hand and arm with Sebura (he first did it to mock me since it is the clasping of hands between riders, but now he does so in earnest).

Previous: Book 12 - Post 054

8341

The scientists and workers who had been left behind to monitor the planet and catalogue all the forms of life existing here but not on most of the alternate Earths, transferred their data and samples to Freddie and were soon immersed in conversations with the Freddie scientists who made no secret of their excitement and amazement. What I found amazing is a symbiosis between a plant and some insects. Each fruit grows to between two metres to eleven metres (!) and resembles a hairy Cucumis melo with orange flesh when half ripe, deepening towards a peach red with crimson stripes as it ripens. While the fruit is immature (green) and thus the seeds infertile, the plant protects its vast investment by coating itself with globs of syrup. The syrup stinks and most insects stay away from it, but one species of insects thrive on the syrup and attack any creature that considers the green fruit attractive. The insects have pincers capable of piercing human skin and they exude an acid that makes a nip an experience most animals have no wish to re-experience. As the fruit ripens, the scent grows pleasant and the syrup sweetens. This forces the protector insects to leave. They remain in their nest until it is time for the next season of fruit.

I kept my healer concentrated on Skotos for the first week as I worried that he might have lost his immunity to most parasites and germs from living in Freddie for so many years. He remains, in all ways, the equivalent of a two to three years old stallion as my healer rejuvenates him as often as Bitsy. He seems to recognise where he is and remains relaxed - apart from his visit for breeding, which I hope was fun for him.

Robbie, the Muyzith and the Inguel spent the first few days examining Gnolat City in detail, adding energy or healing tiny cracks. The museum records show that about twenty Terrans visited it from other realities so we had to make certain that nothing was stolen. I asked Pirusi to accompany me as I checked my section and she soon responded by opening up to me again and chattering non-stop, giving me all the gossip from the period of our absence. She reminded me that Fibela, wife of Saiama, will have given birth by now so I must take a gift for the son.

When the locals learnt of the period we’ve been away, from our side, they were quick to work out that we must have new stories to tell so they arranged a feast, in the hope we’ll do a telling. Word got out to the other nations and all three of them announced a feast day of their own. If I weren’t a Cherinian I’d leave this planet fat and round as a ball every time I come here.

I watched the telling with the Orati and I became aware of a change in them; they are slightly more sophisticated now and notice some of what they ignored before. One of the problems they have which they can’t seem to solve is their reaction to aliens. A number of species they are able to identify as sentient people, but many they still think of as clever animals. Where the aliens resemble, however vaguely, insects of our ecology, they not only shun them physically, they also mentally try to avoid acknowledging their existence. They felt that way about Seuria, Ahram, Morbo, Bolwor and Guhpan. As for Argidsi and Ardrigio, they found them too freakish to contemplate and would not accept that they are Robbie and Candy. The Ujvuhwuro are treated in exactly the same manner as the Inguel, despite them knowing the Inguel for so long. At least they are unfailingly polite to all, however else they react to the aliens. Strangely, we do not sense fear or resentment of any alien species.

To them, Ivgos definitely is an animal. They are convinced we took him from a jungle of another world and he is their equivalent of a spidery kind of monkey. Outside and surrounding the Orati Centre the grounds are a beautiful park with water features, lawns and thick silvae (local trees). Ivgos does not feel welcomed by the local kids so he happily passes his time flinging himself from tree to tree, reinforcing the belief that he is an exotic kind of monkey. Since none think of him as a person and we have not made an issue of it, nobody has looked into his eyes. I am glad, as it means he is free to enjoy himself. If he wants to go to the area I go for mangoes or to the beach or anywhere else, there are always enough Cherinians around who are glad to oblige him. Because he has been sheathed, Robbie is always aware of him so I relaxed and indulged myself, enjoying the fact that Efineh allowed Robbie to ‘convince’ her that she should revert to a six year old. I made myself slightly older (as she recalls me at that age) and with Pirusi by our side we had a great time. Sometimes Gina or a girl or two of my family also make themselves younger and then Robbie joins us.

When I went to check on my gorilla family, Ivgos came with. He was not enchanted by them as I am, but he loves the diversity of plants and other forms of life. Since the trees are wet most of the time I was afraid he would slip and fall, but he assured me he will not. As he never goes without his family, I stopped fretting over him. Seuria enjoys climbing the trees with him and whenever they come to a large clearing or the edge of the forest, she launches herself for a long glide. However, when Ahram climbs with them, they spend their time on the same tree, enjoying the view and company.

I was in Evandvhi with Annavi and Bernadine when we sensed Robyn screaming. She had not been hurt directly, but something was hurting her. We ignored the problems we would be causing by disappearing and jumped back to the Orati Centre. We had not delayed more than two seconds but she was already gone. Robbie called for Dommi to join him and asked us to wait at the centre. He kept his mind open to us so we shared.

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Angelica and Empathia were already with him and we saw them gently bring Ahram to the ground. We could sense through them that he is suffering from shock and our loves were concentrating on his internal world as much as they were on his physical wellbeing. Robyn was bent over Seuria, holding her small body, and we could sense she was dead. At the same time we also saw Robbie holding Ivgos and it was obvious he was also dead. Sticking out of his chest was an arrow. Dommi was gone, only her body lying next to Robbie, so we guessed she had gone to the void to help the souls.

A tribe from further south were migrating northwards as the changes in climate deprived them of the animals they hunt and even some of the herbs and vegetables were not as abundant as they had been. As is common with most tribes, they eat monkeys and when they saw Ivgos high up in the tree they mistook him for a new and probably very stringy type of monkey and shot him. The arrowhead is dipped in poison, which explains why he died so quickly.

When Robbie and the girls arrived, the hunters were too shocked to react, but when they saw them take the animal they had shot, they were enraged and forgetting their fear, shot arrows at them. Robbie was aware of them and prevented the arrows from touching anyone.

Dommi returned from the void and Solomon appeared. “Robert, their souls did not go to the void, it seems they were called to the father of Ivgos.” Robbie does not forget he has to play his game until the four of them return to the mountain of dreams, so he only nodded. Robyn however was more caught up in her feelings and leaving her mind she reached for the mind where they were being sheltered from the void and, waking them, drew Seuria to her. She convinced her she must return to her body and told Ivgos he must do the same. Seuria call to Ivgos and he attached himself to her and Robyn.

The healer of Robyn had already restarted the biological processes of Seuria so it was easy for her soul to connect and take over. Robbie’s healer was still altering the poison before re-starting his circulation and it had broken bones and ruptured organs to repair from his fall so the soul had to wait a few extra seconds within Robyn. Robyn somehow managed to soothe Seuria with her love while also filling Ivgos with motes of love. I thought to myself that luckily Ivgos died too quickly for his soul to know what had happened, so he did not have to overcome the shock of knowing that someone wanted him dead. I doubt that being told they wanted to eat him would have been of any comfort.

By the time Ivgos opened his eyes, the entire population of Freddie and all the on-planet Cherinians knew of what had befallen him. He is so widely loved that their anger could be felt underneath their worry and relief that Robbie had brought him back. They were not happy to see Robbie take the hand of Ivgos in his and walk towards the hunters who stood frozen in place, their legs unable to obey the command to run. Claudia jumped, arriving next to Ahram, Seuria and Robyn, but she kept her eyes fixed on Robbie and the hunters.

“This one, he comes from there.” Robbie pointed up at the sky. “Why would you kill a child of the sky?” They were literally shaking with terror, staring at Robbie. “Don’t answer me, tell him. Ivgos, tell them you want to know.”

“They are frightened Robert. It is not good that they answer out of fear.” Unwittingly, Ivgos provided that which an angry Robbie wanted - he knew that upon hearing Ivgos speak their language they would ‘realise’ they had killed a god, a god who can return to life despite a poisoned arrow.

Cherine appeared next to Robbie and pulling Ivgos to her, she softly spoke with her heart colouring her voice, “Robert, they are children, feel them.” She approached them and spoke to them directly, her voice gentle, “You and your people are hungry and you saw an animal in a tree, there is no anger, look at his eyes and you will see the truth.” Despite themselves they looked at Ivgos and moaned, crying out. Cherine helped Ivgos sense them and he pulled free and rushed to touch them, to help them see he cares for them and is not angry.

Food was taken to the tribe and they were shown a good place to settle, next to a river, but on ground high enough that they would not be constantly plagued by mosquitoes. I know who is the one person who will understand them and know how to help them so that they grow in the way needed for them to become Cherinians someday. I’ll visit Saiama tomorrow.

For the period of our stay at this world-reality, the Reggheri elders had chosen to wait in the World of the Spartans. They heard about the death and resurrection of Ivgos, but what intrigued them was the manner of his death. The idea that someone loved and protected by all the might of Cherinians can be killed by a savage with a prehistoric weapon opened them to other possibilities - or so I guess, for they asked to be returned to Freddie. Since I did not want to make my entry in the diary through Athene, I also went to Freddie. I sensed them standing on the river bank talking to some of the Akiards, so I walked in their direction, giving them time to avoid me if that is what they want. They waited for me.

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“Did you plan it?” Riivjii asked, a strong note of suspicion in his mental voice.

“Plan what?” I suddenly clicked. “The death of Ivgos? Of course not!”

One of the other elders spoke, “It is rather unlikely it would be coincidence.”

“Give me a moment please.” I re-ran the conversation in my mind and then did the same with the experience we’d just had to endure. “Why would we pretend the death of Ivgos and Seuria for your sake?”

“We do not claim you pretended - just that you allowed it.”

“As a lesson to you?” I still could not see where this was leading so I bluffed it. “Fine, if you have learnt from it then tell me what it is you learnt.” By now my entire family were sharing from me and I sensed them also wondering.

They allowed Riivjii to answer for them. “Your intention was to show us that if we want our people to grow, we must allow them to suffer and feel pain. The truth is, we know it is so, but small steps are taken to relieve this or that pain and without it being planned we come to think of ourselves as their protectors and do all we can to make their lives an unending joy. Your way of reminding us how to be good…parents was extreme, but we will not ever forget again.”

“The truth is, you will, again and again, and I hope we or someone else is around to remind you. I also hope that you are around to remind us when we forget - for the truth is, the gifts and powers we have do make us arrogant, making us think we can use them to avoid all suffering for those we love. Thank you for being here to make us see the truth.” Robbie asked, *I caught that feeling in the background, are you saying I am guilty of coddling you girls?* I could not resist replying with a question, *You don’t think you do?* Cherine stepped in, the tone of her ‘voice’ amused, *Most of the time I like it that he does, don’t spoil it for all of us Sam.* I wonder whether she only said that so as to protect Robbie from feeling hurt. On the other hand, I guess we all do that to each other. Hmm, I don’t think I will be able to stop myself from doing all I can to protect my loves - including Robbie.

8344

My dear Arthur, the way you write and with what you write about, you are positioning yourself into assuming the role of the most alien of us all - therefore, as Friend of Aliens, I have been asked to respond on behalf of everyone. On a more serious note, many alternate Earths have gone through a similar process, as should be obvious from the encounters we wrote about. Are there men and women who try to answer the question you ask? Let me put it this way, keep your eyes open and you’ll see the odd article at intervals. If there is a yearning for that kind of truth, the articles will multiply in frequency and numbers.

What I just wrote to Arthur, it sounds like I am being nasty, but that is because Arthur, once again, minced my reply.

Because of the Reggheri elders, many discussed the death of Ivgos. Everyone is aware that nobody can foresee all the possibilities and that there will be tragic accidents. Not even Robbie can prevent everything bad that could happen to Cherine or us, but, he and all Cherinians can undo physical harm. The only way we can undo mental harm is by the same powers all Normals have - by the gift of love.

As they talked about it and how the vulnerabilities of even the most powerful Talent prevent us from acquiring the powers of a god, I took their thoughts one step further. Our gifts mostly aid us in growing into better humans and that is the best I can or want to dream of for all of those I love. I can now see that no person can become a god and remain a human being - apart from our beloved Lusalith! Maybe I’m wrong, it could be that someday she will have to make a choice, to remain a god or achieve her beautiful potential as a human being.

I spoke of my thoughts to the Dalai Lama during a lesson. He gave a tiny smile. “You believe that as each soul approaches perfection it grows more beautiful?”

“Yes.”

“Define your use of the word ‘grow’.”

I frowned. “I’m not certain what you are asking of me. Is it a dictionary style definition you want, such as ‘pass into a condition gradually’? I have a feeling this is a trick question.”

“The way you think is unique in many ways, but the basis, underlying all of it, stems from your western upbringing. When a person of your culture speaks of a soul growing, achieving perfection, they envision the soul becoming pure, but at the same time they cannot help imagining it growing more ornate and complex - so that no plain soul still seeking perfection can understand such a soul. Samantha, the growing of a soul, the achievement of perfection is not a process of acquiring but of letting go, releasing the attributes that make it so complex and imperfect. Just as in the life of this body, the purity and simplicity of the center of the heart is what makes us beautiful.” I did not need to debate what he told me, I would serve myself better by not assuming the surface is all he intended as my lesson and take the time to immerse myself in his words, the pictures they evoke, and letting go of my apparent understanding free myself to reach deeper.

At another lesson, he asked how it is I expect to find the soul of Arthur when I am afraid of touching it, of making myself a part of it so as to understand it well enough to be a part of it. His words disturbed and depressed me for days. I have become introspective and there are days when I am so immersed in my thoughts as I wander the loneliest parts of Freddie that it feels as if that day is lost to me, which means it becomes a day I missed out on feeling love for my family and on being loved by them.

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Efineh followed me on one such walk and though she did not speak and dampened her emoting so as not to interfere, as all my other loves do during these walks of mine, I was not as relaxed and thoughts and images danced through my mind like ghosts of imps come to tease me. Giving up for the day, I reached out and took her hand in mine. We changed direction and ended up sitting at the top of the cliff where Robbie had tried to force his way through his fear of heights and had to be saved. Feeling nostalgic, I let her share the memories with me. She was astounded when I slammed my fists into his chest and shouted at him, demanding to know how I am supposed to deal with the fears he had touched me with. Efineh has shared the moment through the tellings by the girls, but it is very different when shared directly.

“How did you rid yourself of the fears?”

“I was being a drama queen my love.” I felt how my words sounded to me. “That is not the total truth, I did fear and I have held it tightly to me so that I never lose it. Efineh, nobody should ever have to only be the protector, they must also be at times the protected. Just as the weakest of us has to be a protector at times.”

Her eyes widened as if she had just realised a truth which had been hidden from her, but otherwise she was doing a good job of hiding her thoughts and blocking her emoting. She relaxed her controls just enough for me to slightly sense her pain as she asked, “Are you going to become like Irfan?”

If I prepared a list of possible questions, this one would not have been even at the bottom, for I would never have imagined it as a possibility. With great regret made plainly evident, I touched her as I said, “Efineh my love, I’m so sorry.” Her heart sank a little as she misunderstood me. “You know that I cannot control the imps and they are going to mine this for belly laughs for many years. Efi mou, me, Samantha, you can imagine me being impractical like Irfan? Me a foolish dreamer who is stupid enough to ignore all that is truly important and of value in my life? Your Samantha, her love is weaker than her fears? Did you truly think so of me?”

Her eyes were as wide as they could go as she said, with shock in her voice, “What a picture of him you have painted! I never imagined the half of it! His love for me was really that weak?” There are always some who cannot last and titter first, betraying the others. Within seconds all my loves jumped to our side and they were laughing.

I asked Efineh, (as if I needed to), “Cassie and Jade?”

Robbie’s grin stretched wider. “Our little Angel also.” As everyone settled down, Robbie placed his arm over my shoulders and drew me to him, holding a grinning Efineh under the other. “Sam, take the time to find your way to what you will become, but don’t forget to give us the time to love the Samantha you are.” All my loves agreed with him and I thought it was very clever of him to say that. He did try to prove what he said about ‘loving me as I am’ that evening and I am convinced it would be worth pretending I still need a touch or two of reassurance for a while longer. J

I nearly started off this paragraph by saying ‘The Terran mind’, but then I realised my comment would be true of most human minds, the percentage high enough for it to be a valid generalisation, so here we go: For most human minds, it is true that when they are bombarded with too much stimuli they automatically try to protect themselves by blocking off most of them and are then only able to assimilate a small number of information inputs. When our guests, the government leaders, asked for a telling, we understood why they needed it and agreed. Once the news spread we found ourselves bringing to Freddie about fifty thousand people from on planet. Once everyone had arrived, Freddie jumped to another ‘dead’ reality and the telling started.

The days passed quite pleasantly. Anyone who gets bored of being in Freddie only has to ask a Sparkler to take them for a visit to their World. Nobody really gets bored, but it is surprising how many ask to be taken to the Sparkler World copy of Athens. Their Athens has grown to include Kifissia and the three mountains surrounding the city. The only ‘real industry’ are the multitude of coffee shops, restaurants and a few bouzouki clubs. Thanks to a suggestion by Allan, a casino was created where it does not exist in the real Athens and even though any gains are illusory as they cannot be repatriated, the casino is full all day and night with people of all the species. Even the two Silver Boys and Batsy have visited so that their main entities could experience a few games of chance, opening their minds even further to new ideas. Back in Freddie, we were only one quarter through the tellings when we sensed the government leaders call for a meeting. Both groups met in a hall inside one of the Trees and they were given absolute privacy. A few hours later (politicians reaching consensus that quickly!) they came out.

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Sensing their need, we arranged for them to be seated in a half circle with the other half formed out of us, our close friends, leaders of all the species and then, in rings around both groups all the individuals who wanted to be present - not too many as it is easier to share by mind and the screens. At the center were six representatives, three of each reality, with Robbie, Solomon, Ordinx, an-Fisp, Ecquel (representing the Unation) and Quihqur (Muyzith leader). Cherine and I both refused to join the inner group.

The politicians know that many of us girls (presently) favour the prime minister of New Zealand, Martin Weisser, from the second reality we visited, so he spoke for all of them. “We apologise to the ladies for not waiting to share the telling to the end before calling for this meeting. We also apologise to the rest of you as it is likely our concerns will be addressed later and we are wasting your time. The beliefs and viewpoints of Robert with regard to governments has been made amply clear and unless later tellings are to show an important shift in attitude, we do not see how any alternate Earth has survived independently of the Cherinians. Robert, do you and your alternates share the same beliefs of that time and, do you force them upon the leaders of the nations of each Earth?”

Solomon asked, “You have not found comfort in his desire to avoid being named leader of all Cherinians?”

“To be honest, no, we have not. We do understand that he is not a dictator and has no wish to interfere or force his own beliefs on any people, whether of our species or others. However, his existence, the role he plays in uniting species from so many solar systems, galaxies and widely differing times, and his beliefs, they must influence everyone. We are asking what the effects of his influence have been.” As he spoke we sensed that all the species were agreeing with him and also wanted to hear our answer. Robbie stood up, walked backwards and forwards for a time, lost in thought. He turned to give me a pretend sour look and a wink before turning to the committee.

“I like to think that everyone is wise enough to allow me to affect their thinking when dealing with matters regarding the future of Cherinians and what we dream of achieving. As for the rest, my beliefs to do with family, religion, good governance by leaders of any group or nation, those I hope are examined critically and where I am wrong or my beliefs do not suit a people, they are rejected.

The future tellings will show, I hope, that I have evolved in my beliefs and perhaps they will also show that life has taught me not to be that certain I am always right.” He pulled a face and earned a few chuckles. He slightly bowed to the politicians. “If I were you, I would be more worried as to the influence Samantha has on the governments. You will see in the tellings that since making the mistake of letting her take over during the unfortunate war with the Sparklers, she has more and more often assumed leadership and is therefore more in the public eye than I am.” He suddenly swung around and fixed his eyes on Campbell. “Mr Campbell is the person you should ask your questions of, as he has foreseen the dangers you fear and often spoken out against us. He has influenced the way others see us but, more importantly, he has influenced the way Samantha and I see ourselves. Arthur, will you take over please and we would welcome learning from you how we still need to change or what precautionary rules and methods we should adopt so as to inhibit our taking the wrong road.”

Campbell found himself in an embarrassing position. He has changed and many of his fears have faded, but with the introduction of Robbie he felt obliged to make a contribution. I glanced his way and as I caught his eye I smiled and gave a tiny nod. He came to his feet.

“Why don’t we kill two birds with one stone…sorry, that was foolish, it must have sounded terrible to many species. What I meant was, let us address two problems at the same time. Samantha, would you join me in a question and answer session. That way, in answer to my questions, you can analyse how Robert has changed while also publicly dissecting your own beliefs - which will either prove to be comforting or terrifying.” Looking suitably solemn, I went to stand between the groups, alongside him.

“Which would you say is the most important change in the way Robert views governments - as from the date of the last telling?”

“The next telling will be very important, for it will include the celebrating of the tenth anniversary for Robert and Cherine, our meeting Allan and the birth of my daughter Gina. How has Robert mellowed since then? I assume that any male who ends up with over fifty females in his family would have to adapt, changing whatever was aggressive in his mental makeup?” Campbell grinned as everyone turned to look at Robbie. Our sweet Robbie grinned back at me but kept quiet, leaving it to Cherine to stare back at everyone and me aggressively. I gave a small laugh. “He has mellowed to a slight extent but what is really amazing is that he does not allow himself the indulgence of holding to beliefs without questioning them again and again. Has he changed his beliefs? Yes, in many ways. There are some beliefs he accepts as being impractical but wishes they could become practical by human nature changing. He is wise enough not to depend on that happening soon.

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You asked which is the most important change? I would consider it more important we learn which are the beliefs he has not relinquished. Which are those he clings to after so many years and after learning so much more about human nature and about the rules that dictate how various benevolent kinds of government must act against their own good conscious for the purpose of leading their people to a better future.

Whether governing a large family or a nation, the act of governing is best described as the art of balancing by adjusting the fulcrum. For instance, none should say, for our kind of species, that the good of the majority outweighs the good of the individual, while the opposite is even less true. There can be no absolutes, opposing factors must be continually balanced and weighed, the middle ground adjusting according to the changes in society while clinging religiously to what is moral and ethical and to whatever heightens and strengthens the spirit of mankind so that we evolve and grow.

The dreams Robert clings to, evolve as we evolve and they force him to continually re-examine his ideas, beliefs and thus, his fears. He has changed in many important ways but, as Arthur asks, I will try to explain which of all of them is the most important change. He has come to accept that there are times that governments must take action and make decisions which they have to keep secret from their people for a while. That belief forces us to also accept that there are times when governments must trespass upon the rights of their citizens - only in the ultimate interests of the citizens and not to suit ambitions of those in power. Again, this must be strictly limited in time and minimised to violate the least possible.” I stopped talking as everyone was reacting to what I said. I, of course, was more closely monitoring Robbie so as to be aware of any mistaken assumptions I may have made. I was shocked (and frightened) to sense that I had shocked him and that he was furiously trying to analyse how much of what I’d said is true of him. This left me with nothing to say and all I could do is wait to be shot down. If I truly was wrong, I thought to myself, then I desperately hoped I had not caused damage. I don’t know why, but I looked at Campbell and saw regret in his eyes. For the first time ever I felt I truly liked him.

Robbie came to his feet. “It was not right and was cowardly of me to leave it to Sam to answer for me. In a way, I am glad I did, for she helped me see myself more clearly. Thank you Samantha.”

The emoting of all my loves instantly perked me up again and I grinned. I asked Campbell in a little girl voice, “You wanted to be terrified? I can’t believe a big man like you could be terrified of a tiny girl like me.” The half-amused laughter relaxed everyone and Robbie realised I wanted him to return to Cherine. As soon as he had her sitting on his lap, I continued, “How do my beliefs differ from those of Robert? I’d say they do not, but that my attitude to them is more pragmatic.” I turned to Martin. “None of you took that into consideration, did you? How many people do you know who act only according to their beliefs? Some don’t because of fear. Others don’t because of greed or because they would have to sacrifice and lose what they worked for. Many don’t because they are weak or because they can’t make up their mind to take action, dithering while they talk about how they know what is right, that someone must do something about…whatever it is they believe in. Some are like me, they realise that life can never be tailor-made to some theoretical ideal and we look to try and influence the world in tiny ways, hoping they will accumulate to the point where we can feel we managed to play a role, however small it was, in improving life for everyone.

You are thinking that you are more worried about us forcing our way like bullies? I think that even Mr Campbell will confirm the following - Robert, I too, we do not live our lives blinkered by beliefs. How can we? To do so, would we not have to be arrogant enough to feel we have the right to decide for everyone according to our mores? How can we believe that all these species (I waved my hand around) and thousands more must conform to what is right for us! How dare an American think he has the right to impose his beliefs on a Japanese or a Chinese, two cultures that are so different from his and from each other. How dare any man decide his way of thinking must be forced upon his neighbour! How can a father claim to love his son if he forces his beliefs on him because he does not respect the rights of his son to choose what matters to him for himself. This is not a matter of Cherinians versus Normals or species against species. It is a matter of each human being respecting the rights and beliefs of every single other human being and Cherine will never allow us to ignore that she loves all of us. How else could she become The Light?”

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Cherine has turned our first visit to the Indian city into a symbol by seeing to it that she and I go there on our own every now and then. We stay out of the areas where the wealthy of Evandvhi frequent as meeting either Kunam or anyone else of his family means having to endure an endless day of them trying to provide us with the best of their city. To tell the truth, I enjoy being in an area where the people feel more real. What is it that makes so many of the very wealthy feel like artificial entities?

Anyway, we were walking in an area that was just off the streets where the best shops are when we saw a shop with religious objects. They also had carvings of strange creatures and out of curiosity we entered. Shopkeepers in this city do not believe a customer should be allowed any time on their own so as to choose what they want - the shopkeepers are all convinced they know exactly what you want (the item that is closest to what they think is the maximum price you can afford) and they’ll continue trying to convince you their choice is right for you even once you’ve managed to escape and passed out of their shop. If such a potential customer happens to be a Silver, they are doubly convinced they know what we want as some other Silver has bought something from them and they think we are all alike.

We stayed away from the carvings of sex in all the Kama Sutra-like positions, working our way through the statuettes of strange deities. The ones of animal forms were not as interesting as those of creatures that we had categorised as imaginary. When examined carefully, it was obvious that most of the creatures were created out of a mishmash of features from a variety of real creatures. I’m not knowledgeable enough to judge the carving skill of the artist, but I did give points for originality in the way the features of various species were blended to create something unique. Cherine is less patient than I and she was almost at the end of the shelves we were studying when she picked up a statuette and then called for me to go see. She was blocking so that I would not see from her and it made me curious, so I went directly to her.

As she handed it over, she asked, “Have you ever seen anything like this?”

The way I studied it was answer enough and she waited for my comment. “Sam, could an artist of this culture create something like this out of their imagination?”

“I don’t know. I’d like Robbie and Jade to see it.” We let down our side by not bargaining as effectively as we should have and the pleased shopkeeper effusively insisted we must come back again to see other special pieces he has and that his prices are very low. The moment we were outside his shop we jumped to Freddie.

Jade asked Robbie, “Are those gills?”

“I don’t think so, not if the artist skilfully recreated a living creature. The mesh would clog up too fast for it to be used as a method of feeding and it would suffocate.” We all saw that Robbie was right. “Am I imagining it or do the gills resemble those of the Shhisuu?” He brought to his mind a picture of Ikstori and we saw he was right. “That would indicate this creature evolved on a planet where the atmosphere is so thick that it turns into liquid at great depths. How could a savage imagine something like this?”

Jade shook her head, “This was not created by a savage! Look at the techniques the carver used, they are sophisticated.” She paused and her eyes widened. “How old is the statue?” Diana and Claudia stretched out their hands and she handed it over.

The two conferred and then Claudia spoke for them. “We’re guessing it is somewhere between four hundred to seven hundred years old. If we’re right and the material is ivory, then it must have been treated to last this long without any cracks.”

Diana added, “Look at how it has yellowed! It has taken on a honey sheen!”

Cassie beamed as she triumphantly said, “Yea, Cherine strikes a big one over Samantha!” They all laughed, mostly amused at the way Cherine tried to disclaim the honour.

We sent it to the Inguel for them to analyse it. They in turn, when they found out the age of it, asked the other scientists to take a look. The Anadir became excited and they nearly all came to us at the taverna.

Ifosi spoke, his emoting colouring his ‘voice’. “The material is not of ivory or any other animal part. It is an incredibly hard plastic and the age is more than a thousand years of this planet. We wish your permission to shave off enough for us to analyse the material.”

Onimersus, the Anadir artist, could not wait any longer. “We know this species. They belonged to a neighbouring solar system and we traded with them. They were known by us as the Xudypaf. They come from a gas planet and their atmosphere is mainly chlorine. How could this after-life gift have come to this planet?”

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Ordinx was also excited. “I have been asked by our President Savirre to request that Freddie take us to their planet in this reality as soon as possible.” He then addressed Cherine, “If we may, we would like to hold on to the statue for a day?”

Her face was bright red as she offered, “Please accept it as a gift from us to your people since it means that much to you.” Poor, dear Ordinx became embarrassed and they argued briefly, with him claiming they could not accept it.

I stepped over to stand next to Ordinx. “Cherine, I agree with Ordinx. This statue is part of the history of the citizens of this planet and we should only hold it in trust for them until their planet has settled and we can help them build a museum.” My idea was an instant success and everyone wanted to scour the planet for anything and everything worth preserving for the future museum. At least many will have something to do now whenever we come here.

Robbie wanted us to be finished with whatever we have to do here before leaving so that we don’t feel under pressure to return soon. He also asked Efineh to come with us. Without warning me, he went to the Orati centre and walked around until he came across Sebura and Pirusi. He made some polite chitchat, concentrating on making Piri feel nice and then he invited them to join us for a while. He told me afterwards that he got the impression that Sebura was not keen, but Piri showed so much excitement and joy that he did not have the heart to refuse her the trip. I know he is hoping she will become an important part of the Cherinian group and wants her to become precious to me. I’m glad he still plays his games, a Sebura without ambitions would be like a lion in captivity eating whatever carrion flesh is provided.

The Anadir reported that they have translated the script - we had thought it was some kind of decoration around the base. It tells of a trader named (the social-friend name) Sedpyz. All Xudypaf have only one name, but it has a number of variations, changing according to the relationship. The full name would take two to three lines to type, his name as used by his family is Sedpy; all the other variants are longer than the intimate-friend-name. His birth was planned so that he could live off planet for extended periods without his body breaking down and, more critically important, his mind be adjusted by his birth being at the edge of their atmosphere so that he does not go insane at the sight of the vacuum of space or of hard planets (land and water masses). As we have god parents, so do those of his species who will travel to other planets have adoptive parents of the species they will specialise in trading with. Sedpyz was adopted by an Anadir male trader!

Sedpyz was trading at the main Anadir space station when messages came in that the sun of the Xudypaf system had suddenly expanded, causing their planet to lose over half of its atmosphere. Urgently he returned to his ship in the hopes of finding survivors and the Anadir promised him they would be sending spaceships to pick up as many survivors as they can. Sedpyz’s family owned a small ship and he was only able to rescue fourteen refugees. His air and food would only last a limited time so he searched his star maps for gas giants and headed for a solar system that included two gas giants. The map did not indicate what their atmospheric composition was, but experience had shown that a fairly large percentage of them are compatible so he did not hesitate and sped for the solar system of the Orati.

The onboard computer was built by the Anadir and alongside all the data it contained of his species, it also held much of Anadir science. The computer being a primitive AI, he could outline for it his problem, even if the outline parameters were rather vague and it would examine all the information and provide him with all the possibilities of survival. He had it analyse what would be the best ways of surviving if the gas giants are not suitable. The AI chose our moon as the one place that provides the best and most probabilities of long term survival for his people. It reasoned that a planet without atmosphere would be easier for them to create pockets with their atmosphere for them to live in without it becoming contaminated by a different mixture of gasses. The moon also provided one more advantage - it is in orbit around a planet rich in all gasses and minerals and does not contain a species close to space flight.

As they travelled, the AI mapped and collected DNA samples and mixed and matched sperm from the three sexes so as to create as great a variety as possible. On arrival at the moon they dug deep, filled it with the atmosphere they need and the spaceship become a massive incubator while the fifteen of them lived outside the ship, but inside the massive cave they had created and sealed off.

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Five generations later they totalled over two thousand individuals and they now needed metals not available on the moon so as to expand by creating new caves and underground cities with the laboratories and incubating equipment they need. Sedpyz was still young enough to travel and bear the weight of Earth gravity, which was fortunate as he was also the only one with the piloting and trading skills needed. The Xudypaf are proud and would never consider taking what they need - they have to trade for it. Living in caves dug out of hard matter had changed them, enabling them to face the idea of landing on Earth, which meant that Sedpyz would soon have companions on such trips.

There were no cities or even towns anywhere on Earth, but Sedpyz had identified the sapient species and tracked where the small tribes lived. They came to what would be named by us the Indian sub-continent and made contact. Mining operations were set up and they returned with whatever was on their shopping list that could easily be collected and carried. A few years later they returned to Earth and lavishly rewarded the tribes that had stocks of metals for them. They rewarded their trading partners with the gaudy items they wanted, but they needed to know they had paid with something of value so they began to provide them with a rudimentary technology and told them stories of many species living in the skies. By the third trip to Earth, a new pilot had been trained to take over the original spaceship and Sedpyz flew the basic cargo ship created for transferring metals from Earth and some manufactured items back to Earth, as part of the payments. The new ship was flawed, the weakness not apparent on the moon, but fatal once Earth exerted the full power of her gravity spike as they took off with a massive thrust to break out of the atmosphere and gravity pull. The ship folded in upon itself and then the nuclear reactor exploded.

It is recorded that two more trips were made to Earth and it was expected they would continue for as long as it was needed, but the statuette was created to honour Sedpyz and placed at the site he visited the people of Earth. Nothing more is recorded so now it is up to us to find out what happened and why we do not find any evidence of the continuing existence of the Xudypaf of this solar system and then to return in time to follow the Anadir ships so as to discover where they were taken. Since that rescue attempt was more organised and sophisticated equipment was available, we feel there is a strong likelihood there are still survivors - maybe a thriving trading planet.

It was unusual to have Robbie delay a departure when anyone makes a request, but now everyone is glad he did so. Unfortunately Sparklers don’t like going through tens of metres of soil and rock, so Robbie went to the void and as the void he began to search under the lunar surface. It took a long time as they did not choose the obviously convenient sites. Three bubbles with equipment neatly wrapped up and no Xudypaf confused us.

Freddie jumped to another reality and returned here six hundred years ago. The caverns were unoccupied. We kept jumping back at fifty year intervals until we found all three caverns overfull with Xudypafs. Jumping forward at five year intervals until they were gone, we backtracked a couple of years and Freddie appeared in orbit over the moon. A poorly made, patched up cargo-shuttle came out to try and communicate. We felt the relief of the trader inside when he-she learnt Freddie is an Anadir spaceship. Convinced we had come to save them it asked us to wait while it returns to announce the identity of the visiting spaceship. Feeling rather bemused (and the Anadir sort of embarrassed) we waited.

We had wanted the Sparklers to provide them with a replica of their home world, our empathy making us visualise scenes of great joy at being in their natural elements again, but wiser minds advised against it. After living in such cramped areas, to place them at the huge depth they’d need to be at with the vast open spaces above, below and in all other directions, they would suffer from an extreme agoraphobia and be unable to function as a society and family units. The Sparklers created spaces resembling their homes on the moon, but triple the size and they are well connected so that they can easily visit each other. The Xudypafs are delighted by their new homes and are eager for company. They were a bit confused for a while when they learnt that Freddie is not a part of the World they are on and explaining about Worlds in the void needed visits to the void with a few Worlds being formed. They quickly understood and are eager to create their own Worlds. It was suggested they wait until they are settled in on their own planet with the rest of their people. Despite all they experienced and saw, they did not believe the Anadir when they were told that we are returning to the time of demise of their home planet.

For a while now, I’ve been truly confused! Ivgos was excited by what he was seeing and he was fascinated by the Xudypaf and the moustache-like but fleshy ridged appendages drooping to either side of their ‘face’. He was helped to communicate with some of them and within a day they were asking whether we have a spacesuit for him to visit them. Robbie sheathed him and Ivgos spent about five hours in their ‘city’ being shown around.

Next [Book 12] - Post 056

I hope you enjoy reading this story of fantasy, adventure and love - and should some of it be true for our reality, I hope you will love our Cherine.

• posted: 15th Sep, 2020
  
  
  
  
  

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