WACO’S LUMMOX
Waddie
Greywolf
Chapter 47
So, ungentle reader, (as you and I value what we should
ashamed—after witnessing a few minor circus-marvels—to call
our "lives,") let us never be fooled into taking seriously
that perfectly superficial distinction which is vulgarly drawn
between the circus-show and "art" or "the arts." Let us not
forget that every authentic "work of art" is in and of itself
alive and that, however "the arts" may differ among
themselves, their common function is the expression of that
supreme alive-ness which is known as "beauty." This being so,
our three ring circus is art—for to contend that the spectacle
in question is not an authentic manifestation of "beauty" is
as childish, as to dismiss the circus on the ground that it is
"childish," is idiotic. ~ e. e. cummings
That afternoon, after the rodeo, Brett Jones and his commander
returned to the clinic in Parson. Arnie Steven found a wheelchair
in an old store room; they got it out and dusted it off. They put
Jones in a hospital gown and sat him in the chair to do his
interview with his commander. They brought in a young gay man who
was a master at makeup. He was always in demand by the different
theatrical groups and sometime stores who wanted him to put on a
cosmetics demonstration for women of the communities. He was very
good and made Jones look like he’d been run over by a Mack truck.
They wanted to give the impression he was slowly recovering so
they could buy him and Del Hawkins more time to visit with his new
friends. Arnie knew if anyone could perform a miracle it would be
his friend Basil Troubadour, a cosmetics and makeup expert.
Basil Troubadour was not the name the young man was given at
birth, but it was the name he chose for himself after he was
thrown out by his family at the age of fifteen. He found himself
on his own with less than ten bucks to face the harsh realities of
an increasingly hostile world. He chose to leave that chapter of
his life behind and never looked back. No one knew his real name.
His favorite herb was Basil, he dearly loved Pesto, and he loved
to sing. He fancied he would become a wandering troubadour as of
old. Surprisingly, it worked for a while until he turned his first
John who just happened to be an undercover government agent. He
was thrown into a Cheney camp as a socially undesirable, which
seemed pretty ironic to Basil because the government cop certainly
found him desirable enough to enjoy making passionate love to him
while fucking his tight young ass. At the very least he had to
find him desirable enough to spend the night in his bed and doing
it again the next morning before arresting him. The hypocrisy and
mendacity of the good looking older man was more devastating to
Basil than his ultimate arrest.
When you’re young, you expect more honesty from the world which
ultimately may leave you grasping at the straws of
disillusionment. In many cases, in the modern world, disillusion
equaled death. Basil was forced to do heavy labor twelve to
fourteen hours a day with little to eat while living in unhealthy
conditions. He used his wits and fought to survive, but he came
down with a bad cold. He wasn’t allowed to rest or take care of
himself properly. His keepers labeled him a goldbrick and beat him
to make him work. He developed pneumonia in both lungs and was
near death when he suddenly disappeared from his bed one night.
He was now eighteen years old and traveled a long way in his short
time. He developed an interest in makeup while working behind the
scenes for one the many shows the same sex communities produced.
He knew he could do a better job than the couple of men trying to
smear paint and powder on people's faces. In two years time he was
considered a genius at his art. Since imports of cosmetics into
the communities were scarce, he did what any enterprising
entrepreneur might do, he got on the Internet, researched
everything he could find on organic components of cosmetic
chemistry and made his own. He developed a small but thriving
business, and built a faithful following within the communities.
The kid was hardly the epitome of masculinity, but he had the face
of an angel, a brilliant mind, with a well defined body from
several years of hard, forced physical labor in a Cheney camp.
Getting to work around and be in close physical contact with a
huge man like Officer Jones with a perfect hard body was a
challenge for him, but he presented himself as a true professional
and his work came first. He carried himself with pride, dignity,
and authority. He heard of the good work and miracles Brett Jones
did and volunteered his services.
Basil also happened to be a close friend of Arnie and Dr. Stevens,
and a personal makeup and costume consultant to Keekepata. He
found Brett Jones a refreshing change from the group of people
with which he usually dealt. Brett knew very little about the so
called raptured communities (a misnomer, but one Jones could
relate to, and a concept many in the communities supported) Jones
didn’t want to appear insensitive, but he was curious. “Do you
enjoy living in a gay community, Basil?” he innocently asked the
young man to make conversation.
“Please, Officer Jones, sir, don’t let anyone hear you use the ‘G’
word!” Basil exclaimed quietly, making a dramatic gesture, looking
around in an exaggerated manner like he was trying to see if they
were being overheard. Of course they were being heard; there were
several other people in the room. He smiled wickedly and winked at
Jones. He continued to talk as he worked. “Remember when blacks
were called ‘niggers’ and after civil rights it was considered
politically incorrect to use the ‘N’ word?” Basil asked. Brett
nodded his head. “So it is here in the colonies with the ‘G’ word.
Admiral Long has decreed the ‘G’ word is not to be used to
describe males of the same sex persuasion. Neither is the 'G' or
‘L’ word used to describe females who are so inclined. It is
considered politically incorrect.
"It’s an effort to do away with prejudices by a multiple of means,
in this case labeling folks. I, for one, fully support the Admiral
and his policies. Because the Admiral and his cowboys have saved
most of us from sure death, there has been little dissent of his
policies. One does not bite the butt of the man who saves your
life. On a personal note, I never really considered myself that
way, because there’s just some days I don’t feel like being gay.”
Basil tossed off with a flourish of his hand which was holding a
makeup brush. “We have considered another, more inclusive term for
ourselves which encompasses all gender anomalies. We refer to
ourselves as ‘Tweeners,’" he went on to explain.
“Originally it came about as an accidental byproduct of a
technical inconvenience rather than an attempt at social bigotry,
or at least that’s how our historians are recording it. After the
colonies were set up, the breeder communities were required to
pass through a series of gates to get from one major community to
another on the Bandersnatch. Breeders would have to pass ‘between’
the two same sex communities to get to the other breeder
community. I’ll share a secret with you,” he dropped his voice,
but everyone in the room could hear him, “just between us, I think
it was a clever plan of Admiral Long’s to force the breeder
communities to interrelate with us.
“Everything has been growing at such a fast rate, that’s just the
way it was until about six months ago when the gates were upgraded
to go directly where you choose. The gates can easily be changed
with an ID key card. We just run our key card through the scanner
and punch in our destination. Since the ‘G’ word is off limits to
the breeder community as well, they began to refer to our
communities as ‘between land’ and its inhabitants as ‘betweeners.’
Unlike the word ‘Negro’ which was morphed into the derogatory term
‘Nigger’ by Southern whites as a racial slur or put-down, some old
cowperson rather innocently shortened it to 't'weeners.' We are,
after all, for all practical purposes, still living in the altered
state of Texas,” Basil laughed at his own joke. Brett thought it
was funny and laughed.
Basil continued to work and expound. “So, the other communities
started referring to the residents as 'Tweeners,' and as the
radical homosexuals of the eighties took the word ‘queer’ and made
it their own, much to the consternation of the Joe Sixpack and the
Homer Simpson’s of the world. We ultimately adopted it as our own,
but it wasn’t fully accepted right away. Many didn’t particularly
care for it at first, because it sounded too much like ‘weeners,’
and while it’s true many of us love to suck a big, fat, tasty
weenie from time to time, we certainly don’t consider ourselves
weenies.
“Personally, I prefer a nice, big, juicy kielbasa, the hotter the
better,” he giggled, made another exaggerated flourish, then
continued, “Because of our progress with our social status within
the communities, we were beginning to see a payoff for our hard
work. Many same sex couples are leaving the tweener colonies and
integrating into the larger communities. We have developed a new
vision for ourselves as having value and worth from earning
people’s trust and respect, where before, in your world, beyond
certain parameters we were never given a chance.
"We were always considered second or even third class citizens no
matter our accomplishments. Like the blacks, they considered us
born to perdition, or we chose to be the way we are and don’t want
to change. Hate the sin, love the sinner, was an empty phrase used
by the extreme right. It never quite worked out that way. It
didn’t matter how many times we accepted Jesus as our personal
savior, we were still queer and never fully accepted into their
congregations. Those who tried were constantly under suspicion and
watched closely for the telltale odor of male ejaculate on their
breath. According to most fundamentalists, homosexuality is the
one sin Jesus’ blood just can’t wash away. Too bad they never
looked at the total figure of Christ more closely. It isn’t just
to be disrespectful or irreverent many of our kind refer to him as
the 'Pansy of Palestine' or 'Nazarene Nancy'; there’s a certain
embittered identification.
"As you know, in 2015 it was finally legislated by the Bush regime
we were not deserving of any rights whatsoever and finally our
sexual nature alone became the justification for murder by right
wing religious zealots. That’s why the Cheney camps have a high
percentage of homosexuals, although you would never find Cheney’s
daughter and her partner in one. Originally, the political
justification for placing us in camps was to protect us from the
extreme right, but that was just a ruse for the real reasons. We
were an easily available and free work source for the corporate
elite.
“Once thrown into a camp there was no way out but death. Corporate
communist may be regarded as people under the new Theocracy but
they have no soul. Greed and profit margins are far more important
than the lives and human rights of the socially disenfranchised.
We were worked to death in forced labor camps and denied proper
medical care so we would die from the least health problem which
could easily be medically corrected. Murder by neglect and
inaction is still murder.
"The more we began to think about the term 'tweeners,' which was
hotly debated, it was pointed out by some of the more wise among
us, it might have a more inclusively positive context rather than
negative. It was agreed the word was probably more apt than we
originally considered. It’s a condensation of the words “in"
and "between,” which was successfully argued really doesn’t set us
apart from society into a separate group. In effect, the term
implies we’re in the middle between the breeder sexes, so by
placing us in that position they’re unwittingly forced to accept
us as part of them; part of the whole package of humanity, for
good or bad, warts and all.
“You can't have a happy hot dog unless you include everything
between the bun," he giggled mischievously, "In reality, we have
never been a separate group, just like the different races on
Earth have always been part of the same species. We’re the same as
the rest of humanity and should not be cast out. To be a
homosexual and all it implies is not a choice, but must become
thought of as more than simply a deviation or mistake of nature.
It’s important we accept who we are, respect our nature, and learn
to consider our difference as the gift of our birthright.
"Many of the so called primitive societies readily accept
homosexuals as an important part of their culture, or at least
they did until they allowed themselves to become tainted by
pseudo-christianist fundamentalism. We were considered wise men,
shamans, holy men, and prophets. In Hinduism many divinities are
androgynous. There are Hindu deities who are inter-sexual (both
male and female); who manifest in all three genders; who switch
from male to female or from female to male; male deities with
female moods and female deities with male moods; deities born from
two males or from two females; deities born from a single male or
single female; deities who avoid the opposite sex; deities with
principal companions of the same sex, and so on. One of the most
important aspects of Hinduism is the belief that both God and
nature are unlimitedly diverse. It’s only when one investigates
the Abrahamic religions one finds homosexuality presented in a
negative manner,” Basil stood back to assess his work like any
artist might. He continued with his work and explanation at the
same time.
“How hypocritical for the religious right to preach intelligent
design while on the other hand, they are busily destroying that
which they claim their intelligent designer created. That’s why
they insist homosexuality has to be a choice. It’s their
justification for murder, just like they preached and believed it
was acceptable to mistreat and lynch a black slave because he was
a son of Ham, born to a life of perdition. Slaves in the past were
considered property and subhuman. So are slaves of any race today
and forced to service their male masters in a homosexual manner.
Just as gays were lumped in with the undesirables in Nazi Germany
and died right along with the so called chosen race, so they are
considered unworthy today and consigned to death camps.
"This all evolved and was brought about through the courtesy of
the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religions. It occurred to me,
any god is only as intelligent as those who worship it. If we’re
born as homosexuals and placed here by their creator, then by
casting us out as sinners or perverts, or killing us because of
their fanatical beliefs, they go against the very tenets of their
faith, or worse, it might even be argued their creator ain’t all
that intelligent. At the very least he’s a piss-poor designer;
otherwise, why would he give men foreskins and insist if they are
to be his children they must cut them off. That ain't religion.
That's insanity created by men,” Basil laughed. He was infectious
and everyone laughed with him.
“To complicate the issue, if scientists prove there is a genetic
predisposition for homosexuality, which is highly unlikely given
scientists today are those who subscribe and support a witch
doctor woo-woo, let's-play-like-make-believe form of science they
call creationism, for all the unborn babies the Christianists wish
to protect through strict anti-abortion laws, if ten to twenty
percent are unfortunate enough to carry and test positive for the
homo gene, will they make an exception and legislate an amendment
to approve them for abortion? What difference does it make if you
kill them in the womb or allow them to be born, only to grow up
miserable and unhappy in an ignorant, biased, unhealthy society,
whose fear and hatred or unending corporate wars will ultimately
kill them anyway? I sometimes wonder how many people out there
recognize their difference, are afraid, are fiercely hiding their
true nature and wish to god they’d never been born? That’s too
horrible for me to contemplate. No one should have to live in fear
and self-loathing because of a repressive society.
"It makes a mockery of democracy and a once proud and free people.
It’s a shame America never survived to see its great promise
fulfilled and become the great nation our forefather’s envisioned.
There is only one maxim to live by: no man is truly free until all
men are free. In my humble opinion, the very worst of all this is
our brothers with whom we share a common ancestor, who are
ninety-eight point nine percent DNA/genetically compatible with
us, the great apes and other primates who are being exterminated
the world over at an alarming rate for food. It’s like killing and
eating your second cousin. It is nothing less than an acceptable
form of cannibalism. Hopefully, we’re going to turn that around
with the rapture and exodus,” Basil finished and there was a
hushed silence in the room. He began to blush as he turned and
began to pack up his makeup case.
He turned and looked Brett Jones directly into his eyes. “I’m
sorry, Officer Jones. I apologize for my pedantic rant. I’m afraid
I got carried away, but in my defense these things are very
important to me, sir. Since I’ve been here, I’ve been encouraged
to participate and allow my thoughts and opinions to be heard. To
answer your original question, I'm humbled and grateful beyond
words to be here and to be a part of all this, to live in a
community where my work and talents are appreciated, where I’m
free to live and love as I choose, where I can walk among people
and not worry about someone saying something snide or derogatory
when I walk away. I was never very political before, but I’m
learning. I’m willing to do whatever it takes, and if necessary,
I’m ready to give my life for what I consider our greatest hope,
the rapture and the exodus from this overburdened planet. We could
leave tomorrow, and it wouldn’t be too soon for me,” Basil
finished.
“Nothing to apologize for, Young Man,” Brett Jones said with a
lump in his throat, “You spoke clearly with great passion. I’m
impressed. You taught me some things of great value, and I share
your opinions. By your definition, I was forced to accept a life
as a t'weener when I was sold to the Holy Prophet by my dad as a
teen. My youth was spent in Dr. Scudder's service performing
homosexual acts with him and his cadre of supporters. It was only
after I joined the officer corps I found our roles reversed, and I
was asked to fuck him. You see, to punish him, Jesse Watkins and
Utah switched his sexual organs from male to female. I’m able to
perform for him, but I don’t really consider myself a breeder even
though I prefer to be the sexual aggressor. I can more readily
identify with you and other tweeners,” Jones explained.
“Thank you, sir. You’re very gracious, and I hope my work will buy
you the extra time you need to remain with us a while longer. I
plan to join our choir this evening in songs for your happiness,
success, and speedy recovery. I hope you enjoy your stay with us,
and your heart is opened to the many wonders our society has to
share with you. By the way, you look positively awful,” Basil said
and grinned wickedly.
Officer Jones gave Basil a hug and thanked him for his valuable
help. They set Jones up in his room at the clinic in Parson. The
t'weener community brought in unbelievable flower arrangements and
tastefully set them around to look like he received them from all
over the world. The place smelled like front row curbside at the
Rose Parade on a warm day. They began with a short talk by
Commander Hawkins who was in charge of Officer Jones. He gave the
viewing audience the basic information about what was wrong with
his officer and said he was recovering at an undisclosed location.
Hawkins emphasized Officer Jones was doing fine and the doctors
expected a full recovery, but it might be several weeks before he
is able to return to his duties. As Commander Del Hawkins stated,
he was most concerned his officer is allowed the time he needs to
rest and fully recuperate. He then announced Officer Jones would
give a brief statement.
Basil’s makeup job was perfect. Poor Brett looked worn and
frazzled with dark rings under his eyes. He looked pale, drawn,
and weak. He spoke in a quiet voice he rehearsed beforehand,
“Hello, everyone. As you probably know I’ve experienced some
health problems recently, but I’m recovering nicely. I won’t go
into details, because I’m not sure I fully understand what
happened to me; however, the fine team of doctors at the clinic
tell me I suffered a minor stroke. The physicians here are
excellent, and they were able to fix the problem. I’m improving
every day, but as you can see, I’m still a bit weak and need a
little more time to heal. I’d like to thank all of you who have
been so kind and generous to send cards and letters and remembered
me in your prayers. These gifts may not seem like much to you, but
they mean a great deal to me. I’ve been told many of you have
given money to the Holy City Chapel charity fund. From the
smallest to the largest donation, they are equally appreciated.
Most of all, I hope you keep sending your prayers for me, and I’ll
return to my post in the Holy City as soon as the good doctors
release me. Thank you for caring so much. I send my love to
everyone concerned,” he said.
* * * * * *
The video was prepared and sent immediately to the Holy City. It
just appeared as an untraceable signal on the Holy City’s secured
and most advanced communications network. Scudder was notified
immediately, he called Austin in and they reviewed the video. They
sat in silence afterward. Taycious was waiting for Scudder to
comment and vice versa. Finally, Scudder spoke, “What da’ ya’
think?” he asked.
“He don’t look too good, but at least he’s alive. They seem to be
taking good care of him. I didn’t know Hawkins went with him,”
Taycious raised an eyebrow.
“I knew about it. I didn’t say nothing. I’m glad he did. Where do
you think they are?” Scudder wanted to change the subject. His
adviser could be like a dog with a bone.
“It’s hard to tell. It looked like any normal clinic. Didn’t look
too big or fancy. You gonna’ pump Hawkins or Jones when they
return about where they been?" Austin asked.
“I’ll ask, but if they don’t wanna’ tell me, I ain’t gonna’ push.
Aside from giving me a cunt, I don’t think them men mean us any
harm or have plans to overthrow the government. I don’t think
they’re terrorist or anarchist. If they meant us harm they
wouldn’t a’ brought me back to life. Damn, I ain’t never missed a
body like I miss that big eared cowboy, but not necessarily for
sex,” Scudder lamented.
“Jerry...?” Austin raised an eyebrow.
“Okay, okay, my cunt started to moisten and itch when I saw him,
but it’s more than that. He brought life and meaning back into
this place. That chapel is so damn dull without him and Hawkins.
It feels like there’s a pall over the place and everyone who comes
to service is depressed because they ain’t there. I think a lot of
them folks come to worship Jones,” Scudder declared.
“He’s healed a lot of folks. It's only natural they’re grateful.
Some come because he gives them hope. A lot of folks come for the
dog and pony show and the naked men. You notice I ain’t missed a
service in a while. Where can you go to church, get a free show
like they put on, and keep an erection all the way through a dull
and boring sermon?” The men shared a laugh. About that time there
came a flash in the room and Del Hawkins was standing in front of
the two men. Scudder was startled at first, but he realized it was
a form of projection he never saw before. Hawkins was like a three
dimensional hologram.
“Good evening, your Holiness. Howdy, Mr. Taycious. I’m coming to
you from the clinic where our boy is recovering. What’d ju' think
of the video, sir? Is it adequate for the public?” Del asked.
“It’s fine Commander Hawkins. Where are you?” Scudder probed.
“Don’t rightly know, sir. I can’t describe it. It’s like nowhere
on Earth. It’s like everything is in another dimension of time and
space,” he hedged.
“Okay, I promised myself I wouldn’t push, but how is our boy?”
Scudder asked.
“He’s doing much better, sir. They got him up and walking several
times a day, and he’s packing away the food. That’s always a good
sign. He didn’t want to be in bed for the video so we put him in a
wheelchair,” the commander offered.
“How much longer you think it’s gonna’ take for him to be well
enough to come back to us, Son?” Scudder asked.
“The doctors say he’s doing better than expected considering, but
they estimated about a week and a half to two weeks. If you don’t
need me there, sir, I’d like to stay on with him for at least
another week. I got vacation leave coming I ain’t taken if there’s
a problem,” Hawkins requested.
“Nonsense, consider yourself on assignment on my orders. Austin
will take care of the details. I’d rather you be there with him. I
know it’s part of your job, but you’ll be doing me a personal
favor to look after him. I know he loves and respects you like a
dad,” Scudder assured his commander.
“Yes, sir, we have a good relationship. I’m fond of him,” Hawkins
agreed.
“The public is starving for information. I’m gonna’ release this
video this evening and go before the cameras to make a statement.
Now, what I want from you is another video by this weekend to show
Sunday evening. Make the next one a little longer, and I want you
to interview him, understand?” Scudder ordered.
“Yes, sir, Holy Father, as you wish. Thanks for letting me stay,
it will mean a lot to him. It means a lot to me, sir. I’ll keep
you informed,” Hawkins said.
“Please do. Is there anything you need from us, Son?” Scudder
volunteered.
“Just your prayers, sir,” the commander smiled.
“You got ‘em, Commander. Tell my boy I love him, and I’m looking
forward to him coming home. Tell him to take his time and not
become anxious. His job will be here when he gets back,” Scudder
insisted.
“Thanks, sir, I will. Goodnight,” Hawkins signed out.
“Goodnight, Son,” Scudder replied as Hawkins winked out. The two
men were silent for a while. “Well, we know one damn thing,”
Scudder said.
“Yeah, what’s that, Brother?” Austin asked.
“They’re technology’s gotta’ be considerably more advanced than
ours. I’ll bet if they wanted to they could take over,” he
surmised.
“Somehow, I don’t think that’s what they got in mind, Jerry.”
“I think you’re right. Do we know any more about where all them
folks is going what’s disappearing from the camps?” Scudder asked.
“No, not a clue.”
“How many this week?” Scudder asked his adviser.
“Figures are still coming in but a ball park guess is a little
over a thousand. It varies from week to week. Mostly it’s the sick
and dying who disappear. The staff says most of them would die
within a week or two anyway. Other than being baffled, the
directors of the camps don’t seem too concerned about it. It saves
them having to dispose of the bodies. I don’t know why that should
be such a big problem for them, they just shove them in one of
them huge ovens and bake ‘em like a batch of brownies. Then they
sell their ashes for fertilizer,” Taycious said nonchalantly.
“What kind of folks are they taking, Austin?” Scudder asked.
“All kinds and colors, gays and straight,” he replied.
“Does our intelligence department know who’s taking them?” Scudder
asked.
“They think it’s the Grays, but they can’t be sure. Why would they
only take the sick and dying? To cull the herd, maybe? It don’t
make much sense,” Austin seemed confused.
“You think there’s any connection between the missing and them
folks Jones is with?” Jerry asked.
“I have no idea. It’s been suggested, but we really don’t know
that much about them or what their agenda might be. If I were to
hazard a guess, I don’t think they have anything to do with it.
They seem to operate on a different level. There’s been a lot of
speculation about the forces of good and evil coming in to play
recently. They ain’t done nothing to us really bad. On the other
hand, they did come to our rescue with Officer Jones, but
remember, you sent for them, you asked for their help,” Austin
emphasized.
“I know. I’m grateful they came, and to be truthful I’m kinda glad
for the chance to experience women’s plumbing. Aside from them
dreadful periods, it’s a lot better’n I thought it might be. Do
you think they might be transcended beings and the recordings in
the bible and other holy texts don’t describe them properly?”
Scudder went fishing.
“Might be. The angels that came to Abraham told Sarah she would
yet beget children in her eightieth year. They sat down and ate
food with the old man so they couldn't have been spirit beings.
They processed food just like we do. The good looking men who came
to Sodom whom Lott rescued from a crowd of men who found them
sexually attractive, were physical beings. Jacob wrestled all
night with a physical being he thought was an angel until he would
agree to bless him. If he had supernatural powers he could have
easily dispatched Jacob," Austin threw out ideas.
“Yeah, well the first time they looked like angels, but I knew
they weren’t. The second time, the one called Jesse looked like a
grizzled old cowboy and his partner could have been his cow dog.
Could these advanced people be living and working quietly among
us, and we have no way of knowing?” Scudder asked.
“Maybe we’ll learn more from Commander Hawkins and Officer Jones."
Taycious said.
“We’ll see. By the way, how are the conditions in those camps?”
Scudder asked.
“They were pretty grim the last time I checked, and I’ve heard
they’ve only gotten worse. If you ask for a tour of one, they’re
only going to show you the model camp where everyone is well fed
and healthy.”
“You think we should look into them?”
“You do and you’ll stir up a major hornet's nest. Them large
corporations are making fortunes from the slave labor in them
camps. They are your political base and your bread and butter.
They are the only party in town and they own your butt, but since
you’ve instigated new laws, and you’re head of everything, you
could force their hand. You could make them see to it conditions
improve." Austin said with anticipation his friend just might do
the right thing for once.
“Make a note of it and remind me next week. I’ll think about it,”
Scudder brushed him off. Austin's hope fell. A response like that
from Scudder said to Taycious, even if he reminded his boss about
their conversation, nothing would be done.
* * * * * * *
Little Bear joined his big, mature cowboy bear-master in the
Jacuzzi on the patio off their room in the lodge on the Buttercup.
Other than Waco and Captain Vinceeth, they were the only two
staying in the lodge at the time. It wasn’t open to the public
yet, but about half the rooms were done. Angus spread his legs and
Little Bear sat down on the bench in front of him. The hot water
was wonderful. He leaned back against the man-mountain and felt
his hairy chest against his back as Angus enfolded him in his arms
and stole a kiss. “You were wonderful, Son. It was well worth the
wait,” Angus whispered to him.
“You were pert-damn fine yourself, Master. How did you know that’s
the way I like it?” Little Bear questioned him.
“In case you forgot, Cowboy, yore’ master is my nephew. I asked
him how you like it,” Angus grinned, “I rarely get to fuck one of
my slaves that hard, not because I can’t if I want to, but I just
ain’t the kind of man to force rough sex on a body unless he needs
to be taught a lesson or is being punished; even then, I try to
find some other way to punish him. When I first started fuck’n ma’
little brother I fucked him pretty hard until he got broke in real
good. I don’t fuck him very often anymore, but when I do I’m a bit
more considerate of his needs,” Angus explained.
“Well, this is one cowboy who thinks on the way you fucked me as
being very considerate, Master A. I need to get fucked the way you
done it, the way Master Waco fucks me, or I ain’t satisfied. You
can’t tell me you didn’t enjoy it neither, ‘cause I felt it in the
way you's fuck'n me,” Little Bear challenged the big
cowboy.
“You won’t git no argument from me, Son. You were shoving it up to
me as fast and hard as I could give it to you. You stayed with me
the whole time. You're one of a kind, and I love you, Boy,” Angus
stole a kiss.
“You know I love you, Master A, and you’re right, it was worth the
wait, but you know what?” Little Bear asked.
“What?” Angus asked softly as he bussed another kiss behind Little
Bear’s ear.
“I swear that damn shot Admiral Long give you has turned you into
a human bull. I watched you change these last few years and you’ve
gone from a fine looking middle age man to a strong powerful
younger man. You remind me of a big hard charging, raging bull in
his prime. We studied in school about a mythological creature
called a Minotaur, who was half-man, half-bull. You remind me of
the descriptions of him. The Long-shot’s done the same for my Granddad
and to be honest, I’m beginning to look on him in a new light.
But, you take my breath away when I’m around you. I ain’t never
felt closer to another man than when we's working together in bed.
Thank you, Master. Any time I can offer you some comfort and you
can get away, I would certainly appreciate it, sir," Little Bear
said.
“We’ll see each other again. I have to consider my wife and other
responsibilities, but she understands I have to be away sometimes.
I can take you with me when we go to cattle auctions and a few
other out of town trips I have to make with my ramrod and his
slave. I hardly ever interfere in their relationship, but as his
master, I have to fuck him a couple of times a month or the slave
board will think I’m showing him favor over my other slaves. He
don’t have that much more time to go. His parole hearing is in
August,” Angus said without nuance.
“Will you miss him being your slave, sir?” Little Bear asked.
“I know I can be honest with you. Yes, it will rip my guts out,
but I won’t stand in his way of becoming a free man. He's worked
hard, kept his nose clean, and deserves his freedom,” Angus
confided in his young companion.
“As I understand it, he’ll still have five more years of
probation, won’t he?" Little Bear asked.
“‘At’s right. I ain’t talked with him or my ramrod too much about
what he wants to do. He can stay around the ranch and become
number two ramrod if he wants. I’ll pay him for his work,” The men
made a little more love and took another sip of their drinks.
“Son, there’s some'um I gotta' talk with you about. Maybe you saw
me talking with your granddaddy and the sheriff this morning,”
Angus said.
“I noticed ya’ll got chore' heads together with Admiral Long and
Master Charlie jawing about some'um,” Little Bear replied.
“Since they knew you and I were gonna’ spend the evening with each
other, I got elected to tell you what we’s talking about. A couple
a’ nights ago yore’ daddy got real drunk in a tavern halfway
between our town and Digby. He got into a fight with a cowboy over
some barroom floozy, pulled out a knife, and damn near stabbed the
man to death. The cowboy’s in the hospital, but he ain’t expected
to recover. He may die. Anyway, the Sheriff and your two uncles
had to go out there to arrest your daddy, and he’s in our jail
right now,” Angus held the boy tight. He felt the young man tense
in his arms. He raised his hands to his face and started sobbing.
Angus held him tight. Angus let him go, turned him around to face
him, threw his arms around him and held him in a bear hug. Little
Bear let it all out. He understood what it meant, and Angus’
hesitation to tell him. His dad would be sold as a slave.
“Now, we don’t want you worrying none. Jessie Watkins and Utah
have been out to the hospital most of the day. We don’t know yet
if the cowboy’s gonna’ live, but they’re doing everything they can
for him. As you know, for attempted murder the Judge’s got no
choice but to sentence John Tin Penny to lifetime slavery. The
lawyers might argue he was drunk, but that ain’t a strong defense
now a' days. With the new government we got there’s certain crimes
what carry mandatory sentences. Attempted murder is one of them,
whether somebody’s killed or not. Lazarus has already agreed to
buy him, and he’s to become my slave. My trainer is going to train
him. I been needing a couple more cowboy slaves,” Angus tried to
explain like a big brother.
“Oh, God, Master Angus, I feel so bad. I been angry at my dad for
selling me into slavery, but to be honest, I ain’t had it so bad,
especially after I come to live with the Goodnights. Hell, I’s
treated like family by my master and brothers, and Master Charlie,
he’s like a dad to me. I sleep with him several nights a week to
keep him company. Sometimes my master and brothers got so many
things going I find myself alone. Master Charlie ain’t never
turned me away. In some ways, my daddy selling me was the best
damn thing what could’ve happened to me.
“If'n he didn't I probably wouldn't a' met you. I wanted to love
my dad, because, well, he’s ma' dad. I know he’s come to several
of our games. I talked with my granddad about him, and I urged
granddad to forgive him. I’s just coming around to it myself when
this happens. It’s almost like it’s a kind of justice for him, but
mostly I feel hurt and ashamed. I feel ashamed for my tribe, my
granddad, my uncles, but most of all for me. I feel embarrassed. I
thought someday I might get to be with my dad again, but now I
don’t see that happening. Now, I don’t want to. He ain’t worth my
care. I’m ashamed to be his son,” Little Bear sobbed some more and
Angus comforted him
“Don’t judge him too harshly, Son. All men make mistakes. Some
make bigger mistakes than others. I know how you feel. I was
devastated and embarrassed when my little brother done what he
done. I felt shame for him and our family, but you learn to accept
it and eventually you will forgive him. Your master, your
brothers, Master Charlie, me, Admiral Long and your family, we're
all looking out for you. We won’t let nothing happen to your dad.
“Your granddad was more worried than you, but he knew beyond a
doubt Lazarus and Charlie wouldn’t let John Tin Penny go to just
any master. Even when they do bad things, family is important. I
could’ve given up on my little brother, but I didn’t. I’m glad I
didn’t. He got his life turned around. I don’t have no fear of him
being free. He’s learned how to live and become a man with
principles and responsibility. You’re learning the same thing
every day. Not quite the same way as my brother had to learn, but
you live as part of a greater family what expects certain things
from you. You have no idea how loved and respected you are among
us. Your granddad and your people are very proud of you, Son. So
am I,” Angus reassured the boy and stole another kiss.
Little Bear resumed his place sitting in front of his big bull of
a master. They were quiet for a while as they finished their
drinks. “You ready to go to bed, Master?” Little Bear asked.
“I think I am. It’s been a long, exciting day, and this evening
couldn’t have been better,” Angus said with love.
“If you need some more during the night, I certainly wouldn’t
mind, sir. I think I could use me a little more,” Little Bear said
softly.
Angus kissed the young man gently. “I’ll keep that in mind, Son. I
jes’ might take you up on it. I think we both could do with a
little more cowboy love'n,” Angus replied.
They slept well together, and early in the morning they made love
again. Little Bear knew these men kept their word. Master Angus
was right. He learned these things from them. He was proud of who
he became. Little Bear knew he didn’t have anything to worry
about. He would deal with his dad’s embarrassment with all the
love that supported him. He said a prayer for the cowboy his dad
hurt. His small selfless gesture was heard, and it turned the tide
of the man’s recovery. Jesse breathed a sigh of relief, smiled,
winked at his partner and petted him lovingly on the head.
* * * * * * *
The next day was another full day of celebration. It was the
cowboy’s sixteenth birthday party. It went off without a hitch.
There was a sense of sadness cast over the day for Little Bear
because his dad was in jail, but he announced to his immediate
family, while he appreciated their sympathy and concern, he was
not going to let the mistakes of his biological father cause him
to miss a moment’s joy of the day, and he expected his brothers to
do the same.
Angus asked him the night before if he wished to visit his dad in
jail, but he declined. “He proved to me he didn't give a shit
about me and wanted to give up responsibility for me when he sold
me into slavery. Other than come watch me play football, he’s
never made an effort to visit me. Tomorrow is me and ma’ brother’s
sixteenth birthday party. Why should I put my life on hold because
of his foolishness? He never did for me. He ain’t going no wheres.
I’ll have plenty of time to see him later if I change my mind,”
Little Bear told Angus. His words seemed a bit harsh to Angus, but
he couldn’t fault his young devotee some bitterness toward his
dad. One reaps what one sows. Angus couldn’t imagine any man being
less than a good father to the young man he had come to love and
admire. What little time, guidance, and love he contributed to
Little Bear he felt was a good investment and time wisely spent.
* * * * * * *
There were rumors circulating Captain Vinceeth asked the Admiral
and Charlie’s permission for a two day holiday after the event in
Parsons to take Waco and a number of folks to Mars for another
celebration. He had a couple more surprises for the cowboys and
invited them to go along. All the family wanted to go, and by that
time, the greater family included a lot of folks and critters.
Trey left it up to Waco and Ox to make sure Ping and Pong and
their kits were invited to join them. The Trong-Fielding family
wanted to go because Gavin and his younger brother Jerry had been
to Mars a couple of times and told their parents about it.
Captain Trong wanted to visit with the new families of Volgorons
and everyone wanted to see the new animals. Jack Hall and Warren
Steele wouldn’t pass up a trip to Mars and volunteered to wrangle
the critters again. Naturally, they would take their respective
mates, Buck and Horse, with them. During the day people were
coming up to Waco, Trey, Lazarus, and Charlie to ask if they could
be included in the brief trip to Mars to return the winged ponies
to their families.
Charlie invited his brother to go along and bring his family.
Angus never saw the wonders of Venus or Mars and was curious. Waco
asked if he might invite Shane and his Master Bill Birdsall along
and Angus gave his permission. The Chief’s two sons hadn’t been to
Mars, and he asked if they could go along. Lazarus invited the
sheriff and his family, but explained the no clothes rule to walk
among the animals. The women who didn’t want to participate could
watch from the balconies off the rooms of the lodge in which they
would stay the night. Sheriff Lassiter and his young son Donny
didn’t want to miss the opportunity. Donny was now ten years old
and became a great friend of Ox and Waco’s. He spent a good deal
of his spare time with the cowboys. He knew he would have a great
time with his cowboy buddies.
After the football game and the birthday party broke up the guests
from the communities and Earth-side townships departed. The
remaining folks gathered for a light supper and planned to get an
early start to bed. They were leaving early the next morning
though the huge gate. Lazarus wondered why Trey would want to wait
until morning when they could just as easily spend the night on
Mars at the lodge. “We discussed the possibility,” said Trey, “but
we thought it might be late evening by the time we wrapped things
up here. Once there, it might take some time assigning rooms. It
would be dark by the time we could get the ponies back to their
families, so we thought, for safety reasons, if we waited until it
was full light, it might be safer for everyone concerned,” Trey
said with authority.
“Good thinking, Son,” Lazarus praised him, nodded his head in
understanding, but raised an eyebrow. Charlie and Lazarus walked
away.
“You think he bought it?” Trey whispered to Waco.
“Not for a minute,” Waco chuckled.
“Yeah, I don't think so either. The old man’s lived too long. He
knows we’re up to something,” Trey laughed nervously as he hugged
Waco to him, “At least we have a couple more evenings together.
Should we invite our other half to join us this evening?”
“You’re right, he’s big enough to be our other half. He might
enjoy it. Let’s leave it up to him,” Waco allowed.
Of course their big lummox wanted to join them. Waco and Ox even
got Trey to try his first taste of lummox milk. Like most
skeptics, he found it quite to his liking and began to suck Ox’s
left teat for more while Waco enjoyed some from his Lummy’s right
one.
* * * * * * *
The next morning early, everyone gathered in the enormous
transporter room. Captain Vinceeth and his men already had the
beautiful winged horses waiting for everyone to gather. Waco
requested Kyron to activate the gate, and it was opened. Trey,
Waco, and Ox were the first to walk through accompanied by the
coyote gang and Waco’s posse. Donny Lassiter, his dad and family,
and the rest slowly followed. When Brett Jones found out he and
his commander were invited, he asked if he might invite Basil
Troubadour to go along? “I’m sure it would be all right with
Captain Vinceeth and Waco, but aren’t you worried you might be
sending young Basil the wrong message?” Del Hawkins asked his
young officer.
“What wrong message, sir?” Jones asked with a blank look on his
face.
“He might think you’re inviting him because you have ulterior
motives,” Hawkins explained.
"What ‘ulterior’ motives, sir?” Jones asked innocently.
“It means you might have some reason for inviting him other than
just to enjoy his company, or because you like him enough to want
to take him to your bed,” Hawkins elaborated.
“Gees, I didn’t think of that. Would it be wrong?” Jones asked
innocently.
“Not if it’s something you wish to do. I’m sure he would be
thrilled,” Hawkins encouraged him.
“I’ll admit I find him attractive, but I wouldn’t want to take
advantage of him sexually. Why would wanting to enjoy his company
mean I have other thoughts in mind?” Jones ask for further
explanation.
“Never mind, Son, I shouldn’t a’ said nothing. I was way out of
line. Knowing you, you’ll have no problem either way. Somehow your
innocence and honesty manages to get you through most situations
where other men might have difficulty. You’ll do just fine,”
Commander Hawkins laughed, patted Jones on the back, and shook his
head in wonder.
Basil was thrilled and flattered the big officer requested his
company and jumped at the chance to accompany Brett Jones to Mars.
He was never offered the opportunity before, but he heard from
several of his fellow t'weeners what Mars was like. He was told to
dress in his cowboy clothes. Everything was informal on Mars, and
if he was going to go among the animals he would be expected to be
naked. The thought didn’t bother Basil a bit. He had a well
defined young body and wasn’t the least shy about such things. He
had a number of scars on his back and butt from beatings suffered
in the Cheney camps, but his closest companions insisted they gave
him character. Basil was one of the fortunate patients who came
directly aboard the Bandersnatch and was fed a steady diet of
lummox milk to help heal his pneumonia. As a result, he could
listen to and speak with most of the critters. He was anxious to
try his new talent with the exotic creatures on Mars.
He arrived at the gate to join Officer Jones and his commanding
officer Del Hawkins along with Brick Armstrong, Tim, Stan, and Jim
Bob. They didn’t recognize him at first in his cowboy clothes and
his big hat. It was like he was a changed man. Basil was most
fetching in his Western attire. Brett Jones recognized him
immediately, gave him a welcome hug, and offered his big hand as
they walked through the gate together. Last to pass through the
gate were Jack Hall, Buck, Warren, and Horse. Jack held Ping’s
small hand in his and Buck held Pong’s hand. Warren carried Jill
and Horse carried Jack. The spacer dogs along with Moe ran ahead
of Stan and Jim Bob. Scraps and Happy, along with Patty and
Laverne went through the gate with Lazarus, Charlie, Arlen Jones,
and Bryce along with Blake Tindell and the Stamper men.
“You get the feeling them men got something up their sleeves,
Gentlemen?” Lazarus asked his mate Arlen Jones and Charlie.
“I don’t know, Brother. Our half of the coyote gang whispered to
me they had a suspicion it’s something big; bigger even than them
incredibly beautiful horses. Them critters blew me away,” Arlen
said in awe.
“I gotta' admit, they were pretty damn spectacular,” Charlie
added.
They got to the other side and were met by the android staff from
the lodge. There were about a hundred people not including Captain
Vinceeth’s men he let have shore leave to attend the rodeo and
birthday party. They followed Waco, Trey, and his men with the six
ponies out to the balcony. One of the androids opened a gate. The
horses knew they were home and broke into a run to the shear edge
of the balcony. There was about a thousand foot drop from the
balcony to the valley floor below. The crowd gasped as the horses
leaped over the edge, spread their huge wings, and began to soar
through the air. The atmosphere in the caves was just a bit
heavier with a slightly higher oxygen content for the sake of the
larger animals. Lower oxygen levels was one of the reasons many
prehistoric large animals became extinct. They lived in a time
when the oxygen levels on Earth were much higher and could support
larger, giant creatures. The winged horse needed extra oxygen as
well as the large Mammoths and Mastodons.
Everyone moved to the main balcony and looked out across the
savanna. Those who never saw the sight before were speechless.
They stood and looked in awe at the indescribable beauty of the
landscape with the mountains and waterfalls in the distance, the
glorious, fresh water river that ran down to large lakes and
marshes, and the variety of wonderful creatures below them as far
as their eyes could see. It was a wonder to behold. Brett Jones
and Basil walked hand in hand under the close eye of Commander
Hawkins. He had a big smile on his face. He knew what they must be
feeling. He could remember his first trip and seeing the panorama
for the first time. He was so thunderstruck, for a moment he
thought he might lose control of his bladder functions. “Officer
Jones...” Basil breathed almost undetectable. “Please, don’t let
go, sir,” Basil asked squeezing Brett Jones' hand.
“I’m here, Son. I promise, I won’t. Don’t you let go,” Brett
smiled.
“No, never, sir. Am I really seeing this? It’s incredible. It’s
far more than I expected. My friends didn’t tell me how grand and
encompassing this place is. It makes me wonder why I’m here? By
all rights, I should be dead. This is all too much. I'm
overwhelmed,” tears started falling from Basil’s eyes, “My
brothers in the colony told me about some of the animals, but I
thought, ‘Sure, sure, you seen one zoo, you seen ‘em all, but this
– I guess I feel like I don’t belong here; like I shouldn’t be
here; like I don’t deserve to be here,” Basil lamented.
“Nonsense! Don’t talk like that, Son. Of course you deserve to be
here. You belong by my side. You’re here because I want you to be
here with me when I experienced this. I had no idea it would be
this grand either. You ain’t dead and you didn’t die, because you
got a greater purpose. Life ain't through with you yet. I could
ask you the same question, ‘Why ain’t I dead?’ I was! I actually
died. From what you done told me we both got us a big-old taste of
death. We been there, done that. I don't know about you, but I
seen the other side. It weren't so bad. I didn't wanna' come back.
Why are we here? I don't know, but I think we'll learn soon
enough. The fact is, for some reason we were saved at the last
minute. Ain't no doubt in my mind we’re here, together, for a
reason. Don’t never forget that, Son,” Jones let go of the young
man’s hand, dropped his big arm around his shoulder and pulled him
close.
He bent his head down and bussed a kiss behind Basil’s ear.
“Thanks, Officer Jones, I needed that,” Basil said softly.
“So did I, Son,” he smiled at Basil.
* * * * * * *
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” spoke one of the androids, “for those of
you who wish to go down onto the savanna to meet the animals up
close and personal, we will be taking the shuttle train, which
Master Waco and his men have aptly named the Matterhorn express.
It will be leaving in ten minutes. There are lockers at the
station for removing your clothing. You can’t walk among the
animals wearing clothes. They don’t wear clothes and they get
nervous around humans who do unless we’ve been working with them
day in and day out. Still they prefer everyone be as natural as
they are. Those among you who do not wish to go down to the
savanna may stay behind, and we will either see you to your rooms
or we will serve light refreshments and various finger foods on
the balcony to your right, where you may see and watch the others
down below. You will not be embarrassed by their nakedness because
you can’t see a lot of details from this height. No pun intended,”
added the android which got him a laugh.
“Dad are you going down there?” Sonny Steele’s oldest son Matt
asked. It was his four boys first trip to Mars. They heard about
it, and knew it was where their little brother and sister, Adam
and Eve, were from. They brought their families along.
“Are you kidding?” Sonny asked in reply, “I can’t let yore’ ma go
down there without me. She’d adopt twenty more of them damn kids
without so much as a how-dee-do,” Sonny let out a roar. Vivian
poked him with her elbow.
“Ouch, Woman, that hurt!” Sonny grimaced.
“I meant for it to,” Vivian laughed, “Talk about me? It’s you what
leaves a trail of bread crumbs. You should try telling them boys
the truth from time to time,” she grinned wickedly.
“Why? They don’t never believe me no how until they hear it from
you or their Granddaddy,” Sonny grinned real big.
“You mean ma gits naked? Granddad, too?”John asked.
“Oh, don’t be such a prude, John. Leave that to your little
sister. I raised you boys better’n ‘nat,” admonished Vivian. She
gathered Adam and Eve, and they were ready to go. They were
looking forward to seeing their Evanescent friends and relatives
again.
“Bring the whole family. You won’t be sorry, Son,” Warren spoke
up, "Fifteen minutes in the raw and you won't even think on it.
There's so many things to see and do you'll soon forget about
being naked," Warren assured them.
The four Steele boys decided to go. One wife said she would stay
behind on the balcony, and that was only because she was very
pregnant. The kids, including the little girls, couldn’t wait to
get down to the savanna. The train was filled with people. Lazarus
and Charlie were surprised when Trey and Waco motioned for them to
come to the front of the train to sit with them. They somehow
managed to get Ping and Pong strapped in with them and Jack and
Jill were strapped in with Lazarus and Arlen. Charlie and Ox were
seated next. Warren and Horse were seated right behind them.
Lazarus turned and looked at Charlie. Charlie grinned and shrugged
like he didn’t understand what was going on either. Neither had a
clue. “I think we’re about to find out, Boss-man,” Lazarus tossed
off. He turned back around as Charlie and Arlen laughed at him.
Little Bear played conductor and walked the length of the train
inspecting every seat belt. When he was satisfied everyone was
strapped in tight he jumped in the last seat next to his granddad
and strapped himself in. “All aboard!” he yelled to the front.
Waco was playing engineer and pressed the large red button on the
dashboard.
“Welcome to the Matterhorn ride to the savanna station,” said a
recorded voice over the speakers in the train as the canopy slowly
lowered and locked into place. “Please hold on tight to the padded
bar in front of you and do not try to stand during the ride. We
hope you enjoy your ride.”
The Matterhorn express left the station right on time and the
androids brought up another train for the rest of the people
traveling down to the savanna. The cowboys didn’t misname the
train. It was every bit as good and thrilling a ride as the
Matterhorn ride at Disneyland. The kids were hooting and hollering
and having a great time as the train reached its maximum speed
zipping in and out of the mountain with ease. It wasn’t a long
ride, but it was just long enough to be an exhilarating experience
which got everyone’s already overactive Adrenalin going. Everyone
was in a party mood, laughing and talking loudly as the train
gracefully pulled to a stop at the lowland station and the canopy
opened for disembarking.
“Please exit to your right, and watch your step. Parents, please
mind your children to insure their safety,” the announcement came
from the train speaker.
Everyone followed Waco and Captain Vinceeth. Little Bear stayed
behind to direct the next train load of folks to the locker area.
By the time they arrived most of the first group were undressed
and putting away their clothing. They waited for the second and
third trains to arrive before going to the savanna. Lazarus
noticed Waco and Trey were very attentive to Ping and Pong; more
so than usual. He figured whatever their secret was, it probably
had something to do with them. He thought about knocking on Waco’s
mental door, but reasoned he probably wouldn’t get much. He was
right.
When everyone was completely naked, Waco waved his arms for
everyone to listen up. “Everyone take it slow and easy. Kids,
don’t do a lot of running at first. Let the animals come to meet
you and get to know you. If they want to sniff you, let them. It’s
their way of getting to know you. After a while, you can run,
laugh, and play as much as you like. Don’t be afraid to make some
friends. Trust me, they’re as curious about you as you are about
them. If you wish to take a ride make sure your get your parent’s
permission and don’t try to ride an animal unless they offer. It’s
just good manners. If you see an animal you’re particularly taken
with, you may graciously request a ride, but not until you’ve made
a friend of him or her. Remember, a few kind words of sincere
flattery will take you a long way,” Waco smiled, “Everyone ready?
C’moan then, let’s go make some new friends and remember each of
us is a representative of our species. If you think you’ve hurt
someone’s feelings, apologize immediately and promise never to do
it again. Make sure you do the right thing and make us proud of
you. You’ll be glad you did. Above all, remember to have a good
time. They love it when they feel like they’ve been good host.
When it comes time to leave, be sure to thank those you’ve come to
know and especially those who have honored you with a ride,” Waco
finished.
Everyone filed slowly out onto the savanna. Trey was holding
Pong’s hand and Waco held Ping’s. Jack and Jill crawled up on Ox's
and Horse’s shoulders respectively so they could see above the
heads of the humans. Trey turned to Lazarus, Arlen, and Charlie.
“Admiral, Captain Jones, Ox, Horse, Dad – ” Trey grinned and
winked at Charlie for calling him dad. For some reason Charlie
blushed. They shared a laugh. “Stick with me and our cowboy for a
while, if you will. We’d appreciate it,” he didn’t explain
further.
Waco and Trey wandered ahead of the crowd. Animals were already
gathering and the crowd was disbursing among them. Some of the
folks spied old friends they met before and learned to love. The
Stamper boys had certain animals with which they were great
friends. The big lummox or Volgorons were seen approaching in the
distance and the coyote cowboys decided to approach them first.
They made friends with them on previous trips and loved to play
with many of the Evanescent children they adopted. It was like
visiting family and renewing old friendships at the same time. The
first to get to the other folks were the Evanescent children who
had grown considerably since they first came to the caves. They
took some getting use to, because they would become so enthused
they would melt into their new friends. The kids adapted to them
quicker than the adults, but they soon came to feel they were
wonderful spirits full of love and kindness.
Sonny’s boys better understood why their mom and dad adopted a
pair. The thought crossed their minds as well. The Evanescent
children were great hosts and would introduce their new friends to
different animals. They helped speed up the process of getting to
know one another. They were a great help, because there was so
much to see and a large variety of critters to meet. The Steele
boys were stunned. All they could do was giggle like school boys.
Their mother and father watched them, their wives, and children
and marveled at how naturally they seemed to fit in with their
surrounding. Everyone was so gob-smacked with the animals and
soaking in so much new information they soon forgot their
nakedness and inhibitions about being nude in front of others.
They watched as their families petted a beautiful pair of Unicorns
and chatted up a wonderful family of Kentuarans. A huge lummox
male held two of their kids, one in each arm as he took them to
meet one of the largest bull Mammoths. It was a scene of pure
bucolic bliss. Vivian locked her arm in Sonny’s and leaned close.
“Does this look like a scene from the garden of Eden or what?”
Vivian asked Sonny.
“It’s unbelievable, Darlin.’ To me it looks like what the garden
of Eden probably should’ve looked like without the damn snake. To
my way a’ think’n these folks got it right. The bible's version,
not so much. In the first place, what omnipotent god would allow
an evil presence in his perfect garden he created for his innocent
children? Why would he put one big delicious apple tree right
smack dab in the middle of it, then tell his kids they can’t eat
none? Hell, I may be jes' a dumb old cowboy, but I know’d better’n
to tell a kid he can't have none if there's a treat involved. Any
parent worth a damn knows you can't never tell a kid he can't do
something if'n he's a mind to.
“You and me, we learned the hard way. You don't never tell a kid
not to put beans in his ears. It's the first damn thing he's
gonna' do when he finds one. You can count on it. The first bean
he comes across,” Sonny snapped his fingers, “right in his ear it
goes, quicker’n shit through a goose, ‘cause you done told ‘em not
to. 'Member how much it cost us for that bean-ectomy they done on
Mark? I swear sometimes I understand why some animals eat their
young," Sonny laughed, "J’ever wonder why God couldn’t a’ been
jes' a mite more lenient and forgive his naive children? Hell,
they didn’t know no better. How could they? They ain't et from the
tree of knowledge yet. They's dumb as a box of rocks. They didn't
even know they's naked until they ate the apple. A big, slick
talk'n snake, who god created, slithers along and tells 'em it's
'okay' to eat an apple, h'it won't hurt nothing. The poor kids,
how were they to know? Why didn't the old man jes' killed the damn
snake? It’s what I would a’ done. Hell, the first thing a cowboy
learns is to always plumb kill a rattlesnake,” Sonny sighed and
shook his head like it was all too much for him to consider,
“Ever’ damn time I see all this, I still can’t believe it. It's
like these folks is given us another chance to return to the
garden. Feel my arm, Darlin,’” Sonny told her. Vivian ran her hand
up and down her cowboy husband’s tightly muscled arm and felt
bumps all over.
“I got ‘em, too, only they ain’t on my arm,” Vivian cackled
quietly. Sonny slipped his hand to her shapely rear and felt her
bumps.
“My goodness,‘at’s mighty nice!” he exclaimed, “On you they feel
good. On me they jes’ look stupid. Makes me look like a turkey
what’s been plucked of his feathers,” Sonny laughed.
“That’s all right, Cowboy. I know how to talk turkey. Gobble,
gobble,” she teased as she looked down at his ample saddle horn
waving in the breeze. Vivian laughed as her husband blushed bright
red. “Too bad you can’t grow some a’ them bumps down there. A few
well placed bumps along yore’ turkey neck might be interesting,”
she allowed.
“Oh, Lord, Woman! Don’t let them damn kids hear you say that. Adam
would be all too happy to provide me with any size and as many
bumps as you can handle. Talk about yore’ speed bumps, and don’t
be talk'n like 'at no more, neither. You wanna’ embarrass the crap
out a’ yore’ old man. It’s hard enough on me now that I’m younger
from that damn shot. Being in the altogether with these healthy
animals makes my blood boil,” Sonny groaned.
“Oh, happy day,” teased Vivian as she reached back and pinched
Sonny on his butt. He jumped like a frog on a hot rock. A huge
Kentauran couple saw her and laughed at them.
“Stop that or I’m a gonna’ take you rye-cheer in the middle of
this damn field and invite every critter on the savanna to watch,”
Sonny threatened. That got a round of laughter and applause from a
herd of Kentuarans and a trumpet or two from some nearby Mammoths.
It was like Sonny had his very own cheering squad urging him on.
Waco and Trey led their party away from the main crowd, down into
a valley where there were outcroppings from large, overhanging
rocks. It looked like there were several small caves and buildings
of some sort made from some of the rocks piled neatly together.
Captain Vinceeth held up his hand. There were about thirty-five or
forty people gathered around who made the journey with them. “This
is where we show you one of our other special surprises. This
surprise is to be shared by all, but it will be most important to
four individuals in particular. Cowboy?” Trey spoke to Waco. Waco
put his fingers to his mouth and gave forth with a great whistle
like it was a signal to someone. Trey motioned for everyone to
look up into the rocky cliffs and caves. One by one, beautifully
colored heads popped up from behind the rocks. Big heads and
smaller ones of kits until all fifty-eight critters were standing
among the rocks displaying their beautiful new full coats and
tails from the good and abundant food of which they had been
partaking for the last month.
“Sweet Jesus!” Lazarus mouthed in awe.
“Mother of God!” Arlen Jones added softly.
“Incredible!” exclaimed Charlie.
Ping and Pong looked, then looked again. They were stunned. Jack
and Jill jumped down from Ox and Horse and quickly joined their
parents. Pong looked at Ping and blinked back tears. Ping already
had tears streaming down her pretty face. She nodded to Pong and
they slowly set out to meet their new family members. Ping stopped
and looked at Pong again and slowly shook her head. They turned in
unison to look at the men standing behind them with faces filled
with unconditional love and empathy for them. Several had tears
running down their faces. They rushed back to Trey Vinceeth and
each took one of his hands. They rubbed their scent from the
glands on their faces onto his hands. It was a pure, sweet,
slightly spicy fragrance. It was the smell of love mixed with the
joy of surprise and gratefulness. “They’re thanking you,
Captain. It’s the greatest act of love their race can bestow on
another species is to gift him with their personal scent. By
sharing their scent with you, they have bestowed the honor upon
you of making you family. It’s a rare privilege and a great honor.
They want you to know how humbled, honored, and grateful they
are,” Waco explained.
Trey knelt down and took them both into his big arms and hugged
them gently. He spoke directly to them, “I was just doing my job,
Friends. We rescued them about a month ago. It was the right thing
to do. I hoped you would be pleased. They will tell you their
story, and I’ll tell the others over supper this evening. Go with
our love and enjoy,” with those words he send them on their way.
Jack and Jill waited for their parents before they approached the
group. It was terribly moving for everyone who witnessed Ping and
Pong meeting each and every one of their new family. It was all
very formal. There was much bowing. They would bow to each other
and hold their stance for minutes at a time. It was like they all
knew the same greeting and meeting rituals. It was like a courtly
dance. Jack and Jill were taught manners but never had a chance to
use them before. Ping and Pong were proud of their kits. They
handled themselves with dignity and grace.
“Where the Hell did you find them, Trey?” Lazarus asked quietly.
“It’s a long story, Admiral, but well worth the telling. I’ll tell
everyone this evening. In the meantime, the short version is, they
were marooned on a derelict freighter of the Grays. They were the
only survivors of a space battle fought several generations ago. A
couple of thousand of their forefathers and mothers were kidnapped
by the Grays. They were being transported to the Reptiles for
food. They also happened to be one of the Gray’s favorite foods.
They were exceedingly clever to salvage enough of the wrecked
cargo ship to maintain a colony on-board for so long. They lived
there for several generations. Since we knew Ping, and Pong and
their kits, we recognized them immediately. We brought them here
along with the winged ponies.”
“I was sure Ping and Pong were the last of their kind,” Lazarus
said, “We shared worries they might be faced with inbreeding if
they had family, but with Jessie and the Krysallians they probably
could’ve altered their chromosomes just enough to create hybrids
for a new genetic pool. Now we don’t have to worry about that.
There’s enough gene pool up there it won’t be a problem.
Congratulations, Son, you done it again. With this one you managed
to blow this jaded old spacer out of the galaxy. Your father,
grandfather, and great-grandfather would be proud of you,” Lazarus
pumped Trey’s hand and slapped him on the back.
“We were just at the right place at the right time, Admiral. They
were way out of the normal space lanes and their ship fell into
orbit around a small, insignificant class ‘M’ star. It was
fortunate for them they had enough light for growing several
species of plants for food, recycled moisture, and oxygen.”
“Do you really believe it was just by chance you came upon them,
Son?” Lazarus asked Trey.
“No, sir, not any more. My mate told me the other night we were
told to fly out of our regular path to avoid detection from the
Grays. We didn’t want any confrontations while carrying such
precious cargo as the winged horses. Rescuing the ring-tailed
critters only contributed to the value of our cargo,” Trey agreed.
“It seems like thm ancients are gathering together the beauties
and greater intelligence of the universe for the final exodus from
Earth. I guess you found out for yourself just how intelligent
them critters are,” Lazarus said.
“Absolutely! I’ll tell you later, but I wouldn’t mind having
several permanently assigned to the Banshee to give us a hand,”
Trey said.
“I ain’t never been sorry I rescued Ping and Pong and took them on
for companions. We’ve been through a lot together and traveled
countless miles through time and space. They saved my hide too
many times to count. A man couldn’t have no finer company or
companions,” Lazarus allowed.
Soon the ring-tailed critters began to come up to the huge, naked
captain who rescued them and each, in turn, took his hand and
gifted him with a small amount of their scent until everyone
bestowed the gift of family upon their hero. They did the same
with Waco and then moved to Lazarus and Charlie. Waco and Lazarus
could speak to them with their minds and welcomed them to Mars.
The critters expressed their great joy and happiness to meet
Captain Vinceeth’s mate, his Admiral, and Waco’s father. They felt
so much safer knowing the captain and his men had such close and
wonderful family. It meant they entrusted themselves to good and
honorable humans. Meeting Ping and Pong and their kits went a long
way to convince them they made the right decision by leaving the
only home they knew from birth and throwing their lot in with
other species with whom they were unfamiliar.
Everyone was having such a good time, no one wanted to return to
the upper level for lunch. They didn’t have to. The androids
anticipated as much and brought picnic baskets for everyone which
including large cloths they could spread on the lush grass of the
savanna and eat their lunch sitting on the ground. They had a
wonderful time and many of the animals stood around watching them
eat. The kids made friends quickly and would slip a morsel to one
of their favorites thinking they were being clever. Everyone knew
what they were doing but nothing was said. No one scolded them.
They were allowed to feed the animals. The kids were led by the
coyote cowboys and they tried riding anything or anyone who would
let them. They particularly enjoyed the big elephant-like
creatures and the Kentaurans. The Kentaurans could speak and made
many of the younger children happy riding them around. The coyote
kids could talk with the animals, and had been around their cowboy
brothers long enough they could charm the balls off a billy goat.
They shared bits and pieces of their peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches they found in their lunch baskets for dessert with the
Mammoths and Mastodons
* * * * * * *
As the day progressed Basil Troubadour couldn’t help but sneak a
glance at his date from time to time. Brett Jones unnerved the
young man several times by looking directly at him without guilt
or shame. It was like he was drinking Basil in like a clear drink
of water which seemed to only temporarily quench his thirst. Basil
couldn’t be sure, but each time he looked at Officer Jones he
could swear he began to look better to him. His ears seemed to be
smaller than when he first met him, and his face began to look
downright ruggedly handsome. ‘How could that be?’ he thought to
himself. ‘Maybe it’s the power of love or infatuation. No, don’t
even think about it,’ he chastised himself, ‘This is a social
setting, and he’s just enjoying your company. Let yourself go and
enjoy his company without trying to sink your fangs into the man.
You ain’t starved, Basil. You got lots of friends and an
occasional partner. He’s much too important and much too good for
the likes of you. Don’t mistake his goodness or his kindness for
including you for anything more than what it is. He’s just a
generous and gracious man trying to pay you back for your makeup
job on him,’ he warned his heart.
Jones requested a lunch basket for two from one of the androids
and thanked him after the droid spent sometime finding one.
“You’re welcome, sir, but you don’t need to thank me. I’m just an
android servant, a machine. It’s my job to see to your needs and
comfort while you are visiting Mars,” it said.
“Yes, but you’re an intelligent machine who’s capable of
understanding appreciation. It is the least I can do as a human to
express my gratitude for your position, your effort to please, and
your service,” Brett said with humility.
“Thank you, sir. Your comments are greatly appreciated,” the
android bowed smartly and went about his business.
Basil was blown away by Brett’s humanity and his humility. He was
more and more impressed and charmed by the big, somewhat ugly,
sometimes ruggedly handsome man who seemed to change from moment
to moment. He was confused. Officer Jones handed the basket to
Basil as if he knew the younger man would know what to do with it.
Basil didn’t hesitate and proceeded to make a pallet, remove the
food, and placed it around for them. They were away from the other
groups but had a couple of Evanescent children with them and
several critters grazing nearby. They shared their meals with the
children and gave them their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to
enjoy. “May I ask you a question, Officer Jones?" Basil asked.
“Yes, if you agree to start calling me, Brett,” he replied.
“Thank you, sir. I was brought up in a strict fundigelical home
where any man older than myself, or even if I was in doubt as to
his age, I must refer to as 'mister' or by his official title
until he told me otherwise. If I failed to show proper respect I
was severely punished. Old habits and traditions run deep. My
question may sound strange, but I’m confused about something,” he
explained.
“What’s ‘zat, Son?” Brett asked.
“When I first met you – I don’t know, I thought you looked
different than you look now. Somehow you look different now that
I’m getting to know you. I make it my business to memorize faces,
especially those I work on, and I spent an hour or more making you
up for your video. I memorized your face and features. I even
dreamed about you and recalled your face in detail. You don’t look
the same to me now. Maybe it’s because I’m getting to know you and
like you more. Maybe that’s it, but you seem to be better looking
now; however, you're just as attractive to me as when I first met
you. It seems like I’m contradicting myself. Does any of this make
sense to you, or am I being a stupid child?” Basil threw himself
on Brett's understanding and compassion.
“I understand completely, Basil, and no, it ain’t you what’s being
a child, it’s me. The face you worked on and memorized is my real
face. The child, the little boy inside me wants you to like me,
but he’s got issues about his looks. He keeps changing my
appearance even though I’ve been fighting him. Here, let me show
you. Turn your head away from me for a moment,” Brett told him.
Basil did as requested and looked away.
Jones told him to turn back and look. Basil turned to looked and
gasped, “My God! That’s the face I memorized. How did you do
that?” he asked. Brett related everything Jesse explained to him
and how he is now a separate species halfway between human and
Evanescent. “That’s incredible. You mean you’re like them?
You can become anything you want?” Basil asked in awe.
“Yes, essentially, but I’m so much more than either species. I’m
still learning to control it. It’s all new to me. I don’t know
everything I can do yet. So you see, the kid in me wants you to
like me, but I’ve been fighting changing myself to look more
handsome to you. I made my ears smaller. I don’t know if you
noticed, but I changed the size of my penis several times to get
your attention. I feel like a prairie chicken doing his mating
dance for an available hen fluffing his feathers and strutting to
make himself more attractive, so she’ll like him enough to mate
with him.
“Mind you, I don’t think on you as a hen. I’s jes’ using it as an
analogy. I know I’m doing it, but it embarrasses me, so I make
myself go back the way I was. I don’t want to be something I
ain’t. It would be hypocritical of me. Besides, h’it ain’t right
for me to assume I could make myself attractive enough to please
you anyway. It weren’t my purpose to invite you along on this trip
so’s I could seduce you. I jes’ thought we might enjoy each others
company. So far I ain’t been wrong, have I?” Brett asked like a
little boy looking for approval.
“No, of course not. I’m enjoying myself very much. I think you're
too honest to try to seduce anyone under false pretenses, sir. You
mean you can change yourself to look like anyone you choose?”
“Yeah, pretty much. Is there anyone you’d like me to look like?”
Brett asked.
“I’d like to see you do it. Can you look like Captain Vinceeth?”
Basil asked in reply.
“Yeah, he’s easy,” Brett began to change right before Basil and a
moment later he looked like a double for Trey Vinceeth. Basil
looked over where Waco and Trey were sitting to compare. He
couldn’t believe Brett Jones looked just like the captain.
“Hoe-lee shit!” he exclaimed, “Excuse me, Brett. Please forgive
me. I know you’re a man of God in your beliefs. I should really be
more careful,” Basil apologized. Brett instantly changed
back to himself with his huge, Dumbo-like ears.
“That’s all right, Basil. I ain’t no man of God. Back in the Holy
City my brother officers affectionately refer to me as Dumbo Jones
because of my big ears. I guess it’s true, ‘cause like Dumbo, I
learned how to fly. I’m basically jes’ a simple, humble man who’s
been given some unusual gifts for what purpose I don’t know. It’s
all new to me. I’m just now understanding there ain’t nothing
sacred about my powers, but I’m trying to learn how to use them
the best I can. If I have a little fun with them, I don’t think
the powers that be will fault me none for it. All I know is to
keep doing what I’m doing, try to live as good a life as possible,
and help those I can along the way,” Jones said quietly.
“You don’t have to be somebody else around me, sir. Just be
yourself. I think there’s great beauty in you no matter who you
look like, but I will have to admit the idea of a man what can
adjust the size and length of his penis is a major turn on. Can
you do the same with your balls?” Basil asked with a big grin.
“I can make them so big I can tie ‘em in a knot and fling ‘em over
my shoulder like a sailor's sea-bag,” Jones smiled and winked at
him. Basil made a mime of fanning himself and rolling his eyes.
They shared a much needed laugh.
* * * * * * *
The afternoon wore on and it began to grow dark. Many already took
the train back to the lodge, but there were still a few
stragglers. The coyote cowboys couldn’t get enough. There was
always one more critter to meet and spend some time with. They
wanted to stay the night with the Lummox tribes and Evanescent
children. Lazarus and Arlen put the kibosh on that. So did Ranger
Gibbons and his wife Mary. Bobby and Elsie Jessup agreed with
their master. Even coyotes need food and a good rest for the night
or they tended to be cranky the next day. Their parents did 'okay'
the coyotes to stay the night with Jack Hall, Buck, Warren Steele,
and Horse along with some of the critters.
Everyone had to get back for the evening meal. There was to be
some announcements and entertainment. The journey back on the
train was not quite as exciting as the trip down, but it was a
pleasant ride. Everyone hurried to their rooms to clean up and
dress for supper. Dress was not formal. They were on a small
vacation so casual clothes or Western wear was perfectly
acceptable. Most of the captain’s men were staying on board the
Banshee which was docked in the main Mars port bay. There were a
few officers and a couple of line mates who were given permission
to stay with their cowboy partners in the lodge. Only those
Visallians staying at the lodge joined the group for supper.
Keekepata and her court were being wined and dined by her fellow
countrymen on board the Banshee. It was a great treat and morale
builder for the crew to have her dine with them.
* * * * * * *
Supper was delicious and prepared by the team of androids taking
care of the lodge. It was served family style. There were platters
and steaming bowls of good food, enough for everyone to have as
much as they wanted. Everyone had enough to eat, and no one walked
away hungry. A few of the grownups had a little wine with dinner
grown in the vineyard in one of the great caves used for
agriculture. It wasn’t a great wine, but it had its moments.
Charlie announced the birthday boys who reached their sixteenth
birthday were allowed one glass if they wished. Waco ordered one
glass, took a sip, and passed it around to his brothers so they
could have a taste. Little Bear declined. Lazarus looked at
Charlie and smiled. “A taste ain’t gonna’ hurt ya’ none, Son,”
Charlie said quietly. All eyes were on Little Bear. They knew for
all his bravado about not caring to see his dad, he was hurting
inside.
“Thank you, Master Charlie, but I will make you, my Granddad, my
family, Admiral Long and Master Angus a commitment and a promise.
I will not repeat the sins of my father. Coyote John Tin Penny is
no longer my father. I am no longer his son. I would not keep the
last name of Tin Penny were it not for my beloved Grandfather and
my Honorable Uncles who have been good to me and loved me without
measure. One day, if I am ever granted my freedom, I will choose a
father for myself, a man who will be proud to call me his ‘son’
and whom I will be honored to call my ‘dad.’ We will be joined
through blood bonding. Until that time, I have no dearth of male
role models to aspire to. I neither have enough fingers nor enough
toes to count the men at this table who I consider exceptionally
worthy adult role models to emulate, but above all, I will be
honored to allow the good and wise chief of our tribe to guide my
spirit and my steps into manhood,” Little Bear said with dignity.
There was a deathly silence around the table. Waco rose and slowly
started clapping for his brother. One by one every man, woman and
child rose from their seats to applaud the young man for his
words. The old chief was distraught and in tears as he was the
last to stand and put his hands together for his grandson.
Everyone was worried for Little Bear, but his words told them he
was growing up, he was overtaking his father and would soon leave
his memory behind, even though he knew his dad would become Master
Angus’ slave.
At the end of supper, Trey Vinceeth stood and told the story of
rescuing the flying horses and how, later he and his men rescued
the ring-tailed critters. It was another moving moment and
everyone stood and applauded for the captain and his men. Ping and
Pong and their kits weren’t present. They opted to stay the night
with their kin. There was much to catch up on and many things to
tell their relatives about new possibilities for their futures.
“And now we have some entertainment planned,” Trey announced, “I
talked with the Kodaly’s and our young officer from the Holy City
and asked if they would gift us with a song or two this evening.
So now I will turn our program over to Johauk Kodaly. Johauk?”
Trey motioned for the young man to rise and come forward. Basil
turned and looked at Brett Jones in a questioning manner. Brett
rose from his chair, leaned over, kissed Basil behind his ear, and
whispered, “Wish me luck, Cowboy.”
“Break a leg, Officer Jones,” Basil smiled.
The Kodaly family gathered around an electronic keyboard
synthesizer Johauk programed to sound like a cathedral pipe organ
complete with unnicked pipe chiffs. It sounded for all the world
like an ancient baroque pipe organ Bach might have played. They
performed a couple of works, one by Bach for lyric baritone and
chorus, another by Franck, ‘Panis Angelicus,’ but the last one
they performed brought the folks to their feet. It was the
wonderful song ‘Time to say Goodbye.’ It was originally for tenor
or treble voice, but Johauk transposed it down to a baritone
range. At the very last minute Brett leaned over to the fine young
musician and spoke to him, “Let’s do it in the original key,
Maestro,” he smiled as he made his request with confidence.
“Are you sure, sir?” Johauk looked puzzled.
“Trust me, Friend,” Brett smiled at him. Jones found out on the
Bach piece, which always was a stretch for his tessitura, he could
handle it better than he ever could before. He found he could
shorten his vocal cords to accommodate any range in which he
wished to sing. About halfway though the song there wasn’t a dry
eye in the room and when he finished with the chorus with the
Kodaly family backing him up, the room erupted in applause.
Everyone was on their feet cheering for the young officer they
came to love and admire in such a short time.
Basil was stunned. He had no idea his friend had such talent. All
in all, Brett Jones had many talents Basil Troubadour wanted to
experience if he could. The more wonders he found out about the
big man, the more insignificant he felt himself to be. What did he
have to offer this man? His one great calling was to slap paint on
peoples' faces like the Three Stooges in a pie fight. Everyone
settled down and took their seats. Trey Vinceeth rose again and
thanked the Kodaly family and Officer Jones for the wonderful
music. He joked he was a little disappointed he didn’t get to see
Officer Jones float in the air while he was singing.
“I’m sorry, Captain. I’ve learned to control it, but I don’t need
to be singing anymore to rise in the air,” Jones stood, spread his
arms and rose a little higher than the table. Everyone gasped and
then applauded again for him. He smiled, nodded to everyone, then
lowered himself to the ground and sat down again. He was blushing
and laughing at the look on Basil’s face. “I told you I could
fly,” he said.
“I never... I thought you were joking, sir,” Basil replied and
shook his head in wonder.
“I can’t wait any longer, Son,” Lazarus directed his comment to
Captain Vinceeth, “What is the final surprise you have for us?”
“You’ll have to wait until morning to find out, Admiral. I’m not
trying to be mysterious, but it will take a trip of an hour or so
by sub-train (subterranean) to get to the place where we found the
final surprise. Not everyone will be allowed to go. Only the adult
males, including those over sixteen years, and the androids in
charge of the planet when we’re not here. I promise you, what we
found will be well worth the wait. Nothing you have seen or
experienced so far will prepare you for our last surprise,” Trey
promised.
End of Chapter 47 ~ Waco’s Lummox
Copyright ~ © ~ 2006 ~ 2017 ~ Waddie Greywolf ~ All rights
reserved
Mail to: waddiebear@yahoo.com
WC = 16,359
08/03/2008
02/13/2017