WL_49

WACO’S LUMMOX
Waddie Greywolf

Chapter 49

Sam and his suitor Commander Hawkins were great fans of the Visallian warriors and spent a good deal of time in their company. They exchanged workout tips and exercises to hone their bodies to perfection. They spent many pleasant afternoons working out in the Warrior’s excellent new gym with their warrior buddies. The Commander and Sam learned the basics of the Tao’mak, the Warrior’s sacred exercises and were accepted as apprentice warriors by Travis’ mate Sergeant Major Doggoral. Along with several cowboys, they were invited to take their evening meal with the Warriors. While the Warriors were not carnivores, they raised the standard of vegetarian cuisine to an art form. No one ever walked away hungry from a meal with the Visallian warriors, and each dish was more delicious and nourishing than the next. The Warriors ate very well. Sam and Del developed a taste for their food and were thrilled to get an invite to join them. They couldn’t get enough of Visallian cuisine.

Before they were to go in for supper, one of their close Warrior friends in the sickbay on the Banshee was doing a rush job to analyze Basil Troubadour’s blood. He didn’t know exactly what they were looking for, but arranged with Cable to have access to medical files on the Bandersnatch. At the request of Commander Hawkins, who was curious about the rush to test the man’s blood who was becoming close to his friend, Officer Jones, the head warrior technician Rollon Southwicky-Gabberdean was explaining the differences between human and Visallian DNA to Del and Sam. He placed two blood workups on the holo-vid screen so he could point out the important markers and the major differences. One blood chart was Sam Stamper’s and the other was Rollon’s chart, the technician who was explaining the difference. When he was through, Rollon thought he’d show Sam the similarities between Sam’s chart and those of his brother’s DNA. He put up on the screen the charts for Sam’s five brothers for comparison. Along with Sam’s chart, there were six charts on the vid-screen.

Sam was stunned for a minute. He thought there must be some mistake. “Uh, excuse me, Rollon, but I don’t have five brothers. I only have four brothers other than myself. There’s only five of us total. We had a younger brother, Caleb, but he’s dead,” Sam said.

“Well, let me see,” Rollon said, “perhaps one is a duplicate," he pulled up the other charts, "Humm, this one shows a younger brother’s DNA, but there’s no name on the chart, just the initials C. S., but as you can clearly see from the markers, while it’s a little different, it’s definitely the chart for one of your brothers. Let me check the file. Ah, yes, here it is. There’s a series of photos that accompany the blood work-up,” Rollon pressed a key on the ship’s computer keyboard and about a dozen horrible pictures of a massively beaten and deformed young boy came onto the screen in lifelike three dimensional vivid color. It was so clear and lifelike, it looked like you could reach out and touch the boy.

The pictures were obviously a photo study shot from every angle. The young boy on the screen looked like little more than a blob of flesh, broken, bloody, and mangled. One couldn’t be sure from the pictures if he was alive or dead. In horror, Sam recognized the photos immediately as his youngest brother Caleb. Sam let out a gasp and a deep groan like he was suddenly disemboweled. All the horror, guilt, and grief Sam felt for his little brother he managed to put behind him was suddenly dredged up to confront him on the vid-screen like a ghost from the past. It was like someone ripped a scab from off his soul and left a festering wen of a void he could neither properly fill again nor heal. As the realization swept over him, Sam turned ashen white and was visibly shaken.

His partner was watching him closely. “Is that your little brother who’s dead, Son?” Hawkins asked as he watched Sam withdraw in distress.

“Yes, sir. Why would they have pictures of my little brother in their files?” Sam managed to get out.

“Wait!” exclaimed Rollon, “There’s more. There are other pictures of him in the file,” he struck another key and up popped a series of thirty-five or forty progressive picture files showing dates, operation details, results, and recovery from one surgery procedure to another until the final picture of a younger, handsome, and happy, Lucas Long, with no deformities and smiling with a perfect set of teeth.

“Oh, my God! No! That can’t be!” Sam cried out, “Are you sure those pictures are of the same man?” he asked.

“Without a doubt,” Rollon confirmed, “The DNA work up is the same for both. It’s the same boy. Damn, he sure looked bad. No wonder folks thought he was dead, but you humans are way ahead of us in the art of reconstructive and augmentative surgery. There are rumors about how excellent Admiral Long, Captain Jones, and their medical staff on the Bandersnatch are. Cable, himself, who was trained by Admiral Long, is reported to be one of the finest micro-surgeons in a dozen galaxies. Even the Daleks don’t have anyone to compare with his skills. After seeing these pictures, I believe the rumors. What they accomplished with this boy is nothing short of a miracle. So, according to these files, Lucas Long was your brother Caleb,” Rollon declared as fact.

All of a sudden the vid-screen went blank and a message came on the screen flashing in big red letters: Unauthorized Access To Sensitive Material! For access see Cable or Admiral Long, but it was too late. The horse was out of the barn. Sam collapsed into Commander Hawkins’ arms weeping quietly. He was little more than a vegetable for a while. Sam recovered somewhat, but thought about how all this was affecting his mate and his Visallian warrior friend. Rollon felt terrible and apologized profusely for his unintentional faux pas. Sam assured him he couldn’t have known and knew Rollon wouldn’t have gone into restricted files without permission.

Sam was more concerned about Rollon being reprimanded by his superiors for mucking about in the Bandersnatch’s medical files. Del Hawkins, an old hand at political correctness, pointed out there might be consequences, but the best course of action was to go directly to Captain Vinceeth, and Admiral Long, tell them what they accidentally discovered, explain the innocence of their actions and seek their forgiveness. Del promised Rollon, he and Sam would stand up for him and insist there was no malice intended. What they found was purely by coincidence. Sam managed to pull himself together for his partner’s sake and did his best to enjoy the evening. He was a little more reserved than usual, but Hawkins had big shoulders and didn’t push the young man. He just let him know he was there if he needed him.

Since Visallians are bisexual, it was difficult for their friend Rollon to understand why anyone would object to male/male sex. To be so cruel to a child for something they considered perfectly natural was barbaric beyond their comprehension. Rollon quietly asked Sam a few questions over supper. “I don’t understand, Sam. If Caleb Stamper was your brother, and he’s been given a new identity as Lucas Long, son and slave of the Admiral, why wouldn’t they tell you and your brothers?”

“The answer to your question is almost too horrible, embarrassing, and painful for me to talk about, Rollon. Not even my mate sitting here next to me knows the full story. It’s time I shared it with him. He deserves my honesty in all things, and I know without asking, you will be discrete,” Sam said. Rollon assured Sam his secret was safe with him. Sam continued, “Caleb was our youngest brother. He was born with a cleft palate and due to a couple of accidents, he had a bad eye and several other physical deformities. Our mother died shortly after giving birth to him, so consequently our dad blamed him for her death. Caleb was ignored and neglected by our father and treated like a slave by us boys. His deformities could’ve been corrected, but dad refused to spend the money. Our father was a wicked, narrow-minded, bigoted little man who saw his refusal to take care of our little brother as paybacks or punishment for killing his wife. Even though it was none of Caleb's doing, he was merely a baby, our little brother's presence was a constant reminder to him of our mother’s death and us boys picked up from our dad an irrational hatred for our little brother. We didn’t know no better and accepted our old man’s insane idea Caleb killed our mother. It wasn't our little brother what killed our mother, it was our old man's neglect.

"Caleb never had a chance in life. He was kept in a small cage like an animal and was never allowed to go to school. We were busy with our lives and spent as little time as possible with him. None of us showed him much attention or compassion. We were better to the animals on our farm than we were to him. He was just an extra burden we had to take care of, but most of the time we didn’t. After my older brothers reached puberty, they tried to rape him but he was too small; so they made him fellate them. He was only four or five years old. They were rough with him and hurt him pretty bad sometimes. I was just as guilty, because when I reached puberty, I took advantage of him, too. I never tried to rape him, but he begged me to let him fellate me, and I did. My dad caught him sucking off my second oldest brother, Phil, and became enraged. He beat Caleb severely and called him a deviate spawn of the Devil."

"After he almost beat Caleb to death, dad called the Sheriff to come arrest our little brother for being a homo and hold him in a cell until he could make arrangements with the slave trader to sell him. Sheriff Lassiter and his men came and got him. Our dad tried to sell him as a slave, but Caleb was so messed up no one would buy him. Aside from his deformities, dad broke his clavicle, his right arm and his left leg, so the slave trader sold him for ten bucks a pound to a pet food rendering plant to be ground up for dog food. At least, that’s what our dad was told, and that’s what he told us. Shortly thereafter, a couple of weeks before my oldest brother’s eighteenth birthday, our dad sold us into slavery, and we were bought by Admiral Long. It all makes sense now. Admiral Long made our little brother his son, and I guess he thought it was only fitting he should buy the rest of his son’s family. It was the best thing what could’ve happened to us. We have better lives being Admiral Long's slaves and working for Master Hoot, Cotton, and Boss Tindell than we ever had with our dad.

"It brought us together as a family. We weren’t a family before we became slaves. We were little more than a pack of wild animals trying to survive as best we could without any adult leadership or supervision. We sure got that when we became slaves. It’s kept us out of trouble, taught us the pride of accomplishment from hard work, and forced us to accept responsibility. Once we got over the shock of becoming slaves, us boys come to understand and are grateful for becoming Admiral Long’s livestock. It's funny, as I look back on it, I don't think we ever thought of ourselves as livestock. We knew we were slaves and accepted our fate, still do, but we became part of something much bigger than what we were. We became a part of a larger family. We’ve grown and developed to where I know I can count on my brothers to be there for me, and I’m there for them if they need me. I love my brothers, and I know they love me. I couldn’t say that about them before we became Admiral Long’s slaves. I couldn’t have an open and honest relationship with someone like Commander Hawkins if it weren’t for Admiral Long and my family.

"After what Lucas went through, my little brother deserves to be number one in our master’s eyes. We seen how devoted Lucas is to his dad and how hard he works to take care of him. None of us boys ever doubted their love for each other. The love that passes between them is palpable. We never doubted Lucas was Master Long’s natural son. He looks just like him down to his private parts, but we never fully understood why Master Long made his son a slave. We came to accept it was for Lucas’ best interest. Now it becomes more clear, it was for Lucas' safety and well being. I’ve never known the Admiral to give him more than us or put him above us. Lucas has worked for everything he got. Lucas has never acted like he was better than us; if anything, he’s gone out of his way to include us in everything, and he insists he’s no more than a slave just like us. He's kept his secret all this time, but so has the rest of our family.

"Now I can understand a lot of things I used to only wonder about, like Lucas’ close bond with Master Waco, Master JR, Little Bear, Travis, Gavin, Jerry, Bronc, and Ts'gan. They are bonded brothers in the truest sense. They share a common history. I can understand why the Admiral wanted Lucas to have a new identity to protect him from us and allow him to heal. It also allowed him to grow separately from us. The Admiral leveled the playing field and gave Lucas a chance for a fresh start. He’s been a good and loving brother to us. I know he thinks on us as his cowboy slave brothers, but I know in my heart he don’t hold no grudges. He’s also kept just enough distance between us, none of us can claim we really know him very well. He’s much closer to his cowboy brothers. I probably know him better than the rest of my brothers. We shared a few personal things, but not many. I doubt I would’ve ever known. I don’t think he would’ve told us. I think, to him, Master Lazarus, and his cowboy brothers, Caleb Stamper died the night the Admiral and Master Charlie brought him home to the Bandersnatch and remade him. Like the phoenix bird, Lucas Long was reborn out of Caleb Stamper's ashes.

"How ironic, my old man will never know. Somehow, it seems fitting; that’s the way it should be. He should go to his grave thinking his youngest son was sold and processed for dog food. I remember what pissed him off enough to sell us into slavery. Somebody had a case of dog food delivered to him and there was a note on it what said it was his boy. He accused us of sending it, but it weren’t us boys what done it. Hell, we barely had enough money to buy food for ourselves let alone a case of dog food. Now I think back on it, whoever done it was pretty smart. They knew how our dad would react. It flipped a switch what blew out all his lame excuse circuits. Fuck my old man, the old bastard deserved it. He’ll never learn about Lucas’ secret from me,” Sam declared.

* * * * * * *
After a fine supper in the Lodge dinning hall, the men slowly walked to the space-port landing site to the Banshee with Waco and Captain Vinceeth. With them were the Admiral, Captain Jones, Charlie Goodnight, Chief White Crow Tin Penny, Jesse Watkins, Utah, Brett Jones, and Basil Troubadour. The men were a little surprised but pleased to find Cable, David and Jonathan waiting for them. Also present were Commander Hawkins and Sam Stamper.

“We took the liberty of coming through the gate, Father,” Cable spoke to Lazarus, “When we saw the results of Basil’s blood work we thought there might have been a mistake, and the tests would have to be run again. I offer my humblest apologies to the medical team on board the Banshee, the test were performed with utmost care and professional skill, and they were not incorrect. Rollon, if you would be so kind as to put up Officer Jones' and Basil’s charts,” Cable requested of the lead technician.

Rollon complied, then spoke, “Would you like to explain what we discovered, Cable?” Rollon asked.

“Thanks, I’ll be happy to. If you notice we’ve circled certain genetic markers on both charts. We’ve used a different color for each matching pair of alleles or markers. Rollon and his team discovered Officer Jones and Basil Troubadour came from the same state. They have almost a complete majority of matching genetic alleles in their DNA make up,” Cable turned to speak directly to Brett and Basil, “The nearest we can tell, Gentlemen, is your grandfathers’ were brothers and you share the same, paternal Great-grandfather. See this particular allele here?” Cable used a green laser pointer to show the alleles circled in red on each chart, “This is the abnormal gene that gives Brett Jones his unique abilities. Your Great-grandfather was probably the first or second to carry this abnormal gene. Most times an abnormal gene will skip a generation. If your Grandfathers had the gene but didn’t live to an age when it matured enough to be turned on, they never would’ve known about it, but they would be able to pass the dormant gene onto your fathers.

"Since Brett and Basil are of the same generation, Basil carries the same abnormal gene, but it probably wouldn’t have been turned on until he’s about Brett’s age in, perhaps, another five to ten years. There may be some qualifications for that observation. We think there’s a good probability it may be sooner in Basil’s case, because of his exposure to Officer Jones. As a matter of fact, we see signs he may already have started to change. The Evanescent young adults realized this afternoon how close his genetic makeup is with Officer Jones, so did the second Langer family after Basil unwittingly managed to jump-start the young Langer male onto his road to recovery. He began to heal as Basil was playing with him. Brett’s milk was only icing on the cake to give him strength,” Cable explained eloquently.

“Then that would make Basil my...?” Brett mused.

“Second cousin,” Jesse finished, “and in cowboy lingo, h’it don’t take no rocket scientist to figure out his original last name,” he laughed.

“I never knew I had any cousins,” Brett said quietly.

“Neither did I,” Basil said.

“You mean you’re a ‘Jones’ like me, Basil?” Brett asked him.

“I was, Brett, but I swore to myself I would never be known by that name again after my family turned their backs on me. They didn’t want me, and I made up my mind I didn’t want them either. I still don’t want them in my life, Brett,” Basil said with conviction.

“Can’t say’s I blame you none. Other than my officer brothers, I ain’t got me no family neither,” Brett paused for a moment then added, “But, I want you, Basil. No, that ain’t right, neither. I need you, Son. I need you to be my family. We are family, you and me. I think that’s why we’re attracted to one another. I think there’s stored memories inside us that ain’t our own, memories what belong to groups of ancestors certain incidents turn on and wake up so’s we’ll recognize one another when the time is right and we need each other. I even know what it’s called. It’s our phylogenetic memory that’s stored within us as a species,” Brett said with pride.

“Oh, God!” Charlie laughed, “Never a dull moment. This is what I live for. A new discovery under every rock. Where does it end? What are the odds?” Charlie said to Lazarus.

“There ain't no odds no more, Brother. This is all unfolding like the pages of a book,” Lazarus declared, then added, “These are the stories about which men write bibles and swear they’re God’s holy words,” he said.

“You're right, Master Charlie,” Jesse confirmed, “we ain’t seen nothing like the things we been see’n in the last several years. Things are being planned and accomplished beyond our imaginations and coming about more quickly than coincidence can account for. These ain’t things made up in some prelate’s mind and written as half-truths for the faithful to believe. These are historically verifiable facts, but there ain’t nothing holy about ‘em. They been carefully planned for eons. Just remember, one species' eon is another’s yesterday,” Jesse said.

The men stood around and talked about the significance of their findings and the implications. Jesse further warned Brett and Basil to fully makeup their minds about how they wanted to proceed. Jesse even referred to Brett Jones as a one-way street for Basil. Once Basil turns down that street there is no turning back. He also added it would seem to him, and the other men gathered, that’s exactly what Mother Nature is expecting them to do. Just don’t do it until they are sure it’s what they want for themselves and each other. Basil and Brett thanked the men for their concerns and promised they would go slow. Everyone could tell they were chomping at the bit to get away and alone by themselves where they could talk in private.

“Oh, by the way, Gentlemen. We’ve decided to invite you to go with us to Venus if you care to. They’ve heard about Officer Jones, the healer, and are anxious to meet him in person. It might mean you have to heal several people or animals if you can,” Lazarus said.

Basil nodded for Brett to make a decision for them. “We’d be happy and honored to accompany you, Admiral. I’d love to see the wonders of the singing bladder whales I've heard so much about," Brett Jones accepted for him and Basil.

“The Bladder Whales are old friends," Lazarus said, "and it's well worth the trip to Venus to meet them and hear them sing. They’re truly remarkable.”

Basil and Brett said their goodbyes and left for their suite in the lodge. They would have the place to themselves. Commander Hawkins announced to them, he and Sam would be spending the night in a cabin on the Banshee. After Brett and Basil departed sickbay on the Banshee, Commander Hawkins called for the rest of the men’s attention. “Admiral, Captain Vinceeth, Captain Waco, Chief Tin Penny, Master Charlie, Mr. Watkins, and Cable may we have a word with you?”

“Sure, Commander, what can we do for you and your handsome young companion?” Lazarus asked and winked at Sam.

“Because I was concerned for my friend and fellow officer, Brett Jones, I wanted to know a little more about the blood tests being run on his companion. I couldn’t help be curious. I asked our close friend Rollon here, if he could explain to us a little about DNA and what they might be looking for. He was gracious enough to show us several charts and what to look for with the markers. Since Cable gave him access to the medical records on the Bandersnatch, he put his chart up on the screen and my mate Sam’s chart for comparison of Visallian and human DNA. We learned a lot, but then he put the rest of Sam’s brother’s charts on the screen to show him the similarities between his and his brother’s DNA.”

“Oh, Dear,” Lazarus said softly. Those two words expressed everything to the Commander.

“Yes, sir. Exactly," the Commander agreed, "Sam was somewhat surprised to see five other charts besides his own. Not to rehash a bad situation, we saw everything, Admiral, but Rollon ain’t to blame, sir. He couldn’t have known there were sensitive files we shouldn’t be looking into. It wasn’t until we’d seen everything a message came on the screen about our access not authorized to view sensitive material.”

“Come here, Son,” Lazarus said to Sam. Sam went to the Admiral’s open arms. He began to shed some tears. “There, there. It’s okay, Young’un. I know you, Sam. You’re stronger than that. You’re one of my boys. Get a hold of yourself, Son,” Lazarus spoke softly but firmly.

“Yes, sir, Master,” Sam replied and stopped his crying.

“First of all, nobody’s in trouble. It was my own damn fault I didn’t tell Kyron to seal those files. I just never thought anybody would ever see them but us. It’s my mistake, so I’m trusting Captain Vinceeth won’t consider any disciplinary action against Rollon. He and his staff have done a fine job on Basil’s test, and I know he’s a good and close friend to you men," Lazarus said.

“There will be no action against Rollon. A small commendation for a job well done as approved by the Admiral will be placed in his record,” Trey said.

“That’s fine, and my compliments, Gentlemen,” Lazarus added, “Do you feel better, Son?” Lazarus asked Sam.

“Yes, sir, a little. It was important to me and my mate our friend not get into trouble over this. It weren’t his fault, sir. On the other hand, I’m eaten up inside with grief, embarrassment, and anguish I thought I’d dealt with and put behind me,” Sam said quietly.

“Is it worse the second time around?” Lazarus smiled at him.

“A hun'nert times worse, Master,” Sam said softly.

“That’s as it should be. You and your brothers have grown so much in the last five years, you’re able to understand what your actions can mean. You’re learning that inaction can be just as wrong. Don’t you think my boy has faced the same feelings?” Lazarus asked.

“Yes, sir, I'm sure he has; only, he ain’t never had a chance to place them behind him. He’s had to face them every day,” Sam said.

“You’re right, and I think he’s done a damn fine job of it. I’m proud of him. I couldn’t wish for no better son. Okay, I tell you what I’m gonna’ do. I’m gonna’ talk with him this evening. He’s going with us to Venus along with his cowboy brothers. He’s riding shotgun on the coyote cowboys. You’re the only Stamper going to Venus. I’ll leave it up to you and Lucas what will become known from this point. I know the Commander and Rollon will take this information to their grave if you men decide to keep it to yourselves. Whatever you decide, I’ll go along with, but I want to hear what you decide from both of you at the same time. The other men here will say nothing.” Lazarus said. Waco groaned. “You have something to add, Captain Waco?” Lazarus asked in an officious manner.

“No, sir, Admiral. I’s jes’ choking the gossip out of me, sir,” Waco replied. Everyone laughed at him.

“Well, done, Lad,” Lazarus said and smiled. Charlie laughed. Lazarus talked with Sam a while longer and his party left for the lodge along with Captain Vinceeth and Waco.

Sam, Rollon, and the Commander were left alone in the sickbay on the Banshee. “How ‘bout that, Rollon? A commendation,” the Commander said to his warrior friend.

“I’m stunned. I always expect the worst,” Rollon replied.

“It’s only right, Buddy,” Sam declared, “Hell, you didn’t do nothing wrong. Actually, I’m coming around to the idea, this might not be such a bad thing after all. At least now I can tell my little brother how much I love him and how proud of him I am.”

* * * * * * *
Lucas, Travis, Gavin, and Little Bear were getting the coyote cowboys settled down for the evening when Charlie and Lazarus came into the lodge. The boys were a handful and needed one man per cowboy to get them corralled for the night. Naturally their concentration flew out the window the minute they saw their head ramrod, as they called Lazarus, and Bossman Charlie come into the suite of rooms. “Boss Charlie! Ramrod!” they yelled as they ran naked as four jay birds to the arms of the big men. Lazarus managed to grab Ranger and Bo and Charlie grabbed Cable and Jubal. There were four cow dogs and Jack and Jill dancing about for their attention yelling their names. It was like a homecoming of the Gods to Valhalla.

“You men gonna’ get a good night’s sleep so you’ll be ready for our flight to Venus tomorrow morning?” Lazarus asked.

“Yes, sir. We done had our showers and said our prayers. We’s ready for bed,” Jubal said.

“Good! Glad to hear it. Give us a big hug, a sloppy desperado kiss, and get into bed. All critters are to report to Jack Hall and Warren Steele’s quarters. I wanna’ hear nothing but four snoring buckaroos in about thirty minutes,” Lazarus said in a gruff voice. He didn’t fool the coyotes for a minute.

“Aye, aye, Ramrod,” they responded.

The critters said their ‘goodnights’ to the boys, got their hugs and kisses, and scurried out the door to find Jack Hall. Charlie said his goodbyes and left for his suite. Little Bear was staying with him for the evening. Lazarus sent Little Bear on his way with Charlie, Travis, and Gavin to their suites. Travis was staying with his warrior buddy on the Banshee and Gavin with his family. Lazarus helped Lucas with the last details of getting the coyotes bedded down for the night. “You staying with your Dragon-man this evening, Son?” Lazarus casually asked.

“Naw, sir, he’s busy with last minute details for our flight tomorrow. He’ll probably be up half the night double checking everything. He’ll be exhausted by the time we take off and will want to collapse. With your permission, I plan to be there to take care of him like a good slave, but he don’t need to know I think on him as my other master,” Lucas said, winked at Lazarus, and they shared a laugh. “I figured I might as well start ride’n shotgun on them varmints this evening to break ‘em into the idea I’m gonna’ be their main wrangler to report to for this trip.”

“Good man! Of course you have my permission to see to your warrior-master. You mean I might actually get to hold my boy close for an evening?" Lazarus said with surprise.

“As close as I can get, Dad,” Lucas assured him.

“Remember when we talked about ‘who’s on first’ and ‘what’s on second?’” Lazarus grinned wickedly.

Lucas’ eyes brightened. “Uh, yes, sir, I chose Commander Maddragon for my first base. Are you trying to tell me ‘Master What’ might be waiting for me on second?” He asked with a grin.

“I think it’s about time your master broke you to his saddle," Lazarus said, "I’m curious to find out what that big, ruggedly-handsome Visallian warrior has taught my boy.”

“He’s taught me very well. I can assure you, sir, you won't be disappointed. God, I hope you’re serious. You ain’t teasing me none, are you, Master?” Lucas asked.

“No, I ain’t teasing you none. Your old man needs his boy this evening,” Lazarus said and smiled at him.

“Hallelujah, there is a God!” Lucas proclaimed, “Gimme' thirty minutes in the shower, and I’ll come git you,” Lucas promised.

“Sounds good to me. I need to catch up on some reports anyway. I’ll be here at my desk. How ‘bout make’n your old man a drink before you go?” Lazarus asked.

“Be happy to, Dad,” Lucas replied. He threw a couple of cubes in a small bucket glass and poured three fingers of Southern Comfort for his master. “Anything else, Dad, before I leave for the shower?” he asked.

“Naw, that’s fine. I’ll check on the coyotes in a minute,” he said.

“They should be okay. I added some sleepy-time tea to their evening hot chocolate,” Lucas confided, laughed, and started Lazarus laughing.

“That’s what I love about you, Boy. You’re always so damn optimistic,” he said sarcastically.

“Ain’t it the truth? Nothing short of a neutron bomb can stop them men when they ain’t sleepy,” Lucas declared and laughed again, “Sometimes I think we should break up the act,” he allowed, grinned, and shook his head in wonder.

“What, and become known as the man what killed the circus? I don’t think so,” Lazarus asked and laughed. Lucas laughed at his master as he headed for the shower. Lazarus began to go over the reports Cable gave him.

* * * * * * *
~ Earlier that same evening. ~

“Are you sure that damn thing’s gonna’ work?” Jubal asked Cable.

“I have full trust in our brother. He’s a gotdamn genius, I tell you!” Cable replied to Jubal and Bo.

Lucas walked into the room and found the coyote cowboys playing a video game on the holo-grid screen. It was a game Ping created for them called ‘Space Wars’ in which they competed to see who could get the most points for shooting down alien vessels. They were engrossed and paid little attention to him. Cable and Bo were working the two joy-sticks and Jubal was watching wearing his baseball mitt pounding it with his fist to make it soft. Satisfied the coyotes were in one place for a while and not looking for information on the Free-net on how to build a thermo-nuclear device, Lucas decided he would check in with them in about an hour.

As he turned to go, Ranger Jr. pulled out a small gun-like apparatus, aimed it over Lucas’ head and pulled the trigger. There was a brief flash of light, Cable ran for it, caught one of Lucas’ robo-cams as it materialized, and threw it to Jubal who lunged for the bed like a shortstop racing to first base. He caught it in his baseball glove and immediately buried it under a pillow on the bed. Lucas stopped dead in his tracks. He could swear he saw a flash of light. He turned and walked back to the room. The boys were still heavily engrossed in their video game. Ranger Jr. glance up at him and gave him a thumbs up sign. Jubal was lying on the bed still pounding his fist into his ball glove. Lucas smiled, turned, and walked away.

“Smooth!” exclaimed Cable patting his brother Ranger on the back.

“Sorry I doubted you, Brother,” Jubal told Ranger, “What the Hell was that thing?” he asked.

“An EM pulse-generator pistol I invented,” Ranger Jr. bragged.

“Yeah, ‘at was slicker’n goose shit, Brother!” exclaimed Bo. “Now, let’s git to work before it’s discovered missing.”

The boys opened up the robo-cam, attached two wires soldered to two alligator-clips and hooked them to two posts on an IC board inside the robo-cam. The other end plugged into Ranger’s laptop computer. Ranger had the program ready. He hit one key on the keyboard and a new program was instantly downloaded into the camera.

“Okay, close it up,” Ranger ordered his brothers.

“That’s it? That’s all?” Jubal asked, “What about them other two cameras?”

“You sound like Porky Pig, brother. ‘Uh, that’s all, Folks!’” Ranger did his best Porky Pig imitation, “Them robo-cams work in parallel. What one learns they share with the others. Trust me, bro, I know what I’m doing,” begged Ranger, “Have I ever let you down?" he asked.

“Naw, but I’m just the suspicious type by nature,” Jubal said.

“Nooo!” Laughed Ranger, “Say it ain’t so, Brother!” he demanded with heavy sarcasm. The boys fell out laughing. Jubal frogged Ranger hard on the arm.

“Ouch, that hurt!” Ranger whinged.

“Just a little tap to let you know I love you, Brother,” Jubal said.

“Could you love me jes’ a little less, perhaps? Maybe send roses next time?” Ranger grimaced.

“Not possible. Us Long-Jones boys is cowboys. We’uns love long, hard, and deep,” Jubal drawled in his best cowboy accent. The boys shared another laugh.

“Okay, let ‘er go,” Cable ordered. Bo let the robo-cam go. It instantly disappeared and headed straight for Lucas to join his other two.

* * * * * * *
Lucas returned from the shower and found his old man still pouring over his reports. He finished his drink. He stood and allowed Lucas to perform his slave function he did so many times before for his dad. He undressed Lazarus, set him on the bed, and pulled off his big buckaroo boots for him. It was all he could do to keep from taking Lazarus right there he smelled so good. He didn’t. He held back. Lucas was going to enjoy the evening and he planned to make damn sure his old man enjoyed it, too. Lucas took Lazarus by the hand, led him to the bathroom and proceeded to pamper him in the shower. One stiff drink and a special moment with his beloved son in the shower was just what Lazarus needed to relax.

* * * * * * *
“Great video feed, Brother. We can see everything except right now we can’t see too much for the steam in the bathroom, but we get a glimpse ever’ now and then,” Jubal reported.

“Excuse me, why are we doing this again?" Cable asked, "All we gotta’ do is walk in there and tell ‘em we wanna’ watch, and they’ll probably tell us to pull up a chair.”

“Oh, hesh up, Cable. It’s the idea we’s spying. Besides they wanted us to go to sleep for a reason. I wanna’ know why, Brother,” Jubal insisted.

“All right, wake me up if they do something more'n a hug and a handshake,” Cable said as he rolled over and closed his eyes. The other three boys were glued to the small hand-held ipod screen.

* * * * * * *
“You think we should check on them one more time, Dad?” Lucas asked.

“Naw, I checked on ‘em just a minute ago. They should be all right,” Lazarus replied.

Lucas finished drying his dad and rubbing his back for him. “How do you want it, Boy?” Lazarus asked crudely, then chuckled as he stole a kiss from his beloved son.

“Don’t chu’ worry yourself none, Master Admiral, sir. I ain’t jes’ some new kid on the block. I’m a well trained warrior’s companion, and I plan to take charge and make sure my master gets what he needs, a damn good cowboy fuck’n,” Lucas said and laughed.

“Woah, Tiger! Me thinks yore’ butt’s been drink’n too many a’ them hot warrior toddies, and you might be taking on some of their aggressive tendencies," Lazarus replied and grinned.

“Lord, I hope so. Now lie back and let your boy massage you,” Lucas ordered with a grin.

Over the years Lucas and Lazarus developed and easy rapport with each other. Lazarus lay back and Lucas grabbed his jar of special herbs and spices mixed within a thick, smooth, creamy emollient from Commander Maddragon’s planet, his family’s personal garden and pharmacy. It was said to have certain mood enhancing and psycho-physically stimulating properties that would elevate a warrior’s sexual experience. It never failed to work for Lucas and his Mad Dragon. Lucas applied it liberally to Lazarus’ strong, firm, well-toned, muscled body. He forgot just how handsome a man his dad was. It hit him once more how desperately he fell in love with Lazarus over the last six years. Now was his chance to show him how much he loved and appreciated him for making him his son and slave.

* * * * * * *
“You better take a look, Cable. I think we’re about to see something a little more’n a goodnight kiss,” Jubal called to his cowboy brother. The other three were glued to the small screen they were holding.

Cable rolled over and took a look. “Holy shit! Look at 'tem set of balls on our brother. Our ramrod is hung like a damn bull and brother Lucas is his calf, no doubt. That little screen is for shit, Brothers. Let’s us watch it on my laptop,” Cable said, scurried out of the bed, grabbed his laptop, and crawled in the middle between the other three. He flipped it on and activated the video. He set the program coordinates to receive the same signal the ipod was receiving. On the much larger twelve by eighteen inch screen, appeared Lucas’ big, heavy balls in living color swinging freely as he gave his dad an excellent rubdown.

“Lucas’ cock is almost as big as our dad’s, Bro,” Bo said to Jubal, “You think ours is gonna’ be that big?" he asked.

“Don’t see why not. We’s already pert-damn big. We got almost ninety percent of our genes from the ramrod. We got another ten to twenty percent from our first birth-dad, Captain Jones, and about one percent from our second-birth dad, Strom. Wish’ta hell we’d gotten more a’ his genes. J’ever seen his wanger? Lord a’ mercy, he’s a monster all over,” Jubal declared and laughed.

“Hell yeah, we seen it. We’s all washed Ox and Strom’s cocks when we’s helping to clean them critters. I’m afraid Cable and me ain’t gonna’ be so big,” moaned Ranger Jr.

“What the Hell you talk’n about, Brother? I seen yore’ daddy on the savanna. I even crawled up into his lap and kept that big thing a his warm for him for a while one evening. He ain’t what chu’d call small by no stretch. Hell fire, Boy, you’s as big as the rest of us is right now. You, too, Cable. Yore’ daddy’s hung like a damn Shetland pony on steroids. Yore’ brother Travis’ cock is a big’un. Now shut the fuck up and let’s watch what happens,” Jubal ordered.

* * * * * * *
The salve was having its desired effect. Lazarus' brain was floating on a calm sea like he just returned from a prosperous voyage, and with each assault Lucas made on his tired muscles, the harder his cock got. Lucas commanded him to relax and massaged every part of Lazarus’ body. Lazarus thought he was going to shoot his load when Lucas started massaging his butt and was not shy about running his hand into his Master’s crack and massaging his hole sensually. It was almost too much for Lazarus to bear, but just about the time he was getting ready to call a halt to his boy’s assault on his ass, Lucas moved away to his legs and feet. Lazarus never had such a complete rubdown. Finally, Lucas gently slapped his butt and told him to roll over. Lazarus spoke, “I can’t,” he replied and laughed.

“Of course you can. I’ve seen you hard before. Why do you think I just spent the last hour rubbing you down? It’s part of being a good warrior’s companion. If you ain’t hard, my good Master, I ain’t do'n my job right,” Lucas said.

“You do this often for that big warrior?” Lazarus asked as he turned over on his back with his dick at a strong ninety degree salute to his body.

“Every evening for at least an hour. How do you think my upper body got this heavily developed in such a short time?” Lucas asked.

“I jes’ thought you's work’n out with them warriors,” Lazarus replied.

“I do work out with them, ever’ day I can, but I have extra duties I’m expected to perform for my warrior. It’s just expected of an apprentice warrior by his training master. C'ain’t say it ain’t a labor of love. By the time I get through rubbing him down I’m ready to shoot my load just having him touch me. Just like I’m primed and ready to take my master to the next level. It’s as sexually stimulating for me as it is for you, Dad,” Lucas said.

Lucas did a little more on his dad’s front side and lovingly massaged his massive pecs, his stomach and then his balls. He took extra emollient and slathered Lazarus' rock hard ramrod with it. He gently worked it up and down. When he was finished, he threw his leg over his dad to straddle him. He was kneeling at Lazarus’ waist and positioned his master’s huge manhood at his well lubricated hole. Lucas bounced gently once, twice, and the third time Lazarus’ cock vanished up his ass faster than a sideshow magician could make a rabbit disappear. Lazarus gasped and arched his back to make sure his boy received every inch.

“Holy shit, Boy!” he exclaimed, “That was a fantastic mount.”

“Lie back and relax, Old Man. Yore’ boy’s gonna’ fuck you good.”

Lazarus understood the metaphor and got a knowing smile on his face.

* * * * * * *
“Did you see that?” Bo exclaimed, “Holy B’jesus! Our brother jes’ done took our dad’s big cock up his fine cowboy butt like it t’weren’t nothing more’n a silver bullet. Talk about cowboys love’n long, hard, and deep. Our brother’s a buckaroo what knows how it’s done. Ain't no doubt about it, Lucas Long be a cowboy to the bone.”

“Impressed the shit out a’ me,” Ranger Jr. said shaking his head.

“Yeah, me too,” Cable agreed.

“Look at him! Look at him ride ‘dat damn thing! Look! He’s ride’n our old man like a cowboy rides a bull. Look at him go! Too bad he don’t have his boots, spurs, and chaps on. Damnation! We should be recording this,” Jubal cried.

“We are, Brother,” Cable smiled, as he pointed to the small red light in the corner of the picture.

The boys were enthralled by what they were seeing. They were neither surprised nor upset by male sex. With everything going on around them, knowing about masters and slaves, same sex communities, Visallian warriors, their cowboy brothers, they grew up accepting it as part of their cowboy heritage. They played around with each other since their were toddlers. Even now, there were four noticeable poles holding up the sheet that covered them like a circus tent. They were too young to have orgasms, but they knew about dry climaxes, or as they called them, the dry heaves. Every man was playing with himself as they watched their brother Lucas earn their respect as the consummate cowboy. Lucas could do it all. Unfortunately, the boys didn’t notice a slight break in the video transmission. They just assumed it was caused by a shift in cameras as the picture moved from a rear shot to a side view.

* * * * * * *
Lucas not only fucked his master with a controlled passion, he built Lazarus up time and again until he had his old man almost weeping for release. Lucas was waiting for the magic words. Finally, after thrashing about and moaning like he would have a coronary, Lucas heard Lazarus utter the words he wanted to hear. “Oh, God, Lucas! You're the son I wanted, but you’ve also become the man I always knew you could be. You are the finest. Take me, Son. Ride me home, Cowboy,” Lazarus pleaded. That’s all it took for Lucas to finish the job and felt his dad arch his back to meet his backward thrust to complete him. Lazarus shot and shot again into his boy. It was the heaviest climax he experienced in years. He fell back to the bed, drained of his passion. He pulled Lucas to him and began to make sweet love and compliment him on his performance. “You weren’t kidding about what you learned from that big warrior. I’m proud of you, Boy. You come a long way. He’s a lucky warrior to have you for a companion. Do you love him?” Lazarus asked.

“Yes, very much, Dad. I don’t know where our relationship is going because of our separation of worlds, but somehow we manage to drift back into each others orbit often enough, and we’re drawn to each other like light to a black hole.”

Lucas started to withdraw, but his dad held him tight. “No, please, let me enjoy being inside you for a while longer,” Lazarus said tenderly.

“Take as much as you like, Dad. I was worried I might be too heavy for you," Lucas said.

“You ain’t heavy, you’re my son, and I love you more than I got words to tell you,” Lazarus said.

“No more’n I love you, Old Man. You are the light of my life, and I treasure you as my master and my dad. I’m so glad to finally get a chance to offer you some comfort.”

“You certainly did that, and more,” Lazarus declared.

* * * * * * *
The coyotes were speechless after witnessing their big cowboy brother fuck their ramrod with his ass and ride him with a fury they could only imagine. It was a breathtaking performance, and they had the greatest respect for Lucas. After the dry heaves, they were lying there breathing heavily not saying a word when suddenly the picture changed and there appeared a full face shot of Captain Waco Goodnight grinning at them. “Howdy, Junior Buckroos,” Waco said quietly, “What chu' men been up to? Enjoying yourself spying on your big brother and his dad in what should be a private moment between them? You cowboys are 'so' busted!” Waco reached up and flipped a switch and their computer went blank to a blue screen. They couldn’t get it to do anything. It wasn’t just cut off from the signal, it was totally dead. So were all the rest of the computers in their room.

“Ooooh, fuck!” Cable cried.

“We’re so screwed!” Bo said.

“We’re dead meat!” exclaimed Ranger Jr.

“Now, now, don’t you men go git’n yore’selves all worked up into a frenzy. If I know Captain Waco, he won’t do nothing until he talks with us about it. You know he’s got a soft spot for us, and he jes’ loves to play big brother. He’ll give us a good talk’n to, we’ll tell him how sorry we are, maybe shed a few tears, we’ll promise to be good, tell him we won’t never do nothing like ‘at again, and that’ll be the end of it. Trust me! By the end of the week it will all be forgotten,” Jubal said like a Mafia don.

“I don’t know, Jubal. This is some pretty serious shit. We invaded their privacy and you know how important privacy is to them cowboys,” Bo argued.

“All right! Let’s get to sleep before somebody comes in here and wants to rake us over the coals,” Jubal said. They tried to go to sleep but it was much later, or early in the morning before they finally slipped into feverish gilt ridden dreams.

* * * * * * *
Waco didn’t disturb Lazarus and Lucas right away. He notified Cable in sickbay on the Bandersnatch to recall Lucas’ robo-cams and replace them with three more. He wanted the robo-cam the boys tampered with set aside as evidence. Cable couldn’t help laugh when Waco told him what was going on. Waco broke up several times, but insisted this was a serious situation and the coyotes needed to be taught a lesson. Unknown to them their privacy was invaded, Lazarus and Lucas lay hooked together in the afterglow of their sexual release. Lazarus rolled Lucas on his side and continued to take long deep strokes into his ass every now and then as they talked and made love to each other. They were enjoying the bliss of the moment and the closeness of their coupling. “That salve you used, is there an aphrodisiac in it?” Lazarus whispered.

“Yes, sir, it’s said to be a mild one to the Visallians. I think it may be a bit stronger for humans,” he said.

“Now I remember. That’s a special salve created only on Tentagle Trine, and if memory serves, the company is owned and operated by the Maddragon family. It's called Dragon Balm. Am I right?” Lazarus asked.

“Yes, sir. As I understand, there are several strengths. According to my dragon this one’s a medium strength,” Lucas said.

“Maybe for him. I ain’t gone soft since you got my load. That ain’t happened to me in years. Usually I shoot and down I go. I think I’m gonna’ have to have seconds, Son,” Lazarus said.

“You won’t hear no complaints from me. Shall I fuck you again, Dad?” Lucas asked eagerly.

“No, no! While it was wonderful, your old man wants to do the fucking this time. You showed me your love, now I need to show you mine. I need to show you how much I love you, how proud of you I am, and how much your love means to me,” Lazarus said.

They made love a while longer, then Lazarus got up in the bed and mounted Lucas like a cowboy. He lay on top of his son in the missionary position. Lucas locked his muscular legs around Lazarus and drifted off to a nether region of bliss. Lazarus fucked his boy slowly but with such strength and feeling, at one point he stopped because he noticed tears rolling down Lucas’ face. “Am I hurt’n you, Boy?” he asked.

“Lord, no, Dad! It’s the sweetest fuck’n I ever got in my life. If you love me that much, please, fuck me ‘til yore' cock crows,” Lucas said with a grin. Lazarus smiled and kissed him deeply as he began to explore more of the young man’s depths.

Lazarus wasn’t showy or flashy with his fucking, but he got the job done. He knew to take what he needed from his boy, he had to enjoy the fucking himself, and he was certainly doing that. Finally, he could feel his relentless slow deep fucking about to send Lucas around the bend. Lazarus whispered to him. “You may come, Son, but don’t touch yourself. Yore’ master will fuck you ‘til you shoot,” Lazarus ordered. Just his words alone and Lazarus' command as his master was enough to make something inside Lucas respond to the core of his erection. He never wanted anything more in his life than to relieve himself while being ridden by his master’s cowboy cock. Several more strokes and Lucas arched his back. Lazarus knew he had him and began to really pound his ass with some strong deep strokes. He couldn’t hold it any longer and called to Lucas to drop his load.

That’s all Lucas needed was his master’s command, and he flooded the air with his hot cowboy gizz as he felt his dad pumping load after load of his hot, thick, ropey cowboy cream into his ass. It was one of the most wonderful moments they spent together. It was the climax, the culmination of years of working together, growing, loving, and healing all rolled into one intimate moment. It seemed to close the gap between them where the word ‘family’ became more clearly defined. It knit up the unraveled sleeve of any fears or doubts either might have had. They not only renewed their dedication to each other as master and slave, but also became closer as father and son. Once again they lay hooked together. Lazarus still didn’t lose his erection, neither did Lucas. Lazarus made sweet love to his boy. Now was the time he must tell him of Sam’s discovery. “Is there any doubt in your mind of my love for you, Son?” Lazarus asked softly.

“None whatsoever, Dad. I hope and pray there's never any doubt in yours about my love,” Lucas replied.

“Never! Never was! Never will be!” Lazarus assured him.

“Has this evening been a prelude to something, Dad? It’s just been so unexpected and wonderfully serendipitous. It’s like one of those things the Ancients plan that happens to folks to teach them a lesson; something they want them to learn; we can feel it happening, but we can’t understand the full intent until we hear the message or learn its meaning,” Lucas pondered.

“Yes, it is, but your message this evening is brought to you by this ancient old man. At over two thousand years old, I certainly think I qualify,” Lazarus said and laughed.

“For an old fart, you don’t look a day over forty, Dad,” Lucas said.

“Clean living, soft lighting, and Avon's Skin-so-soft,” Lazarus tossed off. They shared a laugh. “The lesson I wanted you to learn this evening is, no matter what happens, I will always love you, and you will always be number one in my heart. Now, the other part of the lesson and what you learn from it, is up to you and how you handle it, but somehow, I don’t think it’s gonna’ be a great problem for you. I think you’re ready. I know you so well by now, you will handle the situation with your usual dignity and grace,” Lazarus said.

“What is it, Dad?” Lucas asked.

“Sam accidentally discovered your early medical records this afternoon when his Visallian warrior buddy, Rollon, was showing him and his Commander buddy how to read DNA charts. He unwittingly put up on the vid-screen the Stamper boy’s DNA charts for comparison with Sam’s, and yours was among them. I never sealed your medical files because it just never occurred to me anyone but Cable or me would ever have a reason to look at them. He knows you were created from Caleb. I told him I would tell you this evening and the two of you could decide where to go from here. I told him whatever you decided I would go along with, but I want to hear it from both of you.”

Lucas was quiet for a while. Lazarus didn’t moved for sometime. “Fuck me just a little more, Dad,” Lucas begged Lazarus in a whisper and bussed a kiss behind his ear. Lazarus complied and Lucas sighed deeply as he felt his master gently plowing his lower forty like a farmer who loved the Earth like it was is second bride.

“You all right, Son?” Lazarus asked quietly.

“I couldn’t be better, Dad. Thanks. What a sweet way to tell me. I hope you always tell me bad news this way,” Lucas said, “I learned several lessons. I have the greatest, most loving dad in the world and the most wonderful master any slave could hope for. All this had to come about, not only because of you, but because of them Ancients trying to tell me of Caleb’s ex-brothers, Sam was the one I most grieved about leaving behind. They brought all this home to me and dumped it in my lap for me to deal with. I can only imagine how poor Sam must feel,” Lucas said with concern for his brother.

“I knew you’d feel that way. He’s pretty shook up over it, but he has Del Hawkins to lean on and the Commander is an imposing man. He won’t allow Sam to wallow in recrimination or self-pity. Sam has a tendency to take all the blame on himself.”

“Truth is, he’s the least to blame," Lucas said, "He was the only brother who ever tried to care for Caleb, but since I come to know him as Lucas, I’ve learned that’s just the way he is. He’s basically a good man. I don’t mean this to sound conceited, but of all of Caleb’s brothers, he’s the most like me.”

“I agree," Lazarus said, "I’ve seen similarities between your personalities. You always got along best with him, and he idolizes you. Do you have any idea how you’ll handle it?” Lazarus asked.

“Yes, I think so. I want to talk with Sam and reassure him of my love for him, but I don’t want the rest of Caleb’s brothers knowing. I don’t want Burt or Phil to ever find out if it can be avoided. Someday I may decided to share my secret with Jeb and Zeke, but I want it to be my choice. You impressed on me from the very beginning of my reconstruction I was to think on myself as your son, Lucas Long. As time passed, I came to think of myself that way, and I don’t want to return to being one of the Stamper brothers. I think on them and love them as my cowboy slave brothers, but that’s as far as it goes. My real family, the family what’s important to me is the Goodnight cowboys and our family. I don’t want that ripped away from me all of a sudden by everyone thinking I’m just another Stamper boy. That ain't who I am. I'm Lucas Long, your son and slave. I’ve worked hard to become who I am today. I trust you will seal my medical files,” Lucas pleaded.

“It’s already been done. Kyron caught the mistake, but just a mite too late. I’ll support you in your plan. Under the circumstances, it don’t sound unreasonable to me,” Lazarus agreed.

As the men lay talking, Lucas cell phone vibrated quietly. Lazarus turned, reached out to retrieve the phone from the night stand and handed it to Lucas.
“Hello,” Lucas said quietly, “Just a minute. Let me put you on speaker so dad can hear this,” Lucas said laughing.

Waco told them how Myra noticed some strange signals emanating from Lucas’ robo-cams and notified Kyron. Kyron notified Cable who double-checked everything and found the anomaly Mrya reported. He tapped into the system and watched the coyotes’ robo-cams and saw what was going on. He notified Waco and patched him into the boy’s system. Now they’re completely shut down for the night. Lazarus and Lucas were still hooked together laughing their asses off. Lazarus finally lost his erection and slipped out of his boy.

“What do you wish to do about it, Admiral?” Waco asked.

“First of all, we can’t let them know we think it’s the funniest damn thing we’ve heard in months. Boys will be boys, but them kids work overtime at it. We’ve tried to hammer home to them boys a man’s privacy is sacred, so I think they should be taught a lesson. I’m open for suggestions. Whatever we decide we have to bring the Gibbons and Jessups on board. As for right now, I want them to think you’re the only one who knows about their prank. I want them to worry about it for a while. Then when we decide how to handle it, we’ll go from there,” Lazarus said.

“Gotcha, Admiral! Then I’ll only let them know I’m thinking about what to do or whether to tell anyone,” Waco agreed.

“Exactly, and you have my permission to use it, Son. Impress on them you’ll be watching to see what good cowboys they can be. They really need to be on their best behavior for the Venusians anyway. Their actions in the next week or so will decide whether you tell anyone,” Lazarus said.

Lazarus and Lucas fell out laughing. Waco joined them. “By the way, Gentlemen, I couldn’t help catch my cowboy brother’s ride on that big bull. You taught me a thing ‘er two, Bother. I’m gonna’ have to try that with my warrior, and as for you, Admiral, my compliments, best buck’n livestock I’ve seen at any rodeo. If’n I’s to be judge’n I’d say yore’ cowboy won his'self a re-ride,” Waco allowed, laughed again, said his goodbyes, and signed off. Lazarus and Lucas had another couple of good laughs, then fell asleep in each others arms.

* * * * * * *
When Lucas and Lazarus went in to wake the coyotes the next morning early, the Fearless Foursome were waiting for them, clean and fully dressed wearing their best cowboy duds, with their boots cleaned and polished. They were spotless. They absolutely sparkled. Lucas looked at Lazarus and smiled. Lazarus just shook his head. “What’s all this, then?” Lucas wanted to know.

“We jes’ thought we’d be ready when you men wanted to leave for chow,” Jubal said as the unofficial spokesman for the coyotes. It was all Lazarus and Lucas could do to keep from breaking up. The coyotes were the perfect models of young, responsible, considerate, polite cowboys all day. Waco had to bite his tongue several times to keep from laughing.

* * * * * * *
Brett Jones and Basil didn’t talk much on the way back to their room in the lodge. It was almost like they wanted the security of four walls around them before they said anything to each other. “I need to soak in hot water,” Brett said.

“Sounds good to me,” Basil agreed. They threw off their Western clothes and eased themselves into the pool of bubbling hot water. It was instantly relaxing. Brett had his arms stretched around the top of the pool. Basil sat next to him but not too close. He didn’t want to intrude on Brett’s space, but he still wanted to be near him.

“Are you afraid of me, Cousin?” Brett called him ‘cousin’ to see how he would react.

“Afraid? No! Apprehensive? Maybe, a little,” Basil said.

“Do you believe everything they said?” Jones asked.

“Yes,” Basil replied, “almost everything.”

“What do you mean?" Brett asked.

“My voices told me something on our way back to the lodge Jesse Watkins doesn’t know, but I been thinking about. Utah whispered something to me before we left which confirmed it,” he said.

“Can you tell me?” Brett Jones asked.

“Sure. It weren’t your sperm what was acting up, it was my body what was rejecting them. You already activated my mutant gene in the pool last night. It took over and protected me from your Evanescent DNA. I seem to be able to ward off diseases and changes in myself whereas you began to change when introduced to Evanescent DNA. I can only guess it might have something do with your death and being brought back to life or my having my DNA previously altered by the long-shot. Perhaps there was a period when you were vulnerable to change and Adam and Eve were the catalyst. I don’t think I’ll be able to change unless I will it so, or I have some physical trauma which might weaken my defenses,” Basil said.

“Then there’s no reason to be afraid of me,” Brett said.

“It ain’t you I’m afraid of, Cousin,” Basil said without emotion.

“Still, I need to hold you, Basil. I ain’t ashamed to admit I’m a little afraid myself, and I’m feeling very much alone in this world," Brett said.

Basil reached up, took Brett’s hand and pulled it around his shoulder. He moved closer to the big man. “If we come from the same genetic stock, how come I ain’t as big as you?” Basil tossed off trying to change the subject.

“You’re young. You're still growing. I was still growing ‘til last year. Hell, according to my Officer Brothers, ma’ ears are still growing,” Jones laughed, “You certainly have the potential to be as big as me if you workout and take care of your body. You'll probably be able to do it faster than me because your gene has been activated. After I started healing folks, I doubled my weight and size almost over night. I think it was my change what done it, but I think it came on me too fast. I think it might have caused me to have my stroke, aggravated by massive doses of steroids. Fortunately, according to Jesse, I don’t have to worry about that no more,” Jones said.

“You think I could have a stroke?” Basil asked.

“I doubt it. You’re almost ten years younger than me, in good shape, and you ain't take'n no steroids. You got a good, strong, solid body. If you’re afraid, Jesse could probably tell you or let Cable run some test. I’m sure the Admiral would approve,” he said.

“Do you want me to walk down the same road with you, Brett?” Basil asked.

“I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to do. I meant what I said about needing family and needing you, but that don’t mean you have to change species to be my family. Nobody knows what it would mean for either of us. I certainly don’t want you to change your sex for me. I don’t know’s I could live with that. I think I could live with a woman, but for Mother Nature to change either one of us for procreation ain’t something I’d like to think about.”

“It seems like there’s just too many variables," Basil said, "were you faced with that when you decided to change to a new species?”

“No, it weren’t like that. I jes’ knew it was what I had to do. It’s hard to explain. I had a choice, but I knew I didn’t have no choice. I jes’ knew I had to do it. Sounds crazy, I know, but that’s the closest I can come to explaining it,” Brett said.

“No, it don’t sound crazy at all. I jes’ don’t know if I wanna’ be that impulsive. I need to think about it. Like Jesse said, it’s one thing to date and sample people, but with you, it’s a lifetime commitment. Can’t say it ain’t an appealing idea, but I need some time,” Basil said.

“Look, let’s not worry about it. We can be together and enjoy each others company. We don’t have to create the beast with two backs ever’ time we get together. I probably will have to go back to the Holy City soon, and I wouldn’t want to leave you having to endure any change without me. It’s been hard enough on me as it is, and up 'til the time you were raptured your life weren't no picnic,” Brett said.

“I’m afraid, Brett, but I’m more afraid of me. I’m afraid I won’t be strong enough,” Basil said.

“You don’t have to be," Brett replied, "let me be strong for both of us. Let’s go to Venus and have a good time. Let’s take each day as it comes. I'll be honest, Basil, I think I’m falling in love with you. You’re the first person in my life I’ve felt this way about.”

“What about Scudder?” Basil asked.

“I’m forced to have sex with him. I been forced to have sex with him since I was ten years old. He bought and paid for me. He owns me. I hated him when I was a boy for forcing male sex on me. He was rough, uncaring, with no affection, and he hurt me. It was humiliating and disgusting. Now, I’m fucking him, and while I’m still his whore, I fuck him with a modicum of affection and a small amount of passion. He thinks it’s love and in some ways maybe it is, but he misunderstands my motives. I’ll admit, in a convoluted way, I’ve developed a love for the passion of anger I feel for him. I don’t love him, Basil, like I would a normal person. I can't bring myself to forget what he did to me in the past. Since my death, recovery, and my change, I can see clearly now. I know what and who he is. I recognize him as a symbol and representative of everything evil in the universe I’ve come to abhor, and I don’t want to be a part of him or his insane ideas. I know there will come a time in the near future when I will be given a choice to leave him and his doomed world behind. I want to be among the colonies or here on Mars ready to leave this galaxy with these good and caring people. My fondest dream would be for you to be by my side. I want to love you, Son, but I want to win your love. I’m willing to wait for that day, Basil,” Brett said.

“But why me? I ain’t got nothing to offer you like all them other men. I ain’t no cowboy, warrior, or bodybuilder. For all practical purposes I’m just a warmed-over drag queen who knows a little about makeup. You can dress a queen up in cowboy drag, but you can bet chore’ boots she ain’t gonna’ rope no dogies, throw no steer, nor ride no bull,” Basil got a funny look on his face, “Well, she might ride the bull if he promises to kiss her afterwards,” he tossed off with a giggle. Basil continued, “Are you kidding? Pistol-pack’n-mama throw a rope and break a fingernail? Get serious,” Basil laughed, “When I go with a man like you or one of them cowboys, which ain’t too damn often, I know what role I’m gonna' play. I know what role they expect me to play, but that’s all right. I ain’t knocking it none. I enjoy playing that role as long as I’m shown a little respect and a modicum of affection. I’ll say one damn thing about the men of the colonies, they ain’t two-faced or hypocritical. They don’t try’n hide the fact they went with you; they ain’t afraid to be seen with you in public afterward, but they sure ain’t shy about rating you neither. Whether you get asked out on another date is in direct proportion to how much you put into your sexual response to your last partner. Since Master Charlie gave his cowboy slaves permission to date men outside his ranch, I could have a man in my bed every night if I wanted, but I don’t,” Basil said.

“Why would I want you?” Brett Jones asked, “Why not? All the reasons you just said are the reason why I want you. I like men who ain’t quite so...” Brett struggled for a word that might not offend Basil.

“Macho?” Basil offered.

“Well, yeah, for lack of a better word. You were the first person in the colonies who treated me like a normal human. I’ll never forget your impassioned rant the morning you made me up to look so bad. Underneath your words was a sound mind and a well reasoned argument. If someone handed me a spoon, I would’ve eaten you up right there in front of God and everybody and asked for seconds,” Jones grinned real big and Basil giggled, “Everyone else treats me like a celebrity or some faith-healing freak," Brett said, "Maybe not the Admiral, Jesse, Utah and all them head men that associate with the big wigs around here, but the average people do. It’s less here because they don’t know me as well as the rest of the country. I have no privacy away from here. I grew up wanting to be a man, but I had my masculinity robbed from me by forcing me to take a passive position in sex with men of power. I can’t keep on that way. Believe it or not, that was the first thing that attracted me to you was your softer more vulnerable side. All I could think of was being yore' man and taking care of you to keep you from harms way. You mumbled something about changing for me, but you don’t have to, Son. I like you the way your are. Just promise me you won’t hang your lingerie in the bathroom,” Brett said and winked at him. Basil grinned but raised an eyebrow.

“Ain’t got no lingerie, and I ain’t likely to have none. I actually prefer cowboy drag,” he said, and they shared a laugh.

“So where does all this leave us?” Brett asked quietly.

“Watch my lips! I ain’t afraid of you no more! As big as you are, my body can whip yore’ body with one arm tied behind ma’ back,” Basil barked like a smaller dog and grinned just in case the big dog didn't get the message.

“Saucy wench! Harrrr!” Jones returned in his best pirate voice, “I love a girl with spirit!” he spit out a poor imitation of Daffy Duck, then kissed Basil to stop his giggling. Brett pulled away and added, “And that will be my last attempt at inter-gender humor. I don’t see you as my she-male, nor would I want to. You will be my mate. Harrr, matey!” he growled and nibble on Basil’s earlobe.

They went to bed that evening and Basil was fully prepared to take his mate. Together they created the perfect Gormagon. Basil had a better understanding of his body and its capabilities than Jesse Watkins. He wasn’t so sure about Utah. He communed with the beautiful dog like no other animal. Utah was the one who tipped him off to the ultimate power of his own body. After Basil got the fucking of his young life from Officer Jones he lay in his big arms contented and complete, babbling some nonsense about how no cowboy slave ever fucked him that good. Nothing happened this time. His body quickly identified the intruders, reduced them to their chemical components, and expelled them, except for a small amount of a special protein unique to Evanescents that quickly made its way to Basil’s brain. There, it was welcomed by the neurons and synapse as a lubricant and super conductor that allowed his brain to function just a little faster and more freely; Jones’ brand of Red Bull for the brain. The intrusive batch, alone, was not enough to make Basil take notice, but his brain knew. It sprouted wings.

* * * * * * *
The coyote kids were perfect young cowboy role models at breakfast that morning. They were thoughtful of each other and responded politely if included in conversation, but mostly they were quiet and well mannered. By breakfast time, all the adults and their cowboy brothers knew what they were up to the night before. Everyone thought it was frick'n hilarious, but didn’t let on they knew a thing. They knew the Admiral would take care of the situation. The Jessups and Gibbons were informed and gave the Admiral permission to discipline their boys the same as his own. By that time, they already gave them up to the greater community, especially during the summer. That didn’t mean they didn’t treasure their one on one time with their boys, but they always had the robo-cams they could check on them any time they wanted.

All Ranger or Mary Gibbons had to do was turn on their TV, turn to channel three, and they had a three dimensional shot of their boy wherever he was and whatever he was doing. If they got lonely for Ranger Jr. they could speak to him over one of the robo-cams. With the boy halfway across the solar system, it was like having him in the next room. The same with Bobby and Elsie. Ranger got them a big, flat-screen TV and they could see Charlie Cable any time they wanted. They were disappointed in their boy as much at Ranger and Mary were their boy. They considered pulling the boys back from their trip to Venus, but Lazarus talked them out of it. He promised them what he had in mind would solve all their worries. All Lazarus asked was for them to go along with his bluff.

Everyone was packed and had their gear stored on the Banshee the evening before. All they had to do was finish breakfast and head for check-in on the big warship. It was early in the morning, about six a.m. Earth time when they checked in and headed for their cabins. Commander Trapeeth Newsong Maddragon was waiting at the check-in area for his young apprentice-mate. He looked tired but handsome in his short brown leather kilt with his polished, knee-length, heavy boots and the massive leather belts which crisscrossed his huge pecs and upper body torso. Lucas's insides melted and ran down into his cowboy boots every time he saw his warrior again for the first time. Lucas ran to his open arms and shamelessly hugged and kissed him right on the mouth. “Damnation! You look drained! You must have been up all night. I don’t like to see you this tired. You need a good rubdown, some rest, and a devoted apprentice to take a load off your mind," Lucas insisted.

“I’m beat, but not so bad I couldn’t enjoy a few hours rest with my number one mate in my cabin a little later,” Trap said.

“How long before you’re off duty, Trap?” Lucas asked quietly.

“About an hour after we get underway the Captain will change the watch. Come to my cabin in three hours. The combination is still the same. Let yourself in if I’m not there, and make yourself comfortable,” he said.

“I’ll try, but I promise I won’t be comfortable until you’re with me and holding me in them massive gun-boats you call your arms,” Lucas said and grinned.

“You say the sweetest damn things, Boy. Why do you look especially handsome to me this morning?" Trap asked.

“My dad, my master, broke me to his saddle last night,” Lucas said and blushed.

“That’s wonderful news! No wonder you have a glow about you. I know you been wanting to show him what you learned. Was he pleased?” Trap asked.

“He said he’ll talk with you later, after you’ve had a chance to rest. I think he was impressed. He took seconds,” Lucas bragged. They shared a laugh.

“Good for you. I hope he didn’t take it all.”

“There’s more than enough left for my Mad Dragon,” Lucas assured Trap, blushed, and the Commander roared with laughter.

Lucas said his goodbyes and went to check on the coyotes. He found them in their cabin watching an old Disney movie. They were in the middle of a huge bed with Jack and Jill and five cow pups lying around. A couple were acting like arm rests for Bo and another couple for Ranger Jr. Cable had Patty in a choke hold petting her as they chatted with each other about the movie. “You men okay?” Lucas inquired.

“Yes, sir, Brother Lucas. We be fine,” Jubal said.

“Good. I have an appointment to meet one of my cowboy slave brothers on the observation deck for coffee in about ten minutes. Can I leave you men alone for an hour?” he asked.

“As long as you like, Brother Lucas. We’ll be here. We’ll just watch movies until you come for us,” Jubal said sweetly. Lucas laughed to himself. They were really being good.

“The Admiral and Master Charlie should be here to check on you in about thirty minutes. They’ll take you down to the control room and get you strapped in for takeoff. You men ready?”

“Yes, sir. We’ll help look after our critter brothers,” Bo said.

Lucas nodded his approval, turned, closed the cabin door and left. He found his way to the observation deck. There was no one there but one lone cowboy sitting waiting for takeoff. Lucas entered the room and saw Sam stand and turn to look at him. He waved with one hand as he approached. He opened his arms to Sam and embraced him. Sam heaved once, but caught himself. “I swore and be’damned I wouldn’t cry, and I won’t,” he said.

“Good, then I’ll do the crying for both of us,” Lucas joked with him.

“What can I say, Lucas?” Sam asked.

“You don’t have to say anything, Sam. Nothing’s changed. I’m still your cowboy slave brother. I’m the same man you knew and loved yesterday.”

“I know, but I feel frustrated, embarrassed, and angry with myself,” Sam said.

“Listen, Sam, you’re the last one of Caleb’s brother who should feel that way. Have you had coffee yet?" Lucas asked.

“With breakfast this morning, but I could use another cup for takeoff.”

“Fine. I made arrangements for us to spend takeoff together, here on the observation deck.” Lucas pressed a button on a side panel and a coffee service appeared. He poured two cups and handed Sam one. “Take anything in yours?” Lucas asked.

“Naw, strong and black,” Sam replied. They each took a sip and Lucas motioned for them to sit down and strap themselves in. The computer would show them on-board and accounted for on the observation deck.

“I have to compliment you, Brother. You’re looking really good. Your Commander and your warrior buddies are pushing you, and it shows. I’m proud of you, Sam,” Lucas said sincerely.

That did it. Sam put his coffee cup in the non-spill magnetic holder next to his chair, put his head in his hands and started sobbing. Lucas sat there and let him get it out. Sam finally got himself together. “I’m sorry. I can’t tell you how many times I broke down since I found out. I don’t know if I break up from guilt, frustration, or relief.”

“Does it matter, Sam? Let me see if I can help. First of all, in a way, I’m glad you found out the truth, not only for your sake but for me and our master’s sake as well. Now you know what a truly great and fine man he is, and his buying Caleb’s brothers as slaves was an act of kindness. Before you go into a great guilt trip let me tell you I love you, Sam. I will always love you, but you must understand, Caleb as such, as your little brother, is no more.”

“I don’t understand,” Sam said.

“Caleb ain’t dead, he’s very much alive and living with the Kryscellians. I couldn’t deal with him as I was becoming Lucas. It was too stressful. There was too much resentment, anger, and pain. They took most of the painful memories of Caleb away from me and stored them. I still know everything Caleb knew and felt, I just don’t have to deal with it all at one time. Over the last six years, I’ve been interacting with Caleb and my goal is to eventually reclaim him as a part of me. I visit him regularly, and we have long talks. He’s come a long way and the Kryscells are wonderful with him,” Lucas said.

“Are you serious? I didn’t know anything like that was possible,” Sam said.

“What about Indigo/Blue?” Lucas reminded him.

“Yeah, okay, I don’t fully understand them either, but I see your point. So you really ain’t Caleb?”

“I am, and I ain’t. Lucas Long has developed over the last six years and lives in the body which was Caleb Stamper, but as you can see, this body is considerably different from Caleb’s. Caleb, himself, is much improved, he's better, stronger emotionally, and I’ve grown to love him very much. He will eventually become a full part of me. If you have issues about Caleb, I’ll be happy to give the Kryscellians permission for you to visit with him.”

“You mean I can actually talk with my little brother directly?” Sam asked in awe.

“Absolutely! Just like you’re talking with me. It just might do him and you a world of good. I'm sure he would love to have you visit. I know how much he loves and respects you. You were the only brother who tried to show him any compassion or love. You taught him to read while watching Sesame Street with him. You snuck him treats from time to time. You were the only one to clean him and his cage most of the time. As a matter of fact, if you visit him, it might make our rejoining happen sooner. I'll even go with you your first time,” Lucas offered.

“When do you foresee you and Caleb might rejoin?”

“Soon, very soon. I’m hoping before I graduate high school which is only two more years. So when you see my name on the graduation program, if it says Lucas C. Long, you’ll know your little brother is home where he belongs.”

“What about our brothers, Lucas?” Sam asked.

“Don’t you mean ‘your’ brothers, Sam? What about them?” Lucas asked.

“Don’t they have a right to know their little brother is still alive?”

“Why?” Lucas asked surprised.

“To relieve them of their pain and guilt,” Sam replied.

“What pain? What guilt? Like you, they done their grieving for Caleb and moved on. They don’t sit around ringing their hands and talking about him. They didn’t care about Caleb when he was alive. They did nothing to help him or relieve his horrible situation. They treated the damn animals with more love and respect than their little brother. Why would they now? Admiral Long never intended for Caleb’s brothers to know unless I decided to tell them. You found out by accident. I’m still working things out with Caleb. I have to deal with him, his pain, his anguish, to say nothing about the resentment he holds for his brothers. You don’t have anything like that in your life. I think I have the right to expect your loyalty and trust in this matter, Sam,” Lucas said. Sam didn’t respond. He just looked at Lucas with a blank stare like a block wall sprang up between them. Lucas continued, “I don’t know if I ever want Burt or Phil to know. They were very cruel to Caleb. Later, I might decide to tell Jeb and Zeke, but it should be my choice and no one else’s.” Still Sam registered no response. “I don’t foresee ever sharing my secret with Phil and Burt, but I won’t rule it out. I might change my mind someday, but again, it should be no one’s decision or choice but mine,” Lucas said. Sam didn’t respond. Lucas felt strange. He couldn’t tell what Sam was thinking. He decided to test the water. “So are we cool, Sam? Do we understand each other?” Lucas asked.

“I guess so,” Sam replied considerably less than enthusiastic. “Do you love me, Lucas?” he asked.

“Yes, Sam. Do you love me?” Lucas replied.

“Yes, I told my Commander and Rollon you have been a good and loving brother to me. I feel bad because I was such an ignorant asshole,” he said.

“Maybe you’re being too hard on yourself, Sam. There’s really nothing you could’ve done to stop what happened to Caleb. Hopefully, you’re no longer an ignorant asshole. Neither are your brothers. I’m proud of them, too, Sam, but as cowboy slave brothers. I don’t love them as much as I do you.”

“I’m pleased to hear that,” Sam said.

“You should be, you’re a good man, and a fine cowboy brother. Oh, and by the way, our master loves you very much. He’s proud of your accomplishments and is looking forward to awarding you your wings,” Lucas said.

“Attention! All passengers, please fasten your seat-belts," came the deep voice of Commander Maddragon over the speaker.

Lucas and Sam strapped themselves in and the light overhead flashed from red to green. The information was relayed to the central computer they were in their seats and strapped in. Sam and Lucas talked for almost an hour about many things as the mighty Banshee lifted from its mooring locks and slowly set out through the darkness of the caves to finally exit into the dim sunlight of an autumn Martian sky. They talked about their loves and their hopes for the future. Lucas entrusted Sam with a couple of his secrets. He told Sam about his master finally taking him as his slave as was Lazarus’ due. Lucas shared with him what the coyotes did the night before to invade his and his master’s privacy. Lucas laughed about it and got Sam laughing as well. He swore Sam to secrecy about the coyotes because that’s the way the Admiral wanted to handle it for right now. Sam assured him he would be discrete. During Lucas’ description of his and Lazarus bonding the evening before, Lucas kept referring to Lazarus as his master, but several times slipped and referred to him as ‘dad.’

“You really consider Admiral Long your dad, don’t you?” Sam asked quietly.

“Yes, of course I do, Sam. He’s the only father I’ve ever known. Why wouldn’t I think of him as my dad?” Lucas asked.

“You’re right. I guess, to be honest, I’ve always been a little jealous of your closeness with our master, but before, I assumed he was your biological father. I never suspected you weren’t his real son.”

“Oh, but I am his real son, Sam. Master Long is my biological father. Most any man can stick his penis into a woman and fertilize her to biologically create a baby, but my dad created me from Caleb because he wanted me for his son. My father took a lump of discarded, beaten flesh that was Caleb Stamper, who was one step away from a pet food rendering plant, saved his life and fashioned him into his own son. The Christianist bible says God made Adam out of a lump of clay, breathed life into him, and called him his son. How much more biological can you get? Do you not understand the analogy? Cable, David, and Jonathan call our master 'father.' Lazarus Long was responsible for their creation, therefore, he is their father. You should know better’n anyone, Elam Stamper was never Caleb’s father. Elam never wanted him; he never accepted Caleb. He rejected his last son. He condemned an innocent child because he got it through his thick, ignorant, redneck, fundamentalist head his youngest son was responsible for killing his wife.”

“He wasn’t much of a dad to any of us. I sometimes forget about those times. I guess I just don’t want to remember them,” Sam said.

“Beyond this point, Sam, let’s not speak of the past. My past began about the time you became my cowboy slave brother. The first time I met you and the rest of the Stamper men at Masters Hoot and Cotton’s ranch as Lucas Long, I was only about four months old. Lucas Long is only a little over six years old. When Caleb and I rejoin I’ll become their combined age,” Lucas explained.

“I understand what you’re saying, but you gotta’ admit, it’s just a little weird,” Sam insisted.

Lucas smiled. “A person can live a lifetime in eight years, Sam,” Lucas said.

“I suppose he could at that,” Sam replied and smiled, “Sometimes, the last six years seems like an eternity to me,” Sam said.

“Passengers are now free to unfasten their seat-belts and move freely about the ship. Thank you for your cooperation and have an enjoyable flight,” said the voice. It was another voice than Lucas’ Commander, and he knew Trap was probably off duty.

“You’ll have to excuse me, Brother. My Commander is going off duty. He’s been up all night doing last minute pre-flight checks, seeing everyone got on board and properly assigned. He’ll be tired, and I need to be there to see to him,” Lucas excused himself, hugged, and gave Sam a quick kiss on his cheek. “If you want, I can make time for us to get together again during our flights to or from Venus if you need to talk more,” Lucas offered.

“I'd like to think about what we talked about and have another talk with you before we have to meet with the Admiral and tell him how you’ve decided we should handle this situation,” Sam said.

“How I’ve decided we should handle the situation, Sam? Excuse me? I don’t think I understand how you mean that statement. I tried to explain how this might adversely affect me and your little brother if it became public knowledge. I thought we decided it’s best for both of us, Sam. Your discovery has placed me in a difficult position, but if you mean to imply I’m being one sided, then indeed, we have more to talk about. I’m certainly open to your input, but perhaps you’ve forgotten there’s more than just you and me at stake here. There’s also your youngest brother to consider. Perhaps, we should wait and let you speak with Caleb before we talk again. My choice of how to handle our situation takes him into consideration. I’ll do what I must to protect him and me. It was only by accident you discovered our secret.”

“I have a feeling if I hadn’t I might never have known,” Sam said like an accusation.

“I think that’s really unfair of you, Sam. You don’t know that for sure. It wouldn’t have been the end of your world if you never found out. You told me earlier you already placed Caleb’s death behind you. The point is, I can’t really say whether I would have told you or not. I just don’t know. I did mention to our master if I decided to tell one of my bothers it would be you. I thought we had become good friends. I’m stunned you would even say such a thing. I’m hurt and disappointed. It’s not like you, Sam. Brothers don’t treat brothers that way, whether they be united by blood or owned by the same master. How could you drive a wedge between us like that? Our conversation is over. I have nothing more to say to you. Have a nice trip to Venus, Sam,” Lucas said. He was about to lose it. He felt tears of anger and frustration welling up inside him. He got up from his seat, turned, and began to walk away.

“Lucas... Brother....” Sam called after him, “I don’t know what made me say that. I’m sorry. Don’t be angry with me. It’s a lot for me to absorb what with talk about you and my little brother being separate. It seems like you don’t want to be a part of our family no more. I feel like I don’t really know who you are,” Sam said without emotion.

“What are you talking about? You never really knew who your little brother was, Sam. You said yourself you never took the time to get to know him, and obviously, you don't wanna' make the effort to find out now. Why break with tradition at this point? What? You think you’re gonna’ just welcome Caleb back into the fold with open arms like a long lost brother you never gave a shit about to begin with? That attitude reeks with hypocrisy. You're right about one thing. Caleb and I don’t want to be a part of your family anymore. I’ve tried to tell you I love you as my cowboy slave brother, because I didn’t want you to feel rejected by stating the obvious. My last name ain’t Stamper no more, Sam. I’m proud to carry the name of the man who saved my life, who wanted to be my master and dad bad enough to pick up the pieces of your little brother and put him back together. Caleb Stamper, your little brother, died to you and your brothers when I became Lucas Long. I came to you today with love and compassion in my heart and thought we could begin again with mutual understanding and respect. Even when you men thought I was our master’s son, I ain’t never tried to put myself above you or your brothers. It seems like you don't want to try to understand unless you have it your way. Ain't gonna' happen, Sam!

"I don’t know what you were expecting, but obviously it ain’t something I’m gonna’ be comfortable with. What other option could you possibly have in mind but to spill the beans to everyone? I would never go along with that for reasons I’ve already told you. Bottom line, Sam, I've worked too damn hard to become the man I am today, and I refused to be bullied, manipulated, or pushed around by you or any Stamper anymore, and trust me, I have the guns to back me up. You need to come to some conclusions in your own heart, Sam. When you’re ready, we’ll talk again. Until then, I’ll let you tell our master why we ain’t reached an agreement. I was proud to consider you my cowboy slave brother; now, that’s even kind of a stretch for me. I guess we were just never meant to be brothers. Ah, well, I still have my cowboy brothers. They's stood solidly behind me for the last six years, been good to me, and never once betrayed my trust. They love and respect me for who I've become and not for what I was or who they might want me to be. I guess it’s really true what they say: sometimes the truest members of your family are not born under the same roof as you,” Lucas said, turned, and walked out the door.

* * * * * * *
Lucas could barely make the long walk to the warrior's Officer’s Quarters. It seem each corridor stretched on for miles, and his feet felt like they were moving in slow motion. He finally reached Trap’s cabin. He punched in the series of Visallian symbols representing the combination code which unlocked the sliding door. He heard a soft 'swoosh' sound as the portal opened to allow him entrance. He entered and the door immediately closed behind him before his eyes had a chance to adjust. The room was dark with only a small light from a kid’s nightlight figure of Krusty the Clown Lucas bought at the Parsons flea market for Trap. It was one of Trap’s favorite possessions. Lucas didn’t look about the room and barely made it to the bed before he collapsed into gut wrenching sobs. He didn’t see the man-mountain, his dragon, sitting in the dark in his favorite easy chair. Lucas jumped as he felt a massive pair of arms pulling him up to cradle him and kiss him on and about his head and shoulders. “Ah, my handsome apprentice, what can be so wrong your loving dragon can’t make better?” Trap whispered stealing kiss after kiss.

“Not a damn thing, Trap! My love for you heals all hurts and it rights all wrongs. I’m so lucky and honored to have you love me,” Lucas managed to get out before he threw his smaller arms around the massive bull-like neck of his Warrior-mate, and shed a few tears of genuine happiness.

“You’re easy to love. We make a good team, you and me,” Trap said, “Now tell your Dragon-man what has broken your heart,” Trap asked softly as he stole another gentle kiss. There is no trauma in life so painful an open mind, a pair of strong arms, and a big loving heart can’t make better. Lucas Long was home in the arm’s of his proud Warrior.

End of Chapter 49 ~ Waco’s Lummox
Copyright ~ © ~ 2006 ~ 2017 ~ Waddie Greywolf ~ All Rights Reserved
Mail to: Waddie Greywolf <waddiebear@yahoo.com>
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10/05/2008
02/14/2017