I was tempted to go hungry for an extra half an hour of sleep, but the minds around me were so full of excited thoughts that I would not have slept anyway. I made up for it by not using my healer to cleanse me and had a luxuriously hot shower. I was a bit late, but had breakfast anyway.
Their love for beauty, their sensitivity and depth is reflected in their designs that flow one into the other so that often it is difficult to tell where cities end and farms begin. They grow different plants in each lake so that they range in colour, looking like fresh dabs of gleaming enamelled paint upon their landscape. I am told that nothing is planned for symmetry and yet, the total blends into one work of art that reaches deep into my heart. This has to be a world for Cherinians! It is no less beautiful when standing upon it.
It is not possible (except perhaps in Meli’s world) for nature to exist without one part of it feeding upon another, but the Muyzith have disguised what is instinctively feared of life so that it all seems to peacefully and lushly coexist.
We landed in a plaza within their capital city and rudely ignored the officials as we openly stared with awe and wonder at the buildings around us. They were pleased and just a little bit cocky because of our reaction.
Robbie leant over to Amsiu and whispered, “This is why you would not allow us to visit your planet? You were afraid we would fall in love with it?”
There is no distinct reason why this world chose a monarchy when the alternate chose a sort of benign dictatorship. It seems it evolved from the desire of the people themselves. They’d tried democracy and realised that it gave far too much power to civil servants (the Americans call them ‘bureaucracy/deep state’ and Allan calls them ‘the human cockroaches’ because he says they are indestructible). In that way they could be considered superior to our people in wisdom.
Their King Oxir-Siddhor is a giant of a male. I only reach just beyond the waist of Msito and she hardly reaches his lower face. I grinned at the thought of them having to deal with a pygmy Robbie. He caught my picture-thought and sent me a grin.
They went through the usual official welcoming speeches, gave Robbie a belt that is a work of art, never looking the same for more than a moment. It is far too small for him to wear, so he placed it over one shoulder and under his arm, like a sash. (A few days later they asked for it and gave in its place a similar belt that does fit perfectly.)
Once the formalities were over, the king said to Robbie, “The Admiral has enthused about the telling by your daughters. I must command you for a performance at the palace.” I cringed as a number of retorts flitted through Robbie’s mind.
“I’m certain we’ll have time to arrange it, though I would prefer it to be somewhere more public for your people to see it also.”
The king showed surprise. “More public than the palace theatre? Where would that be?”
Robbie realised he’d goofed and answered with a grin, “I don’t know.”
“Ahh, I received the impression you are nothing short of a god and know everything.” Robbie laughed, picking up that he was making a play on words about his height. I relaxed, they were well on their way now to becoming friends, even if the king is just a trifle arrogant.
“No, that is not me. I think you have me confused with my wives - they are the ones who make me feel they know everything.” His subjects stopped to wonder as their king guffawed aloud.
“It is perhaps true of all species and realities? Please do explain when we have the time, how it is different realities can co-exist.”
“The male is your son? Does he hold rank?”
“All he holds is my love. My son is less than one year old. He has all the time he needs to find what else it is he wants to hold, I am not impatient.”
“I was warned you do not enjoy formalities, so we asked for your ship to provide us with food and drink for you. Let us celebrate your arrival with a few toasts and much joy.”
Later on Robbie was amused to find out that they had insisted on paying for the drinks and food. We were glad, at least we now had some spending money. For what? For rolls of the most beautiful sheer cloths we have ever seen. We’ll stun them back on Earth when Angel designs and creates our clothes. As for makeup! I just wish we could use it. Unfortunately it does not look so good on our Terran skin. What if we buy some for when we want to appear at functions as Muyzith? Dad says no, we can project. He does not realise how the real thing can make us feel more confident. Now he is laughing. So is Alki! They joked about what I would be like if I were more confident. At least the girls are on my side. Hey, so is Michael! It is lovely having a brother.
Alongside with our gaiety a lot of serious talking went on. Mostly between the two alternates. Over the next few days they ironed out a barter system, each offering what the other needs. Both sides ended up thinking they got the better end of the bargain. That was one reason we joked and teased so much. Our Muyzith have been a weight that cast a shadow on our minds without us specifically realising it. Knowing that they have found the help they both need has made us very happy.
We did a telling - edited now as all our tellings are since Michael. The one thing we were inordinately proud of has already been soiled and none of us enjoy the tellings that much anymore. I think our pappou is the saddest of all of us about it, he used to be so proud of our refusal to hide anything. The only fact that makes it bearable is that the dishonesty is only temporary - even if it lasts a hundred years, as Robbie says it might have to.
It was agreed between them that the first Muyzith will return to their home planet so as to arrange an expedition with a spaceship capable of travelling across galaxies and realities. Our hosts requested passage for an ambassador to our home planet. That came to nearly three hundred people once they included the required personnel. Since we already have a Muyzith partition it is no hardship for us and we agreed. They must have been taking notes of all we’ve admired in their shops and they presented us with gifts that would have made us wealthy on Earth, if we’d needed the money.
Michael was presented with gifts of his own from the Admiral. I guess that with both of them considering themselves or each other scions of their respective leaders, they’d seen each other as equals and thus been open to friendship. I’m not being cynical nor is the main thrust of my comment above aimed at Michael.
“This bracelet has been adjusted to fit on your arm. You must never remove it, even when you are within your fortified home. Within the bracelet is an ecology that survives as a parasite, using the waste products available on your skin. Because the parasite depends on you for its existence, it will warn you should there be danger.”
“How can it know what is dangerous to me?”
“It senses danger, even should those who are planning to strike at you be on the opposite side of your planet. There are many theories about how they sense it, if you wish to study them - for instance, it is theorised, as a possibility, that they sense slightly into the future and alter it when their existence is threatened.”
“No thank you, I’ll take your word. Our scientists theorise that if we return in time and make a change, the paradox forces the reality to split, yet they have no such theory if the future is altered. I wonder whether they should.”
“Will you excuse me for a moment?” We had also been wondering how he would reciprocate. Jade looked like she was about to swoon when he made directly for her. “May I gift him one of your paintings?”
“Of course, whichever one he wants.”
None of the Muyzith consider us artists of any note because everything with us is so much more drab, so none have paid a visit to the gallery Robbie created for her. The Admiral took his time walking through the gallery, studying each painting.
“The eye and mind that created these is alien to me so I find it difficult to see them as they are meant to be. Is the artist considered exceptional by your species, for the paintings are.”
“She is considered by my family and friends the best artist of our world. These were all painted by Jade.” He asked to meet with her and discussed five of the paintings he preferred. Jade was very pleased when he chose her favourite.
“This will take pride of place in my collection and I will be the envy of all. Thank you Jade and Michael. Compared to this, my gifts show me to be a miser.”
Robbie changed his mind, as he did not wish to feel he is under any pressure to return to Earth before he absolutely has to. Anyway, we are first going to the planet of the first Muyzith. Promises were made that we will return to transport their ambassador to our Earth once we have the authority to do so from our United Nations.
Those who have made friends spent an intense last few minutes together and then they left for their world and Freddie jumped.
Michael sought out Jade and drew her aside. “All I have done is transfer my debt to you. How do I pay you for your painting?”
“I’ve already been paid Michael. Knowing it is treasured by a people who love art the way the Muyzith do, is reward enough.”
“No, that is your personal satisfaction, it does not negate my debt to you. When you think of something you want from me, please ask.”
She soon returned to him. “I have thought of something.”
“Anything, just ask.”
“Would you be a baby for one day and night and let me be your mother?”
He was obviously taken aback by her wish. “But I do that anyway!”
“No, not for all to share, just for me.” Wistfully she added, “It may be centuries before I have a child of my own, one day will be enough to keep my dreams alive.”
“You ask too little of me. It would not be fair Jade, I also benefit from spending such a day being loved.” She did not ask again, she just waited for him to make up his mind. “Not just one day then. One day a month until I have to leave.”
“One day a month for three months?” Her eyes sparkled as she returned to us.
Robbie had set Freddie on a direct course so that we would arrive within a day. I had to think quickly. “Robbie, why don’t we do the journey in the same order we did the first time?” He did not immediately agree, as he might have if it had been but a whim of mine. He examined my thoughts.
“Not a bad idea Sam, this way our Muyzith friends will also have the opportunity to reacquaint themselves with old friends.”
Freddie altered direction, aiming for Goldi’s planet.
Freddie took my request literally and we arrived at the two vegetable planets. Both groups of Muyzith are keenly studying both planets and thinking up ways to use the plants for seeding the galaxies with life. They are suggesting that if we can ‘seed’ the pods that shoot off into space with the correct microbes, when the pods land on suitable planets they could begin life there. That leaves two questions open for me. The first is, if they can travel such distances, why have we not found such plants scattered throughout the galaxy and, secondly, what if they are right and they arrive on planets that already have life? The answer to the first seems obvious. They are aimed towards the sun and I would guess only a very few miss and drift off into space. If they do arrive anywhere, it is highly unlikely they would find the same conditions they need to germinate and repeat their cycle. If the pods are genetically engineered, I guess they could survive, but it would need that the pods are aimed away from the sun. Now that I’ve talked my way around to seeing they could be successful, I’m not feeling that clever.
We arrived at Goldi Planet and the alternate Muyzith made Goldi frown. They also upset many other people when they declared the planet an ideal planet for their people to colonise. I hope it was only meant to be a compliment.
We did not jump directly to our homes on planet. We filled a platform with all we’ll need for a fortnight’s stay and as we approached our tiny city, the platform stopped sinking. We saw that you have added something and we tried to guess its purpose. At the edge of the city stands a needle thin tower with a flying saucer shaped top. The platform veered and we circled the top of the building from close. Through the windows that cover a third of the surface, almost all the way around, we saw luxurious furnishing inside.
We walked over to the foot of the spire and saw a beautiful garden with a footpath leading to a silvery door. Above the lintel was a sign ‘Michael Teller’. There was no way we were going to leave without seeing the inside, so we followed Michael without his inviting us.
The silvery door opened into a metallic room and when we saw two buttons we laughed. It was an elevator! We all crammed in and told Michael to press the up button. He did, but nothing happened. It took us minutes to realise what the problem was and we had a hysterical giggling fit. There was no electricity.
Disguised alongside the spire we found a tiny room that was almost underground and inside we found leads waiting to be connected. The Anadir placed a generator and connected it. Happily we crammed into the elevator again and Michael pressed the button. We shot up at enormous speed.
We made way for Michael to be the first to step out and then rushed around exclaiming at everything. Suddenly Dommi called out, “Michael, there is a letter for you on the dining table!”
We crowded around him as he opened the envelope. He read it and his face turned pale. He handed it to Robbie.
“How did you get it here?”
“Me?” He read it and we became anxious as he also paled. “Michael, this is not from me.”
He handed the letter to Cherine and she read aloud:
“It’s from Arthur!” Cherine’s eyes filled. “He calls you son.”
“We are all his children.” Aganthi confirmed.
Michael was touched, but he also frowned. “I don’t like what he suggests.”
Robbie took back the letter and read it again. We felt the future settle on his shoulders like a mountain. “Michael, he speaks of the way your followers will treat you. They will want you to feel like a god.”
“And he is reminding me that he is the god, not I?”
“No, he is reminding you that you already are that to your family, you do not need strangers to make you one.”
We left Michael alone in his new home and carried our things into our home. Dommi rushed upstairs and emptied the room of Jade, moving her things to another empty bedroom. She then jumped up to the top of the spire. We ran to the room as we felt Michael with her.
“I explained to him that his home is for when he has his own loves. For now this is his home, with us.”
I told them at supper what I’d said to you and added. “If I am right, then we have the best Author ever. I do not think any other refuses to allow even one of his characters to die.”
A little while later Samuel added, with a grin, “If what you said about Authors is true, I bet no other Author has a character as exasperating as you to deal with.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You did mean ‘loveable, endearing and adorable’ did you not?” It was fun listening to them tease me.
When we arrived, the major part of the inhabited area was in darkness so we decided to hold back all visits until the next day. After supper at the river jetty, we returned home. We’d sensed Michael had something on his mind and that he was troubled. Robbie glanced at him and walked out into the garden, Michael following him.
“What is worrying you?”
“I’ve come to realise something about myself. Dad, I’m ambitious, I do not want to spend all of eternity reflecting in your glory. I want to be successful in my own right.”
“You would have disappointed me if you were not.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “Have you considered what you want to achieve?”
“I have no idea.”
“Think on it and when you know, tell me.”
“Someday, when the charade is over, will you teach me how to become the void?”
Robbie hesitated. “I don’t know. I might. Michael, ask me when you are ready.”
He did not smile. “Was that too ambitious of me?”
“It is not a matter of ambition, or, rather, if it is, the answer is I will not. Son, becoming the void is not a matter of power, it is a tool I use to serve and save lives.”
“It is also a power.”
Robbie lit a cigarette and walked off by himself. He only returned just before dawn.
Robbie was not in the mood to visit and he stayed at home, watching through others as they spoke to the locals, learnt of the changes in their lives, the growth of Cherinianism and, most important of all, the future seen for the Whites. None of them have born a child over the four years of our absence. Robbie asked the Inguel to check whether the Whites are sterile and, if so, whether it is reversible. Mostly he watched through Sheena and she helped fill his heart again with sweetness.
“Robert, they are all wondering why you did not visit them. They worry that you are angry with them.”
“I know, I heard them. I’ll join you tomorrow.”
We glanced at each other as he got up the next day, doing our best to hide our worry. After a good sleep he still felt as if he is tired. Cherine made an extra effort and he cheered up a bit over breakfast.
“We better get going, it is nearly lunchtime on planet.”
Robbie drew Periga aside. “Have any of the Whites fallen in love, with each other or a dark haired?”
“None that I know of, not anywhere.”
“They did not when they lived apart from you and I’d hoped that satisfying their need to be loved by their parents would free them to love others. This is worrying news, my friend.”
“They have gone to the other extreme Robert, emoting love for all. Perhaps that is why they cannot concentrate their love on one?”
“We’ll have to wait, give them time to settle. Do not push them.”
That night the Muyzith gathered to speak to us after we’d eaten.
“Robert, only a handful of mutants have been born to the Iktrians. We are concerned that the radiation may have grown too weak.”
“Are you about to suggest you increase it again?”
“No. We do have a novel idea that even you should not find objectionable. What if we create areas for those Iktrians who wish to give birth to a mutant? They could stay there for a short time and return home, with a chance they can have the child they wish for.”
“I doubt many will use the radiation. Would your people?” They were shocked by his answer. “I think we need to concentrate on the Whites so that they breed among themselves.”
“There is no guarantee that a White couple will have a mutant child. It is just as likely that they’ll have a normal child.”
Periga was with us and listened to the exchange without commenting. His people are still angry with the Muyzith, but they’ve accepted their assurances that they did it for altruistic reasons. I guess those who carry the memories of killing Whites, whether their own children or not, will not find it possible to forgive them for centuries. He could no longer keep quiet, angered that they should still be plotting the future of his people.
“They have served your purposes, perhaps it is time to allow nature to take its course?”
Robbie answered, “He might be right. If the Whites grow in number it could split the Iktrians and cause future problems. On the other hand,” he smiled at Sheena, his fingers playing in her hair, “to not have another like our Sheena?”
“We have studied your history Robert, from the data collected by our computers, so we understand your fears. Our people never had differing races living on the same world so we never acquired the same instincts your race has. If you see that as a distinct possibility, could you not, with the help of the Inguel, create a planet for the Whites?”
Robbie chuckled. “You do not understand our instincts, despite your studies. Place our races in different planets across the galaxy and we would still seek each other out in an effort to exterminate those different from us - even if we have to ally ourselves to alien species. The answer does not lie in that direction, only love can teach us to fight our instincts.”
Arthur, I have made a small table to illustrate our problem with regard to the Akiards:
1st generation: 16 boys adopted by various species
plus the 16 females created by the Unation.
Total is 32 Akiards.
3rd generation, 264 plus 264 females = 528
plus the 132 = 660 (that is without other species adopting any)
4th generation: 1,320 boys plus 1,320 girls = 2,640
plus the 660 = 3,300
If we add that more and more couples want to adopt Akiard boys, it means that by the fourth generation they will be too many to live in Freddie. I know we will not want to let them go, so we’ll make space for them. What do we do for the fifth generation and thereafter?
Freddie without any Akiard kids roaming around will be a poorer place. We all love them and want them here. However, should we separate them from each other and keep a number of them here with us? Would that make them seem special to the others? We mostly love the first group, but they are the most experienced and should go with the others. If Akiar is to remain leader, he must stay with the main group, but by keeping others here, one of them is bound to feel he is favoured by Robbie and challenge Akiar.
Robbie suggests we keep five hundred couples here with their one thousand adopted children. That means the number will be larger since the first group should soon be expecting our first new Akiard children. We’ll have to make our decisions after we see how they react to their first children, the number of females born and so on.
Did you imagine they are brought up in dormitories? Just as well that what you imagine is not as effective as what you assume. They are brought up by families of various species and even the first generation still ask to visit their adopted families very often.
We discussed the above quandary at the taverna and Alki used the opportunity to generalise. “It is a part of loving children, we have to part with them when they are ready to grow on their own. If we do not, they will never grow into mature adults.” He saw that all us girls were glaring at him, but he is stubborn. “Roberto mou, someday you’ll have to learn to let go for their sakes.”
Robbie chuckled as he sensed us. “I doubt this bunch will let me.”
“As from Michali onwards?”
“We’ll see, no promises Alki.”
We are on our way to that final destination that has eluded us for so long - sorry, could not resist. It would have been funnier if even one Muyzith were reading this diary. I somehow doubt they would throw pillows at me, unlike certain barbarian wives of mine.
Ha-ha, she changed her mind, you’re stuck with me again. She just sat staring at your funny and then jumped. You certainly have a way about you that appeals to little girls.
Angelica shared with us and we watched as she was taken to a large building with hardly a chance for her to see anything. Once inside, Msito explained that the government has not warned the people that aliens have been allowed to land on their planet, so her visit has to remain a secret until they have convinced the rulers that they have not been changed by the aliens for the purpose of destroying their planet.
Our Angel spent a lot of time alone in a room with nothing to do, the Kinytians keeping their energies out of all visible spectrums. They had brought from the taverna food and drinks for Angel, but she was not interested. She spent the first hour examining everything, holding the most exquisite items before her eyes long enough for all of us to admire them. I loved the way she found the anticlimax to her big adventure so funny. She told Aganthi that they should have taken her instead so that she could clean and dust the room while waiting. Aganthi retorted that it is no longer her job, that Arthur should have gone. That made Angelica giggle aloud and I wonder what those spying on her thought of that.
Three hours later Msito joined her. “They are not convinced, so we’ll have to wait until tomorrow. I’ll stay here with you.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can jump back to Freddie and return in the morning.”
Msito looked alarmed for a moment and then she whispered with a smile, “Yes, that will truly frighten them. I’ll see you here in the morning.”
“You won’t get into trouble?” Msito reassured her, gave her a hug and she jumped back to us.
As promised, she returned the next morning. Msito was waiting for her with two other males we’ve never met before.
“You understand us?”
“Yes.”
“We apologise for yesterday. I am Leasan, Deputy President and my colleague is Finabirse, Head of Security.”
“This is a beautiful room. I hope you did not mind me returning to sleep at home?”
“You teleported?”
“That is right.”
“All of you are able to teleport?”
“Oh yes, my family are also sharing telepathically with me.”
“Telepathy is more common, but few of us are able to teleport such a great distance. Our President and advisers would like to meet you if you are willing.”
“With pleasure.” She quickly took Msito's hand so that they would be forced to allow her to be with. They thought she did so because she was anxious, so they allowed it.
“It seems the team we sent for studying you went beyond their authority and explained much about us they were not meant to.”
