She appeared as a six year old girl and both Eleni and Jessie did not mind that she spent most of that time sitting on Allan’s lap. We suspect she would have been a daddy’s girl if not for Michael.
From before Ahnì, Michael had taken the precaution of ordering his healer to sterilise him whenever he makes love. He is determined not to have a child until he is back with our family. Ahnì does not seem to mind and sublimates her needs by writing poetry. She has a very quick mind and spends hours each day studying. It is a habit she has kept all these years. The only times Ahnì appears as a child is when she comes to play or talk with us. As often as he can, Allan comes to visit Robbie when she is with us. The high point of his day is when she allows him to cuddle her on his lap. As for Eleni and Jessie, Jessie adores her, but Eleni is worse than her, she literally worships her. She repeats within her mind all the time her astonishment that she gave birth to such a beautiful girl, a goddess, as she thinks of her. Ahnì pretends not to notice - that girl is pure sweetness. For a while Eleni and Theresa became very close, but then Theresa decided it was not healthy for either of them to concentrate so much on their past.
Closer to our present, two hundred and fifty two years after we started this project, the time for Iziko to be born arrived. Solomon said it will take a few weeks for him to smooth out the differences. There is no way Iziko can stay out of his body for that long, so Robbie placed it within stasis. He finally gave in and also placed Candy’s body in stasis, for Iziko to have company.
Solomon is using the ‘painter’ of the Iziko-to-be and the Sparklers are simultaneously going through the six lives of both Iziko’s and where important experiences are different, they are painting into the new Iziko the events, thoughts and so on. The one life that was missed was transferred in its entirety, helping to smooth out the inevitable differences in the previous lives.
We need not have taken this complex route if our Iziko had a family and he’d had a Kaleidoscope World with an entity to handle the changes needed in the new Iziko - but then, it would have been less likely the new Iziko could have grown to be as our Iziko is.
The Sprakil made allowances for our alien ways and allowed Candy to be present at the birth of Iziko II and then agreed to a voluntary ban on all things Cherinian until Iziko II reaches maturity and leaves to mine in his ship.
They are not exactly the same, but we have come as close to success as we could make it. We had one more test. Candy appeared within his ship.
“Welcome, you must be a Cherinian.”
“You’ve heard of us?”
He raised his face. “It is impossible to ban all talk of those who returned in time to save my people.”
Iziko watched from within Freddie with us and he was relieved when Candy returned. “I think you might like him more than me.”
Robbie gave an exaggerated sigh of relief. “Can we go home now? I think I’m going to spend a month sitting in coffee shops in Kefalari and I don’t want to meet anybody apart from my family.”
“Is Michael’s tour over?” Jade asked.
“I think so.” Her question, Cherine’s anxiety, they reminded him of what is to come and he tried to hide his own sudden nervousness.
“Good!” Jade exclaimed, “it is about time Empathia’s honeymoon starts.”
“Oh lord!” Robbie joined us in our relieved laughter. “You are saying we are only starting now - after, what, nearly thirty years? We’ve been alone my love, but I’d be more than happy to spend another thirty years with her. Who could ever have enough of Empathia?”
Not Alki, not Manoli, not Hettie or Eddie, not one of our friends resented our decision not to return to Earth. They were just as reluctant as we were, so they were interested when Cassie asked where we are going, to which new reality.
“I thought we’d had our new reality! You want her to have more realities than any of you?” We all agreed, only Empathia shyly blushing.
“Shall we choose one at random or ask Lynda to find something interesting?”
“I know!” Cassie jumped with excitement. “Let’s ask Arthur to write for us,” and she added with a huge grin, “maybe he’ll have another dream.”
I had to come here to check whether you had written for us - life is really funny sometimes. Lynda left for her reality-day-dreaming with one word stressed by all, we want a ‘peaceful’ reality. She found one and Freddie jumped.
Lol, she found us the most peaceful reality of all. Not one galaxy; not one star. As far as we could tell, not one atom of matter. We had a good laugh, but I suspect there is a lesson in this for us.
If it had been up to us, we’d have jumped right back, but the scientists, as usual, became extremely interested in studying the emptiness. What puzzled them is strange. With no matter we’d have thought it would be close to absolute zero temperature. In fact space is slightly warmer and Freddie says his loss of energy has reduced. I guess that is because energy is not converted to matter. What really flummoxes me is why such a reality would come into existence. I said to the Muyzith that according to their argument, all realities are ghost realities in relation to other realities if there is even one atom that ‘thinks’ of its reality as real. How can this exist then? They answered that it is obvious, there must be at least one atom somewhere.
That set the imps off. They claimed we have to find that atom so as to take it with us because it must be very lonely and then told everyone that Empathia is going to have a honeymoon that lasts millions of years. Empathia replied that they obviously are capable of thinking up jokes faster than an entire reality is capable of spawning atoms. The mood is so relaxed and so many jokes are flying around that we don’t mind waiting a bit for our learned friends. The question is, what tests do you carry out on nothing? Oh, the girls told me a few and said there are thousands more!
Luigi asked whether we could jump to a reality that is ahead of us so that we can see how Earth would have developed without Cherinians. Henry proudly told him that since ours is the prime reality, it means we existed first, so no other reality can be ahead of ours. Rania exclaimed that it is not true and then bit her lip, afraid she’d hurt Henry’s feelings. He gently squeezed Alice’s hand and asked her to explain.
“It does not depend on which reality was created first, it depends on the time frame of the realities.” Robbie nodded in agreement with her, so Henry thought about it.
“That makes sense, not that I’ve understood why each reality has its own time rate.”
Alki looked worried. “Would they still have the same currencies we do? They might not use money at all. Gold, silver and diamonds may have little value if they can produce them artificially.”
Alice laughed. “Maybe they use coffee beans and we have tons of them.”
Claudia shrugged. “We’ll never have to worry about money. There will always be a value for art and if it comes to the worst, all we have to do is arrange a tour to Freddie.”
“How far forward?” asked Lynda.
We settled on fifty years as being a nice round number without it being too distant for us to fit in. Jesus asked us to wait a while and he jumped to call Christós to return as he thought he would also be fascinated by a visit to the future. While he was gone, we discussed whether Freddie should arrive openly or should we first examine them anonymously. Robbie voted for openly and nobody had any serious reservations.
Jesus and Christós arrived with a few magi and Lynda shared with Freddie. She’d opted for a reality fifty years ahead of us in time, not specifying that they be fifty years ahead technologically or not, but aiming for a reality that is at peace - Robbie does not feel like playing at being Superman and racing after missiles.
Freddie arrived in the void, extruded a tip to be certain he does not arrive in an area with satellites or space stations and transferred to normal space at a distance that should not be construed as being threatening.
Even at first glance we could see that the planet is sick. The continents do not have the same shapes as ours and the areas covered by deserts is immense. The Unation ship pointed out to us that the polar caps are half the size of ours, which explains the changes in the coastal shapes. We waited while the scientists studied the planet. I am intrigued by the way my knowledge, so obviously, is not the correct tool for interpreting and explaining what I am seeing. It crossed my mind that with the planet having so much extra free water, surely there should not have been any deserts? There are many clouds all over the planet, so there is precipitation, which, to my imagination, means there must be something else responsible for killing off all the plants and animals.
“The ozone layer is tattered, worse than any we’ve seen before. The average temperature is five degrees higher and winters are far more severe - the seasonal extremes must be causing many destructive storms, which may explain why they have abandoned agriculture, but their cities show the greatest change. We cannot accurately estimate the populations, but we do not see how they can be more than a quarter of yours.
According to our instruments, the land below many of the cities is hollow. We do not know whether the underground area is used for industrial purposes or whether the missing population is living there. It is likely it is a combination of the two.”
“We do not see any signs of recent warfare, though there is extensive damage in a number of cities that are abandoned.”
“Signs of mass transportation are missing. The few ships we’ve found are not travelling. We think they are not vessels for transportation as eighty percent of the structures are under water and may be fixed to the seabed. There is electronic communication and we have been noticed.”
Robbie stared at the Inguel without asking. Ertoli answered the question that was not asked. “We can repair the planet, but they will need help to survive the intermediate stages.”
“They’ll have it,” was the answer from a number of sources.
“How do you wish to contact them?”
“Hettie and Eddie will. Please use your office as a background, if they see the inside of Freddie, they might be frightened by us.”
They broadcast a message, Freddie interrupting their entertainment channels. Morosely Robbie said, “Not much point in going to their Kefalari Square” and some of us giggled in sympathy.
“At least you’ll have the beaches to yourself.” Cassie retorted, making us smile.
After they communicated between themselves, we received so many answers that it took a while to collate them, sticking pins in the map we made. All the answers came from the cities and none claimed to represent any country. None invited us to visit them, but we were asked whether we have the ability to collect their representatives and bring them to us. The question itself betrayed a change in these people, making it anyone’s guess what we should expect from them.
“Solomon, I do not expect to find anyone, but I’d appreciate it if your people would search for all our Normal born friends and family.”
“You do not expect to find a Cherine?”
“No.” He waved at the screens that still showed the cities. “If not the difference in time, then those would have killed her.” We did not need him to say so, if she is not found then he will return in time to check for her.
He should have wanted Cherine on his lap, but it was Lynda he held. He played with her hair and ran the tip of a finger down her nose. “It is a strange and unpredictable talent you have my love. Somehow, whatever we ask for we get with a twist to it.” He smiled into her troubled eyes. “You are going to provide us with many strange experiences, I hope.”
During and after supper no one joked or held one of those debates we all love. The quiet and solemn feelings being emoted led me to thinking morose thoughts. “Robbie, Michael, before we return to our Earth, we must provide a home for our friends, the Eminixx and Anadir. We might have to remain in exile for centuries, we cannot make them wait that long.”
Emmie stopped coming to us as a Terran female when a Normal looked into her lovely eyes and fell in love with her. The thought that she’d hurt someone frightened her. Now she only projects if there are only those who are close to us. She was sitting at a table at the other end of the verandah with another two Eminixx and one Fegorian, all as Terrans. They murmured privately and then nudged Emmie to speak for them. All species have the tendency to take advantage of the person of their species they know Robbie is especially fond of.
Robbie smiled. “In other words, you wish to remain with us forever?”
I was fascinated to see her blush. “I meant the prophesied problem.”
“On one condition my love, after so many years there are only two Eminixx children. We all love your children and it gives us great joy to see them being born without the damages inflicted on your people. At least a few more, Emmie?”
“You wish me to have a child?”
“It is for you and your family to decide when you are ready.”
“I am ready Robert. Would you be family to our family?”
He hesitated, unsure of her meaning. My grin brought him into my mind. *You have a dirty mind Sam!*
*Ask her.*
“In what way Emmie?”
“Would you project as an Eminixx and give us your child?”
I had not imagined this (because of her projecting as a Terran?) so I was caught by surprise like everyone else. Our Anadir family were not quick enough to hide their chagrin and envy. Robbie sat back and closed his eyes, pretending to think as he secretly asked us how he could get out of it without hurting Emmie or her people. Empathia gave the best answer. Robbie left his seat and going to Emmie, took her hands in his.
“Emmie love, you’ve caught us by surprise. What a lovely idea! We have discussed the possibility of all Cherinian species having children of all other species, but you’ve taken our breath away - we had imagined it happening after a long time. You have brought that day much closer, but I do still need time to get used to the idea of having a child of another species.”
“Why? You already have such a child, is isi not your daughter? Is it our bodies that are ugly to you?”
There was no way Robbie could say anything to hurt our isi, so he let that slip by unanswered. “What is ugly and what is beautiful Emmie? Is it not the way we look at those we love that dictates? Am I not an ugly alien at times and sometimes beautiful because you love me? It is the same for most of us love. Hell, I even love Indripp and he can be a real pain at times.” Even Emmie smiled, despite the tears hiding in her eyes. “I just need time to get used to the idea.” He made her look him in the eyes and she nodded. He sighed. “You’ve certainly started something my love, when the time comes, many will ask the same. How many children will I have?”
Allan laughed out aloud, unable to stop himself. Robbie stood up straight, staring at him in anger, fearing his Emmie would be hurt. Allan flapped his hands as he tried to talk. “Robert, what of the other species males who want to have a child with your wives? Will you agree?”
Robbie’s anger collapsed and he stared back at him with a face gone white. I could not help it, I found the way Allan has twisted the situation excruciatingly funny and howled with laughter, doubling over as I held my sides.
Luckily all our alien friends are keenly aware that Robbie cannot bear the thought of any other male touching his loves sexually, so Emmie and her companions soon saw the funny side and joined in the laughter.
It is not just that we are being emotional. The Eminixx are not a warrior people and yet, through the years they have stood by us, willing to die to save us. In this case it is the intent, the motive that drives them that matters, not their physical prowess, and since we can sense their emoting, it is impossible for us not to love them and favour them as a species. (To clarify: I was commenting on their natural abilities, as Cherinians they can and do toughen themselves and can become formidable fighters - if they have to be)
That night, before our bedtime, Ahnì called on us. I’m certain she was put up to it by Allan.
Very shy and demurely she asked Robbie, “Do you really love Michael?”
“Of course. Not only do I love him my little puritan, I’m also very proud of him. He has turned out to be more than I’d ever hoped for.”
“But then…how can you bear to think of him making love to me?”
Blankly he stared at her and then risked a joke. “With great pleasure and envy?”
Allan’s joke fell flat, but his father’s answer pleased Michael.
The next day we all pitched in. Eight hundred and forty six platforms had to be created, flown to arrive simultaneously at cities all around the planet and bring the city state officials. One of the leaders had realised we would know nothing about them and the stations of that city had spent the night broadcasting their history. Freddie made copies, but then edited the last few decades so that we can watch over a quick breakfast.
When their nations were struck by calamity after calamity, the governments were unable to feed the people and there were riots. Sons were sent to kill fathers and brothers in an effort to restore order. The soldiers and many of the workers who still worked developed skin cancers due to the severe ozone holes. A large number of them also went blind. It was obvious to all thinking men that civilisation was about to collapse and mankind could possibly become extinct. Talk about the cockroaches inheriting the Earth was suddenly not funny.
In France the mayor of a city saw that he had to take action. Secretly he communicated with mayors he knew or knew of and meeting them he convinced them they should take control of their cities, establishing city states until the emergency is over. When they made their unilateral declaration, the mayor of Paris tried to join them and he was captured and shot for treason. By doing so, the government threw away their last chance of arriving at a compromise and soon they only controlled Paris, effectively becoming a city state themselves - though it did take eleven years for them to face reality and give up their claims of national sovereignty.
Martial Law remained in effect for seven years and though it was never repealed, necessity to survive, time and habit made it unnecessary. By each government only having to concentrate on the local area they were able to take action decisively and effectively, solving problems by trial and error. Scientists had warned that there were no safe areas, so one of the first actions taken, after concentrating on providing enough to feed their people, was the covering of streets. Owners of buildings were also ordered to either block their windows or else use wooden shutters that do not allow any direct sunlight.
Their successes encouraged others and over a few years governments fell all over the world, some of them voluntarily handing over to their mayors.
Our arrival in Freddie did not only impress our guests. Having over eight hundred platforms suddenly arrive at the same time within the area surrounding the taverna was quite a sight. Those who had stayed behind had worked under Maria’s stern eye preparing buffets. Thanks to volunteers, chairs and tables were brought from halls and homes. We only failed in one respect - our pre-empathy did not warn us of the agoraphobia most of them would suffer from. It ranged from mildly uncomfortable to terror and our empathic suffering soon had us urgently creating walls and a ceiling.
Us Terrans were a huge surprise. They’d expected a super advanced race of aliens and they’d reasoned that they would be altruistic. Meeting Terrans frightened them. They came to the natural conclusion. The aliens (in Freddie) must have visited Earth far back in their history, abducted a number of Terrans as slaves and our superior minds had enabled us to grow and take over. We’ve discussed this attitude with our alien friends and they confirmed that under similar circumstances, their own species would have arrived at similar conclusions, so they do not feel insulted.
For this once, Robbie opened the discussions, welcoming them to Freddie. “We are not here to conquer. We arrived with the intention of paying you a visit, but it is obvious to us that you need help. We have the ability to reverse most of the damage you have inflicted on your planet, but we first need you to convince us that we should. We are not interested in payment, but we do need to know that the effort we make will not be wasted. If you have not learnt your lessons, then you will only return the healed Earth to her present condition.
It is not my function to deal with government leaders, Mr and Mrs Mansfield will handle the negotiations. Before we continue, I must advise you that the proceedings are being broadcast to all the cities of your world. Whatever is said here will be seen and heard by all. Eddie, would you take over please?”
I’ll briefly insert here what we learnt about the damage. A swarm of meteors, some large enough to cause severe damage, struck the planet in the ocean, close to San Francisco.
The first impact reaction was the massive tsunami wave that killed millions all the way down to Mexico. However, the blow was so violent that it affected the fault and as it widened, destroying the cities, a number of volcanoes exploded. Unfortunately, despite knowing how dangerous it is, they had also stored nuclear missiles in the area and two of them exploded. The devastation reached higher than it had been considered possible and much of the ozone layer was torn.
I had been certain pollution could not have caused such damage and I was pleased to learn that I was not wrong.
The initial talks lasted four days. Every species present was represented and sometimes Robbie would ask Freddie to show on our screens what is happening just for the pleasure of seeing them working together. The Terrans have found it difficult dealing with some of the species, such as the Inguel, but since they hear whatever is said in their own language and the Inguel mostly discuss the temporary results on their climates while repairing the damage, the expertise of the Inguel soon had them in awe of them.
Having an artist as a leader affects our priorities. While the talks went on, he enlisted the help of the Unation people and enclosed within domes all artefacts of historical or artistic importance. Mt Rushmore and the Great Wall of China were the most challenging, the pyramids were easy, even though the rise in the sea levels meant that there was water underneath them and they were breaking up as the foundations sank. Our problems with water under the ground in Freddie turned out to be valuable in this case.
On the fifth day, a Unation lander travelled all over the planet recording for Freddie to broadcast photos of the work we’ve done. The news had a beneficial effect as everyone was convinced now that we do mean to help and that we must be sensitive people if we treasure art.
From space, maps were created, starting at the core and then in layers of about five hundred metres for the Inguel to calculate which areas will suffer extreme earthquakes. People in those areas had to be relocated, new cities built for them. Some of the areas at risk, the scientists were able to seal cracks or make other changes deep within the planet, so that it is not necessary to move the cities (Athens being one of them).
We jumped to the CherInguel planet to collect food machines with the representatives still in Freddie and they were a rather cowed bunch for days, giving in to all our terms. To the amusement of our negotiators, Robbie immediately stopped the negotiations.
“Take a break for two days and when you return to your negotiations, remember that you are here to fight for your citizens. We have no wish to impose our terms on you, they must be fair to both sides and we cannot guess what you require.”
We had to bring food machines as it was possible that a large number of their agricultural caverns will be damaged over the next hundred years. A side effect was that we were able to programme many of them with cuisine suitable to various cultures and the sudden increase of variety had the people in paroxysms of delight as they held food parties, swopping meals.
The Inguel estimate that, with the help of food machines, the planet can comfortably sustain a maximum of three point eight billion people. That would allow large areas for restocking with wildlife. Luckily the present population is far below that number, at about 2.6 billion.
We will also have to provide each city with advanced treatment plants for sewerage and their rubbish. We had not expected to get caught up in such a long term project and, for me, the worst is that there is not much we can do, to help.
* * * * *
It has taken eighteen years for the ozone layer to be healed to the point where humans can move in the open. Luckily we were able to jump those years, leaving teams in platforms that we visited once a year. The atmosphere first had to be cleaned for the ozone layer to be repaired, areas contaminated by radioactive leaks cleaned, but by the twentieth year we were seeding future forests for timber. Farms were also started, non-GMO seeds brought from alternate Earths.
By now all species are free to visit the cities and we are warmly welcomed. Many have made friends and are invited to their homes. When we learnt that they are also befriending and inviting our most exotic aliens, we decided this is turning into one of the nicest Earths.
Within the first months of our arrival we had cured all those suffering from cancer and any other illnesses and soon everybody took their health for granted, though they were not foolish enough to risk walking outside, not until we could tell them it is safe. The Sparklers did not find any of our local family or friends, but Robbie has done nothing about them for all these years.
Most of our Terran friends are spending time between our timed-jumps visiting on Earth. For them this has been a wonderful opportunity to feel useful and have something to do. Robbie did not comment when Michael and Ahnì offered to stay during some of our jumps, sometimes joined by Allan and his loves, once even by our pappou, but none of us girls offered. We were not really needed and none of us wanted to be separated from the family for extended periods.
It took most of the first twenty years for a drop in the average temperature to occur. Once it fell by two degrees, the Inguel reassured us it will reduce steadily thereafter - while warming up in the areas where the temperature had previously dropped. It did mean our usual spots for walking on the beach were far too hot, so Robbie found a spot he likes that is presently semi-tropical in climate. Basildon is now a coastal city, but the currents are treacherous, so no one goes swimming there. The locals still do not feel comfortable outdoors, so we have the beaches to ourselves.
Robbie built a taverna with a couple of bungalows and that has become our favourite spot. The first visitor there was Empathia. He has taken her there for their first week of being alone.
.
They were walking barefoot, their feet dark with mud, splatters up to Empathia’s thighs. “This world is going to look strange once the sea levels subside to what they were. All the new coastal areas will have strata formed by the present coast lines.”
“I believe the polar caps will take centuries to revert to their old size, or close to it. I guess it will take hundreds of years for white beaches to be created again.”
“Not really dad. Even now there are many white beaches formed by natural breakwaters. The sea piles up the sand fairly quickly.”
He is quick to grab any chance to be corny, if he thinks it will touch us. “You must be a breakwater in the ocean of my heart then, piling love by the thousands of tons upon my beaches.” She giggled and he pretended to be put out by her amusement.
They walked for hours, talking, peeking at each others minds and hearts and laughing often - mostly Empathia at little things he did to amuse her. They did not have to take into consideration the return trip, since they could jump back, so they strayed further than any Normal would have. At one point they left the seaside, tired of squelching mud and broken shells digging into their feet. The harsh vegetation reminded Robbie more of Africa than England, and he noticed a few plants he was certain do not exist on our Earth. Suddenly they came across a trail.
“I’m not certain it is a path, it could be a trail from animals.”
“No, look there, that is a human foot - I think it is.”
Robbie held his arms up to signal he was no threat and stepped forward. One of the men had his hands on the shoulders of the boy and he squeezed. The boy frowned, concentrating, and Robbie suddenly took a half-step backwards, rubbing his forehead.
“Damn! I bumped into a shield. Athia, they are gifted!”
“The boy is. Robert, he is a mutant!”
“They are afraid of us, how do we communicate?”
“We need Claudia.” Instantly Claudia jumped to them. The four men and boy turned and ran in a blind panic. Robbie stared and then chuckled.
“We better wait for another opportunity to meet them, we’ll only terrorise them if we go after them.”
“I’m not surprised they ran away - you’re both filthy!”
“Empathia, would you like to do the honours?” With a grin she ‘threw’ Claudia back to the beach and when they arrived they found her covered in mud head to toes. Claudia knew they would be expecting her to try and knock them over so she concentrated on the mud under their feet. Suddenly they slid and fell. Soon it was a free for all, each trying to pull the others into the mud. Athia was laughing as she fell and her mouth filled with mud. She evaded the others and ran into the water. The other two soon joined her.
Claudia laughed. “Somehow Athia is having the weirdest honeymoon. I think we’re all going to be jealous of her.”
She tossed her head to get her hair off her face. “Do you blame me - with the husband I have to make do with?” Once the teasing turned on him, Robbie was happy and fed them lines.
By the time they returned, the Sparklers had already investigated the small tribe of Outsiders, as the locals call them. We were told they’d theorised some might have survived, but had not expected it to be true. We made no mention of the mutations.
A preliminary report came to some troublesome conclusions. With farming now increasingly occurring outside the cities, the Outsiders will grow in numbers. The cities will not be tolerant of non-productive people using their food. If we try to integrate them, bring them into the cities, they will be ostracised and die out.
“Before we make any decisions, I suggest we find out what the worldwide population of the Outsiders is. I doubt this group are the only ones.”
“Robert, I want to meet the boy.”
“I’ll check on him first.” Cherine stared at him, debating whether to argue, but then nodded her agreement.
Robbie and Claudia left their bodies and travelled back to England. As the Sparklers said, they found the underground homes of the tribe and identified the boy. Robbie sent his healer, instructing it not to alter any of the cellular damage that came from mutating, but to heal the boy of the effects of malnourishment.
