Little Cherine Book 11 - BPost027

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I don’t understand why he doesn’t delete chats when he’s been stupid, but he deletes those when he’s been nice and stupid.

If you wish to read from an earlier book, from Book 01 to Book 10, use this link button to open the LC Book Index:

Previous: Book 11 - Post 026

7311

We decided to have a big party in Freddie to celebrate all the good and bad experiences we’ve had up to now. We put up on the screens what you wrote and Dimi was touched that you cared enough to include him. It was not much of a success as a party, because everybody wanted to talk.

It is the 18th of October, PC 39 and we have just left Earth. Gilli suggested that since the DD god is so powerful, we should travel to a large number of realities and collect all the gods, gather Jesus, Christós and any of their alternates willing to help and we should make a grand attempt at jumping to Arthur’s reality. Cherine told us we should also ask Alexander - and then she sort of glared at Robbie, daring him to say anything.

Arthur, I’m not going to write during our searches, we don’t want you ageing without reason.

7312

The Dream Dancers in Freddie knew what we were searching for and why. It therefore was not a big surprise when Lusalith came to me at the taverna and putting her hand in mine, asked if she can talk to me. We went to the waterfall so that she can sit in the water.

“I am sorry you could not find the other gods.”

“Even yours by herself will be a big help Lusalith.”

“Are you wanting to make us Cherinians?”

“You all are suitable for linking, we’re just waiting for you to decide.”

Her eyes paled with distress. “Please don’t offer Sam.” I told her to duck under the water as I can sense her. She did while I sat wondering.

“Our world can only fit another ten to fifteen cities Sam, our world is not like Freddie, we need large spaces to produce a small amount of food. If we become Cherinians then we cannot have the same number of children and it will kill us. We are not like your people, we need children. If our second fathers cannot have children they will die, just like an uninvited child would and for the same reason. If you offer, our second fathers will want you to link us for they want their children and their females to live forever. How can we, without them?”

I thought quickly. “We’ll never offer Lusalith. A female child of your species must ask. Will that solve the problem for you?”

“Thank you Samantha.” From the colour of her eyes and her emoting I knew she was weeping inside.

“Dad, we have to solve the numbers problem, too many species are suffering.”

“I’d love to have a child so I’m willing, I just can’t see any answer.”

Aganthi asked, “Sam, what if we agree that anyone who has a child must agree to leave their bodies, let it die, after a thousand years.”

“No!” The instant panic in Cherine killed that suggestion stone cold. I tried to make Aganthi feel better.

“Aganthi, even if we all agreed and the mathematics were worked out so that there are children at the correct ratio, it opens us to hundreds of new problems, but the worst of it is that it only transfers the problem, it does not solve it.”

Cherine asked before anyone else could, “What do you mean?”

7313

“What happens to the soul when it allows its body to die? It can’t come back, at least for millions or billions of years if we keep records and agree to rotate. Where does that soul wait? It could go to a Sparkler World and assume a body - in that case it might as well just take its body there. While maintaining fixed numbers in our dimension, we’d have a growing population in the void. What if they decide to have a child there? Infinite World size does not solve the problems, it only postpones them. Think of a pond and drop a pebble in it. That pebble represents the first Sparkler World colonists. The ripple represents the growing number of colonists. They will not only grow in numbers along the outer edge, along the growing ripple, they’ll continue having children at the center and all along the way. That means they have to leave to colonise beyond the ripple. There will soon be billions and trillions of communities playing leapfrog, starting their own ripples that will also have to play leapfrog.”

Robbie said, “I think we get the point Samantha. Just imagining it gives me a headache.” Everyone laughed, agreeing with him - including me. Sol was the only one not laughing, she obviously was communing with Solomon.

Rosie blurted, “Every time Arthur sends us to a new species because he dreamt of them, it turns out he only sent us there because they need us. Look at your world Sheena, we had to come to save the Whites.”

She smiled prettily. “And me Rosie.”

Oh god, I don’t think this has ever happened before - no, I better write later, I can’t now.

Okay, I’ve recovered, but if I get the giggles again I’ll have to pause. You assumed we were all in Freddie and sent him off. We were in our Athens home and Freddie left without us! I’ll be back.

I never perspire, but all this laughing has left me drenched. Oh Arthur, if only you were here. Every single species in all the known realities are killing themselves laughing. Can you imagine that Arthur? All the people in all the realities you created are busting a gut. Not the best comedian ever has had such a widespread reaction.

Some were rather upset as they had family on Earth, Noelle, the moon or one of the Worlds, but I reassured them they will be cared for. They were interested in why and where we are going and since I was also curious, I checked with the diary. I feared some calamity might have occurred or may be about to occur and that was why you sent me on a trip. I reasoned you maybe hope for some help from the people we will be visiting. Then it occurred to me that you might have hopes that they can help bring you to us, but do not want to give false hope to Samantha unless your assuming is proven true. Imagine my feelings when I read the diary. I can confirm that my passengers have heard me chuckle at times, they’ve even heard me laugh. They’ve never heard me laugh the way I did that day. When I placed the relevant parts of the diary on the screens, there were some heavy signs of mirth throughout all the ecological niches.

7314

The trip was uneventful and since the family were not with, I had no reason to travel slowly. We arrived within hours. My first view of the planet startled me and suddenly there was a flurry of activity as the scientists recorded in every way they could the strange planet. It is a sphere, as most planets are, but it has an extrusion at the equator, giving it the appearance of a very round bodied pear. The extrusion is far too large to be called a mountain and it is not formed by tectonic plates crashing into each other. It has been formed over millions of years by a weakness in the mantle at that spot and lots of pressure underneath. What made it look even odder was the fact that it is at the equator and swirls around. The computers analysed and gave us the exact degrees of wobble, but then most planets wobble to varying degrees, I do not think the extrusion alone was responsible for all of the wobble.

We saw many satellites, but no sign of spaceships. As we zoomed in on the planet, we only discovered signs of civilisation on the surface of the extrusion! Since it seemed safe, we decided to announce our presence by jumping to normal space. We did not have Claudia with nor any of the later linguist talents, so the Unation set their computers to analysing their languages. Within a day we could communicate the basics and within another three days we could hold abstract conversations.

They call themselves ‘Rivvels of the Universe’. Their planet is named Ci-Rivvel and there is only one nation. As for us, they spoke to us as if we are all of one species - that being for the simple reason that all of us are not Rivvels.

We asked whether a few of us could meet their leaders on their planet and when they refused they somehow managed to sound offended. We discussed it among ourselves and it was decided that if they are indeed offended, it must be because we did not first invite them to us. The various leaders in Freddie felt it would only be compounding our error if we invite them now, as it would show them that we were previously aware of ‘correct’ protocol, but had acted out of arrogance, and had capitulated. It was decided that since isi-mi is ambassador to so many species, she is the closest we have to a friend of aliens and she was nominated to handle all contact details. Certain parts of her anatomy turned a pretty yellow-green colour which I presume indicated she was afraid or nervous.

The following message was broadcast. ‘Honourable Rivvels of the Universe, greetings. We regret we did not introduce ourselves correctly and we omitted advising you of the reason for our visit as we wished to pleasantly surprise you. We carry with us a Multi-species Encyclopaedia as a gift for you. In it you will find all the technology, philosophies and art of sixty seven species. We ask you to allow us to collect seventy of your scholars for training in the use of the Encyclopaedia.’

‘Request denied’ and we were advised that it may be of more use to other non-Rivvels of the Universe.

I muttered aloud, “Arrogant bastards” and many seconded my opinion of them.

isi-mi told us, “I’ve been trying to imagine how Robert or Samantha would have handled the situation. I can imagine a few scenarios, but they would all be in breach of the Rivvels protocols and I am afraid they could lead to us losing them forever. I don’t understand Arthur, he said they would be fun!”

“Give us a few examples.”

“I have a feeling that Robert would have ignored the need to avoid giving the impression we’ve capitulated.”

“That is true,” one of the Droìkir said. “I am willing.”

They all agreed so isi-mi sent another message. ‘It is with sorrow that we are to depart without experiencing the pleasure of meeting the Rivvels of the Universe. Would you not reconsider and allow us to sent a vessel to transport your representatives to our spaceship?’

‘Request denied’, though they admitted we would be suffering a great loss in not meeting them.

The levels of frustration were very high. Wilfred muttered, “Ask them whether they’ll trade.”

The answer was that they would, if we have honour.

We were faced with a breakthrough, but we had no idea what they would consider honourable. We were nervous about reacting incorrectly as this would mean we’d never have another chance. Everyone looked to Wilfred and he looked down at his little Albanian princess and complained to her that we expect him to solve all our problems. She kissed his cheek and asked him to try.

7315

‘We will make available samples of items we are willing to trade and expect you to reciprocate. Our prices will be given a value in your currency for purposes of barter, but we will not accept money. Exchange of goods must be to an equal value. Where either party consider the prices unrealistic, negotiations may be employed without either side taking offence. Please confirm you agree to these terms so that we may begin trading.’

They agreed!

Wilfred insisted we must not ask, we must dictate terms. When asked what the clues were that helped him understand this species, he explained that when he had his coffee farm outside Nairobi, he met a tribe who refused to work for anyone not of their tribe and would not accept anything given to them as a gift. They would trade, offering rubbish of no use to anyone, but it allowed them to receive items they desperately needed. The first response from us was to demand to know where we would trade. They indicated a wide ledge almost at the top of the extrusion. They haughtily explained that as it is outside their atmosphere, in practical terms it means we will never have landed on Ci-Rivvel. We just as arrogantly praised them for finding such a wise solution as we did not wish to have them land within our spaceship. We offered to make available a cargo vessel for trading outside Freddie, should it become necessary, but strictly on the understanding that they are not to consider themselves as having entered our spaceship world. They agreed.

isi-mi worked closely with Wilfred and she became friends with Evridiki and she somehow saw through his dour exterior and came to respect and like him. Once they sent us their first samples, Wilfred haggled the values, starting off our prices low and allowing them to reduce our prices by an equal percentage. To me it all seemed like a pointless game, but it seemed to make everyone happy.

I am sorry to say that we have no new technology, no great works of art. If what they sent is the best they have I feel sorry for them, but, if it is an average and they tried to palm off trinkets for our stuff, then I look forward to returning there. Wilfred did explain that any wily trader would not make available his best merchandise until he has come to respect the tastes and ability to pay of the other party. That explains why he would not allow us to give them our best stuff either.

We never saw any of them and they never saw any of us. From the articles they traded, I’d say they have hands and fingers, but that is all I’m willing to guess at. The examination of the planet shows that the extrusion is not solid. It resembles a stony sponge and that is why the Rivvels live on and in it. With the hundreds of millions of cavities, they have a ready-built living area.

I regret to inform you that all of us who were present during this trip, are convinced you imagined their world, which cannot have come into existence naturally, just to amuse yourself, without regard for what is natural.

7316

Being a sensitive lass and kind hearted, I won’t mention the incident again - unless it lends itself to a few really good laughs. As an aside, I remember Robbie explaining why he loved the ancient Greek gods. He said their weaknesses and foibles made them seem human. That must be why I love our Arthur so much.

Cherine had a very odd dream. First of all, she was not present as herself, but as Robbie. He arrived at an alternate Earth to visit the local Robert and Cherine. He found a worn out and elderly Robert. He explained to Robbie that he had misused his powers, draining his Cherine of all her energy and she had died. ‘Look at what I have done to my world Robert, what is the purpose of my continuing? Will you help me find the end I want? I need to draw some of your power’. Robbie agreed and opened himself to Robert. He draw energy from Robbie and with arms raised and looking at the sky he called. His Cherine responded from the void and entered his mind and there the two of them danced with a burning love, drawing closer and closer until, with an explosion that consumed his body they fused and became one. The energy of their fusion rushed to cover the entire planet and it sank into the ground and the entire planet was reinvigorated and sparkled as if it were brand new. The Robert and Cherine of that reality became the Gaea of their planet!

We’ve tried analysing why she had the dream or what it could signify, but came to the conclusion that it was simply a dream. Cherine felt odd to us for hours as she tried to recapture the feeling of being Robbie.

Thinking back, I realised Arthur never wrote about what happened to the world held within Cherine - the one she was imprisoned in, Arthur’s world as we named it. Cherine still holds the world within her and it is not the same as Meli’s worlds. Her world is very limited in size, is not a planet and is flat. Once Cherine had recovered, she returned with Robbie and talked to the people there. He explained we will need to use our healers to create new bodies for them and asked to be allowed to enter their minds to find when and where they had last been in their real bodies. A small number of them, about eighty, asked whether it would be possible for them to remain where they are. They felt they had nothing to return to and since Cherine has taken conscious control of her world, it is now a lovely place to live, with lots of food easily available. Robbie pointed out to them that they can change their mind at any time and their bodies will be re-created for them. He did make clear that the longer they stay there the more difficult it will be for them to adapt to the changes in the real world. When the rest of them heard, some of them decided they should also stay for a while and make a holiday of it. Luckily, with us spending years travelling in Freddie, not that many years have passed on Earth and those who asked to be brought back have not had many difficulties in adjusting.

Why have I decided to bring it up now? A child has been born.

Cherine does not monitor them as Meli does, so she had not realised a new life was waiting to be born. It was Vincent who sensed something is wrong and asked whether he can check. All of us went with and that was when we learnt that a woman is expecting a child. She gave birth and now we have a terrible dilemma. Is the child to be condemned to live his entire life within Cherine? What of further births? Should Cherine assume none of them can become pregnant? If the child wants to come into the real world, how? Only the soul can be brought out, Vincent cannot carry even one cell or strand of DNA out of Cherine as the DNA would not be ‘real’ outside.

We announced what has happened and the Normals have managed to astound us again. There were the usual reactions as expected, from religious to philosophical to groups forming to make demands. There was also an immense number of requests for people to be allowed to travel to Cherine’s world. Mostly they want to tour it, but some actually want to live there.

We decided that Terrans are the weirdest species and then requests began to flood us from all the species, all asking to be allowed to visit. It took the imps a long time for them to make jokes about the situation, we are all just too confounded. Angelica was the first to comment.

“Why are we so surprised? We’ve all been there. We’ve talked about spending time in there and Sam wants to spend some time examining and living in the forest to study the butterflies. Robert and Vincent go to the inn for a beer or two now and then.”

Put that way it did make more sense, which made Cherine withdraw, Robbie spending more of his time holding her to him.

7317

Aganthi asked Claudia, “Do we set a rate, so much for a room per night, so much for a beer or a meal? Should they have to buy the money they use in there with real money? If more children are born, does Cherine have to start a school?”

Diana said, “Cherine, your world is very small, you mustn’t allow them to spoil it by building more houses.”

Jade said, “Anyone who does any damage, such as plucking a flower or even a blade of grass, they must pay a heavy fine in real money.”

Empathia asked Jade, “And how will we enforce that? How do we take them to court?”

As we all threw in our comments or ideas, Robbie sat watching us with amusement in his eyes while Cherine just looked bewildered. I won’t claim to be the first to notice the little devils suddenly dancing in Cherine’s eyes, for we all fell silent very quickly. As Robbie held her we felt him watching her through our eyes, adoring the smile we knew promised us payback.

“Since you all find the idea so exciting, why don’t you also create worlds for people to visit? I bet some of you would create very strange worlds and they’d be more popular than mine is.”

Our excitement and the babble of our voices soon brought Alki, Allan, their families and many others. The idea caught on and it seemed everyone wanted a world of their own. In the past we’ve all created such worlds, for example, the worlds created for Tseri, Alice, Assimé and Spice. I’ve done it for my Hesina.

A number of Cherinians who are not doing too well financially asked for permission to use Cherine’s idea, coupled with the suggestion by Aganthi. They formed a corporation providing travel to imaginary worlds and have been flooded by bookings. Normals have to be collected from their own minds (full refund is given if they cannot become aware of the Cherinian collecting them) while Cherinian tourists enter on their own and then are guided to the world. No discount is offered to Cherinians.

The variety of worlds is amazing, as I read from the brochures. Some are pure fantasy with dragons, trolls and other monsters. Some are magical and some are highly advanced technology. Some are even idyllic, beautiful cottages, ferns and flowers and rolling green land with nothing but beauty and no dangers. Perfect for a rest or even, for some, for a honeymoon. The only one I do not understand why anyone would want to visit is a copy of hell as described by preachers. Why anyone would want to go there to be tortured, their body riddled with maggots and other grisly effects, I don’t know. It was agreed that in all these worlds, none will allow their visitors or inhabitants to have children.

All this has been fun, but it has not solved the problem of what we or Cherine are to do with the person born in her imaginary world. The baby is not imaginary for we sensed the soul enter the baby boy. The body however, is imaginary - although real in that world and capable of being hurt. As a temporary measure, Cherine altered all the bodies within her world so that no more babies can be conceived before we make a decision. We’re all looking forward to the baby boy growing old enough to talk with us. I imagine his way of thinking, though influenced by his parents and friends, will be almost alien. Can you imagine what a world with galaxies and stars will be like to him? Oh, during one of our visits Candy asked whether they’ll name him Daniel and they agreed it is a nice name.

It is nearly Dommi’s birthday and Robbie suggested we bring Efineh for her to spend Christmas with us. I asked Freddie to arrive two months after our last departure as I want her and Irfan to have some time alone without me influencing them.

When we arrived, a young Anadir called Morreb asked to come with. He chose to come as an Anadir and sheathed himself. Within minutes of our arriving he was talking to some young men. It is surprising how they have adjusted to seeing aliens and never speak of them in disparaging ways as too many Terrans of our and other more sophisticated Earths do. I kept an eye on him until he left with the youths. Now I’m curious, it is obvious he came here for a reason.

Efineh hugged me and had a hundred things she wanted to show me and tell me so I waved to the others and let her drag me away. As soon as we were alone I sensed her send a privacy signal to the others.

7318

“Mother, Irfan and I have agreed to divorce.”

“I don’t sense as much pain as I would have before leaving here last time.”

She gave a bitter laugh. “We talked a lot. Sam, all he did is analyse! He analysed what I did or said, analysed what you did or said and he never talked about love. I think he analysed my feelings out of my system.”

“That’s a useful gift he has.” For a moment she thought I was being serious and then realised I was being sarcastic.

“He’s not a bad man Sam, he’s just not what I thought he was. I expected more depth.”

I sighed. “That is why nobody will ever mistake me for a genius or think me wise, I can never keep my mouth closed. His long silences and thoughtful way of staring at you as you talk create the illusion of his being wise and deep. Does anybody else know?”

“You are the first, though I’m certain all Cherinians have sensed the truth.”

I gave her a grin. “I wonder how Sebura will react to the news? Perhaps you should shower more attention on his little lion fighter?” She has lived too long with us - she materialised a pillow and threw it at me. Once the laughter had ended I did think about it and what complications could ensue.

The next morning Ataxia cornered me. “When are we going to link the first local Cherinians?”

“Not for some time love. Those you think suitable, see to it that they remain healthy and young and concentrate on teaching them. I don’t want any Ipohin in this world if I can help it.”

She gave me that delightfully impudent grin of hers. “I told Samuel you would not allow any to be linked. I told him you want your Sebura to be the first.”

“Actually, if I have a choice? I’d prefer Ashema.” I frowned, a little bit saddened. “Sebura will not be a Cherinian, he will belong to Michael, an Ipohin. He’ll have to wait a long time before he is linked.”

“That’s not fair.”

“I know love.” I let her feel me. “I know.”

We found out what Morreb planned the next morning. He asked Orati riders for permission to travel with them during one tour of duty. They agreed and offered him a horse. Dubiously he looked at the horse.

“It might be better I run alongside you.”

“You can run that fast?”

“Why don’t we try him?” another rider suggested. They rode out and then galloped with Morreb running alongside. They were fascinated by his odd gait. When they returned we could sense Morreb was tired. Samuel joined them.

“Morreb, take the time to learn how to ride. You are fast, but they spend ten hours a day travelling, it will exhaust you.”

And that is how the first Anadir learnt to ride. His enthusiasm (after his early groaning and moaning) has convinced Robbie he’ll have to bring more riding horses to Freddie as most of those we have are wild and he does not want them tamed.

Morreb wants to experience the raw side of life, he does not want any comforts the other riders don’t have, but he has to take a food machine with, though he can and does drink beer with them. The local brew upset his system for a couple of days, but he adjusted. That made me wonder.

7319

“Robbie, have you noticed that of all the species, the Anadir seem to adapt to alien conditions the best? Actually, the Akiards are also good at adapting, they don’t need to be sheathed in Freddie either.”

He closed his eyes a moment. “Is Morreb of original Anadir DNA or is he a child of Anadir we gave bodies to?”

“Since he was born in Noelle, I’d guess he has our DNA. That must explain it.”

“You think so? Then how are they able to survive in an Anadir environment? We better ask them to compare the two groups and find out what the relative weaknesses and strengths are.”

I paled. “A lot of hearts will be broken if they have to create new Anadir bodies for themselves.”

He laughed and pulled me to him for a hug. “Stop borrowing trouble, even Terran Normals have been able to solve that problem for a century now.” I could have kicked myself - of course, all they’d have to do is splice Anadir DNA information and add it to their bodies. With healers they would soon mutate closer to being pure Anadir. Robbie asked Freddie to ask the Anadir scientists to experiment.

The roof garden is not out of bounds to anyone, it is only rare to find anyone there as everyone is aware it is where I withdraw to if I need to be alone. As I arrived, I sensed Irfan and pulled back, assuming that he was here for the same reason I use the place. Then I changed my mind, I’m not likely to find him alone again.

“Sorry if I’m interrupting.”

He turned to me with his usual calm look, but I could sense his shoulders had tensed slightly. “I just came for some fresh air and the view. I’ll leave.”

“Why? Let’s sit and talk, it’s not often we can without a dozen people interrupting.”

“I don’t really have much to say to you Samantha.”

“That sounds ominous, are you blaming me for whatever went wrong?”

He pressed his lips thin. “I’ve watched you manipulate the world - hell, all the worlds and species, I just never expected you to do the same to Efineh and I. Tell me why; before we married you seemed quite happy with me as the prospective husband.”

The hell of it was that I knew I could not blame him for anything. He never claimed to be the person we thought he is. I ignored what he said about me, everybody is entitled to some bitterness at such a time.

Suddenly he added, “Do you recall telling Efineh what it would be like for the two of us? That she would be the one who runs the show, but she would have me to lean on, that I was not good at being a leader, but that I would give good advice and be her strength? I was impressed by what you said and because I really liked you at that time I did not examine it critically. Instead I did everything I could to be exactly what you’d said I would be. Now I’m told it is partly the reason I’m not loved anymore.”

7320

My empathy was tearing me to bits. What he said was true, but he could not see that the way he’d gone about it had caused the loss of respect and love. She’d needed him and he’d not been there for her, adamantly sticking to some principals of his own.

“Irfan, if you had succeeded at being what I said, why would I want to manipulate your breakup?”

“Because you want her to marry Sebura.” I’m glad Ataxia teased me, it helped me keep my temper as I saw that I must have been sending out signals I’d not suspected.

“At that time I feared that happening. At the moment, I would not want it to happen. In five years, if he keeps on growing and opening? Maybe then I would agree to such a match without worrying. However, I would never presume to choose a mate for anyone - damn it Irfan, as a Cherinian you should know that. Why are you using me as a scapegoat?”

“Whatever you say, you did change her.”

“God! I see what happened. Irfan, you loved her because she was pure, innocent. Despite being part of our family she had simple wishes and needs and you thought she was your ideal girl? Don’t you see, she had to grow up, even if she’d stayed in our world, she would have changed. Here, with all the responsibilities I thrust on her, of course she had to change.” I made my voice stern. “You are not Robert, you are not a lover of children, I’ve never even seen you play with any of the local children. You are supposed to be from a society where men accept women as equals, but you are not like that, you want your adult woman to be dependant on you so that you can make her decisions for her, as if you are her father. You made a big mistake if that is what you expected of Efineh, she is a strong personality. Damn you for not seeing what a wonderful and loyal wife she is because of your own archaic fears and dreams. Damn you for killing something beautiful in her.” I could not help it, I was growing angrier by the second. “You don’t deserve her, you’re not half the man she is!” I feared what else I would say so I stood and jumped to Freddie. Instantly Robbie was there to hold me so that I could let myself go and cry for Efineh’s wasted love and dreams. My loves were wise, they waited for me to cry and only then came to hold and warm me within their love.

We could not leave anyway, Morreb is still out with the riders. Vincent reports that he is enjoying himself and has earned the respect of the riders. He warned them that once he tells his people of how much good his ride with them is doing him, they’ll want to come by the thousands. If what he suggests is right, then we’ll have to organise something different for them, I don’t want them changing the Orati.