“Bedrooms.” Netty approached an alcove, beckoning for them to follow. Entering the alcove they were confronted with what looked like a blank panel. It consisted of the same organic tissue the walls were made from, and had a large dark circle in the middle. Wil strolled up to the panel, placing his hand flat against it.
“You might have some fun with this for a while. Just place your hand like mine, clear your mind, and visualize any object you think you need. Visualizing its function will help and allow it to be delivered quicker.” Wil glanced around. “Anyone want to try it?”
Kane stepped boldly to the console placing his hand flat against the dark circle. He turned to Kenya. “What do you think, babe? A nice comfortable bed?”
Kenya’s eyes lit up, her sagging shoulders telegraphing her weariness. “Yeah, and don’t forget to ask for pillows.”
Kane’s face relaxed then formed into a constipated intentness. All were quiet as they awaited the requested bed. Nothing happened. He looked up to Wil in question. Wil grinned back.
“Come with me.” They funneled back into the large room where they managed to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be the little sister of the Krevyen in all her rainbow glory as she hastened into a hole that had parted in the Womb’s wall. It sealed seamlessly behind her.
“That was a dwelling procurement Kreyven. It will deliver anything within reason.”
And deliver it had. Sitting before them was what appeared to be a bed. At least it looked like it could be slept upon. It contained an assortment of pillows, all white. The bed itself was also white. A comforter of sorts lay at its base, also white.
“It’s not very inviting,” Kenya said, slowly approaching to give it a test for softness. “It looks like a hospital bed.”
“I guess I forgot to mention. Kane obviously didn’t think of a color. You must be as detailed as possible when requesting supplies. You’ll get used to it. Don’t be afraid to be creative. If you don’t imagine the color of an object, it will be delivered without color.” Netty swept her hand toward the bed. “Hence . . . white. Complete absence of color, just as you ordered.”
Kenya turned to Kane, glowering. He laughingly backed away, hands held like shields in front of him.
“Don’t worry, babe. I promise I’ll do better next time.” As Kenya and Kane’s antics continued, Netty caught Cobby glancing surreptitiously at her. She gave a casual nod and motioned toward the alcove with her head. Leaving Chloe in Jose’s care, she casually maneuvered her way back to the alcove. Jose kept his attention divided between Chloe and Netty, and Wil’s dissemination of information regarding their new living quarters.
Quietly, Cobby followed Abby. As he entered the alcove, he was ambushed by wings, strands of golden hair, and the captivating mouth of the Elder he loved. Stepping back, Abby grinned up at him. Ruefully, he searched over his back.
“We better be careful, love, unless you’re ready to announce our relationship to everyone.”
Her grin drooped. “No, not yet, Cobby. Everything is so new and scary. I still need to think about what this means.”
Cobby cupped her face in his hands, brushing her lips with his. “It means we love each other. That’s what people do. They fall in love.”
Abby cast her face down. “But you know I have other considerations, Cob. I need to figure out what to do about Jose first. I don’t want him hurt. And what about the Womb? It might have something in store for me that prevents us from being together.”
Cobby’s eyes lit up as he caressed her abdomen. “This is our baby in here if Echo is to be believed. I’m not going to let anything prevent me from being a full-time father to our baby. I didn’t get the chance with Kane.” He grinned. “This is Kane’s half-brother. And you’re going to need me.” The smile appeared back on Abby’s lips, hope and anticipation mixing with her love for Cobby. They embraced tightly, completely missing the movement at the entranceway that disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
‘Abby,’ begged Cobby, “just give me some more time. I’ll work something out. I need to make sure Bonnie and Chloe are stable then I’ll speak to Netty. I’ll tell her everything.”
Abby closed her fingers over Cobby’s protesting lips, adding hers to the bargain. “Shh . . . we can trust her. The female Elders have the power. As much as she’s nuts about Wil, the male Elders aren’t as important as the females.” Abby’s eyes gleamed with wild luminosity. “That might make all the difference, Cobby.” She glanced down, placing her hand over his. “Now that there’s another life involved . . . our baby . . . everything has changed. I want the baby to have two loving parents that are together.”
Cobby embraced her again. “What will you tell Jose?”
“I don’t know yet. But I hope he would want me happy.” Abby sighed. “I just plain don’t think he’ll take it well.”
“Shhh, my love. Let’s take it slow. We have so much to deal with right now. Just know I’m here and waiting.” Cobby released her with a soft kiss. “Now go. You first. We’ll talk again when we can.” Squeezing her hand, Cobby turned her toward the exit whispering, “I love you.”
As the couple weaved their separate ways back to the group, rooms were being assigned for sleeping. Netty held court, explaining, “Perhaps it would be better if the women requested supplies. The men can deliver furniture to the respective rooms.” She turned to Bonnie and Chloe. “I think it would be best if you didn’t sleep alone for a while.” She then nodded to Abby. “Why don’t the three of you bunk together?”
Abby spoke up brightly. “Of course, Netty. I understand completely.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Abby,” Jose spoke up darkly.
Abby tried to soothe Jose. “It’s just until they’re better. Chloe is almost in her last month and will deliver sometime in the near future. She needs help.”
Chloe spoke up. “We’ll send her back to you eventually, Jose. I can really use the help now.” She turned to Bonnie who sat on the ground, oblivious to all, with Dezi and Hud supporting her. “And you know we can’t leave Bonnie alone. So it’s settled. Maybe you could go order us the beds, Netty? Something bright and cheerful.”
“I’ll start on the men’s beds. That okay with you guys?” Dezi and Hud nodded affirmatively at Cobby who then turned back into the alcove. Abby soon followed, leaving storm clouds from Jose in her wake.
Wil conferred with Netty then signaled for Baby and Echo to follow him.
“No . . . I need Echo here,” cried Chloe. “Don’t leave me, Echo.”
Soothing tentacles reached out to her mind.
“I will never leave you, Sister Chloe. We are bonded. I must be here to help with Brother Scotty’s offspring. It is my sworn duty to protect those that loved my Brother. You are my family. I give you my promise. I will not be long. This is my chance to meet my Oolahan family formally for the first time. They are waiting for Brother Wil to deliver me.”
Chloe waddled over to Echo and Wil. She held out her arms and Echo flew into them to receive his hug. “Hurry back, Echo. I don’t think I can sleep without you near.”
“I promise to return, my Sister. Do not fret.”
With a flutter of wings, Echo left, Wil trailing behind.
“We will be back in the morning,” Netty said. “Dezi, I will work with you to set up your kitchen and explain how to retrieve supplies. For now, you will find water and something to eat waiting for you on a table in the next room that will serve as your kitchen.”
She glanced down at their doggie entourage: Barney, Teddy, Penny, King and Queenie, the royal pit-bull, all so quiet and listless. “We will need to bring them to the labs tomorrow. They must be checked out. There is no telling what the effects of the portal may have done to them.”
Chloe cried out in dismay, encouraging Teddy to come to her side where she held him tightly to her chest.
“I must go join Wil and Echo. Come, Baby.” Taking Baby’s hand, they watched as he scurried up into Netty’s arms, leaving the n
ew survivors to settle down and contemplate the extraordinary luck visited upon them again as the last survivors of Earth and the long-term impact on their mental health.
Chapter 5
Netty hustled Baby down the vast inner corridor of soaring space to join the horde of minions gathered to celebrate Echo’s arrival on Oolaha. Trailing behind them, flocks of nooglets and minions hovered, anxious to join the celebration.
As Netty neared her destination, she heard a most recognizable shriek. “Mama.” Seventy pounds of feathers, swishing tail and little-girl Elder exploded as Maya threw herself at her mother.
“Can I go to the party, Mama? Please? I want to go to Echo’s party.”
Netty disentangled herself from Maya’s grip around her legs and picked up her daughter. “No sweetie, you need to stay with the babies.” She held Maya’s face in one hand, turning it to and fro for an inspection.
“How do you feel, baby girl?”
“I feel fine, Mama. How do you feel?” she asked, throwing her skinny arms amok.
Netty laughed at her antics. She glanced at Baby, quietly waiting.
“Do you think . . . ?” Netty cocked an eyebrow at Baby as she set Maya down.
“Sister Maya is very welcome at the celebration. She is a second-generation Elder and treasured.” Baby slipped his hand inside Maya’s tiny fingers and off they went, Maya dancing and laughing in her excitement.
Within thirty minutes, the threesome stood before the vast coliseum that held Baby’s thousands of brother and sister minions. They sat in layers against the Womb walls, some attached as if “feeding”, some simply seated on the shelves that lined the enormous room from top to bottom. Netty hushed Maya as the absence of sound waves created a reverent atmosphere; almost like a church. From the multitude of minions came a significant mind stroke. It was Echo.
“Come down to the dais, Sister Netty. We are waiting for you.”
Baby, Netty and Maya followed a minion-lined path that opened for them. Thousands and thousands of glowing eyes followed them as they maneuvered their way to the middle of the gently sloping floor to claim the chairs waiting for them. Wil sat alongside Echo, comfortable and expectant.
“Your wings are beautiful, Sister.” A strange minion appeared before her.
Echo’s luminous trills saturated her mind.
“This is Brother Forbation. He is our oldest existing minion.” With a flourish of his golden leather arms, Echo presented his Brother and stepped back.
Forbation appeared slight and bent, his mind auras swirling yet peaceful. Netty felt a profound sense of wellbeing and wisdom.
“We have much to thank you for, Sister Netty. Tonight is a celebration we have long awaited.” Forbation’s hands came together then reached out to Netty. She gave him her hand. “You have returned Baby and Echo to our family.”
“Without Baby, we would have never recovered the use of our wings. It is his discovery of the chemical interaction between minions and Elders that restored our long-dead ability. Our history says it was part of our punishment from the Womb for making man in our own image.” The old minion bent at the waist then turned to face the coliseum. As he slowly raised both his arms wide, thousands and thousands of golden minions took to the air, glowing and sparkling, dancing on air.
Netty and Wil held their heads with the impact of thousands of auras assailing them at once.
Netty’s eyes scanned the vastness of the coliseum, catching sight of wisps of fire trailing the odd minion or two. Forbation slowly lowered his arms. Instantly, the minions fluttered to the sides of the Womb walls and settled into their perches.
The wise old minion backed into his chair next to Echo. His seat was placed higher than the others in the line, as befitted a minion of his stature. An empty seat begged company by his other side. Patting it softly with his leather fingers, he motioned Baby to his side.
With a glance at Netty, Baby lumbered to the seat next to Forbation with Netty taking a seat in line next to Wil and Echo.
As she trained her sights on the minions around her, she saw them part to create a pathway. Walking down the pathway was the navigator minion with the fire butterfly attached to her antler. In her hands, she held a ruby-glass tray on which sat two fire butterflies that emanated a spicy lemon fragrance. Silence permeated the coliseum as Minion IV slowly approached Forbation and bowed. As Forbation raised his hand toward Baby and Echo, they rose to stand before him. Minion IV handed the tray to Forbation, who placed it on his chair after rising.
Minion IV placed her hands on Baby’s face and silently conveyed her respect. She then turned to Echo, her hands on Echo’s face as the exercise was repeated, then she melted into the crowd.
All eyes were on Forbation as he placed a butterfly on Baby’s crystal antler, then on Echo’s. The butterflies lit up in flaming glory, throwing sparks and trails of fire behind them as they firmly attached to their new homes, appendages sinking deeply into the minion’s antlers to stop at the emulsion contained inside.
Forbation’s aura resounded with delight as every living creature in the room absorbed his mind words.
“Brother Baby has brought great pride and acclaim to his lineage. He has uncovered the mystery that robbed us of our ability to fly for millions of years. Without his accidental creation of the new Elders we would be in the dark forever. For this deed, he deserves the highest honor a minion can win. One of the fabled fire butterflies from the vanquished plant, Aron.” He turned his bent frame to Echo.
“Sister Echo, our long-lost new family member, has brought great pride and acclaim to her lineage. Without her dedication to her humans and the wildlife the Womb entrusted to them, they would have been lost when the final intervention vanquished yet another doomed planet. We grant you this great honor with exquisite pleasure.”
Raising his arms in tribute, the minions again took to the air. The golden flight of the celebrants lit up the room, ablaze in color and the occasional glimpse of a minion with its own fire butterfly won from one dangerous campaign or another.
Baby and Echo stood holding hands and staring in wonderment, overcome with the emotion of being home at last, and feted by one and all. Occasionally they would turn to Wil and Netty for reassurance, proud to see them relaxed and smiling.
A sudden commotion parted the crowd once more as a time-worn but determined white, curly-haired, wingless but loyal Barney made his way to Echo’s side and curled at her feet. Echo slipped her free hand down to pat his head, sending an aura of triumph to Netty and Wil.
“My Barney is with me.”
Netty and Wil sent their proud feelings to Echo. Together they watched the display until the minions began to settle down again. The enormous room descended into solemn thoughts as Forbation nodded to Baby and Echo, sending them back to their seats, Barney trailing closely behind them both.
Forbation removed the rose-glass tray from his seat and held it aloft. The crowd of minions moved back and the floor in front of the dais slid back, revealing a gaping maw. As everyone watched, a translucent throbbing mass emerged from the depths, the smell of organic mustiness stronger. It stopped as it rose a few inches from the floor, its bulk still resting under their feet, its mystery hidden by the floor.
Netty gripped her chair at the unaccustomed hammering of her heart. Glancing at Wil, she could feel his emotions racing in tune with hers.
“We accept the need to terminate life as directed by the Womb. Yet our hearts bleed with the necessity. This is a tribute to the wisdom of the Womb and our own private anguish for the elimination of life, necessary though it may be.” Forbation’s aura dimmed. The ruby glass tray in his upraised hand exploded, sprinkling ruby dust down on the gelatinous throbbing mass that had risen from the depths of the floor where it melted quickly into the frightening creature.
A sudden flutter above her head made Netty look up. The minions had gathered in line and one by one; they flew over the mass, dipping down to place a hand on the throbbing mystery. Netty watched as
one of their antlers split to spill out a red droplet that fell to be absorbed just as the ruby tray had been.
Wil and Netty swapped puzzled glances.
Forbation stood watching the procession. It was clear the ritual would consume hours. At a nod, Baby and Echo approached. Their antlers opened and red drops emerged, the antlers closing behind. They each took their red drop in leather hands and lobbed them into the maw to be absorbed.
They turned to face Wil and Netty.
“We must return to the others now. It is time to sleep.” With those words, Baby, Echo, Barney, Wil and Netty bowed and waved to Forbation, getting a slow nod in return.
“We will talk again, Sister and Brother,” Forbation said.
The small group made their way back to the survivors’ quarters after returning Maya to the children’s section. They were full of wonderment at what they had witnessed. Baby and Echo were oddly silent, avoiding all mind queries.
The minions of Oolaha continued to pay their respects to the Womb, well into the night.
***
Wil and Netty entered the survivors’ quarters along with Baby, Echo and Barney, who hurried off to find Chloe. A few tired and restless survivors waited for them, peppering them with questions.
“I’m very happy for Baby and Echo. I’m sure it means a lot to be back with their own kind . . . their family,” said Hud, his voice trailing off with a broken sob.
Abby hurried to his side, her arm snaking around his shoulders. He held his head in his hands, rubbing his face, shoulders quivering silently. Looking up, they watched the quiet tears course down his face.
“I have yet to hear what we’re going to do to look for my wife. And Peter. You saw how Bonnie is. I don’t know if she’ll survive this if we don’t find him. There’s been too much loss. Her mother . . . Johno and Crystal . . . the others . . .” His voice broke. “Ginger Mae was her best friend.” He stared into the face of his fellow survivors, emotions razor-thin. “How am I to go on without Ginger Mae? She’s everything . . .” Shaking his head, he swallowed, unable to speak.
When Aliens Weep: An Alien Apocalyptic Saga Page 4