The Cocoon Trilogy

by David Saperstein

  Like Commander Duartone orbiting Liast, in the Bezzolentine Galaxy, Antarean Commander Shai-Noa, now orbiting Paccum in the Manigra Galaxy, was very upset and annoyed at not being invited to the planet’s surface to invoke a proper Antarean greeting and welcome. She tried to listen in on the conversation that Commander Franklin and Francis Rush were having with the Aicha, but was blocked. Commander Shai-Noa’s frustration was increased by the fact that her only means of communication back to the High Council and Spooner was through Betty Franklin. “This is unacceptable,” she said aloud. The Parman Guide, who was resting while the other was on duty on the Mothership’s hull, overheard Shai-Noa’s complaint. It passed the information on to its companion. Both vowed to tell Betty Franklin as soon as they had the opportunity.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO - A DIRECT ORDER

  Spooner was upset. She had an uneasy sensation that developments on Earth, Klane and in the two galaxies they were now exploring, were slipping out of her hands. Was the relationship between the Brigade and the Parmans subverting Antarean control? Had she proceeded with inter-galactic travel too quickly? Had the Antarean High Council been careless in integrating the Earth-humans into The Master’s Grand Plan?

  These troubling questions weighed on her mind as she waited for her guard to bring Mersky and the Costa woman to her. The Parmans were a critical key to inter-galactic travel. Discovering them, and their unique ability to absorb star light, had opened the Universe to Antares eons ahead of any engineering breakthroughs that might have occurred. Yes, discovering the Parmans must be part of The Master’s Grand Plan. And was it coincidental that the old Earth-humans ingratiated themselves with Amos Bright, and thus were processed and brought to Antares? Surely their presence to replace the earthbound, cocooned Antarean army was no coincidence. That too must be part of The Master’s Grand Plan. It had all seemed so right, so positive, especially when the ten Brigade commanders had developed the ability to communicate instantly across the vastness of the Universe. To Spooner, that now seemed a troubling, double-edged sword. Immediate messaging was critical to inter-galactic travel, but it put the Antareans’ inter-galactic fortunes at the mercy of the Brigade. How could she, her commanders, and the High Council, be certain that the content of their messages was accurately and securely forwarded?

  And then there were the Brigade births. These children at Butterfly House, and their abilities, were also troubling. What had the Master created there?

  After Gideon’s and Annabella’s in-the-shower lovemaking had been rudely interrupted by Spooner’s telepathic summons, they dressed hurriedly. The guard Spooner had sent to escort them stood stoically at the outer door to Annabella’s bedroom. Once they were ready, the tall Antarean, carrying a ten-foot spear-like weapon, took them directly to Spooner. He walked behind them and did not speak. When they arrived at Spooner’s quarters, he opened the door and gestured for his charges to enter.

  “Sorry to disturb your activities,” Spooner said coldly. There was a hint of sarcasm in her voice – something very un-Antarean. “There are matters to be addressed immediately.” Her tone of voice was formal and sharp.

  Annabella, who sensed that Spooner had taken some delight in interrupting their tryst, blocked her own thoughts and was wary. Mersky, who had introduced Annabella to Spooner at the gathering, was nervous. He, too, sensed the hostility in Spooner’s demeanor.

  “We are here only to serve, Head Counsel Spooner,” Annabella said, bowing slightly.

  “Your summons was no problem, Ma’am,” Mersky added.

  “Antares has need of you both,” Spooner continued, ignoring the politeness of her visitors. She turned her attention to Annabella. “Seek out Commander Bess Perlman. Tell her that I require her services, and bring her to me.” It was a strange request in that Spooner could have summoned Bess Perlman herself by guard or telepathically.

  “Of course, Head Counsel. I will go to her quarters immediately,” Annabella said. But before leaving, she gave Mersky a tender kiss on his lips. Although her mind was blocked, she knew that the kiss would disturb Spooner. Annabella smiled to herself and left.

  “You and Miss Costa are quite friendly,” Spooner said after Annabella closed the door behind her.

  “Yes. I suppose so,” Mersky responded, trying to seem nonchalant. “The processing and all this...”

  “Yes. Yes. Of course,” Spooner said, dismissing his explanation with a wave of her long, thin hand. The priestly tattoo on her arm showed for a brief moment. Mersky took note, unaware of its significance. “Sit down, Mr. Mersky.” It was more an order than an invitation. He found a bench and sat. Spooner glided across the room, placing her seven-foot frame next to him. He craned his neck to keep eye contact as she towered over him. “As you may know,” she began, “our primary directive is to spread the word and Grand Plan of our Master. We Antareans, who for millennia have moved among the stars and planets of our galaxy, are now, by the grace of The Master, expanding this great work to other galaxies.”

  “It is a marvel,” Mersky said, respectfully.

  “More, Mr. Mersky. It is a holy mission.” It was the first time that Mersky had heard any reference to holiness in space. On their way back to quarters from his mini-tour of the Great Hall of Kinnear, Amos Bright had made reference to some of the history of Antares and priestly orders that once ruled. But he had seen no evidence of organized worship or priests.

  “The Master has provided us with the Parmans,” Spooner continued, “whose guidance and energy absorption allows us to escape our galaxy in real-time, supra-light speed. This inspired our engineers to built wonderful new Motherships.” Spooner’s pride caused her pale skin to glow. “The Master has also given us the Brigade and its commanders.” Mersky wondered where she was she going with this, and why she was telling him as a matter of urgency. “Their telepathic communicative abilities make instant, inter-galactic communication possible.” Spooner was no longer looking down at Mersky. Her gaze was somewhere else, hundreds of millions of light years across the void of deep-space. “These gifts from The Master will now extend our reach and knowledge to the very boundaries of the Universe. The possibilities for Antares are infinite...” Spooner paused. “Yes...infinite,” she repeated as she returned her focus on Mersky. “You will become a Brigade commander today. But you will not travel into space. You will stay here to be my personal aide, my personal communicator.” Her words were an order, and because Mersky was new to Antares, he had no idea how out of character such an order was for an Antarean to make to another species.

  Being an ex-military man, Mersky understood when an order was being given. Amos Bright had explained the process of becoming a commander and the enhanced powers it would give. But Bright had spoken in the context of Mersky joining the Geriatric Brigade. There had been no mention of exclusive service to Head Counsel Spooner.

  “Our technicians are preparing to begin your processing,” Spooner said. She silently signaled for her guard, who immediately appeared. “My guard will take you to them.” There was finality in her voice.

  Mersky followed the guard, his heart pounding with excitement as he contemplated the new powers he would have and how they could bring him closer to his goal of bringing some, or all, of the children to Earth for himself and his partners to exploit.

  Shortly after Mersky’s departure, Annabella Costa and Commander Bess Perlman arrived at Spooner’s quarters.

  “Where has my Gideon gone to?” Annabella asked, stressing the word “my”.

  “On an errand for me, Miss Costa,” Spooner answered smoothly. Annabella was about to ask what errand, but Spooner abruptly turned her full attention to Bess Perlman, effectively dismissing Annabella. “Commander Perlman, I need you to send a message immediately.” Bess bowed her head respectfully.

  “Of course, Head Counsel Spooner. I am here to serve.”

  Spooner probed Bess’s mind, searching for a clue to her loyalty and sincerity. But she was blocked. ‘We have given these commanders far too much
power,’ Spooner thought to herself, also blocking. She then contemplated invoking her priestly powers to break through Bess’s wall of privacy, but thought better of it. That would reveal too much. Better to save that surprise for another time, or critical situation.

  “The message is for Ambassador Bright, on Klane.”

  “Shall I write it down?” Bess asked.

  “Not necessary,” Spooner answered. “Just say that at my order, Gideon Mersky will process to commander today. Once he is established, all communication to and from me will channel through Commander Mersky. He will be on my personal staff.” Bess had been prepared for this action, but was surprised at the speed with which Spooner was moving.

  “I was under the impression, from the High Council meeting, that we Brigade commanders would have the opportunity to discuss this matter.”

  “There is no longer time for that,” Spooner said with a wave of her hand. This time Bess took note of the strange tattoo on Spooner’s arm. “Just send the message. And have your mate forward it to my Mothership Commanders in the Bezzolentine and Manigra Galaxies via Commander Hankinson and Commander Franklin. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, Head Counsel Spooner,” Bess answered. “What you have ordered is clear. But I must inform you that this is not what the Brigade expected.” Bess’s tone was firm, but respectful.

  Spooner moved with cat-like stealth, gliding across the translucent floor, very close to Bess. She reached down and put her hand firmly on Bess’s shoulder, then bent down and positioned her long, oval face directly in front of Bess’s.

  “Let me be clear about this, Commander Bess Perlman. I order this message be directed only to those I have specified. It is not to be sent to any other Brigade commander. Be sure to give Hankinson, Franklin and your mate, Arthur, the same instructions. Do you understand?” Spooner’s attitude made it clear that any further argument was futile.

  “I hear what you say, Head Counsel Spooner. You are aware that these messages can be captured by any Brigade commander.”

  “I am aware your communications remain suspended in space and time, and thus, they can be retrieved. But unless a commander is notified, he or she will not look to find it. Once Gideon Mersky has been processed, he will be able to tell me what you sent, and where you sent it. Is that clear? Do we understand each other, Commander Bess Perlman?”

  “Very clear, Head Counsel Spooner,” Bess responded as she gently removed Spooner’s hand from her shoulder. “Since this is a priority, I require concentration without distraction. Please excuse me. I will return to my quarters to do your bidding.”

  Annabella Costa, who had quietly stood aside, took Bess’s hand in a show of sisterly solidarity. They left the room together. Once a safe distance from Spooner’s quarters, Bess guided Annabella into an alcove in the hallway. They both blocked any outside mind-probing.

  “We can’t stop them from processing Mersky to commander, Bess said. “Time is of the essence. He is in your charge now. Be aware that although his powers will be greatly increased, he will not immediately understand how to engage them. Perhaps we can delay.” Annabella smiled and patted Bess’s hand.

  “Darlin’,” she said, “where I came from, and what I know about men and their appetites...well, let me assure you that Gideon Mersky’s, or Commander Gideon Mersky’s powers are no match for mine between the sheets.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE - AN URGENT MESSAGE

  The children, Alya Mark, the Antarean technicians, Ruth Charnofsky, Ben and Mary Green, Bernie and Rose Lewis and the Martindale’s were all gathered in the large solarium on the southern side of Butterfly House. The parents were being given a tour of the facility by the Margolin’s.

  The children were unmovable in their determination not to be tested by the Antarean technicians. Commander Alya Mark was just as adamant, stating that she would not allow any of them aboard the Mothership unless they were tested. But, she assured them that if they were found to be capable of deep-space travel, they would be processed and welcomed.

  The all-glass enclosure held exotic tropical plants, many in full bloom. Their fragrance permeated the tense atmosphere. Outside, the hurricane hammered the small island. Sheets of rain splattered on the thick, curved glass roof, gathering and forming rivulets that poured down the sturdy glass sides and onto the patio.

  “Those are my orders,” Alya Mark said firmly. “I cannot disobey the directive of the High Council and Head Counsel Spooner. And my Mothership is needed back on Antares soon.”

  Having stated the case as strongly as any loyal Antarean could, the Antarean Commander bowed her seven-foot frame to the children and awaited their response. The children, who had listened to Alya Mark politely, showed no sign of concurring, disagreeing or arguing. They sat in silence.

  “I think the commander has made a good case for proceeding,” Bernie Lewis finally said. “Testing will be done quickly. You’ve told me that you are sure you are ready for space travel. Well then, that’s good news. This will just be a confirmation...a formality. Then we can all get on with the business of packing up and leaving Butterfly House. What do you say, kids?”

  There was a long pause in which all the commanders in the room, Brigade and Antarean, tried to read the children’s thoughts. But they were blocked. Finally, Scott Green, the group’s leader, stepped forward and addressed the visitors.

  “Commander Alya Mark, we appreciate your loyalty to your leaders and to your mission. If you are saying that unless we submit to your technicians testing us, you will not take us to Antares, we can only respond by wishing you a safe voyage home.” Ben Green, who had been quietly sitting with his wife, Mary, in the rear of the room, could not contain himself. He leaped to his feet.

  “Look here, Scott. Now listen to me! Nothing’s gained by being stubborn, and I must point out, also rude to our Antarean friends. Everyone here knows that without them many of us would be either discarded old folks waiting here for the grim reaper, or would have already met him. And you guys would not exist.” He looked at the other commanders present, who nodded their agreement. “So how about acting like adults,” he continued, “and getting on with it so we can all get out of here and back to the good work we were doing? You have no idea what a glorious life awaits you all.”

  Again there was a long, awkward moment as the children blocked their thoughts and emotions from outsiders. Scott focused on his peers. It was obvious that they were holding a rapid, complex discussion telepathically. Eyes flicked from one to the other. Once, then twice, they all looked at Melody Messina, then the Erhardt twins, then Scott.

  While this was happening, Ruth Charnofsky sensed an urgent message coming from Bess Perlman. She got up and stepped outside the glass room, into an ample potting shed where gardening tools, special soil and seeds were stored.

  “Hello, Ruth,” the message began, “I have been ordered by Head Counsel Spooner to communicate the following message.” Ruth cleared her mind and opened herself to reception. Bess’s voice sounded disturbed. “Gideon Mersky is being processed to commander immediately. He is not to be in the Brigade. Repeat, not in the Brigade. He will be her personal communicator.” Ruth now knew that Spooner had a growing fear that Antarean reliance on the Parmans and Brigade for inter-galactic communication put too much power in their hands. “I have been ordered,” Bess continued, “to send this message immediately and exclusively to Arthur, on Klane, to Frank in the Bezzolentine Galaxy, and to Betty in the Manigra Galaxy.” The idea of exclusivity disturbed Ruth. Divide and conquer. There was more. “To clarify, so there is no mistake, I am ordered to tell Arthur, Frank and Betty to relay this only to their Antarean commanders. I have been given strict instructions not to, repeat, not to, deliver it to you, or the other Brigade commanders. Spooner knows that unless notified, messages are not readily received. Please advise as to what you wish me to do, as soon as possible. Mersky will be able to pick up this message once he learns how to channel his powers. I have no doubt he will report my disobedience to Sp
ooner.” The message ended.

  “We must respond,” Ruth muttered aloud to herself. “Spooner has thrown down the gauntlet.” But how? They were too far away, and too involved on Earth to get back to Antares before Mersky became a commander.

  Inside the sun room, Scott Green faced his father. This was a confrontation he did not want, but Ben Green’s attitude left him little choice.

  “We all want to get out of here, Dad,” Scott began. “But there are things that you just don’t understand...”

  “I understand stubborn adolescents when I see them,” Ben told Scott. “I haven’t been away from Earth that long.” Scott smiled and shook his head.

  “It’s not what you think, Dad. So much has happened...”

  “This will all have to wait,” Ruth announced as she strode briskly into the room. “Right now, I need to meet privately with Ben, Mary and Bernie.”

  “I think I can save us all a lot of time, Aunt Ruth,” Scott said as she reached his side, “and trouble.” He signaled for Melody Messina to join him in front of the group. As she came forward, Scott asked Beam Amato to bring the Brigade parents to the solarium, as well as the Margolin family.

  At the same time, Bess Perlman began her transmission of Spooner’s message to Klane, Liast and Paccum. Also, at that moment in time, the rain and wind suddenly stopped and the sky began to show patches of blue. Sunlight illuminated the glass-enclosed room. The eye of the hurricane was passing over Butterfly House.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR - REVELATION AND PROJECTION

  It took several minutes for the Brigade parents and the Margolin’s to find seats and settle down in the solarium. The eye of the hurricane had moved by swiftly, and Cayman Brac was now experiencing the fiercer back end of the storm. Ruth had questioned Scott about what he meant by ‘saving a lot of time’, but the young man politely asked her to be patient.