The Search for Cleo

by Aaron J. Ethridge

  “To more modern technology,” the traveler smiled. “Part of the new 'be prepared' plan we've been working to implement was an improved version of my resource tracking program. The ship's computers kept the car's computer updated with complete information on whatever the nearest reachable resources were, including things that were in no way 'practically reachable'.

  “For instance, it happens that there was a shipwreck roughly forty years ago that's about three-weeks from here at 'car speed'. Now, we can't just sit in the car for three weeks. Well... Morgan and I might be able to make it there and back without dying, but it certainly wouldn't be a pleasant trip. What we really need is a ship.”

  “So,” Morgan replied thoughtfully, “we're going to use the car to build a ship?”

  “We are,” Robert nodded. “In a lot of ways, the car is seriously overpowered. Vox and I built it that way on purpose. It generates more power than it needs, its gravity drives can handle more mass than it has, its shields can extend well beyond its volume, etc. All we need to do is build the body of a ship that we can pack all the guts of the car into.”

  “What are we going to build it out of?” Morgan asked

  “Wood,” was the traveler's simple reply.

  “We're going to build a wooden spaceship?” the young man chuckled.

  “A wooden spaceship-time-machine,” Robert corrected.

  “Rob,” he replied, “that is a crazy idea.”

  “No, it's not,” Vox disagreed with a wide smile. “In fact, it's brilliant.”

  “A few points,” Morgan said, raising his index finger. “Number one; being made of wood, it will certainly burn up on entry the first time we try to land on a planet.”

  “That would be true if it were moving too fast,” Vox replied. “However, using the gravity drives, we can land at a nice slow speed.”

  “Not to mention that the shields would prevent that from happening anyway,” Robert added.

  “Okay...” Morgan replied. “But, it won't be airtight.”

  “It almost will be,” Robert asserted, “and again, the shields will take care of that.”

  “We'll still breathe up all our oxygen.”

  “Our bodies don't destroy oxygen, Morgan,” Doc pointed out. “They merely attach carbon molecules to it.”

  “Making it into carbon-dioxide,” the young man said, “which we can't breathe.”

  “The recyclers handle that,” the traveler explained. “Didn't you ever wonder why we never ran out of air in the car?”

  “Not until just now.”

  “They strip the carbon from carbon-dioxide,” Doc said, “turning it back into oxygen.”

  “What does it do with the carbon?”

  “Makes it into pellets that are normally ejected into space.”

  “What about food, and water, and all the other things we'll need?”

  “There are details to work out, of course,” Robert replied, “but, we will work them out. For the moment, it's enough to know that it can be done and what the first step is.”

  “The first step being; pulling the car apart?”

  “Exactly,” the traveler nodded.

  As soon as breakfast was completed, Robert, Vox, and Azure all began working to disassemble the car. Ensign Holiday was given the job of quartermaster, as Robert and Vox might both end up wanting the same part, and someone had to keep up with what was being used where. Robert also kept Doc with them because he felt certain that there would be a fair amount of 'heavy lifting' before the end of the day. He ordered Celeste, Cleo, and Morgan to do their best to find food and bedding, reminding Morgan that it was his duty to be eaten alive, should the situation arise. Morgan assured him that he knew how to do his job.

  Less than half-an-hour after this, the three companions were foraging in the woodlands just beyond the mouth of their cavernous home. Although they were determined to stay together, they did fan out enough not to be working right on top of each other. This fact allowed Morgan to get Cleo alone for several minutes.

  “I have something to ask you,” he said, picking a piece of fruit just above the green maiden's head.

  “Whatever it is,” she smiled, “the answer is: no. And, you're lucky I like you or I'd tell Azure you were trying to hit on me the moment you got me all alone in the woods.”

  “I am not trying to hit on you,” he replied defensively.

  “I know,” she giggled. “I'm just teasing you.”

  “Well, you shouldn't.”

  “It was payback for shining that flashlight in my face this morning.”

  “That was Rob!”

  “What's the question, Morgan?” Cleo said, shaking her head before turning her attention back to the fruit laden trees.

  “It's kind of odd...”

  “I expected nothing less.”

  “I mean,” he explained, “the situation is kind of odd, not the question. At least, it struck me as odd. Really, unexpected might be a better way to put it. Or even unbelievable, or unimaginable, or...”

  “Morgan,” Cleo laughed, “would you please say something?”

  “Okay,” he nodded, picking another piece of fruit and dropping it into his makeshift shirt-bag. “My best 'get away plan' was for me and Azure, you and Rob, and Vox and Celeste to populate Thundera, thereby giving us more hands to do all the work that needs to be done to make a time-drive.”

  “That doesn't surprise me,” she shrugged. “In fact, I'd actually toyed with that idea myself.”

  “You had?”

  “You do realize,” she replied, turning back to look at him, “that Rob and I are engaged and that, eventually, I want to have his children, right?”

  “I do,” Morgan nodded. “I just try not to think about it.”

  “Why is that?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.

  “Never mind,” he replied, shaking his head. “The point is that I told Azure about my plan.”

  This statement caused Cleo to burst out laughing.

  “What did she say?” the green maiden asked with a wide smile.

  “Well... She didn't say 'no'.”

  “Alright,” Cleo nodded. “I agree with you. That was unexpected, or unbelievable, or unimaginable, or...”

  “What I'm wondering is why she didn't say 'no'.”

  “I'm sure she was just playing along,” Cleo replied, returning her attention to the work at hand. “Of course, on the other hand, maybe she wasn't. She really does like you, you know?”

  “Does she?”

  “I'd have thought that her kissing you all the time would have made that obvious – even to you.”

  “I suppose it does,” he nodded. “But there's a pretty wide gap between kissing me and having my babies.”

  “I would describe it as an unspannable chasm.”

  “You know, when you say things like that...”

  “I'm just teasing you,” she replied, offering him a beautiful smile. “Don't be so sensitive. Not only are you one of the best friends I've ever had, Azure happens to be crazy about you.”

  “Is she?”

  “She is,” Cleo nodded, picking yet another piece of fruit. “And, I use the word crazy with precision. Last night, before we fell asleep, she actually confessed to me that she thinks you're more attractive than Rob.”

  “What did you say to that?” he asked as a wide smile spread across his face.

  “I asked her if she'd hit her head recently.”

  “Makes sense,” he nodded.

  “You talking about having children with her obviously affected her mind,” the green maiden continued. “I know if Rob ever mentioned it to me, I'd melt.”

  “He's never said anything about you two having children together?”

  “Not to me,” she sighed.

  “Well, he's planning on it,” the young man assured her.

  “I know,” she nodded. “He's talked to Doc about it on more than one occasion.”

  “And me,” Morgan interjected.

  “I sup
pose he just doesn't want me getting antsy about it,” she continued. “I think it's part of his 'irrevocable shackles of wedded bliss' theory.”

  “You know about that?” Morgan chuckled.

  “Yes,” she said, rolling her eyes. “One day, I plan to punish him for thinking it. I just have to come up with the perfect punishment first.”

  “Maybe you could tie him down on a...”

  “Either way,” she interrupted, “I hope that answers your question.”

  “Which question?”

  “Why she didn't say 'no',” Cleo replied with a rising inflection.

  “Oh, right,” he nodded. “I do appreciate that answer, but that wasn't really my question.”

  “Then, what is the question?” she asked, raising a single eyebrow.

  “How soon is too soon to ask a girl to marry you?”

  “So...” she said slowly with a smile spreading once again across her face, “you're thinking about asking Azure, are you?”

  “Obviously,” he nodded. “Any man that's ever met you two has given serious consideration to proposing to each of you. Trust me.”

  “Even Rob?” she asked, her smile quickly being replaced by a scowl.

  “No!” he instantly corrected. “No, not at all. You are absolutely the only girl he's ever even dreamed of marrying. On top of which – in his mind – you two were already engaged when he met Azure.”

  “You considered proposing to me?” she asked, her smile once again returning. “When?”

  “The moment I met you,” he replied. “Of course, I didn't know you at all at the time – or much of anything about love, either. Not to mention that I had no idea about you and Rob. It's just that there's something about you that fills a man's mind with images of marriage the moment he first lays eyes on you. Or more specifically – and honestly – with images of a honeymoon. You see...”

  “Thank you, Morgan,” she interrupted. “I think I get the idea. Either way, you got over it?”

  “Completely and totally,” he nodded. “I love you like a sister – a favorite sister, in fact – but, nothing more. Not that I can explain why that is really. I mean; I know you're scalding hot. It just doesn't mean anything to me anymore. Of course, it may have something to do with that clone of you.”

  “What about her?”

  “She was a cow,” Morgan lied. “No matter what I did, it got on her nerves, and she was constantly threatening to scratch my eyes out.”

  “That doesn't sound like me,” Cleo claimed. “Still, I'm glad she helped you get over your mild mental issues.”

  “She certainly did,” he nodded. “Of course, I was mainly over it anyway. She just put the final nails in the coffin. Moving on; how soon is too soon?”

  “It's hard to say, Morgan,” she said, taking a deep breath. “It really depends on the man... and the woman... I've known of people getting engaged after four or five days...”

  “Four days!” he exclaimed. “That's insane. There's no way you can get to know someone that fast.”

  “Yes, there is,” she disagreed. “You just really have to know who you are and who you've been searching for. I wanted to marry Rob about four minutes after I realized that there was difference between boys and girls.”

  “Viva la difference,” Morgan replied, doing his best French accent.

  “What?” she laughed.

  “Like viva la France,” he explained. “Long live France. But 'long live the difference' instead.”

  “That was actually pretty clever.”

  “I'd heard it before,” he confessed. “Although, that has nothing to do with the current point. That being; you believe that I've known Azure long enough to propose to her?”

  “Long enough, yes,” Cleo nodded. “Only you can judge if you know her well enough, though.”

  “I know she's one of the finest people I've ever met,” he replied. “Meaning fine as in ‘good’, not fine as in ‘fine’; if you see where I'm coming from.”

  “I do.”

  “I can't imagine caring for anyone more than I do her,” he continued, “and I certainly can't imagine anyone else having my babies.”

  “That's certainly a good start,” the green maiden asserted. “Do you have a ring?”

  “Not yet.”

  “I think you should at least wait until you do,” she replied. “We're basically immortal – or will be if we manage to get away from here – so there's no rush. Azure certainly isn't considering dating other guys, so you don't have to try to beat out any competition. Really, you probably want to have a few more heart to hearts with her first, as well. I'm pretty sure I know her better that you do. I've certainly spent more time with her.”

  “So, what is your advice exactly?”

  “Soon,” she smiled, “but not yet.”

  “I'll take it,” he nodded.

  “Cleo!” Celeste cried suddenly. “Morgan!”

  The two spun around to find that Celeste had vanished into the surrounding verdure.

  “Cleo!” she repeated excitedly.

  “We're coming!” the maiden replied, dashing in the direction of Celeste's voice.

  In mere seconds, the pair reached their companion, who was standing on the edge of a meadow carpeted with broadleaved plants that were just over five feet tall. Each of these was covered with pods that were about the size of softballs. Celeste held one of these opened in her hands. Inside it was a white, fibrous material that – at least to Morgan – looked a great deal like cotton.

  “I think our bedding problems are over,” Celeste smiled, pulling a tuft from the pod and handing it to Cleo.

  “They certainly are,” the green maiden smiled, gently rubbing the fibers between her fingers.

  The trio picked as many pods as they could carry (considering how much food they had already gathered) and headed back to the cavern. As soon as they dropped off these supplies, they went to collect even more. This continued until the sun drew near the horizon, at which point Robert asserted that they had done enough for the day.

  The car had been completely pulled apart, they had enough food to last them for the next few days (Doc having caught even more fish after the “heavy lifting” was complete), and they had enough pods to start working on mattresses for everyone. Just before Vox turned on the force field for the night, Robert shot another probe hovering just outside the mouth of the cave.

  This one had a modified stealth field, but Robert managed to find it anyway. He thanked Sturm aloud for the extra parts – explaining to Morgan that he did this just in case there was another probe watching them that he hadn't managed to catch yet – before asking Vox to pull it apart.

  While this was being attended to, Celeste worked on getting dinner prepared while the other five companions started opening the pods and extracting from them the extremely soft fibers they contained. In fairly short order, the probe was nothing but parts, dinner was ready to be consumed, and a giant pile of basically-cotton was lying on the floor of the cavern.

  They worked while they ate and, well before bed time, each of them had a fairly passable clothes-cotton-mattress-thing to sleep on. As Vox was working away on stuffing one for he and his wife, a thought seemed to strike him. At least, that's how it looked to Morgan.

  Vox sat stuffing away, his eyes moving from the would-be-mattress to his wife, with a thoughtful expression on his face. Shortly after he finished his work, he casually made his way to where Robert and Morgan were sitting.

  “Rob, man,” he said softly, lowering himself to the ground. “I've got a question.”

  “Ask away.”

  “I hadn't really thought about it before,” he said, “but, when the regenerator regenerated Celeste, did it completely regenerate her?”

  For a moment, the traveler sat in silence.

  “Yes...” he said, nodding slowly, “it did.”

  “You mean completely?”

  “I do...”

  “I never asked before,” Vox explained, “because, by the tim
e we brought her on board, my room already had a stash of marital supplies in it.”

  “I thought you might need those,” Robert explained.

  “We did,” he nodded. “We don't have any here.”

  “No, you don't...”

  “We need them.”

  “Yes, you do...”

  “Just to make sure that we understand each other...” Vox began.

  “She's twenty, Vox,” Robert interjected. “If you're not careful, you could certainly be a father again.”

  “We have to get out of here, Rob,” Vox insisted.

  “We're working on it.”

  “Marital supplies ain't exactly easy to make,” Vox observed quietly.

  “Maybe we can find a rubber tree,” Morgan suggested.

  This caused both his companions to shake their heads, chuckling despite their best attempts.

  “No,” he said, “I'm serious. I mean; we could just...”

  “I suppose we could,” Robert smiled. “You just keep your eyes open, Morgan. If you see one, be sure to let us know.”

  With a sigh of obvious frustration, Vox rose and made his way back to the side of his wife.

  “You know,” Morgan said, the moment Vox was out of earshot, “that's got me thinking.”

  “I'm sure,” Robert replied with another chuckle.

  “Do you know if Cleo has installed her program on any of the computers yet?” he asked. “Because, if she has, we need to modify it before much longer. It hasn't done anything in more than two days.”

  “I suppose this subject had to be broached at some point,” Robert said, taking a deep breath. “We may as well get it over with now.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “This situation is going to put a lot of extra strain on me and Cleo,” he explained. “Normally, we get to go to our corners and cool off every night. Now, we can't. Her pheromones are everywhere and so are mine. The only place we can really get away from each other is in the PPSU just because it constantly sterilizes and purifies itself.

  “It's already beginning to mess with my head. Not only did I dream about her all last night – which, in and of itself, isn't unusual – but, my dreams were extremely vivid. I woke up seriously considering the idea that the best way for us to get out of this mess might be for me and Cleo to populate Thundera ourselves.”