by Max Jager
"Well that's a shame," replied Stenuck. "Well look, from what Roy and my brother were telling me about this place, I had to come and see for myself. Right now Roy is in charge of things back in the Witchfire's. As you can see we've brought a few interested in settling here."
Matt looked at the group in the semi darkness gasping with surprise as he spotted what looked like a couple centaurs. Pointing to them, he exclaimed,
"I didn't think you liked them very well?" Stenuck chuckled, then waved the Centaur's over.
"Well let's just say we've made an accommodation, these two got wind of what was going on and asked to come along. Matt, meet Ladhas, and his mate Issia." Both approached with Ladhas offering his greetings.
"You must be Matt Grainger; I remember seeing you around Gwyn Wood."
"Uh so how are things back there, how's Queen Breca doing?"
"Gwyn Wood is like it always is," Said Ladhas "Boring, so when I heard of Von Dran's glowing report about Z'ha'dum I told all my friends. Well they made me the "official" scout to look things over." Then he eyed Matt suspiciously,
"Say, you wouldn't mind if a few more of my people came if I find this place to our liking would you?" Matt then looked at Kiggham,
"Actually it's your call. Personally, I don't care, lot's of room here, but you are all from Denedra and the way Roy talked, you would all be living down in what he wants to call the Winding Stair Mountains."
"I have no objection to them at all," said Kiggham.
"Well we Centaur's like our privacy but we also like to be around others, if they'll have us. There might be some who would wish to make their homes close to here, unless there are other settlements," said Ladhas.
"This is it…Newtown…So far. But we have plans to bring in twenty or thirty more straight from earth, but not for awhile yet," replied Matt. Then Kiggham asked,
"Are you going to be the king by any chance?" Matt looked at him with surprise,
"King? Hell no, no kings…Or Queens here; it's going to be a representative government. Kiggham, if you do get a settlement up and running down there you will elect representatives just as we will here in Newtown which by the way will be changing it's name along with that of the planet. These representatives will meet and decide how things are to be run, simple as that. As long as you aren't trying to steal or hassle people no one's going to bother you."
"Those Winding Stair Mountains will be your home. Whoever you put in charge down there will decide on what goes on there." Then as an afterthought, Matt said,
"Kiggham, that's a very beautiful area down there, I've seen it. At some point we'll have to sit down and talk, I've got a couple ideas that might make you a little coin…Or whatever we decide to use for money." By this time The Centaur's had become the main attraction drawing much attention from the Dyson's as well as Liam and Walter. Gabe was back as well but he was trying to talk to Liam as well. Matt took the moment of privacy to ask Kiggham.
"So how's your sister doing?" The Elvin warlord chuckled,
"We haven't been bothering travelers much lately so she isn't sending soldiers to keep us in line. I'm pretty she knows about what we're up to here by the way."
"So if you do like what you see, are you going to come here or remain back in the Witchfire's?" Asked Matt.
Kiggham thought a moment, then sighed.
"There are a dozen good reasons for me to come and live here, but the Witchfire's are my home, they are in my blood. I will probably put Roy in charge of things. He told me how you are in need of humans, so he would be one more. My brother might also want to stay, but the Witchfire's are in his blood as well."
"Well make him your ambassador," said Matt, "He can travel between our two planets, maybe even come to earth with me and meet Aine the Earth mother." Kiggham thought a moment then nodded,
"He might like that, but these are things we'll have to speak of later. Right now I think we're all pretty tired and need some sleep."
"Well they're not much to look at, but we've fixed up a few of these houses you're welcome to bed down in them." Kiggham patted him on the shoulder,
"Thank you Matt, I am very grateful for all that you are doing for us, certainly no one else would."
"Think nothing of it Kiggham," he replied, "We earth people have a fondness for elves and the like. I'll be very proud in knowing this planet has an Elvin presence on it."
"Oh…I almost forgot," added Kiggham, "There are a couple of fairies as well as a pixie who tagged along, they want to look things over as well though not necessarily down where we are going, I hope you don't mind?"
"No, absolutely not, we like them as well."
"I thought you might."
Chapter 114
Titan Stand Chapter 114
Matt's friends were simply amazed by the Centaurs, fairies and pixie folk, in fact, Chelsea Dyson let it be known that if the pixies and fairies were unhappy with the area Roy had chosen, they were more than welcome to come and live near the Dyson household Kiggham then told her,
"Ma'am, I'll be more than happy to tell them but both can be rather mischievous at times especially fairy folk, and pixies don't stray far from them. Still…You never know." Then she asked the warlord.
"Mr. Stenuck, since both my husband and I are physicians perhaps we could make some sort of arrangement whereby one of us could set up a small clinic in your settlement to treat any of your people that become sick or injured." Kiggham smiled as he replied.
"Mrs. Dyson your offer is most generous and thoughtful. However, we elves as well as the fairy folk have long treated ourselves. It's no slight upon you, but through a combination of magic, and certain medicinal herbs we do all right by ourselves. However, if you truly wish to be of assistance, perhaps you could plant certain herbs and flowers in a small garden. We would be most eager to trade for them and it would be helping us out."
"Why thank you Mr. Kiggham," she replied, "However I would need to know exactly what you require."
"Roy's wife Ellna is our alchemist; she's the one you need to speak with. Since her husband will in all likelihood return here, you can speak with her then." Chelsea then laughed,
"While she and her husband were here, we did have some trouble with raiders, and she simply amazed me with her healing abilities." Kiggham chuckled,
"That's our Ellna, Mrs. Dyson; it would do well for you to learn all you can from her."
"Thank you, Mr. Stenuck, oh, one more thing. I would dearly love to visit your people once their established. I have always had a fascination for elves and fairy folk ever since I was a little girl. Our door is always open to you and yours."
"Well thank you for your most generous offer Mrs. Dyson. We would be honored to have you and your husband visit us sometime as our honored guests. And if you are ever able to travel to Denedra I think you would enjoy it immensely."
Liam, Walter, and Mr. Dyson were more interested in the centaur's bombarding them with all nature of questions. For their part, Ladhas and Issia were saddened to learn that there were no centaur's on earth just horses, with centaur's only appearing in mythology. Still, they were made to feel welcome and admired. Tomorrow, everyone would board the shuttle for the flight down the mountain valley Roy had chosen. Meanwhile, Amber and Gandric had taken Matt aside.
"Matt, we don't like being the bearers of bad news but the Nora-Lee is desperately in need of an overhaul, I'm not even certain we could safely make it back to Golia which is the closest overhaul facility," confessed Gandric. Matt sighed,
"Give me the bad news Gandric, how much is it going to cost?"
"Fifty thousand credits, although it could easily go up to sixty-five thousand."
Matt shook his head,
"Man-o-man, where am I going to get that kind of money Gandric?"
The android made a facial approximation of a grimace, replying.
"I don't know Matt…All I know is that the Nora-Lee might make it to Golia, but it would be very risky."
"Shit!" Muttered Matt under
his breath,
"That means Kiggham and the people he brought with him are stuck here."
"I'm sorry Matt," replied Gandric, "But right now, that's the way things stand."
"Well we've got other things to worry about right at the moment," said Matt, "Can you, Gabe and Walter see what you can do about getting us power? Clath said something about using the engines from those crashed raider ships to supply the power." Gandric's expression brightened,
"Yes, I believe we can do that."
"Great," replied Matt. "Clath dragged all the salvaged power equipment from Mindia over to that old building over there."
"Very good," replied Gandric, "That is one thing I believe we can do. I will also have Amber assist us as well, and we will begin by taking an inventory of the equipment we'll need. Right now, I believe those raider ships can remain where they are. They will become the basis of our power station."
Matt then looked to see where Gabe was standing. Seeing that he was over talking to a couple elves, along with Liam he asked Gandric.
"So how did Gabe work out?" Making a chuckling sound, the android replied.
"I've never seen anyone so eager to learn Matt. I don't mean to slight you, but your friend seems to have a real talent for Shalanterian mathematics. He also seems to have a rudimentary grasp of Transdimensional theory." Matt sighed,
"So it looks like he'll be flying the Nora-Lee before I do." Gandric patted his shoulder,
"Don't feel bad Matt you will eventually learn it all, Gabe seems to have been born with a talent. Even Liam and Mr. Topping will eventually learn it all."
"I know," sighed Matt, "It's just that we feel lost hanging around you guys."
Gandric made another one of his chuckling noises.
"Were I on your planet I suppose our situations would be reversed."
"No, Gandric, it wouldn't be the same, you'd still be the smartest guy in the room."
"Well I'm ready to get started on setting up our power supply," replied Gandric.
"Catch you later," said Matt.
"I think it's time you took a turn at flying," announced Amber, "This shuttle would be the perfect time."
"But I haven't ever flown one," replied Matt. "And with all these people on board, what if I crash?"
"You won't crash," she answered, "Shuttles are designed for people who haven't had a lot of flying experience, the flight computer handles most of the tasks, and besides I'll be right next to you." He looked at her with apprehension,
""All right then, walk me through this." With Amber assisting him, Matt piloted the shuttlecraft south for roughly two hundred miles to a range of hills resembling the Appalachians but which Roy insisted on calling the Winding Stair Mountains. Doing a flyover, Kiggham had him set down near a narrow river that came down from the mountains.
"Right here Matt, It's just as Roy said, said Kiggham. The area was thick with Ipigi, and Ysala trees, with an occasional grove of Rasburr trees, which looked like the Cedar from back home.
Matt had set down on a large open area that spread out from the stream, and the forest.
"This is absolutely beautiful," announced Kiggham, with all his people joining in on the agreement. Once everyone was out the bandit leader led everyone to the edge of the stream where he called for everyone's attention.
"Every one bow your heads," he then raised his head and called out a prayer in a language even Matt's translator couldn't pick up. He suspected it was the ancient tongue of the Tuatha D'e Danann and that the fairy folk back in Ireland could understand it. When he was finished, he called Matt over.
"I told Roy not to expect me back for at least a senth so at the end of that time, please return and pick me up." Matt frowned,
"Well Mr. Stenuck it might be longer than that, the Nora-Lee isn't safe to fly until she gets a full overhaul. Right now I don't have the money to do that but don't worry, I'll figure something out, I won't leave you stranded here."
"I'm sorry to hear that, but if you could get a message back to Roy letting him know I might be delayed, I would be most appreciative."
"So are you guys just going to start from scratch?" Asked Matt. Kiggham chuckled,
"Why not? When we first went into the Witchfire's, we built our settlement there from scratch, as you call it," said Stenuck. "We brought all the tools we need to build our homes here."
"Well once we get things organized," said Matt "We'll get a comm transmitter down here so you can stay in touch with us."
"That would be fine, well it looks like everyone's got their belongings off, along with the tools we'll need, so just as soon as you get your ship repaired, I'll be ready to return home. Good luck Matt, we'll talk again."
From the tone of Kiggham's voice Matt guessed that it was time for him to leave these people to their own devices, and get out of here.
Once they were airborne again, Amber commented,
"So they are going to build a settlement from nothing just like that?"
"All the people who moved into the mountains back home did Amber, the people who built Coryville did as well, those elves are some real crafts people, I've no doubt they'll have a damn good start on things when we return."
"So, any ideas on getting the Nora-Lee repaired?" She added.
"I don't know Amber, I really don't I feel like I'm letting all you guys down as well. If you have any ideas, I'm all ears." Amber gave him a curious look, then replied,
"I do have some thoughts; however I need a ship to travel off this planet." He grimaced, then said,
"Well right now Clath has the only ship maybe you can catch a ride with him?"
Amber grimaced,
"I have mixed feelings about that Neistrian, I'm not sure I can trust him."
Her confession surprised him,
"Clath seems okay by me," replied Matt. "I was suspicious of him at first, but now I kinda like the guy."
"Well I'm curious as to why he left his people like he did. I think he was declared an outcast for some reason. I don't know, it's just a suspicion I have."
"Well Amber I've wondered about that as well," said Matt. "Just some of the little comments he's dropped. But he's been good to us, and he reminds Liam, and I of Yondu."
"I suppose I'm a bit more skeptical than you," replied Amber, "Perhaps you're right; however I will continue to keep an eye on him."
"Well ask Brand about him when they get back. I'm pretty sure he'll have a good handle on the guy by then."
"Perhaps," replied Amber.
After they had landed back at Newtown, Liam and Gabe came running up, each carrying guns.
"Hey Matt!" Exclaimed Liam, "Just after you left, a spaceship landed behind those trees over there. It wasn't that Brand guy that's all we know, who do you think they are?"
"I'm guessing they are the Malhazar security people Holliqua offered me," replied Matt, "Let's go take a look."
He was right, when they got to the other side of the trees there was a small spacecraft that resembled a giant bug sitting on the ground with four individuals standing at the base of the ramp. The three boys, along with Amber approached cautiously as what appeared to be male security types dressed in gray and black cargo pants, boots, and jackets. Each wore an equipment belt with drop-down holsters along with various pouches, and pieces of equipment on their belts. They stopped whatever it was they were doing and eyed the approaching group with suspicion.
"Hey guys," announced Matt, "Are you the Malhazar security detail? Holliqua told me she would try and get one here."
"Are you Matt Grainger?" One of them asked.
"I am," he replied. One man, obviously the leader made no attempt to shake but simply nodded.
"I am Lieutenant Dek Skobra; this is my sergeant, Plis Krovoti, our pilot Ilsel Undius, and tech specialist Nuox Udius. We have been ordered to remain here until such time that these raiders are deemed no longer a threat." Then handing Matt a data chip, he added.
"This is for you; Lieutenant Karlnoti's full instructions are de
tailed in that chip."
"Well I'll look at it in a little while Lieutenant," said Matt. "So tell me, do you guys have your own food or do we feed you? And what about housing?"
"Well we have our own rations, and the ship will suffice for rest periods." Matt studied the ship, which seemed rather small.
"Look, I'll tell you what, we're not doing too badly on food supplies, and there is one decent house left in town. Why don't you call that your headquarters and bunk there, and join us for meals. No sense being stuck out here, grab your gear and follow us.' Matt thought he detected smiles as the Malhazars retrieved their weapons and sleeping bags before closing the ship up.