Lori asked, “Tyler, isn’t that Pam’s friend from Roswell?”
Replying, “Yes, why do you ask?”
“Well, I suppose he’s ok, or you wouldn’t be talking,” Lori said.
I told Lori, “His family came here long ago; they’re from the planet of Vernon. Lori, Grady was born on Earth just as Henery.”
“Bullshit,” she said. I just shook my head, went for more coffee.
I started talking about people on my planet, how important they are. There is something for everyone.
Lee said, “Henery is here.” Damn, I thought it’s early.
Henery walked in, looking around. “Tyler, a man came to the office early this morning. He wanted to know if we had any new people in town. I told him of the one the high way patrol found on the road. I told him he died, we buried him. Tyler, someone picked him up, drove north toward Artesia.”
I asked Henery, “You think he bought it?”
Henery said, “I’m not sure, Tyler.” Pam and Lori made breakfast; I did have eggs and toast. We talked for a long time, then a bullshit comes from Lori.
Lee asked Lori, “You still don’t believe?”
I went to the door, opened it. I said, “If you don’t believe now, you won’t believe later. You would just cause us trouble. Please, if you have doubt, leave. Don’t come back. I have said this before. I don’t want to waste my time with you.”
Lori responded, “Hell, I don’t know what to believe.”
“Tyler,” Grady said, “Give them a little show.” I took a can from the trash, placed it on the table. I went to the stove, closed my eyes. I took my hand, lifted it up in the air, crushed the can. Pam had already seen this.
Lori was in “Ah! Oh my God!” Then I destroyed it; everyone jumped. Grady looked at me. “That was very impressive.” Lee’s coffee cup was on the table. Grady slid the cup all over the table.
Pam looked at Grady. “I’ve known you for twenty-five years. I never knew you could do that.”
Grady said, “Some things are better left alone. My mother told me that before she died, everyone thought my mother was a witch. She was treated like one. I left school, we moved around a lot until we moved to Roswell. She told me someday, someone would come then Pam came to me about Tyler. I took the nuggets and stone to Mr. Sams. I always knew something was different about him. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.”
Pam asked, “What was wrong with him?”
I spoke up, “He is from Boldlygo.”
“Grady, when Dorn comes, he’ll take you home. If not, I’ll take you myself.”
Lori asked, “They’ll just give you a ship?”
“Lori, I’m a captain of the Royal guard. I had my own ship, it was in orbit above Earth when I was shot down.
Henery stated, “I saw the shuttle.”
Grady asked, “Why don’t we try to retrieve it?”
I told him, “It was destroyed in the crash. I can’t repair it here, I don’t have the material. I need it back on my planet. Dorn will know what to do when he arrives. I promise you when he comes, you want to miss him. He’s about my size, black haired, has the bluest eyes you will ever see.”
“Grady, when you go back to Roswell, please keep in touch. Henery will let me know if the Palatonian come around. I’ve shown Doctor Jones how to do a blood test if he admits strangers.”
Pam and Lori expressed, “We have heard enough of this bullshit.” Pam and Lori walked out the door, Grady left for Roswell. I told everyone in June or July, people will start coming into town.
“I ask you, please don’t say anything to anyone of this.” Lee and I were having coffee. Sundays were like any other day here for me, nothing happens.
Lee said, “I’m going home for a nap. Damn it boy, I feel bad.” Pam drove up a short time after.
Stepping to the door, she asked, “You want to go to Artesia?”
Closing the door, I said, “Sure.” She wanted to go for a cheeseburger.
She asked me, “You want a burger?” I told her no, I want a banana split. We don’t have them on my world.
Driving down the road, she asked about another thing like, why do the natives mate with the humans? I told her about the mating ritual, it’s for life. They take the DNA, transfer it to humans. It takes too long for the female to have a child, some never do. That’s why their race was dying. This DNA started long before I came alone. It’s what saved them. I believe someday the planet will be all human. The male natives take a human wife; they can’t have sex as humans do. The DNA is taken and transferred to a female human. She will carry the child and have the child.
Pam looked at me. “You know how disgusting that is?”
I said, “Well, I suppose it’s how you look at it. They love one another. Someday, it will happen on Earth. Sometimes they will go beyond the limits.” We rode in silence for a while.
Pam asked, “Beyond what limits?”
“I’m sorry Pam, what did you say?”
Asking again, “Beyond what limits would the males go?”
Mekon would have both come to the lab. He and Mea would talk to them if they still wanted to go through with the change. Well, Mekon would place them in stasis.
“What is that?” Pam asked.
“Pam, you have heard me say you can’t die there. Well, Mekon would take you and place you in stasis. Your dead yet alive, this takes about two weeks when you come from the pods; you are a human.”
“That is complete bullshit,” she said. “I’m sorry Tyler, that’s just plain bullshit.”
“You’ve heard me talk of Mi and Ellie, Dorn and Leah. Well, Mi and Dorn did this.”
Pam said, “Yeah.”
“Well, Pam, Mi did this to marry Ellie. When it was over, he could shift to his native body if he likes.” I said to her.
Again, Pam said, “I believe it to be bullshit, Tyler.”
“You know Pam, I wish you could see it. My planet is a beautiful place.”
Pam said, “Tyler, the bullshit you put down is hard to believe. I mean you for real.”
We rode on to Artesia, the night was kind of cool. I told Pam to pull over. We were far enough so the lights of the town were not blinding. I got out of the car, walked in front, jumped on the hood, laid back against the windshield.
“Pam, come up here, lay beside me.” I said.
She struggled to get up. “Damn, I need to lose some weight.”.
I answered, “Whatever.”
Resting with her back on the windshield, she asked, “Now what?”
“A little trick my sister taught me. She is very smart and powerful. I’m eight years older, she is fifty years smarter. Marie has more power than I’ll ever have.”
“You mean, she can crush things?” Pam asked.
“Marie can see things you cannot believe. Now, Pam, I said close your eyes, I’m going to touch you. I promise I won’t hurt you.”
Taking my fingers, I touched her beside her eyes, then laid back.
“Don’t open your eyes until I tell you.” I kept talking to her as I put her in a trance. “Pam open your eyes.”
Slowly, Pam opened her eyes. “Oh, my God, it’s beautiful. I’ve never looked at the sky or the stars with so much beauty. Actually, I’ve never paid that much attention before.”
I told her, “You should see it from my world.”
“Well, Tyler, looking at this, it is another world. Tyler, since you have come here I have become very close to you. I just find it hard to believe the bullshit. Tyler, if I do come with you, do you see us ever being together.”
I slide from the hood, looking at her. “Pam, you know how I feel about April. I’ve never hidden that, not even from Roberto. Roberto is dead, that I’m sorry for. I only hope she will see I do love her.” I told Pam, “There were other men on my planet, you will see.”<
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“Tyler, you have been honest with me. Hell all of us.”
I said, “Now let’s go to Artesia, I want that banana split.” On the ride back, we never said much. Pam dropped me at my place. I went inside went to bed.
I never give my mother and father another thought. Marie and I went on the ship, scared to death. From the time I was born, I knew we were different than the other kids in Cambridge. I was too intelligent for my age, I just thought it was part of being human. My mother and father were very smart. Father was a banker, my mother a nurse. I was a boy going to school; the teacher said I was very smart.
Mom had Marie. As time went on, Marie could do things I could never do - things I never thought were possible. I was so happy just to have a sister. I tried to hide things she did. I was afraid they would give her away. When she was seven-month-old, she could walk. When she was ten months old, she could talk. When she was three, things really started to happen.
One afternoon after dinner, my parents looked at Marie, then at me. I almost cried, Marie had a bowl going around in circles. Dad stopped the bowl, looked at my mom. Dad asked mother, “Did you know she could do that?” She answered no, then he looked at me. “Son, did you know?” he asked with a snarl. I said, “Yes sir, I’ve tried to hide it from you. Please don’t give her away.”
“Son, why would you think I would give her away? Dad raised his hand from across the room; a book came floating to him. I was astonished. My father brought me to his knee. Son, its time you understand something, we are not like most humans.” Well, an eleven-year-old boy just didn’t know what to expect. What I got was a man telling me one of the greatest stories I’ve ever heard.
“Tyler,” my dad said, “Don’t ever tell anyone about what you have seen me do. Your sister will be very powerful someday.”
“Someday,” I said. “Someday someone will come and take us home.”
Lying in bed, I thought, “I’m going to write them tonight, let them know I’m here. Maybe they will come, then we can go home together.” I took a pen and paper and wrote a letter.
Dear mom and dad,
It has been twelve years since we left you in the woods at the Cambridge clearing. I hope this letter finds you and Dad. Well, as for me, I have done well. Dad, mom, you would be very proud of me. Dorn took me under his wing, trained me to be a very good pilot. Dorn has taught me well. Mekon has me working in the lab.
Mom, Marie has grown into a very beautiful young woman. You would not believe the thing she has accomplished in her life. She is on Boldlygo with the other girls. She is with April, my one true love. Mom, April is so beautiful. She has long dark hair, green eyes. She was my love the first time I saw her. She has been back to Earth several times; she loved another man. He was killed several months ago.
Marie has spoken of you several times after we left. Dad, I’m not sure if you and Mom made it from the field that night. I’m sure you have not forgotten us. I’m on Earth now, waiting for rescue. My ship was destroyed in a crash. I lost control, buried it in a crater outside Carlsbad, New Mexico.
If you get this letter, and I hope you do, Marie and Dorn will be here in October, eight months from now. If you get this letter, if you want to go home, come to Carlsbad, go to the local police department; the police officer is from home, his name is Henery. I trust you will come.
Until then, Tyler.
John and June Willard, Cambridge England.
The next day, I was up early. Mr. Sams came by my mobile, had an envelope in his hand. I met him at the door. I told him to come in. Entering the mobile, he handed me the envelope.
I asked, “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
Sams said, “Sure, Tyler. Cream, if you please.”
As he sipped his coffee, he said, “You need to count it, Tyler. Mr. Sams said he truly would miss coffee if he went back to Boldlygo. “Tyler, when I first come here, I had nothing. I’ve built an empire. Tyler, do you think Kira and Omega would start a trade with me? I could send things everyone needs.”
I said, “Mr. Sams, I could see that we could use some of the things here.” He told me he could build a place outside of town.
“I could continue to service the ones I have now, stock things for the planets. Kira could pay me in the stones; maybe I could send things to other places.”
“Mr. Sams, I don’t think that will work. Dorn doesn’t want to come here. Sir, if you want to come back with us, you will be welcome. You can talk to Kira and Omega. Really, I don’t think they will do this. Believe me, as much as I love coffee, I have learned to live without it. It may be your intentions aren’t as honorable as you think.”
Mr. Sams said, “What do you mean, Tyler?”
“Well sir, maybe it’s the stones you want.” I opened the envelope, counted the money.
Mr. Sams asked, “Are you satisfied with the price?”
“Yes, sir. I am, Mr. Sams,” I said.
“You know Tyler, with stones like that, you could live a very good life here in New Mexico. You could be the man that will civilize Boldlygo.”
“Mr. Sams, I assure you Boldlygo was civilized thousands of years ago,” I stated.
Mr. Sams said, “I see there is no nonsense about you.” I told him Dorn taught me well.
I said again, “Sir, you are welcome to go home with us. I have no idea when you would be able to return. I assure you if the ship has returned to Boldlygo, Dorn will return here to destroy the Centaurian’s and Palatonian’s ships.”
Mr. Sams said, “Let’s see Tyler, if you had not of crashed, Dorn would not come.”
I replied, “That’s what I’m saying, Mr. Sams.”
Mr. Sams finished his coffee. “Tyler, I must go. I need to return to Roswell. Please keep in touch with me.” I told him I would order some things from him later. I also told him I would order things from the store. I told Mr. Sams I would check with him in two weeks. He left to his car and drove away.
I made my breakfast, sat at the table staring out across the desert. It was cold today on Earth. My mind went home. I so wanted to be there, I thought of my sister. Closing my eyes, I was surrounded by the sound of running water. I went there in my mind.
I walked the path by the falls to the city. I walked to the chambers where Kira and Omega lived. April was in the guest quarters. My eyes opened. I was sweaty, shaking. I never knew I could do that. What will I do tomorrow? Dorn and Mekon said we could do anything we wanted to do if we tried. He told me that on our trip from the Cambridge clearing twelve years ago, since then, I and my sister have grown up. Tonight, when all is quiet, I’ll try again.
The morning was clear and cold. I went out early, walking to the village to mail my letter. I thought of my mom and dad. England was a long way off; the war is going on. I doubt if they get the letter in time. All I could do was mail the letter, hope for the best. Henery was sitting in his car, watching me.
“Tyler,” Henery called, “What you are looking for?” I told him a mailbox.
Henery asked, “Who are you writing to?”
I said, “My mom and dad.” I told him I hope they made it out of the Cambridge clearing that night. Well, maybe if they get the letter in time, maybe they will come. I’ll take them back.
Henery just looked at me. “I wish my mom was still alive. Tyler, you said Ren probably don’t know about me.”
Replying, “He may not. What if he does, Henery. If he does, you will know when Dorn comes.”
“You sound sure of yourself,” Henery said.
“Henery, it’s not that. I just know Dorn, I know Marie,” I told Henery, “I was so sure at the end of August, I’ll start buying things like chocolate and coffee. Henery, Mr. Sams wants to start a trade with us. I don’t think Kira will do that. I don’t trust him. I’ll tell Dorn when he comes.” I told Henery when I get back to Boldlygo, I never wanted to leave again. Henery agreed. I
walked into the store. The old man had a coffee pot on the coal heater.
He smiled through no teeth. “Coffee on the heater if you like.”
I took the pot, started to pour a cup when Henery came in. He had his hand on his weapon, taking the strap off.
“Henery,” I said.
Placing his finger to his lips, two men came in behind him. One of the men had jet black hair. The other one was younger and looked just as mean; they were Palatonians. I knew them for what they were: ruthless killers.
The old man said, “There’s coffee on the heater if you want.”
Both men looked at him and said, “Are you the owner of this place?”
“Yes, gas station general store.” They told him they were looking for a young man. “Really,” he said. “I don’t care who you’re looking for.” The old man said, “I mind my own business. You should, too.”
The Palatonians looked at Henery. “You’re the police here.”
Henery said, “I am. I don’t mess with people that don’t break the law. Break the law, it’s me you’ll answer to.” The one with the jet-black hair noted then said, “Huh” then walked out the door. I told Henery they will be back. Suddenly, one came through the window, the other one through the door. Henery shot and killed the window jumper, the one that ran through the door was staring at a big gun.
Henery said, “It was a twelve gauge.” I only knew it was a big gun.
Henery looked at the man on the floor. “Your buddy is dead. You want to go with him to the Gods? Move.”
He replied, “We were told the one we look for was here.”
I asked, “Who told you that?”
He said, “There was a man in Roswell before we beat him to death. He was a school teacher.”
Henery said, “Friend, there’s nothing here for you. If you stay, you can join your friend. You leave now, never come back. There’s only trouble here for you.”
The Palatonian held up a hand. “I understand,” he said. “You remind me of someone.”
Henery said, “I don’t know how I’ve always lived here.” It was a long day here on Earth. Lee stayed in his house today. Lori and Pam never came by. Darkness came again.
The Staff of Ira Page 6