The Staff of Ira

by Carl Sheffield

  Candance walked to me. “Yes, and its growing.” Candance said.

  Kira said, “Yes, it is.”

  I said to Candance, “You finally drag your ass out of bed.”

  “I’ll kick your ass, Leah,” Candance said. We laughed.

  Mekon came in. I reached out for his hand. “Father, come see your granddaughter, everyone had gone.”

  Mekon said, “That’s why I’ve waited. I did not want to be disturbed while I was here.”

  I started to rise. He said, “lie still, I know it’s been a long time since I have held a child. I think I still remember.” Kira told Mekon someday she will be running around the lab calling for her Opa.

  Kira said, “I remember Tressa doing that to my father.”

  22

  It was late August when the fleet blasted from hyperspace. All ships had instructions to go to stealth. Orbiting in the Earth’s atmosphere, the big ball looked as it was floating.

  Marie stated, “We have not been detected.”

  The Veronians had left on their own. The look at the big blue ball sitting in space will never change. I have been here in this same place so many times before. Looking at this planet, I thought how beautiful it was, just not for me. I loved my world, I never wanted to leave. I would be home with my wife if not for Tyler and Marie. I could be there waiting for my son.

  I told all the ships to stay cloaked. Fax had sent word, he wanted to come aboard. We would need to come from cloak to do that.

  I looked at my captain. Zar said, “We have a blimp on the other side of the planet.”

  I asked Zar, “Can they see us if we uncloak?”

  Zar replied, “Yes.” I told Zar to go one light year, have Fax to follow. The Xonian ship came alongside to dock. The connection took place. The hatch opened, Fax stepped in.

  Fax said, “We want to go on the ground.” I looked at Ren. I told him, “Dorn, he would not be accepted.”

  “You’re right, Ren,” I said. “You would know with your trials on Earth.”

  Fax said, “Dorn, it was a very long time ago when I was here on this Earth. I never went to the ground. You say they are bad people.”

  “Fax, it’s a beautiful planet. These humans will try to kill you,” I said. “Fax, humans try to destroy what they don’t understand.” I tried, I really did, to discourage him from going. Still, he wanted to go.

  Ren said to me, “I’ll come along anyway.”

  “Your choice,” I said. “Come along, I’ll show you.” Zar picked up the beacon from the crashed shuttle. It lay in the bottom of a big hole under rocks and debris. I told Zar it’s no hole, it’s a crater and a big one. I told Zar to take the ship back to the fleet. I told Fax and Ren I’ll set the shuttle down in stealth.

  “Remember where it’s at. Fax, remember what I said. The humans will not accept you. I’m going to the bottom of the crater to see if I can see the shuttle.”

  Entering the atmosphere of Earth, we went to stealth instantly. It was too late, we had been picked up. Zar called from the ship. I told him I see them.

  “Remember Zar, they can’t see you or us. I landed the shuttle close, within five miles of a small village. I needed to show Ren and Fax what I was talking about.”

  Walking down the ramp to the roadway just outside the village, a small truck went by, with two women inside. They ran off the road screaming. A man in a field truck saw what was happening. He stopped, took a weapon, shot at them, hitting Fax in the leg. I ran from the craft to help him. Bringing him back to the shuttle, trying to stop the bleeding.

  I said, “You see Fax, they don’t understand. You scare them.”

  Fax said, “I meant them no harm.”

  “They don’t understand, Fax,” I said. I told Ren we got to get him back to the George Washington. I lifted off, still in stealth, went straight to the ship.

  Zar said, “They are looking for us, Dorn.” They come close to our stern. We were on full alert. Taking Fax from the shuttle, Ren went to the sick room. I told them to take care of him. Leaving the sick room, I told April, Marie, and Tressa to go to the shuttle. I told Zar to jump back several light years. I told him I would call when we start back. I think that would be the best thing to do. We can see them, they can’t see us.

  Zar did as I asked, he took the ship back. I told him when I find Tyler, we would call. Going aboard the shuttle, leaving the launch bay, we went to stealth back to Earth, Following the beckon of the shuttle.

  April said, “Dorn, the shuttle is in that big hole.”

  I said, “It’s no hole, April.” I told her the same as I did Marie; it’s a crater, a big one too. Despite the dust, we went to the floor of the crater.

  I said, “Girls, if I signal you, leave. Go back to the ship. I’ve got to go out.”

  April replied, “Dorn, we have one here, we don’t need two.”

  Tressa took my arm. “Wait, Opa.” Tessa told April to move the shuttle back. Tressa closed her eyes. I was completely amazed at what I saw. Tressa pushed her hands forward the rocks, and debris flew out of the way, uncovering the shuttle.

  “Opa, now,” she said. I walked to the shuttle, opened the hatch. The only thing I found was the bones of Roberto and a smell I’ll never forget. Going back to the shuttle, I asked Tressa, “How long can you hold the shuttle?”

  Tressa replied, “As long as you want.” I told them I had a plan.

  “We’re going to fly out of the crater in stealth. Can you bring the shuttle behind us, looking as we were towing it?”

  “Opa, if Marie can help,” Tressa said.

  Marie said, “Tressa, I’m strong with my power. I’m not as strong as you.”

  Tressa smiled. “Well, remember when I was little, Tressa? Look at me now. You’re as strong as your mind. Join with me.”

  April asked, “You want me to help?”

  Tressa said, “April, help Opa.” Soon as Marie touched Tressa, a glow came from both.

  “Wow, what do we do now, Dorn?” April asked. I told April the way I see it, there’s a village about five miles east. What I want to do is fly by slow, let them see the shuttle. If Tyler is around, he will get the message. Flying by the village, I was right.

  April said, “Look Dorn, its Tyler.” Tyler was standing in the clearing with several humans beside him looking up.

  I told April, “Take the shuttle into orbit, let them shoot the shuttle down. That will give us time to find Tyler.” Tyler saw us, fell to the ground.

  April said, “He saw us, Dorn, so did the other people.” April started up in the atmosphere with company following us.

  I yelled at the girls, “Don’t let that shield fall.”

  Tressa said, “Oh please, Opa!” April told me she felt her heart beat faster. A little bead of sweat appeared on her head. I told her it was the love of the man that made her do that.

  “I can’t wait to hold him,” April said. We continued to Earth space at sixty-five thousand feet. The girls let the shield drop. The Palatonians blew the shuttle apart. We were no match for the big ship. I told April to turn, make a big swing back to Earth. I felt sure they would go try to find the big ship. We had caught attention from the air force also.

  April took the shuttle back to the village where we saw Tyler. April sat the shuttle down in the desert, on the east side of the village. There were several small houses in a row. It was a park of houses on wheels, like I’ve never seen. The girls and I come from the desert walking through the park of homes on wheels. Several people were looking at us. I could see they were talking among themselves.

  From the distance we were, you could fill the love between April and Tyler. Marie and Tressa saw him at the same time.

  Tressa said, “I’ll beat you to him, Marie.” The two took off running, calling for Tyler. Tyler’s crew stood as they heard someone call for him.

  “
Tyler, Tyler,” Marie called. Tyler froze. Turning, he saw the girls. Marie was the first to reach him, then Tressa. Taking hold of him, kissing him, they all had tears in their eyes for the joy. Tyler turned to see me. Looking past me, he saw the woman, the one he has loved since he was twelve years old. April walked into his arms, kissed him. She said the words he had long to hear.

  “I love you, Mister,” April expressed. Tyler took her in his arms, held her close.

  Looking at me, “Dorn, how are you? What took you long enough?”

  I replied, “Tyler, son, it was not like you were in the backyard.”

  “I knew you would come. I’ve been telling their people you would come.”

  Lori came over. “Dorn, this is Lori.”

  I said, “Hello, Lori.”

  Lori said, “You were right Tyler, he has the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.” Tyler introduced Pam, Lee, his mom and dad, Jay, and Henery.

  Pam said, “So, all the bullshit he has told us is true.”

  I said, “I hope he would not lie about anything.” I told them, “This is April, Tyler’s lady, Marie his sister, and this is Tressa.”

  Lori said, “You’re the daughter of the queen.”

  Tressa said, “Be quiet, someone may hear you.” Lori smiled. Marie heard Tyler as he told Dorn who everyone was. Marie was crying hard, walking toward them. Her father held her in his arms. “You have grown up to be a beautiful woman.” Her mom could not stop crying.

  “Dorn, Henery, there is something you should know about him. He is from Ren’s DNA.”

  I told Tyler, “I already knew this. Ren is on the George Washington.”

  Henery asked, “What is the George Washington?”

  Tyler said, “It’s the name of his ship.”

  Jay stepped up. “Why did you name your ship that?”

  I looked at him. “I didn’t. My wife did. George Washington was a close friend of mine. I was with him when he crossed the Delaware.”

  Pam said, “Well, hell I hope I look that good when I’m three hundred years old.”

  We sat and talked several minutes beside the small house on wheels. Pam just would not shut up.

  I said, “Sorry Dorn, Pam is a none believer.”

  Pam said, “It’s very hard for me to believe there is life on other planets. A life that our scientist hasn’t found.” I told Pam our race is so far advanced. In three hundred years, Earth may reach the far side of their galaxy.

  Pam asked, “Where are you from?”

  I said, “Two hundred fifty light years away.”

  “Bullshit,” Pam said. I told Tyler she will not be coming with us. Pam went outside.

  “Tyler, you need to keep your eyes on her. I feel so much anger in her. She was with Jay, I thought she was doing fine.”

  I asked, “Tyler, tell me, do you have coffee?”

  “It is on the stove, Dorn.” I told Dorn I have supplies to carry back: coffee, chocolate.

  “Tressa wanted to try the chocolate.” Tyler reached overhead on the top shelf. He reached for something, walked to the door. “Tressa.” Tressa looked at him as Tyler tossed her a candy bar.

  “What is it?” she asked. I told her to open it. Minutes later, Tressa came in. She had chocolate all over her face; everyone laughed.

  Tressa said, “I want more of this chocolate.”

  I told her, “So did your mother. You were a little girl the first time I bought a candy bar back from Earth.”

  Lori walked from the house to the table, sat down beside April. I’ve looked my twenty-seven years of life for a man like him. April looked at Tyler.

  Lori said, “The time he has been here, you’re all he talked about.” April had a tear in her eyes. Lori said, “Be honest with me, is he for real? Is their planet out there with humans on them?”

  April looked at Lori, “Where do you think we come from, the moon? There are more planets than you could believe. There are hundreds of planets with humans.” Pam was listening to them, no one saw the rock in her hand down beside her. Tyler told me my father would get better when we get there.

  April asked, “What is wrong with him?”.

  “He has lung cancer, its bad.” Lori said.

  April said, “I’ll make you this promise, by the time we reach the Milky Way, your father will be well.”

  Pam said, “Bull shit.” She threw the rock at April. Tressa screamed, threw a shield between April and Lori. The rock kind of hung in space. Pam looked at Tressa, she had never seen this kind of look before. April reached out, took the rock, placed it on the table, then stood up.

  Lori screamed at Pam, “What the hell is wrong with you?”

  Pam said, “Lori, these people are dangerous.”

  I said, “Yes we are, Pam. Yet you threw the rock. You’re a typical human who destroys what you don’t understand.

  April looked at Pam. “Leave now!”

  Tressa said, “April, let her stay. I promise you, she will cause no more trouble.”

  Pam started to move saying to Tressa, “Look teeny bobber, watch yourself.”

  Tressa replied, “I do, everywhere I go.”

  Marie said, “Leave Tressa alone.”

  Tyler said, “Let’s go outside.” The girls walked over to where the men stood.

  Jay asked, “Tyler, why is she acting like this?” I told Jay I have no idea.

  I told Dorn of a man in Roswell. ”He is from Boldlygo, his name is Mr. Sams. He has helped me since I’ve been here. He wants to start a trade with us. His mom and dad settled in Denver, then came here. His family had stones from the planet. He has a business here in trading. I have bought a lot of things to carry back. I have it stored in a barn at Doctor Jones’ house. It’s a good place to land behind big trees. Doctor Jones wants us to stay there. I think he wants to go back with us.”

  Inside the mobile, Pam was moving around in circles, yelling. No one could hear heard. Tressa smiled. “That will teach her.”

  April asked, “Tressa, what has come over you?”

  Tressa smiled, “My true colors are coming through.” Tressa had changed since she got her powers.

  Tressa said, “April, this woman is what Leah calls Ellie and Candance. What is that word?”

  April said, “Bitch.”

  Tressa expressed moving around, “Yes, that woman is a bitch.” I called to Tressa.

  “Tressa,” I said.

  “Opa,” Tressa said. I smiled. “You’re more human than you think.”

  Tressa said, “Not like that bitch.”

  “Tressa,” I said, “Do not use that word.”

  Tressa said, “Why? Leah does.” I just shook my head, walked away.

  I went for coffee. I asked Tyler, “What the distance was to this Roswell?”

  Tyler said, “One hour by car.”

  “Can we go there in the shuttle?” I asked.

  Tyler replied, “No, too risky. Besides Dorn, we don’t need to go there. Henery can call him, he’ll come here.” Henery went to the station, made the call. I told the others to go back to Doctor Jones’ house. I was drawing attention from the locals. Lee and Lori waited at his place, Dorn waited here with me.

  I asked, “Can I have another coffee? Tyler, tell me about the stuff you’re taking home. How much coffee do you have?”

  I said, “Dorn, I bought thirty cases. I know that won’t be much once we start drinking it. I have four coffee pots, twenty-five cases of chocolate, ten cases of hard candy, some things I was asked to buy for the women. Don’t ask, I said it was hard for me to buy it. It will fill the shuttle by itself.

  I said to Tyler, “Good. I have ten ships in orbit, all with shuttles.” I told Dorn with what I have here and the people, we only need two shuttles.

  I asked, “Do you think I should buy more things? I have the money. Dorn, you
want to go see Doctor Jones?” I looked at Pam in the kitchen looking at Dorn.

  “What about her?” Dorn asked.

  “I don’t know, Dorn. I’m not sure why she did this, she has been helpful. I don’t know why she threw the rock toward April. I’m surprised April didn’t do something.”

  I said, “Tyler, I’m surprised Tressa didn’t kill her.”

  I asked Dorn, “When did Tressa get powers?”

  “Tyler, that’s a story by itself. To make it short, she got them coming here. The closer we come to Earth, the stronger she got.”

  “Dorn, I remember Marie and April doing the same when we left Earth.”

  A faint wind blew through the trees. Tyler moved to one side looking at Lee, he was sitting in a chair.

  I asked, “Tyler, what is wrong?”

  “Dorn, the Palatonians are close, real close.”

  I asked him, “How can you be so sure?”

  Tyler said, “There, look! About ten thousand feet.” The air force was after the ship. Suddenly, the ship went straight up. Old Lee came running from the house with the weapon we took from the Palatonian awhile back.

  “Damn it, boy,” old Lee said. “Why didn’t you call me? I’ll blow the bastards up. I will, Tyler, just give me the word.” Lee handed me the weapon. I showed it to Dorn.

  He asked, “What is this, Tyler?” I told him a very sophisticated weapon. We took it off a Palatonian guard trying to kill me.

  Henery drove up. Stepping out of the car, he said, “Tyler, when you have that thing in your hands, trouble isn’t far off.”

  “Henery, it just went straight up,” I said.

  “Mr. Sams is on his way, he will be here around two o’clock,” Henery said.

  I said, “Dorn, I will be so glad to get home. I want to marry April as soon as possible.”

  Lori came to the stoop. “Tyler, how long will Pam be there?” I went for more coffee when she fell.

  I looked at Lori. “Now, Lori.”

  Pam got up, “I can’t believe that bitch did that.”

  “Pam, you need to go home. Dorn says you have much anger in you to come along. If you go and misbehave as you are now, we will send you to the Moon of Spores. There is a lot of humans that live there, they also have a prison.”