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Him
Who Made The Seven Stars
By
Waddie
Greywolf
Chapter
28
"A
plague
on
eminence!
I
hardly
dare
cross
the
street
anymore without a
convoy, and I am stared at wherever I go like an idiot member of a
royal family or an animal in a zoo; and zoo animals have been known to
die from stares.” ~ Igor Stravinsky
The city square
was a misnomer. It wasn’t square at all. In fact is was very much a
large ovoid circular affair of incredible beauty and craftsmanship. It
was built so many years ago its history was lost in antiquity and the
fading memories of those who passed on information orally. It was
uniquely built with stone benches people could sit or stand on in case
someone in front of them was of a taller race. It was considered polite
and an unspoken custom for those taller to sit if they were anywhere
within the first twenty feet of the musical group playing. It made for
a moving audience which was always shifting their attention from one
attraction to another. Those of excellent talent were where most were
gathered and the crowd lingered the longest.
Billy and his
family finally came to the performance area and watched any number of
jugglers, acrobats, and wild animal shows. It was more like circus
sideshows than theater. The boys and Roz
loved the magicians and the unusual animals. For the most part, the
animals were treated with the greatest affection and respect and were
not made to do ridiculous things and wear funny looking costumes. They
were trained to do certain tricks in a patient and respectful manner
and respond to their keepers to showcase their abilities in the wild.
You could tell their trainers loved and cared for them and developed
special relationships. However, that was not the totality for all the
animal acts that day. A group of unsavory
looking men and a couple of unkempt women had a dozen handsome small
ape-like critters who seemed highly intelligent, but they wore small
silver slave collars around their necks to keep them in line and
intimidated them with a small box one of the trainers held which
produced a nasty shock. They were forced to do tricks and punished
severely if they didn’t please their master. It didn’t look to Roz and
the boys like they were enjoying themselves very much, but they would
join hands and bow to the crowd’s applause. They acted like they were
in great fear for their lives.
They were
remarkably beautiful creatures with a light golden fur which covered
their entire bodies except for their small hands and faces. They had
human looking faces which were quite pleasing to look upon. They caught
Randy’s imagination because their hairless faces were ringed like an
oval picture frame of the brightest golden fur which made them look
absolutely angelic. They reminded Randy of his beloved protector. Even
Billy commented they reminded him of Golden Tamarins or Marmosets from
Earth; but they were more simian by nature than old world monkeys and
walked upright without the need to use their hands for locomotion. They
were totally bipedal and the tallest of them, a large male, stood about
two and a half feet. Randy wondered. He sent out ticklers.
<< Who are
you who knocks at the entry to my mind? >> a voice said to him.
<< The
smallest human boy in front of you, but don’t make eye contact least
your masters suspect something. My name is Randy, >> Randy sent.
<< Few
have the talent to send and receive. You must be a very special human,
>> the small voice replied.
<< Which
one are you? >> Randy asked.
<< The
female you watched roller skate a minute ago -- now holding the wooden
flute, >> she sent.
<< Ah,
yes, I see you now. You and your family don’t seem happy, >>
Randy sent.
<< We’re
not. We’re miserable. They treat us horribly and think we are dumb
beast. We are a highly intelligent race who once boasted a great
civilization, but we were overrun and hunted for food by a reptilian
race and their insectivorous slaves. Over the centuries we went back to
living in the jungles for cover and protection. There’s not many of us
left. They call us Sun Bears. The name came from those who came to hunt
us. Unfortunately, we became a delicacy for several carnivorous races.
A telepath, like you, once told them our names begin with ‘Sun.' It
comes from antiquity when our people worshiped the sun. The name of our
star was always put first in our names because our ancestors thought
they were its children and were made in its image. They thought they
bore the image of their god and called themselves ‘Sun Bearers.’ Sun
Bears is a misnomer. We are not Bears. We are a primate species like
you and your Bigfoot. Like your male protectors, our males have pouches
like the marsupials on your planet. Females give birth and the father
carries them through the second term. We are more kin to watchers than
humans, >> she sent.
<< It must
be awful living in captive slavery being made to do meaningless tricks
for those who don’t appreciate the natural talents of your species,
>> Randy sent.
<< It is,
but we never developed speech like most primates and can only
communicate with our minds, >> she returned, << We were
brought onto this planet illegally. Our intelligence has never been
tested by the authorities. Can you tell the council about us, Randy?
>> she asked as a plea for help.
<< I’ll
certainly try. Do you have an individual name? >> he asked.
<<
Sunsa’rah and my mate’s name is Sunsastubo. He’s the tallest and most
handsome, >> she replied and smiled when she spoke of her mate.
<< Are you
about to play something? >> Randy asked.
<< Yes, we
females play two wood flutes, a soprano and alto, a Tambal Cymbalum, a
small zither, two tenor lap viols; a tam-tam and tambourine with our
feet. The men dance warrior tribal dances passed down from generation
to generation for centuries, >> Sunsa’rah replied.
<< Can you
and your sister flute player play melodies I send to you mentally?
>> Randy asked.
<< We can
play anything you send us, young one, >> she replied with
confidence.
Billy had his
arm around Randy as the boy began to remember the music his savior,
Cowboy Billy, played for him one afternoon on the upright grand piano
in the parlor when he introduced him to the famous Stravinsky ‘chord.’
Billy told him it came from a piano reduction of a ballet score by a
great Russian composer by the name of Igor Stravinsky. It was called
‘Petrushka’ and the particular piece was the 'Russian Dance.’ With
Randy’s enhancements Billy passed to him when he healed him, the young
boy was able to memorized the score. Since that afternoon, he heard the
orchestral version played on streaming audio on his computer from a
wonderful classical music radio station out of Portland, Oregon, KQAC
(www.allclassical.org) Cowboy Billy told him about. He downloaded it to
a file and listened to it numerous times.
Now all he had
to do was come up with a convincing arrangement for instruments he had
no idea of their tonal range; a daunting task at best, but if Billy
taught the young cowboy anything, it was to have faith in himself and
his abilities. Randy heard Sunsa’rah tell her five female companions to
go along with her and lock onto the streaming wifi mental signal the
young boy in the front row would be sending them. It was very
important. They were going to attempt a new and interesting piece of
music they would be fed as they went along. She started patting her
small right foot for a tempo, her sister clashed the cymbals on the
tambourine, the other picked up her tempo with the tam-tam, and
Sunsa’rah and her sisters began to play in perfect tune the strange but
exciting melodies of the ‘Russian Dance’ from ‘Petrushka.’
“No!” Cowboy
Billy exclaimed to no one, laughing in awe as the word came out his
mouth. ‘That’s impossible,’ he thought to himself.
Randy was
sending the melody first to Sunsa’rah, the accompaniment to her second
flute, and the poly-chordal sequences to her other sisters playing the
Cymbalum, Zither, and lap viols. It was not complete. It was crudely
done in spots, but it was close enough to do the job. It was impressive
enough it held the audience in awe and a number of passing strangers
stopped to look and listen. It certainly got the message across to the
most important human standing in the crowd listening to them perform.
As limited as it was, there was no doubt in Billy’s mind it was an
adaptation of Stravinsky’s score for the ballet and these small
beautiful creatures were somehow trying their dead-level best to
duplicate it, but how could it have found its way to Retikki Prime?
These creatures were no Nairobi trio times two. They were highly
accomplished and played a miniature version of the intricate
Stravinsky’s score pretty damn well.
Of course, Billy
didn’t know they were being fed the music like a mental player-piano
roll by a budding musical genius to rival and eventually surpass his
own accomplishments. The Sun Bear males danced like they never had
before. While it was different to them, it was not unlike many of their
folk dances they brought with them from their world; they improvised
and adapted. Sunsa’rah sent to them to make the most of this dance, it
might mean the very survival of their species. She would explain later.
Then it hit Billy, the only person in their group he ever shared the
piece with was his little saddle buddy, his wing man standing right in
front of him. He rested both hands on Randy’s shoulders and began to
listen to him send the music to the small female musicians. Randy
didn’t miss a note and was not only sending to Sunsa’rah, but her five
sisters as well. On and on they played until the Sun Bear men almost
couldn’t keep up with music. Randy sent Sunsa’rah and her fellow
musicians the finale, and they played the final chords with conviction
like they played the piece a thousand times. It was done. The overall
effect of the music and the dancing was stunning. Even the
space-gypsies never saw their captive slaves perform with such
enthusiasm and skill. A hushed silence fell over the audience. The
nefarious slave traders saw their fortunes quickly rising in other
men’s eyes.
Someone yelled,
“Hosanna!" and the crowd repeated, “Hosanna in the highest!" The
audience went crazy with applause. They crowded the credit scanners at
both ends of the small stage to reward the small humanoids for their
performance. They never saw or heard anything like it. It was the
closest they ever came to witnessing another art form they didn’t have
on Retikki Prime: a ballet. Billy grabbed up his little buddy and
looked him right in the eye. “Nice one, Cowboy! Impressed the shit out
of me. We’ll talk about it later. They’s more to them little folks than
what meets the eye. Is that what you’s trying to tell me?” Billy asked.
“I didn’t have
time to explain, Cowboy Billy. They’s called Sun Bears. They told me
they are the children of their Sun god from a planet in another galaxy
from which they were stolen. I figured Sunsa’rah and her sisters could
play it -- it was worth a try -- I sent it to them and her musicians to
copy as best they could. I had no idea they were so talented. I wanted
it to get your attention. They’re being held captive against their
will, and are very probably the last of their kind. They need our help,
Brother, and with you teach’n me about the cowboy way and all, I done
figured you might wanna’ know about it,” Randy rambled.
“Absolutely,
Cowboy. Ya’ done good! Now I know why I brought my little buddy along
as my wing man,” Billy said and stole a hug and a kiss from his saddle
buddy.
“Balthazar, what
is the penalty for enslaving sentient critters who ain’t been evaluated
by the high council?” Billy asked.
“Beheading or
permanent banishment from the solar system, Master. They take a very
dim view of such underhanded practices. That’s how the twins came to
Retikki Prime,” Balthazar replied.
“To save these
nomadic space-gypsies lives, or have them thrown into jail to rot until
sentence is passed, ask if they want to reach a deal and sell the Sun
Bears to me?” Billy said with consummate authority.
“It shall be
done, Master Billy,” Balthazar replied.
“Clyde, you’re
with Balthazar. Back him up. His words come from my mouth,” Billy
ordered.
“My pleasure,
Master Billy,” Clyde said and smiled like he couldn’t imagine a better
assignment.
There was much
shouting and yelling from the space-gypsies, but when Balthazar
threatened to call the city constables, they got their heads together
and came up with an outrageous price of a thousand credits for each one
for a total of twelve thousand. Balthazar laughed at them and asked
them how much it was worth for them to keep their heads? My master is a
generous man and is willing to offer you five thousand credits for all
of them to keep you from being incarcerated until a verdict can be
reached which could take months to a year or more,” Balthazar said in a
final offer before he summoned the law. There was much grumbling and
shouting, but when tempers cooled and the air cleared, they agreed to
Billy’s price. Balthazar made sure he got a detailed clean bill of sale
from the space-gypsies for the Sun Bears.
There was much
joking and rolling of eyes from Billy’s friends and family. They
thought the whole damn thing was hilarious, but it was ‘so’ Billy. They
knew Billy well and his innate sense of right and wrong, they just
expected it of him. Enoch said, “When you run with Billy, you gotta’ be
prepared for anything. Now we got a dozen more family members and not a
tone deaf one among ‘em -- except me. I’m the outsider here,” he said
and roared with laughter.
“Y’ain’t alone,
Brother. I cain’t carry a tune in a bucket,” Moss agreed. The rest of
Billy’s family laughed with them.
Billy made the
men take the silver slave control collars off the little people and
they rushed to Billy’s family and their arms. Each one found a large
human to hold them, and the bigger ones held a couple until they got
away from the gypsies. Sunsa’rah brought her husband Sunsastubo to
Randy
and Billy and introduced him. << Thank you so much, Randy, and
Master Billy. We don’t know how to thank you properly but to say we’re
so grateful to be free of those horrible people, >> she sent.
“No problem,
little sister. You and your kind will fit in fine with the rest of our
strange but lovable family. We’ll find a place for you. Come, join us
and we will take you back to the palace with us for the evening and
home to Earth if you so choose. We will leave the decision up to you.
Either way, if you decide to stay on Retikki Prime, I’m sure my
husband’s uncles, the two Lord High Chancellors of the supreme high
council on Retikki Prime, will take you under their protection and find
places for you here,” Billy told them.
* * * * * *
Billy noticed
they were getting ready to play the permanently installed Oolong
instrument Cass and Poly played so well on his last visit with Boomer
to Retikki Prime. It hadn’t been that long ago, and yet, it seemed
almost like a lifetime. So many things happened and their days were
busy, filled with living, learning, and growing. Billy had grown so use
to his little brothers, he couldn’t imagine a day without them. It was
too horrible to contemplate. The family slowly made their way to stand
before the two large instruments. Folks who remembered the twins and
their new master from Earth stopped them along the way for hugs and
well wishes. Several asked if Castor and Pollux were planning on
playing? They answered they really didn’t know. The afternoon was an
unscheduled visit, but they would be playing a free concert with their
master and sister Roz at two past the second sun on the morrow.
Everyone was welcome to come and listen to the wonderful music they
learned on their new home world under the tutelage of their new music
master, their older bother, Master Billy Daniels.
They found a
place to stand and Billy gathered the Sun Bears before him. “Make sure
each of you are with one of us this afternoon. Our larger men and
watchers don’t mind holding you if you get worried or feel frightened,”
he said. They nodded their thanks and were convinced Randy and Billy
Daniels were their co-saviors sent to them by their Sun God and they
would do anything they told them.
The same two
blue skinned with yellow eyes players Billy heard play on their
previous visit began the concert with a rousing piece which got
everyone’s blood flowing. They were greatly improved from the last
time. When they finished, folks gave them a great ovation and rushed up
to the scanners to pay tribute for their artistry. Billy got in line
behind the twins and Boomer and had his hand scanned for a credit. Moss
asked if they could be scanned? Billy didn’t know. Boomer told Moss to
try. It could only reject him. He ran his hand over the scanner and
another credit was deducted from Master Billy’s master account.
Everyone else in the family had their hand scanned, but not their new
additions, the Sun Bears. The blue players were overwhelmed by the
generosity of the Daniel’s family and someone started chanting,
“Gemma-note-te!” “Gemma-note-te!” for the twins to play. They kept it
up until Billy gave his consent, but told Cass and Poly not to accept
credits for their playing this time. They were guests.
Cass and Poly
walked up to the stage and bowed deeply to the two blue players and
graciously accepted the mallets from them. Cass nodded to Poly to speak
for them, “Thanks you so much for your support and asking us to play.
It’s been a while, but this performance will be a free one. It is our
master’s wish, our playing this afternoon will be a love offering to
the wonderful people of this planet we consider our second home,” Poly
said sincerely, “There was much applause and whistles. We’d like to
play a piece for you written by an ancient composer on Earth our sister
musician learned, and we fell in love with; however, beyond the
boundaries of a set of variations over a single ground bass, we have
added to the piece our own improvisations. So it is with great humility
and gratitude we dedicate this piece in homage to our talented sister
musician, Roz Cumber,” Poly finished and took his place at the second
instrument.
Billy had his
hands resting on Roz’s shoulder. “I’d tell you to hold onto your hat
if’n you’s wear’n one, Little Sister. You can borrow mine if’n ya’
like,” Billy teased, “I never know what to expect from them two, but I
can tell you, they won’t disappoint,” Billy said proudly.
Balthazar was
standing on the other side of Roz and heard Billy’s comment. “I plan to
pull my hat down over my ears to make sure it don’t get blown away,
Sister,” he said, and they shared a laugh.
Cass and Poly
started playing the same simple ground base melody and played it a
couple of times all the way through. The next time around Poly played
the first variation exactly like Roz might have. The next go 'round
Poly took up the ground bass as Cass played the second variation and so
on until they finished the written piece. Then they cut loose and did
it several more times with their own set of variations so complex and
inventive the original composer would have blushed with shame. The
twins were phenomenal and played with a maturity not even Billy
recognized in them until earlier that morning when they played the Bach
double violin concerto at the palace. The crowd never heard such music,
and it brought tears to many eyes. When they finished someone shouted,
“Hosanna!” and everyone echoed, “Hosanna, in the highest!” it was
repeated three times as the highest tribute or compliment a musician
could receive. The little Sun Bears mouths were open like they wanted
to reply, but all that came out was a high pitched yell. It didn’t
matter. It only added to the heart filled accolade the twins received
from the audience.
“Stunning!” said
Roz breathlessly to her master.
“They done got a
good scald on that one, dear heart,” Billy replied.
“I think ‘Biber’
would be proud of them,” Roz replied.
“Hosanna in the
highest!” Balthazar added.
Cass and Poly
graciously returned the mallets to the next young couple of musicians
and took their place among their family. One was standing next to
Boomer on each side with a big hairy arm around each, shamefully
stealing kisses from them. The next young couple began their piece.
They were from the farmlands and studied under the same master Cass and
Poly were sent to learn the instrument. He took only the finest young
musicians and since they were referred by the great lady Shedu, Madame
Spartza, after hearing them play one piece, he agreed to take them on
as students. The two young players were excellent and played in the
style and grace of their master’s traditions.
Roz was standing
between Billy and Balthazar when the big black angel leaned to whisper
some observation to her. She agreed and raised her right arm to lightly
touch his muscular back to confirm his thoughts when there came a
bright flash of greenish-blue light and a searing pain slammed her hand
and arm into Balthazar with such a force if almost knocked him off his
feet. It was a shot from a Laser rifle mounted on the roof of one of
the buildings around the square. It hit Roz’s new bracelet and
ricocheted off to slam into the chest of a beautiful little girl and
her daddy who was holding her in his arms. The musicians stopped
playing immediately. There were screams, and people began running
everywhere to get out of the line of fire. It was about to turn into
utter chaos. Something had to be done to keep them from rioting and
hurting a lot of people. Billy stood on one
of the benches above the crowd. “STOP!” he yelled at the top of his
voice and held up his hand for all to see who was speaking. Everyone
turned to him and stopped moving to hear what he had to say. “Archie
and Edith! On the roof of that building there! Apprehend and detain!
Away with you, my beautiful Psyches!” he shouted, and Archie and Edith
took flight in pursuit of the sniper. “Roz, are you all right?” Billy
hollered.
“I think my arm
is fractured, Master, but see to the man and his little girl. I’ll
survive,” Roz said heroically.
“Clear the
center dais!” Billy ordered, “Balthazar are you injured?” he asked.
“A little
shaken, but otherwise I’m fine, my good Master,” he replied.
“Nick, Clyde,
Balthazar, let’s wing up!” Billy ordered. There was a great flash of
light and they disappeared. The crowed was stunned. A second or two
later there was another flash of light and the four men reappeared
fully fledged like four cowboy angels. Many dropped to their knees in
respect. The small Sun Bears were more convinced than ever Billy
Daniels was a god and the other three were his angel consorts. They put
Randy in the category as a son of their new god. “Move away from the
man and little girl, please,” Billy ordered. He raised his hand and
acted like he was picking something up. The crowd was amazed to see the
large man with the little girl held tightly in his arms rise from the
ground and gently floated over to the center of the main dais. Billy
set them down so gently they didn’t feel a thing.
“Let’s get to
work, gentlemen!” he barked at his angel posse. He threw his hat to
Boomer and the others followed suit. They walked to the dais and got
upon it. The little girl took the major blow of the shot in her chest.
The charge was so powerful it was meant to kill, and it did. The jolt
alone stopped her little heart immediately, but the good news was, it
didn’t do much damage to any major arteries, and she wasn’t bleeding a
lot. Billy took a good two fingers full of her blood and tasted it. He
instantly had her DNA on file. Her daddy was in bad shape as well, but
he was alive. Billy reckoned he’d have just enough time to fix and
revive the little girl before her dad went into shock.
“Wings up,
gentlemen!” Billy ordered and the four angels raised their beautiful
wings to absorb the healing powers of the universe. They were
surrounded by such a great light most had to turn their eyes away.
Billy put the little girl back together and started her heart beating
again. When she came to, she was looking into the face of the handsome
cowboy her daddy told her was from the planet Earth. Billy picked her
up, kissed her gently, and handed her to her aunt who was standing
nearby. The lady was in tears. She wanted to thank Billy, but he told
her they still had to save the little girl’s dad.
Billy leaned
over the wounded man and told him his beautiful daughter would be all
right. Then he told the man to kiss him. Billy explained he would eat
his pain away before he healed his wound. Billy gently placed his mouth
onto the fine looking man’s mouth and he returned Billy’s gentle kiss
in kind. The more he gave to Billy the less pain he felt until it was
completely gone. “Thank you, Master Billy,” he said softly
“It was nothing,
sir; now I must taste your blood to put you back together in proper
sequence,” Billy explained. He took his fingers and dipped it into the
man’s fresh hot blood and tasted it. As he knew it would be, it was
very similar to the young girls. It took Billy even less time to heal
him and had the man sitting up by the time Billy’s posse spread their
wings to completely heal him. There was only a small red streak where
the wound was brought back together which would go away with time. When
Billy reached down and helped the man stand, he was joined on the dais
by his sister and little girl, the people in the square went absolutely
bananas with 'Hosannas!’ and shouts of “Master Billy and his cowboy
angels! Hosanna in the highest!” The town square filled when everyone
heard there was a miracle being performed on the center dais.
Billy held up
his hand. “We’re not through yet. Roz, dear heart, come to me,” Billy
said holding his arm out for her. She gave him her left hand, and he
gently elevated her to the dais. “Let me see your right arm,” he said
softly. She showed him. The bracelet wasn’t harmed in anyway. He gently
removed it and handed it to Balthazar to hold. He brought Roz to the
center of the dais. “Wings up again, gentlemen,” he asked once more of
his posse. They raised their wings and Billy and Roz were surrounded by
the great light. Billy ran his hand back and forth over Roz’s forearm
until there was no more pain; not even tenderness.
“Do you think it
did anything to harm Billy Junior, Roz?” he asked.
“No, but he’s
very concerned for me. He became distressed when he felt his nursery
was shaken up a bit,” she replied, “he’s better now. I think I
convinced him there was nothing to worry about. His daddy would make
everything all right,” she added.
Someone pointed
and shouted. Yonder came Archie and Edith with the sniper wrapped up in
an unbreakable silk-like rope they produced. They stunned him first
with an electrical charge, and tied him up like they did with Orville.
There were more cheers and applause for Master Billy’s Psyches for
apprehending the villain. He was immediately turned over to the local
constabulary who took him away for incarceration.
Billy walked
over to the scanning machines. “Cass -- Poly -- what is the highest
amount of credits you ever got for a performance?” he asked.
“Three thousand
and fifty-six credits, Master,” Poly replied.
“Can you set the
scanner for four thousand credits for the two young musicians who’s
playing was interrupted, sir?” he asked the clerk standing behind the
machine.
“Certainly,
Master Billy, I would be proud and honored to do it for you, sir,” the
clerk replied and pressed in the amount.
Billy waved his
hand once and the amount was automatically deducted from his account
and transferred to the young musician’s account.
“Never wonder if
your two slaves adore you or why, Master Billy. You are a prince among
men and deserve our love and respect,” Castor said and his words were
solidly confirmed by his equally talented brother. They shed tears as
they hugged and kissed their master. The two young musicians came and
fell at Billy’s feet and would have paid homage to his handsome boots,
but he told them to rise and share their love with him. They did and
cried tears of joy and thanks for his graciousness and generosity.
Billy wished them well and told them he would be looking forward to
hearing them again in the near future.
<< What
have we become a part of? >> Sunsa’rah asked her new young cowboy
friend Randy, in awe of everything she and her family just witnessed.
<< I was
dying from a terrible crippling disease. I could barely walk. I never
met Cowboy Billy before. I saw him, a tall handsome cowboy standing
with his family in the parking lot of a large supermart shopping
center, and realized there was something different about him. I could
see a faint aura surrounding him from head to toe. My body was racked
with pain. I was barely walking, afraid of falling on my face, when I
caught his eye. He looked at me with the kindest, most caring look. I
knew I must go to him and tell him I loved him. I didn’t know if I
could. I was so weak, afraid of falling, and hurting myself. He took
one look at me, squatted down on his boots to my level, opened his
arms, and bid me come unto him. He never took his eyes off’n mine, and
I knew as long as I looked directly into his eyes, I could not fail. He
was sending me the strength, the power, and the will of his love to
walk the several yards to him. My ma was upset with me and told me not
to go to him, he was too busy to be bothered by me, but I knew he
wasn’t. He was waiting for me, and I knew he loved me. I made it all
the way to him. He grabbed me up into his strong arms, spun me around,
told me how proud of me he was, and gave me a kiss on my cheek. He
healed me that afternoon, right then and there for all to see, and gave
me another chance at life. I promise, he will do the same for you and
your people if you only trust him and work with him. I became his
little brother, his saddle buddy, and his wing-man. He made me and my
family a part of his family and you and your family will become a part
of him as well. It was meant to be, sister, >> Randy sent.
<< Is he a
God, Randy? >> Sunsastubo asked in awe.
<< No, he
makes it very clear to everyone he reveals himself to, he is a common
human who has been enhanced with powers the average man don’t have. To
my way a’ think’n he’s better’n some imaginary god what folks come to
believe in from hearsay, myths, and superstition. Billy Daniels is
real. He will never hide his face from you. You can reach out and touch
him, and he will give you his hand to prove he’s your friend. You don’t
have to pray to him and wonder whether he hears your prayers or not.
All you gotta’ do is ask politely, state your case as best you can, and
if he agrees you got a good idea, he’ll help to see you get what you
need. He’s no god, but he is an uncommonly good man. One of his greatest
gifts, you witnessed here today. He has the gift of healing, but I
assure you he surprises me every day. Some days, I think there is no
limit to what he can do, and I have heard it said, he don’t even know
everything he’s capable of doing. You must not think you have to
worship him. I’m as close to him as anyone, and I call him Master Billy
from time to time, to show him the respect he’s due to let him know my
appreciation for his gifts and his love for me, >> Randy
explained.
<< We will
follow your human master across the universe. We owe him our lives. We
will be proud to call him our ‘master,’ >> Sunsastubo sent back,
<< To have a master who loves us will be better than an absent,
uncaring, impotent god, >> he added.
Billy stood
again and held up his hand to speak. “We have turned the villain over
to the authorities. This attempted assassination of one of my angels
will not go unpunished, but neither will it scare us away from our
scheduled concert, right here on this very dais, tomorrow afternoon at
two passed the second sun. It will be a free concert to thank the good
people of Retikki Prime for your love and support for our cause on
planet, Earth. I’ve talked with Roz, our talented viola player, and she
assures me she will be able to perform. We’ll be taking our leave now
to return to the palace, but we hope to see ya’ll again tomorrow
afternoon about this time,” Billy said, and once again the crowd went
crazy with shouts and applause. Billy and his family won the hearts of
the people on Retikki Prime big-time with their fearlessness and quick
action in the face of danger. Stock in Billy Daniels and his family
skyrocketed out of sight. Of course, it went out on all channels across
the universe and to every state, colony, and hamlet on Retikki Prime.
Billy’s coffers for his project had the single greatest donation in the
history of the planet. His cup truly runneth over.
His in-law
uncles watched a delayed video of the complete scene. They played it in
the garden and Madame Spartza almost fainted when she saw the shot from
the Laser rifle almost kill her companion. She felt terrible about Roz
and her bracelet, but was relieved nothing bad happened to her keeper.
She was deeply concerned for the little girl and her dad, but she knew
Billy would save them. She also approved of Randy and Billy’s decision
to bring the Sun Bears into their family. Madame Spartza lived among
their kind on a distant world when she was a small calf and still
taking nourishment from her mother. They were highly intelligent,
talented, and good to her. They taught her many things and befriended
her when others wouldn’t. They were always kind to her and went out of
their way to make sure she understood some lesson she was suppose to
learn. She would have them closer to her for both their protection. The
great lady Shedu considered the Sun Bearers a special race of beings
whom she knew had many special talents they could bring to Billy’s
family. They needed each other, and from the attempt on her beloved
keeper’s life, she no longer held any doubts she must leave Retikki
Prime as soon as possible and be under the protection of Master Billy
Daniels. After seeing how masterfully Billy took control of the
situation after the assassin’s failed attempt she was convinced, as
young as he appeared, Billy Daniels represented the protection she
needed.
The people of
Retikki Prime came to look upon Billy Daniels as some kind of super
archangel. His wings were a bright gold color like they were actually
made of burnished gold. There was no doubt his other three angels, who
made it no secret they were his slaves, were exceptionally fine looking
humanoids. The one called Nick to whom Master Billy often referred to
as his ‘Pa’ or his ‘bright angel’ was quite handsome. When Billy
ordered his posse to de-wing and they vanished for a moment then
returned without their wings, the crowd sighed deeply like they enjoyed
seeing them with their wings better. Billy smiled and assured them he
and his men could wing-up anytime they were needed. A throng of folks
respectfully followed Billy and his family to the mag-amp-lift to wish
them farewell. There were great cheers sent up as they boarded, and the
car took off for Palace Station.
The Sun Bears were learning the family fast. They learned the two
biggest cowboys were the easiest touch and loved to hold them. The
three watcher protectors of the young boys and sheriff loved to play
with them, but Sunsa’rah and her mate Sunsastubo stayed close to Master
Billy and his little buddy Randy. They also became quite fond of Master
Billy’s angels; particularly the one Master Billy called his dad, Nick
Samuels. Billy watched them capture his hardened angel’s heart. They
were impressed many of the humans, the watchers, and the young boys
could hear and speak with them mind to mind. They could swear they
heard a small but not too well developed mind reaching out to them from
the belly of the humanoid they called Roz.
<< Master
Billy, why is it we hear a small voice from inside Mistress Roz?
>> Sunsa’rah asked.
<< You can
hear him? >> Billy asked in reply.
<< Yes,
faintly, now and then, we heard him cry out for protection when
Mistress Roz got shot, >> she sent.
<< He is
my son, Billy Junior. He is the proto-son of my husband and bonded
mate, Boomer, I fertilized on our first trip to Retikki Prime. Roz was
gracious enough to volunteer to carry him to term for us, but no one of
our species has heard him yet. We will begin to listen more closely.
Perhaps you have a greater power than we do. If he reaches out to you,
help him, tell him the truth, >> Billy said.
<< Oh, we
would only tell him truths. We are much like your watchers. Our males
produce proto-embryos, too; they have pouches and share incubation of
our young, >> Sunsa’rah sent.
<< Do your
males produce milk as well? >> Billy asked.
<< Yes,
sweet milk, the most nutritious in the universe next to watchers,
>> she said and added diplomatically. Billy smiled and winked at
her. She laughed out loud. Billy wondered if she can laugh, why can’t
they speak? Maybe they got so used to telepathy they forgot how to use
their vocal chords, and over the centuries, they may have atrophied;
but if that were so, she shouldn’t be able to laugh.
Throughout all
the excitement going on, Tom, Will, Buster, and Vox pretty much stuck
together. Tron and Nathan were usually with Enoch and Moss. The boys
were handling all the new and wonderful things swimmingly. They took
everything in stride and soaked up the lifestyle and ambiance of the
people living on the huge planet. Will, Buster, and Vox were stunned by
the variety of lifeforms represented and the ease in which they seemed
to get along together. There was no political extremists standing on
soap boxes and shouting about this or that. They were more interested
in music, art, and developing their knowledge base to live a better
life. Will stuck close to his new protector-brother 'Bear.’ He was
originally from Retikki Prime and knew the planet well. He became a
fund of helpful information for their little group. Likewise, Caesar
and Ludo became big brother tutors for the boys. Of course, Hank and
Buck were old hands when it came to knowing the best and most
interesting things to do.
* * * * * * *
To say the
return to the palace was one of triumph would be an understatement. It
made the triumphal entry into the city by Radames in Joe Green’s opera
'Aida’ pale by comparison. Sans trumpets and naked dance’n slave girls
-- well, to be fair, Roz was still in the buff when they returned, but
she didn’t count because she was seen as the great heroine of the day
and treated as such. Roz captured the hearts and imagination of
everyone in the palace from the highest to the lowest, and they all
wanted to touch her to make sure she was real. The two Lord High
Chancellors of Retikki Prime threw protocol to the winds and forgot
their positions of power at the joy of seeing their nephew, and his
husband, their nephew-in-law return with their family intact; who
responded to a situation which might have escalated into total chaos if
Master Billy Daniels hadn’t become the commanding presence he was
destined to be. They were hugging everyone including the newest family
members, the Sun Bears. They were wiping away
tears with one big arm while hugging someone with the other. It wasn’t
a pretty picture, but it had it’s moments of abject hilarity and proved
most entertaining for the cowboys. In another way, it was wonderful to
see the supreme rulers of such a large world being so personally
involved with what was going on and were so happy to see everyone was
all right. They couldn’t apologize enough even though they had nothing
to do with the incident. Nevertheless, the two giant rulers saw it was
their duty to be concerned because it happened on their watch.
“Billy, what can
we say?” Gregor asked.
“That you’re
proud of us, and glad to see us well, will do nicely, dear Uncle,”
Billy replied and grinned.
“Yes, yes, of
course, we are. It should be said, and we certainly do feel that way.
Let me put it in a unique form by addressing your new family members,
the handsome Sun Bears. You children of a Sun God, or Bearers of his
image as you consider yourself, have no idea your good fortune to be
looked upon as worthy to become a part of this cowboy’s immediate
family. Under Master Billy Daniels protection you will be allowed to
grow and flourish, to live and develop your talents like you were meant
to on your home world. Welcome to his world and the larger world of
Retikki Prime. The terrible men who captured you and treated you like
slaves in a sideshow attraction will be investigated and punished if
found guilty. We will not tolerate such underhanded treatment of
intelligent alien species of any size, shape, or form,” Gregor said,
and continued, “And once again our young cowboy is right, we have no
words to tell him how deeply proud of him and his family we are,
especially our beloved Psyches, Archie and Edith who immediately rose
to the occasion, swiftly apprehended the would be assassin, and smartly
disabled him without further injury or trauma for the assembled crowd.
Their decision to become members of Master Billy’s family was a great
choice for them and equally fine decision on Master Daniels’ part to
willingly accept them into his fold. What more can we say, but to tell
him and his family we love them, we are relieved no harm came to
anyone, and those who were unfortunately injured have been returned to
health. Hosanna!” Gregor shouted, and everyone responded, “Hosanna, in
the highest!”
* * * * * * *
It was late
afternoon and the palace staff were busy getting the evening meal
together. The Sun Bears were taken to a room in the Daniels' wing of
the palace, as Albrecht named it, and given a room with two enormous
beds. They laughed when they saw them, but they were pleased. They
would make do. There certainly was plenty room for the six mated pair
of Sun Bears. They heard talk of everyone being ‘enhanced’ by the
Grigori and later by the Irin. They wondered if they would be included
and asked Randy.
“I don’t see why
not. Since you chose to go with us to Earth as part of Master Billy’s
family, I would think you will be included in any blanket enhancement,”
he replied aloud.
<< Will
you be given a set of wings, Randy? >> Suncoe’logyne, (lajenny) a
sister of Sunsa’rah asked.
<< I will
be given the ability, but have been told they will not grow in until
puberty, when my body goes through a small metamorphosis and I become a
man, >> Randy replied rather sadly.
<< That
won’t be long, Randy. You said you’ll soon be seven times present to
witness three-hundred and sixty-five rotations of your planet to orbit
your sun you call ‘Sol’ to complete one year. In which year does this
metamorphosis occur? >> Sun’cattleya, a brother of Sun’sastubo,
asked
<< Eleven
-- twelve years depending. Some earlier -- some later, >> Randy
replied.
<< Four or
five more rotations of Sol at the most. Living among such an active
group of humans and watchers as the Daniels family seem to be, it will
pass in no time and you will be a young man. In the meantime, you have
much learning to catch up to be on the same level with others your age
because of your early disease holding you back, but with added
enhancements and our help, you will quickly fill in the learning gap,
>> Sun’cattleya sympathized with him. Sun’cattleya was second
male to Sunsastubo.
For the record,
their other sisters original names were: Suncyc’noches; Suncat’esetum;
Suncory’anthes; and Sunpaphio’pedilum. The males: Sunodonto’glossum;
Suncypro’pedium; Sunepi’dendrum, and Sunmor’modes. The way they
pronounced the word for their ‘sun’ was ‘soon’ which came from the call
and response of two night watchmen for their tribes they always left on
guard. One would call out mentally to their family, << When will
our God win the battle over
darkness? >> and the other would answer: << Soon! He will
return
victorious! >> The active transmogrification of language at its
best.
Randy thought he would consider it a major accomplishment if he
remembered all their names before he reached puberty. They heard him
and laughed.
<< We will
help. Shorten our names to the last syllables. Drop the 'Soon.’ We may
decide to drop it ourselves. Our god seems to have forgotten about us.
Either that, or he became impotent, died from old age, and left us to
fend for ourselves; or worse, lost interest in us and went away. Being
known as Sun Bears will be enough tribute to a god who allowed his
people to almost perish from the universe. Perhaps it’s time we turned
our backs on him and throw our lot in with enhanced humans. While they
may not be gods, humans will do nicely until a real one comes along --
and by that, we mean we never expect one to come along, >>
Sastubo
allowed and the others replied, << Hosanna! >>
<< We also
adapt to new circumstances quickly, Randy. It will all work out. You’ll
see, >> Sa’rah sent to him and smiled.
<< I
admire your pluck, Soonsa’rah, but are you sure you are the last of
your kind? >> Randy asked.
<< Unless
there was another group who escaped the dinner table of the reptiles or
insects, we’re the last we know of. Perhaps, the great lady Shedu beast
we saw when we arrived may have some knowledge. We used to live closely
with her species and was under their greater protection in our galaxy
until they hunted them out and destroyed most of them for their powers.
It is said in our legends whoever owns or offers protection to a pair
of the huge beasts will control not only their world, but their galaxy.
If they are fertile and have offspring, their power grows
exponentially. Only an insane species would consider invading or
pillaging a world within a galaxy where a Shedu family dwell. They are
the ultimate in protection and will retaliate with swiftness and deadly
accuracy. That’s why the more nefarious of certain species have been
trying to wipe them out for centuries. They know if a waring species
tries to conquer any habitable planet in a galaxy the Shedu protect,
the entire specie will be extinguished. That’s gambling against
incredible odds. While they can be
kind, generous, and forgiving with their own, they can be ruthless to
those who presume to defy their territorial rights. That’s where the
old saying, ‘Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,’ came from,
>> Sunsa’rah explained. (Folk sayings are pretty much
the same from galaxy to galaxy.)
<< Their
powers
never seem to stop aliens hell bent to conquer from trying, and in some
cases, invaders have proved too clever or resourceful for the Shedus.
Over the centuries their species has almost become wiped out, but there
are rumors in the legends of our species, their type will wax and wane
according to the greater need for repopulating the galaxies. Species
who
once had the power to overcome them lose or forget how to defeat them
through the generations and their powers once again become
unconquerable. When the Shedu are about to die out, evil pervades the
universe, and the parasitic races have risen to unsustainable
proportions, the pendulum of nature swings the other way to give rise
to a new era, cleansing the ethos of negativity, and allows those of
moderate nature and good intent to ascend again to create great
civilizations, >> Sun’sastubo added.
<< We have
lost
all but twelve; a magic number among many in the universe. Three,
seven, twelve are the most mystical until you get to 42 and then 144.
We have suffered much and purged ourselves of past myths and
superstitions. A new beginning is at hand and we believe our conjoining
is not an accident, Randy, >> Sooncoe’logyne said firmly.
<< Neither
does
Master Billy or Madame Spartza, the great Shedu, >> Randy said,
<< She has
asked that your family join her on Earth. She will be temporarily
placed on a great spaceship previously owned by Master Billy’s adopted
dad, Nick Samuels. I say ‘previously’ because when Nick Samuels gave
himself to Master Billy to be his slave, all his personal belonging
became the property of his master. At first it doesn’t seem fair, but
think of the greater gains what may be accomplished by the conjoining
of the two, and for once Nick Samuels doesn’t get blamed for everything
what goes wrong. I have been on Captain Nick’s ship several times and
there are a number of smaller compatible races living and thriving
together. They are working on an new warm, humid, tropical area to
provide more natural oxygen for the ship rather than having to rely on
chemicals for production and mechanical scrubbers, >> Randy
explained lucidly.
<< How do
you know
we come from such a tropical climate? >> Sastubo asked.
<< I
didn’t know. Just
a lucky guess because of critters who resemble you who are not so
advanced and live in our tropical areas on Earth,” Randy explained.
<< And you
learned
this from...? >> Sastubo further questioned.
<< From
our
universal compilation of information on the Internet we call
Wickipedia. And now you will want to know about the Internet. It is a
vast network of electronic brains linked together to bring news,
entertainment, and information of all sorts into your home on a screen
like you’ve seen showing videos. All this is available to anyone with
one of these electronic brains we call computers. Master Billy gimme’
my computer after my mom complained, me and my big sister were using
hers so much she never got a chance to use it. Cowboy Billy gave me one
and my older sister her own computer, >> Randy explained.
<< That’s
a great
enhancement itself. He must love you very much to give you an extra
brain, >> Sa’rah said and laughed at her double meaning.
<< I never
thought
of it that way, but I know he loves me. I love him with all my heart.
Who wouldn’t love a man what give you a second chance at life? >>
Randy
asked sincerely.
<< We
know, dear
one, and we share your feelings for him, >> Sa’rah said more
seriously.
* * * * * *
Later that
afternoon, as the second sun was beginning to go behind the great
mountains which walled off the capital city from the outer-lands and
ran down to the azure sea, Gregor and Albrecht announced they would be
serving the evening meal in a ‘Christianist’ manner in response to
hearing Billy and his family use the metaphorical term to describe
those who reinvented Christ in their own
fair-skinned-blond-hair-blue-eyed personal image and used religion and
scripture in particular to pick and choose -- cafeteria style, a la
carte fashion -- those scriptures which best supported their negative
life-choking sexually retarded racist political interests they were
most adamantly against at the moment. Being blessed with a new
testament wasn’t enough for them. They felt compelled to drag the old
testament into the argument, but only those choice bits which justified
their hatred to force their medieval moral standards on minorities
who were too few in number to overturn their votes at a ballot box or
cheating by excluding and discouraging the minority vote who, in their
own best interest, most
always voted for a progressive agenda. The rest of the old testament
the Christianist simply ignored as old fashioned and out of date.
Everyone thought
the Lord High Council’s antics were amusing, but beyond the metaphor,
on a more practical basis, it was so the new kids on the block could
pick and choose what foods they wished to eat. No one knew exactly what
the Sun Bears dietary requirements were, but assumed being humanoid and
obviously genetically kin to watchers, their diet couldn’t be too
exotic. It wasn’t; however, they definitely had preferences. The Sun
Bears ate vegetable and grains and sometimes caught large insects
during
influxes of them when they were plentiful. Locust and honey was a
staple of the dessert tribes in the early days on Earth. They still are
in certain parts of our world. The Sun Bears looked at the array of
food and smiled. Obviously, they were never treated this well by the
nomadic space-gypsies. They ate well that night and joined some of the
conversation mentally, but soon learned some of Master Billy’s family
were mentally mute. While Master Billy’s family felt sorry for them not
being able to speak, the Sun Bears felt sorry for the humans for not
being able to touch another’s mind. That would soon be corrected in
both by the Grigori’s enhancements.
Madame Spartza
was brought into the garden about the time the palace slaves were
clearing the area from dinner. Everyone was in a great mood and she
became the center of attention. The Sun Bears were most respectful of
her and knew the Spartza dynasty was one which ran through their
history. They were eager to meet her and Madame Spartza was equally
excited to meet the Sun Bears. It wasn’t long before she allowed them
on her, and they rubbed and scratched her enormous back. She loved
their attention. She allowed very little physical attention from anyone
but her keeper who rubbed her down twice a day. The exercise kept
Balthazar’s body in great shape. There was much talk about getting her
away from Retikki Prime after the assassination attempt on her keeper.
<< Randy
tells us we will not be allowed to see your world if we travel to Earth
with you, Master Billy, >> Sastubo said.
<< I’m
sure Randy didn’t mean it that way. It’s been discussed among us, and
we thought it might be better for you, at least for a while, to give
you a temporary home on my pa’s spaceship until we can create or find
something more safe for you than living in the great outdoors on our
ranch. After all, if you accept me as your protector, it is my duty to
you individually and as a diminished race to see to your wellbeing
without too many restrictions which might be looked upon as forced
slavery. Nothing could be further from our mind. If that were the case
we wouldn’t have rescued you in the first place. While I do have
slaves, because it is the politically correct way of life on our planet
at the moment, I treat my slaves as family. My angels, Roz, Castor and
Poly, Cowboy Andy, Hank and Buck, Archie and Edith, are all my slaves,
but you will rarely hear me remind them of their station in life.
Personally, I’m against slavery, and I will do my best to correct the
situation and abolish slavery when I gain more power.
<< The
folks on Captain Nick’s ship have been in the process of creating a
tropical zone with Jungle plants taken from our Amazon Jungle on Earth
to enrich their oxygen supply and be an extra backup for the
artificially producing oxygen machines should they fail to function. It
may be more to your liking than an actual jungle. On our ranch there
are any number of larger, wild, carnivorous animals which might prey on
you. We have packs of Wild Dogs, Coyotes, Mountain Lions, Cougars,
Racoons, Possums, Coatimundi; large birds of prey like Eagles, Red
Tailed Hawks, and even Turkey Vultures have been known to attack and
kill smaller animals. Also we have night flying predators like Barn
Owls, the Great White Owls, and several other hazardous critters; to
say nothing of several large poisonous snakes and Armadillos; the
dinosaurs of the desert. And, since your kind have been companions for
many years with the Shedu we thought you might enjoy becoming part of
Madame Spartza’s family as well, >> Billy sent to them.
<< Will we
ever get to visit your world? >> Sa’rah asked.
<< Of
course you will. We just hosted sixteen village musicians from Captain
Nick’s ship this past Sunday. We showed them around the ranch, and they
performed for us. They had a great time, and we enjoyed their visit. We
visit with them often. You will get to live in a great palace and be
treated as honored guests as part of Madame Spartza’s immediate family.
Besides, being humanoid, your bodies will require exposure to our sun
several times a month for proper vitamin intake for your bodies,
>> Billy sent.
It sounded
pretty good to the Sun Bears, and they liked the idea of not always
having to live in closed or confined conditions. The gypsies kept them
in animal cages. From the boys descriptions of the smaller people
living on Captain Nick’s ship, and their joy talking about the friends
they made on the ship, went a long way to convince the Sun Bears they
would be comfortable; certainly better off than they were. Billy made
them a promise, if they were not happy or comfortable in their new home
after six months, he would give them other options or return them to
Retikki Prime if they wanted. << We’re not out to cage you or
limit you in any way. We want you to be happy and feel safe to be
yourselves and multiply. We hope you find us acceptable and include us
in your families as we plan to do for you, >> he sent to them.
They told Randy
if the great Shedu thought enough of Billy Daniels to place herself
under his protection, it was a good enough recommendation for them.
The guests from
Retikki Prime had been going for almost twenty-four hours and the boys
were beginning to fall asleep in their giant protector’s arms. They
experienced a full day of new and wonderful sights and exciting
happenings. Billy announced it was time for everyone to get to bed as
the next day would be full and the following evening they would be the
guests of the Irin high council. However, before they disbursed the
Grigori decided to grant Billy’s wish and flooded the area and his
family with a strong energy light of the purest white. They were awash
in it and bathed from head to toe. Everyone was encouraged to remove
all clothing including hats and boots this time for total immersion
from the body and mind altering changes. Some changes would become
apparent almost immediately, while others, like the growing of wings,
would occur as much as twelve to twenty-four hours later. The Sun Bears
climbed up into the laps of the big cowboys of whom they became quite
fond, and the boys ran to their watcher’s huge arms to be loved and
cuddled like bairn cubs. Sunsa’rah and Sunsastubo crawled into Billy
and Nick’s laps respectively.
“Will Billy
Junior be enhanced, too, Master?” Roz asked.
“It’s my
understanding he will be. The boys will be fully enhanced, but they
won’t grow wings until they go through puberty. That’s probably a
blessing in disguise,” he allowed. Roz and Nick laughed. An added
benefit of the enhancement was, they found themselves more adjusted to
the time differentiation from Earth to Retikki Prime and everyone was
ready for a good sleep period -- which lasts fifteen hours on Retikki
Prime. Afterward, everyone said their 'goodnights’ and they traveled
back to the Daniel’s wing of the castle. Randy went off to
sleep cuddled up with his new protector and Boomer and the twins went
off to their room together. Billy found himself alone with his beloved
pa. He could tell Nick was feeling tired and decided against any
hanky-panky. They were just too damn tired.
“Happy?” Nick
asked.
“Tired but
happy,” Billy replied, “Do you think a second enhancement did anything
for us or does it act like a tune-up?” Billy asked.
“I ain’t real
sure. I didn’t ask. I thought I got all the major enhancements, but
it’s been centuries since I experienced anything like that. I’m sure
they’re more advanced than when I originally got my wings, but I
suppose time will tell. I won’t ask. You can as my master. You have the
right, but for me to do so would be in questionable taste -- sort of
like look’n a gift horse in the mouth,” Nick replied.
“I don’t feel
any different. Maybe I’ll corner Uncle Gregor tomorrow and ask him a
few probing questions. I think we’re on a first name basis; although, I
wouldn’t presume as much,” Billy was quick to add and grinned.
“I suspect,
manners and humility will get more out of him than a
good-old-backslapping-buddy routine,” Nick said.
“I failed to ask
if it was all right with you to house the Sun Bears on your ship for a
while,” Billy said.
“I told you --
mi casa es su casa. If Madame Spartza is going to abide there for a
while, they are welcome join her. I think they come along at the right
time, and they were meant to bring her comfort and ease her spirit.
Perhaps they’ll give her the needed courage to take such a big step.
Relocation to another galaxy and the chance to meet a possible suitor
has to be a daunting life change for her. I have great empathy for the
lady beast. No need for remorse, I support your decision a hundred
percent, Kemosabe,” Nick said.
“You make things
easy for me, Tonto. That’s only one of the many reasons I love you.
They’ve become too many to count. I always know you’re there watching
my back. It means a lot, Nick. I couldn’t do this without you,” Billy
said.
“Stop and think
for a minute, Kemosabe. I wouldn’t be here on Retikki Prime, nor would
I have been offered a new operating system, or however you want to look
upon ‘enhancements’ if’n it weren’t for you, my fearless young cowboy,”
Nick said with authority, “Come, let’s clean up and hit the sack.
Fifteen hours sleep with you in my arms should about do it,” he added
and grinned.
“You may get an
early morning blowjob if I can’t sleep,” Billy said.
“A wet dream
come true. I couldn’t think of a nicer way to start my day,” Nick said
and laughed.
* * * * * * *
Nick’s wet dream
came true in the early morning hours just before the first sun rose
over the lower mountains. Nick was going to return the favor and found
his master ejaculated into a towel while sucking him off. Billy didn’t
care and laughed at Nick’s frown. “Don’t be disappointed, it’s all part
of my new plan to instill more self-confidence in you to ween you away
from the devil image in the public's view,” Billy teased.
“Fuck the
public, what about my cowboy master, Kemosabe?” Nick said with a
sardonic grin.
“Are you
kidding? As much as I love git’n fucked by my demon dad? You think I’m
gonna’ give that up? Not in this lifetime, Tonto. Ain’t nothing better
than my old demon dad saddling up his fire-breath’n cayuse and taking
him for a good, long, hard ride to work out all his pony’s kinks and
make
him a better partner for himself,” Billy replied in his best cowboy
hyperbole.
“Ain’t even
gonna’ comment on that one. It’s too perfect to soil it with
dismissal,” Nick said and grinned, “Besides, it would be a lie because
my old cock is harder’n a rock from that bit of cowboy bullshit,” he
added.
“Good, I hope it
stays that way for a while,” Billy said and grinned.
* * * * * * *
The
morning flew by, but it wasn’t without some interesting moments. After
a light breakfast and a couple of Hosanna cakes everyone was in great
spirits. The Sun Bears loved the Hosanna cakes. Billy and his family
spared them the story behind the secret flavor in the cream filling.
Billy had his
musicians get out their instruments. He wanted everything set up like
they were planning to do in the town square so his men, acting like
roadies for him, could get everything set up. He planned to use the
amplification unit so the sound would carry further so more of the
gathered crowd, if any, could hear everything. He channeled the
three electronic piano-synthesizers through the sturdy amplification to
four rather large speakers he wanted set around. He sat Archie and
Edith on two tall chairs so they would be above the musician and still
channel the power to the amps.
They started
with the Haydn f-minor string quartet. Billy watched the Sun Bears
sitting with his family while he and his three musician were playing
the first movement and everyone had their mouths open. They looked
stunned like they never heard anything so wonderful. When they finished
the quartet they rush to the area and wanted to see each instrument,
especially the large cello their master was playing. << You
didn’t tell us you were a musician, Master Billy, >> Sunsa’rah
said.
<< Never
thought about it, little sister. Is it bad? >> he asked.
<< No,
absolutely not. A master who loves and plays music must have a good
soul, >> she replied.
<< Thank
you. Do you dance with your mates if provided the music? >> he
asked.
<< Oh,
yes, we were only playing because we didn’t have enough to do both, and
the males are more acrobatic than us, >> Sunsa’rah replied.
<< Do you
think we could work up a number with the six of you dancing, and me and
my twins will play the piece Randy taught you to play? >> Billy
asked.
<< I’m
sure we could improvise something or adapt one of our older folk
dances. We’d be happy to try, >> she replied.
<< Good,
after the next piece will try something, >> Billy allowed.
The next piece
Billy wanted to practice was the Bach double violin concerto, with
Billy playing the harpsichord accompaniment and Roz playing the ground
base. They played it flawlessly and the twins were better than the day
before. They were ripe for the performance of their young lives, and
that’s the way they planned it. They wanted to impress the people of
Retikki Prime they made the right decision to become Master Billy’s
slaves and a part of his family. Once again the Sun Bears were agog
over
the music. They were actually holding each other crying from the beauty
of the notes. Billy thought maybe the strings hurt their sensitive
ears, but it was not the case.
Billy told Cass
and Poly what he wanted to try. They both worked on the piano
transcript and could play the Russian Dance with no problem. Billy
wanted the more spectacular parts to be his keyboard solo, and they
were to join in on the larger orchestral chordal parts. They understood
perfectly. It was their master’s turn to shine on the keyboard and
theirs to back him up. He had the Sun Bears line up in six pairs and
they started off. While Billy was having a difficult time with the
score he was watching out of the corner of his eye and was as amazed as
everyone else the wonderful natural dance the Sun Bears were performing
to the Stravinsky piece. They were free of their bonds and were letting
their joy come through their dancing. Everyone in the place was bowled
over by their dexterity and intricate dance steps. Several swore the
piece was written for them. The males leaped about and courted the
females shamelessly all in time with the music, and the ladies played
the part of young femme fatales who teased, tormented, and rejected
their suitors. The ladies got together and decided it was time to stop
the teasing and give the boys a break. They danced their coming
together with their mates as an affirmation of love and life, and they
danced, two by two, from the performance
area as happily paired couples. When they were through, the audience of
palace workers, several guests of the supreme council, and various day
workers gave them a standing ovation. The Sun Bears were thrilled
everyone loved their dance. They bowed together and ran to Master Billy
to thank him. They each had to have a hug and a kiss.
“You think you
can do it again in the town square, kids?” he asked them.
They looked at
one another, got big smiles on their faces and jumped for joy. No words
were necessary. They ran to Randy and were all over him with their
affection. Randy loved it. Billy and his three musicians played through
the Debussy quartet and then it was Roz’s time to shine. They played
the Vaughan Williams ‘The Lark Ascending’ and Roz played it to
perfection. There wasn’t a dry eye in the garden including the dozen
Sun Bears. It tugged at their heart strings. They played the Ravel
quartet last and they were done.
Gregor and
Albrecht came to them and offered their big paws for them to touch in
honor of their musical gifts. “We have no words, Billy, Roz, Cass, and
dear Poly. If you play so beautifully this afternoon you may find
yourselves having to delay your departure. It won’t matter, as the time
dilation will only be a few minutes longer. We are so proud of you and
your family’s accomplishments. We’re sorry we won’t be able to attend,
but we never leave the protection of the palace. Go with our love and
break a leg,” Gregor said and roared with laughter. Billy had to
explain the saying. Obviously Gregor had been studying up on Earth
trivia.
* * * * * * *
The time arrived
for Billy and his band, his power suppliers, Roadies, and dancing Sun
Bears to leave the palace and travel into town to the square. Usually,
when they arrived at the station there were few people coming and going
but no crowds. The place was packed. There were people holding signs:
“Welcome Master Billy and family!” “Castor & Pollux” “Lovely Roz
Cumber” and several what said: “Hosanna!” It took a while to get
through the crowd and make their way to the center dais of the square.
The Sun Bears were taking it all in and being given a free ride in the
arms of several big cowboys and a couple of watchers.
Billy had the
Sun Bears in a group with the watchers surrounding them so no one could
get to them as he and his Rodie crew got the amplification system up
and working with the help of their portable power suppliers. It didn’t
take them long. Billy looked up and couldn’t believe the people crowded
into the square. It was packed to overflowing. All the buildings around
the square had people sitting several deep on the rooftops. The windows
were flung open and folks crowded to look out so they might have a
bird's eye view of the handsome young talented cowboy master from Earth
and his musical family. Finally, everything was in place.
Billy picked up
the microphone and spoke: “Good afternoon, Retikki Prime!” he said
firmly. The audience roared back their welcome. “It’s so good to be
back among people I’ve come to know and love in a short period of time.
Thank you all for coming. We think we have a good show prepared for you
this afternoon. You will hear music from another world called Earth. It
is some of the very best we have to offer, but by no means all we have
to offer. There are vast numbers of similar pieces of music available
which we will bring and share with you when we come to visit your
lovely planet again. Billy went on to tell a little about the first
quartet they would play. They got down to it, and Billy was surprised.
There wasn’t a sound from the crowd. Usually, audiences on Earth would
cough or cause some distraction. Not on Retikki Prime. They listened
intently as if every note had meaning and significance. When they
finished the Haydn quartet there came a thunderous roar from the crowd,
and it went on for several minutes. Billy, Rox, Cass, and Poly bowed
numbers of times, but the audience kept on applauding. Billy finally
had to hold up his hand, and they calmed down.
“We can’t thank
you enough for your applause and cheers for our music. It means a great
deal to a musician to know their playing is appreciated, but we have
much more for you, and it is equally as fine as what you heard,” Billy
went on to tell about the next piece in three movements and not to
applaud until they finished the last movement. Billy’s staff of
improvised Rodies got them set up for the Bach double violin concerto.
Billy caught sight of the two pair of Oolong players and motioned for
them to come to the stage. He had them sit with his family. They were
humbled and thrilled to be singled out for such an honor.
Billy, Roz, and
the twins set in to play the Bach double violin concerto with Cass and
Poly out in front to shine. Billy bought some new and improved
microphones and sound system and their fiddles could carry a lot
further. It was Poly and Cass’s time to shine and they took full
advantage. Billy could see their fellow musicians following the music
like it reached down, grabbed their souls, and wouldn’t let go. They
began weeping in each other’s arms at the twin's superb playing. It was
probably the highpoint of the afternoon. Cass and Poly were their
people, and they couldn’t have been more proud of them. When the piece
finished there was a stunned silence. Someone hollered, “Hosanna!” and
were answered, “Hosanna, in the highest!” They repeated it three time
as Cass and Poly took bow after bow.
Next was Billy’s
time to shine with the Stravinsky and the Sun Bears. The audience
hadn’t expected a visual treat with the music, but it proved to be a
great success; they loved it. The whole concert
went off without a hitch and there were no political statements or
snipers to threaten Master Billy or his family. Retikki Prime took the
Sun Bears and Roz into their hearts and hated to see the concert come
to an end. They played several encores. The encores lasted almost a
long as the rest of the concert. They didn’t have anything else
worked up so they resorted to their Texas Hill Country hoedown music
and
the crowd went crazy. Billy couldn’t believe the down home music he
grew up listening to could speak to other people on another world.
Perhaps it’s true, music is a universal language. It didn’t help when
his family let go and made fools of themselves with a great naked buck
and wing show of flailing arms, stomp'n boots, flying cowboy hats, and
flopping cocks. No one cared. It was a silly unabashed expression of
unbridled joy and release of emotional tensions of the day. The
folks of Retikki Prime easily got caught up in the essence of the
moment. They
loved the impromptu spirit of the cowboys and applauded to encourage
them to continue their outrageously spontanious enthusiasm. Even
the Sun Bears were doe-see-doe’n a Virginia Reel on the stage. ‘Now
where do you
suppose they learned that dance step?’ Billy asked himself and winked
at his saddle buddy.
End of Chapter
28 ~ Him Who Made The Seven Stars
Copyright
~©~ 2012 ~ Waddie Greywolf
All Rights
Reserved ~
E-mail:
waddiebear@yahoo.com
09/25/2012
WC=13303