WACO’S
LUMMOX
By
Waddie Greywolf
Chapter
69
I
prithee, let me bring thee where crabs grow; and I, with my long nails,
will dig thee pignuts; show thee a jay's nest and instruct thee how to
snare the nimble marmoset; I'll bring thee to clustering filberts and
sometimes I'll get thee young scamels from the rock. Wilt thou go
with me?*
Angus was
patiently waiting for Monty when he returned. He was gone a
little over an hour. It turned out to be a chilly night.
Angus started a fire in Monty’s fireplace and was stretched out on his
big leather couch in a guest bathrobe with Monty’s comforter thrown
over him. Monty came downstairs in his own robe and Angus
motioned for him to join him. As Monty crawled up into Angus’ big
arms he noticed Angus was still wearing his new boots.
“That didn’t
take long.” Angus commented.
“Coyote is a man
of few words.” Monty replied.
“How are
you, boy?” Angus sounded genuinely concerned.
“I’m better than
I expected I might be, Sir. He actually made love to me.”
“That can’t be
bad.” Angus mused.
“I think he was
sincere, but with Coyote John you just never know. He seemed
genuine enough. He was happy to see me. I was surprised,
but I ain’t gonna’ try to second guess him. I told him to get
with the program and forget trying to be his own man. He had to
readjust his thinking to survive or at least for his balls to
survive. I couldn’t tell whether he was concerned about my words
or not. He seemed to be more interested in telling me what he
wanted for me for the future. He told me Ramrod Russell would
make a fine daddy for me. I don’t know’s I need a daddy, but a
lot
of folks seem to think so.”
“Couldn’t hurt,
Son.” Angus smiled at him. “My little brother needed a daddy when
he’s growing up. Our parents died when he’s just a toddler.
I was too damn young to understand what he needed was for me to become
his
daddy and not his big brother. Because of my mistake he got into
trouble and got ten to fifteen years as a slave. Me and ma’
brothers, we scraped our money together to buy him. It took me
ten years of being his master to reverse my mistake, but I done
it. I don’t tell him too often, but I’m as proud of him as I am
my own kids. Probably more so. Whether you think on that
old cowboy as yore’ daddy
or not, don’t mean you two can’t have a fine future together being each
other's buds. You couldn’t have no finer cowboy to take a shine
to you.
He won’t never tell you wrong. I had me some
serious reservation giving Jimmy Joe a chance and hiring him on as my
ramrod. Ain’t sorry I done it. Ain’t been sorry for a
minute. Best damn decision I ever made in ma’ life. As much
book learning as my last ramrod had and for all his reputation as an
expert in slave management and psychology, he didn’t have half the
natural know-how Jimmy Joe Russell’s got. Furthermore, I thank
god ever’ damn day my new ramrod ain’t no fuck’n prima donna. I
like the idea I can take Jimmy Joe off with me on business or a small
getaway and fuck him ‘til he speaks in tongues.” Angus chuckled and got
a grin out of Monty. “It keeps it real between us, and I like
having a closer bond with a working partner.”
“Did Burt come
between you?” Monty asked.
“Yeah, he
did. It would a' been okay if’n Burt just kept his damn mouth
shut, was the slave he’s suppose to be and been more supportive of
Jimmy Joe. He always had my ramrod riled up about
something. A man can’t work and do a good job if’n his home life
ain’t happy.”
“You afraid I
might come between you, Master Angus?” Monty asked.
“Oh, hell,
no! Not a chance.” he grinned, “I plan on fuck’n both a' you
regularly.” the big man said as fact, then bellowed with
laughter. He got Monty laughing with him.
“Sounds like a
good plan to me, Sir.”
“It’s
only been
a while since Burt’s been gone, but I can already see a change
in my ramrod. Some of that change is because of you,
boy. I need my ramrod right now to have all his wits about him,
and you’re part of the balance to that equation. The way things
is going in the world outside the ranches we gotta’ stick together as a
family. I’ll make arrangements for you and him to getaway or
spend some quality time together. I don’t want you living
together; not just yet anyways. I ain’t saying you can’t
eventually, if that’s what you want, but you ain’t even out of your
baby slave period. You got responsibilities to ma’ little brother
and this ranch. Them men’s done gone to a lot of trouble to see
you
have enough to do to keep yore’ mind busy so’s you don’t get bored and
frustrated. I think you might come to appreciate your ramrod a
little more. You might even find me a worthy ally.” Angus stole a
kiss.
“I could use me
an ally, Master.” Monty said without nuance.
“You need more
of yore’ big cowboy ally up yore’ alley, tonight, Son? I
can stay for a while longer, then I gotta’ be git'n me on back to the
ranch. I’d be happy to make another deposit for these fine
boots. For a pair this nice, I should setup a regular payment
schedule with you of once a month for at least a year.”
“A year sounds a
mite slight, Master.” Monty grinned.
“Hell, ever’
thing’s
negotiable, boy.” Angus smiled. “Yore’ master done told ju’ to
keep me
honest. I know'd him to be a man what drives a hard
bargain. He wouldn't want me cheat'n you none.” Angus bellowed
with laughter. Angus' humor was infectious, and he got Monty
rolling on the bed with laughter.
They climbed the
stairs to Monty’s bedroom and Angus made another payment on his new
boots. Monty couldn’t help being taken with the big cowboy.
He was as basic as they come, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew how
to take what he needed and give of himself in return. Monty was
impressed with him and gave Angus his all. After they cleaned up,
Monty walked Angus down to the barn were the gate was and said his
goodbyes. Angus left his old pair of boots behind for Monty to
take care of for him. Monty told him he’d have them ready for him
Sunday afternoon. He could pick them up or he would be happy to
deliver them if Angus called and made arrangements with Monty’s
master. Angus smiled at the young man. He told him he would
take care of it.
* * * * * * *
The weekend was
laid back. Monty had his new cowboy slave daddies, Bart and
Telly, in for Saturday night, and they had a great time. They
stayed the night and Monty gave Telly his pair of boots. He was
as blown away as the rest of the men. Monty morphed for them, but
they were totally unprepared. They knew Monty had some strange
talents, but they didn’t know everything. They took turns
sandwiching their new baby slave between them and sampling the goodness
of his little cunt he shared with them. It didn’t make them one
bit of difference it just happened to be attached to their baby cowboy
slave brother. To a cowboy, a cunt is a cunt. It was a
deeply emotional experience for Bart and Telly. Like Jimmy Joe,
it was the first vagina they’d seen in twenty years or more.
Monty thought how sad it was to see the two big cowboys reduced to
tears, but soon enough, their tears for the memories of their misspent
youths, and the price they had to pay for the error of their ways,
were replaced by tears of joy.
They both had to eat their fill
and they were not unlike two ravenously hungry bears who just stumbled
upon a honey pot. One would rim Monty’s rear while the other ate
his little cunt. They ate Monty’s holes like he was an eight
course banquet spread before two starving beggers. He never
imagined a man could insert his tongue so deeply within either
orifice. It was like they were trying to eat their way to each
other. Monty lost count of the number of times he climaxed.
They damn near drove him crazy, and that was before they got down to
the main course. Monty wondered what it was with cowboys and
dining at the ‘Y’? In the height of passion, Monty laughed to
himself, he wondered if Jared Fogle ever got a sandwich from Subway
that tasted or felt so good at the same time. If he had, Monty
considered, he probably would’ve lost a lot more weight.
The previous
Sunday was a lot of work for everyone to entertain the Ongs and the
major players of the Grange. The coming Sunday was to be
one of rest and relaxation, but Shane and Boss Potter decided they
would still have a barbecue for their ranch family. There wasn’t
much going on at Angus’ ranch, and he told his ramrod go through the
gate to spend the afternoon and evening with Monty. Everyone had
a great time, and Monty felt blessed he got to be with the man he was
coming to love above all others.
The days began
to fly by. Things settled down into a manageable insanity.
It seemed there was always something else to be done and never enough
time to do it. The following week the two younger whale brains
were placed within the smaller bio-bodies. Physically, they were
just about the same size as Dexter. They could pass for his
brother and sister except they were much more advanced. They were
so perfect, outsiders or those not in the know, would think they were
real human children. The only thing that might give them away was
they didn’t act like children. They were polite, well mannered
and thoughtful. They didn’t cause a lot of attention to be drawn
to themselves. Most of the time you didn’t know they were there,
because they were busy observing, learning and taking in
everything. They didn’t get names right away. Like Rocky,
they had whale names, but he convinced them they should consider new
names for themselves more in keeping with their new lives. From
time to time they would ask different people about names, and if they
knew of a name they might like. The cowboys provided them with
many. Of course they were all Western names. The little boy
decided he wanted to be called Cody and the little girl decided she
wanted to be called Pearl.
Angus fell in
love with Cody and Pearl and told Shane he would be happy to give them
a home with him and his wife for a while. Angus’ wife, Jean
Goodnight, had some reservations about having a couple of bio-droid
kids living with them, but they quickly won her over. They
were no bother and almost no extra work for her. They were mostly
self-sufficient, considerate and helpful. They were excellent
company, and a delight to
have around. They began to stay with their Uncle Angus and Auntie
Jean a lot. They took them with them wherever they went and
introduced them as family. They became the joy of the Grange and
were welcome everywhere. They became well known and loved by
all. Rocky was adjusting to his life faster than anyone
predicted he might. He, too, became loved and respected by
everyone in the Grange, but especially the men and cowboys of the
Potter/Goodnight ranch. When he wasn’t cowboying, he escorted
Monty, Maxine, Bobby, Dexter, Cody, Pearl and the coyote cowboys
everywhere they
went. He became their big brother and protector.
Maxine and
Patty arranged for the gang to spend some time at the Two Meadows Inn
on the Buttercup. The other, and most frequented, was the Inn on
the Bandersnatch, but the Inn on the Buttercup appealed more to the
Grange insiders and critters. They introduced Monty to Warren
Steel, Horse and their new bairn. It was Monty’s first experience
with lummox milk. He was a little shy about sitting on horse’s
big lap and sucking on his massive teats, but after he watched the
coyote cowboys crawl up into Horse’s lap, he decided to go native and
try it. He was pleasantly surprised. It tasted like warm
vanilla ice cream. Monty couldn’t get enough and drank his
fill. As Maxine predicted, because of Monty’s advanced abilities
to absorb other people and critter’s genetic information, one good
taste of lummox milk was enough for Monty to take on most, if not
all, of the lummox’s natural abilities. She was right.
Monty could even morph into as big a creature as Horse. As time
went on, Ox and Strom offered their milk and he had a large database of
lummox genetic information to draw upon. He found his abilities
greatly enhanced. He no longer felt left out, because Maxine,
Captain Shane, Bobby and all the coyotes could hear his workers and he
couldn’t. Monty began to hear and be able to communicate with his
workers, Maxine and Bobby. They could no longer laugh and giggle
about their little jokes. To his great surprise and delight he
could communicate with Jenny Bottom and the horses.
Monty took on a
new role on the ranch which wasn’t discovered by his master or his
cowboy slave brothers for sometime. Animals on the ranch who were
sick or injured would come to his quarters to graciously ask him for
relief or to heal them. Monty never failed to help any creature
who came to his door. It didn’t end there. Word soon got
out, there was a special human who could heal, and wild animals who
were
sick or wounded would travel great distances to seek Monty’s
help. There was a constant stream of wild critters hanging around
the barn. If they needed more than temporary care, Monty would
put them up in the barn and care for them until they could recover
enough to be on their own again. The old barn became
affectionately know as 'Montana's Ark.' Jenny became Nurse Jenny
Bottom
and took her job as Doctor Monty’s receptionist seriously. She
ruled the barn with an iron hoof. She acted like a triage nurse
who sorted out the most needy patients to be seen first. It was
her chance to shine and pay Monty back for giving life back to
her. She was just what he needed. She was brusk, bossy,
dictatorial, commented way too much, moaned, bitched and complained
about everything but had a soft heart for suffering critters of all
kinds. She was much like a typical nurse you might find in any
hospital. She wasn’t shy and was quick to give her opinions on
everything whether asked or not. Monty would get up an hour early
every day to take care of his steady stream of
patients.
It was hard to
keep it a secret when Monty was entertaining his ramrod or cowboy slave
daddies when Nurse Jenny would be outside the door braying for his
attention before his alarm went off. Her sounds were more grating
than an ambulance siren. There was no sleeping after she began
her insistent braying call to him. Jimmy Joe marveled as he
leaned against the door, half awake, with a cup of coffee in his hand
and looked out upon a well ordered line of patients to see Doctor
Monty. Land tortoises, skunks, racoons, deer, and even a mountain
lion, who called herself Ann-e-purrna, who traveled many miles to bring
Monty one of her kittens who had a broken leg. She told him she
had met his kind before. One afternoon Monty was working in the
barn when Jenny came fogging in braying at the top of her lungs.
<<
Monty, Monty! Monty dearest! >> she called to him with her
mind, << One of the ponies saw a coyote in an animal trap.
She’s trying to gnaw her leg off to escape. >>
Monty
dropped what he was doing.
<< Is the
pony outside? Can he take me to her? >>
<< She’s
waiting. She’ll take you to her. >>
Monty walked
outside and there was a pretty sorrel mare. He recognized her as
Bobby's favorite pony. He climbed on her
back and the pony set out for the place she saw the animal. Nurse
Jenny Bottom followed but would stop now and then to complain or
get her breath. They arrived and the animal was going crazy from
pain and fear. She had a wild frenzied look in her eyes and was
trying everything to get away from the trap and the man approaching
her. She thought her death was immanent. Monty got down
from the pony and slowly went to her.
<< Calm
yourself, little sister, I am not like other humans. I won't
harm you or cause you pain. >>
<< Don’t
come any closer! I will bite you! Oh, the pain! The
horrible pain! It’s unbearable. Maybe it would be better to
die. Kill me, human! Make my death quick, and I will bless
your kindness with my last breath. >> it cried in Monty’s
mind. Monty could almost feel its pain.
<< I have
to remove the trap, but when I do, don’t runaway. I can heal your
wound, but first I must know your blood. I will have to touch you
to sample your essence, coyote. If you want to live, you must not
bite me. >>
<< I won’t
if you free me from this awful pain. >>
Monty moved
closer and the coyote turned her head so she wouldn’t have to
look. Monty put his boot onto the lever and sprung the
trap. The coyote was free. It moved a few steps and
collapsed. She fainted from the pain. Monty went to her,
gently
put his hand on her head and put her into a deep, coma-like
sleep. He dipped the fingers of his right hand into the coyote’s
blood, smeared some on each arm and a small amount across his
forehead. He put his finger to his mouth and tasted the animal’s
sweet wild blood. Its genetic information swiftly ran through his
body, and he could feel the complete essence of the coyote. He
was ready to do his repairs. He ran his hand gently over the
animal’s body and rear left leg. A bluish light emanated from his
hand, and whatever area it passed over was brought together and healed
instantly. He kept the animal sedated for another few minutes and
made a suggestion she might be sore, but her pain would be gone.
He woke her from her sleep. She set up, shook her head like she
was groggy from the deep sleep and looked at her repaired
body. She looked directly into Monty’s gentle eyes.
She saw only goodness and kindness. She reached up and licked his
hand.
<< You’re
welcome, little sister. If you follow me back to my place, I will
feed you a good meal, and you can be on your way. You need some
solid, nourishing food to replenish the blood you have lost. >>
<< Can I
trust you, two-legs? >> she asked Monty.
<< How
could you not trust one who saved your life and took your pain away,
you ungrateful wretch? >> Nurse Jenny brayed at her.
The coyote
didn’t say more, she just followed at a safe distance behind.
When Monty got to the barn he got her a bowl of chow and some fresh
water.
<< How
long ago did you whelp, sister? >> he asked.
<< Three
weeks. It is my first litter. They are hungry all the
time. I can’t find enough to eat to produce the milk they
need. How do you know these things? >> she asked.
<< Your
blood told me. Do you have a name, little sister? >>
<< My
mother called me Criga. >>
<< I am
known as Monty.>> he replied.
<< You are
not like other two-legs. You speak to four-leg's mind. >>
<< You are
correct. Like dog is your relative, I am two-leg’s
relative. I will leave food out for you for several nights so you
will have enough to feed your whelps until you heal properly. >>
<< Why
would you do this for me, two-legs? >> she asked.
<< A day
may come when two-leg need favor from four-legs. Four-legs will
remember and not refuse two-leg. >> he smiled at her.
<< I will
remember. I will not refuse, two-leg. >> she said as she
gulped down the tasty chow and ate the nutrient biscuit Monty gave
her. She returned night after night for about a week. Monty
would greet her.
<< Good
evening, Criga. Are you feeling better, my sister? >>
<< Yes,
thank you, much better. My pups are growing strong. Criga
find hairy two-leg young one. Not very old. Afraid it will
die. It is starving. Four-leg can not provide for it.
So is the way of the wild. >> she lamented.
<< Can you
take me to her, Criga? >>
<< Yes,
but she smells awful. She will smell your fresh scent and hide
from you. >>
<<
Two-legs can change his appearance. I can smell awful.
>>
<< What
manner of two-leg can change his shape? >> she asked.
<< One who
comes from lights in sky. >>
<< My
mother told me stories of old ones. Stories told by native
two-legs who live before modern two-legs come and kill them. Are
you one of the old ones? >> she asked.
<< No, but
I'm descended from them. Watch me change, but do not be
afraid. I will still be same Monty inside. >> Monty sent to
her. He morphed into a huge male lummox. << Do I look like
small two-leg? >> he sent to her.
<< Like
you could be her sire. Is it true hairy-two leg milk is best of
all animals? Can you feed my pups? >>
<< It is
true, Criga. I will be happy to feed them if you will trust me.
>>
<< I trust
you. You have only been good to me. Come, follow me, great hairy
two-leg healer. Young hairy two-leg in cave not far from my den.
>>
Monty followed
her in the darkness of the moonless night. He was amazed at how
strong and powerful his lummox body was and how light and swiftly he
could walk to keep up with her. He wasn’t even running or
breathing heavy. It was like he was gliding above the ground
almost like an anti-grave Gurney. They came to her den and she
was greeted by four hungry pups, two males and two females. Since
big smelly hairy two-legs was with their mom he was something new and
wonderful, something to explore. They were all over Monty.
He took the runt of the litter, a little female Criga was most worried
about and gently put her to his chest. He squeezed out just a
drop of his milk so she would get a whiff of it. That’s all
it took. Monty smiled. She looked like he felt the first
time he tasted lummox milk. She was slurping and gulping until
her little belly ballooned up to obscene proportions. Finally,
she just couldn’t suck anymore and reluctantly ceased. Monty put
her down and Criga cleaned her. The pup didn’t want to be
bothered. She only wanted to waddle off to her favorite spot in
the den
and pass out. Monty fed each pup in turn until they were
stuffed. Then he offered Criga his milk.
<< I don’t
think I can, two-legs. >>
<< Don’t
think on me as a two-leg, Criga. Think on me as your lummox
friend. Lummox milk is the most perfect food in the
universe. Drink from me, little sister. My milk will heal
you faster and make you grow stronger so your pups will have a fighting
chance. >> he implored her. Criga began to suck at his
teat, and like her pups, couldn’t get enough. She drank until she
couldn’t drink any more.
<< Thank
you, Monty. >> Criga finally used his name. Coyotes
only use names if they know you well and trust you. << I will
have time to catch up and have good milk to feed them in the
morning. Come, I will take you to the young lummox’s cave.
>>
Monty quietly
followed her and with his increased sense of smell and vision he could
see a carefully disguised opening to a small cave in the
hillside. He called into the cave a formal lummox announcement of
territorial rights. There was no movement, but he knew he was
being watched. Criga stood apart.
<< She may
be afraid of you, sister. Return to your pups. I will see
you tomorrow for food. >>
<< Thank
you, Monty, and good luck to you and the young one. >> Criga sent
to him. She turned and left the area moving quietly through the
underbrush. Monty projected his thoughts into the cave.
<< Hello,
little one. Criga with four-legs told me about you. I am
Montana. I am of your kind. I am a big, hairy two-legged
lummox. I come to feed Criga’s pups. Their belly’s are
full. I have much milk in my heavy breast I will share with you
if you come to me. I will sit here under this rock. >>
There was no answer, and Monty set for a long while. He was
beginning to doze off when he noticed movement. Standing before
him was a young lummox female a little smaller than Dexter. She
just stood there in the rising moonlight looking suspiciously at the
huge
male sitting with his back against a big rock. Monty didn’t move
but sent her an invitation. << My
breasts are heavy with milk. They are so full they hurt.
Won’t you take pity on me, young one, and drink some to relieve the
pressure? I have very fine milk, and you look hungry.>>
Monty sent to her.
She slowly moved toward Monty. She stunk
so bad it almost made Monty nauseous, but his lummox senses were more
attuned to such sensations and quickly adjusted. The young one
crawled up into Monty’s huge lummox arms and hungrily hooked onto
Monty’s right teat. She started crying as she tasted the
wonderful milk flowing freely from Monty’s breast. It felt so
good to Monty. He wasn’t kidding when he told her his breast
hurt. The pups sucking on him made his body produce even more
milk. The steady flow of his milk was not unlike an orgasm from
his penis. It was highly sensual, and he felt his huge lummox
penis becoming engorged with blood. It already had a bone in it,
but it would grow even larger from stimulation. Monty never
experienced another biped sucking on his teats before. It was a
wonderful sensation. From somewhere deep within him he felt a
rumbling song forming. He didn’t hold back. It seemed like
the thing to do and only enhanced the sensuality of the young lummox
sucking at his breast. He could feel his song relaxing the bairn,
and it made his milk flow more freely. This was a revelation to
him. How much sensuality do other species know about, of which,
humans have no clue? He didn’t try to embrace the young
bairn. He just let her rest in his arms. Monty thought it
might be too much of a threat for her if he held her tightly. She
sucked until her small belly was full, then turned and ran off into the
cave. Monty smiled to himself, got up and returned to his
quarters. Before he left he send a message.
<< You’re
welcome, little one. I will return tomorrow night to feed you
again. >> he promised.
Monty returned
every night for almost a week. He would feed Criga’s pups first
and then go to the bairn’s cave. The third night she was waiting
outside her cave for Monty and allowed him to gently hold and pet her
while she nursed. Of course, Nurse Jenny had to tag along with
him each time he went. She felt is was her duty to see to Doctor
Monty no matter what shape he took. She had a difficult time
keeping up with Monty’s huge strides. She would grumble, complain
and call for him to slow down. Monty nicknamed her ‘Granny
Quick.’ He was always telling her she complained like a
grandmother who had too much advice for her grandchildren. She
needed to ‘hesh-up’ and be quicker. He told her she couldn’t walk
and talk at the same time. Every time her mouth moved she slowed
down. He would stop from time to time and wait for her to catch
up.
<< Hurry,
Granny Quick! Step lively! Stop your caterwauling.
The more you complain the slower you go. We got pups and a bairn
to feed, and we gotta’ git back before someone discovers we’re gone.
>> he would chastise her. She complained about being out of
breath, but she always found enough air to chastise him for
traveling too fast. Monty laughed to himself. He thought
they must have been a funny sight moving throught the night;
misbegotten
actors rushing for their entrance into a full moon spotlight; a huge,
hairy monster and a tiny ass; characters straight out of
Shakespeare. Jenny Bottom, the youngest daughter of Nick Bottom
the weaver, in her first night on the candle lit boards playing Ganny
Quick to the great mooncalf beast Caliban, son of the witch
Sycorax. Monty sang to her and considered many things as she fed
from his breast. The third night he got the young one to
communicate with him.
<< Do you
have a name? >> he asked as she was busily sucking.
<< Of
course I have a name. My parents called me Frieda Toosoon because
I crawled from my mother’s womb too early. My mother said it
was because I was afraid of the darkness within her. I am always
afraid. I see the future, but I don’t know why. What I see
sometimes makes me fearful. I had to crawl into my father’s pouch
when I did, or I wouldn’t be alive right now. I stayed
within my father’s belly-pouch for a month longer than normal. My
mother said I was afraid of my shadow. I guess I am. I have
seen my shadow, and it is as dark as my mother’s womb. I do not
wish to know it. I tried to tell her I was afraid because I could
see the future. She didn’t believe me. She called me
Fraidy-cat, then shortened it to Frieda. I saw you in my future,
Monty. Is your name Monty Montana? >> she asked.
<< No,
dear heart, like your mother changed ‘afraid’ into ‘frieda’ my friends
shortened my name ‘Montana’ to ‘Monty.’ >>
<< I
understand. >> she projected as she sucked some more.
<< Are you
afraid of me, Frieda? >> he thought.
<< A
little, not so much now, but I can’t see a future about you or
me. Something is blocking my ability. I don’t think you
would offer your milk if you meant me harm.>>
<< Nothing
wrong with your reason, little sister. >> Monty smiled and held
her small head in his huge paw.
<< I know
darkness, but I see no darkness in you. You are surrounded by a
beautiful light— more beautiful than the light that surrounded my
parents. Your loud companion, tiny four-leg with big ears, she
has the same light around her, but not so much. Is she your
mooncalf? >> she asked.
<<
Mooncalf, indeed! >> snorted Jenny Bottom who settled down
and was munching on a some wild sage with spring garlic.
<< Now,
now, Granny Quick, Frieda is right. In a way you are my
mooncalf. I gave you a new birth. I brought you back to
life beneath a full moon. I remember it well. Captain
Shane said there’s a part of me in you. It’s the part our little
sister is seeing. We have many friends like us, Frieda.
They live happily in communities together with hairless two-legs.
>>
<< My
parents told me always to hide from hairless two-legs; to make myself
invisible to them. I haven’t learned how to do it yet. They
say we can’t live with hairless ones. >>
<< They
were wrong, Frieda. There are those among us who can change their
shape. I can change into anything I want as long as I have their
information within me. I come to you as a big hairy one, but I
live my life as a hairless one. >>
<< No, not
possible. >> she dismissed him.
<< I won’t
change to prove it to you, because it might frighten you. I don’t
want to do that. I want to be your friend. You’re
alone. You need help. You need me. Tell me about your
parents? Why has their lights gone out? Why do they lie
still? >>
<< My
father bring home meat for him and my mother. He find dead fuzzy
four-leg. He not kill. It was already dead, but I think it
had the powder of death on it. I hear them talk about it many
times. They didn’t know. I begged them not to eat it.
I told them I was afraid it would kill them. They didn’t listen
to me. They thought I was a silly baby bairn. They were
hungry and ate it anyway. I don’t eat solid food yet so I didn’t
eat any. I was still drinking my father’s milk. They lie
down, go to sleep, but not wake up. I try for two days, but I
can’t wake them. I was afraid. They lie still in
cave. It was like they went away but left their bodies
behind. I knew my dreams, which cause me such fear, came
true. They were dead. I tried to gather stones to cover
their bodies, but I’m not strong enough. They smell bad.
Small white things crawl on them. I don’t think they will ever
wake up again. I think death is forever. I see bright
lights come for them to protect them from the darkness, it joined with
their lights and took them away. They will never come back to me,
will they, Monty?>>
<< I’m
afraid they won’t, Frieda. I’m afraid for you. They won’t
come back, little sister. >> Monty said as he shed a tear.
Monty knew some
ranchers would purposely kill and lace a sheep’s carcass with poison to
kill large predators. He knew most lummox weren’t killers of
livestock. They were savvy enough to understand if they killed a
rancher’s stock they would hunt them down. They mostly scavenged
from other predator’s kills. Once in a while, if attacked, they
would kill and eat the predators. They would not come near a
carcass which fell from the sky. They would go out of their
way to give it a wide berth. They ate a large variety of grasses,
wild fruits, nuts and raw fish. They would sometimes forage in a
domestic orchard, but would be careful not to leave tracks. They
would also catch small game and eat it but almost never killed sheep,
goats, or cattle unless they were starving.
<< They
won’t wake up, Frieda. They are dead like the fuzzy four-leg
critter your dad found. I will help you gather stones to cover
them. Will you come live with me? >> Monty asked.
<< Thank
you, but ‘no.’ I will learn to find food for myself. I must
not leave my parents. >> she replied. Monty spent a
couple of hours carrying heavy stones into the cave until her mother
and father were completely covered. She seemed pleased, but
lost. For the first time, she seemed reluctant to let Monty
go. Monty guessed her to be no older than a year, maybe
two. She
was just a baby. She was smaller than Dexter. He was
worried about her. Monty decided he needed help. He talked
it over with his ramrod that evening.
“Why ain’t chu’
said nothing before now, Son? We’s family. We help each
other. Them men probably know what chu’ been up to? You
forgit they got three robo-cams on you all the time. They can
watch what you do twenty-four hours of every day. The slightest
thing out of the ordinary and that big daddy computer they call Kyron
will alert them. They probably already know and are jes’ wait’n
to see how long it will take before you say something.” Jimmy Joe told
him. Monty got a funny look on his face. He forgot
about the robo-cams. That evening at supper Monty was very quiet.
“Everything
going all right in your neck of the woods, Son?” Shane asked Monty.
“Naw, Sir.
I feel embarrassed.” he replied quietly.
“Whatever for?”
Shane looked surprised.
“You know, don’t
you?” he said without looking up from his plate.
“Know what,
Monty?” Shane asked concerned.
“About my little
friend I been feeding for the last week.”
“What little
friend would that be? We’ve heard talk you have a steady stream
of critters what come to your door early in the mornings. If you
mean have we been following your every move by robo-cams, we
ain’t.
We give you your privacy most of the time. I’ll be honest, we
checked a couple of times in the beginning, but it weren’t to spy on
you so much as to see if you were comfortable and happy. Kyron
would alert us only if he thought you’s in danger. Would you like
to tell us what you’re talking about?”
“Yes, Sir.
I told my ramrod about it, and he agreed I need some
help. Bobby's pretty little sorrel mare and Nurse Jenny Bottom
took
me to a female coyote what was caught in a trap on the adjacent
ranch. I got her out of the trap and healed her, but she had four
pups what were almost starving to death. I morphed into a lummox
and helped her feed them for several days until I could feed her enough
for her to take over. She’s better now and will be all right, but
she took me to a cave on the other property where there was a young
lummox smaller than Dex. She’s about a year or two old. Her
parents were poisoned by the rancher on the next
property. I been feed’n her lummox milk for almost a week now.”
“Wow, that’s
fantastic!” Shane exclaimed quietly, “I’ve heard rumors we have several
families living around our area, but few have seen them. Let’s
look at the videos after supper.”
The men retired
to Boss Potter’s living room and Shane asked Kyron run videos of
Monty morphing into a lummox and feeding the coyote pups and then
the young lummox bairn.
“Her name is
Frieda Toosoon, Captain.” Monty said. “Her mother gave birth to her too
soon, and her father had to take over early. They didn’t know if
she would make it. She’s been small since birth, and her mother
told her she was always afraid; thus the name Frieda. She claims
she had to climb out of her mother early because she can see the
future,
and she wouldn’t be alive today if she hadn’t. She speaks of
being afraid of darkness.”
“She looks
healthy enough. She is rather small even for a two year old
lummox. The coyote and her pups look like they’re going to make
it. As ranchers we sort of frown on predators, but coyotes are
mostly scavengers. They will gang up and attack small domestic
animals and eat them. So be careful when our pups are with you.”
“I don’t think
Criga would do anything like that. I already warned her not to.”
Monty defended her.
“Were you
planning on going to Frieda tonight?” Shane asked.
“I wanted to,
but I have my ramrod to take care of this evening.”
“Well, I’m sure
he wouldn’t mind waiting for you.” Shane winked at Jimmy Joe. “I
think this is too much for you to handle alone, Son. You got too
many other responsibilities. You done good to help her and make a
friend of her, but I think it’s time we found Frieda a home. If’n
we don’t she runs the risk of being caught or shot by a rancher, or
worse, eating poisoned meat herself. Kyron?” Shane spoke to the
evolved intelligence.
“I am here,
Captain Shane.”
“Would you be so
kind as to alert Warren Steele, Horse, Strom, Lyle Chambers, Captain
Waco, Ox, Captain Trong and Commander Fielding to come through the
gates to the Potter/Goodnight ranch. We got us a lummox
bairn we need to talk into letting us help. Tell Strom to bring
his three male bairns and Captain Trong and his sons Kurg and Bogg.”
“Hold on,
Kyron! Wait a minute, Son.” Cole said. “You sure you want a
stomping of Bigfoots tromping though the ranch and onto another ranch
in the
moonlight? Lummox make big targets. No telling what might
happen.”
“Ramrod Jenkin's
got a good point, Son.” said Boss Potter.
“Why not have
Monty go to her, have Waco beam them aboard the Buttercup to the meadow
area? Horse and Warren are already there. Where Captain
Waco goes Ox is always there. That way, Frieda would be contained
and safe. If she bolts or tries to hide, she can’t get off the
ship. Then the others could gather at an agreed time to approach
her. You might not even have to go to all that trouble.
From what we’ve seen, it looks to me like she’s about ready to let
someone help her.” Cole said.
“How much do I
pay you, pa?” Shane grinned.
“Not nearly
enough, ‘at’s fer damn sure.” laughed Boss Potter. The other men
joined him.
“Not to worry,
Ramrod Jenkins, there’s a new pair of boots in it for you.” grinned
Monty.
“Oouuu!” said
the other men.
“I wouldn’t say
‘no’ to that, Son.” Cole smiled at Monty.
Shane contacted
Lazarus, and the Admiral contacted Waco. They were more than
happy to oblige. They had Monty’s DNA in their computer and it
would be a simple matter for Ms. Myra to beam him and Frieda into the
meadow on the Buttercup. Shane, Cole, Gil Morris, Bobby, Dexter,
Rocky
and Maxine all wanted to go along but Shane decided they would have to
wait. Shane decided he would take Cole, Gil, and Jimmy Joe.
They left immediately for the Buttercup. Monty was followed down
to his quarters by Bobby, Maxine, Dexter, Cody, Pearl and Rocky.
After they got there, Monty morphed into his huge lummox form.
Cody, Pearl and Rocky never saw Monty morph before, and they were
amazed.
Much to her
displeasure, Monty told Nurse Jenny Bottom he didn’t have time for her
Granny Quick routine, and he insisted he didn’t want her following
him. He wouldn’t be coming back by land, and she might get lost
or jumped by a wild predator. He knew how stubborn she could be
so he fed her and closed her stall gate so she couldn’t follow
him. He told everyone not to let her out no matter how much she
bitched and moaned. He would let her out when he returned.
Monty made the trip in no time in lummox form without having to
stop for his constant companion. He passed by Criga’s den,
and briefly checked on her. She seemed pleased to see
him. He didn’t offer milk to her pups, but told her he would
return the following evening. He left and arrived at the
cave. He found Frieda sitting in the entrance to her cave.
Monty set on his usual rock, opened his big arms, and she ran to
him. They exchanged greetings. Monty hugged and petted her
affectionately. She started sucking immediately.
<< Hungry
tonight, little one? >> he sent to the small bairn.
<< You
have such good milk, Monty. I loved my daddy, but his never
tasted this good. >>
<< That’s
because of what he ate. I eat different foods. It’s a hard
life in the wild. You eat what you can find and sometimes you go
to sleep hungry because you can’t always find food. I don’t want
that for you, Frieda. I’ve come to care about you. I want
you to become a part of my family. >>
<< You can
come see Frieda anytime you want. >> she sent as she sucked.
<< My life
ain’t like that, Frieda. I can’t always come. You’re too
young to be alone. You don’t understand responsibilities big
folks have. I have others I have to look after... like Criga.
>>
<< That’s
all right. Frieda soon be big enough to take care of herself.
>>
<< I don’t
think so, sweet heart, but I won’t insist. Drink deeply, little
sister. >> Monty said as he began to sing his low, rumbling song
to the bairn. It was as much comfort to him as it was to the
young one. Frieda had been sucking for a while when a blinding,
bright white light surrounded them. Monty grabbed her into his
huge, powerful arms and held her tight. << Don’t
be frightened, Frieda. I am taking you to a place where you will
be safe. >> In the next minute they were in a beautiful meadow on
the Buttercup. Frieda was still in Monty’s arms. She looked
frightened when she saw the shape of others around them, but instead of
bolting she made herself as small as possible and hid her face in
Monty’s arms. Ox, Horse, and Strom came and set down close to
Monty.
<< Look,
Frieda. They are our kind. They are my friends. They
have come to welcome you. Don’t be afraid. They will not
harm you. They are here to help.>>
Slowly the baby
bairn peeked out from Monty’s arms and saw three of the biggest, best
looking lummox she ever saw. She hadn’t really seen any others
but her mother, father and Monty. These three huge creatures
looked healthy, and they smelled wonderful. They didn’t have the
stench of death on them. Ox took her hand and gently pulled
Frieda into his arms away from Monty.
<< Would
you like to sample my milk, Frieda? >> Ox sent to the young
one. Frieda didn’t answer but hooked up to one of Ox’s big
inviting teats. It was like she found a home at Ox’s
breast. She was really going after it as Ox began to sing his low
grumbling song to the bairn. It was a lummox lullaby. It
said you are mine, you are safe in my arms, I will love and protect
you. Feed from my body. I will become a part of you, and
you will be a part of me.
“I think I jes’
lost my slave, Admiral.” Waco laughed.
“Naw, you and
Trey jes’ gained yourselves a little sister. That was love at
first suck if I ever saw it.” confirmed Lazarus. The men laughed.
* * * * * * *
Boss Potter
joined his ranch family to await the return of the rest of the
men. The Buttercup flew back over the Potter/Goodnight ranch and
beamed down Monty, Jimmy Joe, Shane, Cole and Gil Morris. They
were standing in Monty’s barn. Monty was still in lummox form and
went to release Nurse Jenny Bottom. She scolded him and bellowed,
he petted her, gave her some carrots to placate her, and she soon
settled down. You may give a woman roses as an act of contrition,
but sweet carrots is the key to open the door for instant forgiveness
from a mooncalf. For modesty sake Monty didn’t morph back to
human form in front of everyone. No one wanted to come near
him. He smelled awful. He went outside with his ramrod
accompanying him a couple of paces away, and he morphed back into his
normal self on their way down to his quarters. He still stunk,
but he got into his shower and thoroughly cleaned himself. After
several washes and several rinses he thought he might pass in polite
society. He used a third of a bottle of Lilac Vegetal as a body
astringent and coverup for his lummox smell. He wondered if Ox
had fearful-Frieda in a big tub giving her, her first introduction to
the bath. Monty knew he would be gentle with her. After he
dressed, Monty rejoined his friends and Ramrod Russell.
“Job well done,
everyone, especially you, Son. By the way, you make a fine
looking lummox. Ox told me to tell you he thought so, too.” Shane
said to Monty. It was still early evening and no one seemed
interested in leaving. Everyone was sitting in Monty’s living
area
around the fireplace and talking quietly. Monty started a fire so
he would have hot water to clean himself. His ramrod added more
wood to it to keep it hot for him. The water came out almost
steaming. He had to mix a considerable amount of cool water to
keep from scalding himself. After he rejoined his family, Monty
went to his leather area and returned with four boxes. One for
Captain Shane, one for Ramrod Jenkins, one for Gil Morris and one for
Boss Potter. They thanked him graciously. The men tried on
their new boots and complimented Monty on his craftsmanship. They
began to talk about many things. There was a lot for them to talk
about. It just seemed they were coming together as a family
and were enjoying each other's company.
“We were going
to wait 'til later to tell you, Son, but one nice gift deserves
another.” started Boss Potter. "Yesterday, our first money
came through from Darryl and his company. We’re well on our way
to becoming millionaires.” he grinned at Monty. “You’re master
has put your first money into your account, but we’re afraid to deposit
overly large sums because it might attract attention. Since it’s
under
court supervision, this new money has been credited to you for your
leather work products. The larger amounts due next
week, Captain Shane will keep for you in his safe on board his ship the
Bluebonnet.”
“Gosh, I never
expected to have a lot of money. Are there things we can spend it
on without a great deal of suspicion? I’m open to anything, but I
have a few ideas of my own.” he asked.
“Well, the
Maxine Potter foundation, as we’re calling our new joint financial
venture, will be purchasing the ranch where you found Frieda.
I didn't know, but it’s been up for sale for over two years now.
When I inquired
about it, no one has expressed interest. The owner is a hardcore,
dyed in the wool, washed in the blood fundamentalist, yet he
has the reputation of being the worst rancher and slave owner in our
county. He has two or three deaths per year among his slaves from
neglect, sickness and ordering them to do stupid, dangerous things that
get them killed. I think we can make him a lowball cash offer
he’ll jump at.”
“We gonna’ run
cattle on it, Boss?” Shane asked.
“We’ll use it
for extra grazing land, but I want some sheep. My partner needs a
job to keep her active and fit." said Boss Potter. A chill ran up
Monty’s spine. He remembered his dream of him and Maxine herding
sheep on the adjacent ranch in the high meadow. Potter continued,
“By the
way,
Monty, Darryl and the people of Mars Port and Venus are chomping at the
bit to see another performance of you and our beautiful little
lady. He
says it will increase sales of your action figures by eighty percent.”
“Gee, I’d love
to if Master Shane thinks we can get away. Would you approve of
us
practicing in the meadow down here near my quarters, Sir? It’s
low enough I don’t think we’d be seen. We don’t need to fly too
high. Seems like they ain’t no one around these parts for miles.”
Monty asked.
“Sure, jest let
us know. We’ll want to watch.” replied Boss Potter.
Everyone
agreed with him.
“What about it,
little sister? You up for another flying lesson?” he smiled
at Maxine. She was in his lap in an instant.
“You know it,
big brother. I can’t wait to experience that feeling again.
I would love to fly with you and my big friend Brilliante.”
“When will you
take Cody, Pearl and Rocky to meet Professor Wankle, Captain
Shane?” Monty asked.
“I was going to
wait until the first of June when our boy gits his new body and we can
sort of soften the blow as a celebration of new achievements for
all. In the meantime, do your workers have enough materials to
start working on several more bodies?”
“Yes, Sir.
Master Morris has been most helpful, and if I may say so, somewhat of a
wizard
getting things for us. Fortunately, many of the basic
ingredients they use are common industrial and agricultural
chemicals. For larger quantities, Admiral Long said he can get us
anything we need. We’ve started collecting old bathtubs from yard
sales and salvage yards. We can clean them up, and for the
smaller bodies they’ll work
as
well as the expensive plexiglass tanks.” Monty
told him.
“Good.
I’ll have Darryl find out what he has left and their genders. If
we have bodies ready for a number of them he will have no choice but to
let them go. I suppose the Admiral could just order him to turn
them over, but he helped us when we needed him. We should try to
honor and respect his position.” Shane replied.
The evening came
to an end and the men left. Monty entertained his ramrod.
It had been sometime since Monty last morphed for him and asked if he
would like a little pussy that evening. Jimmy Joe didn’t answer,
he just grinned real big. Frieda spent the night with her new
lummox daddy, Ox, and his family. She didn’t know whether she was
going to like the hairless two-legs, but she could see as much light
coming from their bodies as Monty’s, Ox’s or her parents. They
were very kind and solicitous of her. She soon decided she just
might like them after all. Ox, his master and his mate, took her
to a sonic cleaning chamber on the Buttercup. They seemed
to do things together as a family and Ox just explained to her since
they were his family she must become a part of theirs. They had
no problems being nude before the small lummox female. It was
discussed and felt she should be exposed to the realities of nature as
she would in the wild. Other than the fact Waco and Trey’s
genitals weren’t covered by fur, she didn’t give it another
thought. She wondered why they went to the trouble to wear
clothes, but then reasoned if she didn’t have a lovely covering of
luxurious fur, she might want to wear something. She told Ox she
felt sorry for them because they didn't have fur. He laughed and
agreed with her.
After the sonic
shower came the wet bath with lots of soap and bubbles. She was
afraid at first, but Ox took her in his arms and gently lowered her
into the warm water with him. He had all sorts of wonderful
brushes and sponges to clean her. Waco and Trey joined
them. They figured it wouldn’t do them any harm to have a good
sudsing. Frieda observed how Captain Waco seemed to cater to his
older and much larger friend Captain Vinceeth. She wondered if
they were related. She asked Ox about it and he smiled.
<< In our
world, or the society we’re creating for ourselves, sometime two people
of the same sex pair off for a period of time. Sometimes they go
their own way. Others stay together for many years. There
are many degrees and different kinds of relationships which
develop. You’ll understand more as you grow older and get to
know these people. No one will ever lie to you or try to deceive
you, sweet baby-bairn. If you want to know something, ask, we
will
try
to find a way to explain so you will understand. >> Ox sent to
her as he stole a kiss.
Frieda slept in
the huge arms of her new daddy. She wanted to get into his pouch
and make herself as small as possible, but Ox wasn’t large
enough. She grew beyond hiding from her fears, real or
imagined, within her father’s second womb. She abandoned all
thoughts of escape and settled for a late night snack of lummox
milk. It relaxed her, and she fell into a deep sleep. She
loved the way she smelled, and the fragrance of her newly bonded father
figure. She thought Ox would do nicely. For all the sonic
cleansing and warm swirling waters of the wild, frothy bubbles filled
with natural scents spilling over her; floating lightly above the
sweet, a stronger, darker musk invaded her bright senses which spelled
well the essence of the giant lummox in whose care she was
entrusted. It wasn’t offensive to her; on the contrary, it was
similar to her father’s smell that bound her to him and him to
her. If she was blind she could find her father’s pouch among a
hundred other lummox males.
So it was with Ox’s male musk.
It spoke to her of ancient warriors, brave and strong who would take up
arms against the fiercest foe to do battle for her sake. He
smelled of honor and faithful security. She smelled within him
the spark of an honest, innocent, unalloyed love. Someone
loved him once thus. Gone were the rank, dank, dark odors of
death
and the rotting flesh of her parents. Strong odors, good or bad,
are the source of lummox memories. They wear their smells like a
diary of their history. Her heart was heavy for having to leave
her parents, but she knew it was for the best. She forgave Monty
for betraying her trust. How is it she could not have foreseen
his cunning? Was he an ancient who could cloud her mind? He
told her he descended from them. Monty did what he needed to do
for her. She came to a dead end, but not of her own making.
Ox helped her understand she was a victim of circumstances, and Monty
was her savior. She
hoped she would see Monty again, even if he was a hairless
two-leg.
She decided not to be afraid anymore; at least, not for the
night. Tomorrow was another day.
* * * * * * *
Things kept
getting worse for Scudder and all the world leaders. They
were having to meet the unreasonable demands of their overlords and the
governments
were becoming unstable. The people were losing their children in
vast numbers. Not everyone believed in Scudder’s rapture
explanation. Only the Christianist fundamentalist were stupid
enough to swallow something as crazy as the idea of being taken up into
the air by a supreme being to be taken to a Ken Ham equivalent of
Disneyland; Jesusland perhaps. (Not to be confused with the
Republic of Texas) The snakes were not supreme beings
but when any society’s technology reaches a point, to those with less
technology their achievements make them look like gods.
Certainly
they were more advanced than the people of Earth.
The most
remarkable part was, Scudder knew the “beaming up” must be true,
because he witnesses Jesse and Utah come and go in a flash of blinding
light. The problem was, the reptiles weren’t particularly subtle
about it. A family would be walking down the street of any city
in the world and their children would suddenly be taken up into the air
and disappear. Rapture or no rapture, the parents and families of
the babies and children weren’t happy about it. There were too
many unanswered questions. If, as Scudder declared, it was the
Christianist god or Jesus why the hell would they be taking the
children of Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Buddhists, and many other religions
including cults like the Mormons? They were even taking the
children of godless liberals.
The people began
to fight back. The Muslims strapped bombs to their kids with
clever timing devices which were altitude triggered. If a child
was taken, the minute he or she was lifted more than a couple hundred
feet into the air the altitude device would trip a timer and five
minutes later the bomb would go off. There would follow a massive
explosions which would light up the sky. Videos were being made
of these incidents and sent all over the world on the
free-internet. They were banned on the official government
controlled net, but every kid past the age of five knew how to hack
into the free-net. It became a rite of passage for an older kid
to teach a younger one how to get on and surf the free-net. The
younger generation knew what was going on, and they were fighting back.
Some parents
went so far as to anchor their kids with heavy duty chains to large
cement blocks sunk into the ground when they allowed them to play in
their backyards. They would be attached to a body harness or a
hand or leg cuff of some sort. Many kids lost a hand or foot that
way. Some country dad’s armed their sons, and when they were
abducted, would try to blast their way out of the situation. One
kid’s dad made him a vest with two small handguns and several
live grenades. He became a mini-rambo and succeeded in killing
every reptile on one ship, but unfortunately didn’t know how to pilot
the craft and it crashed.
All these things were slowly coming to
light that there was more to it than Scudder was telling, and his
credibility was quickly eroding by the day. He had a lower
approval rating than his predecessor. Strangely enough, more of
the abductions were going on in the larger cities than rural
areas. Why? More meat per square foot. M. Night
Shyamalan was in his nineties when it all began. He talked about
coming out of retirement to make another dreadfully vacuous ‘shaggy
dog’ type movie about the current situation, which would be sort of
scary but have absolutely no valid point to it. Fortunately, for
the
American public, he
couldn’t raise the money.
Lazarus and his
staff put out notices to the Grange that children under the age of ten
years must be hidden at all times. Most of the people who were in
jeopardy were already living in one of the communities on the
Bandersnatch or one of the many scout ships, but there were those who
had to live and work in the town. Sheriff Lassiter and a number
of ranchers had young children. They were encouraged to quietly
take them out of school with the understanding they would be home
schooled. They would be transferred to a foster home in Parsons
or one of the other many small towns being preserved on the
Bandersnatch. Their parents were free to visit them as much as
they liked.
* * * * * * *
Judge Clarence
Potter bought the adjacent ranch the following week. He didn’t
think the owner, Felix Crandall, would except his low ball, all cash
offer. He was pleasantly surprised when he did. He didn’t
have any idea how close to bankruptcy Crandall was. Potter’s
offer covered everything including buildings, stock and
equipment. Just so there was no misunderstanding, Potter added an
explanation clause to the contract reminding the seller, slaves were
considered chattel or livestock. Over the weeks Monty lived in
his
quarters on the back of the old barn, several of Crandall’s slaves
secreted themselves away to Monty’s door to dutifully stand in line
with the other critters. How they learned of his healing
capabilities no one knew. Maxine said she often saw and smelled
their slaves watching the goings on at the Potter ranch. She
speculated they saw the critters lining up in the mornings to be
helped.
When questioned, Bart and Telly weren’t
surprised. It only confirmed what they already knew. Slaves
have an underground railroad of information they developed over the
years for survival. The slaves of the Crandall ranch were just
trying
to survive under adverse circumstances. Potter and Shane gave
Monty their approval to help any critter who came to his door, and that
included slaves from the adjacent ranch. Monty was appalled to
see the physical condition of some of the men. They were in
rags, barefoot and all were severely undernourished. Some had
scurvy and
several displayed signs of essential vitamin deficiency. It made
Monty appreciate where he was living and with whom.
Immediately upon
taking ownership, a posse of men from the Potter/Goodnight ranch,
including Ramrod Russell, saddled up and rode over to the Crandall
place. What they found was almost beyond belief. It was
close to the same shocking scene troops found entering concentration
camps in Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. Many of the
animals in the barns were sick and dying. A few of the
cowboys slaves were bedridden and looked like they were on their last
leg. Three died the previous week. When they heard they
were going to be sold they were happy, but they knew Crandall had a
vicious streak. At one time he threatened to kill them to put
them out of their misery and rid him of the expense of what little
money he spent for their upkeep. Many ran away into the brush and
found
caves to live in.
Some stayed from a sense of duty to their
fellow cowboy slaves to care for them. Monty went from man to man
doing what he could, but healing without proper care meant
little. It was like trying to sweep the ocean back with a
broom. Monty was busy from sun up to late at night. He
didn’t have time to entertain his ramrod. That was no problem for
Jimmy Joe. He wasn’t a small man. When he could, he was
right by
Monty’s side, working with him, encouraging him and helping keep his
spirits up. Shane sent for
reenforcements and was surprised by a motley crew of healers and lummox
who came to feed the cowboy slave’s and see to their health.
Monty morphed
into a lummox several times to feed a particularly sick patient.
The slaves were naturally afraid of the big beasts until they watched
Monty nurse from Horse’s big teats.
Strom picked up Maxine and
offered her some milk. She couldn’t get hooked up fast
enough. Once they tasted the milk they didn’t have any
problem. Jesse Watkins and Utah came. Newly commissioned
Commander Brett Jones and his body guards, Captain Del Hawkins and
Commander Tex Olafson were there getting dirty, working their butt’s
off to help. Of course, Basil Troubadour was there by his famous
cousin’s side doing an excellent job of coordinating and helping to
heal. Over time, Basil developed
his gifts independently and became as fine a healer as his cousin and
rivaled Jesse and Utah. They all were more than a little
impressed by how far their protege and student, Monty, progressed in
such
a short time. Shane Goonight was coming into his own as a more
than competent healer and once again took over leadership and
organization of the work to restore the malnourished and sick
slaves. He and Basil worked closely and began to get things done.
It seemed
like
the gathering of the old gang of heros from the rescue and repair of
the bladder whales of Venus. Even the coyote cowboys got in on
the act and thought nothing of cleaning and dressing wounds or emptying
bedpans as needed. They took great delight in giving the
bedridden cowboy’s baths, then gently toweling them dry and lightly
dusting them with baby powder to prevent bed sores. The team of
cooks from the Potter ranch were brought in to prepare nourishing soups
and broths. Extra goodies came in from all over the county when
word got out through the slave underground that a massive effort was
underfoot to rescue and save the lives of thirty cowboy slaves.
Slaves from the other Goodnight ranches volunteered to work and sit
with the sick slaves. Bedding that could be salvaged was boiled
in bleach, washed in machines, dried and returned to a new, clean
mattress. Old mattress were throw in a heap and burned.
Within a week there was a marked improvement. Within two weeks
many were up and walking around. Over half the men had no boots
to work or walk in. Monty created a list of sizes and Shane sent
it around to the other ranches. Boxes of older but servicable
used boots came in and
distributed. At least the men had something to protect their feet
and make them feel
like cowboys again.
Monty worked
endlessly taking care of the sick and dying animals. His helpers
did what they could and by the time they had to get on with their lives
the stables and barns of injured or sick animals were beginning to look
a lot better. Nurse Jenny Bottom was by Monty’s side the whole
time. She kept every detail in her little head and didn’t forget
a thing. If he promised an animal or a slave something and forgot
because of all that was going on, she was there to remind him.
Several days Monty worked around the clock for as many as three days in
a row. Shane would have to order him back to his quarters for
some rest and relaxation. He instructed Jimmy Joe to physically
carry him back if he refused. Monty never refused his
ramrod. Needless to say it only bonded Monty and Jimmy Joe all
the more.
Slowly, but
surely, the Crandall ranch began to function again. As soon as a
cowboy slave was rehabilitated enough to function on his own he was
taken back to the Potter/Goodnight ranch and given a bunk in a two man
room. They had plenty rooms and space for all the Crandall
slaves,
and it meant they could centrally care for them easier. Shane and
his bossman had in mind remodeling the Crandall slave quarters to be
more like theirs. Blake Tindall formed an extra crew, and they
began work immediately. They were working on it when the
last four slaves were transported to the other ranch. Monty
became like a god to the cowboy slaves of the Crandall ranch. He
could do no wrong in their eyes. The Potter/Goodnight cowboy
slaves looked upon Monty with a new respect. Even Loud and Fuzzy
came around Monty with their hats in their hands to show him the
respect they felt for him. Bart and Telly showed him great love
when he could find time to entertain them. They considered Monty
more than their cowboy baby slave, they were ready to take out adoption
papers.
Thanks to Monty
and his helpers they didn’t lose a single slave or critter after Boss
Potter took possession of the Crandall ranch. The old ranch house
was almost as bad as the slave quarters. Any furnishings left
behind were of little value or no use. They were piled up, dowsed
with kerosene and burned. They needed someone to live there
to keep the property from being vandalized, but they didn’t have anyone
in mind at the moment. Shane conferred with everyone including
Maxine, but they
decided not to push the issue. They felt they would be provided
with the right people to care for the property when the time
came. As soon as the slave quarters were remodeled and in good
shape, Blake’s crew started on the house and a couple of the
outbuildings. The month of May seemed to fly by because everyone
was balls-out busy for the month. June first was only a day
away. Despite what was going on all around them everyone in the
Grange tried to keep their sanity and go on with their lives.
June marked a great transition in the lives of many.
* * * * * * *
Gil and Bobby
were more than pleased with Dexter’s tutoring and highly recommended he
be allowed to have his new body. Dexter was thrilled but
understandably
nervous. While he wanted it more than anything, giving up the
known was hard for him. In one of their rare moments alone,
Dexter admitted to Monty he was afraid.
“Nothing to be
afraid of, Dex. We’ll jes’ put your higher functions on hold for
a few minutes while we make the transfer. Your autonomic and
subconscious functions will be fine, and you’ll retain all your
memories. When I wake you up you’ll have a fine new bio-body
what’s capable of so much more. You ain’t think’n on back’n out,
are you?” Monty put to him gently.
“No, I just want
you to know, if anything goes wrong, and I can’t remember nothing, I
love you, Monty.” he said quietly like he was going to cry.
“Would you stop
that!” Monty exclaimed quietly, “You’re gonna’ have me crying in a
minute for no good reason. Ain’t nothing gonna’ go wrong.
Them workers I have are crackerjacks. Look how well they
transferred them three whale brains. They built your brain,
Dex. They know more about you than they did them other
brains. You’ll be fine. I’ll miss my baby brother’s old
body, but I know I’ll come to love my new adolescent bubba just as
much.”
“You won’t leave
me alone, will you, Monty?” Dexter asked like he was a small child
facing a major operation. In a way, he was. It isn’t every
day some creature gets its brain transferred to a new body.
“Of course I’ll
be there, for every minute. What da’ ya’ think, I’m just gonna’
drop you off for a lube job and a tune up like some old piece of farm
equipment?” Monty grinned. He got a giggle out of Dexter.
“Don’t be silly, little brother. I’ll be there the whole
time. I won’t let nothing happen to you. In fact, Captain
Shane, Ramrod Jenkins, my ramrod, Master Angus, Boss Potter, Mr. Morris
and Bobby all want to be there; even Maxine. She begged Boss
Potter to let her be there to welcome you. They’ll be watching
from the crow’s nest walkway above the work area, but I’ll be right
there with you.” Monty assured him. Dexter seem happy with
that.
The first of the
month arrived and there was great excitement in the air.
Everyone on the ranch knew it was the day Dexter got his new
body. All the cowboy slaves turned out to give him a hug and a
kiss and wish him well. They told him they would be gathered
around Monty’s quarters to hear how his transfer went. The new
slaves from the Crandall ranch didn’t fully understand what was
happening, but they understood Dexter was a bio-droid. They
didn’t know all the details, but he helped as much as anyone in their
rehabilitation, and they were grateful. The other slaves didn’t
tell them everything right away. Shane and Boss Potter felt it
might be better if they learned a little at a time like Gil Morris and
Bobby when they first came to the ranch.
Shane and
Cole
drove to the Ong ranch one afternoon and installed a gate post in their
barn for traveling between ranches and the Bandersnatch. They
showed Mr. Ong, his father, and two of their son’s how to program
it. Since Cable and Kyron had the Ong's information on board the
Bandersnatch it was no problem. The gate could be opened by
anyone with the Ong DNA. Shane shared with them the morning
Dexter was to receive his new body and they were anxious to be there
for him. They saw it as a gathering of the family for an
important event. Shane and Cole encouraged them. Everyone
gathered at Monty’s quarters about the same time and Dexter was
particularly moved the Ong tribe showed up for him. The kids had
small signs painted up, ‘Good luck, Dexter, we love you!’ and other
good sentiments in Chinese. The cowboy slaves met the Ongs before
and welcomed them among them. It came time for Dexter to go
with his immediate family into Monty’s lab and workshop. For the
people waiting, it seemed like they were only gone a few minutes
when the men walked out with a new Dexter. Monty asked him if he
wanted to put on some clothes, and Dexter asked Shane if he had to.
“No, Son, no one
on this ranch will care one way or another. I know the Ongs won’t
care. I already done asked them." Shane assured him.
“I just wanna’
feel the sun on my new skin and the breeze on my body.” Dexter said.
“Well, to
protect your feet, put on these new boots I made for you, little
brother.” Monty smiled. “I guess I can’t call you ‘little’
no more. You’re almost a full grown young man.” Monty
helped him with his fine new pair of boots and they left the lab
area. There were many hugs and well wishes from the workers
before they left the lab. They were happy for Dexter he was
finally getting his new body. When they walked out into the
sunlight from the living area everyone was stunned. The new
Dexter looked like a smaller double of Captain Shane Goodnight.
Someone started clapping their approval and another picked it up until
everyone was applauding and whistling for Dexter. He managed a
smile.
“I hope my
nudity doesn’t offend anyone. I’m so proud of my new body I just
wanted everyone to see it. Thank you all for coming and
supporting me. I’ll try to live up to the standard of excellence
of the man I now look like.” he said humbly.
“Lord, I hope
not!” laughed Shane, “I’m probably one of the most flawed humans there
is, Son.” he put his arm around Dexter, pulled him close and stole a
kiss. Everyone laughed as Dexter blushed. It was his first
time to blush. Rocky and the other bio-droids were there and
through the crowd came Admiral Long with his three naked sons and one
human son following him. Dexter cried when Cable hugged and
congratulated him.
“You look
wonderful, Dex. We’re very proud of you.” and so the compliments
went all day. Monty finally got Dexter into some clothes and they
partied the rest of the day. The Ong family were very solicitous
and pleased with Dexter’s new appearance. All the young ones had
to have him speak to them in Cantonese to make sure he really was the
Dexter they knew and loved. One cowboy slave after another had to
give him a hug and a kiss. They were all pleased for him.
The Admiral couldn’t get over how much he looked like Shane. He
congratulated Monty on his choice of Dexter’s appearance. During
the day Monty returned to his leather work area and returned with
several more boxes of boots. He handed one to the Admiral and one
to Charlie Goodnight. The last box he handed to Bobby.
“I made these
the same time I made Dexter’s new boots. I know I repaired them
old ones for you and you been wearing them, but you need a new
pair. I got another pair on order for you what ain’t buckaroo
boots. They’s more your standard cowboy boot. Enjoy, little
brother.” Monty told him. Bobby gave him a hug and a kiss.
“Thanks,
Monty. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.” he said.
“I know your
birthday is in July, but I thought it wouldn’t hurt none to give ‘em to
you in advance. I’ll give them others to you for your actual
birthday.” he promised.
Gil Morris came
over to thanked him for Bobby’s boots and told him he loved his new
pair. Thus began one of the most important weeks in the history
of the young Grange members. Waco, Travis, Little Bear, Lucas,
Indigo/Blue and Gavin were graduating high school the following
Friday. They swept the state championship in football four years
in a row. They were a team every small town West Texas football
coach dreams about. They were unstoppable. No one came
close to beating them. They made it look easy. It was like
they could read each other's minds. Of course, everyone knew they
couldn’t. Also graduating with them was the last of the Stamper
men, Zeke or Ezekial. All the Stamper men were growing up, some
faster than others. Zeke was actually a year older than Lucas,
but Lazarus wanted him to be in the same class as the other Goodnight
men, so he lied about his new son’s age. Lucas was certainly
smart enough to be skipped ahead and proved it. His physical
development was faster than any of the Stamper boys. He was
shaving twice a day by the time he was a sophomore in high school.
There was a big
brouhaha among the Goodnight men when the final grades were posted and
Lucas Long had the highest grade average of any student. Waco was
second by a tenth of a point, followed by Travis, Indigo/Blue, Little
Bear and Gavin. All were within a tenth of a point of each
other. There was a law a slave could give neither a Valedictory
nor a Salutatory speech. It was mainly for political
reasons. They didn’t want to give a slave a public forum to speak
out against slavery. For a slave, there was no such thing as
freedom of speech. That was reserved for freemen, but in reality,
even the freemen lost that right. Most all their basic rights
were swept away by the Bush administration and the evil Cheney who
played the puppet-master with his hand up Howdy Doody Bush's
butt.
Still, the red-neck bubbas would get drunk and remind each other how
great it
was they still lived in a free country. Their stupidity and
denial knew no bounds.
Lucas was
recognized as the legitimate Valedictorian. The majority of the
students didn’t care he was a slave and thought he should be allowed to
give the speech. Everyone in the school, including the teachers,
loved him. His homework was always perfect and his test scores
were, too. In four years he made only one ninety-six and one
ninety eight on a test. The rest of his scores were
perfect. He was intelligent, but quiet and charming. He
participated in class and when no one knew the answer to a teacher’s
question, they knew Lucas would and called on him. He never
let them down. Although he was proud of the honor, giving a
speech didn’t really mean that much to him. When he became reborn
to be Lazarus Long’s son and slave, his visions reached much further
than graduating high school. Before his first day in school,
the new Lucas Long looked to the stars.
Waco was
incensed. He wanted Lucas to give the speech. He considered
Lucas his brother and took the rejection
hard. Lazarus tried to convince Lucas to accept his
freedom. He could have Judge Potter run it through the court in a
matter of days, and it would be done. He would become a
freeman. Lucas was firm. He thanked Lazarus, told him he
loved him for the offer, but he very much wanted things to remain the
way they were. If he became a freeman and didn’t go to college it
would make him eligible for Scudder’s killing machine. He would
be sent to god knows where to fight for the never ending wars of
corporate theocratic America and his chances of survival was less than
one in a
hundred. Lucas didn’t want to go to college, neither did he want
to give his life for a political system he considered corrupt and
criminal. He was constantly reading and studying. Ping and
the Kryscellians took him under their supervision a year before he
started high school. High school was a stroll in the park for
him. He only put up with going to class to play football with his
brothers.
As a freeman and
Salutatorian, Waco was next in line to give the speech. He
decided he would show his protest by refusing to participate, but Lucas
reasoned with him and begged him not to. They decided on a
plan. Lucas would write the speech, but Waco would deliver it
word for word. It would stand for both the Valedictory and
Salutatory speech. They told no one of their collusion. It
was a big day for everyone. Lucas wrote a speech that was neither
political nor antiestablishment. It was somewhat secular, but it
wasn’t antireligious. Lucas’ first draft was a barnburner, but
then he began to think about his brother. Waco was trying to get
accepted into a college of his choice. He didn’t need to worry
about a scholarship. Since Lazarus wandered onto the ranch and
Charlie gave him a home and a job, they went together on so many
business deals they were both independently wealthy. Lazarus was
already a wealthy man by Earth standards, but he brought Charlie up
with him. Charlie had too many irons in the fire and was far too
wealthy for Waco to be concerned.
Waco’s main
worry was there were few slots in colleges because all the freemen
wanted to continue their education to escape being sent to what was
euphemistically referred to as the Holy Profit’s meat grinder
wars. The entry boards of any college to which he applied would
be
looking at Waco's Valedictory speech as part of his total package to
consider him for a slot. Lucas wrote the speech for Waco and not
himself. After writing what he really wanted to say and got it
out of his system, he set down and wrote a speech which would
satisfy and impress anyone who heard it. It was eloquent, concise
and to the point. It didn’t ramble on and on. It presented
a premise, developed it and came to a conclusion. It was air
tight, irrefutable and solid. In short, it was brilliant.
Just the type thing a college entry
board would be looking for in a bright, young potential student.
Waco read it over and was deeply moved. It brought a tear to his
eye, but he quickly wiped it away with the sleeve of his Western shirt.
“You's so full
a' shit! You fuck’n
hypocrite!” he grinned at Lucas, and they rolled together on Waco’s bed
laughing.
“Come on, gimme’
a break. It’s a damn good speech and you know it! It made
yore’ cowboy ass cry.” Lucas challenged.
“Only for a
moment, but I caught ma’self.” Waco countered, “It’s too damn good.” he
added. “Them yokels ain’t gonna’ understand or care about a word
of this. It makes too much sense. It’s a beautiful
speech. It’s a hell of a lot better’n anything I could a’ come up
with. I would a’ never thought of it. I know where you’re
coming from, but you don’t need to do this for me, brother.” he
complained.
“Yes, I
do. I ain’t the one what’s gotta’ be worried about being
drafted. Why the hell you think I refused to accept my
manumission from ma’ dad? You know I don’t wanna’ go to
college. College would be a waste of my time and ma’ dad’s
money. If I let anything happen to you, I’d lose a major chunk a’
my
soul, brother. I ain't about to let that happen. ‘Sides,
it’s jes’ the sort of crap them college
entry board folks is looking for.” Lucas smiled at him. “It will
wow
the shit out of everyone who hears or reads it. Another thing, I
done thought a lot about it, and I don’t want you give’n me no credit
for it. It’s enough for me to know I wrote it, and you thought
enough of me to read it. Promise me you won’t.” Lucas
insisted.
“Don’t ask that
of me, Lucas.” Waco groaned.
“Promise me!”
Lucas demanded. He looked directly into Waco’s eyes. “I
won’t let you win at football no more if’n you don’t.” he
grinned. They rolled on the bed again laughing and giggling until
they stopped and held each other close. Waco gently kissed Lucas,
and he returned it in kind.
“I love you,
brother, and against all what’s honorable within me, I promise, I
won’t.” said Waco.
“I love you,
too, Master Waco, more'n all them silly words in that speech. I
loved you like a brother every day we’ve been
together since I come to this ranch to live, and I lied— I ain’t never
let you win.” Lucas laughed. “When you beat me it’s always ‘cause
you cheated.” Lucas broke up and they went at it again until they had
their clothes off and were sucking each other's dicks. They
satisfied one another and lay together for sometime talking quietly.
“We ain’t gonna’
tell our mates about this, are we?” Waco asked casually.
“You do and
y’ain’t no cowboy.” Lucas shot back. Waco howled with
laughter. “What two cowboy brothers do together in a private
moment
ain’t nobody’s business but their’n.” Lucas added using his best cowboy
vernacular. He considered West Texas speak or cowboy lingo almost
Shakespearian. He collected vast files of idiomatic patterns and
colloquialisms. He could tell you in five minutes after listening
to a cowboy talk what state he was from and within fifty miles of the
area he was raised. He could speak it with the best of the
cowboys and make them think he was a seasoned hand. Lucas could
fool any cowboy into believing he was from his home town.
Waco gave Lucas’
speech just like he wrote it. He didn’t read it, he memorized it
and practiced speaking it to his big Shire ponies. After three or
four times, they would run the other way when they saw him
coming. Only his faithful friend Ranger, Ranger’s mom and little
sister would stand and listen to him orate. They were good to
offer suggestions and helped to make it the best speech he could
give. Waco’s practice paid off. There wasn’t a dry eye in
the crowd when he finished. Lucas was right. It was a damn
good speech, and it was the final element, along with his athletic
accomplishments, which made the board at Texas A&M decide to give
him a slot as a student and offer him a full tuition
scholarship. Waco would become a Texas Aggie. After he
received his notification of acceptance, he wondered just how much time
he might have. Things kept getting worse, and he could tell the
adults and leaders of the Grange were worried.
* * * * * * *
The month of
June was remembered as a time of great rejoicing and fun for
everyone. It was like the members of the Grange were trying to
deny what they saw going on around them within their world and
government. The second Sunday in the month of June was the day
Charlie Goodnight set aside to celebrated the boy’s birthdays.
They all had birthdays within a couple of weeks of each other, and it
seemed like a good idea to celebrate them at the same time. The
boys were so used to the idea they no longer spoke of their individual
birthdays but referred to the day as ‘our’ birthday. It was a
wonderful day and of great import to the young men, because, after all,
you’re only eighteen once. Waco talked with his dad and asked if
he could offer Travis and Little Bear their freedom as a present for
their eighteenth birthdays. Charlie had no problem with it.
Waco would be going to A&M in the fall, and you couldn’t take
a slave with you to school. You could if you paid to go to a
private school, but A&M was a state run school. It was
amusing to many that the religious schools which once claimed to be so
against slavery now had dorm rooms for a mistress or a master and their
slave.
It didn’t take
Travis and Little Bear but a minute to make up their minds. Lucas
didn’t want his freedom, and neither did they. Waco told them his
dad and Admiral Long would pay for them to go to school, but they still
declined. Because they were strong athletes and contributed
greatly to four winning seasons for their high school football team,
Travis, Little Bear, Lucas, Gavin and Indigo/Blue were all offered full
scholarships to almost any college they wanted to attend. Texas
and football were synonymous. They simply didn’t want to go to
away to school. They reasoned like their brother Lucas.
They wanted to be able to learn more freely from the people, critters
and evolved intelligences they worked with every day. They
predicted Waco wouldn’t stay in school long, not because he didn’t have
the smarts for college, but he would become so bored, miss his family
and mate, he’d want to come home. Waco didn’t have much choice
unless he wanted to be conscripted. He thought about disappearing
and going to live in the colonies or Mars. He could always find a
place, but he would have to be hidden away. He had much to
consider and only the summer to do it.
End of Chapter
69 ~ Waco’s Lummox
Copyright 2008 ~
Waddie Greywolf
All Rights
Reserved ~
Mail to:
waddiebear@yahoo.com
Proofed: 10/27/09
* Spoken by
Caliban ~ from ‘The Tempest’ by Shakespeare.