When Aliens Weep (23 page)

She reached up to bring his hand down.

“What happened? Where am I?”

He stroked her damp hair, having already removed most of the gore. “It’s okay, babe. You’re safe now. We’re in the Healer. You just fainted after you got here and they hooked Jose up to the tendrils. Your eyes rolled back in your head and down you went.” Kane looked around. “We’re all here. Echo filled us in.” The faces of Chloe, Cobby, Abby, Netty, Echo and Baby popped into view, hovering above her.

Chloe reached down to hug her, tears on her cheeks. “You are my hero.
Thank you so much
. . . you saved my brother, Kenya. Thank you.”

“So we made it back in time? Is Jose okay?”

Chloe smiled through her tears, nodding her head with joy. Kane moved away from her face and pointed to a figure near the wall. Jose lay with healing tendrils doing their miracle work, his body already taking on weight as his fluids were replaced and his blood pressure stabilized.

“What’s going to happen to him?”

Chloe wiped her face with the back of her hand and responded sadly, “Forbation is calling a Declaration. It’s about Jose and sounds serious. He’s given us a couple of days to settle things down. He expects everyone to attend. No exceptions. I think it’s like a trial or something.”

Kenya’s eyes grew large, worry forming between her brows. “And what about the babies, Kane? Are they okay?”

He squeezed her hand for reassurance. “The babies are fine. They’re surrounded by loving minions. Bonnie is now here with us.” Kane put on his stern face. “And if you ever pull anything like that again, I will tan your gorgeous behind. Do you understand?”

Kenya blinked her eyelashes in innocence and reached out her arms for a hug. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just worried about the babies and didn’t think it would hurt to stop by Jose’s room to check on him for Chloe. I didn’t think the trypid . . .”

“Shh . . . I know, babe. It’s over and everyone’s okay.”

“And we have another surprise. Do you feel like standing up? We have a
very
big moment ready to happen.”

Kenya looked at all the beaming faces. “Heck, yeah. Kane . . . just give me a hand. I don’t want to miss a thing.” The group assisted Kane in getting Kenya to her feet. Her gaze locked on Wil who stood grouped with Dezi, Hud, and Bonnie. “What’s going on guys?”

Bonnie shook her head. “I don’t know, Kenya. As soon as the Womb released the barriers from the doors and we were told it was safe, the three of us were asked to come here. We didn’t know you guys were here.” She looked at Kenya, “I hear
you’ve
been busy.”

Kenya gave a wan smile. “You could call
it that.” She glanced back at Kane. “So where are we all going?”

A new aura hit them as the IV Navigator entered the room, her brilliant butterfly casting off trails of sparks and light.

“Ivey, I’m so glad to see you’re safe,” called Bonnie running up to her and kneeling for a hug. “Where have you been?”

“Hello, my great Sister Bonnie. I have been missing you so much.”

Bonnie looked happy but confused. “And where is Daisy? I thought someone said the two of you went on a mission.”

“Yes, indeed, my Sister. We have been back for many hours but I was detained from coming to you due to the emergency with the trypid. Come . . . I have something to show you.”

The crowd followed Ivey through an archway to an alcove. They saw two figures being tended by minions who glanced their way then backed away from the tendrils that connected to the figures, bringing them nutrition and the special healing and repairing of cells that would be so critical to their recovery.

Bonnie stopped in her tracks, stunned. She screamed and ran toward the figures.

***

Ginger Mae’s consciousness lurked just below the surface, trying to emerge. She fought the process, happy and content, warm and comfortable. Something was different and she fought waking up, refusing to let go of the wonderful new sensations that had become part of her lost memories.

An irritating sound was intruding, forcing her to the surface. A woman was screaming.
Is it me?
The sound terrified her.

“Her eyes are moving.”

“She’s coming to.”

“Give me some room, please.” A man’s voice. She felt a touch on her shoulder.

“Come on, baby, wake up for me.”

Am I dreaming? That touch . . .
Ginger Mae opened her eye and shrank back in fear as strange faces crowded in on her. She could hear hysterical sobbing in the background. She moistened her lips with her tongue.

“Get her some water.”

A cup appeared. Someone lifted her up . . . the man. She drank eagerly. The water tasted like molten gold; precious, sweet and life affirming.

“Easy, babe, easy.” The water ran down her chin, soaking her robe. She stopped drinking and looked down.

“Oh my lord . . . What the . . . ?” She began to kick her legs and flail about, trying to rip away the tendrils that brought unknowing miracles to her ravished body.

“No, no. They are to
heal
you,” said a musical voice, low and authoritative. Ginger Mae looked up into the glowing eyes of the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen. From her position, she could clearly see wings behind the woman, who now clasped her hands between her own.

“Ginger Mae? Do you remember me?”

A cloudy look of confusion filled Ginger Mae’s eyes. “Who are you? Where am I?” She tried to sit up but the man held her down. She moved her head back and forth, the beasts of her terrors nowhere to be seen.

“
Where’s Peter?
I need to see
Peter.”

“He’s fine, Mother.” The strange child-like figure stood at her feet.

“Mother, this is Netty and Hud.” Ginger Mae looked blank. “We saved you, Mother. You’re safe now.”

“Safe?” she asked faintly. She fumbled under her robe, reaching for her abdomen to check the baby.
What?
Her stomach was flat.

“My baby.
Where’s my baby?
” Ginger Mae struggled, hands grabbing and restraining her. “
Peter . . . help me, Peter.
”

The woman called Netty gave a signal and called for someone named Echo. One of the golden creatures stepped to her bedside. Before her eyes, she saw its antlers crack open. The creature held out a hand and a red drop fell into its leather hand, from where it promptly flew toward her. She held her hands in front of her face protectively.

A tickle at her ear made her reach to scratch. Her hand stopped in mid-air as she calmed down. She dropped her hand back down to her side.

“My
baby
,” she whispered. “Please.” The woman named Netty stepped up to the man at her shoulder and asked him to step back. She was joined by the child-like woman and another beautiful winged woman. As they crowded in on her, the golden creature with the butterfly that trailed flames joined them. They all stared down at her.

Ginger Mae drew a deep breath, amazed at her new calmness. She decided to address them all.

“I am
very
grateful for your time and trouble. The beasts that had us caged were slowly torturing and killing us. I don’t know how much longer we would have lasted. But if you could
please
give me my baby, Peter and I will be on our way.”

The looks of the strangers saddened. The creature that wore the fire butterfly reached out and took her hand. She felt a delicate stroking in her mind, followed by gentle words.

“You are mistaken about the beasts. They are Treopians, and are beings of peace and science. It was a great tragedy that your pathway led you to their planet. The chemical makeup of organic human beings is different from theirs, as is their atmosphere. Every time you took a breath, you were breathing cancer-causing elements into your body. The water they gave you to drink was not actual water. There was enough chemical difference to exacerbate your cancer growths. Had they not operated as they did, you would have died quickly.”

Ginger Mae was stunned. “But my baby . . .” She searched the faces above her, desperate to read deception. But all she saw was sadness, truth and love. “I . . . but . . . but
why
. . . ? Why did they
cut us?”
she screwed up her face. “And where is
my baby?
”

The minion rhythmically stroked her arm. “Don’t you understand, Sister Ginger Mae? You did not
have
a baby. It was just another cancerous growth. Every time they cut you it was to remove a growth to give you a chance to live. When the tumor in your abdomen became large enough for them to detect, it was too late. The tumor was very invasive. They were not familiar enough with your anatomy to do chancy surgery. It is the tendrils that have arrested the growth of any cancerous cell in your body. The tumor is still there but the tendrils, given enough time, will absorb the rest of the cancer and any other metastasizing cells. You will be good as new, your leg included. Peter included.” The minion swept her hand toward Peter. Ginger Mae followed the motion of her hands to see a woman weeping over Peter.

“Who is that woman? Get her away . . . please. I don’t want anyone to touch
him.”

The beautiful woman with the wings spoke. “It’s okay, Ginger Mae. That’s Bonnie. She’s just so happy to have him back.”

“Now just wait a darn minute.
First
. . . you can
stop
calling me Ginger Mae. My
name
is
Bonnie.
I’m grateful for your help but I don’t know what you people are up to.”

The man’s face came into range, full of emotions she couldn’t read. “You don’t remember me, babe?” He took her hand and came close. “It’s
me
. . .
Hud.
”

Ginger Mae watched as everyone exchanged meaningful glances with one another. Looks of pity and sadness. One of the beautiful women held up a hand to quiet everyone. “Are you a fairy or something?”

Netty smiled and turned to the others. “If you don’t mind, Hud and I will sit with her for a while. She needs a bit of history right now. Please let Wil know I’ll be ready in time for Forbation. I think we should all go together.” She got nods all around and Ginger Mae watched the rest drift toward Peter and the other woman they called Bonnie.

The man called Hud and the beautiful one called Netty settled in.

“Ginger Mae, I am going to tell you a long story. It will start with my life over two hundred years ago. Listen carefully.” She turned her head at an interruption. A slender man with a mustache, a sheaf of papers and a writing instrument in his hand emerged from behind Netty.

“Hi, Ginger Mae. It’s me, Dezi. You and I are best friends. Glad you’re back.” A lonely tear slipped down his handsome face. He wiped it away with his sleeve. “I can’t tell you how much it means to have you back.” His eyes shifted around shyly. “If you all don’t mind . . . I’d like to sit in on Netty’s story. I’d like to take a few notes.” He looked down in his lap. “I’m not real good at this new gig a mine but I’m getting better every day,” he said proudly. He nodded toward Netty. “Okay, I’m ready.”

Ginger Mae lay fully relaxed, the tendrils knitting her back together. Working hard on the part of her brain that stored memory, they labored to restore cells destroyed by her brief stay with the Treopians, knowing it was one area that would never be the same.

Netty’s melodious voice began and Dezi scribbled away.

“I was only seventeen years old. My loving parents were hardworking farmers. The time was late Prohibition . . .

Thirty Two Days AE (After Earth)

Chapter 21

The ceremonial gathering room that formerly held joy and celebration now sat empty and silent. The soaring ceilings had been raped of the fluttering wings of celebratory minions that gathered elsewhere to share their grief and mourning in private. Even the sun dimmed its rays in shame for the carelessness of the Elder Brother Jose.

“You can’t be serious, Brother Formation,” cried Abby. Forbation eyed her silently and turned away without the dignity of a response.

“As I was saying, you will have four Earth weeks. Your companions will be ready to travel by then. Navigator IV will take you to your new home. I am sorry but we can no longer tolerate the disruption and violence that accompanies humans wherever they go. The Womb hoped it would have been quelled within you but I have become convinced that your species would have benefited all life by a final intervention. It has been one thing after another. Sister Bonnie put Navigator IV’s life in danger with the rencet, Brother Jose brought violence to another family member, namely Sister Abby when he struck her, Brother Cobby and Brother Jose took part in a physical brawl with one another. And of course, Sister Doodiet . . . and the rest of our deceased minions.”

Forbation’s head dipped, overcome with sadness. “I am grieved. Please excuse me for a moment.” Forbation’s aura turned dull, all light diminished. Moments passed as the silence of the room became suffocating. The survivors were in shock.

“Nonetheless, you are here now and still a problem.” He turned and gave a curt bow to Kenya. “Due to the nature of Sister Kenya’s sacrifice and exhibition of courage, the Womb will allow each of you to select one category of items to take with you. I suggest you choose wisely, for the planet I have selected for you will be rife with unfamiliar dangers. The planet is larger than Earth and similar. It has two moons, one twice as far away as the other so will have a negligible effect on the planet. It has an even rotation around the sun so you will not be subjected to temperature extremes and you will be able to find plenty of water. The planet’s life is rudimentary but you must stay alert.” Forbation eyed them all, his gaze withering.

“I will allow questions for the next few minutes. From the Elders only.”

Netty and Abby began together.

“Please . . .”

“Do . . .” Abby bowed to Netty who raised her head and assumed an all-business tone.

“Brother, we are all regretful of the chaos and death that any of our actions may have contributed to the events of the last few days. We are grateful for any and all help and hospitality you have extended to us. Is there any way we can appeal to the Womb for forgiveness?”