“We will be leaving soon to visit the Inguel of the future. I think I was wrong to decide the fire-worlds must die.”
2841
The girls realised what has happened and they sat there looking a bit let down and bemused. We had all expected this day to be one of great joy. We should have had Cherinians jumping to us from everywhere. Instead, by his talking about smoking and health warnings and so on he muted our reception by getting us involved in a pointless conversation. I thought to myself, he must be smarter than I am.
*You are wrong. I think he would have enjoyed it. He did not do it on purpose.* I wondered, did Cherine say it because she does not want me to think he is smarter than me, or is it the truth? At my thought, she only smiled at me enigmatically.
Alki and his family came over and when it was time for supper we all went to our local taverna. As we ate, talked, joked and drank wine, I wondered. Allan looks about eighteen. How long before he falls in love?
In the morning I found Allan sitting in the garden drinking coffee and smoking. He looked thoughtful, obviously something was worrying him.
“I’ve just realised I’m broke. I’m glad my family will be alright, but I did not think to provide for myself, I expected to last a little longer. I intend, with your permission of course, helping my family become Cherinians, but it will take time. Do you think I can get a job in the meantime?”
“Don’t be stupid. It is the last thing you need to worry about. All of us have made a fortune from you and you will be taken care of.”
“Not exactly how I wanted to begin my life as a Cherinian. I presume you do still intend making me a Cherinian? Has Cherine given me the thumbs up again?”
“Ask her yourself. Just be prepared for some very sharp words though.”
“I bet!”
I felt he wanted to ask me something, but was not certain of my response. “Allan, the best way would be to just ask.”
“I’m thinking of my father. My mother too. Thanks to you guys the rest of my family is healthy, but the truth is I miss them. Sounds silly for a man of my age?”
“I think we need to have a meeting of the Cherinians. I’m not certain how we should respond to you. I personally feel you have the right to ask anything you want of us.”
He stared at me and his voice was ferocious. “No. Do not even think of doing that.” He stopped. “I’m sorry, I heard how my voice sounded. Robert, I have a problem in controlling my voice. If I intend emphasising my words they come out sounding aggressive.”
I grinned. “You mean ferocious? You will not have a problem once your mind has opened to us. We will be able to feel your intention. That is an interesting problem, I’ve never come across it before.”
“I suspect it is more common than we know. I suppose most people who are like me do not admit it. Think of how many people with a good heart sound curt or angry. They even have a saying, his bark is worse than his bite.” He grinned. “Something like that Italian farm woman you cured?”
I went to see Alki at his office later in the morning. I explained the financial problem Allan has.
“I am pleased he brought up the subject. As you said, anything he asked for we would give him, but it pleases me that the minds which helped create our Symban are honest and proud. Roberto, I don’t see a problem. I would be happy to sign a contract with him. I’ll finance him to waste his time going on the internet, doing whatever it is he does. If he comes up with any new ideas, I get a share and whatever I paid him till then goes into a loan account to the business.”
“I should have thought of it! I’m sure he’ll be happy with that.”
I’d forgotten what an awkward person he is to deal with. “I can’t accept that Robert, it would not be honest of me. My coming up with an idea was a lucky fluke and not likely to happen again. Robert, how do you feel about using your gifts to steal something?”
2842
“Coming from you, this is going to be interesting!”
“I’m worried about my story. Books one to three have been encrypted and protected, but the rest is open to be read. I also have a lot of other material I would not like anyone, especially of my family, to read or see. Could we steal my computer - or at least my hard drive?”
“It won’t be stealing, it belongs to you.”
“Technically it does not, not any more.” He burst out in laughter. “God! Can you imagine the faces of priests if they learnt that it is possible to take your material wealth with you to your next life? I bet that would bankrupt the churches.”
I grinned at his idea. “It might be a good idea you continue writing. Since we do not know how it is Arthur and I are in contact, I’d rather not disturb the way things are. Until we find Arthur it may be better you do not read our diary directly.”
He looked shocked. “I’d never do that! It belongs to your family.” He laughed. “You want me to write without reading what I write? Are you planning on turning me into a zombie?”
At least that got the girls and me laughing (at my instinctive dislike of an outsider reading our personal moments that made me act so stupidly). He gave his lopsided grin, as if sensing me.
“Allan, keep writing and you will be paid out of our fund. If while surfing you get another idea, we will finance it.”
“Do you realise what that means? I’ll be a professional pedo writer now!” That amused him immensely. He suddenly laughed. “In law that makes you an accomplice in my crime.” He shook his head, his eyes suddenly serious. “Robert, I have to confess the truth to you. Since Cherine came to me and I found out that I am not Arthur, I’ve not written one word, I felt I’d only be spying on you. I miss my story.”
We would have rented for him an apartment or house, whatever he wanted, but we felt he did not want to be alone yet, so we asked him to stay with us. That night we jumped to his house (back in time, and he morbidly stared at his body, showing far more distaste for the sight than seemed reasonable to me) and he collected his hard drives, CD’s and a few other personal things he wanted. He looked at his collection of science fiction books.
“I guess I’ll have to start over. Robert, if you want some, take them. They won’t notice if a dozen books are gone.”
“What does it matter if they are all gone?”
“Legally, it doesn’t. I know my family will be upset though - even if they will only give them away. None of them like science fiction and fantasy. The feeling that you’ve been robbed is what is unpleasant, not the things they steal.”
Sam took his books on Pern for her and Meli to read. Cherine also decided to read them; she wants to read about ‘her’ dragon. I told Allan I think all the girls will read them because of our dolphin people on our World.
I then added, “I wish I knew which books the Gillians come from.”
Allan grinned. “Have the girls been to see the Lord of the Ring movie? Just be grateful Meli didn’t bring any of those characters to a world.”
“I’d like to see some Hobbits.”
“Fodo? I find the Hobbits too bucolic. I prefer a people with a healthy sense of mischief, naughty thoughts make a character interesting. Maybe a few Kender in our lives would be fun.”
“From Dragonlance? No thanks.”
In the end we decided the disappearance of his hard drives would be noticed, so we toted home everything he wanted (that is, all his books and photos).
2843
We went to Kefalari and we sensed someone is staring at Allan. Even when he got up to leave he turned back to look at him again. Soon as he was gone, Allan relaxed and we felt a small sadness in him. “He is one of a very few friends I had in Greece.”
Claudia was impressed. “You know him!? He is on TV all the time.”
“We’ve been friends since childhood. You don’t have to ask Cherine, he would not be a good candidate. He only believes in what he can see and touch and if anyone asks him for help or for a favour, he responds with the question, ‘okay, but what is in it for me?’ It is why I did not hang on to our friendship.”
This time Allan did not cause us any problems. He came with us to the void, met the alien Cherinians, went to our World and talked to the dolphin people. He talked to Jo and suddenly blushed a bright green.
“I’m sorry Jo. Girls, I also apologise to you. Do not let me influence the way you think. I grew up in Kenya - on a coffee farm, Robert,” he added with a tight smile. “If you look in my mind you will see that even though I have prejudices, I have fought against them. What is learnt in childhood is not easy to change. With non-Cherinians I would not have a problem, as I do not allow my prejudices to affect the way I behave.”
Jo would not have mentioned it, but since he did, she felt free to speak her mind. She was totally unforgiving. “In your previous life you may have been able to use that excuse. Not as a Cherinian. You have seen our souls - what difference is there between yours and mine Allan?”
He squirmed and then faced her. “I agree that you should not encourage me by being understanding. I also have other prejudices Jo. I find dark-haired girls more attractive, not blondes. I also prefer them with a warm colour to their skin. Milky white I am not attracted to. I think taller people are more imposing and white hair gives me an impression of wisdom. All of it nonsense of course, but I will not apologise for the baggage I carry. All of us are prejudiced in one way or another. You are a large woman and obese and your body here shows your own prejudices in that regard. I would not enjoy caressing you and having sex with you. As a child I might,” he added; probably he said that just to be polite.
“You would want to be a child to have sex with me!?”
He grinned. “Boy! What a picture that paints in my mind!” It might have been terribly rude of us, but we all burst out laughing. “Jo, you know what I mean. I find little girls far more sexy than adults.”
“Have you had sex with any children?”
“No. You are welcome to search my mind. I have been stimulated by them, but I would not spoil what I see as perfect just for my own pleasures.”
She laughed. “That puts you on the spot Robert.”
He did not let me answer. He shook his head. “No, it doesn’t and you know it.”
“It’s alright Allan, they are allowed to tease me about it. If you find yourself a child bride, you will have to allow it also.”
“Someone like Lynda who comes to me as a lovely adult, but does not mind being a child for me now and then would be perfect.”
“Thank you. You have given me the words to open her heart.”
None of us could understand why Cherine had not linked him yet. That night all my girls needed to be held and loved. Afterwards Aganthi brought me a coffee while the girls had Milo.
“I have to stop myself from linking him Robert. We all feel how he loves us all. When we went to Kefalari, we also saw how he looked at other children. He loves them all! I can’t link him because he still thinks we should get to know him first, he forgets who we are.”
“Whenever you think it is time love. What do all of you think about the discussion on prejudices?’
2844
I will not give the details of the conversation, but I will say I was pleased that none of them totally agreed with Allan. They think he must face his past and clear himself of what he calls his baggage. They insist that having sexual preferences is not the same. Claudia naughtily suggested we find a pretty little black girl for him. We would not of course; there is no way we could risk a child feeling she is not really wanted or loved.
He managed to hold out until the day I told him we are leaving for the future to solve our problem with the fire-worlds. What a shock that moment was for us! He had an effect on all Cherinians. We felt our own gifts dim as if drained of power. It only lasted a few seconds, but it scared everyone. We quickly checked that nobody was busy jumping when it happened, but luckily everyone is alright. What none of us can explain is why he immediately cut the link, blocking us all off. We felt a great anger in him, but he has not explained so we’ll have to wait.
Chapter One Hundred and Forty Five
We arrived within an hour of our last departure and the Inguel turned around to immediately return to us. We waited for their officers to arrive with the help of the Sparklers.
After a quick greeting, Robbie told them, “At our last meeting I spoke in error. I do not wish to kill the fire-worlds, they too have a right to live. To clear a dozen realities or more by killing them would not be right. I need the following questions answered. Can the fire-worlds jump realities without your assistance? How much energy do they need for their survival and lastly, can we switch off the programming?”
“From what we read in the book during our previous visit, the answer to your questions, in the order you asked them is, no, they cannot jump realities, not even with our assistance. They are too large and affect gravity. In their natural state they spend most of their lifetime almost dormant, consuming very little energy. When dormant, their tails do not cross realities and they tend to stay in orbit around a sun, only leaving it once it has cooled. The last question we cannot answer yet. We need to experiment on one of them.
We are encouraged that you were able to sense a difference of energy or energy level in the nodule. When you arrived, we were discussing the possibility of using a different energy form to switch it off - to make it become dormant. The old scientists who created it must have had a simple and safe method of doing so - it would not make sense otherwise, for they would deplete the galaxy they planned to move to of energy.”
“I doubt they thought of emigrating, they were more interested in restoring energy to their own universe. I ask that you allow Cherine to touch each of you.”
“You wish her to test our goodwill?”
“You do understand! I am pleased.”
Cherine reported that all of them would make good Cherinians.
“The choice is yours. You know what the advantages are and I cannot tell you what disadvantages there could be. If there are any, it is likely they will mostly be due to your culture, not your physiognomy. If you need time to think on it, or if you need to return to your homes and loved ones to discuss it, we will wait for you. If however you feel you need to discuss this with your leaders, I suggest you do not. By you becoming Cherinians they will have no control over you so would refuse you permission. If it becomes necessary, I will provide another planet for you and any others who are accepted as Cherinians.”
They discussed it amongst themselves and then asked for a second storytelling. The girls agreed to do it the next day. They returned to their section that still seemed to be maintaining itself successfully, even though it is so small. Seeing as to how this is their area of expertise, I am not surprised.
I soon realised what the girls were responding to in their storytelling. For instance, they went into far more detail about how Diana had been created. They elaborated on those details that addressed the worries of the Inguel, but in the process many of us learnt a lot also by being forced to think about it. They also spelt out, repeatedly, what our values are, what is expected of Cherinians. At the end, the Inguel asked to speak privately to the Sparklers, Anadir and Eminixx. They did not choose the Gillians, perhaps feeling they are too similar to us. After Solomon spoke to them, they asked for Gillians too.
2845
“More healers for you, Robert.” Allan said with a smile.
“I somehow doubt they will bring many more in at this time. It does pose an interesting question. Do we send for healers from the future? If we do, whatever the result, it will tell us facts about the Cherinians of the future. I have been careful to learn as little about the future as possible. What do you think we should do?”
“Forget them, you don’t need them.”
“I don’t?” I was intrigued, what did he have in mind now?
“Not the distant future. Last time you had about three hundred thousand, you could easily multiply that by ten.”
“Girls, getting information out of Allan is like pulling teeth.”
They laughingly agreed with me. He pretended to be stern. “I am trying to lead you to the idea without telling you. Think on how this discussion began and what I said and you should be able to find the answer for yourselves. Robert, girls, I am too similar to Arthur. You should not lean on me for guidance, he wants you to find your own way. Arthur is a Normal human and is limited by his own prejudices and perceptions just like me. As Cherinians you will, you must evolve beyond him. You can only do that if you choose and build your own future.”
“But you are also a Cherinian.” Cherine said, upset.
“Yes, thanks to you my love. At this time I am too close to being in my ways of thinking a Normal human. Give me time my loves and you will get sick and tired of me always thinking I know best.”
He was right. The answer was obvious. This is what we decided. Irrespective of how long we stay away we can return within a day of leaving. Call it two days. If we borrow the healers for two days future time, let the healers stay with their hosts for one day and borrow them for two days, repeating this over a period of a month we would have three million healers, ten copies of each. I collect the first lot. Return to the Earths three days later and collect those that I will have returned and do the same again…it is confusing. After all, in our time, on the spaceship-world, within that reality, we will not have left or returned yet. It does mean that when we return from our trip we have to return the healers in the same sequence, but in reverse. Still, I would rather spend a month jumping every few days to the alternate realities than three years shuttling them from the distant past and back again. I had not thought of time in such an elastic manner!
Sam teased Allan. “You have been with us such a short time and you have already made life easier for us, it scares me to think what else you will do once you are used to being a Cherinian and let us link to you again.”
“Probably not much. I did warn you, well Arthur did, that I’m very lazy. I tend to look for shortcuts so this problem suited my style. Glad you liked it.”
As he said, becoming a Cherinian has not changed him much. Our conversation gave us an idea. We kept it for after supper.
Arthur, Robert here. Would you like to chat with Allan?
The girls say they do not want to wait that long. Hey brother, look after yourself.
(The rest of their chat has been deleted as it was personal - I trust Arthur has done the same.)
2846
The girls who want to spend more time on our spaceship-world now agree with the others that we must stay on our Earth as much as possible so as not to shorten the time we have for finding Arthur. They forget I will have to spend time inspecting the pockets.
Solomon tells us they are being thoroughly grilled. The Inguel I suppose are suspicious of our motives. Why would we give them powers? Why raise them to become our equals and lose our control over them. It seems an anti-survival strategy on our behalf and they intensely dislike whatever does not make sense to them. I’m glad I don’t have to sit through all that.
I succumbed to temptation. It looked so easy when watching the girls, so I decided to try water skiing. I thought the healer kept my body in tip top condition so I was unprepared for the strain on my thighs. At least the healer got rid of the pain fast. I’m glad we don’t have waves, Dommi says the constant ‘bumping’ makes it much more tiring and my thighs would have been really sore. Claudia insisted I try skiing with a parachute, but I think this introduction to sports will be shelved by me for a few hundred years.
Allan flat-out refuses to even try. He told the girls that it is not only being a Cherinian that will keep him young. His list includes, doing no sports or exercise, eating tons of chocolates, smoking and avoidance of fresh air. He explained to them, in a very earnest manner, that too much oxygen is bad for you and makes your cells burn up faster. They know much more than him about such matters, but they humour him since his teasing or saying things just for their shock value pleases him so much.
Seltwe told us that the Inguel have agreed, but they require some sort of formal ceremony where we invite them and they accept. He knows how I hate that sort of thing, but they insist that the occasion demands it! I’ll have to be careful again not to show that they manage to rub me the wrong way. The girls have decided to use this as an opportunity to have fun at my expense! They are designing and making the most outrageous costume for me to wear.
Damn, I could hardly walk!
Boots almost up to the knees that cramped my toes and hurt (I had to get my healer to adjust my feet). Breeches that flared out into a ball shape over my hips. A silk shirt of strips of various bright colours with lace cuffs and collar. A huge multi-coloured hat. I tried to fight them on the earrings, but gave in when they set Goldi on me. I looked like a gay (camp) pirate! I am determined to get my revenge on Allan - he thought up the parts that made me look ridiculous and kept on laughing at me.
He has the girls on his side, but someday soon I’ll find the appropriate way to get even. If you’re wondering why, of course I had to wear the stuff, my loves were enjoying themselves too much for me to refuse.
I had to ‘coat’ our bodies with a shield of energy as they wanted to be in their own bodies. Not that their atmosphere would kill us, but it is mildly unpleasant. Meli and Jade prepared a large parchment that I had to read our invitation from, then I rolled it up and gave it to them when they accepted. From what they said to each other, I realised they feel they now have proof to show their people that we asked this of them. They make it sound as if we are asking them for a favour!
It is enough to make anyone wonder how Cherine was able to link them. We saw though, in her mind, how childlike they are in their happiness and when she linked them they did feel good. Hopefully we will now have fewer misunderstandings.
The girls could not go into their minds to help open doors to gifts, but the link itself will act as a catalyst, as happened with the Anadir and we hope is happening with the Eminixx.
They needed a few days to return first to their planets to announce all that has happened. It was a small thing to ask for such an important moment in their lives and we gladly agreed, after we’ve helped ensure they have healers. I spent a few hours as the void drawing energy to our spaceship-world, but the rest of the time I either lazed around or we all talked with Allan on a variety of topics.
He seems to know a little about many things, without being an expert on anything. He claims to hate studying, but loves assimilating knowledge if it takes no deep concentration. He may be speaking tongue-in-cheek, but he better not influence my loves on this or else I’ll be very upset. I want them to learn to use their brains, not turn into sponges.
2847
Claudia thought up the idea and Meli, Jade, Maria and Em-e worked on creating a gift for Lucy. They had me send out pods looking for meteorites until we found two of very different colours. A pale soapy green and a dark almost black stone. From the pieces, they used their gifts, drawing on the imagination of Meli and the artistic eye of Jade to sculpture a chessboard and pieces. The pieces are based on forms of the Elipians and they have achieved a beautiful delicacy while preserving their impression of strength and power. They inscribed a message explaining where the materials come from and a dedication from Lucy to Sharipya. It seems I will have to make a detour on our way back home. The four of them are now Lucy’s favourites.
The reason for the urgency in linking the Inguel as Cherinians, was my wish to avoid spending a long time with them. We continued trying to help open their minds and once in the void Cherine and I, with the help of the protector, managed to help them create their own healers. If they’d previously had problems keeping down the size of their population it will now be much worse. We did not need to explain to them with all the maths, but we did so anyway and made certain they understand that as Cherinians, now their responsibility is even greater.
There is no point in going back to their parallel universe. The old scientists did not know their fire-worlds were being affected by the transition to this reality and it is likely the code they intended using will not be effective anymore. We will have to experiment. The scientists told us they need certain instruments, plus certain ones they will need to manufacture, so we let the Inguel return to their planets and jumped forward three years.
We waited for the scientists to return, but instead we were soon surrounded by a flotilla of their spaceships. One came closer so I had those inside it brought to our world, within their own ecological niche.
“Why this response to our arrival?”
“You are responsible for those we sent to you breaking our law. They are being dealt with, but we have decided to make it clear that you are no longer welcome here. You must leave and never return.”
“I see. This decision was taken by all your planets?”
“It is unanimous.”
“The decision was made by the people or the governments?”
“Our governments represent the wishes of our people.”
“What law has been broken?”
“You have enabled those who were here to break the sacred cycle of life. Did you think we needed your powers to extend our lives? We have long had the capability of increasing our lives to at least ten times our present lifespan.”
“Why did you decide not to use your abilities then?”
“The life of a race is not in the individual. If we sought immortality individually and achieved it, we would die as a race. Unlike your people, we do not use machines of metal. We have learnt the secrets of nature and it has taught us that the only way we can grow is through our children. Your way means we cannot have any more children, removing every single Inguel from the genetic pool of our race.”
“Your logic makes sense. It is a problem that all Cherinians are aware of, but we see solutions that you do not seem to be willing to consider.”
“You are thinking as one of your species or as an Inguel?”
I kept quiet, considering his words. “Do you believe that your souls are evolving too?”
“Of course. The body is not of significance, not if the soul does not also grow.”
“I suggest you return to your ships and we’ll meet tomorrow. I need to think about it.”
“To what purpose? We have made our decision.”
“What about those who returned to you as Cherinians?”
2848
“They have been split up and we will deal with them as we see fit, you do not have the right to interfere.”
*Protector, find them all and bring them here. Solomon, please send out Sparklers to help search for them.*
By now I was boiling mad, but I tried not to show it, at least to the non-Cherinians. “You claim you have the right to decide as you do because you follow strictly the laws of nature? Consider this then. Nature decrees that only the fittest and strongest will survive. According to that law, which you claim as your own, I am your master and will make decisions on your behalf. Now return to your ships and wait for my call.”
We all felt their shock as they found themselves returned to their spaceships. They tried to move their ships, but nothing happened. They tried to communicate with their planets, but got no answers. I’m doing all I can to contain my anger, first we must speak to our fellow-Cherinians.
I am constantly aware that I am being watched by four species and being judged by them. Perhaps I should have said five, my loves will judge me too, should I make the wrong decisions.
When the Inguel scientists arrived I asked them to take on our forms so that we can meet in the dome. I want representatives of all species with us and we should all be able to speak. Those of the Inguel who are couples came together with joy and those who have children, we felt their pain. I decided they must have some time to themselves and postponed the meeting for the next day.
I sent the protector to bring Alki, Perikli (if he can come) and Luigi. They arrived late that evening and joined us at the taverna. I asked for Solomon and Ordinx with Seltwe and Indripp to join us. The girls and Allan were included as a matter of course.
I apprised them of the situation.
“This is not a simple problem that I feel free to handle on my own. I felt I was forced to take the action I did, but before it goes any further I need to discuss it with you. As you will notice, none of the Inguel are here, we’ll have a meeting with them tomorrow. I would have liked to have a Gillian with us, but I felt it would cause Daniel distress. Do any of you feel we should include him?”
“We don’t understand why you called this meeting Robert. You know you have the backing of the Sparklers, whatever you do.”
I nodded, acknowledging his intentions. “This could affect us all as Cherinians, taking our future down paths of probabilities that I do not like. I am not trying to share the responsibility with you, I just need advice. Do we need Daniel?”
“I would suggest you leave him out. If we feel at any time that he should be here to speak for his people we will let you know.”
“Gilli, for the duration of this meeting you will represent your people, do not be influenced by what the rest of the family want or say, if it would contradict your beliefs. Allan, your opinion will also be welcomed by all. The Inguel will have their say tomorrow. I have a feeling they will not want me to take action against their governments, but their reasoning will not be as Cherinians. The principles I’m interested in discussing tonight must only reflect how we view our development as Cherinians.”
Luigi spoke. “For you to bring us all here, you must be considering drastic action against the Inguel. Do you see no alternative?”
“There are always alternatives Luigi. What is important is, what do we see the result would be if we do not act decisively now. I feel a little hypocritical about what I wish to do. I am proposing to take action against another species to further the aims of the Cherinians, while we still hide on our own world.”
I explained that I consider the Inguel have valid reasons for taking the decision they have and admitted that we face the same problem ourselves. “My family has existed nearly twenty years of our time. By now we should have numbered well over one hundred. That we have not allowed it, has not only been my worry about not being able to handle so many who would need my love. There is a genuine concern by my girls and myself that we do not increase the population of our planet to the point where it cannot support us.
2849
That does not mean we will not have any children. We will. The instinct is too strong in us to be denied forever. If I had been asked, as a theoretical problem, whether such a mutation in our species would increase or decrease our instinctive need for children I would have said nature would have seen to it that the instinct is weaker. The perfect health our healers give us has the opposite effect. If we were to trust nature blindly we would soon run out of space, even if we terraformed every planet we can throughout our galaxy.
What if it is the same for the Anadir, the Gillians and the Eminixx. We should not forget the Elipians. The more species we have becoming Cherinians, the more acute the problem becomes, if the health of their bodies brings about the same increase in needs.
If every species unanimously decide every couple or family is only to be allowed one child every one thousand years, we would still run out of space. Even if we utilised every lifeless reality, we would still run out of space.
We can double the time we have and our populations by agreeing that a minimum of half of all people must stay in the void. We would take turns in taking on bodies, of any form or species. I have not worked out the time it would take for us to fill all space. It does not matter. Whether a billion or a hundred billion years, we still face the possibility of destroying what we created because we, the Cherinians of this time, did not consider the implications and make correct decisions.”
“But Robert, you know that time ends and starts again!”
“I have not forgotten Cherine. What it has made me think of, is that if time has an end, then perhaps space also does. What if the number of realities that can exist also has a limit? I think perhaps one way that would be catered for by nature is as the limit is approached, those realities which are similar, with only minor variations, will be influenced by some kind of pressure to become one again. It is one of the reasons I encourage diversity.”
Alki shook his head. “I think only the Sparklers and you are capable of worrying about a future so distant. To worry about what happens in one or two hundred years would be stretching it for most of us.”
“Alki, a few years ago you would have said you could not worry about what happens more than ten years from now. As we see how becoming Cherinians affects us, our thinking has to encompass larger amounts of time. We have seen the parallel universe of the Inguel. Who is to say our own will not also age and die? We cannot die, unless we go to the void with the intention of allowing it to tear us apart. Even then, it sends our souls to a new life. What happens to us when our universe ages and the suns die on us?
I agree, these are problems that should be faced in the future as we are too ignorant of what changes await us. Let us then keep ourselves to what we can foresee over the next million years. Do we contain our populations?”
“We have to. It would be foolish of us to do otherwise.” Ordinx said
“In that case, do we allow Cherinians to have children and at what rate? I’m sorry, I phrased that badly. At this stage we would only suggest. If any Cherinians ignore the suggestion though, they should understand that one day our dream of freedom will be lost as hard decisions will have to be taken in the future.
Having explored the background against which we allow our decisions to be influenced, let’s now talk about the Inguel and our present crisis.
For those of you who have not met them, tomorrow you will feel the sweetness and goodness of the Inguel Cherinians. It would not be right of us to ignore what their own people are doing to them and what it will do to their hearts. I refuse to abandon them. Think on this. We had a number of Inguel among us and all of them were suitable candidates. How many potential Cherinians are living on their planets? Do we let them also age and die?”
“What are you proposing to do?”
“You know the words I spoke to them. I contained my anger because I agreed with and understood their reasoning. On the one hand I enforce a limit on how many planets they may occupy and on the other we offer them the opportunity of becoming Cherinians which would seem to make it impossible for them to obey.”
2850
“Seem to, Robert?”
“Yes. Would any of you demand of Normal humans, of any species, the same understanding and self-discipline?”
Indripp was very upset. “Robert, you are the father of all of us. Why do you need us to discuss what your decision should be? It is not seemly.”
“Indripp, you speak from the background of one culture.” Sam said. “You are now a Cherinian and the size of your family has grown. Whose culture should the Cherinians adopt? Yours, those of the Elipians? Perhaps that of the Sparklers? No culture would be right for all. We do not wish any species to lose their own culture, but as Cherinians we have to develop a subculture that suits all of us. Robert is our leader, or father as you call him, but we do not wish that one person have the sole say on what direction we take as Cherinians. We allow him to make most of the decisions, but there are times when we have to stand with him and help in choosing.”
Ordinx asked me, “Robert, you do realise you are creating a precedent? You could take a decision in the future and then be asked why you did not consult before doing so?”
“That would not displease me Ordinx. If I act in a way that Cherinians consider irresponsible, they must have the right to call me to account.”
“It is not the same!” Alki was angry. “You could be giving them the right to question your decisions even if you are right. That is not right, it is not what we want or agreed to.”
“What if what the Cherinians want, changes, Alki? Would you have me become a dictator? No, if any decide to question me, they must have the right to do so.”
Ordinx suggested, “I propose we all make a binding agreement right now. Most of the species of Cherinians are here now. We must make it a rule that no one species may question Robert. All species must agree to questioning his action for it to be allowed.”
They were taking this in a direction I had not intended and do not agree with. “No! What if one species is being affected adversely by what I do, you would say they do not have the right to question and look for another solution? Even should one individual disagree, they must have the right to say so.”
Cherine giggled and everyone looked at her. “It is funny the way you all argue. After all, all anyone has to do is come to Robert and offer to take over the leadership and he will gladly agree.”
I felt my heart sink. “Cherine love, till now I would have. I always chose carefully, offering to those I either thought would be good leaders or else I knew the prospect would frighten them. I will not do so just for anyone who asks.”
She saw within my mind and knew I was sorry she had forced me to say this - I had always seen my willingness to resign as another way of allowing my beloved Cherinians to feel they are ultimately in control. By forcing me to declare a change in my policy, there might be resentment.
“You have grown Robert!”
“Ordinx, I hope not. Not in the way you mean.” That made my girls smile.
Solomon looked worried. “I am liking this conversation less and less. We came here to discuss a particular situation and the discussion has wandered off into other areas that could end up causing unwelcome changes. It is obvious Robert finds something distasteful or distressing and I think the earlier we confront it the better. Robert, what is it you plan to do to the Inguel that you fear could have repercussions on the way we accept you as leader?”
“I told you I declared myself their master and hold them hostage. The latter was so as to force them to meet with us. I also am preventing them from contacting their governments. By bringing the Inguel Cherinians here, taking them away from where they were being held, I’m certain their governments will have realised something has gone wrong. The silence from this end will have made them expect the worst. That is good in a way, for the known evil is usually better than the unknown and they will be relieved to hear from us tomorrow. If they are as us, their imaginations will have painted ugly scenarios and they must be very worried.”
“More likely they are in a panic.” Alki said chuckling.
I hope you enjoy reading this story of fantasy, adventure and love - and should some of it be true for our reality, I hope you will love our Cherine.
Αλέξανδρος Ζήνον Ευσταθίου
(Alexander Zenon Eustace)18th November, 2019
- posted: 18th November, 2019
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