Little Cherine Book 06 - BPost029

Goldi Teller, you are a creature made out of the sunbeams gathered from a golden summer day, I can hardly believe you are my wife.”







Previous: Book 06 - Post 028



3781


Goldi felt a little guilty about having so many nights alone with Robbie when some of the other brides only had one night each. Robbie also decided it was not fair, though none of the girls were complaining, so he took them, one at a time, to an alternate world and spent three nights with each of them.

From something Arthur told me in a private chat, I realise that any Normal reading our diary will not understand the real importance of memories to us, especially those of our honeymoons, but equally true of any especially beautiful moment.

Thanks to our Cherinian memories we are able to bring back and relive those moments fully, almost exactly as if it were happening at that time. With his love for playing on words, Allan named such times ‘Happy time’ after the hour some bars have to draw in customers. We’re not entirely happy with his choice, but we have not come up with an apt or better descriptive alternative.

Allan also said something else that shocked many of the girls, especially those born Cherinians. He told us that if Normals had such perfect recall, many of them would obsessively concentrate on reliving their moments of pain, shame and hatred instead of joy and love. From the examples he gave us we had to believe him, and it almost made the girls feel for a while that Normals are sick.

Robbie can feel how every one of us has a yearning for a child and he respects the fact that we control ourselves, trying to keep our need from making his life a problem. There are other matters also that have to be taken care of first. Our family has grown faster than we’d planned, but it is urgent we marry Lynda soon or else she might start feeling we do not want to. We had already decided her wedding will be with her alone. It is her own attitude that makes us wait though - she does not seem ready yet.

Funny that even with us being telepaths, I still discover at times that most of the girls know something I did not. I’ve just been told that Lynda is ready, she wants to wait for Empathia and Empathia wants to wait until Haven and Robyn are ready. Both our alien girls are ready, but Haven is still worried how this could affect her need to be with her people. That might also explain why she takes on her Meéjeira form so often when we are alone at home. When she does so, she does sense we enjoy it and find her beautiful, but she is ashamed that when she views us with Meéjeira eyes, she finds us unattractive.

As Lynda says, there is no reason to rush it, we have plenty of time and the five brides need time to settle in. Robbie teases that what we mean when we say that, is they need time to learn how to treat him as a husband, to boss, nag and scold him when they are not manipulating him. It must be an inverse of his male ego thing, for he will not admit even to himself that he manipulates us far more than we do him. I wonder why he enjoys thinking that way.

It looks like we will soon be losing our two cops. Perikli and Savva have kept their appearance, when working or out in public, close to their normal age and according to regulations it seems they will both have to retire soon. Perikli worries about it as the man who should replace him is not a suitable candidate for becoming a Cherinian and neither is he, in the eyes of Perikli, suitable for the position. We were expecting a visit from our two friends and their families and they did not disappoint us. After the social pleasantries, Perikli spoke for a long time about his worries, analysing and demonstrating through logic what the effect on the police force will be if this man is appointed. Savva backed up everything he said, through his emoting, and Robbie listened to them without making any comments until they were finished.

“Perikli, Savva, you both have the right to take any action you consider is necessary, so why are you asking me to get involved?”

“There are three police officers in Greece who are Cherinians and it has made a big difference Roberto. The more complex society becomes, the harder it is to keep policemen from losing their identification with the people they are meant to be protecting. Unless they are inspired by an officer they respect, their jobs in terms of their salaries, benefits and pension are all that matter to them. They see nobody else will care about their families and it makes them selfish, sometimes even turning a blind eye to what they see, so as not to incur extra paperwork or place themselves in unnecessary dangers. We are also beginning to see people as numbers on the computer. To survive and compete they have to become more ‘professional’ and that means they have to learn how to de-humanise the public while creating a façade of caring for them. That attitude in itself makes them very cynical."

“I do not dispute your opinions Perikli, I’ve also worried about it. What I am asking is, why have you come to me? Is it as a friend, as leader of the Cherinians or as protector?”



3782


“Are all three not the same in our hearts Roberto?” Savva asked.

Robbie sighed. “Then perhaps you can see that whatever your reasons for wanting to involve me, you should not. If I start to interfere where do I stop? If I see a politician is corrupt and hurting his people, do I interfere? If I see in the mind of a policeman that he takes bribes or that he beat up someone to force a confession out of him, do I interfere? Does it stop there? What about men who beat their wives? Do I force criminals to run to the nearest police station to confess? What about dictators in other countries, terrorists, wars, do I interfere in all of them?”

Dommi said, “That would mean we must declare ourselves as we would be found out anyway.”

Yours truly, truly cannot keep her mouth shut. “If I saw that a surgeon operated on a child only for the fees, not because it was absolutely necessary, I would do all I could to have him exposed and thrown out of the medical profession. I know the strongest instinct in you Robert is to protect children, but since when did children become our only concern? I think they were right to come to you, but they were wrong to visit us here. They should have called for a meeting of all our fellow Cherinians. If they wish to do so I will second their motion that we discuss the subjects, all of them Robert. It is time we do something to make this world better for all to live in - before the Cabal take over and it is too late for everyone.” I then spoke more forcibly. “We are intelligent people and our gifts should help us disguise our actions. We can help without exposing ourselves. All that is lacking is the will.

I cringed within myself as I spoke, but I knew I had to say the words. No other Cherinian outside our family would have dared to speak them, as they feel that Robbie will be heading any such action and they do not feel it is right to ask him to do more than he already is doing.

At least Haven was instantly on my side. The rest may feel as I do, even Robbie himself, but they worry, thinking he cannot assume a bigger load. The arguments that criss-crossed the room, verbally and in mindspeak proved me right. Perikli and Savva were shocked by my taking their side and I saw they regretted coming.

“In a few days we celebrate the anniversary of Dommi joining you Robert. Let us make that day the day we begin to make this a better world. We do not need to do anything openly, there are ways of disguising our hand. I am tired of watching the news, seeing suffering we could have averted and feeling guilty. It is our duty to help our own people also. Cherine, we will not add this to Robert’s burden, we can all help. All Cherinians must, we share this responsibility with all of them. Robert is our protector; let all Cherinians be the protectors of the weak and innocent.”

They called a meeting for the 30th of December, Dommi’s anniversary.

Let me make it clear. I was not forcing the hand of Robbie. He has been working to this end for years now. Issues that may seem obvious and right are not always as simple as they may appear. Robbie’s greatest concern was that should we begin to interfere in the lives of the Normals, we may be sending signals to the future that will justify Cherinians forcing Normals to live as we see fit. That is why he has forced us so often to examine our mores, to seek balances that will prevent us from thinking of ourselves as special and with rights Normals do not have. He insists that with respect to our relationship with Normals we do not have rights, only they do. We only have responsibilities.

The meeting is one of the most important meetings we have ever had, but I will refrain from reporting it in detail as I know that many Cherinians (including from within the family) have written the words spoken and noted their own reactions. Just one or two things I consider important will be mentioned.

Once the overwhelming majority showed they agree we have to take action, Robbie asked that we limit it to a more personal level. He does not want us all, acting on our own, interfering with governments and their security organisations.

“I nominate Perikli as our agent dealing with law enforcement agencies. He will be retiring from his post next year and then he can take on the position with us as a fulltime occupation. As an aside, if you do not mind a light-hearted comment, Perikli, we will enjoy seeing you as a younger man. Please do not dedicate yourself to your new position with the same zeal until you have founded your own family.

As Sam pointed out, we must avoid taking any direct action. We should use our abilities to pass on information indirectly to Normals who will take any action necessary. Whether that person is a journalist, an activist or even the president of a country, you must keep a watch on them, just in case they need protection - especially when they will be incurring the wrath of corporations and the Cabal. I suggest we ask the Anadir and Sparklers to help us on that.”



3783


With his love for playing with words, it did not surprise us when Robbie suggested we label our decision ‘Limited Anti Suffering Help’ or LASH in short. He was teased by us that it sounds violent, but we accepted the name.

The second point was thanks to Henry. He insisted we take action to reduce the incidents of terrorism. His argument are that on most Earths the major excuse for governments reducing the laws to do with human freedom and individual rights is terrorism. I knew his proposal, as offered, would not be accepted by Robbie and most Cherinians will find it difficult to even think of the correct solution as none can suggest we cause, directly or indirectly, the deaths of any sentient beings.

I started off, “The war against terrorists worries me. There are many countries living under dictatorship. Even some of them that are purportedly democratic are not in fact. If all terrorists are considered evil, then how are citizens of such countries to fight for their freedom? By lumping all terrorists in one group, it forces countries that would like to see changes in those countries having to assist the dictators against those who are fighting for their freedom.”

Luigi spoke thoughtfully. “That is similar to the saying, ‘If freedom is outlawed, only outlaws will have freedom.’ ”

I gave Luigi a nod of agreement and continued, “I suggest we use two different names. Terrorists are those who take action against all, killing or maiming men, women and children in the name of their cause. Those we should help the authorities to fight and make ineffective. Freedom fighters will be those who take action directly against those in power or those who protect them, such as the army, police and other security organisations.”

As I expected this caused an uproar and by modifying my description of Freedom Fighters and who they are allowed to attack, my suggestion was reluctantly accepted. FF are only allowed to attack governments we decide are oppressive and even then, they must only attack personnel when there is no other way for them to fight. It is far more effective attacking and destroying those things that empower the dictator. In other words, don’t kill the pilot of a jet fighter if you can avoid it, destroy his plane; blow up or sabotage the computers of the Receiver of Revenue so that the authorities have difficulties in collecting taxes and so on. I am surprised the Normals did and do not make the distinctions we do.

Robbie is very unhappy, but accepts our decisions may be a necessary evil - and an indirect way of fighting the Cabal. I sort of stayed out of his way for the next day and he responded by pulling me to him that night and not only made love to me as tenderly and lovingly as he could, but kept me by him as we slept.

Within two days the first effects of LASH were seen. A spate of exposures of corrupt officials were reported in the alternative press. Soon we had policemen being arrested, members of parliament resigning and so on. A week later Perikli joyfully reported that he has been asked to extend his working life by another two years. The reaction by the public to the exposures of corrupt police means that his retirement would be seen as counterproductive. Within the police force it is believed he must have a secret task force checking on them so everybody treads carefully and brutality and corruption have lessened dramatically. He told us, pragmatically, that it is only a matter of time before he will have to take action again.

Claudia found out a man was cheating his wife and exposed him by making certain she found out. Robbie was furious with her and gave us all a strong lecture about interfering in the private lives of others. Claudia stuck to her guns as long as she could, claiming that our rules said that if anybody does something to hurt others we are allowed to interfere. Her argument did not get any sympathy from any of us and she capitulated. It will take Robbie a while to forgive her, as a number of Cherinians were not as easily swayed by us, contending that Claudia is in the right and they will not stop, unless Robbie orders them. He will never issue any orders, so they are still interfering in private matters. Luckily we see that with time they are reverting to what they think of as a more conservative attitude.

Robbie at first chuckled as reports came in, enjoying the feel-good effect on all Cherinians. Everybody thought it was expected of them that they report to him every action they have taken. As the reports began to flood us, he no longer chuckled. Rosie, Tina, Bernie, Em-e and Jodine began to keep records of all the reports and used their own judgement as to what needs to be seen by him.

We do not go around destroying people just because they have taken a bribe or misused their authority. Only those who have made a career of it and have no feelings of guilt. The person who transgressed because of need and temptation and regrets it, is either ignored, or if the circumstances warrant it, they are warned anonymously that what they have done is known and if they return what they have taken, or if they cannot, they do a good deed, no more will be said about it. A number of them reported themselves, fearing they are about to be blackmailed. We have, in a few cases, used our contacts or gifts to try to ensure their superiors allow them a second chance. A side effect we noticed, especially with cops, is that those people became kinder and more caring in their attitude to others also.



3784


When officers of large corporations began confessing, we knew it had to be Nicko, Elia and Alki, but we did not include Smaragda until we got a report from her. She knows of all her father has done to cheat other shareholders (after losing so much because of the divorce, he’d sold a large share of his business to public companies with a condition that he stays in control) and she is driven to expose those who do the same as him. Dommi forbade her to take action against her father as it will affect her badly if she does. She did promise Smaragda that her father will be dealt with in a way that does not destroy him and soon as we were alone she demanded that Robbie handle it. Teasing her he told her she should handle it and taking him seriously (on purpose of course) she did so.

Apart from Wendy, Meli and Jade who live in worlds of their own, Cherine does so too. She does not take part in our ‘pogrom’ against crime, but seems to be mentally hugging herself with glee as she senses the Cherinians. She is happy that at last Cherinians are taking an active part in making life better for everyone and not sitting back expecting Robbie to do it all. There is one other person who does not seem to be doing anything, Allan, and we found out it is causing him problems with Eleni.

“I’m not criticising you Allan, I am curious though, why are you not taking part?”

“It makes me feel like everyone is living in a Doris Day movie - and they are trying to turn it into a Jerry Lewis movie.”

Since he refused to say anything more about it I went on the web and searched for copies of her movies. I managed to find two movies that had been converted to DVD and when we received them we all watched. Feel-good movies with too heavy a dose of sugar we decided - not that we did not enjoy them. That Rock Hudson guy was quite a charmer! I still don’t understand why Hettie named herself after her and Allan used her as an excuse for not taking part. As for the Jerry Lewis movies, I could not understand why people liked them. Perhaps it was a part of the culture of that time? After all, we know that if the media tell us someone is funny, then they are.

One of the most important dates for all of us is the 6th of January. We have Robbie’s birthday to celebrate and added to that we also have the wedding anniversaries of Laura, Meli, Bernie, Claudia, Tina, Rosie, Sam, Alexis, Nicole, Aganthi and Maria-Elena. This year we delayed the celebration so as to have one big bash for everyone who has a birthday or anniversary. Annavi, Ashia and Elpida are nine years old and Gilli, Jade, Maria and Jodine are celebrating their tenth anniversary. So many people wanted to come that Robbie decided we should not have it on our world.

He created the biggest platform he’s ever created and parked it close to Venus in another reality. He used a smaller platform to ferry the food, drinks and equipment. When we went aboard we found he has covered the floor with soil and rocks, created a small lake and has trees and grass growing. He has built small villages of African style thatched huts. He did insist that all aliens arrive in Terran bodies, as he does not have the space to create different environments.

Allan stared at all this and looked over at Jonathan. They both closed in on Robbie. In answer to their question, Robbie told them that when the party is over he will be throwing the platform into the sun. He does not want them to ask him to keep it for business purposes, so he quickly added that all of us are dead set against him splitting his soul any further.

“Could I split my soul Robert? Could you teach it how to run something like this? Think, if it could be done then each family could someday have their own little world.”

“A glorious vision Allan, but I don’t see how it could happen. The energy that makes up the platform has to be brought from the void and it wastes away, needing to be replenished on a regular basis. You would be better off asking the Inguel to create a podship suitable for Terrans.”



3785


Allan got that look on his face so we knew he is trying to find, as he calls it, a simple answer to the impossible. Robbie was too busy to pay attention and was soon deep in conversation with others. I called Haven, Empathia and Jade to me and we took a walk into the trees, posting a privacy signal. I explained what I thought Allan is trying to do and what my fears are. From their reactions I knew they agreed, so we quickly called to Allan, asking him to join us.

“Allan, I’ll take a guess at what you were thinking. You want to ask the Anadir to create a machine that can identify the type of energy Robbie uses for creating the platforms and for the machine to then attract more of the energy from space to keep the platform strong. You are guessing that normal space has traces of the energy. Am I right?”

“Not the Anadir, the Inguel. Machines break down, but if the Inguel create machines, replacements can be grown as the one in use grows old. There is one flaw in my reasoning and I’m surprised you have not guessed it yet.”

“Flaw?” I looked at the girls, but they did not have a clue what he was talking about. “What flaw?”

“I do not believe the platforms are made out of one type of energy. I think it will be too complicated for any machine to reproduce the correct mixtures.”

“Perhaps they can someday Allan. Have you thought of the dangers if it is done?”

“Dangers?” He stared into my eyes and then walked up and down thinking. He stopped and came close to us. “You are thinking what would happen if such machines are used by enemies?”

“Have you forgotten the prophecy?”

He paled. “Jesus! I’m sorry, I forgot! Sam, how could they use the machines against him? Any platforms the machines maintain would have to be created by Robert first. I do not believe there is enough energy or power for a machine to create the platforms.”

“What if the knowledge is used to reverse what the machines do? Would that make Freddie vulnerable? What if they sent thousands of such machines to attack?”

Allan jumped and almost instantly returned with an Fisp.

“I’m sorry, I had already asked him. We better explain to him why he must not create such a machine.”

We did and an Fisp became agitated. “I have already mentioned the idea to others of my kind. We were busy discussing the idea when Allan grabbed me.” We stared at each other in dismay.

“Could we ask them to allow us to block the memory?” Jade weakly asked.

“Robert would not allow you.” We swirled to find Vincent standing behind us. “When the time for an idea has come, nothing can undo it. Do not blame yourselves, it is better we know such a machine exists than have someone create thousands of them in secret. We can at least now prepare ourselves for such an eventuality.”

We took heart from what he said, but Allan was too busy accusing himself to listen properly. He was feeling miserable and blaming himself for all attacks that could come about because of his idea. Even our privacy signal could not disguise how he felt and Eleni with Jessie jumped to us and then Robbie appeared. We explained to him.

“an Fisp, if you are not allowed to sample the energy, could you still create the machines?”

“No, we would need your help for that.”

“When we go back to Freddie I’ll help you. I am excited by your idea that some of the energies may exist in normal space. I doubt all of them do, but I would like to know. I cannot check on my own, as I can only manipulate the energies as the void and coming to normal space as the void means I am made of the energies, so I cannot sense what exists on this side as clearly as may be necessary. Sam, Allan, what if something happens to me and I cannot return to Freddie to replace the energies when I should? We must have the machines if they can be created. Allan, your idea, may I consider it a birthday present from you or are you going to demand royalties?”



3786


Vincent smiled to himself as he walked away to join the party. The ‘privacy’ now off for the family, we all smiled to ourselves also. As usual Robbie has managed to twist things around so that Allan will no longer be hurt by guilt and to the contrary is now basking in the glow of pride from his girls. As for an Fisp, he too left us with a proud happiness. The Inguel have a project asked of them by Robert!

Robbie grinned at us and using our distance from the crowds, split himself so that each of the girls celebrating today will have one of him to themselves. It looks like this is to be one of those parties at which Robbie lets himself go and has fun.

The platform shielded us from the sun that was too bright at this distance. Gradually it now darkened so that we could no longer see the sun at all. We did not mind losing sight of Venus since she is not that interesting under partly shielded conditions. Utilising concentrations of energies, Robbie created a fairy sky for us that sparkled and glowed in a soft rainbow of colours. The music volume went up and the flow of drinks grew disproportionately. No other magic tricks would be needed for tonight. Wendy, Lua and Candy will sing for about half an hour at midnight, Lua will also be dancing, but that is all we have planned for. Tonight is a night for dancing, eating and drinking with friends.

Over the hours the dance floor with the slow music drew bigger crowds than the other one. Fires acquired groups of people with mugs of coffee or cocoa and the party came to a quiet end. Here there is no dawn till Robbie wills it and some went to sleep in the huts while others sat talking of mundane matters. The sky over us had gentled and was a replica of the galaxy where the Meéjeira and Qkwesinitie had evolved millions of years ago. I’d lain on the grass looking up at the ‘stars’ when Haven and Athia settled on the grass by me, laying their heads on my chest and tummy. On the other side my little Gina lay alongside me and as my arm went around her I felt as if I was in heaven.

“I wonder…”

“Shh…”

I nodded gratefully, closing my eyes, keeping Athia’s question for later. I woke up to a sky brightening. I waited until all three of them were awake before sitting up.

“Beloved Cherinians, it is time to dance with the sun. I have to keep the shield heavily filtered, but the sun will be bright enough for you to see. We are waiting for a solar flare to begin forming. As it does we will swoop in towards the surface of the sun at a curved angle, catching the top of the flare which will carry us out to space again. Relax and enjoy it, there is no danger…if I should miscalculate I will instantly take us into the void.”

If we had had non-Cherinians with we would have had to deal with a number of cardiac arrests. As we swooped down into the fiery hell of the surface (we were far above it, but it looked as if we were in the centre of hell) we all screamed, only Haven had her arms raised, fists shaking with glee.

As we widened the distance between us and the sun I noticed that though Robbie was standing alone, Cherine was sitting on the grass with his head on her lap. We’d all been watching his void form without realising it! He is getting good at it if he can fool us, even if he did offer some major distractions.

Robbie stood without speaking, waiting for someone to say something. We could not guess what he expected so we waited quietly.

The son of Tasso, Gianni, asked, “Kyrie Roberto, since we are in normal space, why didn’t gravity affect us? The top,” he pointed at the dome overhead, “was pointing at the sun as we flew near it, all of us and the rocks and water and trees, everything should have smashed against it.”

Robbie played the fool and scratched his head as if perplexed. “Why don’t we ask Ordinx?” His wide grin gave the game away and we all became excited.

“Our scientists on Noelle were able to rediscover anti-gravity. Beneath the soil and around the platform, built into the shield are a number of engines. That rock over there is not a rock, it is a camouflaged control centre.”

Alki sat down heavily on a nearby bench, but before he could speak Nicko said, “Robert, this could make us the richest and most powerful group on Earth…on all Earths!!”

Cheekily Tina replied, “I thought we already were the most powerful group Nicko?”



3787


Eddie gave a small smile to show he knew she was joking. “He meant financially and therefore politically, as judged by the Normals.”

Robbie was not smiling anymore. “I think you are all forgetting something important. The invention belongs to the Anadir, so that makes them the richest and most powerful group on our planets. If they wish to set up their own corporations we will help them or else, if they agree, we take a percentage for marketing and running the business.”

“Robert, whatever we have belongs to all Cherinians.”

“No Ordinx, I will not agree to that. If the Inguel or any other species want your technology they must pay for it. The same goes for Terrans, we pay for whatever any other species offers us. Strong trade links between species will be a key to friendship…as long as we control our ambitions and don’t become like the multinational corporations of Terra. Trade also provides the incentive for new developments and discoveries. There is no species without something to offer. Those not technically minded have art or philosophy. Everything has a value and we must find an equitable method of evaluating non-commercial offerings.”

“Are you talking about a demand and supply interplanetary economy Robert?”

“No. I am presuming you will see some sort of justice in my thinking and agree, so what I am asking is that a committee is formed, represented by every species and each species must appoint businessmen (if they have them) and poets, doctors, artists, philosophers…you get the idea, please see to it that as broad a spectrum of interests as possible is represented.”

“Does that include politicians?” Ordinx asked.

“On a trial basis. If they act as politicians of my world do, they must be removed. We do not want any species jockeying for power. The Board should be a combination of good business sense primarily, and altruism - and unfortunately it does mean a few with political savvy should be on board.”

Finally the family understood why Robbie had been in such a jovial mood and also why he chose to have his party out here. His mind was now open to us and we saw the deep satisfaction it gives him, seeing our Cherinians taking this important step. He felt it was crucial for the formation of an interplanetary and inter reality civilisation of Cherinians. I hugged Ordinx.

“Thank you, you have made this his best ever birthday.”

“My people are going to be upset Sammy, they worked so hard with such eagerness, we thought we’d found a way of partly repaying Robert and your family for all you’ve done for us.”

“‘Your’ family Ordinx? Not our family?” His grip tightened. “Of course you must pay Ordinx. We should set a monetary value to our effort in creating Noelle for you and that gets deducted from your share in our Anadir Development Fund Inc, giving us Terrans a few extra points in the shareholding.” I laughed. “If we are clever we will appoint Hettie as our representative and she will screw every cent she can out of you.”

Robbie saw/felt Hettie was hurt by my comment. “Hettie, that is a good idea. All of us love the Anadir too much and we’d charge them less than we should. Would you take on the burden for us love?”

Thus easily and quickly was the corporation I believe is destined to become the largest and most powerful in our universe born. How could any of us have imagined when we fought Doris that one day we would offer her the position that would make her more powerful than any Emperor has ever been! I’ve just realised that this is also the best way for us to fight the Cabal. They may be worth hundreds of trillions, but with the changes we cause, if we do so intelligently, they are bound to lose most of the threat of their financial power over the world. Even if we were doing this just for causing such a change, it would be worth it. I’m not going to tell Ordinx yet, I want us to find the right time and way for telling the Anadir that they are to play such an important role in saving billions of Terran lives.

We were not naïve enough to come out with announcements, articles in newspapers and so on. We realised all governments will see anti gravity as a military weapon and we would (ha, ha) disappear or be killed (ha, ha again?). (R: Don’t do that Sam, it makes you sound arrogant.). While machines for specific applications are being designed and quietly manufactured, Elia, Nicko, Dommi, Alki and Eddie disposed of their ships or interests in them. Eddie also decided that in the short term airlines will see greater profits as their fuel bills shrink, but he was worried of being accused of insider trading as his wife appears on the Board of ADFI.



3788


Although the major part of our market will be the USA and Europe, we are not basing our companies in either of those areas. They both have lists of technologies not allowed to be exported to many countries and we are not willing to follow their rules. It is a pity as we would have liked to house our manufacturing base in Greece, but the way we are splitting up the business so that different parts are made by different companies, it is better that they are also spread throughout many countries, preventing any one country or area from considering the technology as ‘theirs’. The key part that makes the engines possible is being built at our Lunar facility, which will help prevent anyone grabbing our factories.

I have not mentioned the economic/socio-political developments of Terra as they occurred over the last years, so perhaps I should briefly do so, with regard to the information which is pertinent at this moment. The USA still plays a major role in space exploration and development, but once the Chinese entered the race for space technology, the USA allied itself with Russia and Europe. This brought tremendous strain on the European Common Market as a concept, since France and Germany preferred to form their own joint effort. Over the last five years the rest of Europe has decided to throw their lot in with the French-German incentive, so that three space ‘powers’ exist. There is talk now of South America forming their own space industry. The girls tell me they think we should help the South Americans catch up with the others or else we could end up with space becoming the monopoly of the super groups. As a second step they want us to help Africa join the race.

We carried on with our normal family life, enjoying the odd celebrations and so on, while Robbie tried vainly to stay out of the way of our business community and all the jostling and negotiations going on. Claudia created charts and extrapolated from them, hoping to interest us as a family to invest in the Euro and USA markets, and because Cherine thought it very similar to gambling, she became interested for a couple of weeks, so Dommi allowed the two of them to invest a quarter of a million as they saw fit. That frightened Cherine and she pulled out. Strange that, considering our lifestyle and financial support from so many with vast amounts of money, Cherine has still not lost her respect for money and what it can do.

Nicko was angry, but more puzzled and frustrated than ‘angry’ angry.

“I don’t understand you! With your love for science fiction I would have expected you to be all over us as we plan for the future. We all thought you were going to make a nuisance of yourself, but instead we can’t get you to show any interest! Do you know what you are missing Robert? The more we consider the possibilities, the applications in all kinds of fields, the more ideas we are coming up with. This is a historic moment Robert, not only is the world going to change, but it is also the first time our own planet is being changed by Cherinians! You can’t stay out of it!”

Robbie kept a tight lid on his thoughts, only trying to project a tinge of amusement and boredom with the discussion. It will not matter by the time anyone outside of the family remembers to read our diary again, so I can spill the beans from now. The Anadir wanted to present us with a huge list of possible uses for antigravity as discovered by them over centuries, but Robbie asked them not to. He told them they should allow their Terran partners to come up with their own list. He suggested they tick off their list whatever we think of and gradually bring in their suggestions, one by one at a later stage. He does not want to overwhelm our people and make them feel they cannot contribute anything, while he actually hopes we might come up with a few ideas they had not. He talked to us about the importance of cross-fertilisation of ideas rather than a one-way flow.

Despite the above, Robbie could not resist asking, “What are you doing about space flight? Intra system and interstellar? Have you formed a company specifically for designing and building spaceships?”

“There you are! Do you see why I say you should get involved?”

“Oh come on Nicko, someone amongst you must have thought of it. So, what are you doing about it? I need to know so that we can make a decision about Noelle. Do we move it or do we allow our two species to officially meet?”

Over the last ten years, China has started flexing its muscles as a super power and tension has been rising world wide - growing worse because it is obvious the Cabal is fraying at the edges, collapsing, and China has been part of the Cabal and they are panicking. They are tightening their controls on their own people, but experts are suggesting it is likely China will return to a being a socio-capitalistic society.



3789


As a consequence, as at the time of the cold war with the USSR, the media has been flooded with a spate of reported sightings of aliens and thousands have claimed they were kidnapped. Our alien friends have been watching with great interest and some amusement. When atrocities committed by these imaginary aliens are reported, they are saddened, for they believe it means our people are not ready for their presence to be made public. Robbie does not agree and neither do we, but we also realise that unless their presence is made known in ways that lead to the public seeing and meeting them, so that the governments cannot declare their presence a top secret, the governments will argue that general knowledge of their presence will cause panic. Robbie has decided not to press the matter for now.

With all this excitement we would have understood any delays so it was a lovely surprise when we received invitations to the official opening of Club Cherinián. The invitation stated that the opening will be on the 25th of March in honour of the General Cherinian Anniversary, but that at midnight we will also be celebrating the wedding anniversaries of Cherine, Dommi and Robert; then of Wendy and Diana and of Marian and Alki.

The club has a Board of Directors to help run it and when they tried to get us to join the only person they succeeded in roping in was Claudia. They may have regretted it already. Elia and the other big money boys (it nowadays include Wing) wanted the club to be funded by them. Claudia refused to vote their way and insisted that members be charged for the use of the facilities and everything they eat and drink. She did, as a way of making a concession to them, agree to a fund subsidising the members by keeping prices low, so that those not so well off can afford to visit every day if they so wish.

The club is walled off so that the public passing by cannot see us, but still, on opening night, from the noise of so many people talking, eating, laughing and the music, they must have realised there are a great number of us in here and yet there are no cars and no people were seen arriving or leaving. This was permitted only on the first night, so the risk did not cause much anxiety.

At a family meeting, it was decided we have to do something about Smaragda’s mother, Anna. We knew we would first have to argue our right to interfere. In expectation of Robbie insisting we respect her rights we prepared our arguments. We had Angelo visit us and bring up the subject.

Robbie listened to him. “It has been worrying me for sometime. How does Smaragda feel about it, does she want her mother to be helped?”

“She sort of wishes it.”

“Do the two of you want us to help you, or are you expecting us to handle the problem?”

“I would gladly help in any way you ask me to, but I don’t have any ideas of what we should do.”

Robbie grinned. “In other words you were hoping we would take care of this without involving you so that it does not cause you any problems if we fail.” Angelo blushed and Robbie laughed. “I would feel exactly the same way if I was in your shoes. I must talk to a few people before doing anything, but you can relax, we have been worried about her for a long time. She is the only person of any species who has remained a Normal after becoming a Cherinian. I’m interested in why that is.”

Robbie was the perfect host as long as Angelo was with us, but as soon as he left, we sensed his true feelings.

Very softly, as if he was discussing something abstract, only a curiosity of history, he spoke to us. “I suppose it is inevitable in any family, that the mothers and daughters will end up conspiring to manipulate the husband and father. While it happens for family reasons it is as acceptable as any kind of manipulating can be. When it is aimed at how that man acts as a leader of their community, I’m not as clear with regard to the moral and ethical considerations. When they bring in a third party to help them, I am even less clear.”

We’d known he’d know, but had not expected him to make an issue of it. I guess we’ve become so accustomed to him being amused by our machinations, since he always sees through us, that we took for granted that he would concentrate on the problem while laughing at us in his mind. Instead we found he is troubled and secretly a little hurt.

“You should blame me Robert, it was my idea.”



3790


He shook his head. “No Sam, you do much I don’t agree with at the time, but you are not much of a manipulator, you are too outspoken and straight. Anyway, I am not interested in pointing a finger at any one person, this was a communal decision by all of you. Since you did speak Sam, let me ask you a question. Is this how you all plan to help me lead our Cherinians in the future? Are you expecting me to become your pawn while you play your games?”

We started off by being abashed as he spoke and ended up appalled when a note of bitterness crept in with the last question. A number of the girls tried to speak at the same time, but Robbie gestured for silence.

“I do not want an answer. All I ask is that you think on it. While you are at it, ask yourselves, what would have happened if I had been approached openly? Did you not know I was worried about Anna?” He stood up as if to walk out on us, flashed a grin and left a thought with us as he jumped. *That bitterness at the end, you really fell for it?*

Cherine burst out laughing. “The bugger! He did it on purpose to show us he is better at manipulating us than we are.”

Haven did not even smile. “No. He did that to remind us that we acted without honour. I have learnt my lesson and will not allow you girls to get me to join you in acting this way again.” Robyn agreed with her, but the rest of us did not. These games we play, with Robbie and between us, they are part of what keeps us interested in each other. With our gifts we have to play games to keep each other on our toes and wondering what lies beneath the top surface of our minds. Otherwise we might as well go to the void and meld into one.

Robbie ‘heard’ the comment by Haven and was tempted to give her the job of setting loose the child in Anna, as he described it. Alki heard and nodded his agreement.

“Now that you’ve said it, it is obvious. I am surprised Themi did not think of it. Becoming a Cherinian sets free the child in us.”

Marian looked suitably horrified at the idea. “You mean all the universes they are affecting are going to end up being run by children?” They have their own way of teasing and playing games with each other, so we let them carry on while we concentrated on Robbie’s rather flippant suggestion.

“It would not be fair to either Haven or Anna. Our first priority must be in helping Anna.”

“That is why I suggested Haven.”

“How could I help her Robert? I’m not certain I understand these girls yet and I love them. How could I help a woman of your species?”

“Learn to. The job is yours Haven, unless you admit defeat from now.” He was pushing her button and she must have guessed, but she still fell for it.

“I will do it. May I choose my assistants?”

“Why would you need any? Haven, one day soon you will have to help many of your own people. Learn what makes the heart tick, so that you can be of use in helping the troubled souls of your species.” He put up his hand to stop her from talking and thought for a moment. “Okay, you can have one assistant. Cherine, please bring Shiyra.”

Haven did not protest, her eyes dark with her thoughts. She must have told herself something for she nodded, accepting his decision.

Chapter One Hundred Seventy Three

Cherine was being very earnest in her wish to help Haven understand. “I think what was part of all that made Robert and I compatible was our love for teasing each other. For many years he allowed me to best him, taking his pleasure from mine. You spoke of honour Haven. What he did today was not honourable. He knows that there are two fears we have and he used our fear of hurting him against us. If I were to pretend not to love him for the sake of teasing him, it would not be right, it would not have been teasing; I would be guilty of abusing his love for me.”



Next [Book 06] - Post 030



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)

13th December, 2019


  • posted: 13th December, 2019




    If you wish to read from an earlier book, from Book 01 to Book 05, use this link button to open the LC Book Index:

















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