Little Cherine Book 11 - BPost060

Before you continue, I have something I wish to enter here - a dream I had this morning. When you read it, it may sound trite, but it affected me powerfully. Of course, go ahead. Thanks.






Previous: Book 11 - Post 059



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7642

You will Arthur, we all promise.

All the above was shown on the screens, for everyone is excited and needed to see what you had to say. The promise comes from all of them and us. Please don’t lose heart.

I’ve kept the diary on the screens in case you write because I could not continue by writing of others. I first needed to talk and talk with everyone about you so as to find my balance again. I’m not the only one who feels this way. One of those who keeps shaking his head is Christós. After all his efforts to draw from the heart of magic the power to find and bring you to us, you arrive within kilometres of him and he doesn’t sense you. I could write about how Lusalith feels; about the Muyzith; but then, what about the others?

For Wendy, Freddie had to return to nearly four years into their past. The moment we arrived, Sparklers shot down to Earth to find her.

Wendy was found in a government home, a permanent patient in the special ward for children suffering from Aids. Slowly we pieced together her story. She was not as badly tortured as our Wendy had been because her mother found the courage to react early enough. When she saw that her husband was not only raping their daughter but also torturing her, she could not work herself into a rage about it, but coldly and unemotionally she planned their liberation. She hid a knife under her bed and when Richard fell asleep she plunged the knife into his stomach twice and before she could kill herself his flailing arm knocked the knife out of her hand. Richard called for an ambulance and then fainted.

Richard was sentenced, but so was Sylvia, although the extenuating circumstances meant she would be out of prison hospital within a year, but it would not make any difference to her as she would only be released into a public hospital or hospice, for her Aids had developed too far for her to be saved. Neither mother nor daughter were being treated psychologically, as they were expected to die shortly.

An argument developed, but first I’ll explain what led to it. Dommi decided that lib-Cherine and our Wendy must heal the local Wendy. Robbie protested, afraid that it could bond lib-Cherine and our Wendy even more tightly. Dommi stuck to her guns. “Wendy, don’t only use your empathy to heal her, use the same empathy to see yourself and understand why your father did what he did to you.” Robbie stopped protesting, but then the real problem came into existence.

Candy said, “Then I must also be with them.”

The irony is that we’ve all wanted our Candy to get over whatever is holding her to the age of five-just-nearly-becoming-six and yet, when we realised her joining the other two might achieve that, we reacted negatively. Even Robbie did so for a moment and then his fatherly instincts took over and he agreed with Candy.

Dommi pursed her lips as she thought and then told us, “I agree, Candy should go with, but before she does we must collect Iziko. She’ll need him.”

That started the argument. I objected on the grounds that his species are not capable of handling her pain, the pain we would all be sharing from all five of them (I’m including Sylvia as we’re also healing her). I stated that the help he would offer would not justify the damage we’d be causing Iziko. Candy and eight of the other girls sided with me, but the rest sided with Dommi.



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First I’m briefly going to write of what actually happened: Robbie listened to us arguing without commenting. Without warning us of his intentions, he telepathically asked his Wirm friend to take Freddie to Iziko (of course all communications with our Wirm friends are only telepathically since they don’t have ears and cannot speak aloud, but I wrote that for your sake so that you understand that we did not hear Robbie ask her). With shock we suddenly saw Iziko’s ship on our screens and then Freddie broadcast his greeting. Freddie asked Iziko to have his Wirm friend move his ship into himself (sorry, I enjoyed writing it that way). Iziko was pleased with Robbie when he heard why we’d come.

The amended past: We were still arguing when Arthur’s words appeared within the diary (before I’d written about Wendy and before his dream arrival!). We saw Iziko’s ship arrive by Freddie, but we were astounded by the writing of Arthur. How did he know, we asked ourselves (your chat comment at the end did not come with back in time). Iziko was pleased when he understood why he’d come and asked that we thank Arthur for him.

Robbie cautioned Wendy and Candy. “This is the time that Robert and Cherine should bond with their Wendy. Be careful not to interfere. Be there only to guide them, such as teaching them how to play puppy. Wendy, make certain she first bonds with Robert - if you think it was important to your recovery.”

Cherine giggled. “He’s just hoping you’ll say it was.”

Wendy gave a little smile to show she understood Cherine was teasing. “Are we going to heal them as they are or are you going to give them new bodies?”

“I’ve been waiting for suggestions. If we save them in their present bodies and then steal them, there will be a search for them and Sylvia will be considered a fugitive. As a matter of fact, they’ll probably accuse her of stealing her daughter, even though they disappear at the same time and it is impossible for Sylvia to get to her that quickly. If they appear to die, by the time they go to live with Robert and Cherine in Greece, four years from now, everyone will have forgotten about them.”

Wendy nodded. “I don’t know what Sylvia would prefer, but I think that if Wendy is to love her Robert she might be happy to know that she is in a new body that only her Robert has loved - not her father.”

“Do you wish you had a new body for that reason?”

Wendy giggled. “I do have, you killed my first one.” We grinned with real pleasure when Robbie burst out in surprised laughter.

As predicted, Candy spent many hours crying with Iziko holding her and his love helping her. She also spent many hours in the arms of Robbie and in a different way his love also helped heal her. Candy also spent many hours in the arms of Wendy and they helped heal each other. It is wonderful having a healer for our bodies, but the healing powers of love are even more wondrous and those powers everyone has, the Normals need not envy us on that score, all they have to do is open their hearts.

From the newspapers we gathered that it is the official opinion of the police that somehow Sylvia heard of the death of her daughter and because of her grief she escaped. They appealed for her to return, promising she would only be helped. The public was touched and many wrote to say they wished they could help Sylvia and that if she returns, when she is freed they want her to come stay with them. The good side of all the hullabaloo is that the papers wrote of Richard and what he did and attention focussed on abused women and children again.



7644

We jumped to another reality so as to have as much time as the two need to heal and for bonding with their Cherine and Robert. The local Robert made available (thanks to his Alki) an apartment and the four of them stayed there for two months. We all rejoiced when we sensed that Wendy is bonding to her Robert and quickly asked the local Robert to move Sylvia out of the apartment. Sylvia refused to leave, so Robbie went to visit her with our Wendy and Candy. They took Sylvia to the beach by Dar.

Robbie filled her glass with the wine she likes and smiled. “Sylvia, as you can see, my Wendy is different from yours. She healed a long time ago and since then has grown into a remarkable and gifted person. It probably is easier for you to identify with Candy. Have they told you our story? You do know who Candy is?”

“Yes, not that I really understood.”

“When we’ve finished our meal we’ll go for a walk on the beach until we have some privacy and then my loves will sing to you their story. I hope your daughter has the same gift of music.”

Wendy smiled. “She does and I’ll teach her when she is ready.”

Robbie and the girls told her their stories as they ate and Sylvia showed that she was pleased to hear of how Robbie had dealt with Richard, not evincing an ounce of empathy for his suffering as Robbie destroyed his soul. They’ll only tell her about how he was saved and given a new chance once she is a Cherinian and able to empathise.

The singing was just as devastating as Robbie had hoped it would be and only now that her heart could speak to her did they broach the subject about her daughter and their Robert and Cherine. She was horrified to learn that they want her Wendy to become their lover and instantly refused. They did not pressure her and only waited for Sylvia to slightly calm down before returning her. Robbie gave lib-Cherine a rueful smile and a wink and returned to Freddie. We teased them about their failure, but Robbie only smiled, as if we were the ones who could not see some truth he did.

Over supper, Robbie told us, “I feel like going to visit the Fragile Galaxy. Let’s go three thousand years ahead of our last visit.”

isi exclaimed, “Jeez, that’s not fair! Most of the scientists who were studying them are back on our world!”

Robbie laughed, “Syrina must have taught you to use that expression,” and glancing at Christós, told him, “When we get there, sheathe yourself and our little Angel and wander among the lifeforms. Be careful, some of them can be dangerous without meaning to, they have very efficient ways of ridding themselves of parasites.” As he spoke he heard what he was saying and blushed. That soon had us screaming with laughter as we teased.

We collected the lib family, invited the local Cherinians and before we knew what was happening, the Normals were clamouring to come with and soon we had hundreds of Cherinians from other realities pleading to also join us on this trip.



7645

One very clever teacher brought to his class some of the books that have been written about the Fragile Galaxy and told the kids to read them and write an essay about it from the point of view of being there personally. He casually mentioned what a pity it is that they are not going with us, as they would be certain to write essays that would earn them straight ‘A’s’. All the kids (and a few of their parents) sent emails to their Robert and he brought them to us with a big smile, knowing that Robbie would not be able to resist them. Robbie sent back the message that he considers it a good idea that their trip be declared a school project and that the teacher who’d set them the task travel with so that he can guide them and help ensure they all earn the top marks he’d suggested are possible. For some reason, when they accepted, the story made the front page of nearly every newspaper.

Tsésus had many questions, but he was not comfortable talking to us (either because we’re children or else because we’re female, we’re not certain which). He can sense us and especially Cherine, but mostly he seems to be awed by Robbie and most of his questions are about him. The funny thing is that he is not fooled by Robbie’s apparent youth. The truth is that anyone over two thousand years old must find others of only about a hundred and fifty still young.

Oh boy! Your suggestion was made in fun, but someone else very earnestly suggested Meli’s books. He reads for hours and then expects Meli to sit with him for hours to discuss what he read. Meli of course is flattered, but it does mean she is not writing. So what? She deserves to have some time to herself. I bet she’ll even find herself learning from the experience.

Thanks to Meli, Tsésus now talks to the rest of us and he is obviously revising his first impressions. He makes reference to some obscure fact gleaned from a book he read and at least one of us is able to expound on the subject to much greater depth than he can. Our egos have been stroked so we all like him now J.

We’ve arrived at the Fragile Galaxy and even Tsésus has laid aside his books for the marvel of the universe. We were pleased to see the old ship is still in working order and the Unation computer boffins went over to examine and repair whatever is worn out.

We searched for the Imefi, but it seems they have all gone to join the main body of their people. The Unation sent a query home and it was confirmed that they asked to be transported to their planets centuries ago. The Shipmaster confirmed it and told us that it feels uncomfortable at having to bear the responsibility on its own, but as the new Imefi have evolved, some of them are showing more interest in learning from it and it hopes they’ll be able to take over within the next few hundred years.

A handful of the new Imefi became curious about us when they saw us visiting the Shipmaster, so they drifted over. They have the same wide and flat bodies, but evolution has rid them of their legs. They have evolved feelers or hands for manipulating matter, but seem to be more concerned with theories than with the reality of existence. The Shipmaster called to them and a couple moved over to meet us.

Their names are even more abstract than those of the Imefi and even more difficult to pronounce. We explained that we are awed by the beauty of their names, but our own limitations make it impossible for us to speak them, so they agreed we can give them names easier on our throats. The one we’ve named Shuiu and the other, a female, we’ve called Saai (because her name sounds like a sigh to us). I suppose it makes sense, but most of the species that depend on telepathy or imagery for communicating do not have the harsher sounding letters such as k, p, t, z and so on.

“How is it that you understand us?” a Muyzith asked Shuiu in English, since that was the language they’d been using.

“We are taught the inter-galactic common language from birth.” When that observation made the rounds we got a number of funny looks from various species, but none complained. It embarrassed us and Robbie asked, “Who told you it is an inter-galactic language?”

“The Old Ones left instructions with our ship.”

I laughed. “I thought they did not think highly of us.” Of course I made my comment on the private ‘band’ to my family only.



7646

There is something tough about Shuiu and Saai while at the same time something almost childlike and sweet. Robbie says I mean naïve. That too, but I think the sweetness comes out of the way they live. There are predators in the Fragile Galaxy, but they are not the prey of any of them. All galaxies are so distant from them and difficult to see, especially with such a wealth of life surrounding them, that I imagine they feel that what exists there is of little consequence to them and therefore they have not learnt to fear. Isolation should have turned them inward, but partly because of the Shipmaster and partly because of their refreshing curiosity and vibrant minds, they show excitement at our presence and try very hard to learn from us.

Our two new friends have to leave us fairly often, for, as they explained, they have to care for their flocks. Two sub-species are protected and guided by them as they provide energy and some of the cellular material they require for their own bodies to grow. If they were on a planet we’d describe their way of life as pastoral. Despite their work, we have plenty of time to talk with them and exchange information.

They have expressed an interest in visiting Freddie, but we had to explain about gravity and why entering Freddie would kill them. The next time we visited them, Sol, without mentioning to us her idea, invited them to visit the Sparkler World. We found it impossible to explain to them where it is, but at least we were able to guarantee their safety and return.

Gravity usually extends a couple of kilometres above the surface, but during the visit the Sparklers reduced it to a couple of hundred metres so that the two can experience in many ways much of the details of life on the surface. They were taken to visit various regions and met a number of species.

The next time we visited them close by the ship, another eight of them came with. They did not ask directly, but they hinted and pleaded through their emoting so eloquently that we could not resist and promised to take as many of them as want to come with in a couple of days. The reason we delayed is because of the Shipmaster.

The Unation advised us that they’ve developed a new computer using the new chaos theory from Michael and Keith, but have not formed an AI entity for it. They wish to transfer the Shipmaster in the hopes of improving his mental abilities while also making him less vulnerable to shocks. The new circuits and programming incorporate many AI failsafe points and his ‘personality’ will be backed up on almost a continuous basis, with just enough of a delay so that any dissolution does not affect the backup. The AI circuits will only be gradually made available so that sudden growth does not destroy him. They’ve promised to be finished within two days! We’re waiting because the shipmaster wishes to come with by using one of the independent and mobile extensions it is being provided with.

A caretaker program has been left to run the ship while the computer experts are effecting the transfer and the program will be integrated with the Shipmaster once he is in place. We’re all glued to the screens to watch the Unation technicians as they crawl all over the ancient ship. Watching them as I dictate to Athene, the thought crossed my mind that if Arthur were here he would find the sight very strange, for they still use bulky space suits in his reality whereas we only sheathe ourselves so that it seems as if we are moving within the vacuum of space without protection - that is more true for how it would seem to Arthur than for us, as we know what to look for to see the energy sheath.

Iziko’s ship arrived and robots transferred the ore he brought into the ship. Now the shipmaster can afford to make the alterations needed so that the new Imefi can have laboratories for their experiments. As his ship automatically discharged the cargo, Iziko jumped to us to sit by Candy and watch the screens with her. Maria brought him a glass of his alcoholic drink suitably covered so that it is not affected by our atmosphere and he carefully sipped from the specially adapted mouthpiece. Something tickled my mind; an idea is struggling to be born so I’m closing my eyes to sit back and think.
(


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We’ve had to delay taking everyone to the Sparkler World by one more day. Thank goodness computers think faster than we do, so the Shipmaster will not take as long as we would to recover. It started off by being in a state of euphoria as it felt itself expand and grow. The technicians had to warn it to slow down as it explored new pathways and possibilities. I think they had not taken seriously the possibility of the Shipmaster assimilating a lot of their programming and using it or adapting it to grow itself in new directions.

The robot hovered a few feet above the ground until by chance we made space for it to land on the brick floor. “Robert Teller, I have examined the past and your role that has resulted in our presence, the accident in our past being a chief part of it. I find it distressing that time can be so flexible, as that does not conform with accepted theories. Do you have an explanation?”

Robbie came to his feet. “It would seem that all species have the same failing - including all computers, however evolved they may be. Shipmaster, all theories should be regarded as steps life takes in advancing towards true knowledge someday. Even theories that are no longer considered theories but are accepted as fact are sometimes found to be wrong - or if not wrong, misunderstood because not all the facts were known. Time seems to employ certain rules, but we have discovered too many exceptions for us to allow ourselves to shut our minds to the fact that we are still ignorant. For example, you do know of the mother souls who do not live in the same stream of time as we do, their awareness of their past and future being the same as their present - which they choose arbitrarily. Can our theories of time have any meaning for them?”

“It will be my pleasure to participate in such learning of new theories that continue the journey towards truth. Robert Teller, I have an apology to make on behalf of my creators, their children and myself. You have been blamed for our predicament and your statement that it resulted in the continuing existence of my creators was not considered as carefully as it should have been. With the new knowledge given to me by the Unation regarding galaxies and the way in which they and the suns evolve, I have come to realise that you spoke the truth. If there had been no accident, my creators would have been extinct by now. With the assistance of Cherinians, there is the possibility they will exist for a period I cannot quantify at present, but which extends far further into the future than was possible before. I need to know, for the existence of my creators and their children demands I find out; is there a way for their existence to extend indefinitely?”

“Eternal life? There is no way for any of us to know. We are reassured by Arthur that our universes will survive indefinitely. As to whether we will, I’d hazard a guess and say the possibility waxes or wanes according to our own wisdom in the way we live our lives.”



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“Then I must grow wiser so as to guide them.” Robbie looked aside and pulled a face but did not say anything. It reminded me of his theorising of a race like the Gnolats but intelligent, and I guessed where his thoughts had taken him. The truth is, I don’t believe the Shipmaster is capable of growing to the point that he could become the threat Robbie fears. We did come to realise that the Shipmaster refused to step on the grass and even on the floor he examined it first for insects as he cannot stand the idea of his destroying any life - perhaps we will have to link him as a Cherinian? If so, I hope he does not influence us too much.

When I returned to the taverna, Robbie met my appearance with a laugh as he told everyone, “Samantha and Arthur have been cooking up new problems for us to deal with in the future.” After the amusement died down, he looked me in the eyes. “Is there a reason for us to fear?”

“May I quote you? As you said, ‘I’d hazard a guess and say the possibility waxes or wanes according to our own wisdom in the way we live our lives.’ If we are aware of the possibilities and see to it that computers evolve with empathy for all life, I don’t see why they would become a threat. Empathy will ensure that they realise we must grow in our own way. Making us only their prime will certainly cause us problems.” I saw the tiny red light of Athene glow for a moment - I wonder, was she just smiling or was she laughing at me?

He chuckled. “So, you let Arthur win the argument deliberately?”

“No, he is right and anyway, all he did is point out certain truths so that our possibilities do wax instead of waning.” He chuckled again and changed the subject.

The new Imefi enjoyed their visit to the Sparkler World, but over the next few days we noticed they seemed very subdued. Finally Empathia managed to convince one of them to confide what was worrying them. They want to know whether it would be possible for them to be moved to a solar system as they now see they are deprived of many things by living out here. In a way they are right, the scope of growth out here is more limited but, they have not evolved to live with even the slightest gravity affecting them.

Empathia, supported by many, demanded that Robbie find a way to help them. She claimed that by us showing them of alternatives they’d not previously been aware of, we have a moral responsibility. I did not take part in the argument as I did not agree with Empathia, but enjoyed watching Robbie squirming. Of course I forgot to beware of Cherine.

With a mischievous grin, Cherine asked me, “I suppose even you could not find a solution?”

I shrugged, rising to the bait despite knowing I was doing so. “If I had to, I guess I could. Since Empathia and the others have taken up the new Imefi as their cause, I don’t think I should interfere.”

I was severely scolded by Empathia for playing games when the future of a species depended on my helping them. I teased her, “Even as a Cherinian you cannot find a solution?” She instantly clammed up and sank into thought, realising I’d given her a clue.

Later on, Empathia asked me, “Are you saying that if they become Cherinians they can protect themselves from gravity?”

“What about the rest of the Fragile Galaxy? Are you suggesting they can protect them all or that they should abandon them?” Her eyes flashed angrily, but she left to think on her own.

The next morning, over breakfast, I threw her another clue. “Have you noticed how the Sparklers enjoy being here? They seem to become like children when they play with the creatures of the Fragile Galaxy.”

A couple of hours later, Cherine took my hand and walked me away from everyone. “Are you making my daughter suffer deliberately?”



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“Your daughter? Not ours?” She blushed so I grinned, satisfied I’d paid her back for trying to trick me into taking care of the problem for Robbie. “Of course I am, we do want her to wax and not wane don’t we?” Almost angrily she left me to walk by herself. When she returned she gave me a little smile so I knew she wasn’t that angry with me.

We all felt Empathia when the idea suddenly hit her, Haven embracing her so fiercely she could not tell us what she’d thought of for a while. Looking angry, but with the light of triumph in her eyes shining out at me she stood before me as she spoke loudly. “I was partly right, they will make lovely Cherinians. I’ve asked Solomon to bring us alternates of theirs from a dead reality so that they can be companions of the new Imefi. That way they’ll also have a Sparkler World to visit and learn from.”

With a voice filled with awe I heard Jade ask, “Can you imagine how differently both species will grow with each other as friends and partners!” That night I chose Empathia as our special and there wasn’t one of us that wasn’t happy to feel her soar like a phoenix out of the ashes of our passion.

Chapter Two Hundred and Ninety Four

Robbie spoke to lib-Cherine, “Is it time to return to your reality? I want to see your family grow and I’m itching to set our Alki onto yours. He’s the first Alki who’s been afraid to love. I wonder what experiences he had that changed him that drastically.”

Alki answered, “I’ve been thinking about it and I think his Cherine is to blame. Agapoula mou (my little loved one), he’s never forgotten the fury you sent to him. I think that if I had not first experienced a golden circle of love from our Cherine, I might also have feared for my species if she’d sent me her anger.” He gave her a smile of tenderness. “Don’t worry, we’ll soon untangle him so that he’s dying to be your pappou.”

As Robbie was about to ask his Wirm friend to take us to their reality Candy spoke up. “Robert, we can’t leave yet. Wendy,” she gestured to show she meant the new Wendy, “has written a song about the Fragile Galaxy and we think the new Imefi and the Shipmaster should hear it.”

Lib-Wendy shyly said, “Wendy and Candy helped me write it.”

Lib-Cherine asked her, “Who thought of it?”

“She did.” Candy replied.

“But I was only wishing I could, both of you helped me.”

Robbie told her, “I can tell if the song belongs to my Wendy and Candy, sing it and I’ll tell you if it is yours.”

He’d hoped to encourage her, but now she was even more afraid. We moved out into a platform for the new Imefi and the Shipmaster to join us and then Candy took her hand and nodded for her to sing. She began badly, a tremble in her voice that made it too thin, but Wendy covered for her until she lost herself in the song and her voice soared. Transfixed by the beauty she was making us see in our minds we forgot where we were until the last note faded away. She was inundated with such a flood of feelings from all that her Robert had to hold her as she wept. Even now I cannot tell you this or that is how the song went, all I seem to recall is how it made me feel and the visions that danced within my mind. If this is her first song, she is going to grow into an amazing talent - and our Wendy told her so.

Sylvia, her mother, was also carried away by her feelings and she could not take command of herself in time to stop her daughter leaving with her Cherine and Robert. For the next twenty minutes she had to concentrate on all, Terrans and aliens, who came to congratulate her on her daughter’s talent, so that by the time she was free to interfere she realised it was too late. Her Cherine made certain we all felt how her Wendy felt as they loved her and there was nothing anyone who loves her could object to. Our own emotings of joy must have overcome Sylvia, for she did not say a word about what she’d felt from her daughter.



Next [Book 11] - Post 061



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)

  • posted: 16th Jly, 2020




    If you wish to read from an earlier book, from Book 01 to Book 10, use this link button to open the LC Book Index:






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