Ark - Box Set #6, Part 1 of Ever After [an Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood novel]

by Robert Iannone

  “No need. The answer to your first question is the Klat,” and a fuzzy image sprung into Meggy’s mind . . .

  The young woman was taken aback. First, the Tree knew at least one of the reasons for her visit. Two, he did not hesitate to help nor did he couch that help in a vague riddle. And three, she had no idea he could project images into another’s mind.

  She took a moment to memorize what she was seeing before it faded away. “Thank you for that. Is there anything else I might know that could help?”

  “Sometimes bits and bytes will bite you to bits.”

  That was more like it – an incomprehensible riddle. “Thank you again.”

  “Always a pleasure. I would also have you tell Egg that someone who is nowhere cannot be somewhere.”

  “I will. She will be thrilled to hear your words”.

  “A jest?”

  “Very good. As to my second reason for being here . . .” and she waited to see if he knew.

  “You are considering your mother’s words and would like to determine which religion, if any, is appropriate for Aerianna.”

  “Indeed.”

  “Tell me why you seek my advice on such a subject”.

  “I have done a cursory study of religions on the worlds of the Federation. I had previously encountered those of Earth. I have found a common thread though there are profound differences that I would categorize more as secular beliefs being confused with the primary tenets of those religions.”

  “You did not answer my question.”

  “Tree, in many of those religions, you would be considered a god. But you are not. The Old Ones that you represent would be considered a legion of gods . . . but they are not.”

  “True enough”.

  “However, the three imperatives that the Old Ones instilled in us – in the citizens of Aerianna – seem to me to be the essence of what God would have us believe.”

  “Name them.”

  “First, take care of this planet; this magnificent gift. It is our home and provides everything we could ever need. Such worlds are few and far between – and more than likely belong to others.”

  “Correct.”

  “Second, take care of each other. When all is said and done, it is the citizens of this world – high born or low – that will stand shoulder to shoulder against any that might cause us harm.”

  “Correct”.

  “Third, use our minds to explore the magnificent complexity and awe-inspiring marvels of the universe. That is our purpose, our reason for being.”

  “Very good.”

  “Tree, should we pray to you?”

  “Certainly not. I would leave this world if ever I heard even one word of adulation.”

  “Then to whom should we pray?”

  “Why does one pray?”

  Meggy stopped to consider. “To ask for something.”

  “You have been given this world which provides all that you need, your fellow beings that provide love and support and a mind of unlimited intellect that provides purpose to your lives. Is that not satisfactory?”

  The Queen was taken back by that question. “Then should we not pray to offer thanks?”

  “Using the three gifts as they were intended to be used is the only thanks that is required. Live with respect, love without boundaries and learn with imagination, my dear friend.”

  And the Tree went silent.

  *****

  Onboard Benny’s Ship

  “We will rendezvous with the Gracie tomorrow.” Meggy had called to relay the information she had obtained from the Tree. However, she first asked for an update.

  “And they are still on Xara’s trail?”

  “Yes. However, they have maintained their distance until Egg can meet them.”

  “I assume that was at your request, sister.”

  “That doesn’t come as a surprise, I hope?”

  “I was shocked but I believe I am fully recovered,” teased the Queen. “Is I’za there?”

  The girl stepped in front of the viewer. “I am, your Majesty.”

  “I know who created the PhoG.”

  “Indeed,” said the Prince impressed.

  “You do?” asked I’za rhetorically.

  “The Tree, you clever girl” stated Egg.

  “Yes. I just returned from Sighing Whorl. I’za, Egg will explain about the Myst Tree later. He sent me an image which I had my sweet sister S’song reproduce.” A duplicate of the image that the Tree had provided appeared on the screen.

  I’za gasped. “It’s the Klat.”

  “Confirmed,” replied Meggy.

  “How would this individual know that?”

  “Again, Egg will explain. What can you tell us about them?”

  “Very warlike race. Big and strong and . . . well, and not very intelligent. I’m totally perplexed that they could have created the PhoG.”

  “The Tree also provided a riddle.”

  “Now I’m shocked,” replied Egg.

  “He said – Sometimes bits and bytes will bite you to bits.”

  “Well, at least it’s short and pithy.”

  “I’za, does it mean anything to you?” asked Meggy.

  “Sorry, no.”

  Egg patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t let it get to you. The Tree is always making us work for the answer.” To the screen, she asked, “Did he have anything else to say?”

  “He told me to tell you – and he did say you – that someone who is nowhere cannot be somewhere.”

  “Wow, I would never have guessed”.

  “Guessed what?” asked Benny, for once missing the sarcasm.

  “Brother, my sister teases.”

  “I knew that,” he lied.

  “Okay, Meggy. Unless you’ve got something else, I think Benny and I need to interrogate our guest about the Krap.”

  “Klat . . . not Krap,” corrected I’za.

  “My bad.”

  “I wish you all well,” and the Queen faded away. The whole discussion about religion was something she needed to consider before she broached the subject with others.

  *****

  They finally reached the Gracie. “Hail, oh Leader of Lighthearted Ladies”.

  “Sparky, have you been drinking?”

  “Never touch the stuff. It kills brain cells.”

  “She doesn’t have any to spare,” quipped Jax’x.

  “I’m changing my vote to no.”

  “Sorry, Serenity. Once she took the oath, there’s no going back”.

  “How’s your grandfather?” asked Bree.

  “Thanks to I’za, he’s alive and doing much better. We’ll talk about it later. For now, beam my alien bestie onboard.”

  “Don’t,” yelled Bl’azzz. “Leaving her alone with Benny is not a good idea. Our sister apparently has no self-control.”

  “Ha. I have a lot more than you and the creepy Kr’eep.”

  “That wasn’t me. It was my alter ego. Besides, he was nice.”

  That was met with a chorus of ‘yuks’ and ‘uggs’.

  “Enough. We’ve got evil to fight. Beam I’za over. I’ll be along in a few minutes.”

  “Keep it in your . . .” but Egg severed the connection before Bl’azzz could finish.

  I’za just managed to say goodbye to the Prince when she turned into sparkly sparkles and vanished.

  “Are you sure about splitting our forces? At least let me follow you in this ship.”

  “No. Finding the Ark and helping the survivors needs your direct supervision. Too much is at stake. We’ll be fine.”

  “Is your decision open to discussion?”

  Her reply of “absolutely” shocked him until she continued with, “After this is all over, you can review any and all of my decisions if you’d like. In fact, I heartily recommend it.”

  He smiled knowing that she was teasing. “If I may venture a guess. A review of your decisions will prove educational to someone like me with so little tactical skills.”

 
; She loved his sense of humor. “There is hope for you yet. Now, I am about to leave and I give you permission to do with my lips as you would.”

  That got a very big smile. “Intelligent, beautiful and generous. I have chosen well.”

  “Just kiss me, you fool.”

  And he did.

  . . . thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three. Enough, already.

  Egg pulled back, a bit out of breath and somewhat flushed. “Well done, sir. Kudos.”

  “You are very kind. Perhaps if you gave me another chance, I could improve upon my technique?”

  “Don’t let this go to your head but your technique is . . . satisfactory.”

  “I am humbled by your praise.”

  “Benny.”

  “Gracie?”

  “When this is over, ask me to marry you.”

  He was startled and ecstatic to say the least. Deciding that this was not the time for wit or humor, he chose to ask the obvious question. “May I ask what has brought you to this state of mind?”

  “When we were with Ezra, I saw tears in your eyes. Then you gave Grammy the second greatest gift she could have received after I’za gave her back her husband. You asked him to be best man, giving him a wonderful reason to regain his health.”

  “Egg, please do not tell me that you have reached your decision out of a sense of gratitude?”

  “No, not gratitude. However your kindness helped me to realize that there is nothing more that I could ever want in a husband. You are the complete package and I’m a lucky girl.”

  “Not to spoil this incredibly wonderful moment, but I dislike how you phrased that. I am most certainly not the complete package – assuming I understand that correctly. And you are not a lucky girl in this matter. You are the most accomplished and amazing individual that has ever graced Aerianna . . . no disrespect to the other members of my illustrious family. That phrase makes it sound as if you won something that you did not deserve and that is as far from the truth as possible.”

  She pulled him close and kissed him again. Pushing him away she whispered “shut up.” Into her comm crystal she said, “One to beam aboard.” As she began to fade away, she mouthed the words “I love you.”

  The Prince stood there staring at the place where Egg had stood. “And Gracie, I love you more than life itself. Please be safe.”

  *****

  Serenity accelerated the ship. At their new speed, they expected to intercept Xara in ten or so hours. “She’s going to pick us up on her sensors when we get within a half hour of her.”

  “Even if we cloak?”

  “Depends on what she’s using. Passive devices will be fooled but, an A.I.-monitored device would be able to figure out that a ship was following.” Egg, of course, understood none of that.

  “Then stay out of range until we can figure something out.”

  “Aye, Aye, Captain.”

  “I like that. You know what else I like . . . having this girl with a goofy grin onboard.”

  “Just like old times,” replied the goofy-grinned ex-Feminion.

  “Not nervous, are you? I could send you back with Benny.”

  “I possess the proper amount of cautious optimism coupled with excited anticipation and barely controlled enthusiasm.”

  “Can’t you talk like a normal person?” complained the dragon – only half teasing.

  “Just for you . . . and just this one time. Egg, I’m nervous. Satisfied?”

  “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

  “I almost choked on the words.”

  “It is just so amazing,” interjected Jax’x.

  “What is?” asked Tee’ka unsure of what she and everyone else were talking about.

  “No matter which sisters are together, the chemistry is always the same. I’ve been part of this group for hardly a month and I feel like I’ve known you all forever.”

  “That’s sweet,” answered BreeZee.

  “Barf,” growled you-know-who.

  “Alright, enough female bonding. I’za, can you repeat what you told Benny and me about the Krap?”

  “Klat. They’re called the Klat.”

  “My bad.”

  “They are aggressive, very large physically, short tempered and resolve every conflict with violence. They are also unimaginative, unsophisticated and unintelligent.”

  “That was so Soo-like. Well done,” complimented Bl’azzz.

  “I’m sorry?”

  “It’s an inside joke. Not important. Tell them the rest.”

  “Life on the Ark was too complicated for the Klat to master. Since they would have no chance of surviving, those that imprisoned them took pity and provided a computer system to assist in their decision making process. I’ve been to their habitat any number of times and found no evidence of the PhoG nor their ability to create them.”

  “Egg, repeat what the Tree told Meggy,” requested Jax’x. I’za’s description tickled some memory but she couldn’t quite place it.

  Sparky answered first. “If ‘its and buts’ were candy and nuts, we’d all have a merry Christmas”

  “What? That’s not right. In fact that’s just gibberish”.

  Egg looked at Sylvia and shook her head. “See what I have to put up with?”

  “She’s got to stop reading earth literature.”

  To Jax’x she said, “Ignore her. The Tree said ‘sometimes bits and bytes can bite you to bits’. Why? Does that mean something to you?”

  Again, Sparky answered first. “Very clever, cat woman. I’ll give you credit where credit is due . . . though it pains me to do it.”

  “All of you,” bellowed Bl’azzz. “Listen up and listen good. Talk like real people talk. I’m not going to warn you again.”

  “Look who’s the grump now,” said the official grump.

  “Come on, guys. You’re driving me nuts. I’ll make a deal with you. If you promise to keep the nonsense to a bare minimum, I’ll tell you a very, very juicy secret.”

  That got their attention.

  “We’ll take the secret first,” declared Bree. “You’ll have to take our word on the nonsense stuff.”

  Egg had been bursting at the seams to share her decision from the moment she had come aboard. “Fair enough. I told Benny that when this is over – this whole Ark of Forever adventure – I want him to pop the question.” She smiled beatifically.

  And other than Sylvia who ran over and gave her a hug, the others just stared.

  To her childhood friend, she said, “Do me a favor and explain it to these dimwitted daffy ducks.”

  “Hey, you know I like ducks.”

  “SYL.”

  “Sorry. What our dearest leader meant was that after this adventure is over, she has asked Benny to propose marriage and, by inference, she will accept.”

  “That’s it?” complained Serenity.

  “What do you mean – that’s it? I’m going to marry the blue footed booby.”

  “Egg-o, we all knew that. It’s been obvious for weeks,” explained Bl’azzz.

  “Oh.” The girl was crestfallen at her sister’s reaction.

  “But, hey, congrats.” The others nodded their agreement.

  “Well, thanks, I guess.” That was even more of a letdown.

  Then Sparky hit a switch on her control panel and “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow” began to play over the speakers.

  Jax’x turned a dial, and out of nowhere, confetti started to fall.

  Bl’azzz pulled out and began to play a kazoo of all things. She would have preferred her Booya-base, but she had forgotten to bring it.

  Bree went to a sideboard and brought out the Champagne and glasses.

  Tee’ka had a veil and put it on Egg’s head.

  I’za just stared in complete bewilderment.

  Egg cried . . . and laughed . . . and cried some more.

  And they all hugged and congratulated the bride-to-be.

  Chapter 7 – Slithering Sack of Silly

  The celebratio
n took a half hour but the explanation for I’za took a bit longer.

  “So the only question that can be ‘popped’ is the one where the man asks you to marry him?”

  “Yup.”

  “And why is that?”

  “No idea. By the way, on Jax’x’s planet, the woman asks the man to marry.”

  “That is absolutely as it should be,” added the former Librarian. “If you leave it up to the man it simply may never happen. Men are so unreliable about such things.”

  No one chose to argue . . . because no one disagreed.

  “How about the Gek’a?” asked Bree. “How does it work with your people?”

  “First, there is neither formal ceremony nor celebration. Marriage is simply a mutual commitment between two people and of no concern to anyone else. Second, it only requires either party to ask the other for a kiss. If it is so consummated, then that’s it.”

  “Wow, I guess I have about six husbands then,” quipped Sylvia.

  “You’ve kissed six guys? When?” demanded her best friend, more than a little surprised at the revelation.

  “Think of it as an ongoing and exhaustive experiment. You know how I am . . . anything for science.”

  “Sylvia Hampton, shame on you.”

  “It was just kisses.” Then she mumbled “mostly”.

  “No, not that. Shame on you for not telling me.”

  “I tried texting you but my cell phone coverage only reaches Pluto.”

  I’za and Jax’x opened their mouths simultaneously to ask what that meant but Sparky cut them off. “Don’t bother. Trust me.”

  “Listen up, everyone,” requested Egg as she tapped her champagne flute. When they all quieted down, she continued. “First, thank you so, so much for all this. It was perfect. Needless to say, you are all going to be bridesmaids at the wedding.”

  “Egg?” That was Jax’x.

  “It’s part of the ceremony. You all get outfitted in identical dresses and, well, I’ll explain the details later.”

  “Egg-o, I ain’t wearing no dress. Not even for you.”

  “Sorry Bl’azzz, I forgot. We’ll figure something out.”

  “Thanks. Oh, just be sure to make Soo wear one.”

  “That’s cruel,” said Sylvia.

  “Oh yeah,” agreed the dragon with a big, toothy grin.