The nights in the desert had a way to make a man feel alone. I opened a can of peaches, looking across the late evening sky. A light appeared on the horizon; I got this feeling in the pit of my stomach. I wish it to be Dorn, or anyone coming to take me back. I’ve said I was born on Earth, but my home was on Boldlygo. A planet now seemed a lifetime away. Somewhere in the night, I fell asleep.
The morning on the desert was as the night; it had its ways. I had just poured my first cup of coffee when Pam drove up with Lori. Lori went to her dads. Pam came to my mobile. I could see she had been crying. It would have appeared she had been crying for a while.
“Bad news,” she said.
“I already know, Pam, Grady is dead.”
She asked me, “How do you know?”
I explained the incident at the store with Henery. I told her how Henery killed the Palatonian. “Before he died, he told us how he beat Grady to death.”
Pam said, “Bullshit Tyler, not another God damn alien story. I can’t believe a grown man would believe in bullshit. Doctor Jones is gone too.” I looked at her. “We were making our rounds when a man came in asking for him. Tyler, I swear he was dressed just like you explained before. He told doc he had a sick friend. Doc went with him and never returned.”
I said, “Maybe he went home.”
Pam said, “Maybe.” Pam sat down on the sofa. I told her I’d be back, I need to find Henery.
She tossed me her keys. “Take my car,” she said.
“Pam, I don’t know how to drive a car. We have no cars on my world.”
Pam said, “Tyler, you mean, you can fly a damn spaceship, yet you can’t drive a car?”
I replied to her by saying, “In space, I don’t worry about hitting or running into anything.”
Pam expressed, “Fine, I’ll drive you.” As we started the car, Lori and Lee came out.
“Tyler, my dad just told me one hell of a story,” Lori said.
I replied, “It’s no story, Lori, it happened.” Lori and Pam just looked at each other.
I got to find Henery. I wasn’t sure where he would be. Carlsbad wasn’t that big, so he could only be in a few places. Pam drove into the village in front of the station. Henery was sitting in his car. I walked over to him.
I asked Henery, “Have you seen Doc?”
Henery said, “No, I haven’t. Did you see the lights last night?” I told him I did, but they were not for me.
I asked Henery, “You want to ride out to Doc’s place?”
He asked, “What about them?”
I said, “Let them tag along, or go back to my place.”
Pam said, “Hell, I’m in. Hell, I wish I was a newspaper reporter; I’d be rich.”
I said to Pam, “That’s all I need, a reporter hanging around. I’ve asked everyone to go about their business.
Pam said, “Hell Tyler, how can we, when you and the police shot and killed a God damn alien? Old man Mac almost killed one, so tell me Tyler, how the hell are we supposed to carry on our normal business?”
Pam was quiet for several minutes. Through tears, Pam said, “A friend of twenty-five years has died. You say it was a God damn alien. I say bullshit, there’s something else. You’re in something else, the government. That’s it! you work for the frigging government.”
I looked at her. “Pam, I do not work for no government on Earth, I swear.”
Henery stood up. “Pam, Lori, Lee, what Tyler said is the truth, I swear. You will see soon.”
Old Lee said, “I believe him.”
Pam said, “Hell, he’s got to you too.”
Henery said, “Tyler wrote a letter to his parents in England. They’ll come here, then ask them. I myself also believe just from what my mother told me before she died.”
Lori said, “What I don’t understand is why are you people here on Earth. Tyler, if this planet is so real and so good, why leave?”
I said, “The humans want to come each time we send a ship to Earth; they stay here. If anyone wants to come back, they are at a given place just like here in Carlsbad and Roswell. You will see it’s like you take a vacation to another place. When I return, I’ll ask Dorn to go with me to Vernon. I’ll see if we can find some of Grady’s people and let them know.” Lori was shaking her head.
I stated, “We have been taking people and bringing people here for over five thousand years. Maoke’s first mate was from Earth.”
Pam said, “Yes, Tyler, I know. That’s what you said.” I told Henery we need to go. I want to find Doctor Jones.
The morning was warming up, spring was in the air. Driving down the road, I told Henery I sure wish I had a cup of coffee.
Henery said, “Yeah, me too.” Doctor Jones lived six miles out of town between Artesia and Carlsbad. Henery turned into his drive. I thought, nice place. There were big poplar trees all around, and several horses.
Henery asked, “Is there horses on Boldlygo?” I told him not that I’ve ever seen. Stopping in front of the house, a small dog ran off the porch to greet us. Going up the steps, doc met Henery and me.
Doc. walked to the porch swing. He said, “Tyler, last night in the lab, I was working on the body, just as you showed me. This man came into the lab and took the body. He told me he would come back for me unless I told him where you were. I sat in the lab for hours. Around midnight, I came home. There was light in the southern sky. I stayed home today just waiting. You know Tyler, I’m not sure what I’m waiting for.” We stayed with doc for an hour, talking. He made coffee that made my morning.
I asked him before we left, “Did the Palatonian ask my name?”
Doctor Jones said, “No, not that I can recall.” I stood in silence for a moment.
“Well, I know Grady didn’t talk, he died. I know the ship got away. The only way they know I’m here, they saw the shuttle when I come into the Earth’s atmosphere. At least you’re fine, doc. That’s why we’re here.”
“Tyler, son, be careful. I’m leaving town, I can’t wait.”
Henery asked, “Where are you going, doc?”
Doctor Jones was silent for a moment. “El Paso or Bliss, I heard the army is looking for doctors. I’m leaving.”
I told doc when he gets settled, let me know. “If you still want to go with us, I’ll come get you.”
Henery talked about the planet and Ren on the way back to my mobile. He asked of the city. I told him it was a Huge city, with buildings that seem to reach the sky. “We have no cars or any kind of transportation. We walk everywhere, of course, it was all together. Wait till you see it, you won’t believe it.”
Henery said, “I’m scared to death, space never thought I’d go there.”
“I asked Dorn once about the city. He said the city was for everyone. I had at the time never been to the city. I was only fourteen at the time before I got stranded on Earth; I would go often.”
Henery said, “Well, Tyler, I’m kind of glad you got stranded here. Now I can go see my father. He would be my father, right?” I told him just as Kira is Dorn’s daughter.
Henery said to me, “I noticed you hardly talk about Ren, why is that?”
“Henery, Ren never says much. Ren and Ira were the two oldest on the council. They were also the oldest elders. Don’t let it fool you, they both were excellent pilots. The natives on council hardly come because of the humans. They know without the humans, their race would have died long ago. I read in the archives how Bota and Maoke brought the humans there, that’s why they built the city; it was for the humans.”
Henery said, “Tell me about Tressa.”
I told Henery as we rode along, “She would be a teenager by now. Tressa is very beautiful, very intelligent. Kira doesn’t school her because she is a genius. Henery, you must understand everyone on the planet is very intelligent natives and humans.”
Henery said,
“The reason I’m asking, Tyler, is to better understand what I’m going into.”
I said, “I know, Henery. If I did not love April so, I’d go for Tressa. I love April, yet she may not feel the same, only time will tell.” It was late when we returned to my mobile. Pam was sitting on the steps.
Henery looked at me. “Man, for someone that doesn’t believe, she sure is here a lot.”
“Yeah, really,” I said. Lori was at Lee’s; she came over when we pulled up.
Lori asked, “Did you find him?”
Henery answered, “He was at home.”
Pam asked, “What did he tell you?”
“Doctor Jones told us he was leaving Carlsbad. He said he would keep in touch.” Lee walked up the steps in his old t-shirt jeans and coughed badly. I told Lori he is getting worse.
Lori said with a harsh voice, “He needs to stop smoking. Tyler, will you talk to him?”
I told her, “It would help when he goes with me. He will be fine, I promise you.” Lori just looked at me. I walked to the stove and made a coffee.
Lee said, “Man, I was going to ask you to do just that.”
I smiled. “Omega will love coffee. I’ll tell him it’s a man’s drink.” Some reason while I was standing at the stove, my mind went to Marie. She would be eighteen, she is a grown woman. I hope she is doing well. I know Dorn and Leah will look out for her. Looking out the window, the day was coming to an end. It was almost sundown; the night had come to the desert again. Tomorrow is Monday, everyone had to work.
Everyone had left. I turned the lights off after my bath. I sat on the bed, got lost in meditation. I found myself calling Marie’s name. My eyes closed, “Marie, hear me.” Across the galaxies and universes, my sister and I joined in minds. “Marie, hear me. I have sent for our parents, I hope they make it. Marie, tell April –“ Suddenly a loud noise, someone was at the door. I walked to the front. Opening the door, it was Mr. Sams.
“What is wrong?” I asked.
“Tyler, you must leave here for your own safety. Tyler, you must leave here tonight. Gather a few things; I’ll see you safely to the bus depot.” Turning on a light, I sat down at the table.
Mr. Sams said, “Tyler, please, you’re our only hope of getting back.”
“Mr. Sams, if I die here, Dorn will still come. I’m tired of running. Mr. Sams, when I crashed in that crater, I decided to live and wait here. I tell you if I must fight, I will fight. Why would you want me to leave anyway? The Palatonians don’t know me. They know nothing of you, in fact, I’m sure they don’t know you’re from Boldlygo. I doubt if they think you are from any planet except Earth.”
“They know, Tyler,” he said.
“Mr. Sams,” I said, “let them come. You need to leave; don’t come here again. I can handle them if they come.”
Mr. Sams left. I turned off the lights, went back to bed. I got caught up in a deep meditation trying to reach out to Marie. I found myself in a place I’ve never been. Whose mind was I in? whose place was I at? Where was I? Then I remembered I was in the lab. It was dark, I didn’t understand. Mekon, Mea, April, where was everyone?
“Marie, hear me, please hear me.”
A voice called to me. “I hear you, Tyler.” Our minds crossed as we stood facing each other. My thought was going crazy, my heart was racing as we touched hands.
Marie asked, “Tyler, are you well?” I told her I was.
Marie said, “Tyler, we are coming.”
“April is well, she is with me.”
“Marie, I’m sorry about Roberto, please tell her.”
“Tyler, did you know she cares for you?” she said.
I replied, “I didn’t know, Marie. I’m in trouble, Palatonians are here with the Centaurians. They have killed a dear friend, he was from Vernon, he was born on Earth. I jumped out of bed, what was happening? I thought, wow!
I sat for several minutes before I laid back down. I stared at the ceiling, then thought of Mr. Sams. I wondered why he would drive all the way here just to tell me to leave. I wasn’t going anywhere. The clock face showed two o’clock. I drifted off to an uneasy sleep. I remember waking several times; each time was only to see it had been only just a few minutes. Somewhere in the early morning, I was sleeping well when I woke up.
The sun was coming up over the desert, to the east. It looked cold this morning. I looked at Lee’s place. Looks as if he was still asleep. I thought, might as well get up. Walking to the stove, I placed the pot on for coffee. Henery pulled up. I watched him sitting in his car. Several minutes later, I pushed up the window.
“Henery,” I said in a low whisper, “Henry, Henery, I’m up, come on in.”
The coffee was heating up. Walking through the door, Henery greeted me with a good morning. I told him of Sams’ visit.
Henery said, “Sams told you they were coming, Tyler, here.”
I told him not in so many words, “He just wanted me to leave.”
Henery asked, “Is that all, Tyler?”
I replied, “Yes.”
Henery stated, “Tyler, Mr. Sams was found on the side of the road this morning. The state brought him to the hospital. He was in bad shape.”
I went for my shoes and t-shirt. “Let’s go.”
Henery insisted, “Tyler, I can’t let you go there. You’re being watched. I spotted them this morning, parked by the sign at the entrance to the park.”
I asked Henery, “Have any idea who it is?”
Henery insisted, “Well, I don’t think it is aliens. There is a car with government tags.” I wondered why the government would be watching me.
I suggested to Henery, “You’re the police here, go ask them. Better yet, let’s both go. I’ll ask the question.”
Henery replied, “I don’t know, Tyler, that would draw a lot of attention. That is something you said you don’t want.” I told Henery to watch and learn. I gave Henery a cup of coffee. We sat for an hour then decided to go.
“Wait, I got a better idea. Is Lee up?” Henery asked.
I peered through the window. “Yes, he is,” I said.
“Call him over,” Henery explained what to do. “Since they don’t know you, Lee and I will leave then watch.”
Henery and Lee left the park as planned. I stayed behind. I took Lees’ old gun, went to the back of the mobile and waited. Staring out the window, sure enough, here they came. They thought I left with Henery. I stepped into the small closet.
My front door opened. I heard them say, “Look around, make it quick. That cop might be back with him.” Stepping out with that big gun, the look on their face was at a total surprise. The two stood at my stove, suddenly went for their sidearm. I stopped them.
I said, “Mister, you ever see what a gun this size can do to the human body? Now your weapons, take them out slowly, place them in the sink then step away.
Henery saw the car stopped at my place. He stopped, watched them go in. Turning around, he came back. Old Lee came in behind Henery with a smile on his face as big as Texas. I had already moved to the sink. I told them, “You fellows, sit. I’ll give you a cup.”
The one that was doing the talking said, “You’re making a big mistake.”
I smiled. “Well, looks as you made the mistake. Breaking and entering, trespassing, let me see what else.”
“Look,” the one said, “We are U.S. Marshals.”
I looked at him, “You should know better than to go in a man’s home.” Lee and Henery came in.
Old Lee said, “Tyler, I forgot to load that old gun.”
The one said, “That thing is empty?” He made a move to the sink.
Henery pulls his. “I assure you, mine is loaded.”
I looked at Lee. “It’s not loaded, Lee.”
Lee said, “Sorry, son.” Henery asked them to identify themselves. Both men got up, took t
heir badge, showed them to Henery.
Henery said, “Gentlemen, do you have a warrant?”
Answering Henery, “We don’t need one, we’re federal agents.”
Henery told them, “In New Mexico, you need one. This is still part of the United States. The warrant must state what you’re looking for. I’ve been the law here for a long time; that’s the way it’s always been.”
I asked them, “Why are you in my home?”
Replying, “Looking for something,” they said.
I mentioned, “That doesn’t give you the right to enter a man’s house without a warrant.” The one that did the talking was a big man.
I asked his name. “My name is Roger,” he said.
His weapon in my hand, I asked him again, “What do you want here?”
He replied, “A young man was killed three nights ago in Roswell.” I knew who they were talking about.
I said, “His name was Grady, he was a friend of several that live here.”
Roger said, “Well, that’s why we’re here to talk to you.”
Lee said, “Bullshit, if you wanted to talk to him, why did you wait till you thought he left then come in his house? That’s just plain bullshit.”
They looked at me. “I agree, why didn’t you just knock on the door?”
Roger suggested, “Look, we’re just trying to put the pieces together.”
I asked him, “How did you know Grady was my friend?”
The marshal answered, “We found your name in his pocket. Look, you don’t seem to be broken up over your friend’s death.”
I told him, “I only met him several months ago; wasn’t like we were brothers. He was a good friend. I don’t look at death the way you do. To me, death is eternal rest. Now marshal, anything else?”
“Well, now that you mentioned it, we heard you were from another planet.” I started laughing so hard I had to sit down. Thinking all the time, “Man, if you only knew.”
I looked at them. “Sir, I was born in Cambridge, England twenty-four years ago, this Friday. I have written my folks a letter to let them know I’m here; wish them to come live here with me, maybe buy some land.”
The Staff of Ira Page 7
