Speakers: Alsoo Ascendant

By Henry A. Burns

While the Alsoo refugees on Earth learn about and explore their new home world, those Alsoo that remained behind explore a home world changed beyond recognition.

Both groups will find new dangers and new obstacles to overcome as they seek to rebuild their lives…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: May 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781645759706

Henry A. Burns

Henry Burns was born in 1953 to Edward and Phyllis Bernstein later Burns. His father was a photographer and his mother was a housewife who used to paint and draw. His earliest years were spent in the company of his grandfather and grandmother. His grandfather would tell him stories from the old country or invent new ones on the spot. His grandfather used to tell him stories about the ‘ceiling which was no ceiling’ and the ‘sunshine car’ a vehicle that ran on milk.

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About the Author

Henry A. Burns was born in Brooklyn, New York. He wrote his first story, The Sunshine Car, when he was five. He studied drama and acting in junior high and high school to get over his innate shyness. After college, writing was put on hold to pursue a career. Now retired, he lives in San Francisco with his wife, his cats, and three bearded dragons. Speakers is his third published book.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my grandfather, Herman Gelber, who told me stories when I was a child that fired the imagination, called sparks angels, and instilled in me a love of all things fantastic.

Copyright Information ©

Henry A. Burns 2022

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Ordering Information

Quantity sales: Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address below.

Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data

Burns, Henry A.

Speakers

ISBN 9781645759690 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781645759683 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781645759706 (ePub e-book)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022901542

www.austinmacauley.com/us

First Published 2022

Austin Macauley Publishers LLC

40 Wall Street, 33rd Floor, Suite 3302

New York, NY 10005

USA

[e-mail]

[phone]

Acknowledgment

I would like to acknowledge the influence that Bob Marley and his music had on my life and this work. His music spoke of the aspirations of an oppressed people. I tried to capture some of that emotion in my stories.

Prologue

He remembered being Jeremy Blunt, and he remembered dying. He remembered closing his eyes for the last time, he remembered…fading away and not caring that he was fading away. He remembered an eternal nothing. And in that eternal nothing there came a call, a summons, a plea…a demand, and his eyes opened. He found himself looking into the eyes of an angel.

Hello, Mei, he had said.

Hello, Jeremy, the Chinese woman had replied. She was petite, barely over four and a half feet in height, with long auburn hair and large hazel eyes. We’re dead, you know.

You’ve been here longer; is it heaven or hell? Jeremy asked.

I really can’t say, replied Mei Lin. I was kinda asleep for most of it, I sorta remember talking to you in my sleep and then, pfft, there I was sweeping the steps of this temple and speaking to our granddaughter for the first time, she said. To be honest, I thought I was still dreaming and just went along with it. She stood up and reached down and pulled Jeremy to his feet.

He looked around and realized he was standing on the steps of the Temple of Light. He looked out and saw thousands of red and green crystal snakes looking at him and he could feel their worship. It was an overwhelming and almost physical force and he felt his body absorb the force and then something shifted inside.

Mei Lin rose into the air and her arms spread apart, a broom appeared in her right hand. A wind sprung up and raised her long hair straight above her. Then in a reverse wave from tip to roots, her hair turned white. She lowered to the ground.

I am the Path Maker, I make redemption’s path, she promised.

I am the Spirit Speaker, I guide those who follow redemption’s path, Jeremy intoned.

Path Maker path make, Spirit Speaker hand take, the red and green snakes pledged, brave be we, good path follow action make we this time all time. They slapped their chests in unison. Pledge-oath!

Chapter 1

Sol System, Earth, Northern California, Alsoo Territory, White Citadel, Red Section

Second-Son-Third-Born woke and slowly uncurled. Like many of those Alsoo who had been recently rescued from Burrow-Home, Second-Son-Third-Born experienced frequent panic attacks and become, as the Alsoo referred to it, ‘fear sick’.

A fear sick Alsoo would suddenly curl into a tight ball and go through an uncontrollable emotional storm. Sometimes, the episode would last for a few seconds or a few minutes, though in the worst cases, it could take hours, even with a healer assisting, before the attack would end.

Second-Son-Third-Born was lucky in that the majority of his bouts with being fear sick occurred in the evenings and while he was in the den he shared with the grab-hand of unmated warriors that had come from Burrow-home at the same time.

Waste, he gasped. Second-Son slowly and carefully extricated himself from the entwined mass of warriors and sidewinded carefully over to the food preparation area. His sensitive ears picked up a faint rhythmic sound, like the breathing of some giant beast. Visions of being inside the maw of some unseen eater threatened to bring on another panic attack.

He tried the deep breathing exercises the healer had suggested and to his relief, the fear receded. It one split-tail maker magic, he told himself. Air sweet make action have it, he reminded himself. Good maker magic it be.

The den was dimly lit by a single fat-light burning in its niche in the far wall. Light or dark, most dens kept at least one light burning at all times and the first thing Second-Son did was check the fat-light itself. Satisfied that the tallow candle burning in the center would last the morning, he sidewinded over to a large wicker construction. The woven branches held a large ceramic jar and was designed to allow the jar to tilt easily.

Second-Son picked up a smaller jar from a rack and filled it with water from the larger jar. He picked up a mug and sidewinded over to a round platform that served as an Alsoo table and placed the jar and mug there. He made a second trip to the food area and returned with a small stack of the Alsoo bread known as flats, a carrot, and some leftover fellel-chrr¹ in a wooden bowl. A wooden spoon stuck out of the bowl.

He coiled up in front of the platform and clapped his hands together twice. Thanks make me, food have me this time, remember have me that time food have me no time. He clapped his hands together twice again and proceeded to eat his breakfast.

He was nearly finished when other Alsoo warriors began to slither and sidewind into the food preparation area. Second-Son paused in his eating to retrieve a second fat-light and light the candle in the center from the flame of the first fat-light, then opened the oven.

There were some coals still glowing redly and he added some tinder and dry wood and restarted the fire. A second warrior sidewinded over with a basket of charcoal. Second-Son tapped his chest in greeting and returned to his breakfast.

The rest of his den-mates were entering the food preparation area. With a couple additional fat-lights lighting the area, he could clearly see everyone’s faces. Most looked as if their sleep was anything but quiet.

Second-Son got up again and filled another jug from the water holder and placed it over the cooking grate. He sidewinded to a basket set on a shelf and looked inside. He waved his hand and reached in and took out a handful of dried yellow flowers. He put those in the heating jug and placed a lid on the jug and returned to the remnants of his breakfast.

A warrior placed a small ceramic jar on the platform. "Sweet-sip², he said in identification. Healer speak action³," he added with a slight smile. Second-Son waved a hand and cleaned his spoon before dipping it into the jar. He carefully placed the spoon into his mouth.

Huuuuuu, he warbled in ecstasy.

Truth-oath, agreed the warrior. Like have me this Healer speak action, he said in approval and took a spoonful of the honey. Huuuuuu, he warbled. The Alsoo warrior sighed and then clapped his hands together twice. Thanks make me, food have me this time, remember have me that time food have me no time. He clapped his hands together twice again.

Thanks make me, echoed Second-Son as did several other warriors. Some repeated the entire phrase.

Second-Son checked on the tea. Normally, he would have just brought the heated pot to the table but he had always found a jar large enough to heat water for all his den-mates at the same time, too large to be handled easily.

He had looked at the tilting water holders for his inspiration and had made a version where the jar was easily removable.

He quickly placed the jar in the water holder and lashed it secure with some leather strips. He slithered to a rack and removed two hands of smaller jars. He held his breath as he carefully poured the hot tea from the large jug into the smaller jars. He waved a hand in triumph.

Tall that be, brother, a voice said from behind.

Second Son turned his body. Question? He asked. He lowered his body in reflex when he realized that this people was a stranger.

Calm feel have, brother, the stranger said in a reassuring voice. He pointed at the hot water holder with a hand that held a massive hammer with a shining red stone head. Tall that be, he said in approval. Big think have you.

Easy-easy, Second-Son replied. He couldn’t help but stare at the overly thick arms on the stranger.

The stranger grinned an Alsoo grin; open mouthed and head-feathers fluffed, and waved a hand in agreement. Truth oath, he said. Big good new think have all time easy-easy be, he continued, big fun new think have be-like that, he said, like have you Earth, question? He asked abruptly.

Strange be, Second-Son replied.

Truth-oath, agreed the stranger in a cheerful warble. Sky blue color have, he pointed out in a quiet lilt. Like Burrow-Home that be, he said, and Light have they warm feel make have.

Sky see action make me not, Second-Son replied. See action make me not Light have,

Sad that be, replied the stranger. Light gold color have it, truth-oath, Sun yellow color have.

Sun, question, asked second son.

Split tails light time sky light Sun name have, the stranger said. Big thing not, big thing be Earth, he said. Sky blue color have, Sun warm feel have make it, water sweet taste have, food good taste have. Much-much have you, He gave Second Sun a quizzical look. Happy feel have you not, question-question?

Home it be not, Second Son replied.

Truth, agreed the stranger, home it be not, home belong we bad feel have it this time, he reminded Second Son, people this time live action need have make this place Earth name have it, Burrow-home heal action time need have, time come, people home go action make. Long time come have, maybe-maybe.

The stranger wrapped a companionable tail over Second Son’s tail. people need have strong grow action make, learn action make much-much new show all, people need have tall be, He pointed to Second Son’s hot water holder.

Need have we much-much big good new think have, he said. The stranger rose up high. Tall be, brother, he said and sidewinded out of the food preparation area and out of the den.

Second-Son stared after him before he ruffled his feathers and brought the smaller jugs to the table. Speak action make me people belong not this place, Second-Son said in apology. Tea hot feel have. He placed the jugs on the table. Red stone hammer have he, remember have me this time. He continued, Burrow-home see action make me warrior shiny red stone hammer have.

Truth Hunter name have he, big maker he, commented a warrior, Princess friend belong he.

Sol System, Earth, Northern California, Alsoo Territory, White Citadel, Green Section

White Cloud was coiled up in the main chamber of her new three chamber den. When she had arrived on Earth she had been housed with twenty-six other young, unmated females. It was crowded and noisy and the lines for the bathing area was always long and when there was the announcement that there were a number of smaller chambers available she had jumped at the chance.

And now she stood in the middle of her new den and wasn’t sure what to do next when a work group sidewinded into her den. One, the leader, sidewinded forward and briefly covered his eyes respectfully.

Greetings make me, said the earnest young Alsoo. By his lack of scars and robust build he was obviously an Earth born as just as obviously White Cloud, a thin and scarred Alsoo female, was a recent refugee from Burrow-Home. Coiled up behind the young Alsoo were a half dozen more young males and all obviously Earth born.

Greetings, White Cloud replied cautiously.

Princess send action make, the young Alsoo male continued. He looked at a mash-flat affixed to a flat board he carried. White Cloud name belong you, question? He asked. The woman waved a hand in a cautious yes though she did rise up at hearing her name.

Greetings, White Cloud, the young Alsoo said. He looked at the mash-flat. This speak action make new home gift get action have not, The young male smiled. Know have me, this place time-time dizzy-think have make, he said sympathetically. Much-much new this place same-same feel have, he said. The female waved a hand in agreement.

Much-much new there be, time-time know have not place action go, know have not kind have action make, she admitted.

Worry feel have not, the young male replied. Task belong me, help action make we new this place home make action make be-like, he waved a hand and the two hands of males came forward.

Each male carried something. They started placing jars and baskets in front of the woman. Get action make you this time, one big jar seed eater dry-make, one big jar fruits dry-make, one big jar greens dry-make, one small jar grubs dry-make, he said as the males placed their burdens in front of the female. "One family set eat action things; two hand bowls, two hand cups, two hand spoons, two split-tail-make kitchen knives, he smiled, that big good," he said in a confiding voice.

"One set floor covers, he smiled. This time this be big good new thing, one little jar clean-make, face clean action have it, feathers clean action have it, use action make you bathe action time, he said and then pulled a small jar from his carry sack. Last thing, one little jar, sweet sip," he said in much the same tones a conjurer uses when he produces flowers from his sleeve.

The woman stared at the jars, baskets, and rolled up pelts and rugs in shock. Much-much, she gasped.

Little-little, countered the young man. This place, Earth name have it, much-much have. He pointed to the pile of goods. This all-all get action have, he rose up to forestall any objection. Princess want have people all-all happy feel have.

Big-big pretty face have she, the woman said in a voice filled with awe. Sing action make she that time, think have me sky spirit hear action make me, she said. The woman warbled a sigh. Time-time think have me dark-time story have me that time. She laughed nervously. Time-time think action have me this place spirit home.

The young man waved a sympathetic hand. Much-much think action have same-same, he agreed. Know have me this be live action time, know have me this place real be, this place home belong me, he said. Know have me not Burrow-Home. He briefly covered his eyes at the woman again.

Know have me this, people tall be, he said and rose up proudly. Father belong me Burrow-Home born he, big brave warrior he, he briefly covered his eyes again. This time see action make me new people this place, see action make much-much father and mother be-like, big brave they be, he said in admiration.

He pointed at the jars and baskets. This time food give action make we, things give action make we, rest time need have you, know have we this. Mother belong me speak action make, this time same-same be-like that time have she, he waved a hand in agreement.

This time rest time. Time come, little-little time see action make you, strong be you, he smiled again. Hurry action make not, he said. Go action need have make me this time, Tall be, White Cloud. The young man turned and signaled to his team to head to the next stop.

Wait, the female said. Name have you, question?

The young male covered his face with his hand. Time-time dizzy think have me, he muttered. Sleek name belong me, he said, Sleek, Centurion son, Speaker son, proud be me, Cobra, father belong me, proud be me, Sunrise, mother belong me, number one name make she, he said in introduction. He warbled a laugh. Long it be, Sleek use action make you.

Thanks make me, Sleek, the female said. Good feel have me this time.

Sleek smiled and waved a hand. Tall be, White Cloud, he repeated and sidewinded out of the chamber. The young Alsoo woman sidewinded to the entrance of her den and watched the group of young males as they sidewinded away.

She reentered her den to put away the supplies she had been given. She knew the young male had said it was little-little but she now had enough food to last her weeks, not to mention the beautiful jars the supplies came in. Red with green lids, their presence somehow made the food area feel like a home.

---

A Rynn dish of grains and fruit↩︎

Honey↩︎

An aphorism, literally Doctor’s orders.↩︎

Chapter 2

Light System, Burrow-Home High Orbit, Defense Satellite One, Command Center

Intrusion Alert! Intrusion Alert! rang out the automated warning system.

Report, snapped Captain Alexander Edwards, commander of Burrow-Home defense. Youthful as all Colony members were, he seemed barely old enough to have finished high school let alone being Captain of a defense satellite, but in truth he had just celebrated his forty-fifth birthday the month before.

He had been twelve when he had met Jeremy Blunt and had ended the feud his family had had with the Blunts. In the years that followed, he had thrown himself into trying to undo as much damage his grandfather had caused as he could.

Despite being Malcom Coolidge¹’s grandson, no one questioned his loyalty or motives. When he had turned eighteen and took over as head of the Coolidge family, his first decisions were to make a formal alliance with Mel Blunt, apply for membership in the Colony and then joined the Colony defense force.

More than anyone, including the Colony’s inner circle, Alexander knew how important the Alsoo were to Jeremy and had volunteered for this assignment. He had taken command less than a year after the Alsoo had been rescued and once the first, this, defense satellite had been completed. Except for a required annual one month rotation back to Earth he had remained on duty ever since.

There were now two defense satellites and the fully functioning remote sensor array providing even greater warning time than before.

Hyper-wave footprint, Captain, replied a bridge tech. automatic sensors are analyzing, she added. Dammit, more bugs, she complained. Looks like a thousand raider class craft. She said, They don’t learn, do they?

Captain Edwards frowned. No, they don’t and they should, he replied. Lt Rainbow After a Storm, let’s give the bugs a nice warm Burrow-Home welcome, shall we?

Lieutenant Rainbow After a Storm laughed in response. You humans, she said in amusement. Her bright pink crest flared aggressively. Bringing automated defense system to full response mode, she reported. If they follow their normal pattern, there should be a second line of craft coming out of hyperspace just about—

Intrusion Alert! Blared the automated warning system.

Right on schedule, Lieutenant. Captain Edwards said. What have we got?

Analyzing, Lt. Rainbow After a Storm replied. Hmm, that’s interesting, she said, it looks like they’re actually trying something new. There’s another thousand raider class ships but they’re linked.

Linked? asked Captain Edwards.

Yes, sir, replied Lt. Rainbow After a Storm, the ships are using some kind of attraction field to connect to the ships nearest them, she said, it’s similar to what you humans keep calling a tractor beam, which it isn’t, but— she said.

Lieutenant, interrupted Captain Edwards.

Sorry, Captain, the Rynn lieutenant replied. As I was saying, they’re using this attraction field to create a matrix that connects the entire assault force, her crest flared. In essence turning their entire force into a single ship.

Does that include their force screens? asked Captain Edwards.

No sir, replied the lieutenant.

That makes no sense, complained Captain Edwards. Their force screens are no match for our weapons, what do they gain… Captain Edwards trailed off. Lieutenant, scan for a singularity, he said thoughtfully.

Lieutenant Rainbow After a Storm gave the captain a sharp look and then chirped to her torque. Spirits weep, she complained after a minute of searching. There it is, she said, how? she asked. Just how?

They’ve tried something similar before, Captain Edwards replied. I know you Rynn keep thinking humans are some kind of race of Espers, but I’m going to have to disappoint you again, he said and smiled. Our enemies are not known for innovation, he pointed out, and they’ve also not had any competition for, probably, ever, he said.

Think about it, he continued. They live on a Dyson object but continue to use fusion reactors instead of the limitless solar power available. They invented hyperdrive and ion propulsion apparently over a hundred thousand years ago and then stopped working on it. Our Franklins are more powerful than anything they’ve shown to date.

I’m not sure I understand, Captain, the Lieutenant replied.

They’re lazy, Captain Edwards replied. They’ve never had to really exert themselves to be ahead of everyone and it shows, he said with a grim smile. He pointed vaguely forward. If I’m right then a couple of drones should be able to penetrate the wall of ships and take control of the craft in the center that’s holding the singularity.

Lt. Rainbow After the Storm frowned thoughtfully as she coordinated repulsing the latest attack by the unknowns. She agreed with the captain that their faceless enemy was predictable, they were. In fact everything the Captain had said was demonstrably true.

She just couldn’t see how he could put all those facts together and come up with there being a singularity in the middle of that mass of ships.

Drones have penetrated the ship wall, she reported. And there it is, she said a moment later. Looks like a standard class C transport.

They’re predictable not stupid, Lieutenant, there’s going to be defenses, Captain Edwards warned.

That was a given, Captain. Lt. Rainbow After a Storm replied.

A human might not have considered that a given, Lieutenant, Captain Edwards replied.

You did, sir, Lt. Rainbow After a Storm shot back good-naturedly. Drones taking incoming, shields are holding, she reported. Correction, we just lost one, she said, evading.

The lieutenant chirped to herself for several minutes as she watched through the drones sensors as they neared the alien craft. Contact, she said exultingly. Spirits bless, she exclaimed a minute later, we’ve penetrated the ship’s computer system, she said. Orders, Captain?

Stop the ship and let’s see what happens, Captain Edwards ordered.

Aye sir, she replied. She’s decelerating.

And the protective ships? Asked Captain Edwards.

Decelerating as well, Captain, the lieutenant replied.

Captain Edwards nodded. Predictable, he said. Lieutenant, contact the Zaski and tell them that some of their livestock has strayed into our territory again and ask them to come get them, he said. Tell them we’re going to have to cull some of them but we’ll try to keep as many intact as we can. Captain Edwards said, In the meantime, let’s take care of the first wave.

Aye-aye sir, Lt. Rainbow After a Storm replied.

Sol System, Earth, Northern California, Alsoo Territory, White Citadel, Red Section

Second-Son-Third-Born was bored. Being bored was a whole new experience and he wasn’t quite sure what he was feeling. He had already eaten twice since he woke, bathed in the shallow pools set aside for bathing, and traveled along the corridor that led to the surface. He had made it all the way to the tunnel mouth this time and had gazed at a sky that was in all respects identical to the one he had always gazed at in the past.

The fresh air and sun light had felt good but he wasn’t ready to leave the safety of the burrow, not even to see the great citadel that was reported to straddle the entrance to the burrow. He had returned to the den he shared with the grab-hand of other unmated males. He spent a sun-step making some additional water jug holders for his den mates and then made another meal.

Second-Son decided to venture out again and travel along the well-lit corridors. He observed that the light came from both clear panels overhead and fat-lights sitting on wall niches. He sidewinded over to one of the fat-lights and just looked at it and tried to see how it was constructed.

He waved a hand at the skill the small maker had shown in creating the paper lantern and judging by the beaded design along the base, an artist as well. He continued down the corridor until he reached a section he had never been in before.

The corridor he had been following ended in a large open space. Second-Son sidewinded into the middle of the open space and turned in a slow circle. The tunnel opening in front of him was ringed in green stone just as the tunnel opening he had come through was ringed in red stone. There was an Alsoo, an obvious local, coiled up on a platform, Second-Son sidewinded over.

The Alsoo rose as Second-Son approached. Greetings, brave one, he said. As was typical of a local, his arms had bracelets and arm bands, his neck had necklaces, and he wore a beaded headband.

Greetings, Second-Son replied. He indicated the tunnel. That place, question? He asked hesitantly. Unsure if he should even be here but at least he was no longer bored.

The Alsoo smiled and then waved a wand over Second-Son’s head. That be green place, live action make you red place this time, he explained. Green place new kind den have, he said. No mate no family have you live place have it, he continued. Small den, three chamber, one bathe action place, one body waste place he said. Small cook action make place, he smiled proudly, brick make oven have it, he said. That big good, he exclaimed.

Good feel have it, question? Second-Son replied, the idea of a private den, just for him, suddenly sounded attractive.

Show action make me, the Alsoo said with an enthusiastic warble. Wait action make this place little-little time. The young Alsoo slithered back to his platform and did something that Second-Son couldn’t quite see and then returned. All good it be, he said. He waved a hand toward the green brick entrance.

They sidewinded through the green bricked entrance. This time have we much-much people, one hand citadel have we this time, need have we new think, people happy feel have make action make. Some number people, need have much-much people close have, some number no people close want have, some number this way that way, the male shrugged an Alsoo shrug of a flicking of his head feathers. Have me one hand and one sisters, one brother, time-time want have me private place.

Second-Son waved a hand in agreement absently, his attention captured by an unusual looking den, this one seemed to be missing a wall and he could see a large number of people inside. He pointed. Question? He warbled.

His guide warbled a laugh. That be good-feel have place, he said and started toward it, split tail think this be, think have me much-much like have feel have you, he promised.

Now that he was inside the odd den, he saw that there were low, round pedestals scattered around the space, and two or hand² people would be curled up around them, most had cups in front of them. At one end of the den was a large pedestal, behind which was a people and a large number of jars. His guide led him directly to the large pedestal.

Greetings make me, centurion, his guide said.

Greetings, Sleek, the male replied. He was an old warrior with white head feathers, heavily scarred but thickly built like a local, This people name have, question? He asked.

Second-Son he be this time, Sleek replied.

Naked he be, the old warrior grumbled. Know have you naked, question? He asked Second-Son. He looked back at Sleek. This place he, question? He asked.

Look action make he, Sleek replied, go action make he green section, he said.

The old warrior looked more closely at Second-Son. Citadel belong you that time, question? He asked.

Stone wall citadel, tail end great plain, replied Second Son. Watcher be me.

Huu, replied the old warrior. Boa speak action make, watcher meet action make he, kill action make he eater, big rock use action make he. Watcher you that be, question?

Remember have me Boa, big brave warrior he, Second-Son said in admiration. Kill action make he much-much eaters, he said and shrugged, think have me kill action make me two hand eaters, maybe-maybe, he stopped as his two listeners both briefly covered their eyes, big thing not, he finished.

Big thing is, the old warrior said gravely, tall be you that light, he turned and picked up a cup and placed it in front of Second Son and filled the cup from a tilting jar, drink action make, he said.

Second-Son picked up the cup and stopped to admire the craftsmanship, it was made of fired clay, smooth and shiny. Big good look have it, he said and took a sip. Second-Son’s eyes widened in shock and his feathers ruffled. Spirits, he gasped. This, question? He asked and took another, larger sip.

Corn-make, replied the old warrior, middle place make action make. He smiled. Good, question?

Big good, agreed Second-Son and took another swallow. He couldn’t help but smile, Think have me big good feel have me this time, he said.

The old warrior waved a hand in agreement. When Second-Son placed the cup on the pedestal, the old warrior refilled it. King Snake name have me, he said,

King Snake, question? Second-Son replied, Centurion name think have me that be.

Good think have you, King Snake replied, Mamba phalanx, he said proudly. He chuckled, This place come action make you much-much time, see action make you all centurions, time-time Mamba come action make this place, he leaned forward, home speak action make you this time, King Snake said. Hear action have me, bad feel have it.

Second-Son waved a hand in agreement. Little-little number seed eaters have it, little-little number sky flyers have it, little-little number grass eaters have it, he said. Time-time water bad taste have, time-time air little-littles have, he lowered his body, bad feel have it, he said and took a larger sip from his cup. King Snake silently refilled the cup.

Thanks make me, Second-Son said. He pointed behind him, Go action make me tunnel this light, he waved an unsure hand, Earth place go action make me, he finished. See action make me sky, blue color have it, He took another sip, long time it be sky blue color have see action make me.

Sky see action make you, tunnel mouth close have, commented King Snake, hand of hand body lengths maybe-maybe, he said and refilled Second-Son’s cup.

Second-Son waved his hand in agreement. Know have me, sky see action make me, air smell action make me, he said, good smell have it, he continued to sip from his cup. Home smell have it not, he said tipsily. He smiled when King Snake refilled his cup.

Good people be you, he said and took another sip. Second-Son leaned drunkenly against the pedestal. Think have me spirit place home smell have. He lowered his head to the pedestal and closed his eyes. He began to snore.

Sleek and King Snake exchanged a look over Second-Son’s head. Spirits, Sleek exclaimed in a whisper.

Remember action make you all time, youngling, rumbled King Snake, he be-like me that time, think have he spirit place this place be, big good pretty place this be, water sweet taste have, food all time have, good taste have it, he waved a hand, spirit home that be, he said.

Father belong me speak action make me, Spirit Speaker speak action make, Sleek briefly covered his eyes, think have he this be bad spirit place.

Spirit speaker think have Earth bad spirit place, question? King Snake asked in shock.

Sleek waved a hand. Father belong me ask action make same-same question that time, speak action make same-same words, he replied. Spirit Speaker speak action make, Spirit home be place Mei Lin have, Mei Lin this place have not, spirit home this place be not. Sleek looked at the sleeping Second Son.

Father belong me speak action make, words knife feel have be-like. Know have he that time this place real be, Sleek covered his eyes again. Spirit Speaker place be he this time, Mei Lin be that place that place spirit home.

King Snake slapped his chest, Truth oath, he said. He waved a hand at Second-Son, Tunnel mouth go action make he, he said in admiration. Big brave he, he tilted his head at Sleek. Action, question? He asked.

Sleek smiled, Number one thing be, green place move action make he, he said. Number two thing find action make we remember have picture, remember have picture show brave one eater kill he that light, he said, number hand thing, name find we.

Brave name need have he, King Snake said seriously.

Sleek waved a hand, Know have me, sister ask action make me.

Princess busy be, warned King Snake.

Sleek smiled, Busy be, he agreed, time-time much-much busy be, sad face have she, he said, find action make me happy feel have task, smile action make, know have me sister belong me, this happy feel have make.

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Malcolm Coolidge was responsible for the death of Mei Lin Blunt and frequent attempts on the life of Jeremy Blunt.↩︎

Hand = 3. Alsoo count, one, two, hand, hand-one, hand-two, etc.↩︎

Chapter 3

Sol System, Earth, Northern California, Alsoo Territory, White Citadel, Great Plaza

Sleek sidewinded out from under the shadow of the White Citadel and paused, his large eyes—adapted for being a diurnal burrow dweller—slowly adjusted to the brighter light, before continuing on his way in a brisk sidewind.

While slithering was the Alsoo equivalent of sprinting, they could still attain an impressive pace sidewinding. However, as the brother of Little Bit, he had an obligation to maintain a certain dignity.

Sleek smiled wryly to himself at the thought of himself being dignified. He remembered clearly the times he’d purposely make funny faces at his siblings until they laughed or sneak up behind them and tickle them to make them jump, no one would ever accuse him as being dignified, yet here he was, a representative of Little Bit’s new order.

The Alsoo didn’t have government beyond the Speaker and his chosen advisors. In the past that meant the strongest individuals would rule. Little Bit was still wrestling with being absolute ruler of over twenty-thousand Alsoo but in the meantime was concentrating on what she called people actions. A series of statements regarding being civilized.

Some were, to Sleek’s mind, obvious, like; people take action not belong not, people ask action make. Sleek didn’t mind lending out his things, but he did want to be asked, even though most of the time he’d say yes anyway. Some were common sense; people mouth clean have all time, and, people hands clean make not eat action make not and some were the cause of his present state of dignity.

People all time need have known have people they be, his sister had said, brother, time-time remember have they not.

Little Bit had kept the refugees on the ship for months before letting any of them disembark. A third citadel