Chapter 709

The Retreat

Karl, Fischer and Phillip in the living room with others.

...”Arlene, I appreciate what you’re trying to do,” Morales said, “but I don’t want to start a relationship with these people without them knowing the truth. I was sent there as a prisoner...”

“But everything you did there was so outstanding that the General pardoned you and gave you land as far as you can see in every direction, not to mention the equipment and supplies he gave you,” Arlene injected. “We visit as often as we can, and the entire area is beautiful, not to mention being filled with exotic animals.”

“That are quite willing to kill you dead,” Morales said, “but ... then again, the meat is free, and we have enough freezer space for a large restaurant. By the way, we have a giant garden in the richest soil you could ever imagine. Also, there is a stream practically in our front yard that is teeming with fish. If you like to shoot, we have rifles and enough ammunition to supply a small army in addition to compound bows and even superb crossbows.”

Phillip returned to the living room, took a seat and rejoined the conversation. “That sounds intriguing, but I’ve had my fill of nature for the moment...” he began but stopped mid-sentence as Lila and Lobo loped into the huge living room to come to a sliding halt with a giggling Selina firmly astride Lila. A surge of adrenalin swept through Phillip’s system before the logical part of his brain took over, and he realized there was little or no danger since Selina was happily, and apparently expertly, riding one of the beasts.

But Lila ignored everyone except Morales. “Lobo want to go exploring in the woods above the, uh Retreat...” she began but was cut off by her mate’s gravelly voice.

“Bored. Want to run. Know rules, but there is no people to top of mountain where we want to go — only small animals that fun to chase, but we promise not to hurt,” he said in a rush, and as usual, his grammar suffered in his excitement.

Morales sighed, ignoring the men who seemed to be frozen in place. “I’ll have to ask Diana first, and I’m sure she will want to tell Security before you go outside the grounds — if she decides to let you go at all. If she says no, then that’s it. No begging. But remember ... you cannot, under any circumstances, go near the driveway. The Matthews get deliveries, and the delivery people might see you. Remember, we told you to listen for vehicles coming up the driveway and to go inside or hide so no one will see you. There are none like you on this planet, and the Earth people will want to know where you came from. Bad things could happen.”

“But they are Earth people,” Lobo reasoned, his speech was now much clearer and his grammar also better as he looked first at Fischer, then Karl before focusing on Phillip, who swallowed hard.

“But they’re all part of us and already know our secrets. Besides, they are all good guys and won’t tell our secrets to anyone.”

Remembering his manners, the huge animal approached the nearest human, much to Phillip’s disgruntlement. “Hello. I am Lobo,” he said, sitting and offering a giant paw to the man.

“I, uh ... I’m Phillip,” the human stumbled out as he wondered what he should say to a giant, talking beast while fighting back a sudden urge to go to the bathroom. As paw and hand met, he felt the giant paw squeeze a little before releasing just as a human would.

With Selina still aboard, Lila walked near and offered her paw to Fischer, whose coloring suddenly tended toward ashen. “I am Lila, and I am pleased to meet you,” she offered.

“I’m Fischer,” he stammered while putting his hand into the maw that was Lila’s paw, all the while desperately hoping he would get his hand back.

Amazing Fischer even more, Lila gently squeezed and released his hand before turning to the next person. When the introductions were over, Lobo turned back to Morales. “We will obey rules, and we will ask Diana for permission.”

“Please,” Morales coached.

“Ask her, please,” the 2214’s version of a giant wolf added.

“Remember, if she says no, then no begging.”

That was harder to agree to, but finally, “I will be good. If we not allowed to go to top of mountain, can we go swimming in the...”

“Pool,” Selina offered.

“Yes, that,” Lobo said.

“Let’s make that decision later. Diana might not want your hair in the pool water,” Morales responded, worried.

“There are showers by the pool, and I’ll help them shower so there won’t be loose hair in the water,” Selina offered.

“Again, only if Diana approves,” Morales cautioned both wolves. Then as an afterthought, “Don’t bother her if she is with our guests, and don’t keep asking if she says no,” he cautioned as he remembered Lobo’s propensity of continuing to ask every few hours until he got the answer he wanted.

“I will remind them to be discreet,” Selina said as the wolves turned as one and trotted out of the living room only to meet Diana, Dessie, Mia and Sophia not far down the hallway. “She is with guests,” Selina reminded Lobo. “You can ask her later. See you guys in a little while,” she whispered to the wolves as she slid off Lila. As the wolves continued down the hallway, the women, other than Diana, of course, stood frozen as the animals passed while continuing to chat.

“What are those, uh...” Dessie started.

“They were talking,” Sophia stammered out.

“We refer to them as wolves,” Diana offered, “and yes, they were talking,” she said with a smile. “The wolves are very intelligent, and between the Miadax translator and Ship’s expertise, Lobo and Lila’s language abilities are coming along nicely.”

“Those aren’t wolves,” Dessie stated emphatically before catching herself. “Uh, I didn’t mean to come across so strongly, but I’ve seen several varieties of wolves, some in the wild as well as others in zoos. Those are at least twice the size of the biggest wolves I’ve ever seen and appear much more powerful. Besides, they were talking to each other — not just mimicking words, but having a discussion.”

“Granted,” Diana agreed, “but I suppose it would be more accurate to say that they are 2214’s equivalent of wolves.”

“But they were just casually chatting with each other,” Mia insisted as she stared down the hallway, “and I think they’re still doing it. They weren’t just repeating words, they were having a discussion.”

“They’re from 2214, which is a near-Earth double in another dimension. We’ll tell you about it in the coming weeks. For now, let’s go check in with the men.”

As the women entered the living room, “You would never believe what we just saw in the hallway,” Dessie began.

“Oh, yes, we would,” Phillip responded with a chuckle, “and Selina was riding one of them. They were asking permission to go to the top of the mountain, also to go swimming in the pool.”

Jasmine grinned as she said, “Since our shower has been installed, they take a shower at least once per day, and more if they are outside and get hot. They love to feel the water pounding down on them. Morales dammed up the mountain stream that runs just below the entrance to our home. It isn’t unusual to hear them jumping off a big rock and into the cool water. It’s something the whole family enjoys on hot days.”

“If I hadn’t just met Lobo and Lila, I would never have believed there are any such creatures walking this Earth,” Phillip commented.

Morales turned to Diana. “I told them they would have to see you about going to the top of the mountain, and I also said to wait until you were alone.”

“They just passed us in the hallway and didn’t say a thing about going,” Diana replied.

“Good, but I doubt if it will last. Lobo might hold off for a while, but sooner or later, he’ll become impatient and ask you no matter how many guests are around,” Morales said with a sigh.

“I’ll contact Security and let them know. If you see Lobo and Lila before I do, caution them to be careful and only leave the grounds to go up the mountain. Also, to stay away from the driveway.”

“I’m sure they’ll be back to ask soon, and I’ll tell them then,” Morales said with a grin.

“Are there many of those, uh, wolves on 2214?” Dessie asked.

“They’re the only two that we’ve had any contact with, but there has to be more of them,” Jasmine commented. “I can’t wait to see the reaction of the alien societies we interact with during our search, especially the scientists, or the alien equivalent,” Jasmine said with a smile.

“Not to change the subject, but do you know when Jeff is due back?” Phillip asked.

“We’re not sure,” Diana responded. “I assume that Arlene and Ann have told you that he and the General went on a resupply mission because a Science Team apparently lost some crucial supplies because of a cave-in — possibly their food, I would assume — but the General wasn’t certain, so they took a total resupply package with them.

“Jeff wasn’t sure of Ship’s speed. Theoretically, she is supposed to be capable of some almost unbelievably fast warp speeds, but she never went past warp 2 when she brought Jeff and his team home from the cavern where she was built. One of the primary reasons for our vacation, besides searching for the race which constructed her brain, is a shakedown cruise to determine her capabilities under varying circumstances.”

Assuming that Phillip and Dessie wanted some private time with their daughter, Mia and Sophia stood. “Diana, if it’s okay with you, Fischer, Sophia and I would like to take a stroll around the grounds.”

“Would you mind if Glenda and I join you?” Karl asked.

“We would love for you to come with us,” Sophia said.

“Feel free to go anywhere on the grounds, but please don’t go past the gate at the bottom of the drive without letting us know first. Because of the attacks, you will need an escort before going into town.”

When the others had left, Diana went over to the serving cart. “More coffee? It isn’t that far from lunch, but since we’ve all been enhanced...”

After glancing at her husband, Dessie said, “Coffee and one of those sweet rolls would be nice, if you’re going to have something too.”

“Sure, I could eat one,” Diana responded with a grin.

With their coffee fixed, and their snacks in hand, Diana motioned to a love seat. Shall we get more comfortable?” she asked, knowing basically what the two wanted.

Dessie and Phillip took a love seat, and Diana sat across from them. After they all tasted their food, the Clan Queen smiled at the couple and spoke. “We’ve talked on the phone from time to time, but to add to our conversations, your daughter is doing better than any of us hoped in our wildest dreams, and I imagine that includes you too. She was somewhat withdrawn at first and tested us to see what the boundaries were here. We told her that we knew she had an adult mind and beyond, but we also knew that she did not have an adult’s experience — good or bad. We also told her that the two of you loved her deeply, regardless of what she thought, and that we also knew that she didn’t necessarily share that opinion.

“We told her that none of us here violated another’s privacy, and if she wished to leave, she could violate that rule, and she would be gone. There would be no second chance. Other than that, only the normal rules of society applied.

“As I’ve told you, she tried several things to pass the time, and in the beginning, she absorbed several dozen textbooks on various subjects. We provided an account for her with no restrictions, but she said that you had already provided her with far more money than she could ever use. She still studies, but not as constantly, because she has other things to keep her busy now. Things progressed, and she spent some time with me in Ship’s academy. We will go into the details in the coming days and weeks should you accept our invitation and stay with us for a while. But, back to Ship’s academy. You simply enter her training room, lie on one of her comfortable couches and go to sleep. You are suddenly at her academy or wherever she deems appropriate for your training. You have a full background of memories of an entirely different life that is absolutely real to you and whoever is with you. All this time, you are lying safe and comfortable in Ship’s training room. She even exercises your muscles so you won’t have any problem when you awaken.

As I’ve said, time during Ship’s training moves at a drastically different pace than it does under normal circumstances. A few hours of actual time in her training room can equal months of training time. However, it is far, far beyond a dream. It is so real, but there is no easy way to describe it. For all practical purposes, you are there, and what you experience is absolutely real. You will have to experience it to be able to understand it fully. Anyway, we, the two of us, received a mission to destroy a major base in a futuristic war among the stars.