Angelika Queen Of Mars

Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen Our Merry Band of Fellows

Carman accepted my offer to stay out to the house, taking an upstairs room as her own. One evening as we were finishing supper she commented about the uniqueness of the place, I looked at Dori and winked.

"When the time comes and it will be coming very soon Carman, I will tell you more about this place, and those who have sat at this very table. When I was a kid, I read a book by Clifford Simak called the "Way Station," I'm starting to think of this place as sort of a way station."

Before long, Jeff and Gerry were back, this time they had our ole corpsman in tow Ethan Duke. Ethan was from Lexington Virginia in the heart of the Shenandoah Mountains, it had been a long time since I had heard his gentle southern drawl, but he's saved a lot of lives during our time in Afghanistan. Like Carman, he was taken back by Dori's appearance but he had been told nothing, so we now had two people in the dark. Jeff and Gerry had only gotten him to come based on vague promises, and the trust we had built up in Afghanistan.

"Ethan," I stated, "I'm going to tell you the same thing I told corporal Walsh here, I'm asking you to make an incredible leap of faith here, but when you finally get, as Paul Harvey used to call it, "The rest of the story," everything will fall neatly into place, so until then, we work on a training syllabus and wait." While we waited, sergeant Dornan thought it night not be a bad idea to keep up on the physical training, so every morning before the work day began we'd run and do sit-ups. Dori even got into the training as well slowly working up her strength.

Finally, when I was just starting to wonder if Branak was going to return it happened.

One evening we were sitting around the table telling war stories when my ears picked up a slight rumble. Pausing in mid-sentence, Jeff and Gerry knew what I was listening for. When it came again Carman heard it as well,

"Was that thunder," she asked, "This time of year?" We all laughed as Jeff replied,

"You wish corporal," then in his eeriest voice, he said,

"They're heeere!" Carman and Ethan suddenly became concerned as what they thought was thunder was actually something else.

"What!" asked Carman, "What's going on?" By now the low rumble was becoming more pronounced as I calmly stated,

"Looks like I'd better make another pot of coffee, Carman, Ethan; the time has arrived where you two learn the rest of the story." With that I got up turned on the yard lights and went about making more coffee. Carman and Ethan kept trying to pump Jeff and Gerry for more information but they refused to say more.

She then went to the door and began to watch out towards the tree line,

"Hey there's people out there, where did they come from?" Again, we all started laughing

"Corporal, you're precious," said Gerry. I went to the door to welcome our guests, but I wasn't prepared for the first one, Sharla Danth. Dori squealed and rushed to hug her. When she flipped back the hood on her coat Carman's eyes got big as saucers. Being an Averlander Sharla's skin and hair gave her away. In rapid succession the others started coming in, Branak, accompanied by two very serious looking Falthians. A couple more people I didn't recognize, then Moreck and Tarsig, followed by Rek Stirner.

By the time everyone was inside we had a rather full kitchen, all Carman and Ethan could do was stand aside while the rest of us shook hands and welcomed our friends. Finally I turned to the two "outsiders," and said,

"Carman, Ethan, These are the people I couldn't tell you about, with the exception of Sharla and Rek here everyone else is from the planet Falth. Another thing I couldn't tell you is that my wife Dori also comes from beyond the stars, Sharla and Rek here along with Dori come from the planet Grocyra, but are now living on Falth. Moreck Gormeth and Tarsig Salfrig are my bosses in this coffee and peanut operation, Branak Narshu and I'm assuming these other gentlemen are involved in the training part. Through all of this Carman and Ethan had remained speechless; it didn't help that they couldn't understand anyone until Branak said,

"I brought some more Transnanno patches, this is Captain Marpalik Nargana, and lieutenant Darjonic Fennra members of the Marine Corps training staff. This is Sardok Korthal and Temmik Tergis, descendants of two more contractors who wanted to speak with you and possibly locate any of their relatives who might be alive."

For the time being, I gave Carman and Ethan translators to put in their ears, Sharla also explained,

"Sergeant Branak and Moreck there came to me with a request to use the Giuffrida; they showed me a note from Queen Angelika giving them permission as long as a couple of the old crew could go along. Well I was between classes, and Rek got time off from work, that's his girlfriend Traysla Jarsanik who flew us here, she's a test pilot for Andara." I welcomed them all. Carman seemed the most intrigued by Sharla I suppose because of her unusual appearance, I told Sharla,

"She's never seen an "alien" before even though she's been living in the same house with one for a number of weeks now."

I got Branak and his buddies into the living room with my guys to go over the training program while Moreck, Tarsig, Dori, Carman and I talked.

"Tomorrow I'll take you two into town and show you the operation. We've already got coffee and peanuts in storage; I'll explain how we're doing things." I then introduced them to Carman who I was grooming for manager for the times Dori and I would be away. Both Moreck and Tarsig approved of her as well as the way we'd already got things going. I then spoke with Branak and his friends about the training,

"Lieutenant Gandrigg," said Branak, "From what your men have been telling us it sounds like we've got something here, but sergeant Landecker has mentioned something about constructing an entire town, what is that about?" I then went into detail about needing it to properly train troops in house clearing, and moving down streets.

"The more detailed you can make it the better, I don't suppose there's anyplace like that on Falth is there," I asked. The three Falthians looked at each other, until captain Nargana said,

"I think there's an old village on Comac 4, I think it's in the Tharkan mountains somewhere, we'd have to check into that, otherwise we'd have to construct a whole village from scratch probably out near Yedor-rus." my ears perked up,

"Yedor-rus, isn't that the big military scrap yard out in the desert?"

"Yes, do you know of it?" I chuckled,

"There are a few places here in the states that could rival that place, but yeah, Dori and I have been there. Actually, the more miserable you can make the place the better."

I also spoke with Sardok Korthal and Temmik Tergis whose ancestors had come from Kagor.

"My great great great grandmother left notes hoping that some una we could re-connect with relatives here on Kagor," said Temmik. When he told me her name was Weeko I really made his day when I replied,

"Yes, I remember my great great grandfather mentioning her, after the friend of his father's was killed Moreck tried to escape then hiding in a ditch near here, I believe it was Weeko who captured him. She also rode with Branak's ancestor who located the people who had tried to kill the Draaka's and hid out in that cave where we hid the escape pod." It then became very clear not only to Branak but Temmik and Sardok as well just how intertwined all our pasts had been. I told Temmik that since Weeko had been an Indian locating her descendants might be difficult but that there were resources we could explore. Sardok on the other hand was in luck, his ancestor came from the same area as Ethan. Ethan's grandmother was also involved with genealogy and might be able to help locate members of the Carter family.

It was late when things quieted down and people were going to bed. Our visitors went back to their ship while my team racked out in the bedrooms. Before she went to bed I asked Carman,

"So what do you think Carman, I couldn't lie to you but at the same time I couldn't reveal things to you either. Falthians all seem to really love coffee, as well as peanuts, try that beverage they call Ipsha and you'll know why."

"I'm sorry I doubted you sir," replied Carman, "this is absolutely incredible, but is this wise training aliens, I mean what if they try to invade us?" I smiled and shook my head,

I had the same concern, Branak has assured me Falth has absolutely no designs on earth, but I'll be glad to put the question to his buddies." Carman then promised me that she would do all she could to make things a success from her end but felt under equipped because she couldn't speak the language, or understand the Falthian way of doing things. I told her we'd work it all out and not to worry.

The nest morning as we we were warming up for our run Carman said to me,

"Sir, I can understand what everybody's saying how did that happen?"

Peeling the small patch off her neck, I replied,

"I told you Carman, that patch I just took off your neck contained Transnannos that somehow absorb into your bloodstream and enter your brain interacting with your speech and other brain functions making it possible to speak and understand these people. You won't be able to read or write their language yet, that takes study but for now this will get you by." We did our three mile run around the property with the snow making things a little harder but more of a challenge to the Falthian marines who took it all in stride. I kept an eye on Corporal Walsh, but she kept right up with us, Dori as well even singing our chants as we ran. After breakfast, I got my team working with sergeant Branak and his people while Dori, Carman and I took Moreck and Tarsig into town to have a look at what their money was buying.

The ride in was certainly an experience for them, the snow, the Black Hills, and the city of Deadwood all made an impression, especially riding in a vehicle and watching as other vehicles came down the road at you. Since Cluria was nothing but public transportation and private air cars this experience was a little frightening to them. Once at the warehouse, both Falthians praised what we had been able to do, the skids of coffee and peanuts also helped.

I had also purchased a few coffee grinders for them to take back and try out, as well as some coffee makers. The problem with anything electric was the difference with the electrical systems, or as Moreck explained it.

"Cluria produces its own power, as do Kythia, and Yamali however places like Akdor and Tukoria do not, everyone has their own self contained power supply, and since several concerns manufacture these as complete systems you never know who has what." Tarsig suggested not buying any power items such as grinders or coffee makers, as they had devices that could do the job.

"We have a portable Ipsha brewer which we've converted quite easily to brew coffee so it's not necessary to send us anything like that." We made up small batches of various coffee blends for Moreck and Tarsig to try, Moreck preferring the same Brazilian coffee that I did, while Tarsig enjoyed a Hawaiian Kona blend, so I suggested that they experiment with different blends to fine tune what they were selling on Falth.

When Carman inquired about bulk sales Moreck explained how they were planning to sell all this coffee as well as the peanuts, which by the way I had to stop them from pigging out on peanuts.

"We are offering these delights to the wealthy who do a lot of entertaining, as a departure from Ipsha or the typical alcoholic beverages usually found at parties. These peanuts should also become quite popular as well." He went on to explain how the wealthy were always looking for something unique to serve at their parties. Carman also brought up the possibility of using average coffees like Folgers or Maxwell for general sale. This interested Moreck, so I had Carman run down to the grocery store and buy a couple canisters of each. I told Moreck that I would rent a truck tomorrow so we could haul everything out to the farm for loading onto the ship. When Carman returned, Tarsig made an offer that rather surprised me.

"Mr. Narshu has mentioned to us that you might be returning with him to Falth to work on his training program. Mind you, we have nothing against this however we are concerned that you will be gone so long from this endeavor. I would be glad to remain here to work with Miss Walsh here showing her how we run things, as well as teaching her our language, and computer system." This was very surprising but Moreck was comfortable with the idea. Carman was also very enthusiastic about it as well, not because we'd be gone, but that she would actually be working with someone from another planet. I cautioned her about being responsible for Tarsig's safety and anonymity.

"Keep in mind that no one is to know about these people, or that they are even on this planet, this is extremely important Carman. No pictures, nothing on any social media."

She understood the gravity of her responsibility and willingly accepted it.

"This is why you got that phone call from me," I replied, "Jeff recommended you, I took his advice, we're counting on you Carman, and always remember this is just the beginning, there's no telling where this could take you."

So it looked like we passed muster, both Moreck and Tarsig approved of our expenditures and business plan, unfortunately Dori and I wouldn't be here to get the "baby" off to a good start.