Wishing On A Star

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

After talking with Morkai and finishing with the supplies, it was back into town. At the hotel telegraph office, I inquired as to whether there was a telegraph office in Stanford; the agent looked it up and reported that there was. I then sent a rather expensive telegram to a Collin Blessing, in care of the O-H ranch informing him that I was a good friend of his sister Sara and that she was trying to contact him, and please direct all correspondence as well as telegrams to me here in Laramie. I also went to the post office and sent a letter to the Indian agent in Lewiston and a letter involving a better explanation of the situation to Sara's brother, and made arrangements with the post office to hold any correspondence addressed to me

Later that day I received two telegrams, one from my father anxiously asking about my situation, and hinting at a possible trip out here to check on me. The other was from my cousin Andy, also anxious about my situation but seeking more clarification on the matter of compensation should he and his wife decide to journey west. I then hurriedly sent off another telegram to Andy stating that he would be reimbursed for all travel expenses, and to please come. The time factor was now beginning to weigh on my mind, in a few short days we would have to begin the harvest and I would have to leave here.

Towards the end of the following day, I received a telegram from Sara's brother stating he couldn't come to Laramie but if I could meet him in Stanford. Not long after that, another telegram arrived informing me that not only Andy and his wife would be coming, but my parents as well, all expected to arrive in four days time. I certainly had a real dilemma on my hands. This was a situation that called for a full meeting, so a desolate site was chosen in an uninhabited area west of our location. late one night five spacecraft landed in the middle of the red desert in a tight circle all of us met in our cargo hold to discuss a plan of action. Sara was overjoyed that her brother was alive and well, I spoke with Weeko some more about what the army Captain told me. Pricilla announced that her parents wanted nothing to do with her and that her younger sister Karla was threatining to run away from home as well. Ann had the worst news, in making contact with her parents, Ambor was taken for a n***o, and threatened with hanging, Ann of course was told never to show up at her home again. Sara reported that she still had not received any word from her parents, and remained optimistic. All agreed we couldn't wait any longer, and the harvest must begin on schedule.

We did come up with a plan of sorts, Karuk offered to take Sara and I up to Montana Territory and find a place near Stanford so that we could meet with her brother. Arrangements were made to harvest his allotment while he was tied up with his wife's situation. There were a lot of unanswered questions but it remained an evolving situation subject to much change. As I was transferring my personal items to Karuk's ship and his shipping crates were being spread around to the other ships Gitel alerted us to the fact that an unknown craft was preparing to land. As there wasn't time to take off, everyone went to full alert. Scanners revealed that our "visitor" was a Dark star class fighter and transport, much the same as what we had. It landed a short ways from our circle, its xenon spotlights lighting up the whole area. Four people came down the cargo ramp and sauntered over to meet us. Our visitors turned out to be Kith and Juko Dekken and their brothers.

"Greetings everybody!" announced Kith, "We picked up your signatures and wondered why you were all situated out here. Juko thought perhaps someone was in trouble and might need assistance." Not wishing to reveal anything as to the real reason we were all out here, Morkai played his "cards" extremely close to his chest. "We appreciate your coming by Kith, Juko, your looking well. Just before we begin the harvest we find a place well away from civilization and meet to make sure everybody understands their assigned territories and sometimes share any extra crates or equipment." Kith and Juko nodded, but I was sure they didn't believe a word Morkai was telling them. "Well," replied Juko, "Sandrick assigned us areas which seem to be located out along the coast of this land mass, what's it's name?" "I spoke up, "It's called the United States of America, Juko. Your area is probably in the state of California on up to Oregon, perhaps even Washington Territory, without seeing the exact map I cannot really say." Looking intently at us women Juko added, "What sort of weapons are your countrymen equipped with, what sort of dangers can we expect?"

"What, you come here not even knowing the potential dangers you might face?" Asked Morkai. Kith gave out with a nervous laugh, "We were in kind of a hurry, never got to the final Shai Alyt briefing." "Be alert, post a guard, if you brought a DEXX unit use it, these Kagorians all carry weapons and aren't shy about using them, they tend to shoot first, and ask questions later. If I might ask, how many areas did the Shai Alyt assign you?" "Six if you must know," replied Kith. I couldn't help but notice everyone glaring at them, which was no doubt the reason they cut short their "visit" and bid us goodbye. Shortly afterwards they took off heading west. "Well that tears it, announced Ambor, "Juko and Kith are greedy, no telling who they had to bribe to get in on this, but I've no doubt her father had a lot to do with it."

"I'm wondering how they got away before the final briefing," wondered Nargra. "Probably came off one of her father's freighters in deep space," replied Morkai. "Well you all know what this means," he continued. "Strict radio silence, and use your full cloaking mode well before making your final approaches. In fact, I'd recommend that you travel a false heading, go into cloak, then land, but they could be in cloak mode as well just waiting for you to leave. I seriously doubt they have six assigned areas, I think they plan to steal from us." The plan was still on for Karuk to take Sara and I up to Montana Territory.

Since Sara was still in the very early stages of learning to fly, I acted as Karuk's co-pilot, pointing out things to Sara, offering what I could of instruction. On the short flight up to Stanford, we discussed the Dekken's and what they were really up to, Karuk knew of the freight company Juko's father ran, "I almost took a job with them until Gitel warned me away, from the things I've heard since, it's a damn good thing I did, it's a nasty outfit to work for." I helped Karuk locate a suitable landing area as close to town as we could manage. There was a large forested area to the northwest, and with a little more searching, we found a small area in which we could land. We also located another small area along a creek towards the south. "If for some reason I can't pick you up in this wooded area," said Karuk, I wait in this other one." I then added, Likewise, if we can't make it to the woods, we'll go to this southern location." The scanner revealed no signs of life forms, so Karuk set us down. Sara being like me, had equipped herself with a Winchester saddle rifle and an Army model Colt. Becoming nervous about waiting around, Karuk promised to maintain a low orbit above us monitoring for any calls we might make on our wrist crons.

After Karuk took off, Sara and I built a fire to wait until morning before walking into town. ""It's been a longtime since I've seen Collin," said Sara, "I'm not sure how I'm going to approach him; he apparently has a life out here now." I did my best to calm her uneasiness, but both of us soon became drowsy and fell asleep. When we awoke, it was daylight, so we began our walk to town, it must have been around a mile and before long, we were passing cowboys coming into town. Taking a bold chance, I waved two men on horseback down. Riding over to us, one of them tipped his hat, "Ma'am?" "Do you tow happen to work for the O-H ranch?" The man looked at his friend, then back to us, "No ma'am, but we know someone who does, why?" Sara then spoke up, "My brother works for that outfit, Collin Blessing, perhaps you have heard of him?" Both men chuckled, "Yes ma'am, we know Collin." "Well if you see him, tell him his sister is in town and wishes to see him." Both men then tipped their hats and said that they would, then resumed their original course.

Once in town we took a room at the local hotel, certainly not near the quality of the hotel in Laramie. The bed squeaked and the walls must have been quite thin, for the noise coming through them. Looking around, Sara remarked, "Sure is a far cry form Drolugi's isn't it?" Both of us laughed. Settling on the bed, we took naps until early afternoon, when we went downstairs to the small lobby and took seats to watch the world go by. Stanford was definitely a farming and ranching community, we watched as cowboys ride through town, and what were obviously farmers going about their daily lives. Sara was starting to wonder if it might be wise to ask someone else about her brother when a tall and very handsome cowboy entered the hotel, his spurs clinking on the floor. He wore leather chaps, with a leather vest and a blue striped shirt, on his hip rode what appeared to be an army colt. Surveying the room, his eyes fell on us. Sara was starting to comment about a story in the paper she was reading, and was starting to put the paper down when her eye caught the man standing there. I heard her whisper "Collin!" then quickly standing up she rushed to the cowboy and put her arms around him hugging him for all he was worth.

Sara kissed him on his cheek, as his first words were, "Sara! What are you doing here; I thought you were back in Michigan?" She broke from him and replied, "I was, but now I'm here." "Is there something wrong with mother and father, what is all this about, I received a telegram the other day saying you needed my help." She looked at her brother and said, "Oh I do Collin, but first, let me introduce you to a very good friend of mine, Holly Draaka." We shook hands as he gave me a big grin "Ma'am, pleased to meet you." Sara looked around the lobby and in a low voice said, "Colin, we need to talk, but I'm not sure this is the place, looking around she spotted a small room in the back, "Let's go back here," the room appeared to be a card room which was now empty. Turning to her brother, she continued. "Collin I need your help to convince mother and father not only of the current situation I'm in, but a lucrative business offering as well, but in order to do that, I have to convince you of something first. Holly here will be doing this shortly with not only her parents but cousin as well."

Collin looked puzzled, "So I'm to understand you are not in any real trouble at this moment?" Shaking her head, Sara replied, "No brother, but I am now happily married, and you will be meeting my wonderful husband shortly." Collin looked at me as if he thought I could answer his questions. Pointing to a card table, I said, "Let's all sit down I'll see if I can set the "stage" here." Once we were seated, I began. "Collin, you're sister is involved in a situation that will be most difficult to understand, I'm in the same position as are several others. We're not in any trouble, or danger, all of us are very happy to be in this situation…It's just something that's so amazing your mind is going to reject all that you see. Sara wants to explain all this to your parents and have them believe and accept, so that we can move on to a business deal that will offer financial rewards to your parents, something that will perhaps help them in their old age. Now, in order for Sara to convince them, we thought it might help if we were able to convince you thus making you her living proof as it were.

Collin looked at Sara then at me, "I don't know if Sara told you or not, but my father and I don't exactly see eye to eye, that's why I came west." Then turning to Sara, he said, "What about Fred, I thought he was living in Detroit or something, seems to me he'd be a lot closer." Sara turned up her nose, "I can't stand that shrew of a wife he has, this task will be hard enough with you, I certainly don't need a nosy wife complicating things even further. Listen Collin," said Sara, "I really need your help here, and that requires you to make an incredible leap of faith, you know I've always been the sensible one, never gone around telling stories. Well this time I've got one that is going to require you to believe like you've never believed before."

Collin looked at his sister, and saw in her eyes nothing but dead seriousness. Then looking at me he said, "You're the one who sent me that telegram aren't you?" I nodded, "Seems to me that wire came from down Laramie way, that was just the other day, how'd you get here so fast?" I looked him dead in the eye, and replied, "When you understand how we got here so fast, then you'll be well on your way to helping your sister. However, like she said, we will introduce you to things your eyes simply will not believe. Sara and I are asking you to disregard all that you know and believe and simply accept." Collin studied us for a few more moments then sighed, "All right what is it you want me to do?"

"Are you able to travel?" asked Sara. "What! Back to Michigan? Look sister, I've got a job here do you know how long it will take to return there?" Sara grinned, "Not as long as you might think brother, but for now we need to travel to a wooded area northwest of town." "What for?" asked Collin. With an exasperated look, she replied, "So you can begin to see and understand, as well as meet my husband, Oh! By the way, Holly, do you have that Transnano thing?" "Upstairs, in my flight bag." "Let's go upstairs," replied Sara, "You are going to need to lie down for a half hour or so anyway Collin, so let's go." He looked at me, but I merely shrugged. We then went to our room making sure no one saw us all enter, "Sit down on the bed Collin," I said I have to administer something to you in order for you to communicate with not only Sara's husband but others as well. Please trust me Collin this will sting a bit, but it's necessary, now tilt your head." Collin looked at me apprehensively but did as I requested. Placing the injection device on his neck over his jugular vein, I squeezed the button. "Ow!" "Big baby," I replied, as Collin rubbed his neck, "Now lie down for a half hour or so, I've got to rent a buggy since there will be three of us heading out there." Sara elected to remain with her brother.

I rented a rather "sporty" looking phaeton considering the part of the west we were in, returning to the hotel I found Collin still lying on the bed and his sister talking with him. Once back in the room, I said to Sara "Better call Karuk," then looking at Collin I said, "Here's where it starts Collin, and one other thing when we ride out to where Sara's husband is we must ask you to remove your pistol can't risk you panicking and shooting somebody. Sara then pulled up her sleeve to reveal her wrist cron, her brothers eyes got large as saucers as she activated it and spoke with her husband. "W-w-hat is that?" he said, pointing to the device on her wrist. "It's called a wrist cron brother," replied Sara. "hold on to your hat Collin it gets much better." "But how can that be, is he in there or something, or is this the devil's work?" Both of us laughed, "Silly brother," replied Sara, "What your about to witness has nothing to do with the devil, now open your mind and pay attention, where Holly and I live, this is common everyday gress."

Sara got right in her brothers face and said, "Now listen Collin, around ten this night my husband will arrive a little northwest of here in a wooded area, and no, he's not wanted by the law or a reiver. We will ride out there and I will introduce you to him, along with…Other things. It is my sincere hope that you will accompany us back to Michigan, no doubt you will loose your employment due to your absence, fear not, you will be well compensated." Holding out several gold rings in front of his face, she continued. "Holly and I will introduce you to a world beyond your imagination, beyond anything you ever dreamed of. Now…Be patient the time for questions will come soon enough, I'm your sister, I would never lie to you Collin, just…See and believe."

Around 9:30 we carried our luggage downstairs and placed it in the carriage, dragging his saddle and bridle as well as his rifle. Collin lamented, "You realize I won't have a job after this." He offered to drive, but I said, "Allow me, it will be safer." The darkness was foreboding, but there was just enough starlight to outline the trail. As we neared the forest, Sara called Karuk again asking for a light. Shortly a bluish light appeared through the trees. "We're here," I announced, "Now we walk." Allowing Collin to carry most of our luggage I slapped the horse on his rump causing him to take off back towards town. "What did you do that for?" asked Collin. "We won't need the carriage anymore," I replied. Sara and I then produced small electric torches, which amazed her brother, but he realized it was fruitless to ask any questions at this point.

As we entered the clearing, the darkened shape of Karuk's ship stood in the eerie glow cast by the ships landing lights. Mist was rising up around the base of the craft caused by the engine ports cooling in the cool night air. "Dear mother of God!" exclaimed Collin, "What is that?" "That's my home silly," replied Sara, "Now just behave and meet Karuk." Collin, for all his perceived toughness appeared to be very frightened by what appeared before him. Stopping at the base of the cargo ramp, Sara sternly ordered him to walk up the ramp. Once in the cargo bay all he could do was stare at the sight before him, when Karuk appeared before him, all Collin could do was faint. As we stared at him lying on the deck Karuk said matter-o-factly, "I thought you told me your brother was supposed to be some sort of tough guy."

After raising the ramp, I was able to revive Collin giving him a pill to calm his nerves with some water. We got him into a chair where he slowly revived, looking up at Karuk he gasped, "My God, you are the devil!" Karuk gave him a puzzled look "Devil, what the frack is a devil?" "Never mind," replied Sara, then turning to her brother, she slapped him on the cheek. "Listen up Collin stop with all this foolishness and hear my story."