From Disaster Comes Good by D.A.Sanford - HTML preview

Maybe Ann can talk to the cats

One by one short wave is losing stations. The ham is the same but people are giving dire warning that whole countries have been burnt to the ground. They have been abruptly silenced. In our area, there is a heavy smell of smoke and the temperature is rising.

Sharon and I are becoming worried. The cats however seem to be on guard. The wild cat is in a prominent position and now seems to be in charge. Its father, the orange, is just lying there and I swear that it is smiling with pride.

By the midday the smell is very strong. Our only option now is to retreat into the mine and hope. All of the cats come in with us. I lock the door and we start to pack the cracks to keep the smoke out. As we are doing this, from behind us we hear a male voice.

“It’s now time for all to go through the door to our new world.”

We turn and there is a humanoid that resembles the wild cat. Behind him is an older orange humanoid cat. The orange tells the others that it is time and all the others transform into humanoids. The orange now addresses us.

“Ever since this world started to burn, we have been waiting and watching you and your now family. We deem you the only ones that are worth saving. You have shown us kindness. You have provided us with food and shelter. You made only one request. Find you good people to converse with. I brought you the five you now call family. Ralph, there is a world that needs a good leader, a family man who has compassion but will protect. That world once went through a total nuclear war and was destroyed. The gods have restored the land, made it like it was new. There is no trace left of that war including the radiation. This world is going the same way. We would like you to oversee the settling. Only people of peace will be allowed. We want to live there with you. What do you say?”

I turn to my five. Yes they are my true family. A grandmother and four grandchildren. “I ask you five, want to get out of here and go to Eden?”

They all say yes. A shimmering starts and then we all see a very green meadow that is surrounded by trees. The cats start going through and the children have followed them. Hand in hand Sharon and I cross over.

The smell in the air is overwhelming. The smell of new. No smoke, no toxic smells of all the pollutions. There is a small creek running near us. All the cats go over and start drinking. We do the same. It is the most refreshing water I have ever had.

They point behind us and we see an extremely large home. Actually should be called a manor.

“There is room for all of us and then some. Stores galore and the woods are full of game. There are vegetables growing. Everything needed to sustain a goodly population. This moderate temperature is year round. In orbit is the goblin protection force. They protect worlds like this and the only thing they ask is to be able to settle freed slaves here. They have been waiting for the owners of this world to come. Do you give them permission for them to land?”

I tell him that I do not accept the title of owner. We want only to be referred to as caretakers of this world. No one should own this.

He smiles and says that is what it will be.

Before this continues I need to ask, “I can no longer call your father orange or you wild cat. I want to know all your names but you and your father first. I cannot talk to others and still not call you by name.”

“Sorry, we should have done this sooner. I am Night Walker and my father is just called Tom.”

I chuckle at that because on our world, he was a tom cat.

“Night Walker, Tom, please contact that ship and tell them they can land. Tell them please watch out for the children. They, along with some of yours are just having a ball running all over.”

As Night Walker is contacting the ship, I yell for all to gather here. “You need to come here. A ship will be landing and you don’t want to be squashed so early on our new world, do you?”

All obey and soon there is a ship gently landing. The door opens up and out comes a mixture of green people and what look like big mice. Tom tells us that the green ones are called goblins and the other are mouse folk.

What appears to be the leader, comes up to us and bows. I stop him there and say “We are just care takers of this world. No one individual owns it. Only the gods. I am just a humble servant.”

Tom, Night Walker and the goblin leader smile. Tom introduces us as Ralph Welder, Sharon and Night Walker. The goblin leader tells us that he is named Sarezz and the mouse folk leader is his second in command, Decca. We all shake hands and go into the home.

Sharon has already found the kitchen and is making something. She asks our guests if they have any preferred food type. They tell her anything but she goes with her gut feeling. The mouse folk, well a cheese based dish but the teeth of the goblins say meat.

The kitchen has all that is needed. She brings it out and she has guessed right.

I now address all, “Please, we are new here so I want to start a tradition. On this world, we first have a meal to get relaxed then we discuss matters of importance over some liquid refreshments.”

It is well received.

After the meal, we go into the common room and we leaders sit and I start. “It was told to me that you free slaves and settle them on worlds like this. I am totally new at this so I ask you to forgive me if I say something that may offend. We will welcome anyone that wants to live in peace but here we only give a hand up. Every able body, including myself, will work to better themselves.”

Sarezz tells me that is how their home world operates. “All of the settlers on the various worlds we help go under the same rule. The freed want only to better themselves. We do require all the worlds to learn to defend themselves. There is a world that we visit that has a wonderful group of people. They help us improve. We will be bringing a replicator to a base we would like to establish here on this world. Believe me, no one will get to this world without our permission but things can happen. We will train your people to defend yourselves.”

We have a very long and fruitful discussion. They are invited to set up as many bases as they feel necessary. We are brought up to speed on the various races in the universe and that only the freed slaves will be settled here. All will be screened by we the caretakers for final judgement.

I do ask them to help us set up a governing body so that it isn’t only my family that has the last say. “We only want to be caretakers of the world. Internal matters need to be settled by all not me. Where it will affect the total world, it comes through me. Take a deep breath, this air is clean and will stay that way. The water is cool and refreshing, it will stay that way. Anyone polluting will be expelled, by me, from this world.”

All agree

Now, I ask Night Walker if it was possible for us to get some of the things from my shelter. He opens the door to my shelter. All we see is a burned up world. The hide’s door had melted off enough for me to see that the area that we were in is almost like it dissolved. He tells us that he has been told that there is no longer life in any form on that world. There is nothing left to take.”

The goblin leader tells me that whatever we need, they can replicate. I told him that it was only a few favorite items but there is no need to replicate them. “This is a new life. Let’s start with a clean slate. The only thing that I really wanted to get is the clothes and foot ware. I’ll miss my jeans and t shirts.”

Sharon tells me that the storeroom here has all that was in our old storeroom. I look at the others and just shrug. “I haven’t explored the home yet. Now let’s shake on our agreement.”

Decca comes over to me and asks is it is acceptable for his kind to come here. “You have all felids here. Do you have a preference.”

“Up until this day, I did not know anything like a felid existed or for the fact that any other of the humanoids existed.” I get a worried look and confess that they would bring me their dead mice and I would use them and the innards of my kills as their food.

He tells me that they are not changelings as are the goblins. “We stay the same.” I need to call over Tom and Night Walker. I ask them about the cats that were with me.

“Are you the kind that will chase these mouse folk for food or other reasons?”

“That is an abhorrent practice and we would kill anyone that would harm anyone of the mouse folk.”

I tell him that I feel the same way. I am relieved. “I do not know what any of the other worlds do but on this world, the first and foremost law is that no sentient species shall harm any other sentient species. That will be the only charge that could invoke the death penalty. I would not feel right just to expel someone and turn that one loose on the universe. That penalty would be for an intentional attack. Every accident will need to be studied and judged for intent. Is that acceptable to both the mouse folk and goblins?””

With that Night Walker tells him that he would personally carry out that sentence, if any felid did that. He offers his hand to Decca and told him three words. “On my life.” A new friendship has been forged and that law is now known as the Night Walker Decca law.

Disputes between two persons are brought before arbitrators.

Now only the little things need to be ironed out but we were told that this world will not be over populated. I agree. “I see a lot of wilderness being the rule. Dwellings and villages need to compliment the area. In our old world there was a practice of what was called track houses. Sometimes miles of nothing but the same house. Same size yards with the same lawns. This world needs to reflect the true styles of the people.”

I ask Decca what style homes do mouse folk like. I was told that they like burrows. Goblins like the single story open home, harpies like nests. I say that is just exactly the way I want this world to be. Villages that have all those types in them.

This is going to be very interesting but I need to throw a wet blanket on the mood.

“Not all humans are like us. My first family used me because I was rich. When my world was going down, I used that money to make lavish safe shelters for them. On the last trip to that hide, the wars started. I was met by my wife, at gun point, and basically told to go away. They even tried to take the truck I came in. I really no longer trust humans. This world, honestly, you people are the only ones that have been true. To have another human settle would take your people to whole heartedly endorse them.”

Sarezz tells us of the first world and the people they called jumpers. How they were humans who despised the way the goblin race was enslaved.

“The woman we call the first, set up that world so we could succeed. Only humans to settle on the free worlds are those caliber of character. I have mentioned a wonderful group of people, they are humans. They have helped our race with many of their inventions with no charge other than we cannot sell them to outsiders. Selfless humans. Know that only those type will be presented to you for acceptance. There have been only a very few invited.”

That is a load off my mind.

Just before they leave, I see both a goblin female and a mouse folk female talking to Sharon and she is smiling. Now Sarezz, Decca and those two come over with Sharon.

Sarezz is very formal. “It is a custom of ours to solidify these types of proceedings with a joining of families. These two have approached your first wife. They would like to stay here.”

Sharon steps in front of me and says in a formal tone, “Husband, I have been approached by Zora the goblin and Della the mouse folk. They have asked me if they could ask you a question. I, as first wife have given them permission to ask. Please listen to their request.”

First wife? I have a feeling that I know so I need to get formal.

“ Sarezz, Decca, as commanders of your ship, do these two have your permission to ask their question? Will you abide with my answer?”

They both tell me that they will abide.

“I will hear their question.”

Zora seems nervous but she stiffens and asks, “ I have seen your manner and your kindness. I have feelings for you and would like to stay here with you. After we get to know each other, I request that you take me for your wife.”

Della is less nervous. “I also have the same feelings and make the same request. May I stay and become your wife?”

I turn to Sharron and ask, “Are you okay with these requests. If you are, do I have your permission, as first wife, to answer?”

She says yes.

Looking at both, “Both have asked and shown great respect to the first wife. I can tell that this may be what you want but I must ask of both of you, do you do this of your own free will?”

Both say yes.

“I accept you both. Take your place by the first wife. Later you are to discuss with her as to your rank as wives. Sarezz, Decca these two have requested to stay here and become my wives. I ask you now to formally release them from their obligation as your crew.”

They approach me and tell me that they are released. Sarezz tells me that this is our bond with this world. “Once you officially announce your wanting to marry Zora, we goblins have a ritual for marriage. Zora will explain what it involves. This will have to take place.”

Della now tells me basically the same but tells me that it is less formal. Only her parents need to attend to her.

Their fellow crew members come over and congratulate them. The two go to their quarters and come back with their personal belongings. We watch as the ship rises and departs.

I have to wonder. This morning, we were stopping gaps to try to not die from smoke. Then to have all the cats change into what I now know as felids. Goblins are not those anime savages as they have been portrayed. Mouse folk, treaties and now two that want to be my wives. Now I have to do something that I want to do.

“Would everyone come over here. I have something I need to say.”

All come over. “First, all of this group, you are my family, through the worst, you felids have helped me stay sane and saved us. Ann, Sharlene, Sally and Charles please come forward. You four need to be here to hear this. Sharon, today you introduced yourself as my first wife in the proceedings. I now want to be formal. Sharon, will you be my wife?”

She says that this was what she hoped would happen. She answers yes.

“You grandchildren, do you accept this?”

They are ecstatic and answer yes.

“Then, in front of all my family, Zora and Della, you are included, we are now married. Take your position on my right. Zora and Della, it is now official. When the first ship arrives, we will announce that both of you will become my wives. Please sit down with the first wife and figure out how this works. It is my decree, being a thick headed male, that additions of wives will only come through the wife’s council. That council will determine the number of wives added. Now let’s all go in and explore our new home.”