Chapter 10 remembrances

Chapter 10 remembrances

I was born in 2198 on Titan. My family wore farmers.

We’d all work on the farm and get a share of the quarterly profits. It’s actually how I run the Yojimbos.

When mom and dad were not managing the farm they were on a lot of planning boards. My mom also had a medical practice everybody loved her because she did house calls for a long time. I myself would come along and carry mom’s bag on her house calls before my short time out in the fields. I never was a farmer. That’s why when I was twelve I went to an off world academy for the mixed martial arts. Wushu, kung fu, ninjutsu, tae kwon do, and others under the U.P.M.D.U. grand masters. I don’t mean just learning to fight. I learned how to avoid confrontation. How to read the emotions of the people around me. Human history and military history. My rights as a citizen. And over twenty different languages. I went to dance and art schools then I went to tech school. I made some fun weaponry at robotics school. I made a way to stop the opponent without hurting him I still have it in the back maybe I can show it to you later, I started to do experiments on my fun stun gun as I called it or the orgasmonater as my mats dubbed it. Jen looked over to look at Tim with a cocked eyebrow. “What!” Tim nodded in the affirmative “Yes that’s what they called it Scot’s word.” “I guess I’ll have to see it, go on.” Said Jen. “Soon my brother joined me at the academy. I had already finished with my apprentice ship in martial arts. By the time Conner got his masters I was one of his teachers. That was always a point of annoyance between the two of us. Teachings with the masters put a blot on our relationship. He was looked down upon because of being my brother. After a rather bad time I decided to take my craft back home.

I opened my own school combining everything I learned at UPNMDU and dance and art and tech schools. I decided to buy part of the farm from my family just six acres not much and I built the school there. I ran the school by myself mostly. soon enough some of my friends from the schools came to get a job from me. my school grew to not need me.

But soon I got tired of teaching so I stepped down. I split the schools into shares. I owned a percent of the school as a temporary headmaster. Avenchaly I went to a bartender gig at a private club. Then to smithing then to farming. I’d change my job the way people would change their shirts.'' Jen frowned. ‘‘Why did you do that?” Don’t you know of the saying jack of all trades master of none.'' Tim nodded. ‘‘Yes I have. I think they’re people trying to sound smart to cover up their ignorance. There are problems with old sayings for example. The early bird gets the worm means don’t wait around for your chance to grab your desire.

But... the second mouse gets the cheese meaning tread softly don’t rush in. Both good advice but you see what I mean. A jack of all trades I can live in any profession.

If you’re in a situation and you know nothing about how to fix the problem. If you only know how to fix electronic cars and you have to fix a combustion engine. Then you’re screwed and not in a good way. That’s the old way to live. But there is one saying that I like and that saying everything in moderation including moderation. You just have to weigh the benefits and consequences say with the hamburger and fries if the pleasure is better than the pain then I’d say it’s a good exchange.

Sometimes you risk getting sick with new food but it’s normally worth it. We only have a limited time so have fun you only go around once

“When I was a bartender for a local host bar I met my future wife there.”

Tim smiled at the memory. “What’s a host bar?” said Jen. “Is that another word for a brothel?” Tim posed “That’s a hard question to answer. It’s not technically but it can make you feel like one in a bad way. To me it’s one of the things I have done to make money in a hurry. But as I was saying a host bar is a place where women go to feel well…not loved. But emotionally satisfied for pay. Jen interrupted. Well then I can see what you mean. No physical sex involved. But a woman’s brain is wired in such a way that they don’t always need the physical like men. Tim looked at Jen. Jen looked back. “What.” Tim frowned. “Just you’re very prospective that’s all. Anyways I worked there for a year it’s a place where women come for the feeling of relationship. But the end they never get it.

After being at the host bar for a bit. I gave my resignation and spent most of my time playing video games mostly so I could get in to game programming.

During that time I was having card games with an off duty arbitrator.

He was having a terrible time with judgments. He had found out that he had killed someone by giving the wrong verdict. Soon he noticed that I won almost every hand. After a long time of this he asked me to teach the arbiters how to read faces like I did. I told him the risks of having their arbitrator having this training. There are no all-good changes to a situation. Under the agreement that I would do the training and I would oversee its use and become one of the arbitrators.

In the end all my demands were met.

By this time my brother finished his time at U.P.M.D.U. he decided to come back to be a story teller. He loved to tell stories. Was loved by all the men women and children. He would tell stories in the town square. Putting both body and voice in to it. If he was in the middle of a story line kids would ask him to tell more. He had many stories but the one he milked the most was a guy called Yojimbo. I’d say it was some of his best work. It was set in medieval Japan a story of magic, Love, romance, epic fights and battles, good, evil demons, bokimono, and has my favorite epic bad guy Yomi. Demons with eyes of fire, how Yojimbo slew with a blazing sword. And when his job was done he returned to the gods never to be seen again.

When I asked him about yami he said he saw him in a dream

Conner had a love of story morals but he never told you what they were. Very thought provoking his stuff was

My favorite was the emperor and the great sword.

After each night he wrote the stories down and published them. He never had to work ever again. He traveled selling his book and became very interested in (romenisoim) which was like the Scientology by

L. Ron Hubbard. They worship the great rocks. Each believer was given a shak ti or heart of stone. Twelve stones one for each month in the year according to their birth month. This is one of the rocks.” Tim took something from around his neck. “It’s a ruby.” “Then you’re a {romenisoim} ...also.” Tim shook his head. “No I myself am an atheist religion is my only weak spot. I was never good at religion. I’ve study as many as I can get my hands on but.” Tim shrugged. I've found such an annoyance that God would send you to hell for just not believing in Him properly. What if it turns out that Christianity is the real religion yet because you are a pagan you’re going to hell even though you lived a peaceful life.

I especially hate it when the Christians that say you’re not going to be saved because you’re a Jew. Jen stuck out his tuning with a bland expression. “but Jesus was a Jew.” “Yes but they don’t seem to realize that. I know it sounds crazy.” Jen nodded in agreement. I remember having Jehovah’s Witnesses come over and lecture us of our ways. That is until Moms got them to go away.” Tim looked suppressed. “How she do that.” Jen smiled wickedly.

“Easy. One of her friends was a pagan. She drew on what she knew of her friend’s paganism. She said I’ll let you give your spiel then I’ll do mine. It went along well mom listening until it was her turn. That day the two had brought a teenage girl with them. Let’s just say the teen was no longer bored. She was very interested. Mom did not get to finish. A third of the way through they basically dragged the girl to the car and never came back again. Tim laughed. I wish I had thought of that I could have had months of my life back.

What about your brother. Tim nodded he got a wave from Earth. The guy said he had dug up some artifacts on Earth that

were very similar to a chapter in Connor’s book. Battle of try dragon fields. Which seemed rather ridiculous. He said if you won’t me to come down call my agent and that was it for a while.

Until Conner had just written the chapter that day. When he got another call from the same archaeologist it had the same look of what he had wrought. My brother decided to check this out. This seemed to be less of a hoax then before. Earth was and still is a no weaponry allowed planet. So he entrusted his laser sword to me. My brother thought it would be cool if he made a story that had his flights of fancy turn out to be true. Think about if J.R.R. Tolkien had still been alive when the skeletons of little hairy footed hobbits had been found in China on the earth in 2003. When Conner called form earth he was ecstatic. He had examined the artifacts and was amazed. Parchment with the same story line ass his. He also saw some things that did not go together. A broken Japanese sword that was wasn’t metal. It had no crystalline structure.” Jen’s eyebrows went up. “What? That can’t be.” said Jen. “According to Conner he could see it touch it but it could not exist. Jen screwed up his face “That’s bollocks. The machine must have been acting up, everything has an atomic structure. It’s impossible .” said Jen. Tim turned his head to look at Jen. “That may be true but we have no reason to doubt them.” “So what happened after that?” said Jen. “I don’t know that was the last time I spoke to him.”

Tim’s shoulders shrunk and he sighed.

“The next time I saw him he was dead. His burnt body was sent back to us. We never found out what happened to him.”

“I took the shak ti which is what I thought he would want me to do as a romenisoim. The pendant protected himself from the evil eye and now would protect me. As his brother it was my duty to pay his way to the afterlife. As custom I put a coin in his mouth and a salt cake over his heart. I gave him a proper burial. After...after that. I fell into a stupor when it finaly hit me that he was dead. I could not believe that he was dead. I had a girlfriend at the time, Serra. She was a good help to get me back on my feet. By this time I was getting engaged to Serra. Serra as their only child her mother and father were very protective of her. It was difficult to have them except me. I had met her for the first time wall I was working at a host bar. The second was at a club not a big one but it had the band Everlasting Death. I was always a fan of death metal. But that was the first time she noticed me. I had come because my friends wonted to congratulate me on becoming one of the arbitrators. They were late and I was spending time honing my reading skills.

I had overheard a group of girls talking. One who I guessed to be the alpha female by her body language. Lets call her Trudy. she had been sowing off the protenchel boyfriend and had brought her friends for the opinion that matters. they had just met him. The girls all agreed that he was a very good catch.

And also said that Trudy her self was quite a catch in that dress.

Trudy smiled “you know that’s the same thing my maid said. she liked it so much that she asked me if she cold try on this dress. one of the girls a pixyish one said did you let her?” Trudy famed Affiance “She… no way let some lower class wretch try my dress on. No...no.no.no!” all the girls’ laughed

“Oh and you know I was telling that to Sharel and some gash decided to speak back to me

She said that I was not A very considerate example of the human race.” “she thought she had the right to speak back to me”

“god who was It?” said one of the girls. Trudy leered as she looked around confadechel like. “She’s here.” The girls looked attentive “well who?” Trudy stuck her Tung in her cheek then glanced across the room at Serra. at that time she was sitting in on a couch with a data pad in one had and a drink in the other. her blue howdy with littlecat ears obscuring her face from veu. “Its Serra?” all the girls hauled with laphtor. So laude that even Serra could here them from across the room. The girls meaning Trudy had decided it was time to let mongo have some fun.

I cant say it was love at first site or second I shod say. but I felt the earge to save Serra from the lafing hyenas. And I had just the idea. I quickly Scand the room for the boyfriend of Trudy. I walked over to the bar and asked the bartender for a piece of paper. witch I folded in to an onfilope. I took some money and stuffed it inside. This was a pay as you got it place so I waited for the boy friend to hand over his bank card. memorizing his signature I forged it on to the make shift envelope.

Then I made a bee line for the group and handed the envelope to Trudy saying so it would carry. “Hay give this back to your boyfriend I can’t take It.” Trudy looked confused. “Your boy friend gave me this to date Serra.” “But…What?” Trudy stuttered. What are you talking about? “I can’t take it I don’t need it to go out with Serra.” I smiled broadly. “What do you mean?... I never…”

Said Trudy. I smiled even brwder. “you asked your boyfriend to pay me to go out with Sarra.” I pushed it toward Trudy wall she tried to push it back like I had given her a gold raped turd “I don’t think…” I did not let her finish “Really look.” I held up the envelope “this is your boyfriends’ signature see.” the girl looked at it. “There.” Tim pout the envelope in her hand. Trudy looked around out of the corner of her eye at the looks of her posy. Who were giving? You never did that for us Looks with folded arms.

“If you won’t we can talk to your boyfriend.” the girl looked at him across the room. he was looking at her with a swore expression. “no…no need to do that.” she shook her head. She tried to give the envelope back to me. But I pushed it back. ” “I don’t need payment.” By this time Serra had cot on. “oh you really did that for me your so sweet Trudy.” Inwardly I new Trudy had a decision to make. She cold eather alienate her friends or loose her boyfriend.” whatever she did with it She looses.” the girl tossed the envelope on the couch next to Serra and stoked away. I sat in to a couch picking up the envelope. “So Serra I have an envelope full of money and this thing is SO heavy.” I gave my most winning smile. “want to help spend it?”

It was nice for a time

Then auer lives turned in to a real life performance of Romeo and Juliet. But we dealt with it.

two years after my brother want to earth.

We had hired that earth was back under one rule one agen. wee all but went about are bisnis as usual. Even the arrival of people walking around in armor suits didn’t faze us. It wasn’t a big deal that is until they started to intrude in public affairs. Such as trying to take over the arbitrators duty’s. But it got bad one day wall I was off duty.

I was having some lunch with Serra and Teren and Svic. We war siting out on a veranda of a coffee shop. Mostly talking about this and that. We heard a dispute between a husband and wife couple in the street.

They war well known for fighting and we mostly paid no mind. One of those love hate relationships you know. You could practically set you’re watch by it. We watched from the balcony.

“What do you mean glory how am I to keep my feet worm when you wont allow me to use slippers or socks!” “Well I don’t like the felling of that stuff on my scinn and I also don’t like you with cold feet lerry

Vick looked back toward me. “is it me or did we see this episode last month.” “ no I think that was abaut the color sceme of their bathroom.” I said wall ordering another drink

“Stay out of this if you know what’s good for you.” We looked down from the balcony.

Three men in armor where with the couple.

“Mam and sir you are making a disturbance you are under arrest.” The man and women looked at each other. “Who the hell do you think you are any ways strutting around in that storm trooper custom go the fuck off.” Two solgurs took hold of the pare. Serra “wisperd never get in the mettle of those two cus dude… you dead. Glory grabbed the hilt of her sidearm. And yelled get your filthy hands off my husband.” And lerry his wife. The armored men use there teasers on the two. sending a humongous electrical shock thru them. We all ran down the spiral sterekace me using my phone to get the arbiter over here. The men had broken the one unbreakable rule. Never incrache on peoples or there property unless to save life. They dropped to the floor screaming as the electric went thru them. “Stand dawn!” the men yelled at them. Wean the electric stopped the two tried to get up agen. So they wren treated to another dose of the teaser. body’s convulsing. The sound of there voices becoming un bearably hye. the husband and wife stopped screaming.

But this time it was because they were out. I could still here the crack of the teaser.

a crud had gathered around the spectacle.

The arbitrator on duty stepped forward.

“Hay friend you don’t need to attack are people.”

“ listen take your teasers out of them and pout your guns away we can work this out come on let me buy you all a drink.”

One of the men held up a hand.

“nothing for you to see here so shuve off.”

A boy of fifteen stepped forward.

“you attacked a citizen without provocation.”

The man gaffed. “don’t waste my time kid." You can’t interfere with the police.

“lessen nothings happened here. do you rally wont to have somthing happen to you for nothing. stand dawn all of you now!.” no one moved. “I’m warning you all you don’t wont to make a fuss.”

“We’re not making a fuss we just want to buy you a drink and talk this over peacefully.”

I saw by there body language they were beginning to panic. Not a good sine.

the solders shouldered there guns. “Shuve off this is the last warning.”

the craud eased off there safeties.

The men shot there guns in to the air to try to make us scatter.

All the city people polled there guns and amid at the men.

This seemed took the solders aback. people not panicking when faces with guns. The C.O. spoke with fear in his voice. “Listen if you’re not careful you all will be polled in for attempted assault of en office---." The man’s helmet exploded. I and others got the remaining men with their stun guns. The man fell limp on the graud his blood making a read pool on the side walk. glory slowly rose to her feet holding her smoking gun. She poled the teaser needles out of herself. The needles barbs giving even more pain. Then she started to viciously kick the remaining solders. The solders not being able to move beaus of the stun blast fell over. Some of the people restrained her from kicking the men. The wife and husband were helped back to their place. As we removed there armor and used rope to sakur there hands and feet. One of the men yelled at any buddy in hearing “You know you all will be punished so badly you’ll wish you never existed.” I squatted to be at eye level with him. “Do you really need explaining…? You viciously attacked a citizen.” “What…we were stopping a dispute in progress.” I sighed. “they do that every day and nun is harmed by it.” the man jerked his chin and replied “your crazy a little dispute like that will soon change in to all citizens fighting each other we need to keep the peace. What do you know you’re a civi.”

I saw that he was trying to provoke a fight with me so I smiled calmly. “My friend. I have found that citizens can stay civil better without the interference from over lings.”

We took their cloths and tattooed them with the simples of there afence on the neck as a warning to all.

we set them free into the Bad Lands. Hopefully they would survive it was only a mile to the next tune.

The qworoling cuppole did not qworel any more for some add reason I don’t know why but I still don’t think that it was worth it.

For a long time It was quiet so we brushed it off

The next month wall I was out shopping with Serra. Wall on duty. We where in the of taunesqere.

Kenny sold his an organic produce from out of his moving van. His wife made good rhubarb pie. He had a bunch of gormae museums shitake an such. Amuning the produce are poppy’s hemp tobacco in seed form and processed forms . I picked up a pack of shitake to add to today’s dinner .

from the gate a transport truck Came down the street And parked. it was a covered wagon stile it looked like smelly johns truck. John was a humet that lived out in the bad lands. Kenny smiled “hay it smells like johns taken a bath in the last week.” I gaffed to that. One of the lokels walked up to the truck “hay John haw- then the sound of a repeater shot from inside the cab window. All went to hell. the back flaps opened and some one lobed some pineapples that sprayed shrapnel in to the sqwere. I ducked behind a stonewall walching the shrapnel in bed itself in to the stone work and people not forchenit enough to get to cover. the explosion seemed to be a signal for the solders to get out. they started to smash everything in sight. I rushed over to stop this and so did others. Kenny drew his gun to defend himself but they shot him to pieces with an automatic shot gun.

as the solders went in to destroy the rest of the van. one saw Kenny was still moving. The solder shot him agen and agen.

One of the locals tried to pole one of the solders outside. But was sent flying by the fist of en armored power suit. I used my sword to kill the solder. one after another I delt with them. The last one was a smart one. He blocked my attacks with his gun. He and I struggled me trying to cut him with my sword. and he to get his gun were it would do some damage. Even with my training I was no match for his suit. he Tried to nea me but I closed me legs witch pout me off balance. he pushed me in to the door then hit me in the chest with his gun. I was wearing an armor vest but it still hurt. The strike was hard enough to send me back my amer denting the door. as I fell out of the van. the man surely new I was wearing a vest so he amid his shot gun at my face. As I stared down the Berol of his aa12 I was frozen. I could not run. If I did id be lucky to die quick. There was no time for me to try and shoot him. I could not save myself. Serra kicked the vans slidingdoor. witch smashed in to him between his shoulders and his helmet with a addible crack. as the door rebound the man fell forward on to me his neck in an add angol. His armor was heavy

Serra polled the man off me and I got up “you ok honey?” I nodded “I owe you my life Serra.” she smiled “I’ll make you work the det off latter.”

“You are going to regret this.” We turned to see who spoke. Then Serra grumbled “and as always someone has to ruen the moment.” said Serra. “you will be purged evildoers!” there was one solder left. he glowered at us and the gathering craud. “this universe will be cleansed.” The man had something in his hand. “you all will perish. no one can defeat the president of the galaxy. this is a message to all would dare to dis obay him. It’s to bad you wont be around to here it.” the man dropped his device and started laughing in a hi pitched laugh. Serra and I looked at each other then back at the guy pityingly. the lafter of the sodur petered off . as he look down at his device. “ shouldn’t you goon off by now?” he asked the bomb. Serra held up a device in such a way that the men could easily see it. “what’s wrong kid your explosive don’t have the current to function?” the man gaped. “no fare…I demand you turn off that damming device. “what?... you share about that?” ofcorce I’m shuere.” “ yes but are you shuere your shure.” I fraund at Serra and grabbed the device. “stop teasing him.” I turned to the solder and pushed a button and a bubble dome formed around the man “ok mister gackner. We are going to leave you in there until—“. the solder keeled over gods dam it some on get some emt’s here

we put together watches and to try and stop any further attacks

When the last group came we were reedy we won without a single shot fired and

That last one group all were highly trained warriors with tanks and such we killed all except the leader. The toune was really pissed by this time. so much I had to friskily restrain the taune storyteller from throwing him in to a ships engine. we tattooed and sent the leader back to earth with a warning not to send any more men.

Chapter 9 thoughts of old

Chapter 9

thoughts of old

Tim turned his head away looking toward the campfire. An expression of pain was running through his face. Jen looked trying to understand what the problem was. Jen looked in the direction that Tim was looking then turned back. Jen watched Tim as he sat not moving not talking sitting in silence. Tim clearly ether does not want to talk about it or is waiting for me. It’s not time yet thought Jen Embarrassed Jen spoke up trying to change the subject. Trying to break the silence Jen stabbed out with some thing anything to change the mood.

“Tim so…how can I build a laser saber? I’m not familiar with it, so I find it fascinating.” Tim sat as still as stone still looking toward the fire still in silence.

Jen wondered if he had broken Tim. “Um…Tim you ok…you still there…Tim.” Jen touched him on the shoulder. Tim was startled. “What’s going on what you say again?” Tim did his winning smile. “I said I fined laser swords fascinating.” “Oh yes right fascinating.” Tim looked glad for the change of subject and relaxed. “That all?”

Tim looked at Jen with one eyebrow up and a half smile. “I’m also interested in learning how to fight with a laser sword if that’s what you mean.” Tim smiled then removed his laser saber from his belt. “You know about laser swords there isn’t much for me to tell you that isn’t in basic level electronics.” He started to field strip it in to its parts laying it out on his folded trench coat. “I’ll go over the parts with you” Pointing to them as he spoke. “First we have the emitter basically speaks for its self it emits the 10,000mW Laser beam, then we have a force field capacitor, a focus crystal is basically an energy refinery.” Jen spoke up “So the crystal it’s a lot like those security fields that are in some places were the gun powder doesn’t expand inside the copper shell, I think they call that a negative zero energy field. “Then you know vanas lwa.” Enough to see where this is going gust about.” said Jen. “I won’t need to cover that--good.” Tim looked down “Ok where was I…The battery pack, and the on off switch. “With your background building it won’t be hard either.” Tim reassembled his saber and hung it on his belt. I’m sure you can build one if you want one.” Tim smiled.

And collected his tools and put his mechanical hand in the crook of his arm, he started to walk to a trailer. Jen grabbed Tim’s trench and ran behind him. “Tim you’re forgetting this.” Tim turned and looked down at the trench. “No use it if you get cold.” then Tim entered the trailer... Jen just went back by the fire and lay down on his back. He looked up into the stars seeing the constellations as he drifted off to sleep.

Jen awoke early in the morning, the camp was being packed up and tents were being broken down. The camp fire was out; Jen sat up right and looked around, Jack and Tim ware sitting Indian style on the ground a few yards away. They were talking with some one on the other side of a holoprojector. Jack seemed to have a built in holoprojector in the palm of the suit. The rest of the men, women and children ware packing things up. Jen got up and started walking over to Tim. Tim looked up and spotted Jen. Then Tim spoke to Jack. Jen could not hear what they said. Jack continued to have a conversation with the one on the other end.

As Tim got up and walked over to Jen. “Good morning Jen how did you sleep?” “Fine.” Jen said groggily “still waking up though.” Tim smiled. “Good if you need anything just ask and I’ll try to help.” “There is one thing.” Said Jen “Tim is there by any chance a stream around here, I need to at least clean up a little, I fear that if I go on like this I may become a little ripe.” “I understand.” Said Tim. “Follow me theirs an area over in the woods.” Tim started walking away “come-on I’ll show you where you can clean up.” Jen got a small black toiletry bag out of the saddlebag of his speed bike and followed Tim.

He followed through the woods along an old animal path. By and by they came to a small stream. Jen knelt down to clean up. But Tim said “Jen you won’t be able to get as clean there follow me there‘s a better place.”

Jen stood up he then caught up with Tim. They traversed the stream to where it cascaded over a cliff down rock face into a ravine. “Down there you’ll find everything you’ll need.” Tim said pointing down the rock face. Jen leaned over. “O.K. how do I get down?” Jen looked at Tim “What do I do jump down?” Tim smiled and chuckled. “No.” “Then what?” said Jen .Tim then walked over to a tree and pushed on a knot in the wood to reveal a hidden compartment. Tim removed a rope ladder then threw it over the cliff and climbed down. It was twenty to thirty feet down to the ground. There was a pool of water perfect depth for bathing at the bottom. The water came from the stream above like a shower. Jen looked up it would be for I’ll practical purposes impossible to come down without the ladder. At the end of the ravine was a small cave.

By the entrance was a folded up pile of cloths. “It looks like some one else is down here.” Said Tim. Jen looked at the pile of cloths. “How in the verse did this person get down there’s no way anybody could survive landing On to the gagged rocks down here.” “That’s easy someone came along to poll the ladder back up.” Said Tim. “but any way theirs a lot of places in that cave, go back maybe you’ll see some one else you know.” Tim climbed up the latter and was poling it up. Jen Yelled up. “Hay how do I get back up?” Tim chuckled and yelled down. “Climb, if you need help ask whoever’s in there for some.” Tim poled up the ladder the rest of the way.

Jen turned to enter in to the cave following it down to the chamber. It had a small ultrasonic washer and dryer and a clothing press for washing clothes. There were a few smaller chambers along the wall as well. Jen went in to a smaller chamber along the wall to undress. Folding his clothes in to a pile. He heard the sound of footsteps running up out the tunnel. Jen took out a set of cloths out setting them on a shelf. Then he went out the chamber to the cave. He set his dirty close on a table for later. He went out for a shower. He saw someone beneath the waterfall bathing. He cold not see who it was rocks were in the way. He walked around and stopped. He saw her. He had seen the female form before Jen had no real modesty taboo. But still she was gorgeous. You know how brains have a tendency to go to autopilot with out you wonting it to. It did that now, the first instinct is to stare, so what cold I do she was a reel women not a poster girl, you know the body, there bodies ware merely hangers for clothes. The only other purpose was for caring around there heads, she was short and what is called curvaceous or voluptuous his eyes went from the one delicious head of curling hair to another, Jen was embarrassed but. Sadly Emotions have there own morals but they definitely have a point of view. He had a wish to throttle his brain to make it step in. never the les his hand full of dark feathers went from fright wig to feather duster. The next thing that happens is to have you speak but your brain wont let you. So it comes out as a jumble of sounds.

This startled the women she grabbed a crescent shaped folding knife from a cubbyhole in the rock. And world to face the intruder ready to fight. She examined him quickly then recognized him. She waved Hi and retuned the knife to the cubbyhole then went back to bathing. Feeling espoused and troubled by his own reaction. He averted his eyes. After a minute she turned back to Jen. “what’s wrong kido theirs plenty of space for all.” she said with a smile “um…yes but….um…you’re a girl.” She looked down. “Well look at that I guess I am a girl, your point?” “But you’re a girl.”

“Yup I’m still a girl.” But. …You’re ….a …girl.” “Well yes we’ve been over that.” this Time a hint of impatience and annoyance

In her voice. Still averting his eyes. “I not used to...” said Jen a look of understanding swiped the woman’s face “oh I know what you mean, so of I was male there wouldn’t be a problem right?” “Om …yes.” Jen supplied not understanding. She went back to bathing again. “Then.” She smiled “think of it this way, what the difference between bodies of a male is and the body of a female, we have the same bodies mostly. Between male and female, some are closer than others, the problem its only minuet really, I’m not ashamed and I don’t think you should be ether; it’s a waste of Time and energy. But if it helps you.” She smiled at Jen obviously finding this funny. “You can think of me as a man. A curvaceous gorges man.” she stepped out from under the waterfall tying her hair back in to a ponytail. With a hair tie she had around her wrist. She walked up to him she stud in front of him. “Com on look up.” she said Jen still diverted his eyes. “Don’t make me do something drastic here HonJen.” Jen slowly looked up at her he truly recognizing her. It was Lisa the other dancer from last night? “Now inset that better?” she smiled. She walked by a shiver ran up his spine as she walked past him in to the cave his body stiffened even more if possible. Just before she entered the cave she paused to yield back over her shoulder. “By the way thanks for the STIFF clamant there.”

Jen felt enberist and slightly dirty. Jen walked in to the waterfall. The water was cool and helped him with his problem, Jen washed up then went in to the cave. Happily Lisa wasn’t there. He put his clothes thru the ultrasound washer. He added some vinegar in lieu of detergent. He had to use a hand crank to build up the electricity to run the Ultra sound Washer and dryer. He dried them part way in the clothing press then the rest of the way in the ultrasound dryer. While the dryer was doing its thing he shaved. It had been a week since he had saved his blond hair was beginning to make him look like a peach. Jen lathered himself with shaving soup then began to use a strait edge. Jen dress in the fresh set he had left out earlier

When he was dun he kerfaly peek then dressed in his now dry clothes. After shaving Jen returned to the main cave were He fawned Lisa buffing her feet with a sandpaper stick and applying moisturizer with the seriousness only a dancer or acrobat could do. Jen packed his cloths in his bag when Jen was done Lisa was also about finished.

Jen followed Lisa to the rock face, she practically walked up the rock face like a fly on a wall, Jen followed with difficulty slipping and almost falling off completely multiple Times, Lisa got to the top. Jen worked harder to get up. “Lisa a little help pleas.” a moment later the rope ladder came down, Jen gratefully got it Jen clamed up the ladder to the edge of the cliff. Up on to flat ground. Jen got up. “thanks Lisa I would have been stuck down there thanks.” Said Jen. “You’re welcome, Jen.” Jen walked beside Lisa back to camp. They talked allowing the way.

Back at camp every thing was cleaned up. All the tents war broke dawn. Most of the trailers wore gone from the site. Lisa went over to a trailer and drove away. Jen put his things back in the trunk of his speeder. Tim walked up to Jen. “Jen what do you think?” “About what?” “About joining.” “I think there a fine bunch.” Said Jen. “Then would you like to go with.” “ I wouldn’t mind being out of the retch on the empire, I would be unhappy if I cold not.” Tim smiled “for all protocol proposes welcome to the gang. Hitch the speeder on to the back of the trailer and weal be off.” they tied it to the back with rope. Jen sat in the passenger seat. Tim went to the driving seat. He started the Tyler and drove to the mane rode.

“So what’s the designation Tim?” “That’s for me to know and you to fine out.” Said Tim “O.K. then what’s the job.”? “It’s a smuggling job.” Tim turned on to the mane road. “What are you smuggling. Jen you’re going too laughed.” “No I won’t.” said Jen. “Yes you will.” “Lets not play the yes no qwegen com on try me.” “Ok turkey semen.” Tim waited for Jen so say something. Jen shrugged his shudders and said “ho-hum and what’s new.” as he stifled a smile. “Ok then mister mowrth, turkey semen on this trip, and we have to install the semen.” Jen laughed. "Oh. Boy!" Tim shuddered "I am not doing it. Said Tim. I'm going to fide some bulk heads to polish instead.” Said Tim “Jen bit his lip and shook his head “well wherever you’re going I’m coming to.” Tim took in a deep breath and shaped his face in to complement “you know you do have soft hands.” “NO I don’t won’t to know a turkey that we’ll no way!”

Enough turkey talk lets go on to some thing less

“So what would you be doing right now if the empire had never come to be, What if the empire had never came then what would you be doing Tim?” Tim glanced over at Jen “that’s not reI’lly I’ll that hard would probably take an inter alternative book to tell but, I would be… well Jen I’d be doing the exact same thing that I’m doing now, it’s like the food industry everybody’s got to have food sometime. Or take the housing industry “There are not gust big emperors but small ones as well Tim paused, I can’t remember the name of the organization.” “Maybe I can help.” said Jen “describe the place.” “You know when you live in a group of homes and theirs very strike rules you have to fI’llow. Or of the organization can get you thrown out of your house. Say if the grass an inch high instead of two thuds. Or you’re supposed to have daffodils not roses in the flowerbed. Or you won’t to build a wheel char ramp to your house or whatever.” “Oh you mean a home owners association.” “Yes that’s the one.” Said Tim

“I give en alternate.” “You would be the free community.” “Yes.” Said Tim “so I’d be shipping medicine, selling, smuggling. If the verse had been free of the empire but not of small fries.” “There will always be some one who needs goods that is hard to get.” “Are you familiar with the clipper ships?” “Yes during the gold rush there wars ships that bought illusory supplies for the normal price.” Tim nodded “Right and ship it there, they would sell them for multiple Times what they paid for it.” “The basically the same thing I am doing.” “Even if the empire was no more there would be people who can’t get goods or services. Either beaus of some one or some thing. I would be living as I am now doing enough work to get by and have the illusory. I wont the difference is that I would be with my wife and my sun but I’ll to gather the same things.” the conversation petered off.

Latter.

“Jen do you know how to drive…we’ll of coerce you do you lived on a farm.” “Jen I need a go a wee cold you take over the controls for me.” “Shore Tim.” said Jen Tim poled his set back and relinquished the controls to Jen. Tim walked to the back of the trailer and on the way grabbing a Kelvin and hobs in space comic strip collation.

Jen drove for the next few miles when he hard a flush. Tim came back sat down in the passenger’s seat and watched the rode.

Jen offered the controls back to Tim. “No thanks I’m happy here.” “Jen have you had any food this morning?” Jen shook his head. Tim went to the fringe then started to make a sandwich out of some of last’s night’s dinner. Tim asked Jen if he wonted anything no thanks. Tim said. “Come on you haven’t had any thing I’ll day, I’ve got Homemade honey mustard, think about it slices of stout meet with honey mustard with lettos tomato red union. Or maybe some bbq sauce.” Jen mouth began to water. “I’ll right I’ll right shore the former honey mustard.” Tim made up too sandwiches and gave one to Jen. Then set a can of pop in Jens drink holder Tim sat down in the passenger side seat and began to eat his sandwich. Then got up and took a bred box from a cupboard. “Yo Jen have you ever had any Bareback bread before.” Jen shuck his head “its An Irish bread most Irish breads are leavened with baking soda and would be classified as quick breads.” “Barm Brack is similar to the Welsh bread known as Bara brith which is flavored with currants, raisins, sugar, and citrus, it’s a nice dissert dread good for a lunch or picnic.” Tim cut of a chunk and gave it to Jen. Jen began to eat it.

“Tim I’d rely like to know about what you use to do and up to date.” Tim was about to protest when Jen interrupted “a window of a story is a window in to the sole.” Jen said. “It’s going to be a long journey I might as well tell you.”

Ch8 meet the family

Ch8

meet the family

When Jen and Tim got back to the camp,

People were dancing around the campfire.

Guys and girls were talking, laughing and having a good time.

Some of the men and women were playing flutes, violins, bagpipes, didgeridoos and even a child with a kazoo. There was a small portable grill tended by two twelve-year-old twins. He could tell by their chatter that the taller boy supervising them was an older teen called Allen.

Some were eating and watching the dancing and talking from a distance.

Jen and Tim took a seat by the fire. The music died down and the man and women cleared from around the fire. The music came again -- it was a beat, slow. Two women came in to the firelight and began dancing around the fire. One was Jerra. The other Jen did not recognize. Jerra had changed from her t-shirt and jeans to a tiered long skirt and a long and wide sleeved shirt with wooden toggles. The other women offered her a Chinese broadsword. Jerra drew the sword from its sheath. She took a ready stance then began to twirl. First slowly then she sped up and spun the sword faster. With every strike, it made a sound as--it was like of competitive chimes.

Her swordsmanship was amazing -- not just spinning but leaping and doing amazing acrobatics and always landing in a perfect pose.
She now struck so fast it seemed an absolute blur to his eyes. As she twirled her skirt billowed around her…her hair released from its hair tie. Her hair was swaying freely, shimmering like firelight.

Jen was stunned. She…she was beautiful.

He stared and said in a whisper, "Oh …my...god…"

Tim said. "Yes she is a good dancer, isn't she." Tim looked at Jen and got a look of happiness in his eyes just for a moment.

Jerra ended the dance with a flourish in the last move then dropped into a ready stance and sheathed the sword.

Jen turned to look at Tim just realizing that Tim had spoke to him. "What did you say, Tim?"

Tim looked away and said, "Nothing, nothing."

Jerra pulled both men and women on to their feet and lured them to join the dance. Jen smiled dreamily and watched her. Jerra twirled over to Jen then smiled at him. Jerra took the sash from her neck and proffered it to Jen. Jen grabbed on to the sash and wrapped it around his hand and stood up. She pulled up, inviting him to dance. Jerra was an extraordinary good dancer and forgave Jen for his left-footed blunders.

As Jerra twirled Jen around and tilted, Jen was in ecstasy--amazingly happy. After the dance, Jerra let Jen go. When he sat down, he was out of breath. He said, under his breath, that was nifty--smiling like an idiot. Jerra and her fellow female dancing partner went to pull Tim up. Tim said, "I couldn't." Then the rest of the group goaded him in to it. "OK, if you insist," and jumped up. Jerra and the other pulled Tim into the center. Tim started dancing with both of them. To Jen’s surprise Tim had no problem dancing with both of them at once. Jen watched and saw Tim smiling the happiest smile Jen had ever seen. Finally, the finish with a flourish and an uproar of clapping and cheering came from the men and women around the camp. Tim, Jerra and Lisa bowed with big smiles on their faces. Tim walked over and plopped down by Jen breathing a little heavily.

"So Jen, having fun yet?" asked Tim.

Jen was still smiling wide. "Yes. I haven't had this much fun in a long while."

Jerra came over and patted Jen on the shoulder. "Come on Jen, let's get some grub."

Jen looked at Tim "Go on, I'll socialize here."

Jen followed Jerra to the grill. But stopping to pick up a plate and silverware set from his speeder bag. The two boys at the grill handed them two plates. Then Jen and Jerra moved over to Allen who gave them their choice of steak. On the plate was a steak with light gravy, plus fried rice and roasted vegetables.

Jerra scooted over to A table, offering drinks. She pulled a pint filling the stein with the amber fluid.

Jen looked down at the food. Jerra smiled. "It may not be as good as you make but it is good."

Jen took a fork and took a bite, chewed and then swallowed. "It's not bad." Jen picked up a stein and was about to fill it from the same cask Jerra had filled when Jerra softly put a hand on Jen’s to stop him. Jen looked up at Jerra.

"What's wrong?"

"Jen, that stuff has a kick. You can have it if you want but you may want to try it first." One eyebrow went up.

"I think I can hold my drink," said Jen.

"OK," said Jerra. She picked up the stein and let a little into it, then handed it to Jen. Jen looked at her as if to say, 'you know this is pointless”, and took a drink.

Jerra watched him and then turned and walked to a stump by the fire. Jen spit the drink in to the grass when Jerra was not looking and with a sour expression get a different drink.

Jen walked over and sat down beside her.

"Does this happen every night?"

Jerra looked at Jen.

"partys." said Jen.

“When we want to have fun, or, when we get paid." Said Jerra "We all chip in -- some more then others -- I and Lisa supply some of the entertainment as you saw, as well as juggling and magic and stuff like that. Allen is good on the grill and Toms supplies the hard drinks."

She took a sip of the brew then laid the stein on a stump. "This isn't half bad. He's getting better at brewing mead. So Jen have you joined these bunch of merry yokels yet?" Jen nodded. Jerra looked over at Kai who was glaring at Jen.

"you were the one who gave Kai some hot soup." In a accusing and merry tone.

"Sadly…yes. Jen said with unease’s. “I hope he will forgive me soon.”

"Well, you could make him the same meal that you made me back at the apartment. I think even Kai would show respect to you then."

"I thought that Kai didn't like stoat meat." Said Jen.

"How did you know?" said Jerra in surprise.

"I just know."

"Anybody else will like it." Jerra continued eating.

"Jerra, I have a question. I would not want to pry or anything but what do you do besides checking up on Tim's buyers?"

Jerra replied, "I am a dancer. I learned the art of stealth and the basic training of a personal companion." Jerra paused and took a drink from the stein and watched his face. Jen didn't bat an eye. She continued, "I used to work as a thief professionally--stealing paintings, electronics, statues, things like that."

Jen nodded encouragingly "How did you get in touch with Tim?" asked Jen

"Well, I was doing a job and found out that the contact was double-crossing me. She made out a check that was made out for ten thousand. It was originally issued for ten dollars altered to ten thousand. Tim was a bystander; he gave me a better deal. The other reason I joined this group was I like the way he does business. And what he strives for is complete honesty which is a rarity in any day and age. I myself remember what this was like before the war--back when you could support yourself with very little work. Now, both parents have to work just to make ends meet. The empire holds our lives now. You are forced to go to war. You have no choice. If you do not, then…" Jerra paused and Jen completed the sentence. "Dragged to the town square and hanged and left there to die and even then they'll have you decay on the rope as a example."

Jen shivered at the thought. Jerra continued, "Yes, at the start you were quietly shot then it went to torture, hanging, rape -- even the children. Those damn haemoid daquelas irmãs que risca o gado que humping alguns priests um cathic pedo olha o alvorecer em quem veio provavelmente dentro ao mundo era porco que os guts começam furados na cerca e lá gene era assim desesperado!"

That surprised Jen, even though he’d worked in a machine shop for a summer. Compared to what Jerra just said about the empire, the swears he heard in the machine shop were a children's lullaby.

"This war has been going on for over twenty-one years. I want it to end. I'm doing my part. Tim found a spy, and I found a partner."

Jen looked at Jerra "So you and Tim are…" Jerra looked at Jen in surprise. "You think." Jerra laughed "No. No. He's not the type for me, I like…" Jerra fell silent as she looked at Nolfivrell a dark skinned teen. Nolfrivrell was a young man with red hair. He was dressed in A black leather Jacket, a vest embroidered with a mixture of red and gold thread. He was talking to the other woman who was dancing with Jerra earlier. Jerra smiled.

"Quite a catch. You must have gone through a lot to get that one," approved Jen.

"A few," said Jerra.

Jen realized something. "Jerra -- you said that you remember what it was like before the war. How is that possible? You can't be over your early twenties."

Jerra smiled. "Jen, flattery will get you everywhere."

"No, I'm serious!" Said Jen.

"I'm glad that you think so." I'm actually in my middle thirties." "Jen goggled wide-eyed. "I take it you are joshing me" "said Jen. "I'm forty four." "Well I must say you age well. You’re looking good from down here." Jerra smiled. "I moisturize."

They ate the rest of the food in silence. Jen swallowed the last of the food, stood up and addressed Jerra. "Anyway, it’s nice to meet the real you."

Jen and Jerra went their separate ways. Jerra went to a trailer and Jen to the campfire to warm up. Watching the Yojimbo, Jen spied a group coming to the camp. He noticed the cyborg from earlier. Jen pulled aside a Yojimbo called Lora. She was talking to a Mongolian man. Jen asked, "Who's that?" Lora, a little annoyed by the intrusion replied, "Why don't you go over and make friends and find out for your self."

The cyborg walked over to Tim who was sitting by Lisa,

Jen went over to join them. Tim noticed Jen approaching.

"Jen, this is Jackie Divine." Jen looked up in to Jackie's face. ‘He’ must have been seven feet tall. Jackie looked down . Jen spoke up. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Divine." Jackie said, "Please call me Jackie." The voice was a little metallic. "Jen, it’s nice to meet you too, but I beg leave of you. If you'll excuse me I'd like to talk to Tim in private, please."

"Very well," said Jen. "Go on, Tim. I'll be out by the fire."

Tim and Jackie went in to a tent. As they walked, Jackie spoke up. "Ous Tim è lui quello che stiamo cercando? è il vostro figlio." Tim cut him off with four words. "Heer di attesa non."

Jen went over to mingle some more. After a while, the group went off one by one to their respective corners. Some had trailers. Some had tents and some just curled up by the fire, leaving Jen to do as he would. Jen helped clean up from the party, then he thought he'd try to get some practice in. He drew his sword, whirling it around trying to get used to its weight. He had wielded farm tools and sticks more than weapons. Jen sat by the fire and fed sticks into it. Finally, Jen gave up. He just curled up by the fire and went to sleep.

Later, Jen felt some thing warm lying on him which woke him up. Jen sat upright, bleary-eyed. Tim's green trench was lying on him. He looked around and spied Tim standing over him looking down. “Tim?”

Tim sat Indian style beside Jen.

"Hi, kiddo. Sorry I woke you." Tim put a few logs on the fire then took out a cloth and began cleaning his weaponry. Tim removed something from a holster--a DD gun, a very dangerous weapon not for private ownership. A device so powerful that can literally make a hole right through you. "Tim, that gun you have there…that's a forbidden weapon, isn't it?" Tim paused, cleaning the moving parts then turned his head to stare at Jen.

Jen went on. "You could be arrested for having that gun." Tim brandished the gun and an impish gleam came in to his eyes "Let them try."

"But Tim, but -- you will go to jail. Why run the risk of being caught?"

Tim looked at Jen’s sword and his pistol. "Jen, you like being able to carry that seven shooter and your sword right?"

"Indeed, yes. It’s my right as a citizen to have the right to bear arms against anyone that might try to…oh." "See, you just answered your question. You see, back on earth--before we colonized the stars--you could not own a gun without a license. On top of a license for owning a gun, you had to get another for carrying a sidearm. And, swords were never allowed."

Jen stared in horror. "You mean that if you had a gun, you could not use it?" Tim nodded. "That's right, that's barbaric." said Jen. As one man once said ‘if you don't use your right then you will lose it.’ That's the reason that I carry this gun. I'm one of the people that have decided to push the envelope. The reason why people could not carry guns and swords freely back on earth is because people did not use their power. Now, the only people who can carry these are military personnel. If enough people carry this." Tim gushed, "with the gun we may be able to get them legal to carry. I don't like the thought that someone can use something that the free people can't. You have the right to carry that gun and that sword because people like me didn’t let that happen. Tim holstered his DD Gun.

Tim picked up his sidearm and cleaned the barrel with a stiff bristle brush. Jen and Tim sat in silence. After Tim was finished, he holstered his gun and took his green leather trench coat, folded it neatly and laid it by his side. Tim fiddled with his glove and undid the straps as he unzipped and removed his leather over glove, then the rubber under glove—to reveal a metal gauntlet. Jen saw metal gears revolving under the metal and poly glass casing. Tim took a screwdriver from his wallet and placed it in a slot at the back of his hand and twisted. The back popped open. Tim took a hex ranch and began to twist another socket.

Jen piped up. "What are you doing with your hand?"

Tim turned to face Jen "I'm doing maintenance on my prosthetic arm. I lost my hand years ago. I had a prosthetic that looked real, did the basic pincer grip. I actually helped designed this one. How this one works is…you see these four tubes? Each one has a cord. They each pull these four fingers. The cords are attached to what's left of the tendons and muscles in my forearm. The only thing I can't do is swivel my thumb. The muscle got chopped off -- I had to add a small motor to do the job. My wrist works in the same way my fingers do. Jen…am I grossing you out?" This last caught Jen off guard.

"What?"

"Am I grossing you out?

"No, no I'm actually interested."

Tim started to fiddle with his metal hand using the hex wrench to loosen the cords. Soon Tim took the hooks off the cords, pulled up and unscrewed his hand. Soon enough Tim fully removed the hand. All that was left was a casing that held rings that connected to the cords on Tim's prosthetic hand. Tim took the mechanical hand and connected it to a power pack to recharge for the night. Tim then removed the casing enclosing what was left of his stump. Jen could see the way it was grafted onto Tim's arm. It had been attached to the bone that was left. Jen moved over to Tim. "How did you lose your hand?"

Tim looked up at Jen. "It really isn't a proper bedtime story."

"Please, Tim." Jen saw Tim tense. "I…I lost it in the war on Titan. It was a parting blow from the leader of the army."

"Really. Tell me what happened, I'm interested." Tim paused. "I want to know your story."