Seek Him What Made Them Seven Stars
By Waddie Greywolf

Chapter 86

�In battle, in the forest, at the precipice in the mountains, on the dark great sea, in the midst of javelins and arrows, in sleep, in confusion, in the depths of shame, the good deeds a man has done before defend him.� ~ Bhagavgad Gita

Billy lay comfortable in Nick's big arms after giving his surrogate dad his usual morning blowjob. Nick was stroking him and stealing kisses. The big Cowboy-Angel whispered loving words and told Billy what a good son he was; how his cowboy master's Sunday morning display of affection and comfort was undoubtedly the best attention he ever got from a human. Billy's 'Tonto' was totally sincere with no reservations. In a way, it was sort of a back-door compliment. Sometimes they can be the most honest and meaningful. Billy knew Nick lost faith in mankind and dismissed humans as unworthy of his interest when they erroneously and maliciously blamed him for the failures of others and themselves. For the most part, he considered them selfish, conniving, manipulative, backstabbing savages of little intelligence with limited ability to reason truth for themselves who readily blamed him for their woes in life based on hearsay and trumped-up charges conjured and propagated by the true guardians of evil, the early Christian church.

For centuries, Samu'el, or Lucifer, once considered the brightest angel of them all, made damn sure he steered clear of humans from Earth as best he could and considered them of little importance in the greater universe. He gave them little thought, fully expecting to hear one day, they advanced to a point where they annihilated themselves or were wiped out by another, stronger, more advanced predatory civilization. Other than those like Hank and Buck, who were rescued from other aliens, Nick rarely ran into a human from Earth. There were so many similar humanoid types in the universe, he probably wouldn't have known if he ran into anyone from planet Terra unless he got to know them. Nick never kept his contempt or disdain for humans a secret and figured correctly his present involvement was part of them ancient races' plan for him to learn and grow.

They knew he wouldn't consider accepting the situation in which he currently found himself unless there was a powerfully attractive impetus strong enough to grab him by his balls and hold him in a steady position. Billy Daniels humility, compassion, and ability to share love became the bright angel's anchor in a troubled harbor. After Nick begged Billy to accept him as his slave and the young cowboy consented to become his master, Nick slowly began to modify his beliefs. The more he was around Billy and fell in love with him, the handsome, mature angel found it easy to assume a daddy-figure role with the young cowboy and came to understand the Irin and Grigori's interest in him. While many humans still insisted on worshiping the metaphorical god of mammon, carefully disguised as the major religions on the planet, the folks under Billy and his extended family's purview were good people � the salt of the Earth. They believed in a greater, more honest and gentle future for themselves and those other species they included as part of their family.  

�Do you think we'll have much problems with the government when they get word about them Men In Black, Tonto, and us turning them aliens over to them?� Billy asked Nick.

�According to what I understand about their penchant for surveillance and gathering every tidbit of information about their citizens, I think their operations have become top heavy and too ponderous to be effective. They should have stopped with gathering particularly targeted info, but their greed for power and a greater piece of the pie got out of hand to the point every agency spies on each other. Your deception about turning them critters over to the government is a bold and brilliant bluff, but I think you'll get away with it without any problem. Just stick to your guns and insist the men what came and took them away claimed they were from NSA. If they can't find those you say took them, what choice will they have but to claim the names you gave them were either forged or bogus. If they can neither prove it nor disprove it, I'd be willing to bet they never admit they don't have them, and you'll never hear from them again,� Nick said.

�What if they lie and tell us the names we gave them are real and them aliens are in their custody?� Billy asked.

�Then we'll know they's lying out their asses, and they can't be trusted one way or t'other; however, their track record of admitting there's anything unusual going on is slightly less than zero,� Nick replied and grinned, �You put them in a damned-if-they-do or damned-if-they-don't situation. If they claim they got them alien critters, the public will hound them to death to see for themselves. If they claim they don't have them, everyone will say it's just another government cover-up. You're off the hook either way,� Nick added.

�What if they claim we made up the video to gain publicity for ourselves to increase sales of our music videos?� Billy asked trying to cover all bases.

�A video like you got of them Lizard bastards eating one of their own would be a difficult thing to stage and make it look convincing. I ain't say'n it can't be done, 'cause I watched a lot of them movies with you what have great special effects, but there's also a lot of money what goes into the creation of fifteen to thirty minutes of film like that. You don't have the sophisticated equipment it would require, and why would you go to such an expense? You ain't asking that much for the DVDs of them barnyard concerts, and you send to schools, VA hospitals, retirement homes, and libraries for free,� Nick said firmly.   

* * * * * * *
Billy and Nick chose to stay the night in their new family abode above the cliffs where the two rivers conjoined. The cave, which housed Nick's ship, could easily be seen from their bedroom. It was a beautiful view as the sun began to rise and filled the master bedroom with light. It was situated on the top floor and was surrounded on three sides with enormous floor to ceiling plate glass of an almost indestructible design which readily captured the earliest rays of sunrise to the last few moments at sunset. Billy began to think of his new bedroom as a nesting area and allowed his youthful memories to flow forward with the rivers below to provide a new name for the incredibly detailed, immaculately conceived, and constructed edifice. It wrapped itself around his spirit like it was designed and created by the purely generous love of his family to surround and protect him and his immediate family like a surrogate womb, an all-ye-all-ye-outs-in-free zone away from the noise and degenerative sins of a decaying, slowly dying free-society by the ever increasingly deadly cancer of mammon-ism and austerity forced on the lesser classes by the wealthy autocrats.     

Billy allowed his mind to free associate. He was in high school when he got bit by the conservation bug and the idea of becoming a good husband to the land around his ranch and the wildlife which inhabited the area. Billy had a strong, forceful, brusque, no nonsense, manly-woman for a science teacher who taught everything from basic biology to senior chemistry. Her name was Ms. Dumont and she lived on a large ranch with her petite lady partner who was also the Latin teacher of Billy's high school. Kids are not nearly as na�ve about gender identity at that age as many claim them to be and referred to her with more than a little respect as Big Daddy Dumont. She dressed in men's clothing, stomped around her classroom in heavy-duty cowboy boots, and was known to smoke cigars while she worked her ranch. She had no problems with gender identity. She knew who he was. Ms. Dumont instilled in her students a responsibility toward nature and our planet like it was our home and the mother of all life. She held strong opinions and was insistent, unless her students became good shepherds and learned to take care of Mother Gaia, she would not continue to take care of us.

One afternoon, while Billy was rounding up cattle and brush-popping with Samson, he came upon a huge growth of century plants and yuccas, in which a pair of Aplomado Falcons were building a nest. His uncle gave him an expensive digital video camera for Christmas that year with a fine telephoto lens, and he was making a filmed progress of the whole process as part of a project for his science class. He uploaded his pictures to his web site to share with his classmates and teacher. Ms. Dumont was thrilled and told him there were only a few of the Aplomado Falcons left in the area due to hunters and the overuse of pesticides. She encouraged Billy to keep a record and continue uploading the bird's progress to his site. He watched and videoed from the cliffs on horseback everyday as they built their nest, and when they were finished, the female proceeded to lay four eggs.

As fate would have it, the young falcons hatched on a weekend, so it gave Billy time to take ample footage and record the event. As time went on, the young birds grew quickly, but three were more aggressive than the smallest in the nest. He began to waste away because he wasn't well-nourished enough to compete with the others. As they grew bigger and stronger, the smaller one didn't grow at all. He became known as the runt of the litter. One of Billy's classmates twittered the poor thing reminded them of the dwarf in 'The Game of Thrones.'

You could see in Billy's pictures and videos the bullied chick was fading fast and probably was not long for this world. Then, one day, he was gone from the nest. Billy took videos and uploaded them to his Hill County Flora & Fauna website. The response from his classmates and his science teacher was an outpouring of sympathy with notes of sorrow and disappointment, except for one comment from a quiet young man in his class, whom Billy came to admire for his intelligence and wit, Millard MacKintyre. (Millard pronounced Me-yard) Millard recently transferred to their school from Scotland. His parents were killed in a terrible plane crash and his only relative was his father's cousin who moved to the Hill Country in Texas to become a rancher. Millard's post read: Check out frame 12:32 bottom left hand corner. Tyrion Lannister lives!!! ~ #nadaunderkilt.

Billy carefully played the video back and saw the quick movement in the shadow at the base of the huge yucca and century plant growth. It looked like an uncoordinated lump of flesh flopping about trying to gain some perspective of his current situation. It was undoubtedly the missing baby falcon. Billy responded to Millard's Twitter: �Great catch, Brother MacNadaunderkilt. Thanks! Returning to scene immediately to meet neighbor to attempt a rescue. Check back later for update, #puncher42. Billy called Moss to meet him beneath the cliffs where the rivers come together and asked him to bring a flashlight. Moss was checking out Billy's web site when he got the call. He was waiting on his favorite mare, Martha, when Billy rode up on Samson. It was a chilly spring evening and both men were wearing heavy jackets. �You ready to hunt the fearsome 'Bandersnatch,' Brother?� Billy asked and grinned.

�Ain't no need!� Moss replied.

�Why? I don't understand,� Billy asked.

�It's a shorter ride for me and Martha from our place. We got here, and Martha wanted a drink. I let her go, and I started looking. I found your Tyrion in a hole under a branch of the yucca what broke off. He's resting in the pocket of my jacket. He must be comfortable. He ain't moved an inch, and I ain't heard a peep out of him since I put him there. Maybe he thinks he's returned to the egg. What do you wanna' do with him?� Moss asked.

�You got time to ride up to the line-shack wiff' me?� Billy asked.

�Yeah, I done fed our livestock � including my dad. I'm through for the e'nin,� Moss said and they shared a laugh at him referring to his dad as part of his livestock, but the truth was, if it wasn't for Moss picking up the reins after his ma died, aided by tips and easy recipes from Kate Daniels, and teaching himself how to cook, his dad very probably would have starved to death. �I'd enjoy spending some time with you, Little Brother. I wanna' see what you're gonna' do with him,� Moss replied.

�Excellent!� Billy hissed like Mr. Burns, �It's Friday e'nin, and I ain't got nothing going on. You wanna' make a night of it? We can watch an old movie and pop some corn. You can be my cameraman while I'm fixing Tyrion a new home. I done rustled him up some grub afore I left the house. I shore hope I can get him to eat. I got that big-old ten gallon aquarium over to the line-shack. We'll put him in 'nere with my down-stuffed work vest I don't wear no more, and I'll set him on them shelves next to the barbecue on the patio off the kitchen. He won't be able to jump out, and I can keep a watch on him through that big window next to the table,� Billy said. They turned their ponies and headed up the trail toward the line-cabin. It was a nice ride, and they talked about many things.    

Billy shot videos of Moss taking the tiny falcon-chick from his heavy mackinaw jacket, and it was a surefire, awe-some, uplifting video moment. The baby bird was weak and could barely hold its head up. Billy built a temporary nest on the oil-cloth covered kitchen table and set a hundred watt light bulb goose-neck lamp nearby to see better and warm the chick. He got out the bits and pieces of raw meat and some canned tuna fish he brought with him. Billy fed the baby bird with a pair of long needle-nosed electronic pliers, and the poor thing ate as fast as Billy could feed him. Billy made sure he gave him a couple of squirts of water from an eyedropper as well. Moss was playing cameraman, and they were chatting back and forth. Finally, Tyrion, the baby falcon could eat no more and began to get sleepy. Billy had the large aquarium set up and transferred his old down-vest with the baby bird fast asleep into his new home. The cowboys rescued the baby bird and were giving it another chance at life. Sometimes the public vision of the rough and rowdy carefree life of a cowboy is in direct contrast to his own personal views and private actions.

Billy and Samson lived for several weeks that spring in the line-cabin to be near the baby bird. It was the same spring he bought the old upright piano from the Garretts, and they helped him and his Uncle move it to the cabin. Billy experimented around with his camera's wifi capabilities and set it up to keep a watch on the baby falcon in the large aquarium which he left on a table in the enclosed patio area. Billy created a round-the-clock baby-falcon live nature-cam anyone could check out anytime to see how young Tyrion was coming along.       

The whole school would tune-in to check out and leave words of encouragement or offer suggestions. Most comments were serious, but a few were humorous. After a couple of weeks the baby would hear Billy and Samson arrive at the cabin and could see Billy walking around in the kitchen. Tyrion was hungry and would began to make the familiar falcon screech to call attention to the plight of his empty stomach. It would be the time most of his school mates and teacher would tune in to watch Billy feed the young fledgling. That Friday evening they were in for a surprise. Moss happened to drop by that evening. He got the first season of a new series they were going to watch together. Billy was getting Tyrion's food when he heard Moss gasp and say, �Uh-oh! Better take a look on the patio, Little Bro!�

Billy turned to look and there was a mature female falcon sitting on the edge of the aquarium looking down at the chick. The first thought which ran through Billy's mind was she was hunting for her chicks and the baby would make a good meal for them. Moss caught Billy's eye and in an instant saw a worried look cross his face. �My God! After all our work...� he managed to get out.

�No! Wait, Little Brother! I don't think she'll harm him,� Moss said strongly, �Don't move! Let's see what she does,� he added.

Forty-two hearts of those who tuned in for the evening-feeding stopped beating for a couple of seconds in anticipation of what might happen next. They watched as the large bird jumped down into the aquarium with the baby to look him over. Then she bent over and opened her beak. Billy was almost sure she was going to kill him, but the young cowboy's legs wouldn't move. He stood frozen with fear and dread. He watched as the mother bird regurgitated and started to feed baby Tyrion. Billy and Moss were astounded, after two weeks, she recognized him as her missing baby.

From that time on, Billy would feed Tyrion and leave enough food out for the mother falcon to have something to feed her other chicks back at her nest. She would feed Tyrion, gobble down the food Billy provided, and then fly to feed her other babies. Tyrion grew and became a regular fixture around the line-shack that summer. After he learned to fly, Billy and Moss would be out riding and Tyrion would spot them. Billy would hold up his arm and the young bird would fly to him. They always carried treats with them, but slowly weaned him. Still Tyrion was friendly until he met a mate of his own, but he always made sure their nests were close to the line-shack. Billy noticed Tyrion and his mate were building another nest near his new cliff-side dwelling and thus, the new cabin became known as the Falcon's Lair.

* * * * * * *
It was Sunday. Billy and Nick decided to join his family in the big house for breakfast. Vox and Rox Humana came down with an end-of-summer cold and Elmer called to ask Kate if she or Billy might do them the great favor of playing for the church services. Billy could tell the way his grandmother told him she would if Billy had other, more important plans for the morning but she really didn't want to do it herself. Billy saw it as an opportunity to repay his grandmother a scintilla for her many years of unfailing dedication and devotion to him.

�Be happy to, Grandma. We ain't got many visitors this morning, so we'll take only those who wish to join us,� Billy said. �Are we still having Sunday dinner in the great hall on Lilith's Joy?� he asked.

�Yes, I've given it some thought. I don't care to make a regular thing of it, but I think for reasons of unity and solidarity for what is to come this evening, it will be a good idea. Besides, the greater family will come and it will be a lot less work for us providers and helpers here in the big house. Will you require a page-turner, Son?� Kate asked in reply.

�You up to wrangling pages for your ramrod, Buckaroo, while we ride that big windy beast together?� Billy asked Bobby Andreeson and got a big grin out of the boy. Bobby set by Billy's side when he played the organ in the house a couple of times and enjoyed the experience of turning pages for him.

�I'm your cowboy, Master Billy,� Bobby replied with a big smile.   

�You's grow'n like a weed, Young Man. You's a head taller than Randy, Tommy, or Cal. It won't be long afore you catch up with Rory McMartin. Are you taking organ lessons from Mr. Humana?� Billy asked.

�Yes, sir. He teaches a class for an hour every weekend. We may have to miss today, but I consider myself lucky to get to observe you this morning. I already know how to play from my enhancement gifts from the Essengurda, but what I most need is to closely observe someone with a more fluid technique than Master Humana or Brother Randy so I might find my own voice,� Bobby replied.

�Fine. I'll look forward to it. We'll have us a good time,� Billy said. He was impressed by Bobby's answer and figured it wouldn't be long before they would have ample talent to call upon to fill in when needed.

Since Billy was going to be responsible for the music he decided to take a dozen outstanding choristers with him to fill the usually empty choir loft. He included his two business leaders Dorcas and Dociean who also had fine voices. They were being carefully groomed by Ernie and Bubba to become the heads of the the new bank. Billy thought he might get a chance to introduce them to the audience as the new heads of staff for the new Grange Credit Union which would be opening in town as soon as they could find a suitable building. Since Vox was not there to direct his regular choir, they opted not to sing and turned the music portion of the service over to Billy's capable hands. After they arrived at the church and everyone took their places, Billy looked at Bobby and smiled, �Think you can wrestle this beast to the ground, Cowboy, and play an opening piece for us?� Billy asked.

�I ain't memorized nothing yet, but I could improvise something if you like, sir. Perhaps a prelude and passacaglia on a ground bass. Do you have a theme in mind, Master Billy?� Bobby asked.

�Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. I can't get that old cowboy tune 'Red River Valley' off my mind lately and maybe this moment is the reason. Whether it is or not, it's been driving me crazy. Let's pretend it is, and gift your master with a prelude and a beefy but somewhat restrained passacaglia.

Billy took his seat next to the organ, and Bobby set his stops. When he was ready, he looked at Billy. Billy smiled at him and nodded for him to begin. Bobby began to play and he neither tried to hide nor disguise the melody. It was soft and slowly lilting as if it were being heard from the riverbank miles away from the church. It grew in intensity but remained the slowly plodding theme. It was a stunning covering of the piece with exotic and fast moving harmonies Bobby threw into the roux made for a wonderful quiet but strongly stated prelude.

�What the Hell is that tune?� Zelma Jane whispered to Kate. Eve Andreeson, Bobby's grandmother, was sitting on Kate's other side and overheard the conversation.

�An old cowboy tune: Red River Valley,� Kate replied.

�And now he's playing variations over the melody?� Zelma asked.

�A passacaglia, Dear,� Kate replied.

�How novel. A cowboy tune in a western church makes a nice combination. Most unusual,� Zelma decreed.

�Not really. It's a musical form quite popular among musicians who want to display their composing skills. Bach's Goldberg Variations was a set of thirty variations built on the bass line of an old German Folk Song �Cabbage and turnips have driven me away. Had my mother cooked meat, I'd have opted to stay,'� Kate replied and got the ladies laughing.

Kate placed her hand on Eve's knee and gently squeezed it. �It looks like you have a budding genius for a grandson, Me-maw Eve,� she whispered. Eve took out her kerchief and daubed her eyes. The music coming from the organ was stunning. When Bobby finished, Billy's choir members began to applaud for the young organist and the rest of the congregation including Billy joined them.  Bobby took a quick bow and sat next to Billy. Billy put his big arm around the boy, pulled him close, and bussed a kiss behind his ear. �That windy beast didn't stand a chance, Cowboy. You roped and hogtied him in no time. Whipped his ass good, too! Finest improvisation this old cowboy's heard in a good while,� Billy praised him, �Think you could write it out after we get home?� he asked.

�Yes, sir. It's still up there mostly intact, but I'd change some things to make it better and perhaps a bit more symphonic,� Bobby replied.

�That's a composer's prerogative, Son,� Billy said and smiled at Bobby.

Bobby played while Billy conducted the choir during the offertory. Billy played for the singing of hymns and the postlude, but Bobby was the star of the morning and many of the church folks came around to shake his hand and congratulate him on his playing. Eve Andreeson couldn't have been more proud of her grandson.

The preacher gave Billy a moment to speak to the congregation, and he introduced Dorcas and Dociean to them. Dociean worked hard during the time he was on the ranch to adopt an authentic old world cowboy image with long overgrown sideburns and a cowboy porn-mustache which made the ladies hearts beat faster and the men gazed upon him with masculine envy. He was the very epitome of what a mature cowboy might look like at the turn of the twentieth century and the perfect image Billy wanted for the ramrod of his new Credit Union. Dociean's looks instilled trust and confidence in the people of the community.

* * * * * * *
The Daniels family departed to return to the ranch. Boomer couldn't have been happier. He got in the back of the big ranch van, took off his clothes, and morphed back into his watcher form. Billy offered him the option of staying on the ranch, but he wouldn't entertain the idea. From the bottom of his immense heart to the depth of his loving soul, he took his sworn oath as Billy's husband and protector seriously.

The rest of the family arrived at the ranch and were waiting for Billy and his immediate family when they returned from church. The major players were in attendance and the gathering of Billy's greater family, including the visitors in residence from the great golden ship, were present to offer their support and encouragement. The three inductees into Billy's growing band of Cowboy-Angels spent the night on the ship and were present in their splendid wings. Talk was lively around the table and there were a lot of physiological and psychological questions ask by folks who were new to those who had the enhanced gift of healing and mental communication.

First impressions of Billy and his angels' powers placed them in the minds of the uninitiated as being god-like, but when they came to know them found they were just as human as they were with a bit more seeing power into the necessity of social awareness and the responsibilities which comes with such talents. Like most new technologies, the next generation rarely questions the mechanics behind the great leap in information processing which occurred after the invention of the transistor. However, the greater access they enjoyed with Billy and his family, it seemed like everything was coming together in a more simplified form everyone could understand.

When they lived around Billy and his band of angels, what might seem to be miraculous became an everyday experience and took away the mystery. The exceptional became the expected. The what-and-how they were enhanced and given the gifts they were using were being revealed almost on a daily basis, like one might eat an artichoke and enjoy each leaf until they came to the heart and only then understood the reason behind such an unlikely food. Like broccoli is an edible pre-flowering vegetable, so is the artichoke. There were many questions put to the four visiting ambassadors from the Daniels family benefactor about their master.

�What does he look like?� asked young Zak who in a short period of time was beginning to blossom as an incredibly handsome Warrior-Angel.

�He changes from time to time depending on his whim. Lately, probably because of his infatuation with Master Billy and his Cowboy-Angels, he's taken up looking like an authentic cowboy. He builds up massive information banks of pictures of men of the west and his cohorts are always sending him the latest they find attractive. He'll take on one's appearance for a while and then another, depending on his mood and interest,� T. E. Lawrence said, �I probably understand that part of him better than my fellow ambassadors. It was a stretch of credibility for me with blond hair and blue eyes to try to look like my Arabian brothers. I understand now it was because of my deep craving to become a more complete man than I saw myself to be at the time. I learned a lesson I won't repeat, but still remember the experience as one of great discovery and sensuality,� he added.

�Is he tyrannical like jealous gods we've heard stories about?� Bart Langstrom asked.

�Heavens no. He's pretty even tempered most of the time, but he hasn't always been. Some of us have visited his past in-quanta to witness his progression. He hasn't always been as stable as he is now, but I will have to admit he took me under his wing when I arrived and provided me with what I needed; that which I could never bring myself to enjoy while I was living on this planet in my original form,� Lawrence replied.

�Do you consider him a god?� Ernest Pennywise asked.

�Only in the sack,� Lawrence shot back and grinned wickedly. Everyone laughed at his reply.

�I hear that!� Ernie said firmly, looked at Bubba, and blushed a deep red color. Even Doug Dewberry laughed at the small man's response.

�Do any of you men consider him a deity?� Marcus asked.

�No. He told us from the beginning he's no god. Do we worship him? Not really. He's never asked it of us. Do we respect him? Bet your boots we respect him. If we were to put a label on him, I would call him a Master Quantum Mechanic; but then, by the same token you might began to think on your enhanced leaders as Journeymen Quantum Mechanics. They're able to manipulate physical matter to make corrections in the course of universal progress. It's the knowledge of how to steer the immediate future from one of plodding chaotic disorder to one of either/or and those who have evolved and have been enhanced are generally considered to be able to make better, more wise decisions for the future. Some see it as a seasoned cowboy might jump on the back of a runaway horse, take the reins, and turn it from a disaster. They have the power to change the course of history one step at a time,� John Mack explained, �Some don't. A few have failed. Once in a great while, an asshole comes along, but as a general rule, they don't last long before they're called for judgment,� he added.

�Why is it only now beginning to happen?� Evangeline Andreeson asked.

�Good question. We weren't ready as a species until after the second world war,� Chief Seattle said firmly, �Regrettably, the culminating incident which woke the rest of the players in the universe and notified them that we, as a species, reached the point where we might be ready to join the rest of the intelligence in the universe, was the detonation of the first nuclear bomb. It sent out a message our species developed to the stage where they learned the basis for manipulating quanta. We've been under close scrutiny ever since. Only a few understood the ramification of such a powerful invention. Robert Oppenheimer was said to have recalled a line from the Bhavagad Gita: I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds. Perhaps, at that moment, he understood the yin and yang of his accomplishment and the irony it represented.
 
Certainly the people of my era wouldn't understand the concept. It wasn't until Einstein and Niels Bohr began to debate Bohr's 'uncertainty principle' opposed to Einstein's preferred ideas of 'determinism' in physics did the consciousness of the more educated minds began to grasp the concept. Einstein preferred the determinism of classical physics over the probabilistic examples of quantum physics to which he himself contributed. Philosophical issues which arose from the novel aspects of quantum mechanics became widely celebrated subjects of discussion and no doubt expanded the public's greater consciousness whether they fully understood the basic concepts or not. Once the genie is out of the bottle, it's difficult to put him back. The information slowly stimulated our races to began to wonder just how strange and wonderful our universe really is.

�An attempt to bring the 'wise ape' into a higher plane of existence has been tried before, either by enhancement or in several cases an evolutionary jump. There have been a few enhanced humans who tried to change the future, but they weren't strong enough nor could the people who came to know them as unusually gifted, understand what they were trying to tell them. It took the Catholic Church three hundred years to admit Galileo was right, and they were wrong. The workings of our universe are so unusual, the only way they could explain to those of limited intellect was through parables and mystically nebulous sermons. They, themselves, probably had no idea how or why their powers worked and could only imagine their benefactor must be a god. Everyone knows how those attempts turned out,� the great chief said with a hint of disgust, �You should first be able to understand the concept of the wheel before you ask a horse to pull a wagon,� he added and smiled.
 
�Imagine trying to describe quantum mechanics to an Amazon tribesman. While they might have the same intelligence potential, they are uneducated and believe in voodoo and magic. The same might be applied to the last two thousand years of empty promises from the major religions on your planet. They have become stagnant cesspools of hatred, depravity, intolerance, and greed sometimes fueled by the demons from outer space. Forty-eight percent of the American population considers themselves 'true believers' who have been brainwashed from birth never to question the deeply flawed myths and superstitions their parents, or tribal leaders, and the greater portion of their society supports. They remain suspicious of education and scientist,� Tenzin Gyatso said.

There was a pause in the conversation for a few minutes as the staff brought out big trays of dessert.
 
�What are your plans if the government contacts you and wants to know the name of the agents what took them alien critters away, Big Brother?� Randy asked.

�Good question, Bossman. I guess I'll just make up some names and let them worry about it. If they say they ain't got nobody by them names, then it's their problem,� Billy said.

�Sloppy reasoning,� Randy replied stoically and took a bite of his dessert.

There was uneasy giggles, some outright laughter from several people, and a couple gasped at the young cowboy's brashness. Billy was used to Randy's ways.

Billy grinned, �I suppose you got a better idea, Bossman?� Billy asked.

�Considerably! Me and my buddies got chore' back, Bro,� Randy said and smiled.

�I can't wait! I'm all ears. I'm listening, Little Brother,� Billy said.

�Me, ma' brothers, and my sister got our heads together and talked with our halfling brothers working under Auntie Helen. Them little men are downright geniuses. We spent a couple of hours gathering the names, pics, and backgrounds of the four Homeland Security Agents out of the Houston office and managed to get hold of each one's cards with their fingerprints on them. All you gotta' do is give them government men their cards,� Randy explained.

There was a great hush came over the great hall waiting for Billy's response.

�That's pretty dang incredible, Bossman, by any standards. I'm proud of you men and Kayla for taking the initiative. You're covering all my bases, but what if them men is the ones the government sends out to investigate?� Billy asked.

�We done thought about that, too. It would even be better. It's what we's hoping for. We got pitchers and detailed info about them. You memorize their faces from numbers of pictures and remember the names of their wives and children. We even got their parents' and their grandparents names. Two got connections to the Redbone family and the other two got family members in common with Bubba's and your family. You welcome them and call them by name when you greet them. You tell them how good it is to see them again and invite them in for coffee and Hosanna Cakes. One's little girl has a rare blood disorder and another has a young boy our age with some new disease they ain't even got a name for yet,� Randy said.

�I see where you're going with this. We swear they been here to the ranch before, and we turned them aliens over to them,� Billy said like his mind was catching up with Randy's.      

�We'll create a smokescreen of confusion. Sort of turn the table on 'em. We even got the names of the troops they would send for or bring with them in a case like this and their license plates,� Randy said.

�That's amazing. Is there any chance you men might have been traced by the NSA?� Billy asked.

Randy laughed. �I seriously doubt it. I don't know how to break this to you, Big Brother, but them little men are so far advanced in cybertronic manipulations and their knowledge of digital cryptography they make the NSA look like pimple-faced adolescent geeks hacking in their parent's basement.  
 
Billy laughed and everyone joined him. Randy was so full of himself and sure of his companion's abilities, no one could fault the boy.

�Promise me you won't never go out on your own until well after puberty, and you got my permission, Bossman,� Billy said and got a big laugh from everyone.

�They had plenty of supervision, Kemosabe,� Nick assured him, �They ran their ideas by me and several others. Aunt Helen agreed to take them under her wing. They're good kids. They understand the times we live in are precarious and require discretion,� he added.

Billy announced they would have a light supper of left overs at seven, an hour later than usual because of the video of the aliens they were suppose to turn over to the Feds would be shown on the six o'clock news from Houston. Those interested in watching the video again could join them in the great hall. With the current political situation, Billy wasn't sure if the video would be shown again at ten o'clock. If it was, the men could watch from the tubs in the dungeon.

* * * * * * *
The afternoon passed quickly. Most of Billy's immediate family were interested in working out in the gym on the ship. It was a great way to get some exercise and chat with everyone. The place was packed and the smells of healthy male bodies almost became overpowering. They even got Douglas and Grover lifting a few weights, but they decided they were not yet ready for a full workout and excused themselves. Grover complained to Doug his back was beginning to hurt. They showered, and went off to Grover's private room in the castle tower to be alone together for a while.

The men took off their clothes to lie together in the huge bed. Grover turned away from Doug for a minute and the young cowboy caught a glimpse of his back and thought it looked funny. He reached for his surrogate granddad's arm and told him to stand still while he examined his back. Sure enough, there were two large protrusions equally spaced on his shoulders which were beginning to look like sharp points. He pressed on the right one and an electric shock went through
Grover's body, and he winced. �Ouch! What the Hell?� Grover asked firmly.

�I think you're growing a set of wings, Paw-paw,� Doug said, �Did Billy say anything about you becoming an Angel when he refurbished you?� he asked.

�No, he said he would gimme' a set of wings after my body adjusted to the physical stress of bringing my body back to that of a younger man. I thought he meant he would do it later. You think I misunderstood?� Grover asked.  

�I can't say, Grampa, but I think we better contact him and find out,� Doug replied, �Get on the bed and lay on your stomach, Paw-paw. I'll give Bubba a call,� he said.

�Thanks, Son, I'd appreciate it,� Grover said.

�What's a grandson for, Paw-paw?� Doug asked and grinned.

�You don't want me to run through the list right now do you? I'm feeling a little unstable. I'll be happy to whisper them in your ear later,� Grover said and grinned.

�On the bed, Granddad!� Doug barked gently and whipped out his cell phone.
 
�What chu' need, Little Brother?� Doug heard Bubba's strong voice ask.

�I ain't sure, but I think my Paw-paw is grow'n his'self a pair of wings. Did Master Billy give him the full package when he refurbished him last Thursday e'nin?� Doug asked.

�Yeah, I was right across from him when he done it, but he told Grover he wouldn't fledge for several days because of the stress to his body from the major enhancement he done on him. Billy delayed it until his body was ready to take on the added stress of growing a set of heavy wings. Sounds like his body's ready. Ain't no problem. I'll bring a posse up with me and my watcher so's he can drink some milk and get a good night's sleep. Do you plan to stay with him this evening?� Bubba asked.

�I can't, Master Bubba. We retired to his room here on the ship to rest for a while before the news program. Me and Hoss gotta' get on home early to get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow's a work day and we gotta' be on the road before dawn. He told me to gather myself and be ready to leave for our ranch at Katemcy right after supper,� Doug lamented.

�No problem. We'll have someone with him all night and tomorrow. My Brute will stay with him through the night, share his sweet milk, and sing his pain away,� Bubba assured Doug.

Billy and Nick were informed, Grover was fledging, and came into the room to see if everything was under control. Since the mature attorney was unofficially under Bubba's wing, it seemed right he was in control of the situation. �Sorry, I misjudged your physical stamina, Master Grover. I didn't think you would begin to fledge until next weekend sometime. I planned to remind you before the end of the week,� Billy apologized for the surprise.

�Thanks, but I'm not worried, Son. I'm in good hands,� Grover replied.

�You are, indeed, in good hands, sir, the very best,� Billy said sincerely.

Ernest Pennywise moved to the side of the room and tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible with a frightened look on his face. He quickly glanced from side to side like he was searching for a nook or cranny in which to hide, but like a frightened rabbit couldn't find a hole. Douglas planned to stay with his granddad until time for him to go down for supper. He caught sight of Ernie wringing his hands like he was deeply concerned and felt great empathy for Grover. Doug was sure part of his discomfort and nervousness was being out of the range of Bubba's complete attention, and he was sure Ernie was feeling left-out and out-of-place. While Doug wasn't as large as Bubba and Hoss, at twenty-one, he was still growing. To the smaller man the young cowboy was certainly an imposing male presence.       

Without over-thinking the situation, almost as an empathetic response, like anyone who might sense anxiety within a small animal, Doug slowly walked over, parked himself next to the smaller man, put his big arm around Ernie's neck and let his hand drape loosely down Ernie's front. Doug could physically feel Ernie instantly relax and breathed a deep sigh of relief. Ernie reached up and took Doug's hand and gently kissed the back in gratitude. Doug leaned over and stole a brotherly supporting kiss behind Ernie's ear. It brought a big smile to the small man.

Doug remembered a conversation with his grandpa the previous night. �Ask yourself how much you want Bubba? Do you want him enough to put yourself second to him? But, before you answer, remember, you must be willing to see the world as he sees it, love those whom he loves, and that would include Ernest Pennywise,� Grover said. Doug didn't answer Grover's question at that moment, but his grandpa didn't push. Doug's action answered his surrogate granddad's question. Bubba was busy, but he watched out of his peripheral vision and smiled knowingly to himself. He wondered about the young man's humanity and compassion. Bubba wondered no more. He was more sure than ever he chose the right man for the job. Douglas Dewberry was the man he wanted working by his side.     

Bubba expertly made the necessary cuts in Grover's back, allowed the wing-stubs to pop up like characters in a children's book, healed him, and took away any pain. They got him hooked up to Bubba's watcher, Brute, whom he referred to as his 'sweet-potato' and after drinking his fill of sweet milk, Grover quickly drifted off to sleep peaceful dreams. His wings were free, and they began to grow. Jack McCormack wouldn't hear of anyone staying with Grover but himself. He knew Hoss and Doug would be leaving for their ranch after supper, and he had nothing on his docket for the next morning. Bubba and Ernie needed to get to bed. Their morning would start early to find a suitable place for the new bank.

* * * * * * *
The family gathered in the great hall to watch the six o'clock news. Many never saw the complete video and watched in stunned silence. It was not only a shocking reality to everyone gathered, but they came to realize it was also a critically historical watershed moment. Like the second world war changed everything for the British aristocracy, the world they were used to would be no more. The implications were staggering. No longer could the government white wash the fact aliens exist and fill the skies with their vehicles; they could no longer lie and dismiss good people who experienced close encounters as being the lunatic fringe of society.

It was a somber audience when the final words were heard of Billy's recorded speech at the end of the video. Stanley Norsworthy only added a brief comment reminding the viewing audience the video they just broadcasted was real, honest footage, and no part of it was altered or enhanced. There was a ponderous silence for several minutes after the broadcast was shutdown. No one dared say a word. Billy took the matter in hand, turned to his people, raised his fist in the air, bowed his head, and shouted, �Hosanna!�

Everyone, man, woman, child, Warrior, Watcher, halfling, dwarf, giant, Psyche, Sun Bear, Dragon-man, Lion-man, Panther-man, village folk, and Angels rose as one body, held their fists in the air and replied loudly, �Hosanna, in the highest!�     

Billy continued, �I thank you, everyone, for your support and patience. I thank our ancient friends, including our great benefactor, for their support and continued help. From now on, we live on a changed world. Things may get a little crazy for a while, but I feel confident we will weather the storm without much damage. Now, let's go in and have a nice supper and enjoy each others company while we still have a modicum of peace in our small world,� Billy said.

�Hear! Hear!� Tron Garrett exclaimed.

�My god! You'd think the sky is about to fall,� Zelma said to Kate.

�Zelma Jean, if you do a 'Chicken Little' number on me, I swear on the name of some unknown god, I will haunt you for an eternity!� Kate exclaimed and the two ladies broke-up laughing together.

�Have no fear, Dear! I was granted this extension in life to see you through this. I may have to return to Houston in the fall for a while, but you won't get rid of me that easily. I'm in too deep to pull out now,� Zelma said.

�That's a comfort,� Kate replied, linking her arm with Zelma's and patting it gently with her hand. They walked into the dinning hall together.

* * * * * * *
The phone lines to the ranch began to light up within minutes of the broadcast. Billy left instructions for his people to turn on the computer answering devices, and they could gauge from the amount and kinds of comments how the world was taking the news. Billy didn't want his staff overwhelmed, but he wasn't quite ready himself to be confronted by the public or any government officials who might wish to discuss the matter with him in greater depth. His family had a nice supper together, but as they were having dessert, Zelma Redbone's cell phone rang. Everyone looked at her as she pulled it from the pocket of the pantsuit she was wearing. She looked at Billy and he nodded for her to answer. She set the phone on speaker for everyone to hear.

�Hello,� she answered cautiously.

�Mrs. Redbone?� a deep male voice asked.

�Yes, is that you, Terrance? Terrance Gordon?� she asked.

�Why, yes ma'am, it sure is. Sorry to bother you, ma'am, but you once told me if I ever needed to get in touch with you in a hurry to use your cell phone number,� the unmistakably Texas voice said, �I weren't sure you'd remember me, ma'am, but I thought I'd take a chance,� he said.

�I absolutely remember you, sir. I remember you well. You were one of our most faithful hardworking cowboys. We backed you and your family when you decided to try ranching on your own. We financed you and you paid us back every penny plus interest. My husband was very fond of you, Mr. Gordon. He was also very proud of you. You have a wonderful family with five boys and one beautiful daughter, Peg-annie Sue,� Zelma said, �You and your family were good to me and my family when I lost my husband, Son, and his wife. I'll never forget you and your family's kindness and empathy. What can I do for you, Son?� she asked.

�Ms. Zelma, me and my boys were out on our property rounding up some of our cattle three days ago to check and tag them, and we watched several of them Lizard-like critters appear out of nowhere. They surrounded my oldest grandson, pulled him off his pony, and carried him to some kind of round saucer-like craft and took off with him. We had our guns with us, but I told my boys not to shoot cause we might hit my grandson by mistake. We ain't seen hide nor hair of him since. We's just sick down to the bottom of our boots over it, ma'am.

�We done called the sheriff and told him all us men, my five boys, and six grandsons, saw them take him. They didn't believe us. They accused us of drinking too much. I told him my family don't drink no alcohol. We ain't no churchy-fied folks neither, but you know we's teetotalers, Ms. Redbone. We can't get nobody to listen to us. We watched a video this e'nin about another young rancher in the Hill Country what's had his'self a run-in with them nasty critters and it brought fear and loathing to me and my boys watching it. My daughter and several of my grandson's is really into the music specials from Mr. Daniels ranch and swore they saw you and your grandson's sitting in the audience. Could you put us in contact with him and his family, ma'am?� Mr. Gordon asked.

Zelma looked across the table at Billy for a cue. �You got Billy Daniels, Mr. Gordon. Ms. Redbone put you on speaker and ever' one at our table done heard your conversation,� Billy said.

There was several cowboy 'whoops' went up from Mr. Gordon's family, and most of Billy's family laughed.

�Well, I'll be. I feel like I done hit the jackpot, Mr. Daniels. Sounds like you got a bunch of people in for supper, sir. I hope we ain't intruding,� Mr. Gordon said.

�We got us about a hun'nert people wiff' us we invited in to watch the video out of Houston, but most of them is family in one way or another. You ain't bother'n us a bit, Mr. Gordon. We's just having desert. Where is your ranch located, sir?� Billy asked.
   
�Me and my boys own six parcels of ranch land on Kickapoo Creek in Concho County just East of San Angelo. I seeded each of my boys with a parcel, and we run them together as a family business. They's bigger ranches in Texas, but for our size, we do well,� Terrance Gordon replied.

�I'll need to do a little checking wiff' my family about your situation to see what we can do to help you. Do you have Mr. Gorden's phone number in your phone, Ms. Zelma?� Billy asked.

Zelma checked and rattled the numbers off to Mr. Gordon. �That's it! That's my phone number. I'm surprised you still have it. It's been a while, ma'am,� Terrance said.

�I keep it because I never know when I might find myself in a bind, and I feel confident I can call on you and your family anytime, Terrance,� Zelma said firmly with conviction.

�You certainly can call upon us anytime you need, ma'am. We would be proud and honored to have you come and stay a spell with us if you have the time,� Mr. Gordon said.

�Thank you, I'll keep that in mind, Son. It might be nice to get away for a while, and renew old friendships,� Zelma added.

�Any time, Mrs. Redbone. There will always be a place at our table for you, ma'am,� he assured Zelma.
 
�We'll call you back in about thirty minutes, Mr. Gordon. It shouldn't take me long see what I can find out, but prepare yourselves for the worst. If you saw the video, you know them critters is cannibals and meat eaters. That video ain't been tampered with neither. I'll be able to give you a better perspective when I return your call. Hold tight and have hope,� Billy said.

�I will, sir, and I can't thank you enough,� Terrance said.

�You're certainly welcome, sir. I know what it is to lose a member of your family. Goodbye for now,� Billy said and Zelma disconnected the signal.

There was uplifted spirits among the Gordon family, but Terrence's oldest son, Dale, and his wife Rayleen, were holding each other weeping from having their darkest thoughts confirmed by Billy Daniels.   
    
�There's something about that man what ain't natural, Grampa. He's so talented he's downright spooky. It makes me wonder sometimes if he ain't got supernatural powers. I'm convinced there ain't nothing that man can't do if'n he sets his mind to it. He's the cowboy what was responsible for healing that cripple boy in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Fredericksburg. They call him the Cowboy Jesus. He's a brilliant classical musician but can pick a guitar and sing a country tune as fine as any Western singer. I got all them DVDs of his Barnyard Concerts, and I listen to them by the hour. I almost forgot to remind you of the crop-circle picture of him and his horse what was created by a huge golden ball some say was a spaceship. I thought at the time somebody was trying to tell us something, and we would do well to take note of this young cowboy,� Jason Gordon said. Jason was the son of Terrance's second son, Gene.

* * * * * * *
�What 'chu got for me, Bossman? I saw your eyes closed and know you were in contact wiff' somebody,� Billy said and everyone laughed.

�Their boy is being kept in a cell with about thirty other kidnapped kids. He's alive but the conditions where they're being held are horrible. They're sick from the stench and scared to death. One child is picked per day and taken away. They never return. The smaller ones are being taken first. What a horrible fate they face,� Randy replied and shed a tear.

�Where are they, Son?� Billy asked softly.

�In an underwater base just off the cost of Malibu California at Point Dume. I know where it is. I done seen it on the Net. I can get you the coordinates as soon as you need them,� Randy replied.

�Good boy! You all right, Son?� Billy asked with tenderness and concern for his little brother.

�I'll be a lot better when we rescue them kids, Big Brother,� Randy replied and wiped away another tear.

�We will. I just about had it with them som-bitches. I'm gonna' wipe out ever' gotdamned one of them bastards and implode the base with one of them heavy-duty thermite-thorium bombs. First we got to get the Gordon family and bring them here. You wanna' go wiff' us?� Billy asked.

�I got to, Brother. You're gonna' need me,� Randy replied.   

�Boomer, you and Nick are with me. I'll need four of my Warrior-Angels and four Essengurda guards. You're welcome to come along with your men, Commander,� Billy addressed him.

�I'd be proud to, Master Billy,� Hunk replied.

�Tank, you and Tree got your guns parked here?� Billy asked.

�Yes, sir, they's in the docking bay, but we restocked our ammo and got it stored in Hank and Buck's Western store. They were kind enough to hold it for us in case of an emergency like this,� Tank replied.

�I plan to take-no-prisoner, wipe-out invasion on them snakes. They won't have time to know what hit them. The cannons on them small ships should do away with most of them critters, but I'd feel better if you men would join us. You saved our bacon on our last raid. Gather your ammo and meet me here when we get back from the Gordon ranch,� Billy said.

�Right away, Master Billy,� Tank said. He and Tree Griffin left with Hank and Buck.  

�I'm taking three ships. Master-Warrior Cloog, may I call upon you to pilot one of our ships, sir?� Billy asked.

�I'm your man, Master Billy,� Cloog replied proudly.

�Captain Nick will pilot the lead ship, and may I count on you to pilot the other ship, Balthazar?� Billy asked his handsome black angel.

�Most certainly, Sir. It would be an honor,� Balthazar replied.

* * * * * * *
Billy decided not to take too many with him to gather the Gordons. He didn't want to scare them to death. He decided to take Guy and Willow. Talking dogs are always ice-cutters and good diplomats. He decided to take Nick; Boomer; Balthazar; Cloog; his Angel Commander, Zed, and his Watcher-Protector mate; the Issengurda Commander and his first Captain. He also took two of his angels Zeke and Gabriel.

Billy got Terrance Gordon's phone number from Zelma and punched it into his cell phone. He punched the number, and Mr. Gordon answered. �Mr. Daniels? That was quick,� he answered.

�No time to waste, sir. We're coming to gather you and your boys, Mr. Gordon,� Billy said.

�That's almost a two hour trip from your town, sir,� Terrance said.

�Not the way we travel, sir. Take your cell phone outside to one of your pickup trucks, Mr. Gordon, and have your family come with you,� Billy said.

Billy heard him convey his words to his family, �We're on our way, Mr. Daniels,� he said.

�Good! Let me know when you arrive,� Billy said.

�Don't ask. I don't know, but I trust the man. Zelma Jean Redbone would not be associated with a bullshit artist!� Billy heard Terrance tell his sons and laughed. �We're here, Mr. Daniels,� Terrance said.

�Let the tailgate down, set your phone on it, and back away from the truck about ten feet,� Billy said.

�Done, sir!� he heard Terrance's voice.

Billy nodded to Randy. His little brother calculated the the coordinates from the signal strength, opened a gate, and it sprang up near the back of the truck. The Gordon family jumped back in surprise and awe. Guy and Willow ran through the gate first followed by Billy holding Randy's hand. They were followed by his giant watcher husband and his surrogate dad, Nick. They didn't stop until everyone in Billy's posse came though the gate.

The Gordon children were fascinated by Guy and Willow and were chatting it up with them like they were old friends. The adult Gordons were in shock. �Amazing! I never thought I'd live to see the day when I became a part of a science-fiction story,� Terrance said.

�Ain't no fiction, Mr. Gordon, but one Hell of a lot of advanced science,� Billy grinned and stuck out his hand. Terrance took it and pumped Billy's hand with both his big, rough, calloused hands. He introduced his wife, his daughter, his sons, and grandchildren.

Billy introduced his posse to them; strange men in uniforms of sorts whom Billy called his Warrior-Protectors; two fine looking stately gentlemen Billy introduced as Ezekiel and Gabriel, two of his Guardian Angels; one small perfectly formed man, Cloog, Billy introduced as another Warrior-Protector; and several other half-size men who were perfectly formed mature men. Finally he introduced Balthazar as another of his guardian angels. The Gordon family were particularly interested in Randy and Boomer.

�We seen them big critters around the ranch from time to time. We stopped shooting at them after our grandson told us about the Bigfoots on your ranch. Is Randy the boy you healed?� Mr. Gordon asked.

�He is. We bonded. Now he's ma' little brother. He and his family have become a part of the greater Daniels family, and we see a lot of each other,� Billy explained.

�Did he really heal you, Son,� Terrance asked Randy.

�Yes, sir. I only had a couple of months left to live. Master Billy done patched me up and fixed what was wrong with me; but do yourself a favor, don't make the mistake of calling him Cowboy Jesus,� Randy said and laughed. �He's an enhanced human; a cowboy, just like you and your boys,� he added.  

�Won't you folks come inside for some pie and coffee,� Mr. Gordon offered his hospitality.

�Appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid we ain't got time, Mr. Gordon. Your grandson is alive, but we gotta' go get him. We'll take you and your oldest boy wiff' us to rescue him, but your whole family is welcome to follow us through the gate to our ranch and wait for us there. The ladies will show your family around the place, and I assure you they won't be bored,� Billy said.

�How do you know my grandson is alive, sir?� Terrance asked.

�If we told you, we'd have to shoot you,� Billy said and laughed, �Not really, I just always wanted to use that line. The truth will make you question reality. When I used my new talents for the first time to heal ma' little brother, here, I over-done a couple of things and inadvertently gave him powers we didn't count on. He can see folks auras and tell if they's good or bad, and he's tuned into the voices of the universe. It's almost like having your private Internet in your head. He can gather the smallest scraps of information, and he's got the backing of two major ancient races to check and cross reference whatever information he's trying to find. He calculated to the millimeter where to open the gate behind us from only the strength of your cell phone signal; a nice talent to have,� Billy explained.

�You're right, but my grandsons keep me posted on the advances in science and fiction. You might say I'm �Ork� ready,� Terrance said and grinned.    

�You got someone to watch the place for you while you're gone?� Billy asked.

�Yeah, we got six ranch hands we trust. They'll look after the place for us,� he took up his phone from the tailgate and punched a number. �Ben, our family is gonna' be gone for a while. You men watch the place for us. I'll give you a call when we get back,� he said and disconnected.

Guy and Willow were wonderful ambassadors and assured the kids the gate wouldn't hurt them. They explained it tickled a little, but it was like going from one room to another. �How does it work?� the oldest son, Dale, asked.

�Quantum mechanics, Mr. Gordon. It bends time and space,� Billy replied.

�Like a well-saddled wormhole?� he asked.

�Good analogy, sir, but considerably more reliable. As you referenced, naturally occurring wormholes in nature have a bad tendency of closing in on themselves and become unpredictable. So will those artificially produced. This is more like two halves of a perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwiches joined together to create a solid bond between here and there,� Billy explained.

�That would do it. Call me, Dale, Master Billy,� he replied and walked through the gate.  

Most of the family was still in the dining hall when the men returned with the Gordons. Zelma and Kate came to welcome them with open arms, hugs, and stolen kisses. She introduced Kate and the other ladies to them, and they began to feel more comfortable. The family was taken aback when they saw Tank and Tree in their marine combat fatigues and helmets carrying automatic assault weapons. Billy explained he might not need them, but they would act like a backup unit. He explained there would be an element of chance they might suffer casualties, but he felt it was worth the effort to save the young people being held captive along with their boy.

Billy didn't waste any time getting his crew together. �We can take Granddad Gordon and Dad Dale,� Billy said.

�You can't leave us behind, sir,� Gene said, �We could be of use to you to help calm them kids and reassure them,� he added.

�It could be extremely dangerous,� Billy insisted, �We'll be dealing with aliens,� he added.

�We don't care! We wanna' go with our Paw-paw and big brother,� the others said.

�Families!� Billy said with a touch of disgust and laughed. Everyone laughed with him, �Okay, you men can come along. Any of you good with shoot-um-up computer games?� Billy asked. The three youngest held up their hands.

�We ain't the best though, Mr. Daniels. Paw-paw can wax our butts,� the youngest boy Carl said.

�Good to know. You'll get a crash course in using the controllers on our ships,� Billy said.

�What ships!� Terrance asked.

�You'll see soon enough. Come, it's time to go. Randy you're with me. Cass, you and Poly are with Captain Cloog, and my two other halflings are with Captain Balthazar. Teach them cowboys how to shoot them guns. We need every gun manned,� Billy commanded, �You protectors and guardian angels take your turn. Won't hurt you none to learn just in case you're needed,� he added.

The ladies took the Gordon children and women into the great hall for some refreshments and Hosanna cakes. Billy and his men went to the hangar bay which could only be entered by another gate. Nick activated the gate and the men walked through. The basketball size silver ships were lined up and equally spaced around the wall of the large room.

�That's our fleet of space ships, Mr. Gordon,� Randy said pointing at the small silver balls and grinned.

�You're kidding,� Terrance said.

�I don't think so, Dad. It's beginning to make sense to me. They can gate themselves into a smaller size to ride inside. There will be plenty of room for all of us,� Dale said.

�You're getting the hang of it, Dale. That's exactly what we do. Captain Nick will open the gates,� Billy said as three gates sprang up. Billy divided the ships equally with the men. Terrance and Dale were to go with him, Captain Nick, Boomer, and Randy. The others would follow with Captain Cloog and Captain Balthazar.

�How long will it take to travel to the California coast?� Dale asked.

�About thirty minutes,� Billy replied.

�Wow, that's fast. It takes a plane three to four hours. What powers them?� Terrance asked.

�Zero-point energy modules,� Billy replied nonchalantly.

�That ain't technology from Earth, Mr. Daniels!� Dale said firmly like it was a fact.

�No, and you just gated here from a much larger space ship hidden in a great cave on our property, but we don't take it out for joy rides or rescues. It's fully functional, but dry-docked for the moment. I promise, you'll get a tour when we get back,� Billy explained.

�How did you come by all this advanced technology?� Terrance asked.

�It's a long story, sir, but one we will share with you. We'll explain as we go. Let's concentrate on getting them kids and taking care of them god-awful reptile scum. If our country can't protect our children then it's up to us cowboys to mount a white horse and ride to the rescue,� Billy said and smiled.

�I won't gainsay that, Master Billy,� Terrance replied and smiled. He heard his men call Billy 'Master' and he was showing his respect. �Are the men who call you 'Master' slaves, sir?� he asked.

�Some are. Some ain't. Don't matter much to me. They're family. We live in harmony and respect each other,� Billy said.

�It sounds Utopian,� Dale said.

�It works for us, but I'll leave that up to you gentlemen to decide,� Billy replied.
 
Billy's men knew the drill from their previous venture into the unknown. Billy wasn't nearly as anxious as he was on their trip to Mount Ararat. He was calm, cool, and collected. The Gordons were impressed by the size inside the small ships. Dale was right. There was plenty of room for a complete crew and anyone they wanted to rescue. Randy took Terrance and Dale Gordon off to the weapons control room and set up a simulated program for them to practice. The Gordon boys were right. The elder Gordon, their Granddad Terrance, was exceptionally good with the controls and firing mechanism, but surprisingly, his son Dale wasn't too damn shabby himself.

They only had about thirty minutes to practice but felt pretty good about their chances of performing adequately to protect the ships. Billy explained the ships are surrounded by a free floating electron field and will penetrate any structure passing through like it was not there. The building material would automatically close behind them to it's original state. Once inside, the gunners are to terminate any alien detected by the ship's computer. It will show it's position on the screen, and they are to fire the laser cannons until the computer senses it's dead and moves to the next target.  

�Are you worried about them firing back at us, Master Billy,� Dale asked.

�Not really. We have the element of surprise on our side, and if I'm correct, they look down on us as little more than a food source. I seriously doubt any of them feel the need to carry weapons on one of their home bases. If luck is on our side, they won't be prepared for a sneak attack and we'll be in and out before they can organize quickly enough to retaliate. I got a rather large incendiary bomb on board we will leave behind as a gift which will detonate within minutes after we clear the place. We will move a couple of miles off shore to watch the fireworks,� Billy said.

�Won't that draw attention from our government?� Dale asked.

�I hope it does, but it will take them sometime to figure it out. Hopefully, by that time, we will have returned the children to their homes with instructions to be quiet about their rescue. Some won't, but that's okay, too. From the broadcast of them aliens tonight, the nation learned there is more out there than our government is allowing us sheep to know about. We must end secrecy in our government if we are to survive as a democracy or a free species. Until now, secrecy has been used as a tool to keep the middle and lower classes in check so big corporations can call the shots. We must change that, and to do so we have to stand up to them. Don't get me wrong. We ain't no open-carry ammosexual gun slinging morons.* We got the technology and power to stand up for ourselves without riding into Dodge behind the cattle with guns blazing shooting everything in sight. While we may still be cowboys at heart, we got us some pretty sophisticated technology, and unless they have hidden greater technology from us, we will simply out-class them,� Billy said. 

The ships arrived and dropped below the water and down onto the top of the hidden base. They dropped down further and penetrated the top floor of rooms. The computer identified every alien and the men on the ship killed them as soon as one popped up on the screen. They dropped through to the next floor and repeated the procedure wiping out every alien critter. There were about twenty aliens per floor, but the ship's silent laser cannons made quick work of terminating them. There were four floors and they took their good time to do a good job and completely rid the place of aliens. The Gordon men, from the patriarch to the youngest grandson, were having a ball satisfying their blood lust for revenge; it was payback time for taking their family member and the young children whom they already consumed.
 
The cells, where the major lot of the children were stored until needed, was on the bottom floor which was the same floor where the alien crafts were parked. They killed every alien before they made any attempt to rescue the children. Finally, the computer didn't detect any further life signs other than the children. The boys and girls were terrified at first, but they saw the small orbs drifting silently into the chamber as a good omen, especially, when they were killing their captors. Suddenly, within the cell, a strange looking door sprang up and through it walked several large cowboys. It was somewhat unexpected for them but cowboys are symbols of goodness to kids especially if they wear a white hat. Several recognized Billy from his Barnyard Concerts, and the oldest Gordon family grandson, Kyle, saw his dad and granddad come through the wall of free electrons. He let out a loud cowboy 'whoop' and ran to their waiting arms. �I knew you'd come for me, Dad! Paw-paw! With Master Daniels? Wow! I knew there was more to you and your family than anybody knew about,� Kyle said loudly.

�What about us?� one of the older boys asked nervously.

�We're here to take all of you to safety. We'll take you back to Texas with us. We'll see to it you get cleaned up, have something to eat, a good nights sleep in a comfortable bed, and tomorrow we'll contact your families,� Billy said and a big cheer went up from the kids. �Let's not waste anytime,� Billy urged.

Another gate sprang up and more cowboys came through including Kyle's uncles. Billy quickly divided up the group so each ship was equally balanced. They loaded up and while the kids were boarding, Boomer levitated a fifty-five gallon drum and floated it down onto the deck. Billy set the timer on the drum-head and double checked they got everyone on board the ships. When he was satisfied everyone was safely on-board, he tripped the switch and the timer began to countdown.

Billy gave the order to leave the same way they came, and they slowly rose through the layers. On the way to the surface the computer on Captain Nick's ship showed a weak life sign on the top deck slowly moving around. The computer recognized it as human. Nick looked at Billy. Billy smiled at Nick and told him to hold steady and disappeared. Billy transported himself onto the deck of the top floor and went from room to room. He heard a voice in his head, << Call to her! Her name is Cindy Lou, >>  �You don't have to hide no more, Cindy Lou. I'm Billy Daniels and I'm here to rescue you from them awful creatures,� Billy said. He heard weeping which was coming from a great bank of cabinets. He open one and found a young girl about six years old hiding in the cabinet trying to make herself as small as possible. She was naked and weeping softly.

When she saw Billy, she knew she was saved and opened her arms to him. �Oh, Master Billy, it is you! I thought them monsters might be try'n to fool me,� she cried.

Billy grabbed a soft pink blanket he found in the cabinet with her. It looked like it might have been hers and wrapped her in it to cover her nakedness. �What's your full name, Pretty Lady?� he asked to calm her.

�Cindy Lou Gates, Master Billy,� she said, �I prayed you would come for me,� she added.

�How did you know about me, Dear?� he asked.

�I heard my house mother and father talk about you. I live in an orphanage in Waco, Texas, and I watch your concerts with my brothers and sisters, sir. I knew you would come for me. My voices told me not to be afraid, but those horrible creatures scared me. I hid from them. The voices told me to stay hidden and for me to call for you with my mind and you would come save me,� she replied.

�I hear them voices, too, Darlin.' They told me Cindy Lou Gates is in trouble and that sweet little girl needs you, muy pronto. They told me to be quick about it, don't spare them horses, and don't keep her waiting. Hold on, Sweetheart. I'm gonna' get chu' out of this ungodly place. Close your eyes for a minute, Little One,� Billy told her, and she did. He immediately transported them back to the ship and Nick hit the throttle to join the other ships rising through the water. �How many minutes left, Tonto?� he asked.

�Three, but we'll kick it in the butt, Kemosabe,� Nick replied, and the three ships flew at top speed about three miles off shore.

They parked and watched the explosion. It was much bigger than Billy thought it might be. It was spectacular and the kids on both ships yelled and cheered to see such a horrible place being destroyed. It looked like a nuclear explosion or the eruption of an underwater volcano. The fire and smoke rose thousands of feet into the air and as they flew around it, they could see the hot thermal fires still burning deep inside the core of the structure even though it imploded and was surrounded by seawater.

Billy told the Gordons they had one brief side trip to make before they headed back to the Hill Country. While the main craft was rescuing the children, Billy ordered Balthazar to gather six of the alien bodies and bring them on board his ship. He wanted to make a statement with them. Balthazar would never question his master, and did as he instructed. Billy gave Nick the order to fly the ships South down the coast to San Diego and into the park. The small ships looked like silver orbs as they flew over Balboa Park where a free Sunday evening concert was taking place at the outdoor amphitheater. Everyone in the audience watched as the beautiful silver orbs floated slowly across the sky above them. There was so much hub-bub from the audience, the musicians were distracted from their music. The conductor called a halt to the piece they were playing: Carmen Highlights. When the ships arrived over the plaza, a great commanding voice was heard to say, �Clear the center of the Plaza!� Everyone scampered away until there was no one in the center.

Thousands of people with cameras of all sorts watched and filmed a gate open in the sky, and one by one, six bodies of large dead reptilian aliens fell from the gate and dropped onto the plaza with a great thud and crunching sounds like breaking bones. The crowd filmed the gate closing and the three silver orbs slowly moving away in the West. Then within the blink of an eye, they simply disappeared. Someone caught sight of a great smoke cloud rising high into the evening sky coming from the North. Many were frightened. The kids on the ships were watching the video screens. Even though they were still in shock, they found great joy and some comfort watching the rest of the world learn the truth about aliens being real and not just the overwrought imagination of a few mentally disturbed citizens. They didn't know what to expect but at least they were alive and held hope for the immediate future.

* * * * * * *
The return trip seemed to take less time than the flight to the West Coast. The kids settled down, but Billy could tell they were physically and emotionally exhausted from their horrifying experience. They smelled awful and were hungry as a pack of wolves. They were in as much awe over the ships, Master Billy, and his men as were the Gordon men, but they were younger and more accustomed to fantasy and science-fiction. They could more readily adjust to the technological feast they were witnessing. Billy answered their questions as best he could and didn't hold anything back from them. He was sure they were savvy enough they would know if he was blowing smoke up their butts or telling them the truth.

Cindy Lou didn't want Billy to let go of her, so he held her in his arms wrapped in her blanket on the return trip. She fell asleep in his arms. In conversation with the young boys, Billy learned she was taken from the cell two days before. There was no doubt in their minds the reptile aliens were going to eat her, but somehow, she miraculously managed to escape and hide from them. They returned that same evening to take another young girl, a little older than Cindy, and ate her instead. Several wept for the loss of a young girl they didn't even know. The reality hit them in the gut. It could have been them. The news hit Billy hard and the children were touched to see tears falling from his eyes as he hugged and kissed Cindy Lou while she was sleeping in his big arms.

�What will happen to us, Master Billy?� one of the older boys asked.

�After we clean you up, get you fed, and rest for the night, we'll work with you to find your parents,� Billy replied.

�What if we don't want to go home?� he asked.

�I guess it would depend on several things. Why you might not want to go home. What would your family think? What you want to do and why? I ain't no god, Son. I can't grant everyone's wishes. I'm just a cowboy what's been enhanced, and I done got me a few tricks up my sleeve most men don't have. I use cowboy speak to make people think I ain't nothing special, but I can talk good English when I decide not to be lazy,� Billy said and grinned, �I promise we'll try to do our best by you and take your druthers into consideration, but you must remember, in our society, children under the age of eighteen don't have much say about their lives. I ain't try'n to be mean, but it's just the way things are today. If I had my way, I'd treat kids like they do in several of the Polynesian Islands. If a child is unhappy with his parents or his life, he rolls up his sleeping mat and carries it to a relative's hut where he would like to live. He unrolls his mat and he's home. There are no questions asked or reprisals. Everyone just accepts he decided to change families,� Billy said.  
 
Kyle Gordon was almost a young man. Almost. He still had enough boy in him he sat in his granddad's lap on the return trip with his arms tightly wrapped around his neck. Terrance fought back the tears he was so happy he got his grandson back. To be honest, he never wanted his grandson to grow up. He was very happy with him the way he was. Dale Gordon smiled and was proud of the love the two most important men in his life held for each other.

* * * * * * *
After they returned and the Gordon family welcomed their lost sheep. Billy and his men took the boys to the dungeon and turned the girls over to the ladies including Cindy Lou. Billy told them what they were going to do, and didn't want to embarrass anyone, but the men would get naked and help clean them. They wouldn't need their clothes for the rest of the evening, but they would be provided with robes to wear to eat in the dinning hall. Their clothes would be sent to the castle laundry to be cleaned, sanitized, deodorized, fluff dried, and would be ready for them the next morning. A couple of the boys tried to fight the aliens and their clothes were in shreds. Billy promised, his family would provide them with new clothes.  

Everyone who went on the trip smelled to the high-heavens of Lizard stench, so they took advantage of the showers. Billy invited the Gordon's to join them and give a hand with wrangling the young boys. They had no problems with Billy's invitation and saw it as part of their responsibility to him and the boys. Billy announced, after they ate supper, he would examine each boy and girl to make sure they were all right an not infected by any alien diseases. The boys were so happy and relieved to be out of harms way, no one objected to a thing Billy planned for them. He told them he would take care of them, and they decided to trust him, relax, and let him help them.

The Gordons were impressed how the ship came alive with the various folks who came to help. Billy had more help offered than he needed, but he allowed anyone to give a hand if they offered so they would feel included in an emergency moment. The Gordon men marveled at Billy's Warrior-Angels and their Watcher-Protector mates helping the boys. From the largest to the smallest, their bodies were perfect. The young boys were pretty impressed by them as well. They never were around Watchers before and found them fascinating and appealing. The total number of alien abducted children was forty-two. Twelve young girls and thirty boys. Billy thought one might draw a conclusion from the count; boys were not looked after as closely as girls.

The cooking and cleaning staff in the kitchen were busy making hot, hardy soups and tasty meat dishes for the youngsters to eat. By the time they gathered to have a late supper, everyone was a mite peckish and ate something. The ladies managed to clean the dozen girls including Cindy Lou and provided them with robes. Kayla got her brother to open a gate, and they returned to their ranch. Kayla kept old clothes she couldn't wear anymore, gathered them, and with Randy and Pard's help boxed them to transport them back to the Daniels ranch. They were clean and in great shape. The clothes were perfect for an emergency situation. There were a couple of things Cindy Lou's size, and she was most grateful.

The Gordons took advantage of the baths to clean themselves and help with the thirty young boys, but they bagged their clothes to take back with them to have them cleaned on their ranch. Billy provided them with robes. After a bite to eat they were ready to gate back to their ranch, but Billy insisted on checking out young Kyle to make sure he was safe. The Gordon men accompanied Billy and his men. There was a large group of Billy's family who stayed to help and they came along to provide him with extra strength. Billy asked for Kyle to remove his robe and lie on the leather bench in the dungeon. The family noticed the men and warriors were removing their upper garments but didn't think much about it, until Billy asked the Gordons to excuse his men. Before they could reply, Billy and his men disappeared for a moment but return as quickly as they left. They returned splendidly fledged wearing their magnificent wings.

The Gordon men were stunned. �Holy shit! You're Angels! Now it's beginning to make sense,� Terrance exclaimed.

�We only got a handful of real Angels in our family, sir. I'm an enhanced human. My surrogate pa, here, is one of the original Fallen Angels. Ezekiel, Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Uriel, and a couple more are the real thing. They've been on Earth or living in other galaxies for centuries. We will explain more later if you're interested,� Billy said and smiled.

"What man wouldn't be interested, sir?" Dale asked.

Billy took a drop of Kyle's blood and shared it with several of his men. They didn't find anything out of order, but the boy had a large scar across his chest from his left shoulder down to his groin. �What happened here, Son?� Billy said pointing to the scar.

�Junior rodeo bull riding contest. The bull won,� Kyle lamented.

�You want me to remove it?� Billy asked.

�You can do that, Master Billy?� he asked.

�Sure. No problem,� Billy assured him.

�Yes, sir, I learned my lesson and won't repeat it. I don't wanna' have to go through life with the terrible memory that scar represents,� Kyle replied.

The cowboys raised their wings to channel the healing rays of the ethos into Billy, and the men in the Gordon family watched in awe as Billy carefully removed Kyle's scar. Afterward, Billy let Kyle get up and handed him his robe. Billy asked Randy to open a gate to the their ranch, and he walked through with them to say 'goodbye.' There were handshakes with Billy, his men and hugs for Randy. The old man even shed some tears to have his grandson back with him in perfect condition.

�May we come visit, Master Billy?� Terrance asked.

�Of course! Anytime you like, sir. We'd love to have you, and we can explain more things. Right now, we're living on the edge. Don't know what will happen after our video is shown on TV and now we dropped six of them dreadful critters in the lap of the public. Keep in touch. Now that you know about hyper-transport gates, you ain't too far to drop in anytime you like. Come next weekend for our Saturday barbecue and Barnyard Concert. Bring the whole Gordon clan and spend the day with us. Be good to your watchers. You be good to them, and they will be good to you and your family. They can also protect you against them aliens. If you had one with you on the range when Kyle was abducted, it would have never happened. Keep that in mind. We'll be glad to teach you more. If you need us for anything, you got my personal number. Until then, live well, and take care of your wonderful family,� Billy said, and shook hands with the men. Billy and his posse left through the gate closing it behind them.

Terrance Gordon turned to his family. �Am I the only one who feels like a member of our family has just departed?� he asked.

�Y'ain't alone, Granddad. My gut is aching to know more about Billy Daniels and his family,� Kyle said.

�Amen to that,� Dale Gordon answered his son, threw his arm around his shoulder, and they walked into the house together.

Terrence and his boys sat up half the night telling their women-folk about their adventure on the alien base and how they manned the laser guns to wipe-out the reptiles so they could rescue the children. They were in awe, fascinated, and proud of their men for being so heroic.

* * * * * * *
�I'm very proud of you, Little Brother. The way you bounced back from disappointment. Did Grover have anything to do with it?� Hoss Dewberry asked his cousin on the drive back to their ranch.

�He had everything to do with it. He's my granddad, and I love him. He's good to me and for me. I listen to what he has to say, but he allows me room to make up my own mind. Even though we've only been close for a short while, I don't think he would ever give me bad advice. Everything he advised me to do turned out exactly the way he told me it would. As a result of his fine advice, I ain't got me no more problems. I can handle the job, but the best part is, I can handle myself. I'm ready to go to work for Master Bubba,� Douglas replied.

So am I. I'm glad we'll be giving our two-week notice tomorrow. It probably will be the longest two weeks of my life,� Hoss lamented and got a laugh from Doug.

�I hear that. I know exactly how you feel, Big Brother,� Doug said and shook his head.

* * * * * * *
Bubba and Ernest spent the first day securing a location for the Grange's new Credit Union. Bubba heard rumors the oldest and one of the most wealthy families in town was deadlocked in an inheritance feud over properties, both land and financial. They both held legitimate claims, but as it so often happens, greed raised its ugly head. One faction claimed they should get the Lion's share, and the lesser faction should be pleased with the crumbs from their table. Fortunately for the lesser faction, they managed their money well, and possessed the funds to fight back. The chance of diminishing both houses' wealth with lengthy court battles caused cooler heads to prevail. Through an independent arbitrator approved by both factions, they were able to work out an agreement, but the major agreement was to liquidate the family's financial interest in the bank.

Billy gave Bubba a blank check to represent the Daniels family. Bubba didn't have any problem finding the name and number of the arbitrator and gave him a call. His name was Jason Blanc. He seemed like a nice man and never questioned Bubba's ability to negotiate as a representative for the Daniels' family. The family was asking five million for their bank.

�Is the five million price fixed or is the family prepared to take the highest bid?� Bubba asked.

�I asked, and they said they would consider any offer,� Mr. Blanc replied.

�Mean'n no disrespect for you or the family, five mil for a small town country bank is a mite sweet considering our economy at the moment, sir,� Bubba said like a gentleman.

�I apprised them of the current state of affairs,� Mr. Blanc replied not giving away much.

�A good arbitrator would. Do they have strong enough outstanding loans to warrant such a price, sir?� Bubba asked.

�No, Mr. Kirkendall, they don't. The older faction of the family, who are now deceased, made sure theirs was the tightest financial institution in town. I also told the two factions of the family it would be a strike against the price they're asking,� Mr. Blanc replied.

�I understand it's been on the market for six month already. Have you received a firm offer?� Bubba asked.

�Yes, one, sir, for one-point-five million,� Mr. Blanc replied.

�Obviously they didn't consider it. Did they make a counter offer?� Bubba asked.

�Yes, sir, at two-point-five million. There was no further counter offer from the prospective buyer. He threw up his hands and walked out of my office muttering something to himself about when pigs fly,� Mr. Blanc replied. Bubba laughed.

�Good. That gives me a better picture of what the family might consider. I wish to be fair with them, but by the same token, I'm looking for the best deal I can get. The Daniels are looking at all possibilities and have considered building their own bank, but I got word of this and thought I'd investigate. Could me and my man have a look at their books before we make an offer?� Bubba asked.

�Certainly, sir. When would you like to visit the bank?� Mr. Blanc asked.

�This morning, if possible. If we're satisfied, I could make a bid this afternoon,� Bubba replied.

�I'll call the bank immediately and get back to you, sir,� Mr. Blanc said and disconnected.

It didn't take long. Bubba and Ernest walked into the bank. Ernie was dressed to the nines in banker clothes and reeked of wealth. Bubba wore his best cowboy clothes, but Ernie took him to an exclusive Western wear store in Houston for wealthy ranchers and high financiers in Texas and decked him out in some fine duds. Bubba was transformed overnight into a wealthy looking cowboy. Even the manager of the bank, who knew Bubba all his life, was stunned and generously lavished him with praise for his transition. The manager had no qualms with Bubba and Ernest looking over the books.

Bubba was learning fast, and as they perused the ledgers, he was appalled at what little the bank did for the community. It was meat and potatoes; heavy on the potatoes, and in the later years it became even more heavy with the potatoes. Bubba sighed deeply and Ernie laughed at him. �I heard that,� Ernie said and grinned from ear to ear, �You're learning fast, Master. From what we've seen and learned, what would best describe your feelings right now?� Ernie asked.

�A pig in a poke!� Bubba exclaimed and leveled Ernie. The poor man laughed so hard Bubba pulled his expensive imported silk bandanna from his hip pocket and gave it to him to wipe his eyes.  

Ernie got himself together, �That's exactly what it is. All these years they were in business, to show such meager returns, acting like the next depression is right around the corner. It makes you wonder if the only bidder bothered to take a look at the books.

�Do you think there might be a second set?� Bubba asked.

�I seriously doubt it, Master Bubba. You have to be really clever to cook a set of books. That's why so many get caught. This family was so uncreative in their management it's difficult for me to imagine they would have the savvy to do such a thing. Those things only work on much larger investments. There might have been under-the-table cash exchanges, but we don't have any way to confirm it other than hearsay. Word gets around. It's hard to keep underhanded major exchanges quiet. If you're concerned about it, Grover Parsnip or Judge LaFleur would be your best bet to confirm or deny rumors. You might ask Buster Tate, Nathan Daniels, or Tron Garrett,� Ernie said.  

�What do you think a fair price would be?� Bubba asked quietly.

�They should have jumped at one-point-five million, climbed in their wagons, beat the horses half to death to get away before the buyer realized he bought a piece of crap, and never looked back! The offer was generous in comparison to their holdings. If you were buying the name and goodwill it might be a consideration, but that idea doesn't bear-witness from the books. Besides, you and Master Billy plan to change the name and purpose of the business. You might tell Mr. Blanc about your plans. Surely he's gone over these books. If he's a negotiator, he has to know these things,� Ernie said firmly.

�What's your advice, Mr. Pennywise?� Bubba asked showing his respect for Ernie's position.

�Make the same offer the previous bidder made and not a penny more. One-and-a-half million is far more than it's worth; however, if they counter with another outrageous sum, raise your price to two million, but only if they close the deal by the end of the day. Don't give them time to mull over it,� Ernie said.      

�Hell, there are ranches out there worth more than two million?� Bubba said.

�That's right, but you're not buying land which is a negotiable commodity and slowly increases in value, you're buying a business, and this one, my dear Master, is dying. It's gasping for air in the final throes of life. They have no other stocks, bonds, or major investments in the town other than minor housing and auto loans which are fewer than they need to be considered a successful banking institution. You're basically buying the building itself and little more. If you set up your credit union in another location with free checking, a good percent interest savings accounts, and offer to refinance loans at a lower interest rate, this bank will die overnight. I guarantee you, they won't be able to give it away, and it will become a real pig in a poke; fortunately, not your pig and not your poke. In essence you will be doing them a favor. If they have to close their doors, the most they can get for it is the price of the building which would probably be around fifty thousand. You might share those thoughts with Mr. Blanc as well,� Ernie said.

Bubba made a date to take the arbitrator to lunch that day and brought Jack McCormack with him. They discussed it over a good meal at the Willow Creek Restaurant. Bubba laid most of his cards on the table and where he was coming from on his bid. Mr. Blanc listened and once in a while would make a note or offer a comment. He agreed the family should have taken the first bid or at least come back with a more reasonable counter offer. Mr. Blanc was sharp and realized after Bubba and Ernie took a look at the books, they probably wouldn't go any higher than the previous bidder. As a buyer, any offer over the actual worth is either an act of good will or charity. He took contract papers with him to the luncheon, Jack and Ernie reviewed them and Bubba signed his name for a bid of 1.5 million. Nothing was said about a counter bid on Bubba's part.

The men returned to Bubba's ranch. On the drive to the ranch, Ernest and Jack joked about the way Mr. Blanc was looking at Bubba. They felt sure he was so taken with Bubba he would shove the contract up the family's butt. They were certain the arbitrator was more than a little fond of Bubba. Jack concluded a big burly cowboy with money and power was enough to make any man's cock stand at attention. By the time they returned to the ranch, they were laughing about the others of history who allowed powerful sexual arousal to temper their business acumen. Ernie found himself guilty, but Jack assured him, his was a win-win situation. Bubba smugly agreed.

About an hour after they returned to Bubba's ranch, they were sitting around the kitchen table having coffee and a piece of pie Bubba's house boy made when Bubba's cell phone rang. He put it on speaker, and the men heard the voice of Mr. Blanc. �I presented the offer to the family, and even though I reminded them of the last bid they received and how they insulted the buyer so bad he didn't care to make a counter offer. Still, they insisted on a counter offer of two-and-a-half million, sir,� he said.
Ernie grinned real big and winked at Jack.

�Get back to them right away and tell them I'll agree to two million and not a penny more, but only if they agree to sign the papers by the close of business today. If we can't come to an agreement we plan to open our credit union anyway in heavy competition with them. They have no major holdings and we have the funds to undermine their loans. They won't be able to compete, then they won't have a bank to sell,� Bubba said firmly, �They have until five p.m.; otherwise, we will make other plans,� he added.

�I understand, sir. I explained the possible consequence to them. I'm certain they didn't consider the possibility. It set them back a bit. I will more strongly reiterate your plans and your position, sir. Let's hope they're reasonable. Two million is considerably more than fair, but you didn't hear me say it,� Mr. Blanc said.

�I didn't hear you say it, sir. Did you, Mr. McCormack?� Bubba asked.

�I didn't hear it!� Jack replied.

�You, Mr. Pennywise?� Bubba asked.

�I didn't hear a thing, sir,� Ernie said and grinned at Bubba.

�There, you have it, sir. Cast the die!� Bubba urged him, �Perhaps we can cross the Rubicon today without the loss of a man, and it will be fine day tomorrow,� he added.

�I think it's a win-win for everyone, including the warring family factions, sir. I will do my best,� Mr. Blanc replied.

�I'm confident you will, Mr. Blanc,� Bubba assured him.

Mr. Blanc called back within the hour and congratulated Bubba; he just bought himself and the Daniels family a bank. Bubba, Jack, and Ernest drove back into town and signed the papers. There were four representatives from the family present. Two from each faction. Ernie wrote out a check on the Daniel/Kirkendall business account for two million dollars, handed it to Bubba for him to sign, and Bubba gave it to Mr. Blanc. Mr. Blanc asked his secretary to make copies of the contracts and bill of sale for each party represented, keys were exchanged, and it was done. There followed handshakes all around.

Bubba and Ernie did the impossible. In one day, they managed to negotiate a new business for the Daniels family. They would use their keys to open the bank the following morning. They would spend the rest of the week organizing and bringing some of their own people in to manage it, but they would find room for those who wished to stay on. They drove to the Daniels Ranch and there was much rejoicing and congratulations. Billy and his family were thrilled by the news. They didn't expect any results so soon. Nathan and Tron were stunned and congratulated the three men. Bubba, Ernest, and Jack were the heroes for the week.

* * * * * * *
Billy and his men spent Monday working with the children they rescued from the jaws of death. A call went out to the greater Daniels family for good used clothing, and by the end of the day, truckloads of good clean clothes were delivered to the ranch for the kids to go through and pick out what they wanted for play clothes.

Billy called the Methodist Home in Waco, Texas and spoke to the main man who ran the place, a Mr. Jack Davis. He was pleased and excited to be talking with Billy Daniels and proceed to tell Billy how much he and the children enjoyed and loved the Barnyard Concerts. He wasn't so keen about the news report Sunday evening, and didn't know how he felt about it. �Is it true, sir? Are they real?� he asked.

�I suppose ever man has to make up his own mind, but I can assure you the video you watched was real. I know it's a bit much to take, but the truth is them reptile critters are kidnapping our children. I'm sad and disgusted to tell you, they are using them as a food source. But you don't have to believe me, sir. Would you believe one of your family members who we rescued last night from their jaws of death,� Billy asked.

�Do you have our Cindy Lou, Mr. Daniels?� he asked.

�We do, and my family is taking good care of her,� Billy replied, �I'd venture to say they are spoiling her rotten, but after what that innocent little tyke went through, she certainly deserves it,� he added firmly.

He heard the man breakdown on his cell phone. �I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Mr. Daniels. Oh, God, I'm sorry! She went missing several days ago and eleven of our children told us they saw her being taken away by some creatures who looked like green lizards. Our children swore they saw it, but God-help-me, we didn't believe them until we watched your video last evening. Then it hit us like a ton of bricks, maybe it was what happened to our little girl,� Mr. Davis said and broke into more sobs. Billy waited while he got himself together. The other videos Mr. Davis watched that morning were of green alien creatures being dropped out of silver orbs flying over a park in San Diego. �Is there a connection between them aliens being dropped out of the sky and our little girl, sir?� he asked.

�I can't confirm that for you over our phones, Mr. Davis. You know the dangers, sir,� Billy said.

�I do, and I appreciate your caution. When can we come get Cindy Lou, sir?� he asked.

�Anytime you like. Why don't you talk with your staff, get their input, and then get back to me, Mr. Davis,� Billy suggested.

�I can do that,� he said, �It's probably best,� he added.

Billy gave him his private cell phone number, and the man copied it down. Billy walked into the kitchen area of the big house and Cindy Lou ran to his arms. She was dressed in a pretty yellow and blue flannel night gown with a nice robe with a tie around the waist and wearing a nice pair of slippers. Billy picked her up and stole a big kiss. She returned his affection in kind.

�How are you this morning, Princess?� he asked.

�Better, now you're here,� she replied.

�I just spoke to Mr. Davis over-to your home. He's thrilled to hear you're okay and doing well,� Billy said and watched Cindy's little face fade into a frown. �What's the matter, Sweetheart, I thought you'd be happy to know your people care about you and miss you,� Billy said.

�They're not my people, Master Billy. I don't have any people. I'm very much alone in the world, and it ain't fair. I should be allowed to chose who I want to live with, and I don't wanna' go back there. They didn't take care of me. They didn't keep me safe, and it almost cost me my life. When them green men came everyone ran, but I wasn't fast enough. None of my brothers or sisters did a thing to help me. Mr. Davis is not a nice man. He likes to play with my private parts. I begged him not to stick his finger inside me, but he does it anyway. He tells me I'll learn to like it, but I don't. I know I won't ever like it. It makes me feel dirty � like I have no say in my life. I don't know which is worse, the green men or Mr. Davis,� she said and the kitchen went deathly silent while Cindy Lou paused for a minute.

�I want to stay here with you and your family. I belong here. I'm small. I won't take up much room, and I don't eat much. My voices told me I must tell you, you need a little sister, and for you to find a place for me so I can grow up without fear. Besides, I can't get Watcher-milk in Waco; although, I did see one watching me one day down along the creek-bed back of the home. He waved at me, and smiled,� she said.

Everyone in the kitchen was looking down into their plates like they didn't want to believe what the little girl was saying, but they knew in their hearts it was the truth. Billy didn't promise her anything, but told Cindy they would keep her for a while until they were sure she would be safe. Roz excused herself and took Cindy Lou into her room to choose some clothes for her to wear for the day. The kitchen remained silent. It was like everyone was waiting for Billy to say something. He looked around the table and didn't have to ask what they were thinking. He looked down at Randy sitting next to him, but his little brother wouldn't look back. �I need your help, Little Brother,� he said quietly with deep sincerity.

�A video is being prepared even as we speak. We will be able to download it in about an hour, but you and a few of your posse are the only ones to see it,� Randy said without looking up. The boy was obviously upset by Cindy's words

�Is there anything I can say, Little Brother?� Billy asked.

�Yes. Say you will open your heart and your arms for my little sister, and not send her away. She's seen enough horror for any child. What she needs is to be loved by a good family,� Randy said.

�Hear! Hear!� exclaimed Billy's Uncle Nathan.

�Aside from our sister, Kayla, I ain't never thought about having another little sister before now, but you know what, Little Brother? I think it's one of the best ideas you done ever had,� Billy said.

�Hosanna!� exclaimed Tron Garrett.

�Hosanna, in the highest!� echoed everyone around the table.


End of Chapter 86 ~ Seek Him What Made Them Seven Stars
Copyright ~ � ~ 2015 ~ 2017 ~ Waddie Greywolf ~ All Rights Reserved
Mail to: Waddie Greywolf <[email protected]>
WC = 19,135
03/07/2015
01/15/2017

*ammosexual ~ a rabid foaming-at-the-mouth right-wing gun toting moron with less than five inches.