Flidoring The Early Wars Read Free

tails can hang off the back edge. The homes are modestly decorated—a few technical devices and conveniences, a potted plant or two—but no pictures or works of art because they are considered sacrilegious. The Graznosians believe that no image or picture made by hand could do justice to the created item—it could only defile or give occasion for pride of self-accomplishment.
    With a serious tone to his voice Timsssack said, “I am sssomewhat concccerned about the upcoming visssit from the Electeriansss. From our communicationsss with them, over the lassst few yearsss, it ssseemsss they have very little underssstanding of ssspirituality.”
    “True,” replied his father, Mussslant, “but we mussst keep our mindsss open. Remember how far we have come sssince that firssst sssignal wasss deccciphered and we realizzzed that we were not alone in the universsse.”
    “You are right,” interrupted his wife Amesssa, “but how ssstrange it will be to sssee an alien raccce. The very thought of it ssscaresss me.”
    ***
    Meanwhile on Electerus, Lyemad had won first place in the school science fair and they hung his picture on the “Wall of Fame” with his name under it. After a big family celebration, Bellmus left for the “Hall of Elders” where the ruling members were taking a vote for the position of Supreme Ruler.
    Upon his arrival one of the chamber apprentices yelled to him, “Sir Tomolack, you must hurry, they just called your name for the vote.”
    “Thank you young lad,” he replied as he ran straight through the grand vestibule into the inner chamber.
    “Last call for Sir Bellmus Tomolack!” called out the “Recorder of the votes” with an almost theatrical presentation.
    “Present and accountable for my decision, I cast my vote for Sir Bellmus of the house of Tomolack!” shouted out Bellmus, using the appropriate formal voting rhetoric.
    After calling for a few more votes, the Recorder yelled out extra loudly, “The final vote for Supreme Ruler of Electerus is in and recorded. All hail the new Supreme Ruler—Sir Bellmus of the house of Tomolack!”
    As the cheers went up for him, Bellmus felt his pride swell up inside him larger than ever. He thought to himself that he had finally risen to his rightful place in life. From the time he was a child, he knew that he would be the Supreme Ruler one day. Part of that was from the grooming that all children of the ruling families go through, but mostly, he felt deep within himself that it was his destiny. Now he would lead the diplomatic trip to Graznos and could take his son with him, and no one could object. He wanted to secure a place in the history books for Lyemad also, and carry on the family influence to the next generation.
    ***
    Standing at the east gate of Eatnosss, on Graznos, Timsssack was looking intently upon the landing platform that they had built to receive the Electerian spaceship, when Tessslan walked up and said, “Father, are you ssscared of the aliensss coming to our world?”
    “No my ssson, we have come to a crosssroadsss in our cccivilization. We are no longer able to ssstay isssolated from the ressst of the Creator’sss universsse. We have already picked up sssignalsss from sssix other worldsss that we are trying to transsslate. I think that your generation will travel to many other ssstrange worldsss and meet ssseveral alien ssspeciesss. But I am cautiousss about our valuesss and traditionsss not being compromisssed by the other beingsss,” Timsssack replied.
    “Now that I am a man, may I be here at your ssside when the Electeriansss arrive?” Tessslan asked in an adult-like manner.
    Impressed with his courage and maturity Timsssack answered, “It would be an honor to have you at my ssside.” After a brief hug he continued, “Shall we go and tell your mother the newsss?”
    “No father, I will inform her myssself, after all, I am a man now,” touted Tessslan.
    “Yes you are, and a fine one at that, my ssson,” said