The Truth Of The Matter-one

This is one of many adventures Anderson O’Brian, an Earth born human, experiences. Anderson is an astronaut found nearly dead by an advanced race called the Conamar and he has become what he believes is their pet. Interested in finding out more? read Many Shades of Gray.1

The Truth Of The Matter2

One3

Anderson O’Brian, certain his adrenaline level had reached critical mass, stared out the view port as their cruiser did a fly-by over the hectic scene below. Countless numbers of Firbolg had turned out to witness their landing. The mob gesticulated, arms raised and hands waving, and he wondered if their activity denoted pleasure or disgust.4

Too soon for him, they were stepping on to the planet’s surface amid fresh uproars from the crowd. While his implant bombarded his mind with welcoming phrases that should have been associated with excitement and delight, he felt something far different. It was as if the whole scene had been contrived and the actors paid or forced into performing. The expressions on those civilian faces he could make out beyond the uniformed-guarded barricades, seemed to give credence to his observation. The so similar words coming from fixed mouths seemed to shout at him, “It’s all a sham.” If the Conamar weren’t clustered around him, he didn’t doubt he’d be running, screeching back to the cruiser. 5

The proper welcoming committee awaited their visitors seated on elaborate metal gurneys, trimmed in gold and decked out with colorful canopies. Anderson quickly ascertained this method of getting about bordered on necessity for the leaders of the Firbolg. Each of the grossly over-weight females appeared as round as they were tall. He figured they forfeited the use of their lower limbs a couple hundred pounds or so ago. The cheeks on the chubby faces had lost distinction and blended into triple chins and thickened necks. Shoulders were slumped to compensate for the ponderous breasts their forward curved spines were required to support. The gaudiness of their outfits instead of allowing for a bit of feminine charm only amplified their ugliness.6

Standing beside him, Vallen, the friendliest of his keepers, must have picked up on how these obese females disgusted Anderson. He causally reminded, “This is not your species.”7

While the masters tolerated the patting of their faces and the slobbering kisses that were bestowed on their hands, Anderson attempted to hang back behind Vallen to avoid the gross welcome of the leaders. Then Vallen stepped forward to take his turn leaving Anderson exposed. Immediately, he was forced to comfort the fattest of the females, drawn into place before her by Mandor’s strong arm.8

“Doreen Adonna, Supreme Ruler of the Magnificent Herds.” Mandor mouthed the required title. “Anderson O’Brian of Earth and the Conamar,” brought a curious frown but no questions as her hot little fingers explored his facial features. Then she clutched his hand between her pudgy palms and held it up to her mouth and sucked. Anderson tried to hide his gage. No way could you consider this a kiss; it was like a cannibal trying to sample the fare. He noticed the amusement on Vallen’s face and realized how juvenile his thoughts must appear to the Conamar. No wonder Jann was keeping his distance. Jann, normally the Clan comic, was concerned he’d start laughing and insult their hosts. 9

Anderson’s cheeks heated, so he knew he was blushing. He suffered through several more such introductions before he spotted the girl headed in his direction and found a smile. She had finished bestowing her greeting on Vallen and was approaching him on her own two pleasantly curved legs. The short skirt came just above her knees and swung loosely as she moved calling attention to her narrow waist and slender body. While her blouse was as decorative as the other females it only hinted at breasts beneath. The delicate face reminded Anderson of the porcelain dolls his mother collected. 10

“My daughter, Pateena,” Doreen Adonna offered to the human with a smile before returning her attention to Mandor.11

Anderson found no problem as the girl’s arms lifted small hands to touch his face. When her lips pressed against his palms he didn’t desire to pull them away. Her skin was more peach than the bright pink of her race and the hair swishing about her neck was the color of vanilla ice cream. She smelled of fresh flowers and soft rainwater. Her features had an Asian cast. If blubber was considered beauty in this society, he grinned to himself, Pateena was as ugly as a girl could be.12

“Ride with me,” she offered. 13

Anderson’s eyes pleaded with Mandor for confirmation that it was proper. When the Conamar simply shook his head up and down, Anderson quickly took Pateena by the arm and ushered her off. Already others were pairing up and he didn’t want to chance one of the Conamar would decide to switch places with him.14

So they could be visible to the multitudes, they rode in open vehicles. The carriage was deep enough for a stand-up shower, with thick padding on the floor where they entered. The driver sat in an enclosed box at the front floor level. A small platform lifted them to the two raised seats in the rear. Along both sides and across the back of the carriage were running boards a good jump up from the ground. No sooner were they all seated then armed guards filled the running boards while others moved rapidly along on foot keeping the crowd at bay. 15

At first Anderson simply enjoyed the company of the young lady. She seemed to be trying to impress him as she pointed out certain things that she wanted to be sure he noticed. He tried to satisfy her with complimentary responses, though he didn’t understand the importance of these sites and cared less. Now and then youngsters evaded the foot soldiers to scamper along beside the carriage. The guards on the running boards never shifted their eyes from the crowd and so ignored them. Pateena would toss coins. Snarling like animals, the little ones fought each other over the pitiful supply. Winners and losers soon had to duck back into the crowd or gain the added reward of a vicious blow from a mean tempered foot soldier. So it wasn’t long before it was taking all Anderson’s willpower to go on ignoring the children’s plight. Aware he often broadcasted his feelings unintentionally, he wasn’t surprised when Pateena piped up. “You are becoming angry. The children disgust you. I will throw no more coins.”16

“You might do them more good if you gave them a few decent meals.”17

“Meals?” She seemed confused. Then she was angry. “Our young do not starve. The City herds are fed regularly and at great cost to the Government.” 18

“So why are they so damn skinny?”19

“You, a Conamar, ask me that? Survival rations do not produce heavy flesh!”20

Confronted by something he knew nothing about, Anderson said, “Sorry, my first visit to your planet.”21

“Now I have made you upset with me?” Her tiny lips puckered in a sad frown and her eyelids fluttered as if tears might follow. 22

“Hardly.” He grinned down at the worried look on her face. “You just have to give me time to understand your society.” His explanation restored the girl’s pleasanter expression. The doll-like features crinkled with a delightful smile and her red-blue eyes flashed as if she was laughing at him. She’s probably wondering what makes this Conamar so stupid, he thought.23

“We will not enter Hovel proper,” she said. Anderson figured she had named the city and he didn’t argue. Just skirting the edge of the place gave him the creeps. Apparently this huge city was ancient, its buildings were slammed against one another in no particular plan. Fifteen, twenty, storied hi-rises shared space with squatty two or three floored buildings, while shoved in around them were long neglected little cottages and crumbling shacks. And trash—trash piles were everywhere. So this being the outskirts, he could imagine the conditions in the inner city. He wasn’t going to request a tour.24

Once the city was left behind, they encountered miles of desert land before they reached a beautiful estate. Surrounded by acres of cropland, the group of buildings was in excellent repair and the manor house was some architect’s dream. He could see the spectacular structure from a distance long before it was reached. He supposed if it belonged to you, you could call it what you wanted. Pateena referred to it as a “Stable.” His implant didn’t correct yet he saw it as a castle. Here at least he sensed some exuberance in the small crowd of robust looking farm hands. 25

Anderson shortly discovered one of their roly-poly hosts was the proud owner of the place. He didn’t know why, but the knowledge disappointed him. A brunch had been set out on the sprawling verandah. The short break, after the long drive was pleasant, but the idea of food didn’t appeal to him. “You should eat something,” Doreen Adonna chastised him. “We will not reach Grandymead for several more hours.” Her own mouth had been conspicuously full since she’d been carried to the table. He supposed he should feel honored that she paused long enough, from shoveling in the calories, to converse with him. 26

Shortly after they disembarked, Pateena had provided him with a drink reminiscent of icy cold milk and he had come to the table to hunt a refill. “I’m not very hungry.” He felt obliged to explain. “I’m uncomfortable traveling on a full stomach.”27

“I see. The same problem seems to afflict the other Masters. Pateena tells me you thought the city dwellers are becoming too thin. It is a known problem that little can be done about. Since most require no more energy than what it takes for a few hours factory labor per week, their rations are not fat producing. Of course they are one of our concerns I hope to discuss with Mandor. Since you have his ear, perhaps you might mention….”28

Anderson tuned her out. She was looking for an ally and he wasn’t interested. Sure those city kids needed help. If her and friends were to forgo one meal a day there’d be enough leftover to feed half the city. “Excuse me,” he said at the first opportunity. “Vallen,” he called and stepped quickly to join the strolling Conamar. “I really don’t want anything. I just needed to get away from that.” He made a slight motion with his hand. “She’s trying to enlist me in some cause.” He grinned.29

“Try some fruit,” Vallen handed him what looked like a yellow plum. “ Cores are delicious and you haven’t eaten since breakfast.”30

“Hard to get up an appetite when I’m around these people.” He turned the fruit about in his hand inspecting it.31

“Is it the unpleasant sight of their leaders or only the memories you have of the tortured Bri Leigh warriors? You don’t find the young girl disagreeable.”32

“You got me there.” Anderson bit into the fruit. “Hey, this stuff is good. Kind of tastes like an orange.”33

“Must everything be like something else to you?” Vallen nodded his head side to side. “Can things not be just what they are? The Firbolg are not a human species by Earth standard. True, their outer shell is similar enough to be mistaken for a very small race of your kind. But were you to open one up, you would discover their inner organs more alien than a Conamar.”34

“Pateena.” Anderson smiled at the converging Firbolg grateful to be spared Vallen’s lesson on anatomy.35