Distant Times
by Steve Eberling
Cowboys aren’t easy to love and harder to hold. George sits next to the camp fire with cows all around. Puts meat and potatoes to cook and remembers harder times. Was the fight between Wyatt Earp and Clanton’s Cowboy gang, or over cattle being delivered for packing? Reflects how he came by these cows. With spring approaching moves them to pastures in rugged mountains not certain they’ll be found. Sun sets with full, white moon rising east. Gazing at the yellow and red flames George thinks of Mary.
Mike’s starship comes out of ultraviolet drive at a planet called Verde orbiting the Nabulus sun. This planet is crazy. Verde’s revolving axis is forty-five degrees from orbit which oscillates similar to earth’s but makes temperatures in north and southern hemispheres much more extreme. Another oddity about the fourth planet out is it’s in not in a plane around Nabulus but revolves different angles every revolution. Two moons randomly orbit Verde. The closest one has an axis pointing to Verde like earth’s moon with one side always visible, but the bigger one farther out rotates horizontally all sides seen on occasion. Given proportionate size and distance, both moons often look the same size.
Climate and tides are not only unpredictable but can’t be predicted at all since an elliptical orbit with random patterns never repeat. Having nitrogen and oxygen atmosphere, oceans and carbon life evolve. The Federation on Lexus won’t come looking for him on Verde.
Eager to escape the star ship’s confines, Mike lands in a clearing and with one moon crescent east and the other full west and starts a campfire not far from the ship. It’s smoke smells good floating in the musk air. Staring into glowing embers Mike’s thinking of Jane. Getting tired, climbs into the spaceship not knowing what lurks outside, locks the doors and falls asleep.
Stars shine above cowboy and spaceman dimly through the moonlight.
Mary’s husband died November of tuberculosis leaving her with a teenage son and daughter. Not long after owner of a larger ranch next to hers comes around. Aware of intentions, she rejects proposals. Couple months later he lowers asking price for cattle. She knows delivering hers at that price yield small profit. Barn’s hay depleting and rationing all winter leaves little meat on her cow’s bones.
Mary’s kids are big enough to help quite a bit, but on this day end of March, with snow receding she loads remaining hay on a wagon to deliver cattle now quarter mile away. Looking up a lone cowboy approaches on a large palomino with white mane and tail. Usual chit-chat when he offers help unloading the hay. Come to find out, he’s in need of a few good meals and she of chores.
Alone from her kids, George alludes to a gun fight in Reno and Mary her situation. Decision is made to move cows early in spring to high pastures where lush mountain grass comes up soon. At least there is a chance.
Jane is pretty and chancellor’s daughter on planet Lexus, an outpost of Earth with several minerals it wants. Her father and mother love her very much, but business decisions hand over to her older brother, Brad. His diplomacy is quite good. On this day, cadets from many planets in the starship academy assemble for graduation on Lexus where their expertise is needed. Family in attendance, Jane spots Mike in the cadet lineup. Hard taking eyes off the handsome youth. Aware of his appearance, Mike stares back also quite taken.
Of stature there, Mike’s from a planet of little significance. His graduation from flight academy was highly unlikely, but he learns quickly and ability to handle a spaceship undeniable. Later he’s doing tedious tasks on headquarter grounds making no sense to a pilot. Looking up Jane is often in windows and on occasion he’s in her presence.
Jane’s brother is no fool and has high designs for her. She learns through the grapevine Mike is to be deported to a distant planet. Middle of night Mike is awakened with immediate orders to take a starship to Verde not far away. He quickly obeys, possibly knowing why or where these orders come from and for what purpose.
Cowboy George dreams deeply as he rides a large bird flying above leafy green jungles. Not in control of this bird without reins or saddle it flies steadily. Only in a dream is he not afraid falling off. Seems eternal before they land in a clearing with buildings. Sits in a large one now with strange beings. Not small creatures expected in jungles. Not only are these figures rather tall but sees through their ghostly features. Feels welcome in their presence. Sounds seldom accompany dreams with conversations unspoken. Everybody knows what are thought. He enjoys the company but wonders about images of a riverbed where large boulders float above.
Spaceman Mike’s dream is different running up a mountain with large pine trees. Been doing this some time coming to a mountain valley with many cows. Villagers welcome him in. Sitting in a large tepee with prayers going around spirits seem pleased. Why is he thinking of a valley with cattle? Leaving the lodge there are many star troopers waiting.
Sunny morning on Lexus as Jane dresses to accompany her younger sister down to family for breakfast prepared on the table. Her brother isn’t happy. A starship departed during the night without permission. Jane explains. Mike, part of her entourage for some time now, was sent to Verde in search of mystical floating rocks wanted for her garden. That starship is part of her fleet. Gritting teeth, Brad expresses Verde’s erratic behavior means instrumentation cannot be trusted and only fools attempt to land on it. “Well, he is a good pilot.” Brad relaxes. This ship is not necessary for commerce on Lexus and one way to get rid of Mike. Father and mother listen in silence. Expected they’ll discuss the situation later.
Mike wakes with it raining. Freeze dried vegetables are suitable for breakfast. He can’t shake thoughts of cattle. Despite the rain, decides to unload a ground rover and venture out. Computers on the rover don’t work right, but he’s able to override them with mechanical equipment. Apparently, the space ship’s force field protects its computer dialog. Forest is lush with tall leafy trees blocking sunlight but also provide defense from the rain. Tall ferns and vines obstructing the way are cut down with lasers. Large centipedes scamper away aware of destruction.
Mary wakes before daybreak. Goes to the barn slicing meat off the cow hanging there, still edible due to freezing nights in early spring. Chickens lay enough eggs for breakfast. This meat along with a pot of coffee heat on the wood stove when her teenagers get up in a good mood. They’re going to school today in a new building erected not far from the cattle baron’s stead. Other kids are expected to attend they don’t see often enough.
Richard, the cattle baron has his own concerns. He’s from a wealthy European family and they won’t support erratic behavior in the American west forever. Mary’s husband homesteaded first where she escaped confinement of city corsets. Richard feels the same way. He builds a small school house thinking it might ease tensions with surrounding homesteads. Least these kids will have a shot at reading, writing and arithmetic. Richard’s not such a bad guy. Mary can do worse.
George has been looking after Mary’s cattle couple weeks now, keeping them bunched and from wandering off. Mountain pastures don’t take long to flourish once winter’s hard freeze is over. He can only shake thoughts of tropical forests heard of, much less star troopers only imagined. On the palomino circling the cattle several cowboys ride up. They’ve been watching smoke and came to find out what’s up. George invites them to camp putting a pot of coffee on the smoldering fire they’ll enjoy after riding in brisk morning air.
Not only do they know Mary but are from surrounding homesteads. George explains the situation they’re familiar with and want to know if he needs help. Who’s going to reject company? He watches them ride off in despair.
Long night and day breaks. After coffee and eggs George saddles up doing what must be done. Not tending long spots a herd of cattle below surrounded by riders on horseback. As they approach, he recognizes some men from the day before. “Hope you don’t mind if we join you?” Makes sense combining herds taking turns watching them. In this way some can return to families off and on and with a larger herd all afford driving them to market. So begins a co-op. Much relieved, Georges gallops back to Mary with good news.
Mike drives the rover north not knowing why or what to look for. Just seems the right thing to do. He ventures farther each day returning to the ship at night. Shadows in the jungle make him uneasy. On the fourth day begins climbing higher. Landscape changes abruptly. Isn’t long tropical forest turn into mountains making the journey easier and ferns and vines below are already cut down, although starting to grow back again. On the fifth day arrives at a valley with river running through. Mike thinks he’s been here before and for some reason isn’t surprised large boulders float in the atmosphere. Grey in color are hard to see hanging among low, rumbling thunder clouds. Breezes have little effect moving their large mass.
Computers on the rover begin working again analyzing molecular compositions not found in their banks. The boulders’ magnetism is neither up or down but haphazard. Suppose this makes sense on Verde with this planet’s erratic orbital behavior. The precious find is undeniable, and he can now return to Jane on Lexus with floating rocks for her garden.
Attempting to drive the land rover quickly down the mountain doesn’t last long when computers on the rover once more fail to work. Not only that, but five days on Verde makes him dizzy. It’s getting dark with moons either rising or setting before making it back to sanctuary on the space ship. Eager to collect his cargo, Mike knows it’s foolish without sleep until morning and before storing the rover.
More freeze-dried vegetables as the night before, he energizes the spaceship and heads to the floating boulders. Locking on to them with tow beams is easy since they hover anyway collecting several at one time dragging them up to the ship’s forcefield. He places the starship in infrared drive this time. It will take longer returning to Verde without ultraviolet movement, but better chance returning with all the cargo.
Sun’s setting as George makes it back to Mary’s ranch. Wants to make it before dark but knows the Palomino’s had enough. He gets off walking the horse. Light glows from cabin windows and not sure what to expect knocks without going in. Mary already heard about the co-op and can’t be happy enough to see him. Vegetables stored in the cellar are retrieved to prepare a good meal along with meat and beans. They already ate, and although happy to see him the kids retire to bedrooms to study books lent. Knowing George is exhausted, Mary takes him to bed after dinner.
Mike’s starship come out light drive hovering high in Lexus blue sky with large boulders floating around it. Federation craft instantly deploy in case there’s danger. Surrounded he waits for instruction. Jane wants her starship back. With many boulders floating above, Brad agrees. Mike certainly prove himself and it’s obvious this cargo is expensive. Transporting to land, is met by Jane. She takes him to a room in the central compound hoping he will relax and prepare to tell his adventure. Dizzy and tired returning from Verde he falls fast asleep.
Mike and George are in a deep dream back in the lodge with familiar ethereal beings. They never noticed it pitch dark before but can see each other plainly sitting across opposite sides with their hosts in-between. Both realize now they’re the same person, but from distant times.
