Normally we sort of shouted and somehow a Cradi heard us and came to let us out. Wanted to test a theory, but had to do it quickly. “Jeff,” I said quietly, “don’t call up just yet.” He nodded and I went to the area where Feoren always opened the door. “We’d like to leave,” said pleasantly but also softly, “please and thank you.” The opening appeared. There were no Cradi nearby.
Everyone filed out. Kissed Jeff and the kids, snagged White and Gower, and headed off toward the Orange Scourge.
“May we know what you’re thinking now, Missus Martini?” White asked.
“And why you only want the two of us?” Gower added. “I was looking forward to swimming with my husband, you know.”
“James will still be there when we’re done, Paul, I promise. As for why you two, it’s because I have a theory that I need to test, and the two of you are the only ones who won’t instantly tell me I’m crazy.”
“This should be good,” Gower said. “I’ll bite—what’s your theory?”
Made sure no one else was around. We were close to where the rabbits were, and the Cradi did their best to avoid this area, so we were good.
“I think we have a real-life Man in the Moon.”
CHAPTER 68
TO THEIR CREDIT, neither White nor Gower gave in to the urge to say I was crazy.
“Come again?” Gower asked finally.
“I think the moon is a benevolent, sentient being.”
“Why do you think this?” White asked.
“Well, for starters, because it’s been done in the comics. In Green Lantern Corps, the planet Mogo is both sentient and a Green Lantern.”
“Kitty, just because it’s in the comics doesn’t make it real,” Gower said patiently.
“Yeah? I point to Superman and the Flash as merely two examples of my daily real life.”
“She has a point, Paul. What else, though, besides the fact that your favorite form of nonbedroom entertainment says that it’s possible?”
“Look at you, managing to get the snark in no matter what. You’re an artist, Mister White, I’ve always said so. And the what else is that this moon does whatever its residents want, presumably within limits. They have no crime, they have no predators, they have no worries. Or, at least, they didn’t until the Orange Scourge arrived.”
“So, what do you plan to do?” Gower asked. “Talk to it?”
“I do, as a matter of fact. And before either one of you tries to scoff, let’s all remember that the three of us know someone personally who can merely snap his fingers and make reality whatever he wants.”
“An excellent point,” White said. “Why is he with us, do you know?”
“Know? No. Suspect? Yes. We’re fixing other people’s terrible mistakes and he needs us to do it.”
“Why can we talk about him so easily?” Gower asked.
“I think we’re being allowed to, honestly. Or else Cradus is messing with him, which I kind of doubt.”
Called to SuperBun in my mind. He hopped over to us. Picked him up. He was definitely bigger.
“You’ve grown. Are you feeling alright?”
He was. But he agreed that he and the others were larger. He felt that the delicious squash was the reason.
“Me too. I think there’s a very big mind here. I don’t know how to connect with it. I’m wondering if you do.”
SuperBun considered and suggested we all sit. Which we did, cross-legged on the ground, SuperBun snuggled in my lap. Then he concentrated.
It took a while, but suddenly I felt a surge, similar to when I spoke with ACE, but different—stronger and somehow older, if a feeling could be old—surrounding me. It felt huge but gentle. Cradus?
I am Cradus.
I’m Kitty, and Richard and Paul are with me. SuperBun is connecting us. I’m sorry if we’re disturbing you.
You are not. Are you enjoying your time here?
Very much so.
We all are, White said. Very much.
We appreciate your hospitality, Gower added.
Good. You are the first to speak to me in a very long time.
Do the people who live here realize that you are here?
No. Could feel the smile in his thoughts. They are wonderful, are they not? So special, so kind, so peaceful. They do not need to know that I am here—they need no gods.
They are indeed wonderful, and that’s what they told me, too. But they’re in danger.
How so?
The plant that’s taken root on your surface—it’s deadly to them.
Ah. It itches.
Couldn’t help it, giggled in my mind. I imagine it would. Does it hurt you, though? The people living here seem to think it’s harming you.
It is not. It is . . . adding something to me, but it is not a dangerous thing.
Adding what?
Adding a different kind of life.
Um, is it sentient life? Because if it is, the rabbits—SuperBun’s people—are eating it, and they enjoy it very much, but they’ll stop if they’re eating something sentient.
No, it is not sentient. Not all life is.
True enough. Was relieved that we hadn’t done the wrong thing while trying to do the right one. The planet, Spehidon, is sending more spores to you on a very regular basis.
She is playful.
She. Because, of course she.
Um . . . do you mean that in a general sense, as in you refer to Spehidon as female and, say Crion as male, or do you mean that specifically, as in Spehidon is also a sentient world?
Our sun is not sentient, which disappoints us both. Spehidon is sentient as I am. But she is lonely. None have chosen to live within her.
It’s hard for most life to survive inside a gas giant, White said.
Most of us can’t survive in the radiation, Gower added. It’s why we need the Moon Suits to spend time with you. Your people can, though. They are amazing.
They are. But they would not be comfortable on Spehidon. She needs those who are more spirit, as she is.
We know of races like that, actually. The Vrierst were living on Jupiter now, after all.
Could you have them visit her? He sounded hopeful. It would mean so much to her.
We can try. In the meantime, can you ask her to stop, um, spitting at you?
I could, but it would make her sad. She is trying to be helpful.
By sending something that is harming your people?
She thinks she is sending something needful to me.
Is it? White asked.
I don’t know. It is unlike me in almost all ways. Just as all of you are unlike my people in almost all ways. But that doesn’t mean it is bad.
No, it doesn’t, Gower said. But we are more alike than you realize. He put his hand onto the ground. See for yourself. Look at what we are under the Moon Suits.
The ground swirled up around Gower’s hand and forearm. You are mostly something that does not exist here.
Water, White said. Just as your people are mostly metal. But look beyond that.
Stroked SuperBun while we waited.
I can see the similarities, yes. The dirt retracted from Gower’s arm and went around SuperBun’s middle. He is no longer mostly water. He is becoming a part of me and a part of Spehidon, too. As well as a part of somewhere else.
Uh oh. Presumed the somewhere else was Nazez, but the rabbits had been able to leave.
Um, does that mean I should have the rabbits stop eating the squash?
SuperBun said that the rabbits could help. Some could stay on Cradus.
I agree, Cradus said. You are welcome to make a home here. I will provide whatever I can for you.