Book:4 The Others
My eternal thanks for to Ruby, Nolan, Ty, and Robin Weller for allowing me to publish these stories. It pleases me so much that you like the stories about your fabled adventures in outer space. I loved making the Barbie and G.I. Joe clothes for Ruby and Nolan, but putting you all in space was a blast. You asked me to publish this before Christmas, so maybe I will have to create a whole different adventure??
I am so proud of the Thank You notes sent to me by Ruby and Nolan that I wanted to share them with you.
Dear Brenda and Shirl
Thank you so much for the books! I really liked in the last book the part about the dragon mall. The ending surprised me a lot!! I would’ve never guessed that they were going to be kidnapped!! I thank you so much again, and I can’t wait for the next one! RUBY
Dear Brenda and Shirl
Thank you so much for the books that you wrote on the Amazon Book Store. I really enjoyed the first one, and I am working on the second one I love you so much.
Sincerely, Nolan
Thanks again to my Dawta, Dawnzella for allowing me to turn her into a dragon, and a boy dragon at that! She edits each time I re-write and seems pleased to be the first one after her Fatha to read my stories.
Also my thanks to our Son Chris Colbath and Granddaughter Jazz P. Colbath for allowing me to have them become the “Other” characters: Damon and Jazz.
My love and thanks go to my talented Husband Shirl, who reads, and edits, again and again. He is learning Gimp to create my covers.
As a reader, you may not know this, but writers need and want to know you appreciate their hard work. Writing is fun, satisfying, and I hope you have enjoyed reading about Ruby and Nolan and their parents’ adventures as much as I have loved creating them.
Please go to Amazon.com and leave me a review. I appreciate it and thank you very much.
If you would like to be notified when my new books are published email me at hotshower@colbath.net
Other books on Kindle and Paperback:
Ruby and Nolan’s Great Adventures in Space Book 1
Ruby and Nolan’s Great Adventures in Space Book 2
Ruby and Nolan’s Great Adventures in Space Book 3
The End of the Road
Murder on Lake Haverly – Maye West Mysteries Book 1
Also available as Audio
And a new Book: Immortal Enemies – Soon to be published on Kindle and Paperback
Prologue
Our intrepid adventurers happily accept an invitation from their friend Donzereli to visit his Keep in the North Mountains. Secretly they make plans along with Dr. Allen, who bribes his invitation to ride along.
Their plan is to travel quietly leaving the settlement without asking their parent’s permission. Arriving at Donzereli’s home, they are greeted by his parents not looking happy. Later they discover they were not only expected, but their visit was well planned by Donzereli’s parents. The kids wonder if their parents were in on it, too?
After a fun filled tour of Donzereli’s mountain home, which includes a trip to an amazing Shopping Mall. They were relaxed and happy until they are informed that their parents are coming to take them home. Oh! Oh!
Donzereli decides to take them on a deep sea fishing trip, without his parent’s knowledge or permission. He “borrows” his parents flying car to add to the excitement! They invite Dr. Allen along.
It’s just a fishing trip, everyone has fun fishing.
What could go wrong?
Being kidnapped by the “Others” could be one thing. Now our story begins…
Chapter 1 Where are we?
“Ahoy, ye Mateys! Welcome aboard the Jolly Roger. Mighty Pirates are we.” Donzereli said as he tossed a brightly colored scarf folded with an eye patch wrapped around them to Ruby, Nolan, Bonnie, Shamus and Dr. Allen. He put his eye patch over one eye and bent down for Ruby to tie his scarf. She had a hard time, not giggling at the sight of Donzereli with an eye patch and the scarf tied around his head. Pirate talk abounded, and Dr. Allen kept them enthralled with several tales scary enough to hold their interest until time to get down to the serious business of catching fish.
The ship that Master Algonen captained was massive, with a crew of 30 adult dragons and a 20-ton hold for filling with the many sea creatures that satisfied Dragons appetites. The engine room housed large solar batteries, plus the added wind power harnessed by unfurling the sturdy sails snuggly wrapped around the rigging.
This trip promised to be a fun fishing experience for his “guests, ” not so much for Master Algonen, he was anxious to be heading back to the sea cavern in a few hours. Master Algonen did not relish having the responsibility of these puny humans for any longer than was required.
Nolan struggled for the longest 20 minutes of his life to reel in a Sea Bass that he was positive weighed a ton. He was beyond exhausted but exhilarated when he fought it close enough to the boat that one of the worker dragons quickly netted it and brought aboard his prize.
Catching his breath, he shouted, “Wow! Did you see the size of that guy? He put up a good fight. I want pictures.”
There were shouts of “congratulations and good job” along with back slapping and high fives, everyone in a tight group. No one noticed the craft hovering above them until a net fell surrounding Donzereli and his friends. The net tightened; suddenly they were airborne. Fortunately, Donzereli landed on the bottom with everyone piled on top and on each side of him. It appeared that they were being hauled up into the clouds.
“Donzereli, what the heck is happening?” Sputtered Nolan as they realized they were being raised into the sky so fast the ship’s crew were unable to do anything to stop them.
“I think we have been kidnapped, and you are about to meet “the Others,” Dr. Allen was able to mumble around Shamus’s back.
Dr. Allen, Ruby, Nolan, Shamus, and Bonnie were pressed beside and on top of Donzereli, as the net was pulled tighter under him leaving his tail swinging below the net. As they tumbled together, they scrambled to maneuver into upright positions trying to see who and what had captured them.
“What is happening to us? Donzereli, if this is a joke, it isn’t funny.” Several voices screamed at once.
“I don’t know any more than you do; I can’t see anything. Someone’s body is on top of my face.”
“Opps! Sorry,” Shamus said as he slid to the right, asking, “Donzereli, can you see better now?”
“Darn, all I can see is thick netting and blue sky, but I think that is a flying ship above us.” He said.
“As I said, we have been kidnapped by the “Others” for what purpose, I don’t know.” Dr. Allen supplied. “From my position, I can see what’s happening. It looks like the bottom of a boat or ship painted sky blue with white sails that would look like clouds from a distance.” His curiosity was aroused more than fear. He thought “The blue paint on the bottom of the ship and the white sails, camouflaged it so well, the dragons must have been unaware it was floating above them. I am looking forward to meeting the “Others,” it will be interesting.”
The occupants of the flying ship swung them aboard and gently deposited them on the deck removing the net. Dr. Allen was first getting to his feet and couldn’t help staring at the beings he knew to be the ones the dragons secretly called the “Others.” His curiosity was peaked, but his natural fear of the unknown kept him from a closer examination.
Everyone scrambled to his/her feet and stood stock still frozen in shock; staring wide-eyed at the legendary Abominable Snowmen of European folklore. The huge white furry creatures were looking back at them through pairs of huge blank bubble eyes. Dr. Allen did not believe in such fantasies, reasoning to himself, “This shouldn’t be possible, but, I suppose anything is possible, after all, we are in another galaxy in another solar system, on a planet inhabited by dragons technically advanced beyond the Earth we left behind. But still, I believe these are humanoids.”
His natural curiosity prompted him to move closer. As he approached the lead “Other.” it became evident these were not animals he was lead to believe, by the dragons, but humanoid creatures. The bubble eyes appeared to be part of a mask, probably to protect them from the harsh environment. As scared as he was for the safety of the kids, in his charge, he was thrilled to meet the “Others” and couldn’t understand why the dragons kept them a secret.
Before he could speculate about what was hiding beneath those coats of white fur Donzereli rolled to his feet and looked around. Donzereli and the kids became frozen by the sight of the dozen big bug-eyed white furry creatures surrounding them.
Standing 8 and 10 feet tall, covered in white fur from head to foot, not moving, staring at their captives with those sinister looking eyes. The most massive one stood close to 11 feet: dwarfing Dr. Allen, it motioned for them to follow. They had little choice as the other creatures got close to them they instinctively moved forward.
The creature walked briskly towards the bow of the “Boat” to a door which swished open as it walked close. Stepping through the door, the creature stepped aside motioning for them to enter. Dr. Allen walked ahead of the hesitant kids and entered purposely with the kids following reluctantly, Donzereli last.
Getting out of the blustery bone-chilling weather was a relief and terrifying at the same time. As the group felt the warm air, they realized how cold they were, and couldn’t stop shivering.
The creature motioned for them to warm themselves by the large fireplace. Dr. Allen stepped in front of the kids with his arms stretched protectively asking, “Who are you? Why have you kidnapped us?”
To everyone’s, surprise, it answered in their language, “We know that until this minute, you have been unaware of our existence. We will not keep you long, we brought you here because we want to show you our home and learn more about you.” As it talked, to everyone’s shock, it pulled off furry gloves, revealing human hands with five long digits and a thumb.
Before they recovered from this shock, it reached up and pulled off its head! Well, not really it’s head, a sort of helmet. Before mouths could close, it put a hand up to its neck, grabbed the zipper buried in the fur of its “suit” and quickly unzipped and stepped out of it.
Standing before them was a tall, slim human with green/brown eyes. His wavy dark brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail at the base of his neck. The child-like smile showed strong white teeth. Dr. Allen couldn’t help being relieved that they were not pointed. The shirt was a metallic cloth blend material loose fitting over snug dark cotton slacks, complimenting moccasins of smooth leather decorated with tiny shells. Standing quietly to give the kids, Dr. Allen and Donzereli time to accept what their eyes were witnessing.
“Our clan or the “Others” as the dragons call us, have lived in the southernmost mountain region of this planet for hundreds of years. Our “Keep” is much like the one you have been visiting, with all the comforts you have enjoyed from the Northern dragon clan. From the shocked look on your faces, I can tell the dragons didn’t say much if anything about us.”
When no one spoke, it continued speaking,“The Elders probably indicated that you were the first and only people to find their world.” Seeing the look of recognition on their faces, he continued. “They are scared their peaceful existence will be spoiled. They did not want us to stay, but since we crash landed in the coldest part of the planet, we could not leave. We were “encouraged” not to venture outside of this area. I am surprised that they allowed you to stay.”
“I overheard several of the Elders talking about the “Others,” as soon as they were aware that I was listening, they pretended not to know I had heard anything. I chose not to confront them, but do my own research. They gave us free access to their computer system, but I learned almost nothing of your existence.” Looking up at him with a smile, he said, “They portrayed you to be the fabled “Abominable Snowmen.” There was no reference at all of you being humanoid.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. After you warm up and we arrive at our Keep, we will answer all your questions. Now please go over to the fire, and we will bring you food and hot drinks.”
Dr. Allen could hardly contain himself, he had a million questions forming in his mind. However, he decided to table his curiosity and make sure the kids were warm and fed. On the positive side, if the others wanted to hurt them, they had ample opportunity, and learning more about the “Others” up close and personal was positive. Eventually, the dragons will have to swallow their pride and admit knowledge of the “Others.” He worried how the “Others” would treat Donzereli, after all, he is a dragon and was happy Donzereli wasn’t separated from the kids.