When Aliens Weep Read Online Free PDF Page B

unpleasant but clear in their universal message. Their hovering entourage immediately pulled higher into the sky. Wil and Netty directed them all to the side, clearing away from the huge Womb opening to watch as a hurried group of minions came into view.
    They looked much the same as Baby and Echo except for one. It was perched astride a huge mobile sphere that appeared to be floating across the grass plain with only the minion’s golden leather touch.
    “It conceals a gravitational device, very much the same one the Kreyven utilizes in its work,” Wil explained in a hushed tone. “This type of sphere is only used when there has been a cull.”
    The minion sitting astride glanced their way, the most magnificent flaming butterfly attached to one antler.
    “Wow, get a loada that,” Kenya remarked. “I want me one a them .” Even with the sun not fully set, the butterfly trailed sparks that danced in a slow loop behind the minion—the only one that had such a magnificent creature attached.
    The survivors’ collective awe sang as the sphere moved closer, the minion aboard intently interested in them as its radiant eyes rested on the distraught Bonnie, nodding its head at her as they passed, trailing a slight scent of spicy lemon.
    Hud spoke up. “What the heck was that about?”
    Netty cocked her eye and turned to Baby who sent shimmering swirls into their minds.
    “That was a navigator. She is an IV. It is her job to make sure we know the correct path back to Oolaha after a cull. We can’t afford to wander into the stream of any of the billions of magnetic trails that hold the cosmos together. They can be quite destructive.”
    “A cull,” someone said from the group. “What’s a cull?”
    “A cull is when the Womb has decided a danger needs to be removed. They are brought here to study. If the situation is not rectified, another cull may be instituted. Here at the Womb is where the minions conduct their studies and experiments on the culled life forms.”
    Faces turned white, confusion abounding.
    “Experiments, Baby?” Jose’s voice contained an edge. “Is that what you did on Earth? You culled?”
    “Of course, Brother Jose. We have culled from Earth for millions of years. We also cull to observe evolution. Sometimes a species is not adapting well. We need to decide if it’s worth modifying its DNA to help it survive or let the doomed species fade from existence. But that is a mere curiosity. The most important function is to ensure harmony. In the worse cases, removing the offending species with an intervention most dire is the only solution.”
    Jose scanned the crowd, his eyebrow raised. “Well, doesn’t that just sound ducky, Baby? I think we need to sit down and have a long talk about what happened to Earth and what you minions have been up to. I’m assuming your plans are for Abby and I to be in on the culls?”
    “Yes, Brother Jose. There will be much for you to do.”
    Abby’s face reflected surprise and confusion. “Can we table this conversation for now? I don’t like where I think it’s going and we need to get Bonnie and Chloe some attention.”
    She waved her hand to include the rest of the survivors. “I’m sure we’re all ready to eat and sleep, right, gang?” She appealed to Baby, “I just don’t think we can handle any more surprises right now.” Murmurs of assent convinced Baby as he turned to escort them into the Womb’s embrace.
    The group didn’t walk far before they were confronted with a barricade.
    “For now, everyone is forbidden to enter further into the Womb without an escort,” explained Netty. Pointing to the right, an opening appeared in the Womb wall. “This will be your quarters. Please don’t wander around outside without the escort of a minion.” She smiled. “We wouldn’t want you to wander into a portal to another world by mistake.”
    Netty leaned back, pensively eyeing the hovering entourage. The quick and bright faces of the nooglets and the