What's in the box?

“After my depression, I decided to do something to cheer myself up so I contacted my friend, Shrejonna. She deals with exotic items collected from all over the planet.”

           Dr. Hucheniff leaned back in his chair and examined Terra a bit before responding. I’m glad that you’re finally trying new things Terra, but we talked about Shrejonna in previous sessions. Isn’t she exactly the kind of company that you are trying to avoid?”

           I know she’s caused some trouble in the past but she has always been able to help me in ways that most other people cannot. We’ve been friends for literally eons.”

“Have you been eating the way we discussed? How is the new diet?”

Terra rolled her eye and sighed. “That didn’t really have a positive effect on me but this thing …” She lifted a box from the yellow carpet that covered the floor and set it on her lap. “This has given me more joy and hope than any other item that I’ve ever possessed.”

“Before I show you what it is, I want to ask you something Doc . . . “

Dr. Husheniff leaned forward with interest. He was already curious as to what got Terra to become so talkative during this session. Normally, she seemed quite diffident. “Go on . . . “

“You’re bound by doctor-patient confidentiality, correct?”

The good doctor chuckled a bit before responding. “There are only 2 times that I’ve ever experienced those thoughts from another mind before in my professional career. The first one that one that shared such thoughts with me is now passed on and the second one is now occupying a region of the planet that makes him wish that he could actually die!”

“That’s not an answer doc. I just want to hear you confirm it before I share my thoughts on the matter and open up the box.” She smiled at him as if already knowing what his response would be. She couldn’t wait to share her new source of joy with someone besides her old friend Shrejonna.

“YES . . . indeed I cannot reveal the contents of our sessions unless you intend to harm a vulnerable species … pet or not....”

A frown spread over Terra’s face as she looked down

“I am beyond such thoughts, doctor. I know I made the one attempt but that was years ago. Who could blame me? I lost my entire family including 2 of my offspring and all of my pets.” She held the box with two hands and then wiped a tear from her eye.

“I just . . . I just needed something. Something different so I traveled….I traveled far away with Shrejonna and …I found what I was searching for and it is magnificent beyond words! She again became excited and her hearts began to beat within her chest.”

The good doctor began to note how elated her demeanor was whenever she talked about her new item . . . whatever it was. His curiosity was genuinely elevated but he disguised it well.

“Show me the source of your newfound happiness if you would . . . “ He gestured for her to open the box.

Terra opened the box and pulled out her new friend and sat it on her lap.

The doctor could barely believe his eye. It widened as he sat back in his chair to gaze at the creature with both awe and horror. H could smell the tiny creature’s hairless body from where he sat. He noticed that it seemed content where it was within Terra’s hand and began to make strange noises that were not discernable.

“Is that what I think it is?” asked the doctor.

Terra responded with a huge smile and a nod. “His name is Michael, but he prefers to be called Mike. Isn’t that right my little Mikey poo . . . “She began to pet the creature softly as she looked down upon him with doting eye.

“You’re going to be banished to another Heleiaxy. You have to return it! Do you have any idea how much danger you’ve put us in? The entire planet is in jeopardy. How the hell did you even get to the Milky Way Galaxy? It is expressly forbidden exactly because these creatures have spread their destruction there.”

“Oh relax . . . he’s harmless.” Terra replied. Shedronnas has a device that magnifies out misting ability so we could make the trip to the Milky Way. We went to Andromeda at first to look at the perchniktova’s but they’re too furry for my liking so . . . we decided to pay off a sentry to enter the Milky Way. These creatures are no real threat to us . . . I mean look at him. Doesn’t he just melt your hearts?”

           “Hardly…” the doctor replied. “Only two arms instead of three, but 2 eyes instead of one eye. Even with both eyes, they can only see a tiny part of the visible spectrum and even worse – they perceive time linearly. Their cells have a limited ability to regenerate and then they die. They actually cease to exist after only a few cycles . . . “

           “I know but this is what is so wonderful about Mikey poo. He is so fragile and limited. He actually believes that his existence has a meaning to it. Why can he believe this? It is because he knows that it WILL end some day or at least . . . that’s what he thinks.”

           “They are unaware of the great cycle. He will simply be given a new body after his old one decays but this existence is quite odious, Terra! Why keep such an abominable pet?”

           “Our ancient texts speak of time when our species was the same way millions of cycles ago. We too could only see 3 dimensions and fought over resources later revealed to be virtually infinite.”

           “Those texts are so old who even knows if they are authentic or accurate. Besides, even if they are correct, I’m not sure this is the best way to deal with a husband and family that left you for galaxy M33. In a previous session, you said that Hertricomor left you and took the offspring because of your religious fervor. These were your words not mine.”

           “I know what I said, Doc and it’s the truth. I think these humans are extraordinarily primitive but I love them. They remind me that what really matters is our own experience right now. Right here! In the moment.”

           “They spread disease. They spread war. As primitive as they are, they possess advanced weapons that can destroy planets from afar. They hate not just other species but also themselves. Their numbers will be reduced soon, you know this? They are a scourge upon their own galaxy. There’s a reason why their illegal to own.”

           “Not all humans are this way. In fact, most are quite gentle like Michael here. I plan to acquire several more and . . .”

           The doctor interrupted her, “What’s that sound it’s making? Is it purring?”

“No, they communicate through their feeding orifices. He’s trying to tell you that he is not a scourge.”

           “Yes, I remember hearing about that during a lecture. Fascinating actually. No telepathy and no astral projection.” He replied.

           “Some of them can astral project and a few have low levels of telepathic ability and even orjovenix abilities, which we only thought our own species was capable of but for the most part they are very limited in their spiritual awareness. Did you know that they themselves have pets though?”

           Dr. Hushniff let out a long sigh and placed all three hands over his forehead.

           “There is a plan to make them all forget their past to help them start over and correct their path. What are you going to do when their civilization is destroyed to suppress their numbers? Only  a few will be spared because extermination of any species is against Heleiaxic law.. .”

           “I will be the only owner of humans in this galaxy and maybe even this Heleiaxy. I plan to purchase at least 9 more including a female for Mikeypoo in the future just in case the surviving humans on Keldra 11 are also killed by the suppression efforts.”

           “I’m afraid that this will probably be our last session but per our agreement, I will not reveal your plans to anyone else. Still, I am concerned about your wellbeing, Terra. You seem almost obsessed with these illegal creatures which have been banned by intergalactic law.”

           “They are not banned in the Yecrchvenia sector. There are several planets there for me to relocate humans to. Don’t you see, Doc? I am possibly saving this entire soon-to-be endangered species. I was terribly hurt by my husband but now, saving these poor entities will make him and my family see that I am a benevolent being. I shall guide these creatures once I place them in their new home.”

           “New home? You’ll simply be setting in motion a series of events that will lead to another spread within the same galaxy. Don’t you understand, Terra? These creatures are a flaw in evolution. Their fragility is what drives their fear. Their fear is what drives their greed and thirst for conquest”

           “Nonesense….with my guidance they will be placed upon a new path of enlightenment. I have it all worked out. I’ve found a planet that is third from its star in the Yecrchvenia sector. There are millions of planets, and no one will think to search for humans in that sector of the Milky Way.”

           “Why not? There are ongoing research expeditions to tha galaxy taking place every year. Why wouldn’t they discover your little illegal menagerie?”

           “The planets in the star system are prone to celestial impacts from comets and asteroids BUT . . .I’ll protect them. I can protect them from here in fact. A push of a few buttons can send or deflect an asteroid or initiate a flood. Good news is, there are no supernovae expected to go off in the region within the next several million cycles. “

           “I suppose you shall be their god then? Next you’ll be telling me that you’ll name their new home world after one of your offspring. Don’t you see how sick this is, Terra? It is not just a crime against our government but also a crime against your own deep sense of morality. You are not a god!”

           “Of course, I’m not a god…” Terra smiled and placed Michael back into the box and rose to her feet. “I’m a mother and for the first time in many cycles I have children to care for.”

           “Pets you mean…” The doctor shook his head in disappointment. “You are welcome to return here for more sessions if you need help, Terra but not if you bring that THING back into my office.”

           “I doubt I’ll be returning. In truth, I only came here to say goodbye.” For the first time since she arrived, she began to actually speak using her vestigial mouth, which typically was only used for drinking. She often grew tired of communicating telepathically and wanted to say goodbye in a more human-like fashion. “Thank you doctor, Husheniff. Thank you for all of the advice and open ears you’ve provided, but the truth is that you are no longer needed. I have found my new purpose.”

           She closed her eye and consciously spread her molecules into a mist that collected and rematerialized far away at her home on Yurchnev’s second moon. She sent one last telepathic message to her doctor before terminating the yatztreve link in her mind.

           “A real mother names a planet after herself doctor. It will be the most magnificent place in the universe for humans to live and thrivesand it will be because of my love for them. Goodbye, my friend.”