~ Debbie Can't Sleep ~

~ Debbie Can’t Sleep ~

Debbie lie in the bed between Jimmy and Shewuma. Jimmy was sleeping soundly on his back, while Shewuma slept facing Debbie with one arm across her belly. She felt trapped, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling and thinking, “I remember when my body could sleep.” Tonight was one of those rare occasions when she missed it. Hoping their sexual marathon would prompt a nap, she waited and listened. On each breath out, Jimmy poofed his exhale through partially open lips. Shewuma would suck in with a slight snort. Peter McPhee, the terrier was exhaling a soft whine. The sounds synched up and became a snort, poof, whine. Snort, poof, whine. It brought to Debbie’s mind Moe, Larry and Curly sleeping in a Three Stooges movie. She almost laughed out loud. “Damn. I might as well get up,” she thought, resigned to her fate.

Shewuma was out cold as Debbie rolled her over and climbed out of bed. After one last lingering look at Wu and Jimmy’s nakedness, she pulled the covers up and over them. Wearing only her corduroy slippers and battle belt of her Dragon Blade and two colt throwing knives, she left the room with Tippycat, their 30 pound Maine Coon hot on her heels and feeling restless. Luce’s pregnancy had been keeping her up 42% of the time lately. They were decent odds that she was awake. Perhaps she would like to play backgammon. Debbie checked Luce’s thoughts just enough to see if she were sleeping without being intrusive. No, she was out.

In one of the guest houses, Robert Hazer was often up late working on his ultrasonic ascent generator. With the help of Malachi’s Alien intellect, he had found a way around Gorkov’s fundamental theory of acoustophoresis. They were making serious headway. So near the ultimate goal of lifting and moving any object within line of sight remotely, regardless of size or shape. It would be indisputable corroboration that the Pyramids were built with advanced technology and not the ridiculous slave, log and ramp theory. She checked his mind as well. Going a little too deep, she accidently caught some of his erotic dream about Suzanne Somers during her Threes Company years and pulled her mind out quickly.

“Looks like we’re on our own Tipster.” He meowed his desire to hunt.

Once outside, Tippy bounded off while Debbie cocked her head listening. In the distance was a chanting hum and she followed the sound. Deep in the woods, Debbie could see Charlie Sue, her adopted son Dermott’s new paramour, wearing a blue flannel nightgown on her knees in some type of trance. Entering Charlie Sue’s thoughts brought the realization that she was sending out data in code. Deb telepathically tasked her Alien computer system of Blue Crystal Skulls, to track and decipher the communiqué. They quickly informed her that the message was not code, but a long dead language of the lost continent of Lemuria. How was this getting past her and her babies, as she had come to refer to the Crystal Skulls. Translating the message revealed a transcription of the last three days of Charlie Sue’s life. Every action taken, word spoken, thought, observation, were all being sent somewhere. Debbie’s Sight exploded as it revealed exponentially separating paths to the future presented by this prodigious discovery. And why hadn’t her Sight warned her before now. Ever since she read Charlie Sue’s unborn child, her Sight had become stunted. Her Babies offered a troubling 61.3% chance that all of these events were connected. One fact was painfully obvious. Charlie Sue was a spy. The Babies informed Debbie that the flow of information was not being directed to any specific location. It was just out in the ether, available for access by anyone with the inkling and wherewithal to collect it.

Debbie saw that Charlie Sue was finished. After rising to her feet, she began mechanically trudging back towards Dermott’s guest house as if she were sleep walking. Debbie accosted her. “Charlie Sue what are you doing out here?” With no response, Debbie sent a jolt to her mind and Charlie Sue startled awake.

Charlie Sue looked around bewildered. “Debbie?”

Debbie and her Crystal Skulls psychically went all in on the totality of Charlie Sue’s mind. The id, ego, superego, conscious, subconscious, and sensory, short term and long term memories. She quickly knew everything she could possibly know about Charlie Sue. She found nothing clandestine or nefarious. In fact, most of it wasn’t even interesting. She was tickled to see from her memories of their sexual encounters, that Dermott and Charlie Sue were moderately kinky. Wu would enjoy that. But one item of data was disturbing; that only Debbie, David E. and Shewuma could open and seal the vault door. Dermott must have told her that. There was also no memory of what she had just done. But there was something else missing. A chunk of time. Of her recent life. The lack of information was not from shields or resistance, it just wasn’t there. Debbie pressed the carotid artery in Charlie Sue’s neck and with a self-induced rush of adrenaline, scooped her up as she passed out. She pushed Charlie Sue’s mind into the deepest state of delta sleep. Any memories of the last few minutes would be a fading dream at best. She called telepathically for Tippycat and headed back to the Fortalice.

Debbie stopped, alert. Had she heard something? Yes… No. But there was definitely someone else nearby. Flipping Charlie Sue up and over her shoulder, she drew her Dragon Blade.

Kwewu whispered, “It’s just me Comista.”

As she walked towards his voice, he stepped from behind a tree. His black hair was in a single long braid, shirtless, and wearing only a pair of blue jeans. It accentuated his dark, muscular physique. Shewuma was right, he was a stunner. His battle belt had a tomahawk stuffed in the left side next to a Blackfoot hunting knife. On the right side hung a field quiver full of arrows. He carried his Whippoorwill Yew bow that Debbie and Wu had custom made for him for his last birthday. Extra tempered hardwood with antler ends, Wu designed it herself. So besides being the finest long bow available, it was also deadly, hand-to-hand. As he approached her, even her ultrasensitive hearing could barely discern his footsteps.

It was a rare chance for him to see her naked and he commented, “As always, you look incredibly beautiful Comista.”

He started down on one knee and Debbie pulled him up into a hug. “Cut that out Wolf. You’re family. It’s been too long. I didn’t realize you were coming to visit.” Another misfire of her Sight. It prompted the realization that she had become too dependent on it.

“I’m here on business. I was sent with an urgent message for you and the Chieftess. But I don’t know what it is or who it is from. It’s unsettling Comista.” Debbie went deep in his mind to retrieve the information. A communiqué from the Mantid race of Aliens. Enoch’s buried memories opened up in her mind. Mamtodia. Friend and ally to the Errans and the last Mantis left on Earth. An Alien revered in the histories of the Hopi nation for helping them survive the dark times of old. Wolf felt instant relief. Free of his purpose, Wolf smiled and asked, “Can you tell me what in the hell this is about? I’ve been driving for 27 hours non-stop and I don’t even know why. Buy the way, I left the car at the 7-11 just up the road. Probably going to cause some ruckus when they find it.”

“You stole it?”

“I borrowed it from an Arizona State Trooper. He’s still in the trunk.”

“Did you attract much attention.”

“Afraid so Comista. They almost got me in Arkansas, so I may be on camera. Sorry.”

Debbie winced. “Ouch. Forget it. I’ll make sure my babies wipe all references to you or the car from the state and federal systems and videos. That will just leave a big mystery and a lot of cops sounding nuts. I need to call the family together, then I’ll explain everything.”

Wolf pointed at Charlie Sue slung over her shoulder. “I see you’ve been hunting.”

“Always something, isn’t it? Come on. We’ll wake up Shewuma and get you some food." He laughed as she said, “You Kachinas are always hungry.”

Walking towards the main house they heard a thud and both spun to face the sound. Debbie with a throwing knife up and Wolf, Yew Bow ready, arrow drawn. “Gotcha both.” Chevayo came towards them wearing only black gym shorts, carrying a Hopi spear and laughing while Debbie exhaled with relief.

“Chevayo!” Wolf declared.

“Kwewu, Brother!” The two men hugged with genuine affection. “How’s the easy life back at Hopitutsakwa?” Debbie knew that was what the Hopi Kachinas called their Tribal home in Arizona.

“It’s great. Working with the young Kachina’s is much more fun than I expected.”

Chevayo turned to Debbie. Seeing her nakedness, he bowed his head slightly and said, “Comista, you’re radiant this evening.”

“Isn’t she a vision Brother?” Both men crossed their arms eyeing her up and down.

“Cut the crap guys. Let’s go in.”

“Here Comista. Allow me,” Chevayo said, chivalrously taking Charlie Sue from her shoulder and carrying her under his arm. “Who is this Comista?”

“Her name is Charlie Sue Swenson. She’s Dermott’s girlfriend and she just moved in with him.”

Wolf seemed surprised. “Dermott has a girlfriend? Good for him. She’s cute but too tiny. She’s no bigger than a biscuit.”

“I’m with you Brother. I like some meat on their bones. Like the Comista.”

Debbie was flattered but didn’t show it. “When did you and the Eagle get back?”

“Three hours ago. We were exhausted. The Eagle went straight to Luce. And I went straight to bed.”

With a racy chuckle Wolf said, “Knowing Eagle, I’m sure they’re not sleeping.”

Smiling, Debbie elbowed his bicep. “You two are exceptionally bad tonight. Any leads in Austria, Chevy?”

“No. The Nephilim and his mystery companion had been there. We caught their scent at the Chalet. But it was deserted. We couldn’t track him. Those Alps are brutal. First time I’ve ever really been cold in my life.”

“What are you doing out here?”

“Just woke up and felt something was…I don’t know. Off. So I did a perimeter.”

Impressive thought Debbie. She didn’t realize his sixth sense was that sharp. They would have to pursue that. “Well it’s good that you’re up. I’m going to wake everyone else too. There’s a lot happening. We need to have a pow-wow.”

**********

Malachi received an urgent telepathic message, raised up and said, “Yes Comista.”

From underneath him, the cute young Wawa store clerk answered, “What did you call me honey?”

“I must leave.” He pulled out and dismounted the girl.

“Don’t stop now. My break’s not over yet and I’m close.”

Pushing open the back door to the extended black van, he said, “I apologize Miss, but the Comista has summoned me. Leave… Now.”

In the gym under the house, Debbie pressed her hand on the screen next to a massive 7 foot high, 5 foot wide combination of steel and concrete that were layered for maximum impenetrability. The door to the vault of the Crystal Skulls swung in effortlessly. Debbie told Chevayo and Wolf that she would be back directly. As the door closed behind her they watched a soft blue glow pour out as it shut with barely a click of a sound.

“Wow look at this place.” Remarked Wolf. “I haven’t been here since the big remodel.”

“We came in the side door down the steps,” explained Chevayo, “but that whole wall opens up into the double garage so you can drive vehicles in here. Hence the ramp. We call it the gym.” Then he pointed at a corner with a mounted big screen TV and fridge, and was surrounded by lots of comfy furniture, “We hang out in there too.”

“This gym is huge.”

“Yeah. Debbie wanted everyone to be able to workout at the same time. And she made the ceilings extra high for jumping and climbing.”

“Where did she just go?”

“The vault. It holds the Blue Crystal Skull Computers, I think weapons and… I’m not sure what else. I’ve never been in it.” With a twinkle in his eye Chevayo began spinning his spear and said, “Come on Brother, let’s spar. I want to see what you can do up close with that Yew.”

Chevayo was holding his own, but Wolf was using moves unfamiliar to him, when a combination caught him and he took a Yew slap upside the head. From the doorway holding a robe for Debbie, Shewuma said, “Chevy. You’re dead.”

“I know Chieftess. He’s cheating.”

“Chieftess!” Declared Wolf.

“Wolfie!” Shewuma answered as they closed in. Shewuma went in for a low hug, picked him up and shook him.

“What? No sugar for the Wolf Boy?”

Wu gave him a peck on the mouth as he tried to slip in his tongue. She pulled away laughing. “Naughty as ever I see.” She pulled Chevayo into a hug. “Welcome home. He was kicking your ass son.”

Wolf suddenly stepped protectively in front of Shewuma, nocked an arrow and drew his bow. A tall, menacing Reptilian Lizard man with only one arm and a Medici collar of spikes indicating he was royalty, was coming through the door. The Drachonian stopped and growled at Wolf’s threatening posture.

“It’s okay Wolfie. That’s Will. He lives here. Hi Will. What’s up?”

“Debbie called me down. I don’t know why.”

Chevayo pointed his spear at Will and said. “You will address her as Comista, Goatsucker.”

“Fuck off, Breed.”

Both Kachinas reacted, but arms out, Shewuma stopped them.

“No more of that guys, you either Will. We all get along or somebody’s leaving. And Will, I agree with my boys. Address Debbie as Comista in public.”

With burning eyes, Wolf and Chevayo both answered, “Yes Chieftess.” Will merely tilted his head in annoyed acknowledgement and plopped down in a recliner.

The vault door opening took their attention and Debbie emerged carrying Charlie Sue. Debbie put her on the couch in the rec area and donned her robe. “Debbie, what’s with her?” asked Shewuma.

Jimmy came in followed by the other nine “family” members living on the compound. Debbie said, “Give me a minute Wu.” Dermott noticed Charlie Sue and hurried over in a tizzy.

“Miss Debbie. What the hay?”

“Easy Dermott. Take a seat.” Then louder. “Everyone sit down we have a lot to talk about.” Debbie ran a holograph of her memories of finding Charlie Sue in the woods. “She’s a plant.”

Instantly the jokes came. “I have a beef with that.”

“She doesn’t meat expectations. M-e-a-t.” The chuckling was inevitable.

Dermott stood offended. “Come on guys. This isn’t funny.”

Malachi explained. “Dermott, it is funny. Don’t you understand? They are making fun of Debbie calling her a plant, which can be taken two ways. I find it quite amusing.”

Dermott replied, “Are you serious?”

“Dermott relax.” Debbie tried not to smile. “Y’all cut it out. Dermott I’m rooting for her.” The group laughed out loud, even Will smiled, and Dermott rose up again. “No, no Dermott. Sorry. I’m sorry.” Fighting to hold back her laughter, she waited until everyone settled back down. “Really though, this is serious.” Shewuma was looking down biting her knuckle and snorting. “Come on Wu.”

Shewuma put up her hands. “Ok. I’m good.”

“Now Dermott. You’re going to take her back to bed and let her sleep. Don’t say anything to her about any of this in the morning.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“Just do it. Bring her over for lunch.”

“But you’re a carnivore and she’s a plant,” said Cousin Corrine. The chuckles went around again. Exasperated, Dermott just shook his head.

“We’ll take care of her tomorrow.”

Dermott was trying to lift Charlie Sue when Chevayo intervened. “I got her buddy. Let’s go. Be right back Comista.”

Debbie spent the next two hours explaining the Mantid message. He had called a Summit of Aliens and Hybrids to announce his transition and the passing of his responsibilities and possessions to Shewuma. Though technically not of his species, she was his only relative by blood.

Consumed with boredom, Wolf stood. “I have a question Comista. Do you have anything to eat? I’m starving.”

Jimmy stood up, “It’s got to be after 3. Breakfast anyone?” Without exception the nonhumans said yes enthusiastically, while the humans opted for more sleep.

As Jimmy walked past Will, he slapped him on his back and said, “Let’s go eat something, Will.”

Will followed him asking, “Did you really kill an Annunaki?”

“You bet your ass I did.”

“How? One tore my arm off and left me for dead, you know. I couldn’t even hurt him through that armor.”

“I ripped his head off with a wrestling move. I’ll show you later.”

As everyone filed out Debbie called Wu and David E. over. “Wu. You understand the scope of this Summit, right? You’ll be representing the Tribe and responsible for not only the Mantis legacy, but also the safety and hospitality of everyone who will be attending.”

“I don’t have to cook, do I?”

Debbie laughed, “You’re not right Wu. David E., I need your help with Charlie Sue. Her mind has been compromised somehow. I suspect Mk Ultra type conditioning. You know that shit inside and out.”

“Yes ma’am, unfortunately I do.”

The three looked back and forth at each other. Debbie clapped her hands. “Okay then. Let’s get to work. We have to plan the trip, the Summit, and figure out what to do with Charlie Sue.”

Wu took her and David E.’s hands. “After we eat.”

**********