Cowboys and Aliens Ch. 05

After breakfast Annabelle, Jason and Sofia got ready for school, they wanted to stay and meet the Atlanteans, but common sense won out, that they shouldn't be here in case things went sideways with the agents.

Kat helped Maria clear the breakfast dishes and get them into the dishwasher, while Joe and Mark got ready to go out and do the chores.

Cricket said, "You are now back at the ranch."

Mark smiled and asked Joe if he was ready. They both then walked out of the lodge and started toward the barn to do the chores. Solara was laughing as she radioed, "The agents went crazy when you walked out of the lodge seconds after your tracking signal got here."

Sure enough, a minute later, two black SUVs were driving down the lane.

They stopped in front of the lodge, the agents got out and demanded, "Mark Phoenix, come with us!"

Mark held up his hand and said, "Not this time guys, you wasted a month of my life last time and I'm not doing that again, I have work to do! This is harassment, you still haven't told me what you're even looking for and my story hasn't changed. If you have questions, just fucking ask them, but you're not disrupting my family and my life anymore."

The agent said, "We're under orders to bring you in. We can do this peacefully or not!"

Mark taunted, "Well I'm not going peacefully this time, so whatcha gonna do?"

Mark thought, "Cricket, you have drones on every agent right?"

Cricket replied, "Of course! Just say the word, or if you become unable to speak, I will knock their asses out!"

The agents all drew weapons and pointed them at Mark.

Mark said, "Well if that's the way you want to play it, why don't you guys just lie down and have a little nap," as Cricket paralyzed the agents.

Once the agents were down, Mark confiscated all their guns.

Mark asked, "Cricket can you detect these kinds of weapons?"

She replied, "I can detect the explosive material with a simple scan from a drone."

Mark instructed, "OK new rule, anybody approaching the ranch, not by the lane or trailhead during business hours will get an audible warning of 'This is private property! Please leave the area immediately!' and make sure the trailhead is patrolled by drones as you should be able to tell riders returning from a ride from strangers."

Joe said he would put a sign at the entrance saying, "Weapons are prohibited!"

Solara then spoke over the radio "I've already made a sign at the entrance Joe, by the way your visitors are here."

With the sound of thrusters a small shuttle uncloaked, started folding its wings up and landed on the driveway. The rear ramp lowered and two beings exited the shuttle.

Feeling it was his duty, since he owned the ranch, Joe stepped up, extended his hand and said, "My name is Joe Henderson and on behalf of everyone at Henderson Ranch... Welcome to Earth."

Joe then introduced Kat and Mark as the girls exited from the workshop and walked over to the group. Joe then continued and introduced Solara, Laruun, Rayven, T'Soona and Candaules.

"I am Ambassador Liyana and this is Lieutenant Gyges. On behalf of the Atlantean Federation, we are pleased to meet all of you," Liyana said in a very formal tone.

Liyana was a lithe human looking woman, about 5'8" tall with long white hair, although she appeared to be maybe in her late 20s/early 30s. She was wearing an official looking blue robe with a symbol of the stylized A that's often used when referencing Atlantis, at the centre of the neckline. It appeared she was wearing some sort of white dress underneath the robe.

Gyges was a muscular looking man that would best be described as a Satyr. His skin was dark brown and he had golden eyes and two big golden horns like a ram sticking out from his head. He was roughly 6', but the horns went a few inches higher. He was wearing a blue tactical jacket with military markings and tactical cargo pants with a gun stuck to the side of each thigh and he had hooves for feet.

Liyana then spoke to the girls, "On behalf of the Atlantean Federation, our sincere apologies for leaving you stranded here for so long. We have sent many ships over the years since your disappearance, but we could not locate you. Yet passing through this part of the universe today, we detected your communications beacon transmitting from this location. Is there some place we can go, so we can debrief?"

Kat said they could use the lodge, so Liyana and the girls went inside as she instructed Gyges to keep watch outside.

Within a few minutes, the agents started coming around and immediately started threatening Mark about what he had done and to return their weapons right now.

Mark just said, "There's a sign at the front gate saying weapons are prohibited, so unless you have an official warrant for my arrest, I'm afraid you guys are shit out of luck!"

Just then they saw Gyges stand next to Mark and their eyes went wide and they were suddenly speechless.

"What's going on with these guys?" Gyges asked in a deep booming voice.

Mark explained, "They suspect me of something, but won't tell me what it is! The last time they abducted me and took me to a detention centre and kept me for over a month, against my will. Then they released me after I swallowed some sort of tracking device and as soon as I showed myself here this morning, they came in and tried to abduct me again. Only this time when they drew their weapons and threatened me, we were ready and zapped them."

Joe then added, "We don't want any trouble, we just want to work our ranch and keep our friends safe!"

Gyges then realized, by friends, they meant the girls so he said, "So by befriending a few lost souls, these guys have been harassing you?"

Kat piped in with some gusto, "Exactly! The girls just wanted a place they could feel safe, they don't want to hurt anyone, they just want to live free, they aren't stealing jobs or food and have been tremendously helpful around the ranch, so we're proud to have them."

The agents sat on the steps of the porch, as everyone else stood around, waiting for the debriefing to finish.

"You can't hold us prisoner like this," the one agent finally demanded.

Mark said, "Who is holding anyone prisoner? You aren't tied up and you can leave whenever you want."

"Then give us our guns and we'll go!" he demanded again.

Mark replied with a smile, "Unfortunately your weapons are gone. As the sign states at the front gate, weapons are prohibited, so as soon as you drew them, automated security protocols disarmed you. Sorry!"

When Liyana and the girls exited the lobby, the agents were stunned to see multiple species of aliens all at once, then they started threatening again about harbouring illegal aliens and that they should be turned over to the authorities, etc.

Mark said, "Like I said, you are not prisoners and can leave anytime you want. Although if you want to give a more complete report, you may want to stick around, listen and maybe even talk to them, rather than trying to force people to do what you want."

"They aren't people, they're monsters!" the head agent exclaimed.

Mark answered sternly, "What classifies them as monsters? Is it just because they look different? They are sentient beings and have done nothing to cause anyone any harm. They have conducted themselves with civility, kindness and common sense, which is more than I can say for you. The way you people are carrying on with reckless regard for basic rights and freedoms and trying to do everything by force rather than simply asking, I would classify you guys as having far more monstrous behavior. I think you guys could do with some education... why don't you guys stick around?"

At that, everyone went inside the lodge, where it was a bit warmer. The agents hopped in their SUVs and tore out of there like their pants were on fire.

Joe looked depressed, "Something tells me they are going to come back in force! This kind of trouble we don't need. This could ruin the ranch!"

Mark asked, "Liyana, what made you guys show up now, after all this time and what are your plans with this trip?"

Liyana explained, "We showed up because we just happened to be in this sector, when we got a communications signal from a ship that crashed here 10 years ago. We are not sure why it started working now as we have been by here many times since then, but it is broadcasting loud and clear now from this location. As for our plans for this trip... this is totally unplanned, but after talking with the girls and some of them not wanting to leave you and the ranch, I'm considering following an optional mission for this planet."

Mark was curious now, "What options were you given for this trip? If it's OK to ask that?"

Liyana said, "When we picked up the signal, we were given orders were to come here, recover the ship and the representatives, or their bodies, and return them to Atlanterra and then eventually their home planets. A standing optional mission, for any planet not in the Federation, is to try and establish an embassy in the hopes of them one day joining the Federation."

Joe piped in with a smile, "Hey, I like the optional mission!"

Mark suggested, "I like the optional mission too! In fact I'd highly recommend we get some TV crews out here and get the word out. Public knowledge will make it a lot tougher for the secret agencies to operate."

Kat suggested, "Or we could just broadcast this live using social media and then cross-post it to other social media sites after. This will likely go viral worldwide in no time, whereas a local TV station will record, edit and then broadcast later. It would eventually go viral, but it'll take longer."

Kat then turned to Liyana, "Do you have a speech prepared for opening or declaring an embassy? Or do you need time to write one?"

Liyana said, "There is already a prepared speech. We've been thinking of opening an embassy here for centuries, so anytime a ship comes by this planet they have the speech, but I don't think I'm going to use it as I have a better one in mind."

"Great! I'll get my phone," Mark said, but Kat then interjected saying, "No, I've got my phone right here, plus I've got more friends than you do, including several TV and radio people. I'll do the broadcast, then we can all share it."

Kat pulled out her phone and checked the charge on it, while Liyana went into the shuttle to prepare.

Kat suggested, "Everyone turn off your phones or put them on silent while we are broadcasting, we only get one shot at this!"

That really was the first time Mark noticed that since he had moved out to the ranch, he rarely even touched his phone anymore. His closest friends were right here at the ranch and all of his new friends didn't even have phones, so he just didn't miss it at all. When he was doing IT, he literally lived with his phone in his hand or at least within reach.

After a couple of minutes, Liyana emerged with Gyges following and carrying something in his arms.

Liyana stated to the group, "A security detail will be landing in a couple of minutes."

Liyana indicated she was ready, so Kat started her live broadcast by panning around showing the shuttle and the various aliens, then she panned back over to Liyana, who began to deliver her speech.

"People of Earth, my ancestral world. My name is Ambassador Liyana of the Atlantean Federation.

We are the descendants of the society once called Atlantis. We left this planet thousands of years ago, but we have visited Earth many times to observe it's evolution and to update the information about this planet that we use in our education system.

The unique scenario that has brought us to Earth today, involves these five beings behind me, that have been stranded here for 10 years, then recently being befriended and offered food, shelter and protection.

The people of Henderson Ranch looked past the physical differences and treated them as equals and friends, in fact they have even endured abduction and harassment to keep them safe.

It's people like this that have prompted us to create an embassy, so that we may open communications with Earth in hopes that someday you may join the Atlantean Federation."

Liyana then nodded to Gyges who stepped forward, unfolded the Atlantean flag, bowed and offered it to Joe.

"On behalf of the Atlantean Federation we are proud to offer our flag to the people of Henderson Ranch as a symbol of our gratitude. May it fly above your land as a symbol that your ranch is now friends with, and under the protection of, the Atlantean Federation."

Joe stepped forward, accepted the flag and bowed saying, "Thank You! We are honoured to call you friends!"

"Mark Phoenix, would you please step forward." Liyana said, as Mark stepped up on the porch, then she continued, "For your devotion to protecting our friends, and enduring more than a month of confinement and harassment, at the hands of your abductors. You have shown a level of friendship, loyalty and compassion that reflects true Atlantean values. It is my privilege, to grant you probationary Atlantean Federation citizenship, until you can attend the official ceremony on our home world of Atlanterra."

Gyges then stepped forward, shook Mark's hand then placed his right arm across his chest and bowed.

Mark bowed in return and said, "Thank You."

Kat was still streaming the feed, when they heard thrusters from another shuttle, so she panned and recorded the shuttle uncloaking and landing beside the other shuttle. Then four other beings dressed like Gyges exited and stood at attention, looking at Gyges for instruction.

Liyana then announced "We will remain in orbit, until the embassy is established, to assist the ranch and provide information for the people of this planet. Please be considerate and leave these people to go about operating their ranch."

Kat then stopped her broadcast and shared the video file with Mark. The feed had been shared over 1,000 times before the broadcast was even over.

Joe's phone had been vibrating during the entire broadcast, so he had started calling back the missed calls. Many of the boarders were wondering if their horses were safe. Joe assured them they were and they were welcome to come by and check things out. Just make sure there were no guns in their vehicles.

"Are you OK?" Mark asked Rayven, having not had a chance to see her since she passed out last night.

Raven smiled, "I am fine, the change this time wasn't as hard on me."

Mark asked, "What changed this time?"

"You will see later," was all she said as she smiled and gave him a kiss.

Gyges wanted to review the current security, so Solara suggested they go to the ship. Liyana asked if she could come along, as she wanted to see the status of everything too, so Mark told Solara to lead the way.

The four of them walked into the lodge went downstairs and into the tunnels. Surprisingly, the system allowed Gyges and Liyana to enter the tunnels.

Cricket told Mark, "By the way, now that the Atlanteans are here, I have regained access to their identification network and a lot of other information from the Atlantean network."

Solara explained that the tunnel system was how they got around, since the ranch was under constant surveillance by the men in black. Then she said how happy she was, that they could now come out in the open and help around the ranch.

When they got to the hangar and onto the ship, Solara brought up a big holographic display of the property. She then detailed everything she had done, including how she had removed the shield generator from the ship, figured out how it worked and built a better one that covers the entire ranch. Then she explained there were drones along the perimetre that were hovering 5 metres off the ground and would give an audio warning to anyone approaching and if they didn't back away they would be paralyzed.

Mark then added, "Just so you know Solara, the drones are being upgraded to scan for the explosive material used in the bullets."

Solara nodded, then continued, "The drones know the identities of all the family members and many of the regular boarders, but that they would follow any non-family members while on the ranch. If anyone shows any intention of harming a ranch member, they would be paralyzed."

Gyges said "Wow, this is better than anything I could come up with. The only difference is that I would have put defensive gun battlements at strategic locations."

Mark admitted, "I thought about that too, but violence begets violence, so we opted for non-lethal means of protection."

Liyana said she liked what she saw and then asked "How is all this controlled? Do you have someone sit here and monitor it all day and night?"

Solara explained, "Actually Mark has an AI named Cricket, she monitors everything constantly, in addition to taking care of Mark."

Liyana and Gyges eyes both went wide as they looked at each other and then at Mark, "You have an AI?"

Mark explained, "Yeah, when I went into the medibed it took a genetic sample and said I was some distant descendant of the original King of Atlantis. So it assigned me an AI and I named her Cricket."

"Hello Ambassador Liyana and Lieutenant Gyges," Cricket said through an invisible drone.

Liyana and Gyges both bowed and said, "My King!"

Mark asked, "What's this King stuff? Solara, what did you tell her in the debriefing?"

Liyana replied, "She didn't say anything about the AI, but if you are in fact a descendant, then you are probably the rightful king of our people, since our last king died over a century ago!"

Mark said, "Yeah, that's all fine and dandy, but right now it just matters that my family and friends are protected, as I can guarantee those guys will be back."

Gyges then said, "What you've got setup for security is far beyond what even our most protected citizens and buildings on Atlanterra have, about the only change I would make is to somehow clearly mark the perimetre."

Mark explained, "I don't think a fence portrays what we're trying to accomplish. We've got an underground perimetre ring and drones that will alert anyone if they get too close. It's only going to be people with ill intentions that will be approaching the ranch not via the road."

Gyges acknowledged, "True, I guess you don't really need a hard fence, when you have the shield and the drones."

Solara added, "Or the personal shields!"

Gyges looked confused, "What do you mean personal shields?"

Solara explained, "I designed these belts to work with their attire, they are a tactical belt of sorts. They broadcast an inertial dampening field about 1 metre around the body, so anything traveling fast enough to harm someone gets stopped."

Gyges asked, "Wow, you guys really do have a state-of-the-art defence system in place. Can you make a belt like these Federation ones, that have a personal shield?"

Solara acknowledged while looking at Liyana, "Sure thing I'll get to work on them for you and Liyana. I figure it will be either her or Mark, that will be the likely targets for an attack."

Mark said with a smile, "Good so you've got a few things to keep you busy for the rest of today. I'm sure we'll think of something to keep you busy tonight!" Which Solara returned with a blushing smile.

Mark extended his hand toward Liyana, "Liyana, would you like to accompany me back out to the ranch so we can talk to Joe and Kat?"

Liyana took Mark's hand and said, "Lead the way," as they walked down the ramp and into the tunnel.

As soon as they were in the tunnel Liyana asked "So you have had sex with Solara and the others?"

Mark replied, "They were pretty horny after being stuck here for 10 years, it's kind of how Laruun and I first met."

Liyana remembered with a smile, "Yes, she told me!"