The First Customers

The following morning, Nord climbed Artesian Hill carrying four beacon lanterns beneath one arm.

Samuel watched from the Roundtable.

"Looks like today's the day."

Nord smiled.

"I believe so."

He walked beyond the giant cedar grove where an open meadow stretched across the valley floor. One by one he raised the lanterns upon sturdy poles until they outlined a broad landing field.

"If they follow these lights," Nord explained, "they'll arrive well clear of the settlement."

Buck nodded.

"And if they're watching from above, they'll know exactly where to land."

By midmorning the first beacon began to flash.

Far above the valley a silver craft appeared, descending silently toward the meadow.

Work slowed across the settlement.

Nobody abandoned their jobs.

They simply stopped long enough to watch.

The craft settled gently upon the grass.

Its doorway opened.

The first figure stepped into view.

Nord had not exaggerated.

The Anunnaki stood a little over eight feet tall.

Broad shoulders.

Powerful arms.

Hands that looked capable of lifting an anvil with ease.

Behind him stepped his wife, Dorina, nearly as tall, carrying herself with quiet dignity.

Between them walked their young daughter.

She stared everywhere at once.

Rebecca smiled to herself.

"Just the size of fellow I could feed about anything."

Nord stepped forward.

"Welcome to Earth."

The great Anunnaki bowed his head slightly.

"I am Gaddy."

"My wife, Dorina."

"Our daughter, Lisin."

Samuel stepped forward and extended his hand.

"Welcome."

Gaddy accepted the handshake carefully.

"It is an honor."

As they walked toward the settlement, Jumbo, Daisy, and Rosie looked up from their morning hay.

The three elephants slowly waved their great ears.

Jumbo let out a deep trumpet.

Daisy answered.

That was enough for Rosie.

She hurried toward Gaddy with surprising speed for such a little elephant.

Mike started to call her back.

Gaddy simply raised one enormous hand.

"It's all right."

Rosie wrapped her trunk around Gaddy's leg and leaned happily against him.

The great Anunnaki looked down, smiled warmly, and scratched the top of her head.

Rosie's tail swished with delight.

Apparently she had decided this giant belonged to her.

Mike laughed.

"Well, you've made a friend."

Gaddy continued scratching Rosie's forehead.

"I believe..."

"...she has made one too."

Satisfied, Rosie trotted back beside Daisy, occasionally glancing over her shoulder to be certain Gaddy was still following.

The pathway into the settlement wound directly through the carnival.

Lisin stopped every few steps.

Her eyes darted from one colorful ride to another.

Bright banners fluttered.

The Ferris Wheel stood motionless against Saturn's magnificent rings.

The carousel gleamed with freshly painted horses.

Suddenly Lisin tugged excitedly on her mother's hand.

"Mother!"

She pointed toward a bright pink carousel pony.

"Can I?"

Dorina smiled uncertainly and looked toward Gaddy.

Nord quietly motioned to Mike.

Mike removed his cap.

"Of course you can."

He looked respectfully toward Gaddy.

"With your permission?"

Gaddy smiled and gave a single nod.

Mike gently lifted Lisin onto the pink pony.

When every child had found a horse, Rebecca started the carousel.

Music drifted across the midway.

The painted horses rose and fell.

Lisin laughed with complete delight.

Samuel smiled.

"I'd say she's approved of Earth."

Rebecca led the family farther down the path until they reached one of the visitor cabins.

She opened the door.

"This will be your home while you're visiting."

Dorina slowly looked around.

Clean towels.

Fresh pillows.

Two blankets on every bed.

Polished windows.

A gravity-fed shower.

A wash basin.

Simple wooden furniture.

Everything spotless.

"It is peaceful," Dorina said softly.

Rebecca smiled.

"I'll let you get settled."

"I've sent over a little lunch."

Less than half an hour later, four young helpers knocked gently before entering.

They carried wooden trays covered with spotless white kitchen towels.

Another helper placed a crate of bottled artesian water beside the table.

"Our compliments from Rebecca."

The helpers quietly departed.

Even Gaddy scratched his head as Dorina folded back the white towels.

Warm homemade bread.

Cheddar cheese.

Smoked ham.

Fresh tomatoes.

Butter.

Pickles.

Apple butter.

Fresh apples.

A warm apple pie.

Lisin's eyes grew wider with each dish.

Gaddy looked toward Rebecca's kitchen visible in the distance.

"They prepared all this..."

"...before they even knew us."

By afternoon the second beacon began flashing.

Another silver craft descended gracefully into the meadow.

Five slender Greys stepped quietly onto the grass.

Nord greeted them warmly.

"Welcome."

The tallest inclined his head.

"For your convenience..."

"...we have simplified our introductions."

He touched his chest.

"I am Zeta."

He pointed toward the others.

"Z-One."

"Z-Two."

"Z-Three."

"Z-Four."

Buck chuckled.

"That'll sure make life easier."

The Greys seemed pleased.

"We understand humans appreciate simple names."

Rebecca looked thoughtfully at their thin frames.

"You've come to the right place."

Zeta tilted his head.

"We have?"

"We'll put some meat on your bones."

The five Greys looked at one another.

Finally Zeta asked,

"How?"

Rebecca laughed.

"By teaching you how to eat high on the hog."

Z-One immediately asked,

"What elevation must the hog achieve?"

Buck burst into laughter.

Galileo smiled.

Rebecca wiped tears from her eyes.

"No, no..."

"It's just an old Earth saying."

"It means you'll eat mighty well while you're here."

Zeta quietly entered another note into his tablet.

Nord led the Greys through the carnival.

They stopped beside the carousel.

"What is this?" Z-Two asked.

"It is exercise equipment," Nord answered.

The Greys looked at one another.

"For physical exercise?"

Nord smiled.

"For tired minds."

Five heads tilted at exactly the same angle.

"We may return after dinner if you wish."

"Dinner?" asked Zeta.

"You'll be served three meals each day while you're our customers."

"Three?"

"Breakfast."

"Lunch."

"Dinner."

Nord pointed toward the visitor cabins.

"Rebecca has already sent lunch."

"Tomorrow you'll tour the valley."

"The third day we'll gather around the Planetary Roundtable to conduct business."

The Greys exchanged thoughtful glances.

"So..."

"You welcome us."

"You feed us."

"You show us your community."

"And only then discuss trade?"

Nord nodded.

"Samuel believes friends make better customers."

For the first time, a faint smile crossed Zeta's face.

"I believe..."

"...we are beginning to understand Earth."

The visitors disappeared into their cabins.

Across the valley, Rebecca picked up the little hammer hanging beside the great supper bell.

She smiled.

"It won't be long now."

The first clear strike rang across the valley.

CLANG!

Everyone looked up.