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    Flight of the Maita Book 44: Growing Up
    Flight of the Maita Book 44: Growing Up
    Flight of the Maita Book 44: Growing Up
    Ebook222 pages3 hours

    Flight of the Maita Book 44: Growing Up

    By CD Moulton

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    About this ebook

    There is cultural interference on a restricted world. Z, Thing and Kurk investigate to find a band of escaped criminals. This leads to another place where there is a plot that includes murders and scams. The golems are used, so there is a good bit of comedy.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCD Moulton
    Release dateDec 23, 2014
    ISBN9781310106071
    Flight of the Maita Book 44: Growing Up
    Author

    CD Moulton

    Born in Florida, travelled the world as a rock guitarist with some big names in the late sixties, early seventies. Been everything from a high steel worker to longshoreman, from musician to bar owner, and much more. Educated in botany and genetics. Now living in paradise (Panamá!)

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      Book preview

      Flight of the Maita Book 44 - CD Moulton

      Flight of the Maita

      Book 44

      Growing Up

      © 1996, 2011 & 2016 by C. D. Moulton

      all rights reserved: no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, either electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any other information retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder/publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

      The crew have a problem on the world Bear was from (book one). There is interference that leads to a band of escaped criminals.

      Critic comment - 2012

      I have always much enjoyed the antics of Moulton’s golems. In this one, he has perfected them! The story is very good, and tends to be slightly erotic at times, but that is in description of a culture. Two cultures. The evil vs good parts are exemplary. (The personality characterisations are very well-done.) The interplay among the crew, which is a great part of the series, is great fun. I laughed out loud several times, yet the moral of the story was delivered quite adequately.

      I rank this one at four stars. It would be four and a quarter, but half is as close as permitted here, so four in lieu of four and a quarter.

      Andres L ****

      Contents

      Prologue

      Chapter one

      Chapter two

      Chapter three

      Chapter four

      Chapter five

      Chapter six

      Chapter seven

      Chapter eight

      Chapter nine

      Chapter ten

      Chapter eleven

      Epilogue

      About the author

      CD was born in Lakeland, Florida, in 1938. He is educated in genetics and botany. He has traveled over much of the world, particularly when he was in music as a rock rhythm guitarist with some well-known bands in the late sixties and early seventies. He has worked as a high steel worker and as a longshoreman, clerk, orchidist, bar owner, salvage yard manager and landscaper – among other things.

      CD began writing fiction in 1984 and has more than 300 books published as of 3/15/16 in SciFi, murder, orchid culture and various other fields.

      He now resides in Puerto Armuelles David and Gualaca, Chiriqui, Panamá, where he continues research into epiphytic plants and plays music with friends. He loves the culture of the indigenous people and counts a majority of his closer friends among that group. Several have adopted him as their father. He funds those he can afford through the universities where they have all excelled. The Indios are very intelligent people, they are simply too poor (in material things and money. Culturally, they are very wealthy) to pursue higher education.

      CD loves Panamá and the people, despite horrendous experiences (Free e-book; Fading Paradise). He plans to spend the rest of his life in the paradise that is Panamá

      - Estrelita Suarez V. de Jaramillo – 3/15/2016

      CD is involved in research of natural cancer cure at this time. It has proven effective in all cases, so far. It is based on a plant that has been in use for thousands of years, is safe, available, and cheap. He has studied botany, and was cured of a serious lymphoma with use of the plant, Artemisia annua.

      Information about this cure is free on the FaceBook group, Artemisia Cancer Cure plus. CD asks only that all who try it please report on its effectiveness on that group.

      Growing Up

      Prologue

      That's all very interesting, really, Tab, robot detective for Emperor Maita (A machine itself) replied. As you heard we had some fun ourselves. You were con artists and we were old-fashioned Terran-type gangsters.

      Tab was made in the specific form of a Swaz, bipedal amphibian being, but could be modified greatly by any of the ships when necessary. They were lounging around talking about their most recent adventures. There were translators and speakers placed around the area on EC (Empire Center) where the group were enjoying their latest time of relaxation between assignments.

      It was fun, in its own way, TR (TRD-60, Tab's ship, part of himself, friend and member of the emperor's crew) said. Thing got the biggest kick out of it. It could sit around looking oh so superior all the time.

      [ It was almost as much fun as the time I went to Hades with you, Kurk. They didn't manage to kidnap me. They didn't dare to try. ]

      That ([ – ]) indicates the tones Maita set aside four hundred plus years ago to indicate that Thing, the Mentan member of the Emperor’s Crew, was speaking. Thing is a small tentacled empath who breathes through osmotic membranes and who can't speak directly, so Maita built empathic-driven translators into the ships, into a harness it sometimes wore and into the floaters it used.

      It was among the highest intelligences in the Maitan Empire, which was now expanding into two or three other planes and one other galaxy.

      Kurk was from one of those planes. He was three meters tall, heavily muscled, in the form of many bipedal mammalian peoples, was covered in shiny black fur that did things to light because of the unmatched dimensional angles, had two long canine teeth that just reached the tip of his chin and long sharp claws. His eyes, teeth and claws glowed with a greenish-yellow from complex phosphors. He was the member of the crew the others called their furry horror.

      You spent more than half your time on Hades being kidnapped! Kurk charged, laughing. "It was fun, though.

      I don't suppose there's any explanation from Maita about its big adventure?

      Maita had been in another plane trying to save a world full of people from a planetary collision.

      *(That's Maita's tone.) It was a lot like our Vendu trip. We managed to divert a planet that would have destroyed the culture. I won't bore you with details. It was hard being out of touch with you. I'll have to spend some time rebuilding and reprogramming things. TTH differences. I had no way to stay in touch from there with the planal interstice relmotion. It's good to be back home. The empire's a mess, but not nearly so much as I'd feared.*

      No. We can't ever communicate between Meesorch and here, T6, another intelligent ship, crew member, friend etc. answered. Kit, we're getting a strange sort of com-call from a restricted world called Felphit. We're also getting one from Hospital. A communication from Jlokt that was relayed by Iggy. Something on Muldritch.

      Kit was to T6 what Tab was to TR. He was made in the form of the reptilian Kheth, but could be modified as much as Tab.

      Iggy was the intergalactic ship's nickname. It was also intelligent and independent, as were the ships Theron, Searcher and the Asimovian ships.

      I'm taking the Muldritch thing, T6 said. Tab and Kit can come with me. Z, Thing and Kurk can go with you to Felphit. Maita can stay here to recalibrate and get the empire back on track.

      Z was the Terran member of the crew. The Terrans were from a lost Maitan colony ship, so were much like Maitans, Jornians and such races.

      Z sighed and stood to stretch. He said, Be careful, guys!

      They each stepped into the transmat portal and were immediately in the large natural cavern where the ships hangared. They went aboard the ships they were to travel with and were soon above atmosphere.

      They didn't waste time with goodbyes, preferring to save it for hellos.

      Chapter one

      What can you tell us about whatever it is? Z asked.

      Damned little, TR replied. Felphit's a new world in the empire. The people are basic K-form mammalian and a lot like the Giggelonians. I'd say about halfway between them and the Drollich Laffaputians. A bit more hairy.

      Giggelonians? Laffaputians? Z asked innocently. Maybe more like the Chuckleheddans or Guffawnians?

      [ He's onto you. What are they really like? ]

      Maita said you'd remember Bear from the time the bunch of you first met, TR answered. Bear was one of them.

      From a slaveholding society? In the Maitan Empire? Z said incredulously. Come on!

      [ Bear was a gladiator, Kurk. The Pweetoos eliminated him because he wasn't cooperative with them (Book one, Flight of the Maita). It really doesn't seem too likely, TR. Maita's very strict about the slavery bit. ]

      Everyone was used to Thing and Maita not using the normal form of paragraphing in their speech patterns. There were sometimes four or five subjects covered in a single speech.

      I'm accessing, TR replied. "Here's what Library has on them: They were contacted by the Pweetoos, as you know, and later by the Immins. That made the further contact imperative.

      "I have the language. They're restricted, as you'd guess. Limited contact. There's a port and a small area around it where there is some interaction with traders.

      It seems ... mmmm ... there's something wrong. It's a strong feeling Prof. Peldt – he's studying the culture for University. An Inktan as so many of the teaching staff at University....

      I don't believe this! Kurk laughed. Another machine who forgets what it's talking about in the middle of a lecture! (Maita sometimes did that.)

      I can play back what I said and figure it out! TR shot back. I was accessing Peldt and find he's the great great grandson of Rimalt. It was a bit of a shock.

      Rimalt had been T6's original owner (Short story: Describe Intelligent). The ships were close and shared their hopes and concerns. T6 had often spoken of Rimalt with TR.

      [ I didn't know Rimalt ever fathered any children. I've never heard T Six mention it. ]

      It's rather informal among the Inktans, TR explained. "The women are very cyclical with mating, so the father lifemates and only sees his spouse a couple times a year. Sometimes the mother raises the children and sometimes the mother and father share them. They keep very careful records.

      "Rimalt was a researcher and professor, so didn't spend much time with his lifemate and son and daughter. I met them a few times, but not often enough that I'd know anything about their personal lives.

      "T Six saw them on occasion, but didn't keep up with the later family, as they weren't particularly interested in keeping in touch with T Six.

      "Anyhow, Peldt says there's an underlying feeling about the culture. He doesn't believe it's because of the premature contact in a definitive sense, though that could be part of it. He feels it could be dangerous to their development. They're a high-potential race in a number of ways.

      "You're to go in as a contingent of business leaders from the empire on special passes. They won't know who you are, not having much contact before, and won't know the empire would never allow any such interference.

      The society is strictly structured. Maita left a message for Z to, `Shut up! You're being stupid!' that I'm to repeat at any time I feel it's pertinent.

      Z had lost all sense of logic around a slave society several times in the past. Maita had to warn him with that phrase.

      I'm over most of that, Z said. "I've been in societies where the slaves were better off than the slavers. When I was playing a barbarian that was certainly true! Most of them wanted to be slaves. If they walked away no one would go after them."

      [ Mammalian societies go through historic periods of degrees of slaveholding. Some of them accomplish rather higher societies through it and some stagnate and some rebel. We have to judge each one on its own merits. ]

      That's the only kind of society we're good at, Kurk agreed. Physical, psychological or economic slavery suits us.

      Whatever, we'll be there in a few minutes, TR said. You can figure out how to approach a material society like this. Wealth is almost worshiped.

      [ Gold-based? ]

      No. There's a lot of gold there, TR replied. "Land is the major wealth trapping, which is purchased with various crystallized or fused minerals such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds, opals, sapphires.

      "Topaz and garnets are small change, in a manner of speaking.

      "Art is valuable, but they're not really very artistic, except in tapestries. Their statues and paintings are rather crude.

      "Slaves are a measure of wealth.

      There are no female slaves. Odd.

      Food? Kurk asked.

      You're compatible, except for some complex poisons, TR said. "I'll supply pills. They aren't fast, but they could be awfully unpleasant.

      Z has to be careful. Their favorite beverage, a kind of beer, could be very addicting to him. There's a form of sugar Thing can't process, but it'll pass through it.

      Like ideas, Z said, taking the language crystal that TR placed on the tray and handing one to Kurk. They pass right through like nothing happened leaving Thing's – excuse the word – mind totally unaffected.

      [ Unlike Z. He wouldn't know an idea if it bit him on the butt! Ideas only confuse him! ]

      Z pressed the language crystal into the socket on his earlobe, as did Kurk. The socket was wired directly into the brain and gave instant use and understanding of the language as well as any other information TR cared to add, such as mores and customs.

      The language was somewhat guttural, but didn't use any unaccustomed muscles, so they wouldn't have to practice it much. Thing always received the language through its translator.

      They played their insult game in Tichtian, the major dialect, until TR landed at the sole open spaceport on the pleasantly lush planet.

      As they were preparing to leave the hold a thin floater came overhead. There were two bronze heads on it pointed slightly away from one another.

      +What a lovely pastoral place! Idyllic! Delightful! The play of the sunlight over the green meadows filled with the myriad colors and hues of the....+

      That was Yes, the positive head.

      –YEEEGH! Pastoral?! Idyllic?! Delightful?! I'll lovely you you tin-plated moronic excuse for an idiot!–

      That was No, the sarcastic, caustic, cynic-with-a-bad-attitude head.

      [ WHAT THE HELLS?! ]

      The golems?! You brought them along? Z demanded.

      Kurk laughed.

      +Now, Z! Maita thought we'd be perfect at times while it is away. The people have a strong feeling for magic and we'll fit right in. It will be great fun!+

      –Yeah, Bong Dome! We'll fit right in! You’ll need someone with a little intelligence to steer you!–

      Well, I have to agree that you have about as little intelligence as anyone, Z said. I thought you two globs were extragalactic ambassadors or something.

      +You asked for that, No! I've tried and tried to tell you that you leave yourself open to such criticisms when you insist upon inserting your somewhat acidulous remarks into....+

      You two shut up! Kurk ordered. What's the object, TR?

      Maita set their comp up and said to use them to record and suggest if anything like this came up, TR answered. "I was told these people appear to be strong on arrogance and don't have much sense of humor.

      "They'll add some confusion. That's usually a good counter to arrogance.

      "Some people Peldt called seem to think there really is some form of outside interference, so anyone from the empire will know who you are immediately. The golems are very good spies.

      This society is highly litigious among the citizens, so they can be mechanical lawyers.

      –Yeah, Glump Rump. We're useful. You just muddle around screwing things up, we blame it on somebody else and threaten to sue!–

      +Now, No! Be nice! It's such a wonderful day! Why ruin it with negativity? We can be highly respected corporate attorneys. I'm sure they will find we are capable and will act in a manner....+

      –YEEEEE! Here we go! Respected attorneys yet! Gimme a break!–

      You two shut up! Kurk ordered. Shall we get this boat in the water?

      –Who you telling to shut up, Fur Ball?–

      You, Brass Brain! Kurk returned. I'll bounce you off the nearest stone wall, you give me trouble!

      +He's big enough to do it, No+

      –Anytime I want your advice – fat chance! – I'll ask for it, Pusillanimous Puss!–

      They were in a good mood as they went down the ramp.

      The golems were a prop Maita made many years ago (Book five, Now You See It – Now You Don't) to help set up a court system on a world in the magician, swords and sorcery stage. They'd been used numerous times since. Their computer was independent and was slowly being given independent intelligence. It was studying sociomath (and other mathematical fractal sciences), so this kind of culture would be a teaching tool to it.

      It was their drive computer that was an ambassador. It was doing research in abstract mathematical constructs and fractal interactionary sequences as they applied between the

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