The Aliens of the Flaming Red Sun/8 Free at last, perhaps

Proxima Centauri and the Aliens of Porrila/12 Free at last, perhaps
The youngster’s tentacles drooped as his father told him how ugly and stupid he had been. They could just kick him out and see how he managed with that miserable tramp. He’d been doing silly things with the lowest type of Centaurian. That was on top of everything else he’d done. Many would think he had no right to exist. He was fortunate they let him stay on as their son. He would have to repay then for that favour.

That was different. Prison psychologists had told him off for misusing his intelligence. He was old enough to see the contradiction. In prison he’d been in the punishment for contradicting a psychologist. He hung his tentacles respectfully and said nothing.

His father told him next that they wouldn’t have him back at the educational establishment where he had been. There was momentary relief. Blue Tentacles wouldn’t have to face the teachers and other students after what he’d done.

His father continued, “I’ve hired tutors for you. You’ll study at home. The tutors will see to it that you work hard and make amends for what you’ve done. I’ve told them that’s what I want.” His mother flashed briefly with her tentacles, “Don’t be so hard on the boy.” Father flashed, “Shut up.” If he had been Terran he would have said, “Shut up woman.”  Mother stopped. Centaurians are hermaphrodite. They can be father or mother but they aren’t man or woman. Father continued to the boy, “Don’t expect me to be soft-hearted. You’re not going into the mudbath directly when we get home.” A year before the boy would have pleaded or protested. He’d learnt some self control in prison. “You’ll get a mudbath when I think you’ve studied properly and shown proper submission. “ Mother wriggled a few tentacles briefly suggesting, “That's too much”. Father ignored it.

So it went on. The boy was glad when they stopped to get fuel for the vehicle and left him with the chauffeur. They gave him something to eat which they hoped would show how little he deserved. Father grumbled, “Prison’s ruined him. He’s not like out class at all anymore. See. He gobbles up the sort of food we give the servants.” Then they went off to dine themselves.

The chauffeur tried to be a bit sympathetic. He wouldn’t have dared to be familiar with a patrician boy while the parents were around. The chauffeur was surprised at first how easily the boy struck up a conversation and how the boy talked to him as an equal. Then he realized the boy had learned to be friendly with other classes in prison. Both knew they couldn’t let the parents see the equality. Eyestalks were kept raised and both kept a wary eye open to see when the parents returned. The chauffeur mentioned, “You’ll like the old odd job man that’s just joined the staff. He’s been asking about you. What’s his name? Ah I remember, Brown Tentacles”. When he heard that the youngster’s tentacles became iridescent blue with pleasure.

Proxima Centauri and the Aliens of Porrila/13 Parents return