Traveller by L.W. Samuelson (reading comprehension books .txt) 📖

and sous chef were preparing cucumber, egg and cress, and ham sandwhiches. Scones with clotted cream and jam had already been prepared. The pastry treat, at Lori’s request, was deep fried twinkies. The smell of steeping tea made an aromatic collage of smells.
“By the universe! This is simply acroluminous,” Porter told the chefs.
“I hope that’s a good thing,” the head chef replied.
When Porter and Loreto got back to the table, Lori and Willy were talking to Tim and Jesse. Lori made introductions.
Jesse, never shy and always curious commented, “You look so much like Traveller. The blue skin, the body build. Are you two related?”
Porter smiled, “Let’s just say we were born to the same race.”
“Really? So you’re from Benwar? Wow, how many of you are there?”
“There were four of us on the planet. I have no idea if the other two survived. I hope so.”
“So what do you do for a living?”
“I’m a gold miner with several other businesses.”
“And the accent is?”
“South African. Please sit down,” Porter suggested gesturing to the chairs.
“Traveller might be a little late,” Tim said. “He usually sleeps well into the afternoon after a concert.”
Porter looked at Lori. “Shall I have them serve us?” he asked.
“What do you think?” Lori directed her question to Tim.
“I would,” he replied.
Jesse sat directly across from Porter and Loreto. Lori sat next to him with Willy across from her and next to Loreto. Tim sat by Willy so he could talk to Lori. Two waiters, one for each side of the table, approached to take orders. Everyone had tea but Jesse; he ordered a beer.
“Is the bass player coming? He looked to be a few years older than the rest of the band,” Porter addressed Jesse.
“Austin? He never leaves Traveller’s side. He’s like a pet human, and he is older. He’s a war veteran.”
“Interesting. I’ll bet he has some stories to tell.”
“He told us about Vietnam once, but he saw some some heavy shit and doesn’t like to talk about it. He still has nightmares. We picked him up hitchhiking. When Traveller took him in, he was homeless.”
“So Traveller is a man of compassion,” Porter said.
“He used to be,” Lori answered. “Now he’s quiet and keeps to himself.”
Traveller appeared out of nowhere. Lori could feel him standing behind her. “Hello Lori,” he said touching her on the shoulder. She stood, turned, and hugged him. Keeping him close to hide the tears.
When they broke contact, Porter, Loreto, and Willy stood up. Porter reached his hand across the table. “I was wondering if I’d ever see you again,” he said keeping his eyes on his fellow Benwarian.
“Hi Porter,” Traveller shook hands but kept his eyes averted. Porter could smell whiskey on his breath. He saw someone approach from behind. “And you must be Austin,” Porter said shaking his hand also.
“And you must be Porter. Traveller’s told me about you.”
“Yes, he’s come a long way since we knew each other.”
“He’s a good friend.”
“That he be,” Willy said stepping up to shake hands and hug his blood brother. “I miss you man.”
“Hey Willy,” Traveller said with affection.

After the introductions everyone sat down. When the waiters that brought the tea and sandwiches asked the new arrivals what they would have to drink, Traveller and Austin ordered tea. Porter nodded at one of the waiters who left and returned with an ornate pot with pink roses and green leaves painted on bas relief designs. He poured the tea from it into Austin’s cup and then Traveller’s.
After everyone had tea and sandwiches, Porter stood up. “I want to thank everyone for being here. I’ve arranged for a very private affair, so please speak freely. I’m sure you’re aware that Traveller and I are both Benwarians. We are part of a mission sent to study and observe Earth and its inhabitants.
I was instructed not to become too involved in the affairs of humanity but to observe objectively. I have failed miserably. I, like my fellow Benwarian, found friendship and even love on what is sometimes an inhospitable planet and at other times a great source of joy,” Porter said looking around the table.
“Tell them why the other 2400 Benwarians are coming here,” Traveller interrupted.
“Our planet was destroyed. We are looking for a home.”
Traveller took a sip of tea before asking, “What kind of home?”
“One with a stable environment where a sustainable civilization can be established.”
“Yes sir folks,” Traveller said as he stood up staggering a little. “And it doesn’t take a genius to figure out how to accomplish this. Human beings will either be exterminated or their numbers will be drastically reduced. Isn’t that right Porter?”
Porter stared at Traveller for a moment as he thought. “Possibly, most probably they will restructure societies here on Earth to make them environmentally neutral. I can’t imagine our people exterminating everyone. Is that why you’ve numbed yourself with alcohol? You’re afraid your friends will be killed?”
“Touché, Porter. You know better than I that humans will have to be eliminated. This world is overpopulated. I can’t bear to think of Lori or any of my friends being exterminated to make room for our people.”
“Listen, you weren’t at any of the high level mission briefings. We were told to examine humans and see if any are worth saving. I’ve sent reports back to the ship detailing the many humans that are. You’re right, the human population will be reduced to sustainable levels, but the ship won’t be here for almost fifty years. We have time to change things for the better,” Porter replied.
“How do you change the ways of over four billion people?” Traveller asked as he picked his cup from the table and drank some of the unspeakably tasty tea.
“I do it the only way I can, one person at a time. You can do it with your music. You can reach the masses. I listened to your concert. Your voice touched my soul at times. Think what you could do with a purpose greater than trying to forget about losing the ones you love?
Traveller you have a long time to enjoy these fine people,” Porter said spreading his arms and looking at those assembled at the table. “Make use of it.” As Traveller looked at his friends, Porter deftly engaged his spectrometer. His Benwarian friend’s aura filled his vision. The white and yellow of reason and knowledge were stipled with the red of anger. The aura was made dim with an overlay of grayish black that smothered it like an octopus with its tentacles firmly grasping the light of Traveller’s soul. With each sip of tea the black mass diffused.

The humans at the table sat stunned by the exchange between the two Benwarians. They could feel the power and light surging from one to the other as they spoke. None had realized that Earth had been marked for Benwarian colonization. For all, it was the first time they had questioned the certainty of their existence.
When the two aliens paused, Lori stood. “Neither of you are responsible for what will happen to the human race. I hate to use anything Biblical, but we are the ones that will reap what we have sown. If our treatment of the planet is so abusive that it is being destroyed, maybe it should be taken away. Judging by you two, the Benwarians on the ship will do what they think is necessary and fair. I’m not going to quit living to worry about it and neither should any of the rest of us. So let’s enjoy our tea and sandwiches.”
“Here, here,” said Jesse raising the beer that didn’t taste quite as good as before.
Traveller sat down in unison with Porter. He finished the last of his tea and then poured another cup. Austin mirrored his friend. He, too, had another cup. There was something in the tea they craved. Traveller’s addiction made way for it. He felt the craving of the last two years lessening with each sip.
When Jesse stood up to signal a waiter to bring him another beer, Traveller said, “Here try this.” He leaned across the table and poured a cup of tea from his pot into Jesse’s cup. The watching Porter smiled. He loved it when things worked out.
Willy had watched the verbal exchanges with his eyes wide. Now he turned to Loreto and whispered, “Damn, black people can’t catch a break. We finally shakin’ off the yoke of the white man and these aliens gonna put an end to all of us.”
“Are you scared Willy?” Loreto asked.
“Yeah, I be scared. You?”
“Porter will take care of us. He always takes care of his friends,” she replied.
“But what about the rest of the world?”
“They have a while to change their ways and develop. Those who don’t will perish.”
“So the Benwarians will be the judge and jury. Man that’s messed up.”
“It’s Earth’s history. Those with the most advanced technologies always win out,” Loretto replied, adding, “Only this time they’ll come from outer space.”
“Knowin’ this shit’s gonna hang over me like noose. Ain’t no justice in this world, none.”
Willy and Loreto stopped talking when the rest of the table fell quiet. Porter had overheard part of their conversation. “You’re right Willy. This world screams with injustice. It is led by the rich and powerful. Two qualities that inevitably corrupt all human beings. I’ve observed senseless wars, famine, racial and economic inequalities that were not allowed to exist on Benwar. We stood by and observed while our world was destroyed by the rich and powerful of other nations. They sucked the life out of the planet. Maybe it’s time the meek inherited the Earth, those who live in humble simplicity.”
“I’m sorry Porter, but haven’t you made yourself rich while you’ve been here?” Traveller asked.
“Money is of no consequence to me. I seek no status from it, but you’re right, I have become wealthy since I landed here. If I measure my wealth in those I have lifted up and given hope to, if I measure my wealth in the smiles of my friends when they see me then I am a very wealthy man,” Porter replied.
Loreto jumped to her husband’s defense. Addressing Traveller she said, “My man makes Earth a better place to live. He gives succor to the poor and challenges those he comes in contact with to become better people than they were before. He finds money abhorrent. He will not touch currency in any form. I have to make almost all of the financial transactions. You could learn much from your fellow Benwarian. I do not give my love lightly, but I give my heart freely and without reservation to this great man. I suggest you do the same.”
Traveller had always resented Porter. He saw his fellow Benwarian as a rival, someone to best. He knew in his heart that none of that mattered to Porter. Porter wanted what’s best for Traveller. Traveller took another sip of tea and felt more of his anger dissipate.
He listened to Loreto, “I was taught by my father that each person has to become a warrior for her or his soul. One must fight the urge to take and take from others and the planet and learn to give. It is the only way a person can leave the world with a soul that God can smile upon. Only when people realize this will humanity have a chance to survive.”
“Therein lies the problem,” Traveller asserted, “How do you get over four billion people on the same page? What’s happening here is like Lemmus all over again, mindless