Translated from base Universal in the year 7036 of ‘The 
Dwelf Confederation of Conglomerates And Independent 
Domes’ the facts here recounted are most assuredly correct 
and are beyond  contradiction.  Please forgive, though, this 
humble writer if this translation is not quite as you expected.  
It was in faith written.

The Dwelf:

He was a Dwelf.  His Mama and Papa had told him how
He should be proud, for unique he was, like no other ever,
And that made him precious, special and beloved.  And he
Was happy.  They lived in an enviro-dome where they had
Cultivated trees.  He loved to walk among them and lie in
The clearing, the soft scents of the forest embracing him, and
Stare out into the cold mystery of space.  Often times he
Would see the laser defences spark another rock coming too 
Close, and too loved he to watch as the great cargo freighters 
Came with supplies and, most careful, loaded their cargoes of 
Seedlings in return, seedlings bound for harsh planets on the 
Deep and distant Rim where desperate folk searched the dark 
And dangerous ruined cities of the Predecessors for Grail-Stuff 
For The Mad Prophets, and yearned for beauty, and would, so 
His dear Papa told him, for hours lie, quite entranced by their 
Changing Songs as they grew from sapling to mighty oaks; it 
Was always Oaks, for his Mama was an Oak Singer, the most
Elite of the Tree Singers, reaching deep within the acorns and 
Planting the seeds of music to live in their being.  His Papa, 
Too, was involved, delving deep in the ground, sliding through 
Cracks in the asteroid’s geology, his sure instinct taking him 
Unerringly to the caverns to collect the fungi planted there eons 
Ago, for what purpose no one knew, which gave the trees their 
Voices.  And so it was he grew, strong, fast and keen to learn.

………………………………………………………………….

The time came, then, when he must leave the family enviro-
Dome, in his parent’s aging shuttle and go to one of the big 
Conglomerate cooperatives where many and large were the 
Domes that huddled together, there to stay with his Mama’s 
Mama, and schooling receive.  He had been excited when he
Had considered this day, but when he arrived through the lock,
Leaving all that was home behind, fear took him, for wherever
He looked he could not see the familiar blanket of space.  All 
Was people and things, and after but a few moments, a strange 
Woman, tall she was, like his Mama, peering down at him, but 
With no warmth in her eyes.  She spoke only to ensure that he 
Was who she thought he was and then turned, expecting that he 
Would trot along, weighty bag upon his shoulder, behind her.
His heart and mind for home screamed, but tight-lipped his 
Mouth remained, for he knew then, what he would be reminded 
Daily, that he was not, for whatever reason, welcome, and so it 
Would be, and he might as well accept it from the very start. 

His room was somewhat Spartan but comfortable, and well 
Equipped with the latest terminal, so much more sophisticated 
Than his at home.  His Grand-mère told him to unpack and put 
All away in a tidy manner, and when finished to come and eat.
This done, having eaten a pleasant meal in silence, he returned 
To his room, for that seemed to be the expectation, and called 
His Mama and Papa.  To them he lied, saying that all here was 
Well, his Grand-mère lovely, and his first impressions of the 
Conglomerate, most positive.  His Mama looked uncertain for
She generally knew when he was lying, but his dear Papa was 
Pleased and relieved, and his Mama found that tack more of a 
Palatable one.  His duty done he then, more tired than he had 
Ever been before, to bed took himself and soon fell off to sleep. 
The next morning his Grand-mère woke him, they breakfasted 
In silence and she then took him to a school for the first time.

School was not as he had expected.  He was not sure what he 
Had expected but this definitely wasn’t it!  The teacher greeted 
Him pleasantly enough, introduced him to the class who were 
All already sitting at their terminals, and then as they worked 
Through their personalised learning he was given a terminal 
And asked to work through an assessment to find the level for 
His individual learning journey.  It was childishly simple and 
Wondered he if this was to make him feel reassured.  He knew 
Not, so completed it.  The teacher came back to him and had a 
Look at his results, grunted slightly, he thought in surprise, and 
Then set up another assessment which equally simple proved. 
This continued on, assessment after simple assessment until the 
Recess, when all the children left their terminals and walked 
Through one of the classroom doors into a small park.  He did 
Not like it much, as there were no trees, but it made him yearn 
Once more for home.  He could learn there, from his own old 
Terminal, but knew that the Covenant required that he attend a 
School, partly, he knew, so that children would mix with others 
And social skills learn.  As it was, no child spoke to him and 
They all their distance kept.  Thus it was all day, the teacher 
Becoming, it seemed, slightly irritated as he sailed on through
The assessments.  At the end of the day when his Grand-mère 
Came the teacher spoke with her at length.  She looked mildly 
Surprised and, he thought, perhaps a little pleased, when she 
Glanced at him from time to time during this quiet briefing.

The next day his Grand-mère took him to another school, very 
Similar it was, but with older children.  The pattern of the first 
Day repeated was and he, for a moment, wondered if he was to 
Give the wrong answers, would this make life easier.  He could 
Not, however, and by the end of the fourth day at the fourth of 
The Conglomerates schools, his Grand-mère decided that the 
Situation was absurd – she was a woman who did not face an 
Inefficient system with much patience – and on the fifth day 
He was taken to a room with adults filled and, he saw with joy, 
Extremely sophisticated terminals.  Here, for the first time, he 
Found some of the assessments quite interesting and by recess 
Time he was actually answering some quite challenging and 
Complex questions and was not certain he was always right.  

Recess provided an interesting life lesson which his previous 
School visits had made him ponder on.  This school having no 
Park area, the students stayed in their learning room, some of 
The folk leaving their terminals to talk, others dialling some 
Variety of beverage from the reconstitutor.  He stayed where 
He was and, as surreptitiously as possible, watched and made 
A serious effort to listen to his older fellows.  In some ways he 
Wished he had not.  Various folk discussing him were, some 
Referring to him as a ‘smart little mute, too smart’ and viewed 
The relationship between his parents, who they seemed to have
Knowledge of, variously as an aberration, perversion or quite 
An extraordinary and unpleasant miracle.  So taken was he by 
These unwelcome judgements he did not his teacher notice 
Who was watching him, watching them.  He was surprised as a 
Result as she touched him gently on the shoulder.  Turning, he 
Saw at once that she knew what he had heard and that she did 
Not share the view.  “We live in dangerous times as somebody 
As well-read as you probably know.  There is conflict between 
The two ‘Folk’, thus the sad souls on the Deep Rim search for 
Grail-Stuff, that one set of folk can show greater strength of 
Arms than the other and break the stalemate.  T’is said by more 
Each day that such would lead to The Mad Prophets calling for  
War.  These people speak out of fear of you because you are 
Different and because their views have into bigotry polarised.  
We are not all like that, you must know, and it is not personal.”
He thanked her sincerely and then turned back to his terminal 
And began to attack increasingly interesting assessments, his
Heart and mind closing to the hostility against him.  He was 
Here to learn, and he wanted to learn.  The views of the sadly 
Frightened folk should not be allowed to him touch.  They 
Were not real and his teacher showed they were not universal.

That day, too, was one which changed his relationship with his 
Grand-mère.  At the end of the day when she him collected 
And went into the daily ritual of a huddle with the teacher, the 
Huddle lasted longer and when she finished she smiled at him 
For the first time.  They over dinner talked and she asked him 
About his feelings concerning what he had heard.  He was very 
Pleased that she was direct, and this directness resulted in a 
Direct response from him and the beginning of a loving, and 
Relationship most trusting, which was to last many years, up to
Her death.  Suddenly, for the first time here, he felt safe and he 
Also day by day found that he was happy.  He school attended 
Now, not to wade through assessments but to learn.  As time 
Passed and his class-mates got used to him, realising he was 
Not so different after all, the prejudice seemed to evaporate and 
He knew he was accepted at last when those who had talked so 
Strongly against him started to ask about life on a solo enviro- 
Dome and then him asked also for assistance with their studies.
And the word, across the Conglomerate spread, he was special. 

………………………………………………………………….

The years slipped by most quick.  Periodically he would say 
Farewell to his Grand-mère, who he would miss, and went to 
Visit his parents who always celebrated his return with such 
Joy it was infectious.  And when he was home he learned other 
Things; he learned how to slide through fractures in the rocks, 
How to sniff out the fungi and how to encourage its growth and 
Use with the trees.  To his Mama’s delight he showed, too, the 
Talent she had, and a most proficient Tree Singer became in his 
Own right.  Their pride that he possessed both their skills made 
Him forgive them for not telling him how his kind of ‘special’  
Was not necessarily going to, by any other folk, be celebrated!
When home, too, as he older grew, he with his parents talked 
About their story, how they had met and why their people were 
So divided one from the other.  At one of these talks, it was, 
That he asked if he could spend some time now studying with 
His Papa’s people.  His Papa was delighted but his Mama was 
Concerned, as his Papa had no kinfolk living, they having been 
Wiped out in a great asteroid strike on their Conglomerate, a 
Strike, that incidentally, his folk had initially put down as an 
Attack by his Mama’s people.  His Mama’s concerns were 
Ameliorated most quick by his Grand-mère’s astounding offer 
To accompany him as his guardian.  This him made hesitate, 
However, as he knew the prejudice she could well receive.  She 
Was her own woman though and insisted, and so it came about.

The old shuttle docked automatically and met they were by the 
Ambassador who took them first to the Embassy.  His first 
Observation was that these were truly dangerous times; he 
Thought the project foolhardy, especially for his Grand-mère, 
And that he had found them secure accommodation but could 
Not their safety guarantee.  His Grand-mère thanked him, but a 
Little curtly and he arranged transport to take them to their new 
Home, where he would also meet later in the day the person 
Who would his teacher be, and responsible be for his learning 
Programme.  The accommodation was pleasant enough other 
Than the high wall surrounding it and the metal shutters which 
At a moment’s notice all the windows and doors covered.  It 
Made them briefly ponder on what they’d let themselves in for.  
His teacher, however, put them at their ease, explaining that it 
Was true that tensions between the two people had risen; it was 
True, but on an individual level, he believed they would be as 
Safe as anywhere, though to his shame, he imagined that the 
Present state of fear might lead to some remarks hostile.  They, 
In turn, assured him that they understood perfectly and thanked 
Him for his concern.   They both liked him for his honesty, too.

The height which he had inherited from his Mama, made him 
Considerably taller than all the folk in his school, or indeed in 
The whole Conglomerate.  His Grand-mère, too, was, easily 
Identifiable as ‘one of them’ and he concerned was at first for 
Her safety, since he had inherited from his Papa his broadness 
And physical strength, where she appeared most frail amongst 
These stocky folk.  His teacher, however, turned out right to be 
And after initial staring and prejudice which led only to verbal 
Enmity, things settled down and he made friends with his new 
Class mates, again considerably older than he was, and his dear 
Grand-mère manage to a place wheedle in the class, learning 
Most specifically all she could about the culture and history of 
Their hosts, which to many her endeared.  So it was, then, that 
He too included those studies in amongst his other areas, for he 
Wished to know and understand his Papa’s folk just as he had 
Learned the story of his Mama’s, and at the last became expert 
In both.  Through his now totally individual programme he also  
Another expertise developed, delving, as he was into the great  
Mystery that was the Predecessors.  And as he and his beloved 
Grand-mère studied thus, just as with his Mama’s folk word 
Was spread of the Dwelf and instead of disdain, folk now were 
Treating him with a touch of wonder.  He preferred the disdain!

………………………………………………………………….

As the years rolled by it became the custom when he travelled 
For his research, for his Grand-mère still to him accompany, 
But on one such trip, feeling a little unwell, she remained in her
Home on the Conglomerate.  Thus it was that she was there at 
What was at the first called, ‘The Great Betrayal’, when it and 
All the folk upon it, was destroyed.  He escaped death, but at a 
High price indeed, and as he returned to the Conglomerate of 
His Papa’s folk he was fortunate again, and this time actually 
Witnessed the destruction from his Papa’s old shuttle. Indeed 
Fortunate, that again he survived, there was even greater, tragic 
Fortune, that he had the event seen, and the shuttle had, as was 
The norm, recorded it all.  This, it was, that prevented the two
Folk going precipitately to war, avoiding mutual annihilation. 

…………………………………………………………………. 

He, immensely heavy and uncomfortable, sat awaiting to be 
Called for evidence by the hurriedly formed Combined Council 
Consisting of the most erudite folk from both his Mama’s and 
His Papa’s folk.  Near all folk, everywhere, had evacuated been 
To places less vulnerable, and this Council was joined deep in 
The crust of a large, mined out moon.  He called was at the last 
But was surprised not to be asked to recount his tale but to join 
Them instead in a briefing.  Soon, it was, that he realised why, 
For one of his tutors on the Predecessors study was the speaker.  
She pulled up a holo of a section of space in the Deep Rim and 
Illustrated how something large was unseen and it only became 
Apparent as it passed in front of stars, thus full occluding their 
Light. This she then revealed to be the case in the holo taken 
From his Papa’s old shuttle.  They even witnessed a faint but 
Certain incongruence in space as some kind of weapon was 
Deployed mere moments before the total and almost instant 
Destruction of the Conglomerate.  The briefing then paused as 
His old tutor him asked what he thought he had observed.  One 
Thing he was certain was that this was not a mechanism made 
By the Predecessors.  His research suggested sure that they had 
Evolved to a point where they left their physical form, making 
The move to another realm, reality, call it what you may, which 
The Mad Prophets so tenuously understood and vainly wished 
To emulate.  He knew that they really understood not that this 
Metamorphosis required a moral and spiritual journey so as to 
Achieve a state of, the nearest he could get to in a translation 
Was, grace.  On this journey all that was violence based in any 
Form was destroyed or evolved into some more peaceful use.  
The Mechanism which was attacking them was one which had 
Been designed, he suggested, by the Predecessor’s enemies to 
Destroy them as they evolved.  He had often read of such in his 
Studies, translating from the ancient script, and the machines 
Had been neutralised before any damage was caused.  This one 
Must have arrived late, the Predecessors having already made 
Their transitions, and thus, he surmised, waited, dormant, to be 
Awoken, probably by activity of searchers on the Deep Rim.

………………………………………………………………....

Attempts to communicate or to land on the vast craft had in the 
Former case led to nothing and in the latter to full disaster.  The 
Efforts of the finest warriors from both cultures, with the finest 
Equipment, and the first-rate scientists, using many and varied 
Approaches, had all resulted in the deaths of those concerned.  
Not quick, nor even marginally dignified deaths for those who 
Managed ingress; a slow death of exploding, precipitated by 
Some sonic weapon, and for those who had not died, again a 
Sonic weapon, this time their minds scrambled.  During this 
Time of increasingly desperate,  though often heroic, failures, 
The machine, untroubled, turned now its attention to the more 
Secure habitations containing the evacuees, causing gigantic 
Numbers of deaths, and those unlucky ones who did not die but 
Had their minds twisted so all they could feel was endless fear.

He had the weapon studied with great care and knew it to be as 
The others had been, set deep within an asteroid, the weapon 
Which it deployed consisting of rows after rows of crystals, all 
Linked to cosmic amplifiers, and when in use, set to resonate at 
Frequencies adapted to twist the molecular structure of specific 
Items, carried then by some form of radiation to their target.
Armed with this knowledge and a strange sense of fate telling 
Him this was why he created was, he landed the tiny flitter they 
Had, in their increasing desperation, provided him with, after 
Several dummy tests using ships of different sizes to see when 
The defences were triggered.  He slid back the canopy and with 
Some relief, some trepidation, swung round and stood on the 
Grey surface of the asteroid which protected well the machine. 
His mind then he put into that place where his dear Papa had so 
Diligently taught him to go, and slipped into a fracture he could 
Perceive in the rock.  Slowly his body slipped through the rock, 
Sliding from one fracture into another, as only his Papa’s folk 
Could, aiming with caution at the centre.  Several times he had 
To his movements retrace, fractures terminating, but at the last 
He came through a slight crack and into a corridor, dimly lit. 

He had not expected light!  Light implied the presence of some 
Thing which needed to be able to see.  His researches had him 
Led, erroneously it now appeared, to believe the machines to 
Be automated fully.  He proceeded with caution, nearly fouling 
Himself when a little ‘bot scuttled into view but luckily it went 
On its way, driven by a purpose which happily could not him 
Include.  The journey was not long, though he sickening sights 
Did see, passing at the last oaken crosses upon which hung the 
Remains of avian creatures, their corpses too far gone to make 
Out much more than wings.  Odd it was, too, that though they  
Desiccated were, the impression of life he still received. There 
Had been here a foulness beyond measure!  Shake himself, he 
Had to, and force himself on, and it was most soon that he had 
To conceal himself, slipping again into a small fracture in the 
Rock and then only with a scope pushed infinitesimally out of 
The rocks surface, observed the great chamber in which the 
Crystals stood in their serried rows. The scope did a 360° scan 
And thus it was that he saw, suspended from the caverns high 
Roof a console, a keyboard of sorts, at which reclined some 
Kind of being, unrecognisable and concealed by many wires 
And tubes which ran into its body from what he assumed was a 
Medipac of sorts.  It was hard to envisage, whatever it was, 
Being mobile, able to utilise or traverse the corridors.  Was it 
The one responsible for the brutal cruelty he had just now been 
Witness to?  This was not as he had before thought.  He was, 
However, unable to make clear judgement, so he withdrew the 
Scope and slid through fractures again, moving upwards slowly 
Until he estimated with the instinct of his Papa’s folk, that the 
Console and creature should be directly below him now.  He 
Was fortunate, indeed, to find a fracture so neatly placed, and 
With the utmost concentration and caution slipped the scope 
Out once more, just a tiny fraction, and looked upon the scene 
Anew.  The creature was, he now saw, in truth, astonishingly  
Beautiful!  It was humanoid, but winged, and had the most 
Exquisite features he had ever looked upon.  It was hard not to 
Just sit and soak up its enchantment.  There was a mismatch 
Of extraordinary proportions between what it looked like and 
What it was responsible for – so extraordinary, indeed, that the 
Instincts he had inherited from his Mama led him to think that 
He had somehow come to a completely wrong hypothesis as to 
Its purpose here.  He looked around again and saw what he had  
Somehow overlooked before, his eyes probably sliding from it 
Because of its size.  It was a huge chair – surely not, and yet it 
Could be nothing else!  Placed it was on a large dais, somewhat 
Above the height of the tallest crystal, and directly in line of 
Sight, he noted, with the creature he now thought of as trapped 
In the medipac.  As he observed and pondered, the remarkable 
Scene became considerably more remarkable still.  There was a 
Slight crackling noise and then appeared a hole in the air above 
The dais and through the hole an enormous red horse appeared, 
Upon its back an equally enormous rider, with a sword in hand!

The rider dismounted and sat in the huge chair, as he had quite 
Obviously done before, and prodded a button inset in the arm 
Of the chair, at which the trapped creature jerked violently and 
Spasmodically for a considerable period, throughout which the 
Horseman laughed uproariously.  He then flicked a switch and 
Some sort of holo appeared in front of him, clearly showing, 
By some wild chance, it must most assuredly be, that he loved, 
The Enviro dome which his parents had refused to evacuate, 
Stating that their trees would die without attention, and that 
Access they had, so his Mama told it, to a cavern, deep in the 
Asteroid’s centre, a thing he knew not to be true; only his Papa 
Had.  As the Horseman focussed he on that terrifying image, 
The beautiful, trapped creature looked up, as though sensing he 
Was there.  With his parent’s lives under obliteration threat he 
Knew he most immediately had to act.  He dropped from the 
Rock onto the medipac and seeing the motion of the creature’s 
Head, decided to risk it, and all the connections pull away.  The 
Creature flopped forward and then very slow rose up to its feet.  
The Horseman glanced up and, noticing the movement, roared 
Out with anger, lashing down hard on another control which 
Set the crystals to a slow humming.  With this he leapt back 
Upon his horse and through the hole in space disappeared.  The 
Creature who he had released, him urged to return to the rock 
Where he might some protection find.  Ignoring him, he swung 
From below the console and on the dais landed hard.  Looking 
For the controls upon the chair, he found them gone and thus it 
Was that an instinct of his Mama’s folk again him prompted. 

He began then to sing, singing clear the songs which awoke the 
Oaks, and others he had learned beside, and while he sang the 
Crystals slowly adapted their song and slid into a harmony with 
Him.  As he sang, the beautiful creature stared for a moment, 
Awe struck, and then reached forward, his hands dancing over 
The console’s strange keyboard, taking off line the amplifiers 
And Lasers.  Then it was that he flew to the dais and told of 
What he had done, saying that all was safe now, and that they 
Could go. His Grand-mère somehow then appeared in his mind 
And told him this job was not finished, for the machine would 
Still a tool be for the Horseman if he returned.  Thus he sang 
On, singing slow, low to high, ending with repeats, over and 
Over, of the harshest of songs, that of the savagely carnivorous 
Whipping Tree.  The Crystals became slower at adapting their 
Harmony, but this was at last synchronised and then he greatly 
The speed increased.  Faster and faster sang he, high and low, 
The crystals starting to shudder in their sockets until at last the 
Freed creature joined his voice, in counter point, and as on they 
Sang, slowly at first, one by one, but then in entire rows, the 
Crystals started to shatter.  On they sang until the very last had 
Torn itself apart.  This was the tallest by far and as it shattered, 
A shard flew up and across the dais, tearing into the chest of 
The beautiful creature, a creature he now recalled, which the 
Predecessors referred to as an Angel.  As it fell he caught it and 
In his arms it cradled.  His eyes were bright with real joy and it 
Smiled a smile which was to remain with him all the remainder 
Of his days.  As the life force, a haze of sorts, there being no 
Blood, oozed out of it, it told him of his thanks, for he had been 
One of the Fallen, but now he had had the opportunity to make 
Amends and could at the last, return to his true Master who 
Would welcome him, he now knew, with unconditional love.  
This meant nothing to him, but it pleased him that the creature 
Had a mystery to return to, as it most assuredly had, he newly 
Somehow knew.  With that, he gently hefted the now departed 
Being up upon the great chair and having sat him, bowed low.

………………………………………………………………….

Returned he then through the cracks and fractures within the 
Asteroids rock and took his little flitter up to where it had been 
Considered he would be beyond its now very probably defunct 
Sensors, entered the armoured shuttle and after a brief recount 
Of the situation to the stunned Captain, with central now within  
His mind those who remained, his innards crying out to him 
They were not dead, hanging upon their oaken crosses, picked 
Up knapsacks, as many as he could reasonably carry and would 
In the flitter fit, and he returned from whence he came, to find 
All as when he had departed, except for the absence of the 
Fallen Angel who had replaced been by the smell of a verdant  
Forest of Oak. Leaving this mystery for another time he placed 
The knapsacks within the largest faults and fractures he could 
Find in the machine’s rock shield and after setting timers got 
Ready to depart.  As he did so, the Horseman on his red steed 
Appeared once again and roared for a second time, louder still, 
With apoplectic rage as the cavern he surveyed.  The Dwelf 
Knew not where his casual courage came from, but he laughed 
And then saluted as he slipped once more into the rock.  Swift, 
He was, in returning to the flitter, and swift again in joining the 
Shuttle and telling the Captain to at full thrust flee.  He sat then 
And watched as the receding asteroid seemed to crumple and 
As though in slow motion, break apart.  Fear did then touch 
Him as he saw, unharmed, among the debris, the Horseman 
Mount his red steed, his sword still in hand, and turn then into 
A hole is space which closed neatly, disappearing behind him. 
Then it was the winged ones he saw, free from their crosses, 
Made whole again, come as only they knew how, and their 
Shuttle surround.  For a moment, as beautiful as he was in his 
Long life to ever hear, they sang and heard he and the captain, 
Though understanding not the words, ‘Gloria in excelsis deo’.  
Thus it was they sang, though he knew it not, their turning 
From the Dark, and so it was into a blinding Light that they 
Disappeared at the last, leaving him with such awe and deep 
Sense of love it would comfort him in dark times, evermore. ………………………………………………………………….

And thus it was that the Dwelf delivered his Mama’s and his  
Papa’s folk from the Great Killing Machine and brought them 
Together then, just as they are now, through the knowledge 
That mutual and irrational mistrust had almost led them to their 
Destruction.  And hereafter it was, and remains, that all of the 
Children in ‘The Dwelf Confederation of Conglomerates And 
Independent Domes’ learn this account by heart, that a critical 
Lesson ne’er be forgot, or the debt owed the first of the Dwelf.

…………………………………………………………………..

And what, you ask, happened to him?  Now as to this I cannot 
Say aught but that at the last he went off to the Deep Rim to 
Enrich his studies of the Predecessors, and there, it is said, it 
Was that he met another winged and beautiful creature, and if 
The tale is to be believed, he joined then with a mighty craft, 
Shaped as of a creature, maybe mythical, which lived in the 
Seas of our ancestors, and yet had the head like a horse, and 
Returning only in secret to his parents see; and at the last to 
Spirit them and the enviro lab entire, with all the Mighty Oaks, 
Away to who knows, but certes upon some other undertaking.  

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personal log entry: 
Found due to Mayday call in the year 8019 of 
‘The Dwelf Confederation of Conglomerates And Independent 
Domes’ on a solo explorer ship, wrecked on the Planet Soyul, 
out on the edge of the galaxy where the barbarians live and die.  
This came to note on a routine search for advanced or growing
civilisations, and was the result of glacial melt permitting the call 
to reach out.  Said melt due was to a catastrophic climate change 
brought on by the activities of a group of hominids who our Pastor / 
sociologist informs us possibly our ancestors were. Witnessing the 
destruction caused by their folly it is most hard to imagine it so, 
but I am a mere Captain, so what do I know?  The truth may be 
available when the most fortunate pilot of the wreck is brought 
up from cryogenic hibernation and able to tell us more.  Certainly 
we will not need to this way come again, the chance of any 
inhabitant surviving this exhausted planet being an overly hot, 
absolute zero.
End log entry. 

This is the third and final part of the poem / saga which commences with, 'The Silver Wolf', continues with, 'The White Raven', and finishes with this, 'The Huntsman'.  It is added to the others as a complete poem elsewhere in this collection

The Huntsman:

He stood before her small grave, such an insignificant mound 
Already in the driving snow lost, heart heavy with sorrow at her 
Parting, guilt at her death and empty aching for his True-Friends 
For so long and so long, the Silver Wolf and White Raven.  To 
Their deaths give meaning he needs must the task finish which
He had dis-remembered, from himself screening it in some unlit 
Corner of his mind where resided horror stories.  Now lay it in 
All its dreadfulness, by his focussed consciousness, bright lit. 

He looked round at his expectant companions, the Wolf Pack 
And the Great Flock of Phoenixes.  He wanted not for further 
Travail for them but they, in their fidelity refused to do other 
Than with him remain, and in this great task participate, for was 
It not to him they in the first place owed their lives?  And there 
Must retribution be, too, for the Wolf and the Raven.  So it was 
He cast his mind out, theirs to touch, and in images and known 
Words for them depicted the interior of the Grey Craft and gave 
Them introduction to the presences alien which lay therein and 
Needs must be trampled or ejected.  He gave, too, their stench.
Feeling their horror, it was good.  They needs must vigilant be. 

He turned then and the craft approached, the Black Wolf and the 
Rainbow Phoenix by his side, his other companions following.  
He the portal signalled to reopen and entered.  As the Wolf Pack 
And the Phoenix flock one way went, following their imprinted 
Maps to where those who needed protection lay at rest, he and 
His two comrades, meanwhile, taken were by a firm but gentle
Force and returned they to that place where the Raven expired. 

The creature sprawled was, pathetic, upon the floor, the throne 
Of bones on its side, knocked there by its thrashing death-throes.  
The Huntsman some tentacles kicked aside and looked at the 
Screen the alien had accessed.  They had learned not how to
Make the Grey Craft functional, and knew they not which of the 
Sleepers could so do.  Even so they had several woken, only to 
Them see die in minutes of their awakening, for their grasp on 
Cryogenic thawing was limited.  The Huntsman had professed 
Ignorance in all things, technical and medical.  They knew not 
That his mind was the lone aware, other than his True-Friends; 
That he it was who had steered the Craft through the cold dark.
Thought they, too, that this place was that from where the Grey 
Craft was controlled.  He did not on their error correct them, and
Surreptitious sealed the main bridge from the subsidiary control. 

He arrival at this planet recalled, harsh and used once only, and 
That as a penal colony.  Those incarcerated, long dead were.  He 
Had thought not to find other sentient beings until a weak call of 
Distress he received from the planet’s surface.  He put down the 
Grey Craft and took a shuttle to locate they who called and them 
Assist.  A ship he found; greatly damaged it was, and within the  
Alien creatures were, whose life support was on the verge of 
Total collapse, so said they.  Thus it was he them entry allowed 
To the shuttle, each in armoured suits concealed as though for 
Space, and to the Grey Craft returned, where machines he set to 
Mobile contrivances make which to them gave the air that was 
Their necessity.  It was then their true nature foul came forth and
Took they control, both of the Grey Craft and his True-Friends, 
The Silver Wolf and the White Raven.  He knew not what to do.

Thus time to steal to ponder all, and his enemy to learn, he made 
Service for them, feigning fear, respect and always his ignorance 
In things technical.  Absolute was their arrogance and contempt 
And though a crew, they each the others loathed and for position 
And power jostled, through betrayal and alliances ever-shifting. 
Murder straightforward, too, they oft would commit, and for 
Pleasure supreme aimed they to achieve extended humiliation 
For their victims, and agony prolonged.  It was a nightmare now 
In which he dwelled, one that appeared a labyrinth with no end.

As the revulsion too much became, he needs must get out from 
Under its weight, he and his True-Friends, and thus he them told 
Of sensor data which the traces of intelligent life was showing.  
He knew not what they were but to his persecutors said he needs 
Must go and find them out, for they might be salvation, knowing 
That which he did not for waking the Grey Craft.  Persuaded as 
They were, glimpsing a chance this inhospitable place to leave, 
They agreed, and also to allow his True-Friends to him support. 

Thus it was that he left behind the horror world for endeavours  
New, and soon it was to learn of the Wraiths and Shades, a form 
This planet’s peculiarity of Gaia visited upon those dead from
The ancient penal colony, knowing not how otherwise it could 
Be done to keep them in some form alive.  Here they had lived 
Twixt Heaven and Hell, half alive and half dead.  Time it was 
Which became their great tormentor, time to visit and revisit all 
That had from them poured in their previous forms; the vile, the 
Profane, the murders and corruption, the swamps in which they 
Had their mark made.  Each from the others fled, their inner 
Disgust no room for companions leaving.  Too, never they had 
Had those in their lives they could trust before; it would be no 
Different now.  It was with these derelict souls, by chance, or by 
Some hidden design, the Huntsman his transforming skill found.

Soon it was that the Silver Wolf had a pack to lead, gathered to 
Aid them in the task of hunting down these reclusive, tortured 
Souls.  The White Raven high and wide could venture and found 
Within an uncanny skill in their presence sensing.  It but needed 
Then the pack to them gather in, one by one, to the touch receive 
Of the Huntsman, that transforming contact that each Shade and 
Wraith with a terror received, which turned most quick to one of 
A joy most extraordinary, changing, as they did, to that quite 
Odd and most hopeful of beings, the Phoenix.  And slow it was,
But sure, these creatures strange, fell to the duty of finding, too, 
Those who Wraiths and Shades continued to be, and spread the 
Word to the untrusting, slowly, most slowly, them convincing 
That the Huntsman was their Sanctified Transformer, would 
They but trust and him seek.  T’is no surprise that the task was 
Long, and in the doing of it the Huntsman from his mind pushed 
Those horrors he had left behind.  Thus it was that his power 
Pack depleted became and he needs must send off a distress call,
Answered at the last by a passing deep space freighter dropping 
A Medibot capsule, in truth almost too late, and due to this, his 
Wilful stupidity and self-inflicted amnesia, he had first lost his 
Beloved True-Friend the Silver Wolf and the White Raven also.

As from his sad memories he returned he was forced so to ask 
Himself, had these alien beings somewhat marred his mind? 
Dulling too his senses? For now it was that the solution to their 
Odious presence was a thing quite simple.  Perhaps, though, his
Initial program, designed to most honour life, had him betrayed.  
It was the case no longer!  Identifying those places where the 
Creatures themselves had chose, secure from the attack of their
Companions, he them sealed in.  T’was soon they noticed and to
The doors responded with violence extreme, achieving naught 
But increased anger and frustration.  Their displays all dead they 
Sat and fumed, for the attack preparing of one of their own.  
The Huntsman nodded, satisfied, and to the central bridge went he. 

Once there, the doors he sealed, ever pondering if there were 
Some of the creatures he’d missed.  He mind talked with those, 
His companions, outlining in brief his plan; understood, it was 
By the Phoenixes but the Wolves, they had just to obey his order 
In faith.  Thus it was, donned he his interface and meshed once 
More with that mind, strange and complex, it being the Centre. 
With but a thought he sealed off each chamber, room, corridor 
And facility within the Grey Craft, and then it was he made the 
Jump ‘Between’, where momentarily time and space twisted and 
Settled then once again, ship’s systems for space operational, the 
Screens showing now down below, the planet, less forbidding, 
More a place of simple beauty and of potential endless to those 
Who would treat with it in love, gratitude, care and true grace. 

He sighed, the future hopes returning to his mind, recalling the 
Anticipation wondrous when first this scene had to him come.  
He much changed was now, though, but his original mission he 
Could still fulfil.  He his companions mind checked, the wolves
A touch of reassurance needing, the Phoenixes now at their sides   
Toiling to with their presence calm.  The Huntsman, his mind to 
The interface returned.  The monsters all, impotent remained, 
And raging; some too he found in corridors trapped and other 
Places on the Grey Craft.  Each position marked was and then he 
Turned elsewhere his mind.  A few moments scan the location 
Identified, of that which had so bad polluted his days and nights, 
The wrecked ship in which the nightmares had arrived. A Laser 
Strike, pinpoint accurate, all innocents to avoid, removed it and 
Any evidence it had ever in that place lain, a steaming hole now 
There, with every prospect that within a few cycles a calm lake 
Would be, and in time to their host, the planet’s Gaia, return. 

Thus placed, now it was that he proceeded, with no pleasure, to
His simple plan complete.  The Grey Craft’s mind had in each 
And every case plotted a route most short from each of the fetid 
Aliens to the nearest airlock.  At the Huntsman’s thought, the 
Sealed doors made to open were, and did the airlocks likewise.
Not long, it was, before all the dross was into space ejected, the
Nightmare’s end on screens showing.  He looked not at those 
Who died, returning the doors and locks to normal; then once 
Again the Grey Craft twisted time and space and returned to its 
Original place of security upon the planet’s surface.  It here was, 
Once more, by accident or by design, that the Huntsman’s skill
As transformer adapted, his undertaking easy feasible becoming.

Stood he before the Grey Craft, his companions, the Wolves and 
The Phoenixes, about him now standing.  By chance perhaps, it 
Was that he the Rainbow Phoenix touched, and the planet’s Gaia 
The full transformation permitted, sensing this being’s soul was 
Both repentant and full of grace.  There, transformed and most 
Struck by astonishment, a naked human stood where a Phoenix 
Once had been.  The Huntsman, comprehending, held out again 
His arms in welcome and his children called, each one receiving 
His blessed and transforming touch, them returning to the body 
They before had worn, now vigorous each, and of soul cleansed.  
Within the Grey Craft raiment soon was found, not to envelop 
Body shame, their souls so grace filled, inured now from such, 
But just for the uncaring and still harsh elements; to survive as 
The planet, though cold and still snow bedecked, slow but sure 
Moved the Circle on to the spring and times of growth and hope.

So it was the Huntsman had now at hand a team, new and loyal, 
With which to commence the mission of awakenings.  Learned 
They, with remarkable speed, the skills and techniques for the
Tasks.  As they commenced, so the Huntsman had the Grey 
Craft move once more, now to a site more hospitable, there to 
Start construction of animal dwellings, there to house those few 
Woken, base stock, to be joined at the last by vat-grown clones.
Simultaneous, it was, that ‘bots began the land to plough and 
For trial growths prepare.  Once success was sure, faster could 
Be the awakening of the sleepers and the growings in the vats.

As winter slept, and spring enticed back to life the earth and 
Plants, the Huntsman knew the work now secure was; the 
Colony would grow, the beings here, old and new, would thrive.  
Thus in the darkness one eve, he the Grey Craft left, his final 
Directives forbidding it to him track, and to inculcate love of 
Wolves within this community new.  Then, it was, he and his 
Wolf pack journeyed on, back to where the White Raven in the 
Still cold earth lay.  With tender care, it was, that he uncovered 
Her now unneeded body, placing it careful in a pack which he 
Safe carried upon his back.  Down the mountain one last time 
They hiked and, through cycles many, the route back followed 
Upon which they had first come.  T’was easier now, the weather 
Turning kind, the ground soft, and hunting simple for the pack.  

Good time they made, and then arrived at last back to where lay 
The Silver Wolf.  The Huntsman knelt as his companions stood 
Watch, as was their wont, him encircling and protecting.  Soon 
It was he had a final place of rest for the corpse of his True-
Friend the White Raven, his other True-Friend the Silver Wolf,
Beside, though it mattered not to her or to him that their corpses 
Now lay in proximity, for they elsewhere were, and waiting.  To 
The Huntsman, though, it mattered, and with this job done to his 
Satisfaction he to the little capsule returned, there to activate the 
Medic bot and have it his power pack discharge.  When it was as 
Almost done, he the machine deactivated and set the capsule to 
Gentle meltdown.  His task completed, returned he to the graves
Of his True-Friends and sat once more, his back against the tree.  
He mind called to his companions, the wolves, and told them his 
Work was done and he would leaving be.  They the cycle of life 
Understood and his need to go.  He told them then that the Black 
Wolf would them lead well.  Then it was he gave them one final 
Caress, one by one as they came to him, and implanted in each a 
Thought, one so filled, it was, with love that they, for e’er after,  
Would pass it on through the generations and live in unanimity.  

His work completed, his eyes he closed, feeling hard the tree at 
His back and upon his face, soft the breeze.  Sensation unhurried 
Left him and he in the distance his True-friends saw, the Silver 
Wolf and the White Raven, from the light coming.  As nearer 
Still came they he held out his arms and at the last the Wolf 
Leapt, joyous into them and the Raven on his shoulder landed,
The Three reunited, their unity the infinite Mystery to explore.  

The Black Wolf commenced the digging, and turn-taking they 
Then a final home for the Huntsman’s shell had made, twixt 
That of the Silver Wolf and White Raven, which was fitting.  
Each of his old companions then came and bid him farewell and 
Joy with his True-Friends in the Far-Lands.  Once done, the Black 
Wolf threw back his head and led the pack in a song of Farewell.  
That done, he turned and them to the shaded forest led back.