Part 4: Sam and Emma; Defenders of Earth

Don't forget to read parts 1 through 3 first.

Emma thanked Ambassador Sheee-Sheee for all the hardwork that went into the meal and entertainment.

"I understand that to humans our appearance can be alarming. I am glad that you and Sam stayed long enough to enjoy our hospitality. We have been eager to meet with the people of Earth."

"Oh, Ambassador, we love meeting new friends. I regret that so few people on Earth know about all the beings in our galaxy." Emma said.

The Ambassador held two pairs of his front legs together in thought.

"Well, Emma of Earth, the Chuchi people that commissioned you and Sam to travel and meet so many of those beings, understand how a species can be frightened of outsiders. We ourselves have been reluctant to, come out of our nest, so to speak. There are still those among us who are fearful of exposing ourselves. Our new Queen, however, believes we must make it known to our neighbors that the Matawans are here."

Emma wanted very much to meet the Queen.

"Will we see her highness on this visit, Ambassador?" Emma asked.

"At the moment she is on our home-world. In fact, I have never known her to leave. Very busy, you know? I will be sure she knows what a great experience it has been to meet the Earthlings." the Ambassador said.

Emma was happy to hear this, and said,

"Well, you have been a great host. When it is time for all the people of Earth to know about our neighbors, the Matawans will be known for the kindness we saw today."

"I am glad to hear that Miss Emma. Will you and Sam be staying the night?"

Emma wanted to stay longer, but they needed to get home.

"We will have to save that for another time, Ambassador. Sam and I must return home soon."

The Ambassador snapped his mandibles twice and his assistant came to his side.

"Please let 'click-click-tock' know that our guests must leave soon. Explain to master Sam that Miss Emma and I will be in the library waiting for him." The Ambassador said, and then waved the assistant off.

The Ambassador led Emma to the other side of the great room and opened a door to what looked like an elevator shaft. Emma leaned in and saw that there was no lift.

The Ambassador turned to Emma and said, "Miss Emma, as you have no web of your own, I am afraid I must carry you down."

Emma neither liked heights or spiders. She did her best not to tremble as the great insect gently scooped her off the floor. She did make a small "Ahhh" as the Ambassador swung into the shaft and dropped 10 stories, straight down, before slowing to an easy stop at the bottom.

The library ceiling was high above them. The library itself, spread out before them for perhaps two kilometers. The massive ceiling was covered with murals of spiders doing all manner of things. Some built temples, some built machines and others flew ships. There were paintings of spiders making discoveries and setting foot on alien worlds.

Between the floor and ceiling were lengths of metal shaped into pillars of web. Emma wondered if they held the ceiling up, or the floor.

The Ambassador was showing her a picture of the first of their kind to fly, when her pocket vibrated. She had forgotten the walkie-talkie Sam had given her earlier. Two buzzes meant that he was checking to see if she was OK. She didn't want to interrupt Ambassador Sheee-Sheee, so she slipped her hand into her pocket and keyed the button twice to signal back. Sam had told her something else about the walkie-talkies; She couldn't remember. He could find her somehow. They had little screens on the front that must guide him.

Now the Ambassador was pointing to a small model of the first Matawan plane. It looked to Emma like the wings of a moth. When the Ambassador turned a crank on the front of the display, the wings flapped.

Emma was just noticing what looked like little bombs strapped to the bottom when the Ambassador's assistant came skittering out of the shaft. he was chattering away in their spider language.

Ambassador Sheee-Sheee turned to Emma, "We can't find your brother. Where would he go?"

Emma wasn't sure she liked the Ambassador's tone. She was about to say so, when a rope hit the floor beside her. Sam slid down from a skylight and landed beside Emma. Emma couldn't help but notice Sam's gauntleted hand resting on his gummyball gun.

Sam looked Emma over and surveyed the huge room. "Well, thanks for everything guy's; Emma and I should be going now."

Emma thought this terribly rude, but Sam always had a good reason when he was impolite.

She said, "Yes, Sam is right. Thank you for everything. We'll be in touch."

Sam attached the rope to a pulley on his belt as Emma spoke to the Ambassador. As she finished speaking Sam looped some rope under her arms and engaged the pulley. Emma and Sam rocketed up the rope. Sam didn't slow down until they reached the top. Emma could hear the motors running inside his suit. It made him very strong. He pushed her through the opening onto the grass and ran towards the pod.

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