“Great accomplishment, Sir,” greeted other Scoutmasters.
Xe swallowed. “If I may ask, Sir,” he was trying to still his voice from trembling, “where did this occur?”
“Not far from here. Down at the Brown Glade.”
It was a broad open plain, virtually devoid of vegetation, where the hideouts came in short supply. Would a Rogue be so dumb to appear in such a dangerous place? Unfortunately, that possibility couldn’t be ruled out. He loved the risk and taking chances, being so bloody overconfident with his great abilities.
There was one another thing. Now as Xe took the time to think, he realized that certain stuff Rogue had said during the last of their encounters might be allusions he failed to recognize. Some of his words could be interpreted in a way he was actually daring to stalk Eeol swarms for mere excitement of doing it. That would be hazardous and foolish, but it would fit perfectly in Rogue’s character, and the Scout shivered at the idea that his friend might be gone forever.
But then again, until he actually took a look at the corpse, he couldn’t be sure it was him. There was still a chance the casualty was some other Rogue, and the Scout had to find out more and investigate the site of the incident. But that was impossible at the moment as he was forced to wait for his swarm to turn back home.
Justifying it by weakness, Xe spent the rest of day lying under some gnarly root that the fall rains had rinse clean of earth. Hiding his true thoughts from others, he couldn’t stop brooding on his friend’s potential fate. With the time passing sluggishly, uncertainty and doubt tormented him so badly he felt like he was going nuts.
Finally, in the late afternoon, satiated Eeols got ready for the trip home. There were no further attacks of the hostiles, and for the Superiors that day had been simply perfect. Having their chest tanks full of sweet nectar, the red multitude buzzed happily as they rose into cloudless fall skies.
With Superiors being in an exceptionally good mood, it wasn’t hard for Xe to persuade them to halt the swarm in a hovering over the scene at the Brown Glade while he and the small group he led went to check the body. The Scout explained his wish was a plain curiosity and it sounded convincing, especially as it really was the motivation for the other Eeols joining his group.
It was as the Swarm Leader had said; very little was left of slain Rogue. The remains were torched beyond recognition and revealed absolutely nothing to Xe. He discovered one tiny shard of armor that stayed preserved relatively well and it seemed a little overly golden to come from his Rogue, but it was impossible to say for sure. He simply couldn’t determine if this was his poor friend or not.
The horrible puzzle remained unsolved, and there was just one way to uncover the truth. The Scout had to go directly to the Old Bluetop.
Later in the Hive, Xe gathered his courage. He knew once he visited the overgrown block, the last bit of hope he had might be tarnished. It was a hard decision for him, yet he had to go.
He sneaked out as usual. The short journey was all but pleasant; not only that the dusk was near but the wind was picking up as well, whooshing and stirring twigs and leaves in an unsettling way. Every so often, Xe would wince on some violent blow, with his blasters pulled out and pointing.
The Old Bluetop showed ahead, entangled in climbers and vines and totally silent.
The moment of truth was coming. Nervous and scared, Xe landed close to the weathered rock. He checked in all directions, but nothing was moving, and he gulped and drew his visor up while slowly entering the thicket.
“Rogue!” His voice howled through the dense vegetation. “Rogue!”
And in a single breathtaking moment, a familiar reddish-golden figure climbed down some furrowed vine and leapt deftly to the ground.
“Don’t bellow, Scout, I’m not deaf. What’s up?”
Xe almost fainted with relief. He cast himself forward, embracing his friend in a tight hug. “I’m so happy to see you!”
Rogue stood somewhat baffled. “I’m happy to see you too?”
“Listen, listen!” cried Xe, informing him on the dramatic events.
“Oh. Now I understand why you look like a Fly in a Spider. Never heard of that saying? Never mind. Naturally, I’m not the only Rogue in the world. You say his other one was hiding inside of an ordinary crack in the ground? What an idiot. All in all, you got upset for nothing.”
“Rogue, I was scared to death!”
“Without the slightest reason. I told you a hundred times that I’m able to take care of myself.”
Xe leaned against one thick stalk behind him as his legs still didn’t support him very well. Its metallic bark was fairly spiny, but that posed no problem for his armor and only his air-screw cracked a bit as it was pressed by Scout’s weight.
“One more thing. Have you been following Eeol parties since you have been here?”
“You finally got it? Yes, I have shadowed you often, my ignorant friend. I tried to tell you a few times, but you don’t know how to take a hint. I went after your company while you were scouting. Fine Flyers you have there by the way, all excellent Scouts, and you are lucky to have them. I used all sorts of covers and guess what? Nobody ever noticed me, neither you nor anybody else. That proves I know what I’m doing.”
“Rogue, it was unbelievably stupid. Don’t do that again! Keep away from Eeols, from mine in particular. Please, promise me that.”
Looking bored, Rogue broke off a small brassy leaf from the nearby tendril. “All right. Only to stop you from nagging. I promise.”
Xe nodded with gratitude. “Good to hear that. Now I have to hurry back, the daylight is fading. See you soon, Rogue.”
The two friends parted in a good mood.
30.
Time for Truth
Xe concluded he had had enough.
He couldn’t stand it any longer. Living like this became impossible for him, and he felt exhausted and grew sick and tired of all the lies, secrets, constant insecurity, and of his dangerous trips to the Old Bluetop. The time has come to put an end to all of that.
An idea was born and fermented in his mind, and after giving it a lot of thought, the Scout made his choice. It took a great deal of courage, but he was to do the inconceivable. He decided to declare this matter with the Rogue to the Supreme Command and ask for his friend to be accepted into the Swarm as a fully recognized member of the community.
Xe dropped to Level 6 to request an audience with the Supremes.
Guards flanking the entrance at the Supreme Command Quarters rolled their eyes the same moment they saw him coming. It was clear what would follow, particularly to Commander HegoT8330 who stood at the head of the troop. On Xe’s approach, out of frustration he pointlessly drew his visor down.
Ignoring their sour expressions, the Scout straightened up in an official posture and hailed. “I need to see the Supremes on an extremely important matter.”
“Again,” mumbled Commander HegoT8330. “I lost count how many times you have come here. I remember no Eeol badgering the Supreme Command more often then you, XeraM6697. If you only weren’t so damn popular in the Swarm…”
“Sir?”
He snorted. “Yes, Commander, consider your request submitted. The Supremes will be informed of your request. They are busy at the moment. Come back later to hear their reply.”
“I prefer to wait, Sir.”
That was out of question for HegoT8330. He wanted to get rid of him as quickly as possible, and the infuriated Commander rushed to notify the Supremes right away. The remaining nine guards kept silent by the entrance gate, staring at nothing as the broad green-glowing hallway gaped totally empty.
Even though terribly worried in what way his initiative might develop, Xe was determined to pursue it to the end. The cold season was coming which meant Rogue would have to leave soon with no other choice but to spend the winter with the Galahas again. They wouldn’t see each other for who knows how long. I simply must do it, the Scout thought, I had no other choice.
Su
preme BeraX7719 showed up in person, followed by morose Commander HegoT8330 and four Eeols from his usual escort. He seemed to be in a good mood, obviously appeased by the ample stocks and a comparatively successful period for the Hive.
“Commander XeraM6697,” he hailed. “It appears we can’t live without your visits.”
Xe bowed his head. “It’s important, Sir.”
“Very well, Commander. I’m here, so tell us, what did you think of this time?”
“I would rather not discuss it here, Sir. Can we talk in private?”
Commander HegoT8330 gave him an offended look, but BeraX7719 just shrugged. “Sure we can. It makes no difference to me. Will you be long?”
“I’m afraid I have to be, Sir.”
“Then I must defer it. I have no time at the moment. There are urgent topics to deal with, and my fellows Supremes are waiting for me. My immediate schedule is quite full, so return three days from now after the Evening Rally, Commander.”
The next few days seemed endless to Xe.
Fearing it might give him second thoughts, he skipped sneaking out to see the Rogue and tried to focus on his scouting duties instead, but without much success. For a brief he considered entrusting his secret with somebody close, but threw that idea away; he would just burden his friends with an issue too complicated for them to understand. No, this had to go through the Supreme Command.
That evening Xe met with Supreme BeraX7719 in the small chamber adjacent to the Principal. Only two of them were present, just as he had asked for. The Supreme was resting in his favorite waxy seat with his bright black eyes concentrating on the Scout. Despite his fake indifference, they were sparkling with curiosity.
“Well, Commander, here we are. What do you wish to talk about?”
Xe suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable.
“It’s about my absence from the Hive, that time I got lost, and about things that happened during that period. I’m afraid I wasn’t completely honest, Sir.”
“What a surprise.”
The Scout was hesitating. “I had reasons for what I did… it’s complicated, Sir, and I don’t even know where to start.”
“Try from the very moment you got separated from your company.”
Xe grinded his teeth, and then he started talking. Word after word, the truth was pouring out of him like a stream. Excitedly, almost breathlessly, he lined up all events that took place during his absence and described them in full detail withholding only his friend’s current whereabouts and the fact that he was visiting him.
The Supreme listened to him without interruption, his eyes widening. No matter what he thought Xe came to see him about, this definitely went beyond his wildest expectations.
When he had finished, Xe flagged, breathing heavily. The Supreme was sitting as rigid as a stick, and they exchanged glares.
“That, Commander, is the most insane story I have ever heard. As a matter of fact, I even find it hard to believe.”
“It’s absolutely true, Sir.”
“A Rogue,” BeraX7719 pronounced that word in a strange, stifled voice.
“I know how it sounds, Sir, but this one is different! He’s like no others, I assure you, and saved my life on a number of occasions. Without his help I wouldn’t be here today.”
The Supreme’s fingers bumped upon the smooth wax. “So, Commander XeraM6697, you have lied to me.”
The Scout dropped his look. “I did, Sir, and I’m terribly sorry.”
“Not just to me, but to everybody. To the entire Swarm.”
Xe didn’t reply, lowering his head even further.
“But perhaps it’s justifiable under such odd circumstances. Let’s tag it this way for the time being… what’s important now is that you are asking permission to bring that Rogue over to the Hive.”
Xe looked up again. “You should not worry a bit about his behavior, Sir! He would be a worthy member of our community and extremely useful on quests. I had a chance to witness his efficiency in slaying foes more than once.”
“You seem very fond of him.”
“Absolutely. He indebted me by rescuing my life, but beyond that, he is my friend, Sir. I feel great in his company and I don’t want him to leave. He is hiveless and swarmless, with no real place to call home, and we need to help him. With us he could live like an Eeol again, and maybe our Queen’s Song could eventually reverse his present state.”
BeraX7719 rubbed his visor. “I don’t know what to say, Commander. Sincerely, I don’t like the idea, but then again… in any case, I can’t reach such decision on my own. I have to consult with other Commanders, and the real power of choice lies with the Queen. Bear that in mind.”
“I understand, Sir.”
The Supreme’s expression became thoughtful. “It’s too late to organize something today. I’ll call an urgent meeting to discuss this matter first thing tomorrow morning. That seems like the best way, and it’ll give you the opportunity to represent yourself in front of everybody.”
“I’m ready to put my arguments to use and defend my position, Sir.” Xe knew he was going to face a tough fight; the very idea of mixing with Rogues would sound absurd to Eeol ears, but he was ready for it.
The said meeting in the Principal was arranged in a record time.
It wasn’t an ordinary Assembly of Commanders since the large group of the Queen’s Servants was present also. Xe was too excited to count them, but there could be as many as eighty Pages. MedaM0075 and GabaY3822 were in their first row, both scowling at him and virtually radiating hostility.
The trinity of Supremes took their places at the center table. This time, however, Xe was seated at it as well, which enabled every Eeol in the room to stare directly at him, and the Scout found it most unsettling. Careful not to eye anybody openly, he was looking around the room trying to guess opinions by what the faces were revealing. Many Commanders seemed startled, others appeared to be tense or frightened or plainly curious, and some looked angry, particularly the Queen’s Servants.
All Eeols have been previously informed of the strange reason for this sudden gathering, hearing most of it on their way to the Principal. The baffling news already managed to spread through all the ranks, creating consternation in the Swarm. Hence there was no need for BeraX7719 to go explaining for long upon commencing the meeting, but he nonetheless did, complying with his inclination toward protracted monologues. But while he talked a lot about his conversation yesterday with Xe, he didn’t state his personal opinion publicly.
“You heard the subject, and it’s now open for discussion.”
All nineteen First Class Commanders the Swarm currently had have been assembled in the ring of waxy seats adjacent to the table, and Swarm Leader LegaS6667 who sat just behind Xe’s back was first to ask for a word when the Supreme stopped talking.
“Commander XeraM6697 is a truly unpredictable fellow,” he said standing up. “He was misleading us skillfully in this matter. However, he sounds certain in his claims, and I say let’s see this Rogue. If he would show any unacceptable traits, we can easily banish him afterwards. There are enough of us to render him harmless.”
His annotation was immediately followed by MedaM0075’s fiery outburst.
“We shouldn’t permit this creature to enter the Hive,” he hissed wrathfully. “Nobody knows what could happen! The Rogue may go on a rampage and take out a number of Eeols before we manage to incapacitate it. Or cut its way to the Queen! The risk is too big. And why exactly should we take this creature into the Swarm anyway? I see not a single reason for that.”
“He is not a creature!” shouted Xe, breaking the protocol. “He’s a good fellow, and deep down, still an Eeol! He needs a Swarm, and our Swarm needs somebody with his abilities too.”
There was a low protesting chatter in the room, but with a wave of his hand, BeraX7719 allowed him to speak further. The Head Page had to sit down, cracking his knuckles furiously.
“Regarding his mental state, I assure you he is perfectl
y sane,” continued Xe in a calmer tone. “Since I met him, he displayed no maddening or erratic conduct whatsoever. On the contrary, he always behaved in the most rational way. He would not be a threat to the Hive.”
Now First Class Page GabaY3822 bid to talk.
“None of our ancestors have done anything like this in the past, so why should we? Let’s stick with our tradition, that’s always the right way.”
“Hives are for Eeols,” said somebody. “Not for Rogues.”
“But if his presence would help Flyers to be safer while outside…”
“What if he turns on us?”
“Order!” cried Supreme BeraX7719 as the debate was going out of control. “Eeols, while present in this chamber, you will be talking one at the time, and failure to comply will cause the guilty party to be removed of this premises immediately! Commander TeraX8891, you have the floor.”
Mission Commander TeraX8891 straightened up and his eyes circled the chamber.
“I just wanted to say that if Commander Xe guaranties this fellow will be all right, I trust him. I don’t have a problem flying with a Rogue, and if he gets accepted, it’s fine with me if he joins my company.”
But then Supreme LegaP9308 got intrigued by something and turned to Xe. “Commander, does this Rogue of yours have a name?”
“No, Sir. Just call him a Rogue.”
“What does that mean? He refuses to say his name?”
“Not quite,” Xe was confused. “The thing is, as he turned Rogue very young… he can’t remember it anymore.”
“He doesn’t know his own name?” There was a sting in the Supreme’s voice. “That doesn’t sound especially sane to me. Wouldn’t you agree, Commander?”
Silent protests overflowed the Principal. The Scout faltered, providing MedaM0075 with the opportunity to interrupt.
The Call of the Swarm Page 30