The first thing Braden wanted to do was visit the Medical Laboratory. They climbed aboard the elevator and told it where to take them.
Micah dutifully climbed on the table in the lab, while various Bots and other equipment moved around her. Holly stood nearby explaining what diagnostic procedures were underway, but Braden still watched carefully, not sure what many of the words meant.
Holly pointed to the screen which showed a black and white image of the two babies, curled against each other. The final verdict was that they were healthy and they would be born in four to five moons, months as Holly called them.
But then Holly suggested something they hadn’t thought of: have the babies at New Sanctuary where the medical equipment could guarantee that both mother and children would survive the process with the least amount of pain. In fact, Holly insisted that the President not risk her life by giving birth in the wild.
“We’re going to have to think about that, Holly. As long as the decision is ours, we will consider it. If we feel pressured, we’ll have this whole facility dismantled. Do you understand?” Braden asked.
“I shall only offer options,” Holly conceded.
“It’s not you, Holly. We don’t want any Old Tech to make us like the ancients, where they decided a war was the best course of action. Whatever they did to get there, we don’t want to repeat. Can you understand that?” Braden tried to reason with Holly, thinking of him as a human who lived somewhere else.
“Can you talk with our Tortoid friend, Aadi?” Micah asked Holly. “If not, what would it take so you could? I want you two to talk about the failsafe, the procedures we have to follow where war cannot happen. That is my number one priority.”
“I will explore options and will return to you with them.” Holly seemed firm in his commitment. Micah reclined on the laboratory examination bed. The relief of hearing that the babies were healthy combined with the warmth of the room was making her drowsy.
“Let’s go to our room so you can get some rest.”
78 – Change Is Constant
They decided to stay, with conditions of course. The south could do without books and Old Tech wheel hubs for another six or seven moons. He wondered if Skirill could fly over the rainforest if he needed to talk with them.
Braden used the Command Center to look in on the villages. With Holly’s help, he watched each village go about their business. The view was from far above, as if Skirill flew high. He even found River Crook and dedicated a monitor to them. With the Old Tech, he could watch everything and know that the world moved on without him and Micah.
He never saw a human on the monitors showing White Beach. The people were all gone. Holly tried to contact the underwater vehicle, but once it had gathered the last of the humans, it disappeared. Thanks to Braden and Micah, the villagers were willing to go, and it expedited the process.
Braden hadn’t intended that to happen. He wasn’t sure if he liked being obsolete as a trader either. He sat in the New Command Center by himself, his unhappy thoughts poor company.
He also watched the villages and towns in the north. It was hard to tell if things were normal or not. He didn’t see anything that looked like war, but the market squares were less crowded than he thought they should be.
The elevator arrived and Micah stepped out. She walked with a purpose, a scowl on her face. The babies were growing well. They were at a size where she could no longer walk like a warrior. He stood, scolding himself for looking at another world, when everything he needed was walking toward him.
She brightened as she heard his thoughts.
“There’s no need for me to be down here. Let’s go outside and enjoy the sun.” Braden took her hand, but she led him to the wall of monitors instead.
“Tell me what’s going on in all the trade villages, then we’ll go outside.” He hesitated. She was showing him that if it was important to him, it was important to her, so he talked through each monitor. Holly blew up the pictures for each village, where nine monitors showed one view. They panned the view until they could see the Aurochs herd. They saw the wagon in Coldstream’s market square. River Crook had its first two buildings. New buildings had appeared in Westerly. The smoke from Tom’s forge obscured much of Dwyer.
“We might have to move the village or move Tom.” They both saw the humor in trying to root Tom out of his smithy. It would probably be easiest to move the village. They were sure there were plenty of engaging conversation between Tom and his nearest neighbors.
Braden even dedicated monitors to Trent and Cornwall. Both villages looked normal, people doing what they do. They looked peaceful from the view Holly provided.
The rainforest was impenetrable. They wouldn’t know how the Amazonian war went until they returned through the rainforest.
“What did the lab say?” Braden asked.
“It said any day now. I have to keep my neural implant open for it, so I made it small and stuffed it in the corner.”
They went outside and walked. They stripped naked and swam. Micah’s back hurt. Swimming helped, so she was in the lake or in their suite’s pool whenever she got the chance. Her fingers seemed to be permanently shriveled. They floated by the shore, teasing fish that came too close.
“A little more than a cycle ago, G-War and I planned to cross the Great Desert. Look at us now.” The ‘cat sat upright in the shade on the beach, watching his humans carefully. “What are they saying, G?”
‘They are ready to greet their parents. The time has come. Aadi and I will be with you, down below. We expect you need a great deal of help.’
Braden helped Micah out of the water and into the robe she’d been wearing, while he threw on his clothes without drying off. “I don’t know what you’re worried about. Micah will be fine,” he told the ‘cat as they waddled toward the building with the elevator.
‘You are correct. Micah will be fine. It’s you who will need help.’ G-War padded after them and Aadi met them at the door. In order to fit, the humans crouched while Aadi floated over their heads. Micah started to get uncomfortable. She hadn’t had her freedom of movement for a couple moons, but this was different. The children were taking over her body and the contractions were painful.
They made it to the Medical Laboratory, where the Bots took charge of making Micah comfortable. Braden was surprised at how quickly it was happening. After moons of waiting, all of a sudden, it was time.
He wasn’t ready.
Micah started screaming at him. “You better be ready!” She followed that with a long howl of pain. Braden stood still, his mouth open, eyes wide, heart pounding. The color left his face. Darkness crowded the edges of his vision until he only saw two pinpoints of light. There was no sound.
Micah watched as the Tortoid, perfectly positioned thanks to G-War, let Braden fall on him. Aadi slowly dropped until the human rolled gently to the floor.
“You didn’t!” she yelled at Braden’s unconscious form. Then she laughed as G-War appeared at her side, finishing the laugh with a contortion and a gasp as another contraction came.
‘I told you,’ was all the ‘cat said. He purred and nuzzled her cheek as the Bots took over. She drifted as they injected her with something. She felt the pain, but it didn’t hurt. She watched dispassionately as first one baby, then the other appeared. Bots with arms held them securely as the babies were cleaned and swaddled.
The table moved itself to where Micah was sitting upright. The Bots handed her the babies and for the first time, she heard their voices in her head.
Aadi banged against Braden once again and he finally shook himself awake. “What happened?”
‘Go see your family, Master Braden. They require your presence. And yes, before you ask, you missed it.’
He hurried to his feet, clearing the cobwebs from his mind. He staggered to the table where Micah looked tired, but refreshed. She held a small bundle in each arm while the ‘cat lay curled on her chest. Aadi followed him.
“I’m so sorry,�
�� he mumbled as he tried to look at his children. They were both sleeping peacefully. She smiled at him.
“Moons ago, G-War told me you’d do that. He even suggested you wouldn’t last thirty heartbeats. Holly checked. From the time I got on the table until you hit the floor was thirty-seven heartbeats.” Braden snorted and shook his head. There was nothing he could do about it now. The ‘cat knew him better than he knew himself.
“We never decided on names.” They had talked, but hadn’t been able to agree.
“I think they’ve made that decision for us. The Golden Warrior and Bronwyn have been talking with them for ages. They’ve picked their own names.”
Braden brightened. “You can hear them now?”
“The second they were born.” She beamed up at him. They both felt as new parents should feel.
Then it hit him, his smile faded from his face. “No. Please,” he pleaded.
She threw her head back and laughed. “Meet your son Axial.”
“No,” he said weakly.
“And your daughter, De’atesh.” G-War purred louder, until Braden swore it shook the whole room.
1 – Setting The Stage
Micah cradled Ax as the rains continued relentlessly. Little ‘Tesh rode with Braden, inside an oiled deerskin he held tightly around her.
Max continued plodding along the rainforest road. The Amazonians had repaired it where the horses didn’t have to think. One hoof in front of the other. Keep going in a straight line. Daylight. Night. Daylight.
The constant rain kept them company, dulled their senses.
The twins were six moons old before the Medical Laboratory deemed them fit enough to travel. Nearly a full cycle of the seasons passed since Braden and Micah had last been away from New Sanctuary.
Bronwyn would be much bigger now. Skirill and Brandt? They missed them greatly. They expected the Hawkoid and the King of the Aurochs wouldn’t let Braden’s caravan travel without them ever again. As they continued through the rain, Braden’s mind drifted in and out.
G-War dreamed of being dry. It was the same dream he had every time they traveled the rainforest. But it was never a dream. G-War huddled miserably in the cart, the cover providing almost no defense against the perpetual downpour.
Master Aadi was indifferent to the rain. His thoughts were clear and being hydrated, he had the most energy of all the companions. He was surprised the Amazonians hadn’t made contact. He started to worry. The Lizard Men revered the Tortoid and should have stopped the companions to greet him. When they reached Bronwyn, she would know how the Amazonian War was going. It was a great burden for a girl only eleven cycles old, but it was the nature of her gift, being able to speak with all creatures, touch their minds.
They had to get through the rain first. As things changed, others remained the same. When they traveled the Amazon and it wasn’t raining, then they’d worry that the apocalypse was upon them. Until then, one hoof in front of the other.
2 – Triumphant Return
Finally, they reached the trading area where Village McCullough had first met the Amazonians. A wagon had recently visited. Braden looked over his shoulder at Micah, on Speckles, little Ax bundled in front of her. He nodded, grinning. The wagon wheels told him all was well.
And they weren’t far from Village McCullough.
Braden urged Max into a brisk walk. Micah slapped the reins lightly, trying to catch up.
They broke into the sunlight, the brightness washed over them, bringing warmth and joy. A familiar figure appeared in the distant sky, winging quickly toward them.
‘My friends! You have returned,’ Skirill, a Hawkoid, said over their mindlink. He swooped in close and flared to land on a low branch by the open road. He looked healthy. The humans breathed sighs of relief.
He wanted to see the additions to his family.
Braden rode close and lifted the deerskin from his daughter. ‘Uncle Ess. Pretty!’ came the baby’s thought voice.
‘Me, Me,’ cried Ax as Micah stopped the cart next to Braden. Their little thought voices matched their size. Six moons old and they could talk over the mindlink, but they’d been talking for well over a cycle now. Their speech became more refined as they aged, which they seemed to be doing at an unnaturally fast pace. The Medical Laboratory assured them the children were growing normally.
‘Axial. De’atesh. I am happy to finally meet you both. I will watch over you, and no, your mother has informed me that you can’t ride me. Maybe Master Aadi is more your speed?’ Skirill spoke formally with the children. ‘You’ve already ridden Aadi, but he wouldn’t go high enough?’
“What?” Micah looked sharply at Braden.
“I’m sure we have no idea what you’re talking about, Skirill. Haha, very funny. Where is Brandt and Bronwyn?” Braden wouldn’t look at his partner. Aadi swam away from the group, taking a great interest in a tree out of Micah’s sight.
‘They wait for you in Greentree. We think you’ll like what you find there.’
“That’s it? Are you going to let us in on the secret? C’mon, Ess, tell us,” Braden urged the Hawkoid.
‘No.’ He jumped from the branch, gliding over their heads before winging skyward. ‘To Greentree!’
“I guess we’re going to Greentree.” Braden turned Max around and waited while Micah guided Pack, as he dragged the cart around in a circle. The wagon tracks were clear, showing what a trader’s road could look like. They followed the trail toward Greentree that they had blazed long ago.
For half the daylight they pushed while Skirill stayed ahead of them. He kept flying back to look at the children. They’d giggle as he zipped past, dangerously close, the adults thought. Uncle Ess.
They heard the rumble first, then felt it as the King of the Aurochs burst into view. He ran full speed toward them until they feared he wouldn’t be able to stop. A little girl lay spread-eagled across his head, hanging on for dear life. Max stopped and stamped nervously.
In a great cloud of dust, Brandt slid to a stop in front of the caravan. Bronwyn lost her grip and slid down the Aurochs’ great head until he lifted his nose, keeping her from falling to the ground. She turned and sat as he lowered her. She stepped off gracefully, then ran to Micah.
“I love them!” she cried aloud. Everything else she said in her thought voice privately with the babies. ‘Tesh squirmed in Braden’s arms until he almost dropped her. He carefully handed her down to Bronwyn, who took the baby in her delicate hands.
‘Bronwyn! Bronwyn!’ the babies cheered in their small thought voices. Braden shrugged at Micah. When they looked up, G-War sat atop the King’s head, casually licking a paw and cleaning his face. Aadi bobbed in front, greeting his fellow strategist.
They had much to discuss. Holly had finally figured a way to talk with Aadi. It involved a small helmet that a Bot put on Aadi’s Tortoid head. They spent a great deal of time talking, but Braden and Micah couldn’t hear them. Aadi assured the humans that with further refinements, not only could they stop the current conflict, they could prevent future wars. Aadi based his ideas on the purity of heart.
Braden told him he didn’t like the word purity. Everyone was a mutant in some way. Aadi laughed at that. He explained that Holly had technology that could assess the pure heart. Braden, Micah, and the companions fit a new mold, servants to all creatures. The pure heart test would be used to determine who served on the Council of Leaders. This council would be responsible for identifying and resolving differences.
Braden and Micah rolled their eyes at each other. Aadi talked endlessly about the council and what it could accomplish. The young parents found it mind numbing. Brandt appeared to take great interest in claiming Planet Vii for all intelligent creatures. Brandt started walking back toward Greentree, Aadi close by his side. They were deep in conversation.
Bronwyn watched her ride leave without her. She shrugged and, with ‘Tesh held tightly, climbed into the cart. It jerked as Speckles started walking to catch up to Brandt. In the past cy
cle, they’d forgotten that when Bronwyn was around, the horses didn’t need their reins. She told them what to do and they did it.
The babies giggled as Bronwyn ‘talked’ with them. The family was complete once again. That meant Braden and Micah hanging on to the raft as it washed down the river’s whitewater, watching as the world went by.
3 – Time to Celebrate
When the caravan arrived in Greentree, every villager stood in the square. There were new people and new babies, and the same aura of joy that the companions had embraced when they decided to live here. The people cheered and waved. Flowers decorated the entrance to their home.
Ditarod stood in front, smiling and waving. Behind the crowd, Braden saw the wagon, with Candela and Tanner sitting on the buckboard. The entire Earthshaker Herd pranced to their right, kicking up clouds of dust.
‘And you thought no one loved you. Shame on you, partner mine.’ Micah’s thought voice caressed Braden, comforting him. He felt warm all over. He wondered why the noise hadn’t upset the children.
Bronwyn. She had talked with them nonstop since they met her. Now she was holding ‘Tesh’s little hand up in the air, helping her wave at the crowd. Micah was doing the same with Ax. Braden looked around to find Skirill watching them from the branch of a tall tree.
‘Come down, my friend. I’ve missed you.’ Skirill executed a shallow dive, back winged to a hover and landed gently between Braden’s face and Max’s neck. He helped the Hawkoid steady himself, tail feathers draped down Max’s shoulder. Braden had one arm around the Hawkoid while he scratched the bird’s wing-root feathers with the other. One cycle of the seasons was a long time.
The return of Braden and his clan to Greentree resulted in a celebration that included people from all the villages. How they managed it, Braden and Micah could only guess.
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