by Dan Haronian
Daio sat to my right at the head of the table and Heneg and Naan walked to the other side.
"So what do you think of Naan?" asked Heneg as he sat down across from me.
I looked at him. "Very different from what I remember," I said. I realized I wasn’t telling them anything new. "I understand it has grown a lot in the past years, and I assume you, as head of security here, feel this well."
"Yes, no doubt," he said. "Guarding Naan…" He stopped and smiled. "Naan the planet," he said with a forced laugh and a look to Naan. After a moment he resumed, "Guarding Naan is becoming more and more complicated. Luckily we have Flyeyes."
"What's new in the City of the Chosen?" asked Daio.
"We have grown quite a bit as well," I said.
"You mean the number of people?" said Heneg.
"Of course," I said.
"And are they all working the land like our ancestors?" he asked.
I looked at him surprised and Daio intervened. "It's their choice," he said, "and we respect it."
"We are working the land, but in an entirely different way than our ancestors," I said.
"Current agriculture is based on a lot of technology and knowledge that wasn't available in the old Naan," said Ogrit.
She looked at me and I nodded at her. "That is correct," I said. "In fact our agricultural technologies weren’t available even in Mampas twenty years ago."
"Agriculture is agriculture," said Heneg.
"And Flyeyes are Flyeyes," said Naan and looked at him.
"What do you mean?" asked Heneg.
"I mean that you are talking nonsense. Flyeyes from hundreds years ago are not the Flyeyes we have today. There's development in everything, even agriculture." He looked at me and said, "I assume this is also the big secret of your shuttle? It has the ability to preserve industrial quantities of products for long periods of time and still maintain their high quality?"
"Exactly," I said surprised.
I was excited to hear him. I might have been able to explain things a bit better, but sometimes who explains something is more important, and the things that were coming out of Naan's mouth were amazing.
"Any plans for the future?" asked Daio.
"No, not really," I said. "This work is completely consuming me right now."
"Naan says that you are an amazing scrambler," he continued.
A shiver went through my body. I didn't understand why he was mentioning this now. I looked at Naan. He wiped his mouth with a white napkin. "He beat me without any trouble when we were young and stupid," he said, smiling. "He's an unparalleled ghost."
I smiled embarrassed. "It was long time ago," I said. "We were young and irresponsible."
"Don’t you want something more?" asked Daio.
"More than what?" I asked.
"More than running this operation."
I shrugged my shoulders.
"Maybe joining the management of the City of the Chosen?" he continued.
"Ahh, no, I don't think so," I said.
"It's important to have people like you in such positions. What you're doing right now is great but it's also very technical."
He leaned forward as if he was about a whisper a secret and said, "As a president of your city, or whatever it's called there, you could do much more." He looked around and said, "Who knows. Maybe ten or twenty years from now our peoples will be so close we might reunite."
Naan almost choked and Heneg's eyes went wide.
"I'm not sure," I said looking at them. "I have no interest in politics."
"Nobody's born to this," said Daio dismissively. "Look at us. We started as information scramblers in Seragon. We were almost wiped out because of the stupid things we did. Look at us now."
I nodded, but only because I knew their history and really believed it was amazing.
"Still," I said.
"Think about it," said Daio and sounded like someone who was used to giving advice. "It could be best for all of us.”
"I don't think father would agree," I said. "And besides you know it's against our ways."
"Why's it against your ways?" asked Daio.
I didn't answer.
"You have a shuttle, soon your economy is going to be independent. What's the difference?"
"Why are you pressuring him so much?" called my aunt. She looked at Daio. "You never planned to be in the position you are in now."
"Yes, but the times have changed. We can plan things now, and planning for a future you care so much about is a great idea."
She looked at me and smiled. "I think about the future and about your dear family. I would be happy if things changed but I don't think this change would come if you were the president of the chosen. I know it sounds odd, but as a president your obligations are to those you govern. They must come even before your family."
I understood what she was saying, but I had other reasons for not considering Daio’s proposal. I didn’t want to get into a philosophical discussion; to explain to them that the difference between Naan and the City of the Chosen was so great that even a fully equipped fleet of shuttles would not blur it.
"We believe that our way of life will be a good influence on those we conduct business with, and on Naan as well," I said. They were my father’s words coming from my mouth. "We have no interest in governing because it's against the teachings of the Books," I continued now feeling distressed. I wasn’t sure I still believed everything I was saying, but my father's image was in front of me and this was the only answer of which I felt he would approve.
"I am sure the Books teach many great values," said Daio. "But my question is what do you think?"
"I cannot choose to follow only the rules that are comfortable for me. If I did what would be the point in observing the rest?" I said thinking of my father and about the Eighth Book.
They didn't press me any further. I thought about the last thing I’d said. Even to myself I sounded unconvincing. Maybe that was why the room had suddenly gone quiet around me. They knew the answers I would give them, but maybe now they realized I did not entirely believe the things I’d said.
Heneg made a stupid joke to break the tension and everyone laughed. The talk around the table shifted to minor topics and soon the main course was brought to the table. Unlike the food in the restaurant when I’d lunched with the Doctor the year before it was so tasteful that it reminded me of my mother's cooking. We continued chatting after the meal until finally Daio pulled back his chair and stood. "I was very happy for this opportunity. I hope it won’t take so long before we see you here again."
I stood as well.
"You're welcome to stay," he said. "I simply need to go to a meeting."
"Thank you so much," I said. "I enjoyed this visit very much and was very happy to see you all, but I still have work to do today."
My aunt climbed down from the chair. "Of course we understand," she said and stood next to me.
I nodded at Heneg and Naan and they stood up.
"Come to visit more often," said Naan. "If not for us then for mom. As you can see it makes her happy."
"Thank you," I said.
My aunt walked me to the entrance and the servant opened the door. She pulled my head down again and kissed me on my check. "Good luck with the shuttle," she said, still holding my shirt collar.
"Thank you Aunt Ogrit, and thank you for your hospitality," I said as I straightened up.
"Give my love to your parents."
"I will," I said and walked to my car.
I thought about her on the way to the shuttle. I hadn’t seen her for so long, and I was surprised she felt the way she did. It seemed that we were missed, by her at least.
Attaching the symbols to the shuttle was finished later that night. The lights illuminating the shuttle cast stark shadows that set it off from the background. Together with the newly affixed symbols they gave the shuttle a royal look. In a few days it would make its first test flight to Mampas. Although the first commercial flight wa
sn’t scheduled to depart for a couple of months, I thought that attaching the symbols on the shuttle was an important landmark that deserved to be celebrated. I thought of the lunch at Daio's house. With the least appropriate people this lunch was probably the closest thing to a celebration to mark the event.
I have no doubt that people from the Chosen would have loved to celebrate this event, and if not for my father, they probably would've held a magnificent feast. But my father always resisted such feasts insisting that they inevitably leave someone out and make them angry. He thought it better to celebrate with a modest event at the Chosen near the date of the first commercial flight. I suddenly realized that I’d just had lunch with the only people such an event might anger. How much more odd could this whole situation be?
Late in the night I walked onto the small platform outside the upper deck of the shuttle. From there I could gaze at the green striped sign of my father hanging on the shuttle’s tail. I thought about all the things he’d said and how he hadn’t believed the project would go through quietly. I thought that the real problems would start after the shuttle returned from its first commercial flight. In fact, despite the relatively comfortable meeting I’d had today with Daio and his sons, I was worried as well. I feared that the envy inspired by a successful voyage, and the lust for a piece of our success would grow with our every achievement.
I found myself again on the platform outside the upper deck a week before the scheduled test flight. As I looked at the big symbol on the tail of the shuttle I wondered about the plans for the final week. Dion had set and the lights of the airport were already on. I’d decided to spend this week in the shuttle to make sure the final preparations were progressing as expected. The vehicles around the shuttle gradually disappeared, and soon only the guards remained. They sat in five stations outside the fence that surrounded the shuttle. A few patrolled the perimeter in a fast open car marked with the Naan airport’s symbols.
I noticed a strange car parked on the road outside the fence. I thought it might belong to one of the guards but then the lights came on and the car rolled slowly to the guard station positioned at the gap in the fence. A man got out and walked up to the station. It was dark, so I couldn't recognize him.
I wasn't expecting any visitors that late in the evening. An unexpected event just at the peak of our activity was sure to be a negative event. The man spoke to the guards and after a few seconds they led him to the shuttle elevator. I was already dressed for sleep so I went back to my room and put on a clean shirt. I walked towards the elevator door. Seconds passed before the door opened.
"Doctor," I called surprised.
"Good evening, I hope I'm not disturbing," he said looking at me.
"No, of course not," I said hurrying to button up my shirt.
I waved him inside and he walked onto the bridge and looked around him.
"So this is your shuttle," he said wondering.
I followed his gaze. "Yes," I said trying to understand why he was had come. "Is everything okay?" I asked.
"Everything is fine," he said looking at me. "I am sorry if I made you worry."
"That’s okay," I said.
"This is amazing," he said looking around.
I looked around and raised my eyebrows. "It's similar to any other shuttle here."
"Still," he said and nodded. "I'm not that familiar with these things."
I smiled at him and wondered again why exactly he had come.
"Can I speak to you for a few minutes?" he asked. He sounded worried.
"Yes, of course," I said and really started to worry. "I hope everything is alright."
"Everything is fine," he said quietly.
I waved for him to join me and we walked from the bridge into one of the service rooms. "Please sit," I said indicating one of the chairs.
"I just want to talk to you a bit about life in the City of the Chosen."
"In the City?" I wondered.
"Yes, I know it is an odd request and that it’s probably not the best time."
I sighed. I wondered why this couldn't wait until after the shuttle takeoff, or really any other day.
"I would be happy to host you in the Chosen anytime you want," I said. "I'm sure father would love to see you as well," I continued. It was the polite thing to say.
"Yes, that’s a good idea," said the Doctor. "You know I know all of your cousins quite well." He mused for a moment before saying, "Naan, Heneg, Elena, Yolan, Hool, Luna, Monar, Mampas, and Seragon."
He smiled and I returned his smile.
"But I don't really know you at all. We met only once, in that restaurant." He lifted his hand into the air as if he was trying to clarify something to himself. "I think… That it's a shame."
"As a said we all in the Chosen would love to have you visit," I said.
"Yes, thank you."
We fell silent and I felt confused. The discussion we’d had in the restaurant came to mind, the story about the usage of the words Book and Chapter. It had been the start of the whole thing with the Eighth Book. It seemed like a fantastic coincidence, but I’d never gotten to the bottom of it. Now it was like playing with an open wound.
"How are the studies coming? The Books," he suddenly asked.
My heart started to race. I had a vague feeling that somehow this meeting would lead to a new crisis. I didn't need a new crisis, especially not a week before the shuttle was about to take off.
"I'm no longer studying them," I said. "My work doesn't give me much time."
"That's too bad," said the Doctor. "I really wanted to know what you think about them."
I repressed a sigh. I didn't know what exactly he wanted, and I didn’t really care. "I'm sorry if I'm being a bit rude, but the Onimin Books landed here more than ten years ago. We went through several crises with them. Now you have come here in the middle of the night to ask what I think about them? I have to say I find that odd."
"You're right," said the Doctor and his voice suddenly became a bit squeaky. He cleared his throat. "I wanted to know what the next generation thinks about the Books," he said as if that explained everything.
"Why is it so important?" I asked.
"Don't you think it's important?"
I shook my head helplessly. "I can understand why it's important for the Chosen." I paused for a second and then added, "On second thought, I can understand why it's important for Naan as well."
I gave him a serious look and he hurried to say, "No-no. You misunderstand me. I'm not trying to find out which way the winds in the Chosen are blowing. I'm not here to find out how much closer you are getting to us."
"So why are you here?"
He gazed at me. "The sales to Mampas will grow by tenfold."
I felt confused, and he immediately continued, "How can this fit with the fact that the Books forbid any collaboration with them?"
"I don't really know, and I don't really care," I said angrily. "Why do you care?"
"I'm reading the Books," he said looking at me. "I'm also reading your father's commentary."
"Is that allowed in Naan?"
He smiled. "Maybe there's something real in this Books," he said.
"You may join my father’s courses," I said, trying to keep myself from laughing.
"Maybe I should."
I smiled. "So that is the reason you are here? You have some free time and you're looking for a hobby?"
He nodded. "It's time for me to rest."
"You're quitting your position?"
He nodded again. "There are very good and diligent people in Naan who can continue my work. I'm too tired for this."
"So you have read the Books and now you think you understand them?"
"I don't understand anything. That is why I'm asking you. How does this shuttle correlate with the Books?"
"I told you it's not important to me, and if it was I am sure I would have figured out how to explain to you why I don't see any problem with it. In any case it's not something for late-nig
ht discussion."
The Doctor nodded. "Of course."
"Did Daio send you?" I asked.
He shook his big head. "No one knows I'm here, and I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone." He gave me a deep look. "Do you really think I could come and study the Books?"
"Are you serious?"
"Why not? You said it to yourself."
"I don’t know. I need to think about it," I said. It wasn't my responsibility at all but he was here asking me and I didn’t have a clear opinion. "Are you sure this is what you want to do?" I asked.
The Doctor twisted his mouth, contemplating. "Yes," he said in a squeaky voice.
"Why?"
"Because I think they are important."
I hesitated for a moment. "I don't believe you," I finally said.
He lowered his head. "I can imagine it is difficult, but you can test me if you wish. I can come for a few visits and you will see how serious I am."
"Don't you think there would be consequences of such a thing here in Naan? I'm not sure Daio would like it. Besides no one learns the Books in a day."
"Yes I know, and I'm not young anymore.”
I studied this big face and thought he still looked quite young.
"It wasn't easy to convince people here and in Mampas to accept our independence. Daio said it would bring us closer to Naan. He thinks that eventually it might make it possible for us to unite. I think your coming to study the Books would be interpreted very badly here. In the end, and I'm being very careful with the words I'm using, I think it could hurt Daio badly."
"Ahh yes, the politics," said the Doctor disappointed. He looked at me. "Maybe I can start with one visit. A secret one."
I didn't know what to say. My relations with my father were delicate, and I didn't want to be responsible for another incident.
"I would be happy to host you in the Chosen," I said, "but I'll have to speak to my father. The last thing we need right now is something that would shake the delicate relations between our two cities. I don't want to see my project stopped because of this."
"No, of course not. I wouldn't want that on my conscience either," he said. For a moment I thought that this might be exactly what he wanted to do, to stop the shuttle.