Harry's Sacrifice

by Bianca D'Arc

  “What can we do to help?” asked Councilor Orin, the head of the Council, still on bended knee.

  Hara smiled. “I would like to utilize Cormac’s team, if possible. They know what to expect and have all proven to be skilled.”

  “Done,” came the quick reply. “Hara,” Orin began hesitantly, clearing his throat before continuing to speak. “Are you truly the Hara of old?”

  Hara stepped right up to the leader of the modern Alvian Council and held out one hand to raise the Councilor to his feet.

  “I am Hara. He whom you would call Hara Prime, though we had no such designations in my day.”

  “What is your intention, honored Hara?” the Councilor asked in a curious tone.

  “Simply to live the rest of my life among my people—both my adopted people and those among whom I was born. Though I must say, modern Alvians are quite a departure from those I knew on our home planet. Please, all of you, rise. I have been in stasis a very long time. I know the discomfort of holding one position.”

  If Hara’s tone was filled with irony, few of his audience realized it, Ronin thought privately. He liked the way Hara worked the crowd with just the right touch of humility. Yet all were aware of his superiority. He had a masterful command of the situation.

  “Now—” Hara turned to the Councilor when all had risen to their feet but remained in quiet awe of what was happening, “—with your permission, perhaps we can adjourn to the Council Chamber? I have no doubt you have many questions for us.”

  What followed was hours of grilling questions by all the members of the Council. The floating recorders continued to whir around the room. Nobody dared ask them to be shut off, though Harry was sure at least some of the Councilors didn’t want this to be seen.

  The return of Hara could very well mean loss of power for most of these Councilors. Harry knew well enough that more than a few of these people were more concerned with their own power base than with the wellbeing of their people.

  Harry hoped with the return of the ancients that would be put to an end. It was about time these modern Alvians were shaken out of their cold, emotionless existence. Time for all of them to actually start living and feeling—enjoying and regretting. Doing all those things that made life most precious instead of just going through the motions of existing.

  Harry was seated next to Ro and Cormac. The three of them watched and were occasionally asked for their input through hours and hours of questioning. At one point, someone brought in refreshments, for which they were all grateful.

  He realized how skilled at statecraft and diplomacy Hara really was. He’d been touted as a warrior and scientist and adventurer and hero that was larger than life, but Hara also appeared to know well the ins and outs of the Council Chamber. Before long, he had the Councilors chasing their own tails verbally and otherwise tied up in logic knots from which only he could release them.

  But he wasn’t being so kind. Not yet.

  Hara wasn’t giving anything more away about his plans for the future than what he had already revealed. He answered questions about his past freely. He talked passionately about his time on Earth and the humans he had come to respect and admire. He talked of the great wrong committed against humanity by the modern Alvians and began to lay the groundwork for what Harry hoped would come next.

  But Hara was cagey. He didn’t give them too much to deal with at one time.

  Harry noticed Ronin watched calmly throughout, seated a little farther down the row from Harry, surrounded by the humans and Alvians he’d brought with him. The three winged men sat on stools at the periphery of the room—no doubt because the big wings on their backs made the auditorium seats difficult to fit.

  When Harry’s attention wandered, he found himself watching the winged men with fascination. He’d known of their existence, but he hadn’t spent any time around them. Their wings were absolutely breathtaking, but they probably needed special furniture in their homes. Chairs with backs probably needed to be custom fit to accommodate their wings. And he wondered how they slept? Surely not on their backs.

  “Where will you stay? We can have accommodations made ready in short order.” Councilor Gildreth’s voice penetrated Harry’s fit of inattention. It looked like the Council was finally ready to let Hara rest a bit before asking more questions. It had been a long day for all of them and many within the room were yawning covertly.

  Hara’s gaze moved to Harry and lingered as he smiled. “Unnecessary,” Hara replied, holding up one hand toward the Councilor. “I will stay with my family.” Shocked whispers sounded once more throughout the room. “I understand one of my descendants has been held captive in this city for several years. I would like to meet with him and share his guest quarters, if he is agreeable.”

  Harry stood, understanding without being told that Hara was exposing Caleb’s imprisonment in the most innocent way he could find. Good. The general populace of Alvians needed to know about the imprisonment of humans. This was as good a time as any to begin educating them.

  “I am sure my uncle would welcome your visit, Hara. He foresaw your existence and in fact, it was he who set me on the path to release you from stasis. Even now, I’m sure he’s probably expecting us to join him for refreshment.” Harry smiled, knowing the truth of his words. Uncle Caleb was a seer of immense ability and always knew about momentous events before they happened. There was a reason they called him the Oracle.

  “I look forward to meeting Caleb O’Hara and the rest of my extended family here on Earth,” Hara replied politely, already stepping away from the chair he’d been seated in for the past hours. Percival followed. He too had been questioned extensively, but he took a subordinate role to Hara.

  Hara and Percival walked with Harry, Roshin and Cormac toward the part of the city where Caleb was being kept. His accommodations were markedly better than the pens beneath the city where the vast majority of human prisoners were held, but it was clear from the one-way access codes and lack of any real amenities that Caleb was still a prisoner.

  Two hovering cameras followed their progress through the city, along with a contingent of the Zxerah who had been introduced at the Council meeting. They were not there to socialize though, they were there as protectors. An honor guard.

  And it became clear after just a few steps outside the Council chamber that security of some kind would be needed. Alvians by the hundreds flocked to any corridor where they could get a glimpse of the ancients. When they emerged onto the street, thousands of Alvians had gathered. Most were silent as they observed these momentous events. Without emotion, they could only witness, but not feel either elation or awe.

  A few of the soldiers in the crowd stamped their feet in a sort of cheer that echoed through the streets as Hara and his entourage walked through the throngs gathered to see the ancients for themselves. The broadcast continued as the vast majority of the gathered crowds bent to one knee as Hara passed.

  Eventually, the soldiers in the city took it upon themselves to line the processional route, clearing a path about ten feet wide for the group to pass without being touched or waylaid by the more daring Alvians. It became a parade of sorts, with many Alvians following after the small group headed toward the area where Caleb was being housed.

  On the street outside the building that was their destination, Hara climbed the steps and faced the assembly. Harry turned with him and was shocked to see the streets filled to capacity with Alvians. Every possible space was occupied and some were climbing on top of things to get a better look. It was a quiet gathering for such a large group, which made Harry uneasy, but when he looked at Hara, the ancient had a sort of grim set to his mouth. Harry could feel a little of his emotional state and it felt like Hara was dismayed and angered to see how little emotion remained in his native race. He also felt determined and Harry could only guess that Hara was setting his sights on changing things for his people and, by consequence, the entire planet.

  “Good people,” Hara began speaking,
addressing the throng who had come to see him. “As you already know, I am Hara. Leader of the expedition that found places for our people to go when it became clear that Alvia Prime was doomed. I chose Earth as my place to settle and have waited in stasis for these many centuries for you to arrive.”

  “Why did you not come out of stasis sooner?” one brave soul on the edge of the crowd asked in a slightly puzzled tone.

  “We could not. As a safety measure, I designed it so that the pod we sealed ourselves into could only be opened by one of my direct genetic line. This man here.” Hara clasped Harry’s shoulder, shifting attention to him that he didn’t necessarily want. “This man, called Hara by his mother, Mara 12, and Harry by his human family, is a blend of our two races. His mother is a Mara, but his human family descends from one of my children here on Earth.” The crowd began to mutter and whisper at this revelation. “The Council has known this for many years but chose not to share the information with the general populace. My crew settled here on Earth and took human mates. We had children with humans. Have you never noticed the similarity in the surnames some of the humans had and our own? Harry’s father is named Justin O’Hara. His human family took my name as their surname. How many of you have had dealings with humans—those you call Breeds—and not noticed how many O’Maras, O’Keefes, McDougals and the like existed on Earth before you arrived? This is not coincidence. They are the progeny of a Mara, Keefe, Dougal and many others who were part of my original crew. We have killed many of our own in what we did to the Earth, my Brethren. It is time you all knew the truth of it.”

  Harry watched the cameras whirl to take in different viewpoints as they hovered in the air. Many more bots had joined the two that had followed them from the Council chamber. Several dozen hovered above the heads of the crowd, taking in all the angles. And above that, the three winged and now heavily armed Zxerah were perched on rooftops, watching the crowd for any sign of threat toward the ancients.

  “And why are they called Breeds in the first place?” Hara went on. “That is not an Alvian word. It is a shortening of the human word half-breed, first used by the genetic researchers who discovered the link shortly after they landed here. They thought to use a human word to disguise exactly what they had discovered until such time as the Council decided to make the information known. It’s been decades and still the Council has not deigned to share this information with the rest of the Alvian population. I ask why? Is it that they fear your reaction once it is understood that they have systematically captured and tested human subjects against their will? What would happen if such atrocities were committed against an Alvian?” Hara asked the person nearest him in the crowd.

  The woman thought about it then answered in a clear voice. “The Councilors responsible would be ousted from office after investigation. At the very least, they would be suspended while the facts were gathered and evidence produced.”

  “Right,” Hara thanked the woman, turning again to the crowd. “Is it that they feared losing power? Is that why you have all been kept in the dark? Ask yourselves these questions and do what you think is best.” He paused as that suggestion sank in. The soldiers in the crowd looked grim but determined. The rest of the people looked thoughtful, Harry noted. “For now,” Hara went on a long moment later, “I would like to meet my descendants in private. I hope you will understand. I have slept a very long time and much has changed both here on Earth, my adopted home, and among my people—both human and Alvian. I would like some time to adjust.”

  “But surely such important events should be recorded for posterity,” one clerical-looking woman objected as Hara made to turn away from the crowd. He paused and turned back for a moment.

  “I will agree to one recording bot following me,” he said quickly. “I will allow it to record the meeting with my family, but only to a certain point. And I will not allow it to transmit, unless we are in a public setting. Of course, when we are in public, you are free to employ whatever transmission devices you feel applicable, but please, do so within reason.” He looked significantly at the dozens of bots buzzing over the heads of the crowd. “I am not unfamiliar with being in the public eye and I understand your curiosity, but I would also appreciate your respect regarding my family and our personal interactions. Thank you all for coming out. This is a welcome I never could have envisioned and it touches me deeply.”

  Hara turned decisively and went into the building, leaving the throng behind him. Harry followed, noting the single bot that flew behind their group. As the door to the building closed behind Cormac and the Zxerah honor guard, Hara paused and caught the small, floating device, doing something with some of the tiny dials and switches on its side. Harry supposed he was changing the settings to be sure their private family moments wouldn’t be streamed live to the populace.

  Hara released it a moment later. “It’s in record mode now,” he told Harry, who stood at his side. “I will only allow small amounts of this footage to be made available to the people, and I only do that because they need to know how humans are currently being treated. They also need to see that humans are not the barbaric monsters Alvians have been led to believe.”

  Harry nodded, satisfied that Hara knew what he was doing. He had, after all, been very much in the public eye before ever leaving Alvia Prime. He probably knew things about politics and diplomacy that Harry couldn’t even imagine. No doubt, he had the experience and skill to know how to handle this situation for the best. “Lead on, Harry. I’m not sure where Caleb’s apartment is exactly.” His eyes crinkled as he smiled, the friendly expression inviting Harry to do the same.

  He led the way up into the large building where Mara 12 had her offices and labs. Caleb was housed on an upper floor that had been converted from office space into secure apartments for special test subjects. Caleb actually had it easier than the vast majority of human test subjects. Because of Harry’s status, he’d been able to negotiate a lot more amenities, though Caleb had no real freedom. He was confined to his apartment unless under guard and he probably hadn’t set foot outside the large building in over a year. What little outdoor time he had was accomplished by sitting on a tiny balcony that overlooked the vast city far below.

  Harry knew Caleb spent a lot of time on that little enclosed balcony. His uncle loved the outdoors and had always lived on a ranch. Being cooped up inside was hard on him, but he’d agreed to the terms of his confinement to protect the rest of the family from Mara 12’s experiments. He did it so the rest of Harry’s half-siblings and their mother, Jane, could continue to live in peace with Harry’s father, Justin and Uncle Mick.

  When the lift opened at Caleb’s floor, Harry wasn’t really surprised to see his mother there waiting by the door to Caleb’s apartment. She looked the same as usual. No apparent emotion. No hope. No worry. No welcome for her only son. Just the flat, emotionless Alvian façade Harry had come to expect from her. It always made him feel sad. His mother couldn’t love him. She simply didn’t know how.

  “Hello, Mother. I guess you saw the broadcast,” Harry greeted her.

  “Hara…2.” She stumbled over what to call him now that there was another Hara who clearly took precedence over her son. Harry cringed inwardly, but it was the ancient who interceded before she could say another word.

  “No, dear lady. My grandson will not wear a number like the other emotionless Alvians of this generation. Hereafter, you will call him Harry. I’m Hara. Hara Prime, if you must have a designation, but none in my line will carry numbers. They are not interchangeable. Each is unique and has his or her own name. We will do as we have in the past, using surnames as the humans did. Poor Harry here got stuck with a rather redundant name, but I guess that can’t be helped now.”

  “Redundant?” Mara 12’s head tilted to the side as she listened to the ancient Hara speak.

  “Hara O’Hara. Duplicative, don’t you think? Which is why we will do as his human family does and modify his first name to Harry. Please do so in future.”
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  Mara 12 looked taken aback that Hara Prime would issue orders to her. He wasn’t in her chain of command, after all, but he was definitely something different. Something outside the norm. She was probably having a hard time figuring out where or how he would fit into the current hierarchical structure.

  “I came to allow you access to Caleb O’Hara’s suite. I will also accompany your party as a scientific observer.” She turned toward the door, ready to open it as if her plan was settled.

  “No. You won’t.” Hara spoke firmly. Mara 12 was clearly surprised to be countermanded, though no true emotion showed in her quick turn back toward Hara and company.

  “Caleb is my test subject. All of his actions are subject to my scrutiny. Access to him is at my sole discretion.”

  Harry held up one hand to forestall any further disagreement between Hara and his mother. It was time she learned some harsh truths.

  “I’m sorry, but that is not now, nor has it ever been strictly true.” Harry knocked on the door and received an answering knock in return from the otherwise well-soundproofed apartment. He proceeded to enter the secret code that would open Caleb’s door and was gratified to see his mother’s brows arch upward. She hadn’t known he had such access. “My uncle and I can communicate anytime, almost any place, telepathically, and I have had the codes to his rooms since he first came here. I have always been able to visit him whenever I needed counsel or just someone with whom to speak a friendly word.”

  “I had no idea you were keeping such secrets from me, Har-ry.” She stumbled over the nickname she had never called him before, shooting a quick glance at Hara Prime. “Your interference may have contaminated my data. I am very disappointed upon learning this.”