Tigra

  "Give him my regards when you see him,” Jeena replied.

  The disturbance over, the crowd began to disperse. Many flashed angry stares at Jeena, but she observed that not all the faces were unfriendly.

  Daniel shook his head. “Thou art quite a mischief-maker, Jeena Garza, but do not worry overmuch. I will smooth things over with Jacob through Serug."

  "I'm not worried at all, Daniel. And don't bother Serug. If Jacob has any problems with me he can tell me to my face."

  He stared at her. “Art thou always so fearless?"

  "Only when I'm hungry. What do you say about lunch?"

  * * * *

  Daniel obtained a basket from one of the food houses, and they made a picnic on the western wall. They ate in silence as, far below them, farmers and merchants entered and left the city. There was much commerce between the various cities of the Afridi, Daniel explained, the rest of which lay to the east of New Jerusalem.

  Jeena finished an apple and tossed the core to the ground below. She looked up to find Daniel staring at her intently.

  "That was quite a display earlier,” he said.

  "I'm well-trained."

  "So I observed. How long hast thou been a soldier?"

  "Fourteen standard years, since I was sixteen."

  Daniel made the mental calculations, converting the time into Ararat's shorter year.

  "Truly? I would not have guessed thee for so old,” he said, and then reddened. “I am sorry, perhaps that did not sound as it should have."

  Jeena laughed. “No, that's all right. I always thought thirty was old, too. You may change your attitude once you get there. Anyway, years spent in zero gravity tend to mask some of the outward signs of aging—and I have no complaints about that."

  "Thou hast traveled so far, and I have rarely been beyond the walls of my own city. Tell me, Jeena, what is thy home world?"

  "I was born on Earth, if that's what you mean. I'm not really sure I'd call it home, though. Mostly, I've lived on starbases. I haven't been to Earth in almost ten years."

  "No family?"

  "No."

  "I see. Friends, then?"

  She shrugged.

  Daniel looked away at a wagon train rumbling through the city gates, a cloud of fine dust blowing up behind them.

  "I would find such a life ... lonely,” he said.

  Jeena did not reply, and they ate in silence while watching the comings and goings below them.

  "Why the desert?” she asked finally

  "What?"

  "The Afridi were the first chartered colony on Ararat. You had the whole planet to choose from. The southern hemisphere is temperate, almost a paradise. Even the north is more comfortable, if a little cold in the winter. Why did your people choose the desert as your home?"

  "Caleb made the decision. He worried that a life of ease would give rise to sloth and licentiousness. As in the ancient days on Earth, the desert tests men's strength and resolve. It is a harsh life, but its very harshness preserves the purity of our purpose."

  "And your only purpose is to spread the word of your religion?"

  "Yes, of course. What else?"

  "I don't know. I simply got the impression today that Jacob might have other motives in mind."

  Daniel did not reply, but his expression was troubled.

  "You have issues with Jacob, don't you?” she guessed.

  "I have no issues."

  "But something about him worries you. I can see it in your face."

  "Jacob is K'laq of the Rosh-dan. Who am I to know his mind, or question his actions?” he asked irritably. “I am not a soldier like thee, Jeena. I do as I am told. I am not brave."

  "I don't know about that, but I sense you care deeply for your people. I think you could be very brave if you thought you were preventing them from coming to harm."

  Daniel stood. “We must go."

  They took the steps down the wall to the waiting kytars and remounted. They rode slowly along the narrow road that ran beside the city wall, Daniel pausing frequently and biting his lower lip.

  "Are you lost?” Jeena asked, smiling.

  "Hmm? Nay, it is just ... there is a shortcut."

  "To where?"

  He didn't seem to hear her.

  "This way,” he said.

  Presently, the road came to an intersection and abruptly ended. A high stone barrier had been erected across it, running east. Jeena looked down the cross-street. The barrier seemed to run for many city blocks.

  "What's behind this wall?” she asked.

  "Come,” Daniel said.

  He led her east along the stone barrier; there was a strong scent of animals coming from the other side. They rode for two blocks before he stopped. The wall continued for a long way, but here it was in disrepair and part of it had crumbled away, leaving a jagged hole just large enough to peer through.

  Daniel dismounted, looking nervously up and down the street.

  "We should rest the kytars."

  "But, Daniel, we haven't gone very far."

  He pretended not to hear her.

  "There is a watering trough on the other side of the street. You stay here. I will water the animals. Thou ... thou may wish to stretch thy legs."

  He took the reins of the animals and walked slowly to the trough across the street. Jeena waited until he had turned his back then peered through the hole, since he had obviously brought her here for just that purpose.

  Her curiosity gave way to disbelief.

  There were kytars—thousands upon thousands of kytars—snorting and stomping and kicking up dust and sand. Beyond their corrals she could make out rows and rows of low buildings, stretching back until they were lost on the horizon. Barracks—enough for an army of immense size.

  Between the barracks and towering over them were wooden structures she had only seen as drawings in ancient texts—siege engines, catapults and rams, hundreds and hundreds.

  Daniel returned with the kytars. “We must leave now."

  "Daniel..."

  "Now, Jeena,” he said sternly, handing her the reins of her kytar. He leapt up on his own mount and hurried toward the center of the city.

  Jeena followed, her mind reeling. Those armaments weren't defensive. Jacob is preparing to go to war with the Babylonians. He must be mad! To attack another chartered colony is grounds for immediate revocation of charter. The Union could strip Ararat from them, not to mention the criminal charges.

  She caught up to Daniel.

  "You can't let him do this, whatever his reasons. Even if he's successful, your people will lose everything."

  He halted, reining his kytar to face her.

  "Dost think I do not know this? The law concerning charter is well known, even on Ararat. But he is k'laq. I can do nothing."

  "Then why did you show me?"

  "I ... I do not know. Perhaps so thou wouldst understand the forces that have been set into motion and steer clear of them. Thou art a soldier of the Union, but thou canst not stop this, Jeena, any more than I, and I ... I would not see thee harmed trying,” he said, blushing.

  Jeena smiled. “Thank you, Daniel, but you don't have to worry about me. My days of battle are over. Jacob is a fool if he thinks he can get away with this, but I won't get in his way. This isn't my war."

  The afternoon was slipping away, so they rode to a nearby meal-house, reaching it as the evening meal bells rang. They ate in silence, ignoring the stares and whispers of the other diners. When they were done Daniel escorted her back to her apartment.

  "Please say nothing of what thou hast seen to anyone,” he begged.

  "Of course not.” She gazed at the families shuffling along the street as they made their way back to their homes. “The people don't know, do they?"

  "Nay. They believe all the preparations are simply for our defense. When the time comes, Jacob will no doubt convince them that war is necessary, and they will no doubt believe him. Then they will send the Rosh-dan off in glory.” He sighed. �
�And yet still I pray. I pray that this madness will somehow be averted and all that we have accomplished will not be lost.

  "But come, let us not dwell on these matters. Tomorrow is the Festival of Martyrs. Join with us as we celebrate and give thanks and perhaps thou wilt not judge us so harshly."

  "I don't judge you, Daniel, except to judge that you are a decent and honorable man. I look forward to seeing you in the morning."

  She stepped into her apartment as he rode away, collapsing wearily onto the bed. One more day. One more day and I can leave these people to their petty war and fanaticism. I'm sorry, Daniel, but I can't help you or the Babylonians. It's selfish, I know, but all I want is to be left alone.

  Chapter 11

  Wisdom is better than war.

  Arian Christian proverb

  Jeena had just finished lacing up her moccasins when there was a knock on the door. The morning had broken clear and bright, and already she could hear voices outside her window of people preparing for the festival. She rushed to the door and opened it.

  "Serug,” she said, startled. “I was expecting Daniel."

  "I am commanded by the k'laq to bring thee to the council hall at once,” he said tersely.

  He had four guards behind him.

  "Surely, this can't be about the incident in the street yesterday."

  "No questions. Thou wilt come at once.” There was no warmth in his voice.

  She glanced at the duffel bag containing the MAAD.

  "Of course. Let me get my bag."

  Serug snatched it from the floor.

  "I will take it,” he said, and gently but firmly escorted her to a kytar.

  He threw the bag on his mount and rode beside her, with two guards in front and two behind. Questions crowded her mind, but she didn't think it wise to speak—Serug seemed in no mood for conversation.

  The five men escorted her into the council hall. Jacob sat alone at the council table, his head bowed as if he were lost in deep meditation. He did not rise as they brought her before him, and for a moment she thought he was sleeping.

  Finally, he lifted his head.

  "I apologize for the abruptness of this meeting, Captain,” he said, “but certain ... incredible matters have arisen which require thy assistance.” He paused, knitting his brow. “Time alone, away from others, can be a blessing, for it can cleanse the mind and bring us closer to God. But too much time away from others is unhealthy. Prolonged solitude can often twist our perceptions, and puzzle the soul. Would thou not agree?"

  "I suppose so."

  "Thou crashed on Ararat almost two years ago, and during that entire time thou has had no other contact with thy fellow man. It may be that such isolation caused thy mind to become perplexed, so that thou hesitated to convey certain information to me at our first meeting. Think on this, now. Is there not something else of import thou would like to share with me?"

  "Information?"

  "Yes, something that thou didst not mention at our last meeting, that thou would like to add now. It was, after all, a short meeting, and I may have ended it prematurely. Or perhaps these were matters thou did feel were best heard by my ears alone.

  "Yes, yes,” he went on, his voice rising excitedly, “such a thing is perfectly understandable and would in no way reflect poorly upon thee. Indeed, it shows wisdom not unexpected in an officer. It is why I have brought thee here now, so that thou might open thyself to me alone, without fear. Come, reveal what thou hast so far kept hidden. I will believe thee."

  He still wants my help, and so he's offering me a way out. But out of what? Samson? He's two hundred miles to the east. The war? Have they somehow made contact with the Union? Or the Coalition?

  With no more information to guide her, she could only play out her hand to the end.

  "I'm sorry, K'laq,” she said, “I don't know what you mean."

  His face sagged, and he slumped back into his chair.

  "I was hoping for so much more from thee,” he said wearily. “Bind her."

  The men grabbed her before she could move, dragging her to a chair and lashing her tightly with rope as she struggled and shouted, “Jacob, are you mad? I am an officer in the Union Star Corps! Release me!"

  "Leave us,” Jacob said to Serug.

  "But, K'laq..."

  "Take your men and wait in the outer hall. Close the doors behind thee, but be ready to return on my command. Go now.” He accompanied his words with a subtle hand gesture.

  Serug slapped his arm across his chest and spun on his heels, leading his men from the hall. When they had closed the outer doors, Jacob signaled with a flick of his wrist to two guards who had been waiting silently in a darkened side room. They entered carrying a heavy wooden pole, and hanging from that pole, bound and gagged, was a tigra.

  "Samson!” Jeena cried, fighting her bonds.

  "Samson,” muttered Jacob. “Even his name is a sacrilege."

  "Jacob, let him go!” she shouted, still fighting to break free.

  He nodded, and the men lowered the great cat to the floor. He appeared dazed, and there was a large knot above his right eye.

  Jacob spoke to one of the guards. “Explain how thee came upon this animal, Uriah."

  The man bowed. “Through the will of God, my cleansing party met Serug's in the desert. He told me of finding the woman and her ship. He confided that he had heard noises coming from the woman's ship and was suspicious that there was another whom she was hiding. He asked that we return to her camp and investigate."

  "Which thou didst do."

  "Yes, my lord."

  Jacob turned his eyes to Jeena. “And what found thee there? Another pilot perhaps?"

  "Nay, my lord. We came upon the camp unawares and discovered only this animal. We thought to destroy the beast as our law commands and search the ship, but when we had it trapped and roped, it ... it..."

  "Fear not, Uriah. Thou speaketh no blasphemy. Have I not seen its hideous form lo, these many years in my dreams, the beast of prophecy? It spoke to thee, did it not? As a man, it spoke, with all a man's guile?"

  Uriah nodded, visibly shaking. “Yea, my lord, it spoke. First pleading in a voice fawning and compliant, as though to turn us with flattery, then spitting foul curses at us when we refused to hear more lies and bound and gagged him. Many of his words I do admit, lord, I did not understand, though I deemed them curses by the venom of his tongue."

  "Did he speak no more to thee on thy journey through the desert?"

  "Nay, my lord. Such was our fear of this demon that we kept him gagged, releasing him only to eat and drink, and then on penalty of death at his first word."

  "Who else knows of this creature?"

  "Only my men and I. We did not dare strike it whilst in the desert lest it unleash some power and consume us. We brought it with all speed to thee and thee alone, K'laq, for surely, thou wouldst know how to deal with one such as this."

  "I do, indeed, Uriah. Thou hast done well. Speak of this to no one. Go not to your homes at present, but thee and thy men retire rather to the council hall guardhouse. Wait there until I send word."

  Uriah bowed low, risking one last glance at Samson before leaving the hall.

  "What say thee to this?” Jacob asked Jeena, his voice strangely calm.

  "What do you want me to say? Of course, I didn't tell you about him. You people kill tigras on sight. I didn't think you'd take the time to find out what he really is."

  "And what is he, pray tell?"

  "Intelligent. Look, I don't pretend to know how it happened, but he's not anything like other tigras. He's sentient. Talk with him, and you'll see. He's different from all the rest. He's amazing."

  "Amazing, yes, of that I have no doubt,” Jacob replied.

  Jeena regarded him curiously. Why is he taking this so calmly? He doesn't seem the least bit surprised that Samson can talk. It's almost as if...

  "As if you were waiting for him,” she said aloud.

  "Waiting for him? I would not put it
so. Let us say rather that his coming is not a complete surprise."

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Come now, Captain, even an Arian Christian could solve this riddle.” He closed his eyes and began to recite. “’ ... and the beast will come among thee and all will be amazed. And they will shout, “Who is like the beast?” and all will fall before him and worship him.'” He looked sternly at Jeena.

  "I've read the book you quote."

  "And yet, you do not believe?"

  "In what? That Samson is some prophesized demon? No, I don't believe it, and I don't think you do, either."

  "Do not presume to know what it is I believe!” Jacob said angrily. “It is here, on Ararat, that the first battle in the final war against evil shall be fought. This we have always known. The prophecies must be fulfilled. The beast must not awaken. Ararat is ours!"

  He raised a bony hand to point at her, his voice calmer, his anger, for the moment, in check. “This is a local matter, Captain, one that does not require the Union's involvement. I have no quarrel with thee, in spite of thy actions. I ask only that thee turn from this creature. Thou wouldst not even have to raise thy hand against him. Only deny him, and all will be forgotten."

  Jeena looked pityingly at Samson lying bound, a leather gag strapped over his mouth. What can I do for him anyway? I can't fight this entire city and this army alone. And even if I could, what then? Eventually, I'll have to go back to the Union. What future could he possibly have when I leave, alone on this desolate world? The sad truth is, he was doomed from the beginning.

  "I'm tired, Jacob. I'm so damn tired of war,” she said wearily. “I don't want to fight you. I don't want to fight anyone ever again.” She lifted her gaze to him. “But you're mad. Didn't you hear a word I said? He isn't a demon from some moldy old myth. Look at him. Look at him! He's alive and aware and intelligent, and probably scared out his mind. How can you even think of killing him now?"

  "Now? What dost thou think has changed? Nay, his intelligence matters not. He is altogether evil, as is his entire species."

  "Why, Jacob, why? Why are you so intent on killing him and his kind? And what did you mean, ‘the beast must not awaken?'” Awaken from what? Why the hell are you so afraid of them?"

  "We fear nothing,” he said, but she knew it was a lie. “I see now that thou art already under his spell. Or perhaps thou, too, are part of the prophecy, the Whore foretold—she who would aid the Beast against her own kind. I had plans for thee, Captain. It is not my will that thou should come to this end, but alas, thy salvation is beyond me."