by Robin Roseau
"That is very kind, Valtine," Cecilia replied. "I think you can expect to see more of us."
"Before we break for dancing," Father said, "I wonder if we could have a serious conversation with the Governor."
"Baardorid," Mother interjected. "You can't say that on top of welcoming her to our home. She'll think that's the only reason we want her here, so we can have a serious conversation with the Governor."
Cecilia laughed. "It's all right, Valtine. What did you wish to talk about, Baardorid?"
"Rejuvenation. I do not mean to rush you, but people have asked me about it. Do you know when it will be available here? You built the resort, and you said it would be used for rejuvenation, but nothing has happened since."
"Ah," Cecilia replied. "I am working on that. It is not simply a matter of building the clinic and bringing in doctors and technicians. These things must all be paid for. The Empire has been more generous than I had even hoped, but The Empire also expects the planet to cover some of the costs of hosting a rejuvenation center. And then there are other, somewhat delicate issues to resolve."
She paused.
"You need to understand something. The Empire is capable of moving quickly. However, for most of us, a year or two or five or ten are not so long. That attitude is not easy for the aging residents of Talmon, and I am sorry for that. There are solutions to some of my difficulties, but they require consideration by the vendarti, and I cannot ask the empire to pay to transport all the vendarti to a single location to discuss these difficulties more often than already agreed. The next such planetary congress is in another four years, and I had thought to discuss these issues then." She looked down. "I don't want to think about how many people will die before that happens."
"You have two vendarti here, right now," Baardorid said. "Could we not start to help solve these problems with you? Do the problems require the entire planet to solve?
"I could not expect two villages to carry the burden for the entire planet."
"You don't have to," Sartine said. "You could, however, require those villages who wish to send people for rejuvenation help solve these problems. Indartha will do our part, Governor."
"As will Sudden," Baardorid. "But we cannot offer more specific help if we do not know what problems require solving."
Cecilia glanced at Mordain and me. "You're right," she said. "I've been trying to solve this myself." She sighed. "And with my own money."
"Your own money?"
"The Empire paid for the tablets that we gave to the vendarti two years ago," Cecilia said. "And The Empire has paid for the technology imported to Indartha and soon to be imported to the rest of the planet." She sighed. "To me, 'soon' can mean twenty years. You understand."
"We understand," Sartine said. "We do not expect you to pay for our needs, Cecilia."
"The other tablets I have given away, I bought. They are relatively small purchases for me, and I do not begrudge the cost. But when I send someone off planet, someone has to pay for that, and it is exceedingly expensive. And there have been other expenses I've paid myself."
"You have this money?" Father asked.
"Yes, and by almost any standard, I am very wealthy. But my wealth is not unlimited, and in no way do I hold enough personal wealth to do everything that must be done."
"And Talmon has nothing to export."
"Talmon has little that can be exported at a profit in the volumes required to solve these problems," Cecilia clarified. "If we can build a tourism industry, then we can bring enough money into the system to help. But that is a slow problem to solve."
"What can we do to help?" Baardorid asked.
"You perhaps don't recognize how, but you have already begun," she replied. "It began when I accepted a galatzi trade with the Indartha Vendart."
"You sent Belain and her family to Centos Four," Sartine said. "But they won't be back for years. My grandmother grows elderly, Governor."
"I know," Cecilia said quietly. "And we could take Laradain to Centos Four with us. But I cannot personally afford to transport every grandmother on Talmon, and The Empire expects people to pay their own transportation to the rejuvenation centers." She hung her head. "People are going to die while I am solving these problems."
"Is it only money?" Father asked.
"No. Money is a big part. The other part is one of language. That is a problem both for the rejuvenation center and for tourism. The doctors and technicians who come here will not come knowing Talmonese. They may learn, but they may never learn well enough to speak to the people here about the things that must be discussed. When they first arrive, they need people here who speak English that will see to their needs."
"That is why you want me to learn English!" Mordain said. "Isn't it? It's not at all about it being required to fly."
"Yes," Cecilia said. "It is. But it is more than that. We also need people who can speak English so well they can converse about difficult topics to the doctors and technicians, and then explain those conversations to the patients. We need people that understand the science." And she turned to me. "Do you understand?"
My eyes opened widely, and then I nodded. "Yes, Governor."
"To provide more perspective, I am not qualified to assist the technicians. I know far, far more science than any Talmonese, but I do not know the science well enough to assist." She turned to Mordain. "Learning English is not enough. It is a start."
"I-" Mordain looked down. "I'll do whatever you need, Governor."
"I know you will, but I do not know how to begin to teach you the science. Not on Talmon. And even if I could, it will take years and years. The technicians have studied science since they were five years old. Everyone on Centos Four begins to study science, very simple science, from the very beginning of their education. By the time the people who become technicians are your age, Mordain, they are studying very advanced science, and they do so for another six years. The doctors study even more. I can't teach you here. I can't. Even if I send fifty of you to Centos Four to learn, it will be twenty years before you return. How many grandmothers will die in twenty years?"
The table grew quiet for a minute or two, then I asked, "I understand why the doctors and technicians need to know so much. But why do you need us to understand so much science?"
"Because someone needs to explain to the patients."
"Why?"
Cecilia's mouth opened and closed several times.
Sartine jumped on that. "Here is what I need to know, for basic treatment. What age will I be when I come out? What simple changes can I make?"
"It's far more complicated than that!"
"Why?" I asked again. "Why does it need to be complicated?"
"Because you need to understand. It isn't just about making you young again. There are always things they fix." She turned to Sartine. "You thought my headaches were caused by cancer." I didn't know that word. She looked around. "See? No one knows that word. Everyone on Centos Four knows that word. But somehow the technician is supposed to explain it to you, but you don't even know the words she uses. And Mordain when she learns English won't understand the words, either. But she's supposed to explain it to someone who has never taken a science course in her entire life."
"Why?" I asked again. "If I have this cancer, and I go to the clinic, and they say, 'There is something wrong, but we will fix it', why does it matter if I understand?"
"Because!" Cecilia said.
"Cecilia, My Love," said Sartine gently. "If the choice is my grandmother does not understand everything that happens, or she dies, I think I would rather she not understand. I am fairly sure she would feel the same way. I am fairly sure all of Indartha would rather she receive the treatment she requires, and would find that far more important than if she understands all of it."
"But you're offering to trust people who have your lives in their hands, and you don't even understand what they're going to do."
"We're telling you, Cecilia Grace," I said, "that we trust you to on
ly bring doctors who will do their best for us."
She looked between us. She studied Mordain for a long time, and then me, then she looked at Sartine and Father. Finally she said, "Vendarti, the rejuvenation center will require at least ten, perhaps twenty native Talmonese who speak the best English they can learn. I am not convinced this is sufficient, but it is a start. These Talmonese would work at the center. I require a number more to serve as guides about Talmon, and these should be amongst those more accustomed to dealing with the politics." Her eyes settled on Mordain. "I am down to my last two tablets to hand out. I intend to acquire more when I visit Centos Four."
Sartine and Baardorid eyed each other. "Indartha can provide students of English," Sartine said.
"As can Sudden," said Father, "and I can arrange meetings with the vendarti of some of the other villages along the coast. We can fill this need, and we can share tablets." He looked around. "Everyone at this table will learn English."
"I cannot ask the vendart or his wife to take these duties," Cecilia said.
"Perhaps not, but this vendart will learn English," Father replied.
"As will his wife," Mother added. "You will need us for other reasons. I imagine your doctors will expect to be invited into Sudden society."
"Yes," Cecilia said. "The rejuvenation center will also require workers. They should also speak English, but their skill level will be lower. We will require workers to see to the grounds and the needs of the guests, both Talmonese guests as well as those from the rest of The Empire. But until tourism builds, I am unwilling to pay their salaries."
"Any village that wishes to take advantage of the services offered by the rejuvenation center will help to pay these costs," Father said. "For now, Sudden will provide these workers and coordinate payments."
"That sort of decision requires the vendarti of Talmon to agree," Cecilia said.
"No, Governor, it does not," Sartine said. "It requires the Governor to agree. The rejuvenation center belongs to The Empire, not to Talmon."
"No. It belongs to Talmon."
"Well, even if that's true," Sartine said, "as The Empire is covering more of the costs than Talmon is, the Imperial Governor can dictate any rules she wishes. If the other vendarti do not like it, they can raise their objections at the next congress, and we can adjust the rules at that time."
Cecilia paused, then nodded.
"Let us handle these needs, Governor," Sartine said. "Tell us what is needed, and then trust Baardorid and I to handle it. We understand this so far. What else?"
She sighed. "The doctors will expect to be treated extremely well," she said. "Like kings and queens."
"Would they abuse the town?" Baardorid asked.
"No. But they expect large homes with all the modern conveniences, but local personnel to manage the houses for them. The Empire will pay their salaries, and they will pay for services they buy in town. The technicians will also expect to be treated in a similar fashion, but not to the same level."
"Sartine," Baardorid, "I believe anyone undergoing rejuvenation therapy should volunteer two years of service afterwards. Perhaps that is not the policy forever, but it could be the policy until we find other ways to cover these costs."
She nodded. "Yes." The two of them began discussing rapidly. Mother and I chimed in from time to time as well. Cecilia remained quiet. Finally Sartine and Father turned to Cecilia. "Governor, we will see to these needs, but we cannot provide the technology."
"I will see to that," she replied.
"Personally?" Father asked, and Cecilia nodded. Father turned to Sartine. "How will we help the governor recover her investment?
"She thinks in very long terms," Sartine replied. "She wishes to open a variety of tourism industries, such as a ski area near Indartha."
"No I don't," Cecilia said. "I hate running businesses, but there's no one here who knows how to run the sort of businesses I want. I was going to invest in the businesses, but I don't want to be involved in running them."
"Are there tourism businesses we could run now?"
"I'm sure," she replied. "I don't know what would be popular. Tours of Talmon would be popular. Fishing in the oceans."
"A ski area."
"Yes, a ski area, but that's expensive and difficult to start. We don't need to solve this problem now. I am patient. I'll get my money back, and if I don't get it all back, that's fine."
"No it's not," Baardorid said. "Talmon will find a way to compensate the governor for the money she is spending on our behalf."
"But if not, Indartha will donate the land for the ski area," Sartine said. "Will that help, Cecilia?"
She sighed. "Yes. That would help. But Indartha shouldn't have to fund this, either."
"We aren't using that land, so it is little harm to us, and I believe the ski area would bring money to Indartha."
"It would."
"Well then... It seems we have solved most of these difficulties," Baardorid said. "When will you be able to bring us doctors and technicians?"
Cecilia sighed. "People who come to Talmon for their own therapy will be varied, but they will have one thing in common. They will all be rich, most of them richer than I am. The rich are just like all of us, except they have more money. Some of them will be very pleasant people, and the Talmonese will love them."
"And some will be quite unpleasant," Balotorid said. "Yes?"
"Yes. Very few will arrive speaking a single word of Talmonese. Some will learn a few words. Some will fall in love with the planet and wish to remain. Some of those will do so only because they believe they can take advantage of the planet, although most who ask to stay will be the sort you might wish to stay."
"And so we need more people who speak English," Father replied.
"Yes." Cecilia puffed out some air. "I will bring back another one hundred tablets, but I will not bring back everything required to charge them."
"Could we set up charging stations at the inns, or even the bath houses?" Sartine asked. "We have everything we need at Indartha, but what can we do here? I do not believe Baardorid wants everyone traipsing through his house to plug her tablet in for a charge."
Cecilia nodded. "I will bring back one portable solar charger. Once Sudden has a solar farm, we can use it for something else."
"And so I ask again," Father said. "When can you bring us doctors and technicians and the other things we require?"
"How will we decide who gets therapy first?" Cecilia asked.
"Leave that to us," Sartine said. "You have enough to worry about."
"It must be fair!"
"It will be," she said. "Trust me, Darling."
"Of course," Cecilia said. "I'm sorry. Of course I trust you."
"When, Governor?" Father asked again.
"I'll start things when Sartine and I go to Centos Four. We may have to start small, with only enough doctors and technicians to support a limited number of patients." She shook her head. "How am I going to give everyone on Talmon a chance at rejuvenation every five years?"
"You aren't," Father said. "At least not for a long time. We will start with the oldest and work our way from there."
"We do not have an accurate census," Cecilia said. "If there are a million people on Talmon, then if we wait until everyone reaches age sixty, we initially need to process between ten and twenty thousand patients a year, and in forty years, that will grow. And those numbers don't consider population growth or people needing treatment sooner than that. I for one would not want to reach sixty years of age without treatment at least twice."
"You cannot solve every problem at once," Father said. "Start smaller."
"But-" She grew still, then nodded.
"Darling," Sartine asked, "how long have you been worried about this?"
"Do you remember the video I showed you of the planet from orbit?" Cecilia responded. "I showed it to you the night we met."
"I remember."
"I was wondering about it then, Sartine."
Everyone grew still, but then I said, "Cecilia, that's why you're our governor."
"I know," she said quietly. "But you need someone better than I am."
"No, we do not," Father said. "But we do need you to let us help you help us. You do not have to solve these problems yourself."
"You're right," she said. "Thank you."
"So," Sartine said. "Do we need to solve any other pressing problems tonight, or is it time to clean up and then dance?"
"I need to speak with Baardorid," Cecilia said. "Only for a few minutes."
"Well then," Mother said. "We shall clean up and await you in the dance hall."
* * * *
An hour later, Cecilia asked me, "Will you dance with me, Chaladine?"
We made it twice around the dance floor before she said, "Your father and I have reached our agreement. I will do my best to fill your request."
"Don't you need me here?"
"I have more plans for you," she replied. "For now, learn English. Help your father with these other things we discussed. If you run out of things to learn, I will assign more. And you will need to be patient. You may have minor relationships, but do not give your heart away without warning me."
"Of course, Cecilia. Are you going to tell me what you and father decided?"
"No."
Part Two
Troubles
Time passed. Cecilia and Sartine left Talmon for Centos Four. I longed to go with them, and I think Cecilia knew it, but she didn't invite me. I understood, even if I didn't want to accept it. This was to be their time together.
My entire household set itself to learning English. This wasn't only my immediately family, but it also included the families of the staff that lived at the house as well. Cecilia left us with one more tablet, but somehow the tablets all talked to each other, so you could use any tablet for your lessons, and it remembered who you were and how your progress had been. So the four tablets available became communal, and language lessons took priority over any other use.
Cecilia told the embassy staff what we were doing, and the staff began inviting themselves to dinner, speaking only English during the entire evening. I most enjoyed when Erica and Mallory came, as after Cecilia, they were my favorites. But even Hatchet Face invited herself, and she was as helpful as anyone else.