"Self absorbed, hidebound, possibly slipping into dementia." He squinted. "Something else odd about him too, but couldn't put my finger on it from what little I saw the man."
"You don't look or sound like the same person," Lee said amazed. "What happened to Cousin Hanson?"
"Cousin Hanson is there when I need him," he allowed, slumping and looking down.
"He knows his place and knows how to wheedle and shuffle and whine, until the boss man gives him what he needs and feels good about taking care of the poor fool," he explained. He wrung his hands, nervous and uncomfortable and looked away avoiding eye contact.
Lee looked at him amazed, her mouth open.
"It's just acting little gal. You become what you need to be. Surely you have done some form of play-acting?"
"Uh, no actually, I haven't. They didn't tell you much about me either, did they?"
"Just that your parents were killed and they were looking for a blood relation. We should have gone to California when the Anderson side of the family moved out there. They were smart to get out of Ishpeming before the Greater Depression and the big collapse. Now it is almost impossible to move from one state to another, if you live on the negative tax. Ishpeming may be safer than LA, but there is almost no route out and up for somebody on the dole."
"You know what happened to grandpa Anderson's family in California?" Lee asked.
"We have a couple old pictures, so we know he had three boys. We have a print-out of his obituary, but all it really said was he was survived by the boys and preceded in death by his wife Julie. The Family Court lady told me that none of his boys were current California residents and none showed on the Federal registry. You'd think if they died there would be a national record. So I'd guess they probably left North America."
"They did all leave California, uh, what do you want me to call you? I can't keep calling you Cousin Hanson."
"Well you could, or if I'm in country bumpkin dole critter mode cous' would do," he invited. "But you are old enough to call me Earl if you want."
"Call me Lee, please. Grandpa Anderson was sure California was not far enough from Michigan and had its own troubles. He advised all his boys to go off planet. My dad married my mom Myrtle first, but the other two emigrated single and Dad lost contact with them too. I was born on ship and we hardly ever set foot on a planet. All I've seen of people was a few times we stayed in hotels, when we came in for maintenance and supplies. I've grown up with my parents and their partner Gordon."
"How did you end up back here then?"
Lee related a condensed version of her trip and the mugging in the hotel. She slowed down and went into much more detail describing the court hearing to him.
When he went to the restroom Lee considered the risk and put her earring in her pocket.
* * *
Gwen was not idle. She was absorbing Derf as quickly as she could, with intense tutoring by Gordon. They combined language lessons with learning Derf physiology. Gwen examined him with various instruments and had to inquire as to his symptoms in Derf. Medical terminology was what she needed first. She blushed deeply and hesitated to examine personal areas. "You're a doctor, what is the problem?" Gordon asked amused.
"I'm a Vet," Gwen reminded him. "I never had to consider what my patient was thinking before. It's weird enough that you can talk."
"Better get used to it," Gordon advised her. "You were a Veterinarian in the Earth system, but you are going to be a doctor on Derfhome. In fact if there is a human visiting our clan you can figure you may be the only 'doc' they will have available."
"That's kind of scary. I guess I better expand my studies if that is much of a possibility."
"All in time dear. First things first and one thing at a time."
* * *
"What a racist, elitist, narrow minded, creepy, self-righteous thug" Earl concluded after hearing how Lee came to be fostered. "You had family, he didn't find one for you, he tried to destroy the one you have. What is your daddy doing do you think? Is he contacting the Derf embassy to have their government protest this?"
"I don't think there is a Derf embassy," Lee admitted. "That is part of the problem. Derf seem to do things differently. Each clan has a territory and they each make their laws and mind their own business. They accept each other's laws because it is a big deal to disagree. To protest can mean blood will be spilled to decide who is right, so they don't argue lightly. William from Gordon's clan had to kill a few challengers in formal judicial combat, to get them all to accept the Treaty of Man, which all this breaks," she said angrily.
Earl looked particularly unhappy. She could just about hear the wheels and gears whirling in his head. "Why do you look so grim cous'?" she asked.
"I'm thinking your Gordon or maybe even your Derf in general are what we call 'straight shooters' in the family. Most folks, humans that is, leave a little room to shave the truth one way or the other. You have to watch out because you make an agreement with them they may weasel out of it, if it suits them. It's almost a sport and expected to do that."
"They may not have an embassy here and see no need of one, because they just expect to be treated right. Trouble is, my experience is that most weasels and politicians all seem to be natural born vermin of that sort, think it is just the natural thing to try to avoid keeping your agreements and you are a fool if you don't play that game too. Straight shooters, on the other hand, tend to be rigid. They have no sense of humor at all about being a low down conniving liar. When you pull that crap on them there is usually hell to pay."
"Now, we Hansons pride ourselves on personal honesty. We police the family, so we have a reputation. But we don't expect it from the system. We've learned to deal with bureaucrats and agencies, by ingratiating ourselves to some like you saw me do with the judge and the agency lady, and being an irritating nuisance to others. There are not enough of us and we don't have enough money or power to get our way by causing them real trouble," he explained. "We're not revolutionaries or wreckers."
"Your Gordon now and his clan. Are they going to complain and protest and write letters to the government about not honoring this treaty? I mean they basically kidnapped you! Or do they have the money and means and attitude to make them, as I said, some real trouble?"
Lee couldn't even say anything. She turned her head and looked up at him.
Earl took one look at her face and nodded. "Crap. That's what I was afraid of."
* * *
In Derfhome system the inbound vessel High Hopes got a packet of data and mail sent to them, as soon as their own arrival message hit Derfhome station. There was considerable speed of light delay, but it still shaved almost five hours off waiting until docking to retrieve it.
Gordon sat right seat and Gwen sat second station with most of her board deactivated, but she was learning the basics of dealing with traffic control and how the ship worked. It didn't hurt to train as much back-up as possible on flying a ship solo, like Gordon was doing. Gordon thought everyone should be cross trained anyway.
Gordon routed the messages to her and suggested, "Take a look through those and see if you can arrange them for me in order of importance please, Gwen." He kept his attention on the ship and avoided any distraction that might delay his responses. He had never been asked or needed to maneuver quickly insystem, but assuming that would never happen was sloppy piloting.
Gwen found a number of bills for ship services and supplies their bank wanted checked and confirmed. Three bulletins from the shipbuilder, for suggested or required modifications to their class vessel. Five notices for navigation to be edited and acknowledged into their navigational database, from the Cataloging Society. Daily summaries from the Claims Commission for royalties. A single short statement from the Bank of Derfhome. A short personal letter from the third Mother of Derfhome, that was basically a 'Thank You' note. Then a message set off in a box outline.
"This message is a certified interstellar message, with bonded return receipt. Do you
agree to an acknowledgement being sent to Sydney, Australia, UK, Earth : Moore, Harper, Goldberg and McPherson attorneys, that you have received this communication? Yes/No."
That looked important enough to call to Gordon's immediate attention.
"Tell them yes and put it on my screen," Gordon instructed.
Stanley gave a concise report of the remainder of the trial he'd missed. He also included a copy of the public record so he could examine the entire thing in detail. He explained very briefly his own unofficial deportation. He came to the same conclusion Lee had sent through their security, that Gordon could better help her from afar, except he explained that as a practical matter, no individual had the respect of a typical government, to be able to apply effective leverage.
Blackwater sent their advice through Stanley that they agreed with him and Lee, for Gordon not to risk his person to North American hospitality, so that was unanimous. They also offered their further services in any capacity required. He had no intention of going back, but confirmation was good.
Stanley had access to the first hearing record as he had an interest. However he could get no information about the foster placement hearing, as juvenile matters were sealed from public access and he was now a persona non grata in the California legal system.
Gwen had never seen Gordon's claws come out in full involuntary extension.
* * *
Lee weighed Gordon's advice about keeping her mouth shut on Earth, against the obvious genuine outrage Earl displayed about her treatment by judge Morse. She had revealed so much already. If she revealed more she might have a useful ally. If she didn't reveal more she might waste him as an ally, if he didn't know enough to help her plan. If he found out she kept facts back, it might sour their relationship too. She could easily see something happening like Blackwater showing up to rescue her and him thinking it was something bad. Maybe calling the police thinking he was helping. It all boiled down to her gut feeling, whether he'd betray her for a chance at her money. His family obviously felt trapped in their situation and a way out might be tempting, regardless of all his talk of straight shooting. It was way more complicated and uncertain than anything she ever had to deal with before. She didn't like decisions that weren't certain.
* * *
Gordon arranged transport for Gwen and himself and all their equipment and medical supplies. The military stuff went to a station warehouse. It took twice as long as when he and Lee were traveling light. The Mothers were very receptive to Gwen not being a regular human doctor, but still being able to bring modern medical tech to the clan. Being on Gordon's nickel meant a lot too of course. Her humble attitude about traditional medicine was in sharp contrast to previous Earth doctors who'd dismissed all herbalists as witch doctors.
What he dreaded was sharing the letter about Lee with the Mothers. It was too important and sensitive to just send ahead. He put it on the screen for them to read.
"War," declared the second Mother, claws set in the table.
"War," the new third Mother said with utter conviction. Not even waiting on the first mother. She wouldn't have suggested a change in the breakfast menu without deferring to her, but she didn't hesitate here.
"War," the first Mother agreed, with a gesture that meant 'of course' and no rebuke to the others for speaking first.
"I assumed that," he admitted. "I was concerned enough to bring some military supplies for the clan, whether the decision was war or not. I offer funds too. War is never cheap."
"What other response is there to throwing aside the treaty and declaring us animals? We are not safe until this is resolved," the first Mother declared. "It is no mistake, or action of an individual who they then removed from authority, It is outright betrayal."
"It was California who did this, not the entire of North America," Gordon explained.
"Have the rest renounced it and put California's rebellion against the Treaty to an end?"
"No Ma'am."
"Silence is assent."
"All true and moot," William spoke up, "with every respect for the Mothers, if they found grounds to excuse these actions Lee still appealed before the judge to me, as her Champion and to defend the Treaty of Man. I am obligated."
"Indeed you are and we shall support you and give you first standing to right this wrong before the clan. We stand ready to your word how we may assist," first Mother said.
"Let us council and ask Gordon what assets he brought. We must disperse the clan's treasure and people, with a mind to the realities of modern warfare and we must act with wisdom to be effective against a bigger, richer foe."
Chapter 35
"Earl there is something more you should know about me. There are risks to having me around and maybe opportunities. You are trying to help me. But I may be able to help you too."
"You are a very well spoken young lady. I'm sure you would be an asset to any household. I realize now your furry friend will likely reclaim you someday. If nothing else, when you are of legal age there is no way they can stop you from rejoining him. Until then you may have a few adjustments to make living with us, but we'll work them out if you speak up and tell us when something is strange or difficult."
"Thank you. It might not drag out that long though. Let me ask you, were you aware of a new class A world being discovered? It was on the news a couple weeks back?"
"I don't listen to that sort of news much. There isn't much point to it for us. My boy Joey would know. He's interested in all that. I'm sure he can tell you which way it is and how far away. Likely point where it is, if you can see it in our sky. I know they will say how that gives a boost to the economy, but it never seems to make any difference to Ishpeming, Michigan. If it trickles down that far I sure can't tell."
"Well, that is why Gordon and I came to Earth. My mom and dad and Gordon and I discovered that world, Providence."
Earl thought about that a bit. "Seems like that should have changed things," he concluded. "Didn't the judge know Gordon had a lot of money coming to him? Rich folks usually get treated real well by the courts."
"The judge was a raving nut case when it comes to alien people. He flipped out and tossed him out."
Earl nodded acknowledging that, but doubt was still painted on his face.
"Do you really think he was considering how much money Gordon had? He doesn't think about how much money animals have. Anyway, I'm the senior partner. I have mom and dad's interest, so I have more money than him. You caught me out when Ms. Johnson thought my necklace had to be costume jewelry, didn't you? I saw you go twitchy for a second."
"Yeah, but that's none of my concern. I saw your reaction, but I have no idea at all what real jewelry costs. We don't get a lot of extra credit saved up to spend and you have to spend the negative off the card or lose it. You can't cash it out. I intended to warn you just like Ms. Johnson did: keeping anything expensive in negative income housing is dangerous. If people find out they rob you and once you had something worth taking like that, they always think you'll have something again. You'll get broke into regular and it’s a danger."
"We should probably dispose of it then," Lee agreed, reaching up and feeling it under her shirt. "I like it, but it was close to fifty thousand dollars NA."
"Sweet Lord girl, there's folks who'd cut your throat with a rusty tin can lid for that in the projects. You keep that hidden," he ordered.
* * *
The administrative aide to the third assistant, of the temporary Under Secretary of State, opened the Interstellar FedEx pack. The same package was sent to several prominent news organizations in North America and other Earth nations, as well as the Lunar Republic and Mars.
It was published in the contracts section of the Derfhome Business Daily and released in the monthly letter to other clans by Red Tree. Being the first Declaration of War in over a millennium it got the attention of the other clan Mothers. They all acknowledged the Treaty of Man, but there was no call to any of them to join Red Tree in war. That was fine wit
h them, but some of them considered whether Man might see all Derf as the same. They started planning to disperse vital resources and start buying a little extra ammo and preserved food each month. Fargone suddenly got a dozen requests from Derf clans for heavy weapons catalogs in the next courier pack.
In the North American State Department it got date stamped without a reading and shoved in the scan and character read basket for printed foreign government notices. Along with news of changed visa requirements for New Japan and increased tariffs for advanced electronics on At Last! The intelligence analyst at the Fargone embassy recorded it, along with several thousand other Federal public notification websites they monitored and the drive went in the weekly diplomatic pouch for home.
The Fargone War Department knew about it before the USNA Department of Defense.
* * *
"If you are inheriting from your folks won't it be tied up in trust until you come of age?" Earl asked. "Most of the time here, if a child has any inheritance to speak of, or income from acting, or singing, or such, they have to hold it for them until they are at least eighteen,"
"It wasn't just inheritance. I was a member of the crew. I had claims in my own name. And when Gordon adapted me on Derfhome I had a legal adult status like an emancipated minor here. They have an intermediate status there – where you can do business and have some social responsibilities, you still live with a guardian, but you're not a little kid anymore."
"Well you are sharp for your age I have to admit," Earl acknowledged mulling it all over. "Those papers you wanted so bad," he nodded toward them in her lap, "they didn't mess with them?"
"They are fine and what is hard to believe, nobody stole my credit card," she said showing it to him. "It was folded in the papers and I'm not even sure they unfolded them and looked through them."
"Wouldn't have done them any good," her cousin assured her. "No way they are going to break a card with taster square. I can tell you don't know what a big deal this is," he said, reaching over and drawing a square around the little sensor with his finger.
Family Law Page 29