Obligations

by Cheryce Clayton

  “Well? When will I receive my payment and lift authorization?”

  Thanera brought her gaze from Neavillii back to the spacer in front of her. “Our records show that you made planet fall nearly two weeks before Arbitration and that Tadesde’s people refused to pay more than half your asking price because the cargo was nearly rancid then. You will be placed on the lift queue immediately. You will be required to show that you are lifting empty. Good day.” Thanera turned her body away from the spacer but continued to watch what she did.

  “I will report you. I will file a complaint. I will have your job within the week.” The fat woman continued to issue threats as the office door swung closed behind her.

  “Well handled.” Neavillii moved away from the window to join Thanera at her desk.

  “Thank you; you truly are a most rewarding employer.” Thanera lowered her head and blushed as she spoke.

  “I am also an employer who favors openness and honesty over courtly behavior. Shall we tour my new domain?” Neavillii stood and moved toward the inner door.

  Thanera lunged to grab Neavillii’s arm and prevent her from opening the door. “Wait! It is not... It is not safe,” she whispered. “I took the liberty of making arrangements for you to hold interviews in the cafeteria area. We are still fixing the computer linkups, but it should be ready for your presence,” Thanera finished as Neavillii stepped back from the door.

  “I have confidence your arrangements will be most suitable. Am I correct to assume that my predecessor did not, in fact, leave the planet?” Neavillii gave a tight nod to the closed door.

  “Raceri, my lovely former employer, committed suicide within. I have been able to find no one to clear the room properly.” Thanera leaned her back against the forbidding door.

  “Indeed, to die alone is not a fate I desire,” Neavillii said with a shudder, and then stepped forward to place her hands upon Thanera’s shoulders.

  “Nor I. But she was not alone. Tadesde herself was within the room when I heard the shot. Her staff has not yet acknowledged the paternity notice. My Lady… My employer had given me the name of the Fifth rank of Tamsatel that day. She told me I should stay on the planet, join Morganea in the reconstruction. It has been nearly one week, and now you are here.” Thanera moved into Neavillii’s arms to cry against her chest.

  “You honor me with your presence. I can only hope your bravery is contagious,” Neavillii began, and felt Thanera try to pull away, the young administrator’s tear-streaked face betraying confusion as Neavillii finished the ceremonial words. “In the face of such devotion I can do no less than bring you closer to myself,” and with that, Neavillii leaned to the young woman’s ear and whispered a single word. The promotion ceremony was ancient and made simple through time, and Neavillii paused to savor the opportunity to elevate a new leader.

  “But, my Lady, I…”

  Neavillii laughed as the previously eloquent Thanera struggled for words. “Say nothing. You have given me the opportunity to actually feel and understand the words of the ceremony,” Neavillii said and held one hand on Thanera’s shoulder.

  “I, oh. The cafeteria should be ready, would you follow me?” Thanera blushed as she moved across the room and held the door open.

  “Indeed. Tell me just how many waited to follow my banner?” Neavillii exited the room and walked beside her clerk.

  “Of the one hundred and fifty eight who worked for Administrator Raceri, seventy-three have struggled with me this week.” Thanera’s voice betrayed no pride.

  “And how many bow their heads to you?” Neavillii continued to probe as they moved further into the maze of bureaucratic offices.

  “Someone was needed to coordinate things, and as Raceri’s aide, I fell into that position.” Thanera kept her gaze straightforward as they walked.

  “Was there a vote?” Neavillii stopped in the doorway of an office and addressed a Sixth rank Tamsatel. The woman also wore the banner of a First rank Sansadee. “Excuse me, would you have an additional banner of Sansadee, one that I might procure from you?”

  The old administrator looked from the blushing Thanera to Neavillii and back before standing to remove a worn banner of order from a place of honor on a shelf. “It was given to me by my father. I am pleased to gift this to you, my friend.” The old woman crossed the room and offered the banner to Thanera with outstretched hands and a head bowed.

  “Thank you, Thatina. I will honor this,” Thanera said, and Neavillii placed her hand on the older woman’s shoulder. They both smiled with pride as Thanera tied on the banner.

  Neavillii waved Thanera to resume walking down the hallway, gave the old clerk a slight bow of appreciation, and moved to catch up.

  Thanera was silent the rest of the way to the cafeteria, and they entered the large crowded room without a word.

  #

  “We are still not clear on the exactness of your request. That Tadesde practiced genocide against your people, I will not deny, but surely you require more than just this acknowledgment from our House.” Neavillii was seated on a raised platform next to Thanera in the far corner of a very large open room. A single door was open and guarded behind her, and the line of petitioners which claimed the center corridor of the room could be seen to block the room’s other entrance.

  “You are most wise and kind, general sir. I only wish to speak to your person of the numbers involved,” a native said. “I wish the history to be recorded, and I feel certain that if any action is required, your most astute self will see this long before me.” Twice the height of the tallest Sansheren in the room, the native speaking was taller than even Bystocc averages.

  Neavillii had not yet ascertained its gender, and so had been using neutral terms. She hid a smile of amusement when it chose a gender role for her.

  “If you have the numbers you mentioned in recorded form, I would be willing to review them this night and grant you the first audience in the morning,” Neavillii said before turning to speak with Thanera.

  The native spoke before she could. “Sir. I would not be so rude were it not for the fact of my own miserable failings, I have only learned to speak your beautiful words. My records are in my own primitive language.”

  Neavillii again suppressed a smile as the native petitioner ended his hurried plea by kneeling and pressing his face against the floor.

  “Do we have a translator?” Neavillii addressed Thanera, who assured her of the availability of one. “Leave your records, my friend. We invite you to return in three days’ time. Please schedule a time with my assistant.” Neavillii held out her hand to the native before turning to the next petitioner.

  “I am Kadage of the Ninth rank of Gulardee and the Seventh rank of the Tamsatel. I have come today to offer myself and my family line – some five hundred strong – to the rebuilding of the Western Continent’s spaceport. I am willing to accrue all expenses myself.”

  Neavillii found herself paying more attention to the woman than her appearance or statement would have merited, as Thanera and many of the petitioners reacted to the name so proudly stated. Open hatred could be seen in the eyes of many.

  “Indeed, that would be most generous of you. Why?” Barely within her sight, Neavillii watched Thanera clench her fists.

  “Why? For the profit of course.” The woman paid no attention to the others in the room as she barked out what Neavillii assumed must be a laugh.

  “It will be a long time before this planet realizes any profit. Are you willing to wait those many years?” Neavillii forced a smile as she spoke.

  “I assure you, most generous representative of the beautiful Morganea, if you give me the space port to rebuild and run, I will force a profit within one year.” The woman’s smile agonized Neavillii.

  “The House Sheresuan will in no way profit from the exploitation of a desperate people,” Neavillii said as she rose from her chair to emphasize her rank. The platform she was on added to her stature, and she towered over the other woman. “My love, Mo
rganea, will personally kill you for such a hint. I, myself, will call a debt of honor against your face if I find you have not left the planet before the morning,” Neavillii said, and finished her threat by turning her back to the confused petitioner.

  “See that security escorts her from the building,” Thanera addressed her assistant.

  The stunned profiteer turned to walk down the central aisle, which opened before her and allowed a quick and silent passage.

  #

  “Yes?” Neavillii watched as the three natives moved forward and shuffled their papers yet one more time.

  “It is our humble opinion, ma’am,” one said, and Neavillii ignored the maternal pronoun as she noted the three Bystocc natives were old and ill-clothed, “that the survivors here would find their spirits greatly lifted by the production of a story. A story we, my friends and I, have written.”

  “Tell me a bit of the story, friend.” She sat back and took a drink of water, and she watched as three sets of eyes followed the glass, and three tongues attempted to wet dry lips as she swallowed.

  “It is about war-“ “Actually, it is against war –“ “Well, mostly it is about love.” The three cut each other off as each attempted to explain his contribution to the play.

  “Indeed? With the war so recently ended, I would think few here would want to relive the pain.” The three in front of her slumped, as if every hope that had been keeping them alive had been removed.

  “But, if this play were about Bystocc and the ravishes it endured, I think it would play well before the great Houses of the Sansheren. And I would be honored to personally commission and sponsor such a play for touring, if not three plays. Of course, you will need a secure place to live while you polish your work, and a meager income with which to feed yourselves. My assistant will assign someone to make the necessary arrangements if you will speak with her,” Neavillii said, and smiled at the transformation her words evoked.

  The three before her now stood tall as they moved to Thanera.

  “And you are?” the two bare-chested Sansheren Neavillii found herself addressing were well groomed.

  “Yolunu, of the Fifth rank of Gulardee, I am trained in the sciences of communication.” Yolunu did not move to sit as the other petitioners had.

  “And?” Neavillii prompted.

  “I would present my gentle spouse, Aldera, she who is of the Tenth rank of Tamsatel,” Yolunu said. “We have come to request family status within the House Sheresuan and to the beautiful Morganea herself.”

  “Indeed, and who would you name as your reference?” Neavillii gestured to the chairs in front of her as she spoke.

  “I have not had contact with the most noble House Sheresuan since the day I was sent for apprenticeship. Both my father and his wife were killed during the time of my apprenticing. Tadesde‘s predecessor, the most courageous Dejymo, offered me a position. In truth, I can think of no name with which to petition,” Yolunu said.

  She would not beg, Neavillii thought.

  “Well, my friend. You leave me in a difficult position. Perhaps if you could present me with the names of your departed parents, I will contact the House registrar. It will take time, but it is possible that someone might remember the child you were and give you a reference. In the meantime, I would suggest finding quarters and private employment while awaiting notice.” Neavillii regretted the decision custom forced upon her, but to grant family status to an unknown was not something she would do.

  “We thank you for your time. Your honor is impeccable.” Yolunu stepped forward to hand Thanera a card with the information Neavillii had requested already printed on it.

  “Do you think the lovely Isaac will be able to help us to find a place to dwell?” Aldera asked of her wife.

  “It is a hope.” Yolunu placed her hand around her older wife’s waist as she turned to walk away from the platform.

  A group of petitioners took their place before the platform.

  “The MaEryas Zoo is in desperate need of –"

  “Isaac, that is not a Sansheren name," Neavillii interrupted the new petitioners to call to Yolunu as she and Aldera walked away.

  “No. I mean, yes, it is not a Sansheren name," Aldera said, a little too loud, and Neavillii saw Yolunu squeeze her waist in response. “Isaac is a human. That is of the same species as the beautiful Morganea. We have spent a pleasant evening together; I was only wondering if he would have a place we could stay,” her voice trailed off.

  “Until your truly kind self has called us back," Yolunu finished.

  “Indeed. Perhaps I could save you time and ask him for you?" Neavillii smiled even as Thanera motioned for the petitioners in front of her to resume their places in the line.

  “We would not trouble you on so insignificant a point, most caring of patrons." Yolunu made no move to return to Neavillii, and held Aldera close to her as she spoke.

  “It is no trouble," Neavillii replied. "I planned to call him later. If you will be seated, I will try to keep the conversation short." Neavillii removed her personal communication unit from her pocket and placed the call. "Isaac?"

  Yolunu had no chance to protest before Tansea’s voice reached her.

  “I will wake him,” was Tansea’s response.

  “What do you want, woman? Surely there are others you could be torturing right now?” Isaac demanded in English, and his voice echoed through the speakers long before his face appeared on the small screen. “Neavillii, truly a beautiful sight,” Isaac said in Sansheren. “To what do I owe the honor?” he asked as he continued to rub the sleep from his eyes.

  “I have just made the acquaintance of two friends of yours, and they were wondering if you might be able to provide them with lodging and employment until the question of their status might be addressed.” Neavillii smiled at Isaac’s further attempts to clear his eyes and head of sleep.

  “The only Sansheren on the planet I would call friends would have to be the lovely Yolunu and her most delicious wife, Aldera. Sure, go ahead and tell them they can stay with me. And ask after the infants for me.” Isaac was struck in the head by a cushion as he spoke, and Neavillii laughed at the sight of Tansea in the background picking up another cushion.

  “I will convey your congratulations to the parents,” Neavillii signed off as Isaac turned towards Tansea and received the second cushion in his face.

  “He speaks of our beloved Numane’s death children,” Aldera answered Neavillii's silent question.

  “Why did you not mention this?” Neavillii asked.

  “Our beloved was of the generation of the House founded by the courageous Dejymo. I did not want to burden you with this knowledge,” Yolunu said, her head held high, and Neavillii felt her admiration for the other grow.

  “Indeed. Your honor is impeccable. I have reviewed your request for family status. You have been given an acceptable if somewhat intimate reference. I will personally set your request before my generous mate Morganea. Until that time, you may consider yourselves on probation. My assistant will see to your housing needs. Have you made arrangements for the children?” Neavillii asked with a smile.

  “If it pleases your kindness, our wife’s children are currently in the public nursery that has been established only a few blocks from here. Would it be considered improper for me to call to your attention the pure squalor of that establishment?” Aldera rushed the words out.

  “It would not be improper at all. Have you any experience in nursery care by which to pass this judgment?” Neavillii asked with a new smile.

  “I was the assistant to the nursery head under Dejymo’s House. I retired my position and consigned myself to running my wives’ household after Tadesde assumed the Twelve,” Aldera finished speaking with a blush.

  “It would please me if you would trouble yourself to assume control of the nursery. Thanera will give you my authorization.” Neavillii again smiled as she gestured to her assistant.

  “I find myself humbled by your generosity and fore
sight. I would ask if any steps have been made to prepare the planet for when our Lady Morganea returns to House Sheresuan.” Yolunu’s thaw was slight but noticeable.

  “Many preparations are underway. May I assume your inquiry is in concern to communications?” Neavillii asked.

  “You are observant. The last I heard, all communications were being routed through the House Sheresuan flagship. When it leaves, we will be forced to relay messages without even the most basic of satellites in orbit,” Yolunu said, and Neavillii wondered if the other woman was simply warming up to a subject that she knew well.

  “I was not made aware of this problem. And what would be your solution?” Neavillii leaned forward to encourage Yolunu.

  “I would never presume,” Yolunu said and took a physical step back.

  “Presume!” Neavillii demanded. “It is your problem, find me a solution. The flagship departs within the week, I want planetary communications reestablished, you have my banner to back you,” Neavillii finished with a smile and waved Yolunu to Thanera.

  “You were speaking of a zoo?” Neavillii turned to address the petitioners who had been forced back into line.

  “Oh, yes, my Lady. The MaEryas’ Interplanetary and Alien Species Zoo. We have been without support or supplies for quite some time. I fear the animals will all perish without support from your most kind government.” A frail creature of a species unknown to Neavillii moved to reclaim its seat and was now perched on the back of the chair.

  “These animals are very rare on their home worlds?” Neavillii asked.

  “Oh, no, but they will die without food or water.” The second in the group of four was an elderly Bystocc dressed in clothing that Thanera explained was maternal, and Neavillii winced as the other declined to attempt the chair wearing copper pants.

  “Then, off their home planets, they can only be found here?” Neavillii forced her voice to remain encouraging.

  “Not really, well, except the Perrisanns, a beautiful flier, I might add.” The first speaker leaned forward.