Eetoo

by Robby Charters

the young human pupil and his utz mentor

  make their way through what's left of the market

  here, they wait while sellers move a large object into a waiting carrier

  there, they make a detour

  the utz flashes his dome to passers-by

  they return the greeting as humans do

  they reach the parking lot

  carts and carriers in countless rows

  the utz's carrier, as though with a mind of its own

  glides towards them and stops to let them on

  they board - they're off

  I ask Neuryzh, 'What was he talking about? Why did he say our time is coming?'

  'Every species in the universe has a home where they were birthed. The law of the universe is that every species has the right to exist so long as their home planet remains habitable. Now, what Blazz was referring to -- there is something I heard a long time ago. I began pondering it again just recently...'

  He's quiet for a long time.

  'What?' I say finally.

  'The home planet of humanity has a time limit. The Groki understanding is that the planet will be destroyed some time soon. If that happens, humans will no longer have the right to exist. At least, anyone who wishes to be the final executioner, must not be prevented, by universal law, from doing so. My understanding is that the Groki intend to be that executioner. They have a profound sense of justice, and their experience of humanity has been a most unpleasant one. However -- '

  He's gone quiet again.

  'However, what?'

  'However, the Groki understanding may not be complete. There are other answers to be found. I think it all has to do with your mission.'

  ***

  I'm telling Heptosh about what Blazz said.

  'That's the same Groki who flashed his dome at you at the space port, isn't it?'

  'Yes.'

  'And he just spoke all that in plain Nephteshi, at the table, with no regard for your feelings?'

  'Yes.'

  'I tell you. This galaxy would be a much more pleasant place but for the Groki.' He walks to the window, sighing. Then he says, 'Of course, we humans may have had something to do with that as well.'

  'What we do?'

  'We were a terrible and cruel race of people. We made slaves of other peoples, we looted planets, we even had weapons that worked against the Groki, which we used on them. We used logical relocation to remove minerals and topsoil from their planets to add to ours. We were an empire of pirates we were. The Nefzedi weren't quite a bad as the Nephteshi. We were a nation to the South of their original kingdom on Red Earth, but we were allied to them and supported them in return for favoured status. They gave us our own planet. But the Akkadi were their slaves. I think the Famtizhi were also intended as slaves. Your people were kept on Kalodzu-Famta so as to be preserved and moved later to a place where you would be forced to work. I read the history of the planet in one of the computers we brought from the Kalodzu area.'

  'What happen? Why they not take us away?'

  'The empire collapsed about that time. Kalodzu-Famta was one of the first planets to break away. The Kalodzus were good. They set aside a whole portion of their planet for your people to live after the ways of your fathers -- raising sheep and gathering food from the land. But the Nephteshis and the Nefzedis were a different story.'

  'Then why are you good?'

  'Me? Am I good?'

  'Oh yes!'

  'If I am, it's because I had teachers like my father, and Neuryzh and Fra.'

  'Neuryzh, he teach me too.'

  'So I hear. I also hear you have your heart set on young Tsaphar b'n Shammah!'

  '-- er -- I love her, but Rav, he say she must marry Tsim.'

  'I've heard that as well.'

  'So -- I can not marry.'

  'Not even if you challenge Tsim to a fight?'

  'Ooi! No! He too big! I see him fight!'

  'Is he as strong as a bionic?'

  'I don't know.'

  'You remember Shan. He's a bionic. His muscles and flesh have turned into synthetic metal -- much stronger than human muscle. I'm sure Shan is much stronger than Tsim.'

  'He fight Tsim?'

  'No! You fought Shan! Remember? I saw you twist his arm behind his back, then you pushed him down. I'm sure if you got Tsim in a the right type of hold, you could break his neck!'

  'But -- he not do holds?'

  'Wrestling isn't an Akkadi art. They box with their fists. If you move fast enough, you can get him before the first punch.'

  'I don't know.'

  'Well -- you love Tsaphar; Tsaphar loves you; think about it. I won't tell you what to do. By the way, I must say you're learning and skill have improved a lot over the last couple of months.'

  'Thank you.'

  I don't know if I can fight Tsim. I don't even know if I want to go through that just because a woman isn't allowed to choose for herself. That would be me choosing instead of her.

  I've got to think about that.

  16

  Heptosh thought it would be good to take Eetoo along. The invitation was normally extended to the whole village on the third or fourth night of the celebrations, and it would be good for Eetoo to experience an Akkadi wedding -- at least one night of it. Also, he was sure he would gain some enjoyment from it himself.

  The bride was from the family of Akhan the village elder, and the groom was the son of Rov, the local tinker. He wasn't just any tinker. Rov could assemble a computer from spare parts, he could sort out anything that could go wrong with levitation motors used in carriers, he could even repair a spaceship -- everything short of the reverse beam transmitter (for that, one would need the services of the Heknosh clan, of the Indigenous Nephteshis, who kept the art a secret within their clan. After so many months, they still weren't finished repairing Heptosh's). All things considered, the celebration promised to be a sumptuous affair.

  Heptosh and Eetoo went on foot. The music was already playing as they arrived. A calf was roasting on an open fire off to one side, where other giant pots and tables laden with delicacies waited to be emptied into serving dishes and carried to the eating area.

  One of the attendants led them into the courtyard. It had been emptied out and covered with carpets and cushions. The carrier, horse cart and boxes of things were temporarily stored outside and covered with a tarpaulin.

  Heptosh knew better than to show up too early, so they were arriving along with the bulk of the guests. They found a couple of cushions and sat down in front of a log fitted with legs -- it was a perch for Neuryzh and any other creature who might need it. They were beginning to bring in some hors devours and wine.

  The bride and groom came in, accompanied by immediate family members, and took their seats at the far end of the courtyard. The flute players, the harpists and the drummer reeled their tunes in the corner next to them. The head of the house, the village elder, loudly announced both in Akkadi and Nephteshi that it was time to enjoy and be merry.

  The people began enjoying themselves and being merry.

  The b'n Shammah family arrived. The two ladies and the youngest boy sat down next to the mother of the bride. The two older boys looked about for their friends. Heptosh noticed Tsaphar scanning the room until she spotted him and Eetoo. She smiled slightly, and waited for Eetoo to notice her.

  Heptosh nudged Eetoo and pointed in the direction of Tsaphar. Tsaphar smiled as soon as Eetoo returned her gaze, but motioned meaningfully with her hand towards Rav, whom Heptosh noticed was sitting with some other boys, one of them, no doubt, Tsim.

  Their eyes will be the only parts of them that meet tonight, thought Heptosh.

  Tsaphar's twin was still wandering about looking for friends. Presently, he came and sat next to Eetoo.

  The food was good. The first course was crackers with a paste made of zun-bean and floggle-oil. The roast calf with sour plum sauce would be one of the later courses, when the heavier items would be brought out. Heptosh thought he also caught
the scent of scalded trilobite, probably imported from the planet Zosh.

  Shav and Eetoo were conversing casually, mostly in their broken Nephteshi, but sometimes in Akkadi. During the second course, the youngest b'n Shammah boy ran over and sat down next to Eetoo.

  In middle of the third course, of crispy fried pigeon wings with sweet lacier-berry sauce, Neuryzh arrived. People all over the room greeted him loudly. He nodded his head and made his dome glow warmly in response. He took his perch behind Heptosh and the boys.

  Though his head was much higher than Heptosh's, they could converse easily in the noisy courtyard by means of one of Neuryzh's vocal tubes. With this, he could both speak and hear Heptosh, even as he looked about the room, greeting the other party guests.

  'Eetoo told me about the confrontation with the Groki on market day -- when was it?,' Heptosh had been so busy he hadn't seen him in many weeks.

  'Two or three weeks ago, but I wouldn't have called it a confrontation. We were having a drink together after all, though his etiquette was rather wanting. But I would say that overall, it was a learning experience for the human. He actually handled himself quite well.'

  'No etiquette at all, I would say.'

  'I hope he may pick some up as time goes on.'

  'The Groki, or Eetoo?'

  'The Groki, of course. Eetoo performed wonderfully. He even served him his drink. Speaking of Eetoo, I thought it might do good for his navigation skills, to explore the galaxy.'

  'Explore the galaxy?'

  'And perhaps some of the others as well. (Oh, I say! These bird wings are good!) I've been cooped up on this sector for several years and I need to get away and just look at the galaxy from a distance, even if it's only for a day's excursion. I thought I might take him with me.'

  'That would be fine with me.'

  'Perhaps in the next week or two. You know, it's been at least ninety years since I've seen another Utz.'

  'Ninety years?'

  'And I've been working on the same borunñnvotzp for at least 100.'

  'I suppose that's a long time.'

  'I'm afraid it's going to get ingrown on me if I keep it too long. I think I'm already more attached to it than what's healthy.'

  'That's right, you have to give them away, don't you -- to another Utz?'

  'Preferably an Utz. Groki are also capable of receiving .'

  'Oh no! Not a Groki, certainly! That would be a horrible waste! Please look for another Utz!'

  'I can try. We are rather far between, and Utzes, when we move, often don't leave a forwarding address. The only way I could ever pinpoint anyone's location with any precision is if they sent a mating call. That only happens probably three times a century, and if that happened, common courtesy would dictate that I not respond to it, as I'm not in need of a mate.'

  'One would think you don't care for one another.'

  'On the contrary. When we visit, it's not just for a fortnight. We've been known to spend up to 20 years on a single visit. And if, during that time, one of us gives the other a borunñnvotzp -- well -- that, in itself is the highest form of interaction that can possibly happen between Utzes.'

  'Does the other one give a barunuv-blablabla -- er -- one of those things in return?'

  'Not necessarily. A one-way exchange is enough to deeply enhance a relationship. If the other has a borunñnvotzp, it's likely not mature yet. The receiving Utz usually adds some of the images and ideas from the one he/she receives, to theirs, and later gives it to a third Utz. Thus, my range of influence goes on and on as long as borunñnvotzp are given to yet more Utzes. But it becomes a two way exchange when the receiver spends time with the giver and talks about the images and ideas he/she received. That provides good therapy for the giver.'

  'Therapy?'

  'Oh, yes. Giving away something one has been pouring oneself into for so many years can potentially lead to depression. That's why there's such a great temptation to keep one's borunñnvotzp indefinitely. It seems as though we've lost something, though we really haven't. The concepts and images we've expressed in the borunñnvotzp become a fundamental part of our consciousness. Later, when we're once again capable of creating, the same ideas appear, but on a much more fundamental level.'

  Heptosh had finished his wings, so he shifted to give Neuryzh eye contact. But he found Neuryzh was simultaneously having a conversation with the father of the groom who was standing behind the perch. Multitasking is no problem for an Utz, so Heptosh said the next natural thing:

  'So, giving it away ends up being a growing experience.'

  'Exactly.'

  'So, next week, or the week after, you'll give Eetoo a tour of the galaxy. Perhaps you'll meet another Utz in the process.'

  'I don't have high hopes. Travel to many sectors is restricted, even to non-humans.'

  The song that the musicians had been playing was finished, and Mr. Akhan, the father of the bride got up and signalled for silence.

  'As the next course is being prepared, we'll have dance music! Grab someone's hand, and dance!' He began shaking his fist in the air to set the beat for the musicians. 'Come on!'

  He grabbed a couple of ladies' hands and pulled them up to the middle area, and began dancing,

  Several of the younger people stood up immediately and made it into a circle in the middle area. Rav and his friends were among them.

  Some left the circle to grab a friend by the hand and pull them in.

  Heptosh noticed that Tsaphar had positioned herself behind her mother so it would be hard for anyone to pull her into the dance circle.

  The music was getting faster and faster, so were the dancers.

  Everyone who wasn't dancing was clapping to the beat, some were singing, generally the noise was rather loud.

  It wasn't the music Heptosh had grown up with, but he enjoyed it none-the-less. The excitement produced by the beat of the drums and flute and harp was contagious. Heptosh was also clapping.

  At the climax all the dancers jumped in the air as everyone shouted, 'Hey!' Heptosh shouted along with everyone.

  There were other noises as well -- some screaming near the door, someone shouting. Some people ran outside.

  Heptosh's glance fell on the corner where Mrs. b'n Shammah sat.

  Tsaphar was gone.

  a cacophony of voices takes over from the music

  the dancing follows a new rhythm

  Shav pokes me in the rib. 'Hoi! Tsim run away with Tsaphar!'

  We get up and run for the door. There are other boys standing about.

  It's dark outside. I look -- I can see them, just barely. Someone's running, carrying a girl over his shoulders. She's screaming and hitting his back, but he's got her firmly.

  I run after him. Shav is behind me.

  He's pretty fast, but Tsaphar's heavy enough to slow him down, so I catch up. Tsaphar sees me, and hold out her hands.

  I catch her arms in mine. That slows him down enough so I can kick him in the rear.

  He falls over backwards. Now Tsaphar's in my arms.

  He gets up quick though. I don't know any moves I can do while I'm holding a girl.

  He's coming at us now, shouting something. I don't know what, it's in Akkadi.

  Some other big kids have come up from behind. They must be his friends.

  They're standing about looking at me. Some of them have sticks. Shav is somewhere behind them. This doesn't look good at all!

  They're starting to move in on us.

  Tsim tries to grab Tsaphar away but she's holding tightly to me.

  Suddenly there's a bright flash.

  They all turn and look. Some of them run away. Tsim lets go of Tsaphar and hides his eyes.

  It's Neuryzh. His dome is still glowing, but a different colour than I've seen before. This one doesn't remind me of a smile.

  He says something in Akkadi. It sounds something like, one marriage is enough for one night.

  Everybody goes back. Tsim stands there a while, looking at him. Then he bac
ks up, turns about and runs down the road.

  Shav is still there, behind Neuryzh. We walk back to the house and join the party again.

  Ima b'n Shammah and Heptosh are at the door.

  So is Rav. Tsaphar gives him a look, and he keeps quiet.

  Ima says, 'Eetoo, you're a very brave boy.'

  'He is, indeed' says Neuryzh.

  We all go to sit together near the perch. Tsaphar sits next to me.

  I can hear Neuryzh again, but it's through his little tentacle thing next to my ear: 'I don't think your fight is over yet, Eetoo, but the rest you must do yourself.'

  Just a few people are dancing now. They've brought out something that looks a bit like lobster, but more in the shape of a giant bug. People are eating it as though they really like it. They dip it into some sauce. I'll try a bit.

  * * *

  Heptosh heard a knock at the door. It was Mrs. b'n Shammah.

  'Good day. What brings you here?'

  'It's to do with the episode last night. The boy Tsim and my son, unfortunately, have friends among the unsavoury element of this village, and -- well, I don't think it is safe for Eetoo to continue coming for his lessons. In fact, if we're not careful, they may try to turn this into a feud between our two communities.'

  'I'm sorry to hear this.'

  'So am I. Just between you and me, I would much rather have Eetoo as a son-in-law than that rogue. But I'm afraid, that could only happen the traditional way -- you know -- but I'm afraid Tsim would be too much for him.'

  'Yes.'

  'I must hurry, before I'm seen here.'

  She turned and walked quickly away.

  17

  the shepherd walks at the head of his herd

  his apprentice minds the strays

  Nakham's the only one not put off by all this mess. He keeps right on coming -- as happy as ever. I hope he stays happy. He helps me forget my troubles.

  Today he brought me a messages from Tsaphar. She loves me, and I love her.

  So, we're both miserable.

  I'm sure I would have been happier had I never come to this planet. I love a girl I can't have, all the Akkadi boys in town want my hide, and then I've met creatures that want to step on us like cockroaches.