Children of Hope

by David Feintuch

  OUTRIDER HELP ONE-ARM.

  “But—”

  FISH GO PLANET. DIE.

  I gaped. “A bluff?” I yearned for a way to write it. Were they just like us, after all?

  FISH GO. NO OUTRIDERS.

  I jabbed at my radio. “For God’s sake, Mr Kenzig!”

  The Admiral’s voice was tired. “Bishop Scanlen, I’ll take responsibility for sending Seafort. Do you object?”

  “Bless it, of course I do! He’s an excommunicate, an apostate—”

  “His blasted joeyboy has us by the private parts, and demands Seafort. What do you suggest?”

  Scanlen yelled, “Kill the fish!”

  “But, Your Reverence, there are technical difficulties. The Station’s out of range for sixteen hours. Olympiad won’t have a shot until—”

  “You’re here to protect us!”

  A long silence. “Actually, I’m envoy to an allied government, here to superintend our visiting ships. We’ve no fleet, no personnel, no—”

  The Bishop’s tone was frantic. “While you gabble, Kenzig, Satan’s spawn loom overhead!”

  I grinned tightly. “Let me make it clear,” I said. “I won’t lift a finger to stop the fish without Captain Seafort.”

  “Accursed seed of a warped soul! Thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert—”

  “BISHOP!” Kenzig’s bellow could have stopped an avalanche.

  Silence, that seemed to stretch forever. “So be it,” Scanlen said heavily. “Send a demon to treat with demons.”

  The Admiral’s tone was brisk. “Ms Frand, escort Captain Seafort to the launch. Make all haste.”

  I demanded, “Restored to his rank and authority!”

  “I can’t return him to command of Olympiad. Not while—”

  “I didn’t say command of Olympiad. Full rank and authority.”

  “But …”

  “Centraltown, Venturas Base here. Can you send help? Olympiad? Station? Venturas Base is declaring an emerg—”

  “Very well. Ms Frand, Log it. You’d best hurry.”

  “Not just the Captain. I need someone else.”

  “Who?”

  I took a deep breath. “Chris Dakko. A civilian, he’s—”

  “The victualler, yes. See that it’s done, Ms Frand.”

  “Sir, if he doesn’t want to go …?”

  “SEND HIM!” The Admiral’s roar made me flinch.

  “Aye aye, sir!”

  I turned to the big outrider. “Big human go to one-arm fish. Inside yes?”

  INSIDE YES. Then, HUMAN FEAR?

  My tone was grim. “Not this human.”

  36

  THE LAUNCH APPROACHED CAUTIOUSLY, with minute bursts from its thrusters. Two figures emerged, extra tanks trailing.

  No sooner had the hatch slid shut than a plaintive voice asked, “May I withdraw, please, Captain?”

  “No, Mr Yost. Stay close in case—”

  “Permission granted, Mr Yost. Withdraw to a safe distance. One kilometer.” And then, unnecessarily, “She’s my ship now, Mr Seafort. We may have need of our launch.”

  Fath’s tone was flat. “Very well, Ms Frand.”

  I said, “It’s all arranged, sir. They’ll send an outrider for you. It’s a bit scary.” An understatement if ever there was one.

  Fath said, “The way Harry brought you inside?”

  “He’ll envelop you, so no part of you touches the fish’s skin.”

  “I don’t look forward—”

  “I won’t do it!” Chris Dakko.

  “There’s no choice.” Fath’s tone was gentle.

  “I’m your prisoner, but—”

  “Not my prisoner. I assure—”

  “I refuse. I’ll jet away.”

  “You’ve no experience in a thrustersuit, Chris.”

  “I don’t care.”

  “Venturas Base here, they’re still descending!”

  “Olympiad to Venturas, we’ll have a shot in ninety-seven minutes.”

  Fath sighed. “Randy, is Chris absolutely essential?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Think I’m glitched?” Mr Dakko. “I won’t let that monster swallow me! I’ll die first!”

  “No,” I said. “You won’t. You’ll do it for Kevin.”

  “Kev has nothing to do with—”

  “You’re wrong. In a moment. I’ll show you.” My voice was steady. Fath was just Outside, and thanks to the big outrider I had a fresh supply of air. What more could a joeykid want? A real arm that didn’t wriggle and flap. A night’s rest. An hour fondling Judy Winthr—

  “Randy …” Mr Dakko’s tone started out firm, and trailed off. “I can’t … not in the same room with … They killed him.”

  “No, we did. We blew the outrider to pieces. Sir, I can’t do this without you.” Not entirely true. I might, but I didn’t want to.

  “Chris?” Fath, patient.

  “Oh, Christ. Hold my tether, sir.” The sound of breathing. “I’m shutting my eyes. Tell me when it’s done.”

  “Got you, Chris. Son, we’re ready.”

  I bent with my stick. “Time now.”

  “So.” Fath looked about. “Chris, you can look.”

  Mr Dakko opened one eye, cringed. “Oh, God.”

  “Son …” Fath hauled me close, embraced me through our suits. “Why’d you summon me?”

  “First, to get you off Olympiad. Frand can’t be trusted.”

  “Sarah’s loyal to the Navy. Her conscience—”

  “Sir, there’s no time for bullshit.” He tried to stare me down, couldn’t. “Why else?”

  “To use leverage. I can’t pull this off. Mr Dakko?” I shook him. “Look at my face. Don’t mind them.”

  “Worse than a nightmare.” His voice was thick.

  “Did Kev ever tell you his dream?” My tone was curious.

  It roused him. “No. He was closer to Walter. His grandfather. Perhaps I was too harsh.”

  “For generations, the U.N. has strangled us with their shipping monopoly. My dad hated it, and Anthony. Kevin’s idea …”

  I told him. If the colonies banded together, their joint resources might match, even outstrip Earth’s. They could build ships of their own, avoid the ruinous rates that had us at Earth’s mercy.

  “A worthwhile goal,” he said tiredly. “But utterly unrealistic. The Navy would never let us ship materials or half-built ships. To say nothing of fabricating drives.”

  “True. But now we don’t need the Navy. Fath, Mr Dakko, I’d like you to meet someone. A … a friend.” I clutched my stick. “Here big-human.”

  TWO HUMANS.

  “One-arm touch big-human.” I gripped Fath’s arm. “Captain, may I present their commander? His symbol is big outrider.”

  “You said they’re telepathic? Whatever one knows …?”

  “I’m not sure. They may transmit by touching the fish. But this one’s definitely in charge.”

  “Is the … uh, body … aired?”

  I’d anticipated him. “Yes, sir. I asked if I could open a tank.” The second tank from Challenger’s ill-fated launch hissed quietly in a corner.

  “Good. Tell him I mean no harm.” Fath began to unclamp his helmet.

  “Are you sure, sir? If anything goes wrong …”

  “Yes. I’m sure.”

  In a moment Fath was desuited. “Whew.” He wrinkled his nose. With a gentle push, he came to rest at a membrane near the big outrider. “Tell him I wish him well.”

  “Big-human say outriders no-die no-hurt.” It was the best I could do.

  Slowly, the outrider grew an appendage. Gray. I let out my breath. “Fath, that’s the kind that won’t hurt you.”

  “I remember.”

  Slowly, the outrider extended the gray metal finger, touched Captain Seafort’s cheek. Fath stood quite still, though his lips moved silently in what might have been prayer.

  When the outrider was done, Fath extended hi
s arm, wrapped his fingers around the appendage. Don’t shake it. If it comes off in your hand we’ll all have fits.

  “Now what, son?”

  Stumbling over my words, I explained about the salt. “We need a three-way trade deal. Mr Dakko will handle the local end.”

  “I’ll what?” His look was unbelieving.

  “You’re a merchant, aren’t you? Who better to purchase supplies and trade for us?”

  “Us?”

  “Hope Nation.”

  He said, “You’re a U.N. citizen, Randy. They’ll view this as treason.”

  “Am I, Fath? Ms Frand removed me from Olympiad’s roster. Your own status is … unclear.”

  “I assume you have dual citizenship. But the salt is nothing. They view this—” Fath waved. “—as treason.”

  I shrugged. “I knew that from the start.”

  “Besides, it’s academic. It’s not a matter for Hope Nation to determine.”

  “Why, yes, it is.” Through the visor, my gaze met his. “I’ve decided so.”

  Fath’s lips tightened. “Don’t toy with me.”

  “I’m not, sir. If we get out of this, you’ll set me straight.” I didn’t look forward to it. “But in the meantime, I name the terms.”

  “How do you intend to enforce that?”

  I handed him the writing stick. “Here. Do it your way.”

  “I don’t know the words, son. You’re our linguist.”

  “Precisely, sir.”

  If I weren’t wearing a helmet, I think he’d have struck me. His tone was harsh. “You can’t dictate to us. The General Assembly sets terms of foreign trade.”

  “For U.N. members,” I said. “Hope Nation is independent.”

  “McEwan declared—”

  “McEwan can declare his grandmother a swordfish, for all we care.” Anthony, this is for you. I hope you’ll know. “Hope Nation stays free. That’s part of any deal.”

  Chris Dakko stared at me intently, the outriders forgotten.

  I said, “We’d better hurry, Fath. Those fish will land shortly.” And my bluff will evaporate.

  “Blast it, joey, do you know the havoc you’re unleashing? I was there, at Venturas Base!” When the fish landed, all those years ago, Fath had fought them. Yes, I’d heard.

  I said, “We can avoid the worst. Sir, here’s what you need to set up: we trade the fish a few tons of salt—you and Mr Dakko can work out the numbers. We can lift it for them; it’s easier for us. In return—”

  “You arranged concessions?” Mr Dakko sounded astonished.

  “Why, yes. That’s why we need you. The big outrider has agreed to carry our cargoes in return for salt. Our greatest challenge will be showing them where to go, we don’t have star maps yet but—”

  Fath held out a hand. “If I don’t agree?”

  “Then I let the fish land.”

  “Son, I forbid it.”

  “I defy you. I must. I hope one day you’ll understand.” My eyes stung. “Sir, I’m just a joeykid. Lord God knows what made me think I’m ready to be an adult. I’m not. But everyone expected …” No, it was my own fault. “Protect me next time, sir. From myself. I beg you, don’t let me talk as I do, or imagine it’s my place to decide the fate of worlds. Yet here I am, the only joey the fish trust, the only one who can talk to them. My home, my family, are gone. Olympiad doesn’t want me, the Church only cares for revenge. I’ve come to the brink of death over and again, ’til my mind is numbed. You know what? It gives me the right to decide.”

  I took a long deep breath.

  “And I decide Hope Nation will control its own trade. I lo—I respect and admire you greatly. But, Fath, I’ll have my way or turn my back on you.” I stopped. My voice was too unsteady to say more.

  Fath was silent. His gaze held … what? Reproach? Sadness? Reappraisal?

  “Boy …” Mr Dakko floated across the chamber. “You realize what you’ve done?”

  “I think …” I swallowed. “I think so.”

  “Anthony … and your father Derek Carr would be so—so—” He looked around guiltily. “So God damned proud!”

  I couldn’t help it. I tore off my helmet, threw myself at Fath. After a moment, he wrapped me in an embrace. “It’s so, son. Let me this once speak for Derek. He would be proud. He fought that battle for years.”

  “Randy, the outri—Randy!” Mr Dakko sprang to a bulkhead as a pair of outriders advanced.

  I grabbed the stick. “Other human no hurt one-arm! One-arm emotion. One-arm no hurt, no die.” I spoke as I wrote.

  The outriders subsided. One jump took them to the far membrane. They attached themselves, quivering.

  I said sheepishly, “Thanks, sir. Now …” I cleared my throat. “If we’re to share the starlanes with fish, the U.N. will have to agree. The fish need salt when they’re in home system too, and a place to land. That’s for you to accomplish.”

  “Afterward. Right now, fish are descending on the Venturas, and Olympiad is on its way.”

  “Can you stop Ms Frand’s attack?”

  “I doubt it.” Fath merely smiled at my alarm. “But I imagine the Bishop can. Chris, is this agreeable to you? Good. Let’s get to work. Seafort to Olympiad. Ms Frand, a joint circuit, please. Ourselves, Bishop Scanlen, Colonel Kaminski, the Admiral. Mr McEwan.”

  I said urgently, “The planters.”

  “All right, son. And the Planters’ Council.”

  “What have you worked out?” Ms Frand sounded suspicious.

  “We’ll discuss it together.”

  “Randy.” Mr Dakko poked my shoulder. “Translate for me. Ask them how much salt—”

  “A cargo-hold full.”

  “By weight. And how often they’ll need it. Is delivery at the Station acceptable? And …”

  “I’m not sure we have words—wait.” I tugged at Fath’s sleeve. “Sir, a couple more details.”

  “Now what?” A scowl.

  “Corrine Sloan’s to be freed. No trial.”

  “As much as I want that, I can’t ask—”

  “I ask. Tell them I won’t translate the deal otherwise. And one more thing: you get back Olympiad.”

  “No.”

  “I insist. Else I won’t—”

  “Don’t you understand? Anything I ask on my own behalf undercuts their trust. They have to swallow a lot to accept your proposal. This is one bite too much. They’ll begin to think it’s all about me, and power. I don’t mind, truly. I’ll ride home as supercargo. We’ll share a cabin, you and I.”

  “You’d still have me?” My voice was tremulous.

  “Of course, son.” His eyes narrowed. “I’ll use the time to do exactly as you asked.”

  I gulped. It would be a long eighteen months. I might even be the better for it, but I dreaded the ordeal.

  Never mind that now. I turned back to the big outrider.

  Mr Dakko’s conversation with the alien grew increasingly technical. I was making up words on the spot, extrapolating them from what little we knew. Some were easy: “far” equaled “not near.” Others, such as measures of weight, were maddeningly complicated. I finally managed it, resorting to “go to sun” and “go to planet” for gravity, and deriving “weight” from gravity. Having little else at hand, we used my own weight for a standard. A One-Arm-Weight equaled some fifty kilos at least on Hope Nation.

  Thank Lord God I had a facility for recalling our pictographs, else negotiations would have dissolved in chaos. Fath shook his head at my drawings; Mr Dakko threw up his hands.

  Fath had climbed back into his suit, for easier use of the radio. I kept an ear half-cocked, and marveled at his patience. Well, for two long terms as SecGen, he’d kept the representatives of Earth’s billions in check. That certainly required well-honed forebearance and tact. On the other hand, he’d not been well known for his diplomatic …

  “Mr McEwan, we’ll need a firm commitment, not merely a promise to consider export permits for—”

  “Remove the
threat of the fish, and we’ll see about—”

  “Governor …” Scanlen’s voice was tense. “Given our predicament, perhaps we ought to soften—”

  I snarled, “McEwan’s no Governor!” I hoped the Planters’ Council would say the same. It was they who’d led Hope Nation’s long drive for independence. But Winthrop and the entire Council had disappeared.

  “Olympiad will have a shot in sixty-two—”

  “Enough, Ms Frand. Randy, can you guarantee that, with an agreement, no more fish will descend?”

  I’d already confirmed it with the big outrider. “Yes.”

  “And that those already descending won’t attack?”

  “Yes.” That was the easy part. Without outriders to direct them, they were unable.

  “Very well. Gentlemen, we’ll never agree on all details. So, I’ll set forth a proposal. When I’m done, don’t suggest modifications. Simply say yes or no.” A deep breath. “One, Hope Nation allows Dakko & Son to export salt to the fish, just off Orbit Station. Two, Mr Dakko is pardoned by all parties, and has leave to make what other transport arrangements he wishes. Three, Ms Sloan may sail to Earth unharmed and unmolested, to present her case before an impartial Church tribunal.”

  I snorted. Was there such a thing?

  “Four, Hope Nation’s status is referred to the General Assembly. Mr McEwan, you will return to Earth—”

  “Absolutely not!”

  “Hear me out. Return to Earth to present your case. You’ll appoint Jerence Branstead as Deputy Governor in your absence. In the meantime the Planters’ Council, should they wish to assert independence, will name him Stadholder, and he will serve in a dual capacity until—”

  Fath, you’re a genius.

  “Five, the aliens agree to ship Hope Nation’s cargo as may be agreed. They undertake not to attack any vessel or planet occupied by humans, and this agreement is void at the first violation. Six—”

  “Sir, I can’t translate all that.”

  “Be silent, Mr Carr. Seven, I undertake to present this agreement for approval by the United Nations General Assembly, and recommend a similar salt-for-cargo agreement in home system.”

  He thought for a moment. “Eight, Olympiad sails directly for home. This is too important to delay. Any of her officers in detention need only give their parole not to contest Ms Fraud’s control of the ship to be freed for the homeward cruise. Nine, and most important, we declare an immediate cease-fire. The aliens won’t attack the Venturas, Olympiad, or the Station, and neither Olympiad nor Colonel Kaminski will open fire on them.”