by S. H. Jucha
While the attendees filed out of the captain’s quarters, Julien took a moment to construct permutations of the future, having received an inkling of Alex’s plan and knowing how the mind of his friend worked. He grinned at Cordelia and shared his hypotheses. He whistled, as the two of them left the salon, and reached out to the other two Exchange directors, who were either in Celus-5’s orbit or planetside.
* * *
As the Rêveur entered Hellébore’s system, Alex forwarded the reports of Reiko, Asu, and Willem to Tomas Monti. It would give the president time to read their summaries and brief the Assembly representatives before the liner made orbit around Haraken.
Alex sent Tomas a second message. He wished to make a presentation to the Assembly and discuss a matter of business.
The latter item in Alex’s comm intrigued Tomas, and the president wondered exactly what type of business Alex wanted to conduct with the Haraken government. He asked Dane, an Assembly administrator to postulate on the subject, to which the SADE replied, “You wish me to speculate on what might be in the mind of Alex Racine? Why don’t you ask me to count the grains of sand on our beaches? At least, that task would have a finite end.”
“Well, at least I’m not the only one without a clue,” Tomas murmured, as he prepared to leave his office for the day.
* * *
Alex and Renée exited the traveler, which had landed outside their home. It was late in the evening, raining hard, and visibility was poor. So, neither of them noticed Mutter waiting quietly on the front porch.
The pit of Alex’s stomach sank when he saw the SADE. Only dire news would keep her waiting for him to deliver her message personally.
“It’s my sad duty, Alex, to tell you that the First is dead.”
Alex froze. The faces of those he lost flitted through his memory, and now an alien, as important to him as any of his close friends, was gone too. “How did it happen?” he asked.
“It’s surmised, Ser, that a worm polyp rooted itself deep in a rocky crevice within the bay. It grew, feeding on small creatures. When the food source available to it no longer satisfied its hunger, the worm detached itself. By this time, it reached a length of 6 meters. The worm’s quarry was one of several younglings that the First and other males guarded. The First spotted the worm’s attack, which originated from below, and intercepted it. He killed the worm, but not before that mouth of horrendously sharp teeth devastated the First’s carapace. He died before the males could carry him to shore and seek help from Terese.”
Mutter paused before finishing her story. She wanted to say something that would ease Alex’s pain, but the only words that she selected from her kernel’s memory were, “I’m sorry, Alex. The hives sent him to travel the endless waters the day he died.”
Alex turned from gazing across the waving grasses, lit by the moons’ lights, and reached out to take Mutter’s hands. The First was also a friend to her. “We’ll both miss him, Mutter. Thank you for personally bringing me the news.” Then Alex turned and walked out into the soft rain, headed for the family’s gazebo that looked out over the bay.
Renée and Mutter shared a glance, and Renée briefly touched the SADE’s shoulder in gratitude before she hurried inside for a coat and a blanket. When Renée returned to the porch, Mutter was already gone, her flyer a dim outline, disappearing into the night, and she wasted no time running after Alex. When Renée found him standing underneath the structure’s canopy, she slipped the blanket over Alex’s wet shoulders and closed her coat tightly against the wet chill.
Alex stared out at the bay’s rolling waves. Only their white crests cast a reflection in the pale light. Memories of his time with the First danced through his memory. He smiled at the First’s shrill whistles when the hive leader stopped the builders from constructing a house for him because the First wanted the People to have the honor. The image of the Swei Swee’s four eyestalks peeking over the edge of the swim pool while he watched the females build the first traveler shell came to mind. But most of all, Alex remembered meeting the hive leader at the greeting ceremony before he became the Haraken hives’ First. Few things Alex had done meant more to him than that moment. The realization that he’d freed a captive species, despite the protestations of his people, warmed his heart as few things had ever done.
The blanket’s warmth sunk into Alex’s consciousness, and he thought of his partner. Renée sat on her beloved swing, waiting patiently for him, and he took a seat beside her, opening the blanket so that she could snuggle next to him.
“Mutter told me a couple of days before we left for Celus-5 that the First was no longer able to hunt,” Alex said quietly. “The only duty he could still perform was guarding the younglings.”
“It’s sad that the Swei Swee only live for fifty to fifty-five years,” Renée replied.
“And I imagine many of our older Swei Swee will not reach the upper age limit due to their debilitating conditions during their incarceration in the sphere.”
The two sat quietly, Alex gently pushing off the floor to keep the swing in motion. Renée had drifted off to sleep, when Alex murmured, “I’ll miss him.”
Renée woke in the early morning hours, as Hellébore slipped above the horizon and its rays slid under the gazebo’s awning, warming her. She glanced at Alex, whose eyes were open, staring into the distance, and she crawled higher in his lap to throw her slender arms around his neck and hug him. She said nothing, just held him.
“The new First will be anxious,” said Alex, his voice thick and choked. “We’ll need to make arrangements.”
Before Hellébore was high in the sky, Alex and Renée stood at the shoreline below his house. Swei Swee crowded the long beach, warbling their laments for their loss.
In quick order, Tomas, Terese, and a few key individuals, such as Bibi Haraken, worked their way down the cliff trail to stand beside Alex. Bibi was the matriarch of the Haraken clan and daughter of the much-loved Elder, Fiona Haraken, for whom the planet was named.
“We’re here as you requested, Alex,” Tomas said, breathing quickly from his exertion.
“In a moment, Tomas, I’ll introduce you to the new First of the hives. His name is Bright Shell, but after this morning, he’ll be addressed as First. Since I won’t be around, the First needs a greeting ceremony with a Star Hunter, who leads the people. That’s you, Tomas.”
“No, Alex, I appreciate the honor, but I can’t —”
“You can and you will, Tomas,” Alex interrupted. “I’ll help you through it,” he added, coupling implant to implant with Tomas. Alex felt the president’s revulsion at the thought of eating a live creature, which was a fundamental part of the greeting ceremony, and he flooded Tomas’ mind with soothing images.
“What about later, Alex, when I have nightmares about this ceremony? You won’t be there then,” Tomas remarked.
“That’s what Terese is for,” Renée said. “I’m quite sure she’s capable of distracting you until you can sleep.” The two Méridien women and best friends shared wicked smiles.
“One more thing, Tomas, before we begin,” Alex said. “The Assembly needs to enact a requirement that every new president is required to perform this ceremony and does it the day after he or she is elected. In my estimate, if the future presidents can’t perform this duty, then they aren’t worthy of the position, much less being called a Haraken. The Swei Swee were a critical part of the building of our economy and our warships. Without them, we’d be an agrarian society, scratching in the dirt.
“Fine, Alex,” Tomas said, angry at being shamed into the ceremony. “Walk me through this, but, if I faint, you better catch me. I don’t want to hit the sand face first.”
Alex would have smiled at his friend’s humorous statements, but his heart was too heavy. He whistled an introduction of Tomas to Bright Shell, and a young male scurried from the shallows with a small fish in his claw. Bright Shell accepted the offer, warbling his thanks, then proceeded to expertly strip the fish down to its
fillets.
From the moment the young male raced out of the waves with the fish, Tomas’ mind was overtaken by out-of-body sensations. Calm, relaxing thoughts swept through him. He felt at peace, with no concern for the ceremony’s details. Instead, he thought of the event’s honor, bonding with the First and the hives. Even when cool, wet flesh was in his hand and he was biting into it, he thought of the fight to get free of Libre and the pride and joy that echoed across the fleet when they cleared the system safely. On the heels of those images, he saw the events surrounding the founding of their new world.
The images for Tomas rolled on and on, and he participated in the ceremony in a dream state. Before Tomas knew it, the images were gone. He blinked and focused on the Swei Swee, then Alex, and then his empty hands. He’d eaten his ceremonial share.
Alex whistled to Bright Shell, who held out his claws toward him, and Alex thumped them. “Your turn, Tomas.”
The newly titled First swiveled toward the new Star Hunter leader and held out his claws, and Tomas smacked them hard, happy to have made it through the ceremony without embarrassing himself.
With the ceremony concluded, the hives broke out in shrill whistles and tweets. Their previous First was lost, but Bright Shell was accepted as the new First by the Star Hunter leaders. The hives would continue to live in peace and prosperity.
As the humans left the shore and headed for the cliff trail, Alex said, “Tomas, I need that law in effect before I leave, and I need it binding on every new president.”
“It might be a tough sell, Alex. It’s against so many people’s beliefs —” Tomas’ words were cut off, because Alex stopped, blocked his path, and stared at him with burning eyes.
Bibi touched Alex’s arm. “We’re so sorry for the one you’ve lost, Alex,” she said calmly. “Many of us know how that feels.”
Reminded of Bibi’s loss, Alex heard the enduring voice of Fiona Haraken, as she wished her people good fortune among the stars. He eased away from Tomas, and said forcefully, “I need you to make it happen, Tomas. I don’t care what it takes.” Then he spun around and strode toward the trail, climbing at a pace no one could match.
Renée touched Tomas’ shoulder sympathetically and hurried after her partner.
“We’ve had tougher challenges, Tomas,’’ Bibi said. “I wonder what our Assembly would think of the concept of the Swei Swee never laying up another shell because they believed there was no Star Hunter leader to protect them. Without a greeting ceremony, they might think they’ve been abandoned.”
“I don’t think the Swei Swee would stop building shells, just because —” Tomas’ words died in his throat. Both Terese and Bibi were staring at him, as if he were a simpleton, and his mind raced to catch up. “Oh, yes, sorry,” Tomas exclaimed. “The representatives only have to believe it might happen, but that’s rather duplicitous on my part.”
“As I see it, Tomas,” Terese said sweetly, stepping close to her lover. “You have two choices. You can bluff the Assembly members into accepting something they should want to do if their heads were screwed on correctly, or you can wait until Alex returns one day and finds that you haven’t honored his request.”
Tomas shuddered at the latter thought. He glanced back at the hives, who were celebrating the acceptance of the First. Younglings scurried up and down the beach, sliding into the breaking waves. Young males handed off their catch to the matrons and young females, who warbled their thanks. And the new First stood in the middle of all it, bobbing in pleasure.
* * *
Alex entered Assembly Hall two days later. The representatives concluded the morning’s business, and the gallery was packed with spectators. He caught sight of his sister, Christie, sitting next to Bibi Haraken.
Tomas briefly stated Alex’s purpose before the representatives, and Alex took the lectern to address them. “You’ve received the reports of three mission leaders, and I won’t bore you with the events, which they’ve covered in detail. I’m here to give you a summary of the conditions we’ve found, as I see them. I’ve already heard rumors that Haraken is about to adopt a second world. You might assume that to be true because you funded the expedition to Celus-5. But we’ve found two intelligent species there.”
“But isn’t it true, Ser,” Jason Haraken called out, “that these species aren’t indigenous to that world?”
“That’s correct, Ser,” Alex replied. “But you’ll note that at least one more dominant species appears to inhabit the forests.”
“Which might or might not be intelligent,” Jason replied.
“All true, Ser, but you might want to ask yourself what right, as a society, do you have to displace intelligent species, who have called a planet their home for one or more centuries?”
“As I see it, we would have as much right as them to the planet’s resources.”
“On the other hand, I would prefer to be invited to join them rather than shove my society down their throats, but I think that’s a matter of manners,” Alex said. The entire audience felt a warming sensation in their implants.
Tomas sent an urgent message to Jason.
Christie, who had felt this effect, many times before, when Alex and she were in heated arguments, grinned at Bibi. “I believe your son is irritating my brother,” she whispered.
“I believe my son is annoying many more people than Alex,” Bibi whispered back.
“Anyway, you have my opinion,” Alex said, “and it’s up to you, good people, to decide how you wish your society to operate. I believe the Dischnya and Swei Swee will request our permanent presence, provided we’re willing to be good neighbors and share our technology. I’ve made commitments to both species that I intend to keep to help ensure intra-species and inter-species peace. As to those in the green, which is how the queens refer to the forests, it remains to be seen.”
Bibi leaned over to Christie and whispered, “Anyone else sent to rescue a stranded party on an alien world would do so and return promptly. Not your brother. He goes to the rescue and discovers not one or two, but possibly three, intelligent species, who are fighting with one another.”
Years ago, Christie might have been annoyed at the thought of more attention heaped on her already famous brother. But her mind was changed on that score when she was the one in trouble. It was her brother, who came running to her rescue when she was kidnapped. The universe needs more Alex types to rescue those desperate for it, she thought.
Alex fielded more questions and forced himself to control his temper.
At one point, Tomas stood and announced that since midday meal was quickly approaching, he wanted Alex to suggest his business proposal so the representatives could consider it over their food. “But before he does that,” Tomas said, “I would like to thank Ser Racine for his time today and his continuing efforts on the part of our people.”
Alex nodded his appreciation to Tomas and turned to the Assembly. “As the population’s elected representatives, you have the authority to manage the disposal of any state assets, and I wish to buy the city-ship Freedom.
That created a buzz among the Assembly members.
“What would be your purpose in owning such a huge ship, Ser?” Jason asked.
“It would be better if you didn’t know,” Alex replied, which raised eyebrows and started comms flying.
“Ser Racine,” Tomas said, interceding before Jason opened his mouth again. “While you aren’t in a position of authority, your reputation as Haraken’s preeminent citizen precedes you. It would be a legitimate concern of this Assembly if your actions were to reflect negatively on our world.”
Alex sought some advice from Renée and Julien and received their support. “If this Assembly and I were to come to a reasonable business arrangement on the sale of the Freedom, you would have no reason fo
r concern. I would no longer be a resident of Haraken, and I’d announce that to the worlds before I took any action involving the Freedom.”
The uproar reminded Alex of the behavior of the New Terran Assembly. It was obvious that Librans were a minority in the audience, and most of the representatives had never served under Alex or Tatia.
Tomas gained control of the session and allowed one more question before the Assembly adjourned for midday meal.
“Ser Racine,” Eric Stroheim said, “if the present species acquiesce to you settling on Celus-5, will you make that world an extension of Haraken society?”
“You’re asking the wrong person, Ser Stroheim,” Alex replied. It always felt odd, using formality when speaking to his friends during Assembly sessions. “You’ll have to wait and ask the residents and settlers of Celus-5 whether they wish to join Haraken.”
“But as their leader, Ser Racine —” Tomas started to say, but halted when Alex raised a hand toward him.
“I won’t be the leader of those who choose to call Celus-5 their home. I have other plans.”
Amid shouts and questions from the floor, Tomas adjourned the session, and Alex cut off all comms except for a private few.
Word reached Bibi that Jason asked Tomas for a closed session after midday meal, citing too much interference from the gallery, and it was granted. The decision was a rarity for the Assembly, and one that rankled Bibi. I raised you better than that, Bibi thought, making a point to speak to her son, later, out of session.
* * *
“We’ll enjoy a meal at my home,” Bibi said, when she met Christie outside the Assembly building.