Seeds of Earth

was an old story for Kao Chih's generation, resonant

  with the pain and grief of defeat and exile. But for the

  Hyperion's crew, the world which they had made their

  home - and named Darien - just happened to lie well

  within a deepzone which kept it hidden from other

  civilisations for a century and a half. And now Earth

  was reaching out to them with the promise of friend-

  ship and aid, as well as the prospect of opening up

  relations with nearby cultures and races. Then the

  commentators mentioned that Darien's neighbours

  were the Brolturan Compact, an offshoot of the

  Sendruka Hegemony, and the mood in the room

  changed. All knew from decades of underdock buzz

  and unofficial summaries, as well as the sufferings of

  relatives still captive on Pyre, what Sendruka involve-

  ment really meant.

  Indeed, one of the smaller septs working on the

  Agmedra'a orbital called themselves the Sundered, a

  race whose homeworlds had been seized by the

  Brolturans nearly three centuries ago. The Brolturans

  had once been a fundamentalist faction within Sendruka

  society until prophecy and an intensification of their

  shared zealotry drove them to seek independent territory

  outside the Hegemony, and the Sundered were the main

  victims of their aggressive colonisation. As a pacifist

  race without allies, the Sundered were uprooted and

  evicted from their handful of planets. Roughly half of

  them ended up eking out a miserable existence in scores

  of refugee cantonments scattered around the region

  while the rest travelled from star to star in ageing,

  decrepit cryostore ships, seeking aid or petitioning for

  intercession. But since the Brolturan Compact was now

  a close ally of the Hegemony none was willing to risk its

  wrath and the predictable consequences.

  The report included interviews with some of the ordi-

  nary citizens of Darien colony, a strange people with

  round eyes and brown or red hair yet full of a vitality

  that Kao Chih immediately felt a connection with. Then

  there were shots of some indigenous creatures and sites

  of great natural beauty, followed by a brief, intriguing

  glimpse of excavated alien ruins that the colony's

  researchers were investigating along with the help of

  diminutive humanoid sentients from the planet's inhab-

  ited moon. Chih was amazed, and smiled to see Tumakri

  leaning forward to stare more closely at the half-buried

  stone remains while muttering dry, incomprehensible

  things to himself.

  The holo-sequence ended with the reception of the

  ambassador from Earth and his short speech to the

  crowd of onlookers and reporters. Then it was over and

  the lighting came up as the Roug collapsed the projector

  and its stand down to a small flat unit smaller than a

  woman's fist.

  I'd wager that's a digital device, he thought. Wonder

  how that squares with their non-digital preferences.

  'Honourable K'ang Lo, and assiduous leaders of

  Human Sept,' said one of the senior Roug. 'The events

  shown took place less than two days ago and came into

  our hands during the last sleep cycle. It is an unfortunate

  fact that this world Darien is located in deepzone terri-

  tory currently claimed by two opposing powers, the

  Imisil Mergence and the Brolturan Compact. The

  Darien system is very far from Earth and still further

  away from us, and the Human colony there is small and

  weak, thus the prospects of survival seem poor.

  'However, strength is not always measured by the

  capacity for military violence. The plight of the oppressed

  and the destitute, when openly declared for all to know

  and see, exerts a moral power which weakens those that

  rely on violence to attain their goals. In the light of this,

  and of the assessment we compiled, the Contiguals of

  the High Index have decided to act. We are instructed to

  offer to Human Sept cancellation of the indenture con-

  tract, provided there is agreement on three conditions.'

  There was a sudden outburst of delighted, almost dis-

  believing chatter, and Kao Chih stared at Tumakri.

  'Noble One, did you know of this?'

  The Roug's features were hidden by the tight, cop-

  pery swathes, but there was a certain tension in its

  movements that suggested surprise.

  'Pilot Kao, I am as unprepared for this as you.'

  Then the Duizhang stood, his face stern, his dark

  eyes glittering as he raised one hand for silence.

  'Noble Assessors, please state your conditions, that

  we may determine their fitness.'

  'As you wish. Condition the first, that Human Sept

  shall aid us in the necessary training once a replacement

  sept has been chosen. Condition the second, that the

  leaders of Human Sept shall agree to dispatch an emis-

  sary to the Darien colonyworld, to meet with the

  authorities there and to request permission for all sur-

  viving Pyre colonists to settle and join with their Human

  compatriots. This task must be undertaken promptly

  and without announcement or even communication

  with either Darien or Earthsphere - were the Suneye

  monoclan or the Hegemony to learn of this too soon,

  the consequences would certainly hamper the evacua-

  tion preparations.'

  Kao Chih could scarcely take it all in. Evacuation}

  Duizhang K'ang Lo looked equally stunned. 'The

  greater part of my people still endure captivity on the

  world Pyre, Noble Ones. Are they included in your kind

  and generous plans?'

  'They are, Duizhang. As soon as the Darien leaders

  issue their invitation, our vessels shall travel to Pyre and

  carry out the evacuation. Any attempt to interfere will

  be dealt with harshly.

  'Condition the third, that the emissary shall be Pilot

  Kao Chih, son of Kao Hsien. He has been the subject of

  close assessment, most recently by Overseer Tumakri,

  and we are satisfied that he meets the criteria for such a

  crucial role. We shall provide him with a small but

  durable craft and a Roug companion, Overseer

  Tumakri, who will be able to impress upon the Darien

  authorities the true nature of the Sendruka Hegemony,

  and thus the need for secrecy until all the colonists have

  departed Pyre.'

  Kao Chih sat back in his chair, astonished. Next thing

  he knew, people were leaning over to pat his shoulder or

  shake his hand, smiling and congratulating him. Mostly

  he felt elated, but nervousness assailed his stomach, as if

  he were about to step off a precipice.

  Out into deep space, he thought. All the place and

  races I've heard about and now I'm going to see them!

  Then a hush settled quickly over the room as K'ang

  Lo broke away from hasty consultations with his advis-

  ers, facing the Roug again.

  'Noble Ones,' he said. 'We are humbled by the extent

  of your generosity. Indeed, there are scarcely words to

  exp
ress the depth of our gratitude, yet a few of us insist

  that we ascertain the reason for this sweeping, purpose-

  ful benevolence. May we ask how your people would

  benefit from it?'

  For a moment or two there was silence. The Roug

  assessors were motionless, as was Tumakri next to Kao

  Chih, who thought that the Duizhang must have comit-

  ted some grave offence. But then one of them spoke.

  'Honourable Duizhang, we are not accustomed to

  giving explanations, but these are unusual circumstances

  so we shall endeavour to put your mind at rest. We are

  an old race, so old that the world V'Harant is not our

  original home, nor are these bodies the original physical

  form of our species. Yet once we were as novices to a

  alliance of ancient races whose wisdom and intellect

  puts us to shame even now.

  'They fell in a vast and cataclysmic war, sacrificing

  themselves to ensure the defeat of a terrible, pitiless

  enemy. The last of them charged us with the duty of

  overseeing this part of the galaxy, and in the aeons since

  we have from time to time moved to undermine or

  eliminate certain forces that posed a serious threat to

  galactic civilisation. For the last 25,000 cycles - in

  human terms, a little over 10,000 years - a degree of

  calm has held sway, but now, unfortunately, the

  Sendruka Hegemony is working to bring it to an end.

  Its proxy, the Brolturan Compact, is currently in dis-

  pute with the nations of the Erenate over who controls

  the bulk of the Huvuun Deepzone, where Darien is

  located. If a military response can be provoked from the

  Erenate, this would justify an overwhelming interven-

  tion by the Hegemony; the resulting conflict would

  draw in all the Erenate nations and could spread to

  Milybi or even the Indroma. It would be an interstellar

  war of horrifying ferocity.

  'The discovery of the lost colony on Darien has fun-

  damentally altered the balance of power. Humans are

  involved in the heart of it, which means that Earth and

  by extension the Earthsphere federation are also

  involved. The Aranja Tesh are already keeping a close

  watch on Hegemony strategy, as are the Indroma

  Solidarity, and this will only heighten their interest.

  And when it emerges that the survivors of a second lost

  Human colony are to settle on Darien, having been res-

  cued from captivity under the harsh rule of a Sendruka

  monoclan, the Hegemony will be forced to punish Suneye

  or lose face. The Darien colony will gain too much sym-

  pathy and tiernet attention for the Hegemony to risk

  putting its plan into operation, so it will go into abeyance.

  During which time we hope that saner minds will prevail

  and reshape certain policies.'

  Again K'ang Lo conferred with his advisers and the

  leading elders, and to Kao Chih's eyes he seemed less

  than happy. But before a consensus could be achieved, a

  diminutive old man, bald and leaning on a stick, stood

  up from amongst the rest, scowling. This was Great-

  Grandfather Wu, once deputy to an earlier duizhang and

  father to another, and one of a handful still living who

  remembered Pyre. He was also well known for his acer-

  bic tongue.

  'Duizhang, come now, why this delay, heh?' he said.

  'Everyone here is eager to see the start of something

  good for us - please, more haste.'

  'Most venerable Wu,' said one of the elders, Tan

  Hua. 'There are several uncertainties which need to be

  resolved. Be calm, all shall proceed correctly.'

  His condescending tone infuriated Wu.

  'Be calm! You hesitate and quibble over petty details

  while a precious gift waits to be accepted, and you

  expect us to keep calm?' He gazed about him for a

  moment. 'I cannot speak for anyone else here, but I

  yearn to feel solid ground and honest grass beneath my

  feet before I die! Honourable K'ang Lo, do not listen to

  the squeakings of this hsiao jen. We must accept the

  noble Roug's offer, and young Kao Chih there must

  leave for Darien without delay!'

  Approving voices rose on all sides and heads nodded

  vigorously. An argument broke out between one of the

  clan elders, an ally of Tan Hua, and someone seated at

  the front, who was then egged on by the crowd. But

  before tempers became still more heated and the lan-

  guage less than courteous, K'ang Lo clapped his hands

  loudly twice and shouted, 'Enough!'

  Abruptly, all fell silent, and those on their feet

  shamefacedly sat back down. His expression thunder-

  ous, the duizhang turned to the waiting Roug.

  'Noble Ones, despite the reservations of a few, it is

  clearly the will of the elders of Human Sept that we

  accept your most generous proposal. In accordance with

  your wishes, I shall see that all conditions are met.' He

  looked round, straight at Kao Chih. 'Pilot Kao - come

  forward.'

  Once more the focus of attention, he rose and went

  to stand before the duizhang.

  'Pilot Kao, you are called upon to be our emissary,

  our representative to the leaders of the Darien colony,

  indeed to all our brothers and sisters in the great family

  of Humanity. You are to be our voice, our face. Be hon-

  ourable and courageous but not foolish. Use the tactics

  of fox and lion when either is appropriate.' He turned

  back to the tall Roug. 'Noble Assessors, how soon must

  Pilot Kao depart?'

  'Within the hour, honourable Duizhang. A scout-

  craft has been made ready and is in transit from

  Agmedra'a as we speak.'

  'Very well. Pilot Kao, my technical officer shall pre-

  pare a datachip containing various files documenting

  all the adversities endured by our people, and including

  a personal greeting from myself. May the spirits of our

  ancestors protect and guide you in your mission. Now,

  you have little enough time left to you, lad, so spend it

  with your family, neh?'

  Never had he experienced such a frantic sixty minutes.

  In between grabbing mouthfuls of food and trying to

  pack a small assembly of clothes and belongings, he

  attempted to reassure his mother that no, hyperspace

  was quite safe, and yes, he would be cautious and wary

  in busy places, and yes, he would stay near his Roug

  companion . . .

  His father was quick to undo such placating talk,

  pointing out that he was a man, not a child, and he was

  engaged on a great task that did not require any molly-

  coddling. And during all this, his elder brother, Feng,

  made up and enacted ridiculous exploits and perils

  which, predictably, served to make his mother still more

  anxious. In contrast, his younger sister, Ti, periodically

  burst into tears. In addition, other relatives and family

  friends came to deliver their farewells, dallying to par-

  take of Kao Hsien's peach brandy before departing.

  Then suddenly there were less than fifteen
minutes to

  grab his jacket and kitbag and dash through the tunnels

  and chambers, hurriedly waving and greeting other

  acquaintances along the way to the old loading bay. His

  thoughts whirled as he half-walked, half-ran, thoughts

  about this ship of theirs, about his destination, about all

  the unknown worlds and creatures waiting for him out in

  the vast black distance. The rest of his family was catch-

  ing up as he entered the big oval space of the bay and saw

  K'ang Lo and all three Roug waiting off to the right,

  near the end of the dockside walkway. Nearby, resting in

  the worn, battered arms of a berth cradle, was a shining,

  metallic-grey ship some 30 metres long, its main drive

  nacelles jutting on curved vanes that mirrored the vessel's

  swept, beaklike prow and superstructure.

  There was the final leavetaking, last words of encour-

  agement and well-wishing as well as tearful pleas from

  his mother, and his father gave him a jade fu-dog

  pendant, an old good-luck charm reputedly brought

  from Earth, then firmly clasped his shoulders before

  turning away to blow his nose. The duizhang K'ang Lo

  handed him a small red pouch containing the datachip

  and a scroll bearing ribbons and seals, a declaration of

  Kao Chih's role as supreme envoy for the colonists of

  Pyre. He and Tumakri bowed to K'ang Lo and the Roug

  assessors, then together mounted the long, overswung

  gantry which led up to the hatch in the scout's upper

  hull. And his thoughts began to slow down, settling on

  the minutes, hours, days to come and the realisation

  that he was leaving the Roug system, possibly for good,

  heading outwards on a great adventure, every young

  man's dream.

  'So, noble Tumakri, what do you think of our fine

  ship?' he said as they clambered down into the vessel,

  where small lamps illuminated a cramped space.

  'It is a Henkayan two-seater, Pilot Kao, a Shobrulig-

  class fast courier with cross-fractulate shields,

  full-boundary thrusters and a Tier-1 hyperspace

  drive ...'

  Inside, Chih was confronted with the walls of a

  narrow passage just tall enough for his companion. The

  inner wall was cluttered with niches, hinged flaps,

  shelves, pullout storage racks, and two long sleeping

  compartments set into the lower half. Kao Chih flung

  his kitbag into the lower recess and went forward after