A Girl Called Badger (Valley of the Sleeping Birds)

by Colegrove, Stephen

  “Get ready to swim,” came the echo of Badger’s voice.

  The current pulled harder at his legs and Wilson floated more than walked. The bottom sped beneath his toes. A glow came from downstream, enough to light the curved walls of a tunnel overhead. The walls quickly flashed past him in the strong current and Wilson heard a low roar of falling water. The sound grew in volume until there was nothing else.

  The tunnel abruptly curved to the left and he was blinded by intense light. Wilson closed his eyes. He immediately flew weightless into space and plunged underwater.

  The white froth tossed him in all directions like a puff of dandelion in the wind. At last Wilson kicked to the surface and gasped for breath. Through the searing, painful light he saw trees and splashed toward the shore.

  Soft mud squished between his toes. With his hands shielding his eyes Wilson searched the wide surface of the lake.

  In the west, the sun turned the clouds shades of pink and orange. Pine forests lined the banks and the high and steep slopes of Old Man rose on his left. Across the lake, a spume of clear water roared from the granite mountain and foamed in white, angry waves on the surface.

  His bundle of clothes floated by. Wilson grabbed it and tossed the soaked mess to the bank. He began to wade further into the lake when a dark shape broke the surface and rippled away from him.

  Wilson waved his arms over his head. “Kira!”

  The dark blob changed course and swam up with a relaxed, freestyle stroke. Badger rose out of the water holding her bundle in one hand and wearing only a smile.

  “If I live to one hundred I’ll never see a better sight,” said Wilson.

  She put her arms around his neck and gave him a long kiss.

  SIX

  Evening approached. Wilson and Badger twisted out as much water as possible before wearing their damp clothes. Wilson checked his backpack. A few of the old papers he’d salvaged had been soaked into oblivion.

  The lake was on the opposite side of the mountain from Station and the valley. As night darkened the forest, Badger found a path and they followed it to the perimeter. Two hunters escorted them through the pass and back to the village.

  Father Reed waited above the rectory steps with a lantern.

  “Wilson! You’ve been gone all day!”

  “Sorry, sir. We got lost.”

  Father Reed shook his head at the state of the two young people. He led them down the steps and into the bright corridors of the rectory.

  “Come to the treatment room where it’s warm. We’ve been looking everywhere for you two. Come on, clothes off! Airman Chen, there are women’s clothes across the hall.”

  She left to change. Reed helped Wilson to remove his outer clothing and pushed him to the exam table. Wilson gave his best explanation of what had happened as the priest connected him to the medical monitors. Badger returned wearing a gray sweater and brown skirt. The hunting knives looked out of place around her waist.

  “And what’s this?” Reed unwrapped the blood-spotted cloth on Wilson’s arm. A line of messy lacerations stretched across the inner and outer forearm.

  “Lizard bite,” said Wilson.

  “A range lizard, from the spread and size of it. Move your fingers. Good. I’ll have to clean and dress this. The analyzer states you’re recovering from injected poison and bacterial infection at the wound sites. Plenty of rest and hot tea should clear that up quickly.”

  Father Reed looked up to see Badger next to Wilson. She touched his hand.

  “Airman Chen, are you injured?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Then gather your belongings and return to your quarters.”

  “Can’t I stay here, sir?”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  Badger bit her upper lip. “Please?”

  Reed shook his head and she ran from the room. Wilson listened to the inner door open and shut. Reed helped Wilson to the sink and prepared a sterilizer. He cleaned the wounds and bandaged Wilson’s arm.

  “Apprentice, tell me something.”

  “Ouch! Yes?”

  “Explain what she was doing in the tunnels with you.”

  Wilson touched the soft cloth over his bitten arm. “Saving my life.”

  “Don’t be flippant, you’re in serious trouble. No person, not even the apprentice I’ve trained for a third of his life, goes into the tunnels without two things: my permission and a good reason. You’ve obviously seen why.”

  “But–”

  “To make it worse, you promised to stay away from her and you didn’t. You were supposed to work in Armory today and you didn’t. I’m considering the possibility that the locator was faulty yet again, and the pair of you were swimming at the lake. Now that I think about it, I’d feel much better if you were taking a day to relax. Being my apprentice is a hard job. That’s probably why I haven’t had one for years.”

  “It’s not true!”

  “Which one isn’t true?”

  “We ended up at the lake–”

  “I see.”

  “Please. We were underground in Levels One, Two, and Three. Range lizards trapped us and we couldn’t return through the hatch. We had to swim through a cavern and it led to the lake.”

  “I think this is actually a bite from a rock lizard,” said Father Reed. “They bask on rocks near the lake just like teenagers.”

  “If that’s the case,” said Wilson, “Then where did I get these?”

  He shoved the dripping papers at Reed. The priest spread them on the counter.

  “Are these from my–”

  Wilson sighed. “No, not from your library, Father.”

  He rubbed his bandaged arm while Reed bent over the papers like a vulture. He moved his lips while reading. At last he rubbed his beard and straightened.

  “I was wrong, Ensign, and I apologize. I’ve never seen this before and it makes for a very interesting read.”

  “Apology accepted.”

  “However, there are consequences for breaking the rules. You’re confined to these quarters for one week. I’m not punishing you as much as I’m giving your body and brain time to recover from what most would say is a bit of madness. I expect you to study and meet your responsibility to help me if anyone has medical complaints. Finally, if you meet with Airman Chen again, during or even after this week of rumination, you’ll be confined for one month.”

  “That’s not fair!”

  “I think it is. You’re a good student and hard worker. If it were any other person he’d be out on his ear.”

  THE NEXT MORNING ROBB knocked on his door with breakfast. Wilson gave him a note for Badger and made him swear to keep it quiet. The teenager gleefully accepted another “secret mission.”

  Wilson tried to remember what he’d read in the old documents. One of the old maps in the library had a listing for “Schriever AFB.” He indexed and and found the coordinates on a map. The location was in the plains and east of the sprawling decay of Springs.

  Potato soup and a folded note from Badger came at mid-day. She wrote with a simple but precise hand.

  Robb waited for Wilson to finish reading. “What’s in the note?”

  “Are you still here?” Wilson looked around for something to throw.

  “Don’t hit. You owe me big.”

  “If you can’t be quiet I will,” said Wilson. “The old man will hear you.”

  “His door is shut. Tell me what it says.”

  Wilson wrote a few lines in reply and gave the note back to Robb.

  “It says, and I quote: ‘I love you so much kissy kissy mwah mwah and hugs for Robbie.’”

  “Eww, sick!”

  In the afternoon his mother came to see him but didn’t stay long. She brought food but Wilson had little to say.

  He tried to combine the strange information from the past with what he’d seen in the crumbling rooms underground. The caskets labeled “out of service” confused him. Xeno-environment? Hibernation? Wilson found the words in his diction
ary. He wondered if some of the founders actually traveled to the stars. What use would these implants be?

  Wrapped in his thoughts, he didn’t notice Mina at his door.

  “Wilson … sorry to bother you.”

  “It’s no problem, Mina.”

  She thumped into the chair at his desk and twirled a strand of hair with the nervous energy of a young girl. The bruises on her face and legs were long gone.

  “You’re looking very healthy these days,” said Wilson.

  Mina nodded. “It’s because of you and Father Reed I feel better.”

  “At least take some of the credit. How have you been?”

  “Busy here and there.” She gave him a big smile. “Making clothes. I did this back in my village.”

  “Excellent.”

  She smoothed the skirt of her white dress. “Wilson … I have news to tell.”

  “Really?”

  “Mast and I will be partner.”

  “That’s good. I’m happy for you, Mina.”

  “But I have a big problem. Can you help me?”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  Mina inhaled and breathed out a big sigh. “My tribe has a rule. The father must say yes before his daughter does a … festomatrimonio.”

  “Wedding.”

  “Yes. I want to see mi familia, and Mast can bring the bride price. I don’t think my village is so far away.”

  “Mina, you’ll need to talk to Father Reed directly. I don’t think he’s in a mood to listen to me right now.”

  She gave him a hug and left. Murmurs of a conversation between her and Reed echoed from down the hall.

  The door to the entrance tunnel clicked shut and Reed appeared.

  “Ensign, do you know a village by the name of ‘David?’”

  Wilson sniffed. “Can’t say that I do.”

  “Look through the off-map reports and check on it.”

  Wilson walked to the library and typed in his passwords. He started with the most recent report and worked his way back. The reports were text logs and held transcripts of tribal contact, wildlife movement, or anything a hunter noticed that was strange and interesting.

  After an hour, Wilson knocked on the Father Reed’s door.

  “Nothing on a village called David,” he said.

  “Try the old maps.”

  Wilson pulled out the map book again. He spent a few minutes flipping through the pages then went back to the library screen.

  Reed was still in his office.

  “There’s an old place in the maps called Divide,” said Wilson. “A village was spotted there over a year ago.”

  “Interesting,” said Reed. “I’ll ask the girl about landmarks in the area.”

  Wilson lay on his bunk and couldn’t relax. No one came to visit him and there was no secret note with his evening meal.

  HE WOKE AT HIS normal hour. Halfway through washing his face, Wilson remembered he was confined to his room. He stretched and did his morning exercises, then sat down to study a volume on herbal taxonomy.

  Robb brought his breakfast but again no letter.

  “Big meeting today,” whispered the boy. “All the big bosses.”

  “She didn’t give you a note?”

  Robb shook his head.

  Soon after he left the entrance doors began the annoying music of opening and closing as members of the council entered. Their chatter in the hallway added to the noise. Wilson opened his door a crack and watched. A group of hunters entered, Badger among them, and Wilson slipped and bumped his head on the door. He peered out again and could have sworn she’d looked at him before turning the corner.

  The inner door squealed again and Wilson heard the rapid tap-tap of footsteps. He leaned out and saw Mina and Mast holding hands and running down the corridor.

  The discussion room was the only space for that many people. Wilson took off his shoes and jogged around the corner into the cramped toilet room. He put his ear to the wall and heard the rumble of voices.

  “It’s a good point and let’s discuss it later,” said Father Reed. “Now that everyone is here I’ll start the meeting.”

  Wilson pressed his cheek closer to the cold wall.

  “The reason I’ve brought all of you here is to discuss an expedition to the east. There are two main reasons I feel a trip is necessary. Everyone has heard the good news by now of the planned partnership of Sergeant Masterson and our new guest, Mina.”

  The room burst into applause.

  “Yes, very good. It’s certainly a happy occasion and not unusual. However, because of the circumstances Mina would like to return to her family and let them know she is well. Since her village is only four days travel from here, I’m happy to grant Mina’s wish and will lead the expedition.”

  “The second reason for a journey is not celebratory. One member of our village has a serious illness. I won’t go into details, but the situation is critical and we have to risk traveling through Springs.”

  Murmurs vibrated the wall panel and Reed paused.

  “The journey will take us one day east of Springs. Thanks to Ensign Wilson I have a location and machines that might be found there. Don’t think I haven’t asked myself the same questions that are going through your minds. Why should we brave the ruins? Why should we risk a fight with the violent eastern tribes? Because if we don’t find a cure this person will die. Not maybe, not possibly, but certainly. No one can see the future but the chance is good we’ll find what we need. Many of our machines were actually created at this place in the east.”

  Reed cleared his throat. “Now. Because of the risk involved, only non-partnered individuals are on this list. Anyone nominated is allowed to drop out, no questions asked and no blame applied.”

  The priest read aloud a list that included Badger and six hunters. Wilson’s throat tightened and the room became too hot.

  “The moon will be full so we leave this afternoon,” said Reed. “Firearms will be issued to those with the training. All travelers should rest and prepare themselves. Is there anything else?”

  A questioning sound came from Badger.

  Father Reed cleared his throat. “Ensign Wilson has important–”

  The door latch rattled and Wilson cursed. He left the toilet and went back to his room. After the meeting ended he watched everyone file through the inner door. Badger was flushed and didn’t look in his direction.

  Wilson didn’t know what to do with himself. With a needle and thread he began to repair his overcoat.

  Father Reed appeared in his doorway.

  “I need to go with you,” said Wilson.

  “You listened to the meeting?”

  “What’s this about leaving me here? I can’t handle it alone. Everyone depends on us!”

  Reed leaned against the door frame. “That’s exactly why you have to stay, Ensign, for everyone else. You’ll be the only priest and they’ll need your skills. Think of it as a chance to prove yourself.”

  “But I don’t know enough about medicine or the systems!”

  “You’re smarter than you think. You can figure out most of it, that’s the way things work sometimes. This journey has risk and I’m an old man, but not that old. I won’t go into cardiac arrest at the sight of some tattooed savage with a pointed stick.”

  “Maybe that’s true,” said Wilson, his voice rising. “But I deserve to go. If I hadn’t risked my life to find those papers you’d be happy sitting back and watching her die!”

  “No, you’re wrong. I wouldn’t have been happy about it,” said Reed. “I care about the lives of each and every person here. Your right to go must balance with our responsibility to the village.”

  Wilson played with a loose thread in his blanket while Reed stared at him.

  “Will you swear to do what’s best and stay here?”

  “No,” said Wilson. “I’m done swearing oaths.”

  TWO GUARDS HAD BEEN posted outside his room. The door wasn’t locked but Wilson stayed inside anyway.


  He lay on his bunk trying to meditate without the trick. He wanted to see if just breathing without the images and verses would work. It didn’t and his mind wandered. He wrote down the verses Badger had taught him underground.

  Reed hadn’t found out about the old pistol yet. Wilson cleaned the weapon and hid it behind a ventilation grate.

  A small set of weights lay under the bed and Wilson worked his muscles past the point of exhaustion. He still couldn’t lift much with his left arm because of the bite. He washed his hair and face in the basin and changed clothes. An apple hidden behind a row of books was an afternoon snack.

  The text on herbal medicine lay under his fingers but he read the same sentences over and over.

  In the evening, he heard voices in the corridor. Robb came in with food and a note and Wilson read it standing up.

  Will, don’t worry about me. I’ll talk to Reed on the trail and maybe I can change his mind. I miss you so much!

  See you soon,

  ––Kira

  “You really stepped in it this time,” said Robb. “What are you gonna do?”

  Wilson shrugged. “I guess I have to stay.”

  He wrote on the back of the note: Keep talking the guards can hear.

  Robb squinted. “Oh, everybody’s talking about it. Not me, of course. I’m your pal.”

  “Of course! Old buddy, old pal,” said Wilson.

  Get food and water as much as you can

  “I know all your secrets, but those are between me and you and the wall. But everybody else is just gassing away.”

  “Sure,” said Wilson.

  Don’t tell anyone

  “I … uh … I tell everyone you’re a stand-up guy. You’d do anything for a friend,” said Robb.

  Don’t get caught

  “You’re always teaching me new things I’d never even thought about.”

  Take supplies to north corral

  “You’re a good kid,” said Wilson. “Always there with a hand when I need it.”

  “It’s not easy, you know. My dad always has work for me, too.”

  “I know. Thanks for the food and I’ll see you soon.”