L'Gem

by Sharon L Reddy

  Chapter Forty-five

  Daytripping people helped disinfect everything, and they began taking it home. The pets were their first priority. Every person who could, wished themselves to the right home for a dog or cat. Tarse was delighted to find himself in Dr. Werdell's office with a big white with gray splotches tom they'd called Mikey. Havadan, Loden, Curren and several others made instant friends, when they'd delivered missing pets. After his third trip, Havadan came back for supplies. His mother had a cat, a young female. Nev promised to visit with Patrick.

  A few minutes later, they were all laughing. Curren, Gund, Havansa and Harkin were bringing pets to, not taking them from, the vet station, and Patrick had a list. All the pets being brought weren't cats, and all weren't healthy when they got there, but they were when they left.

  Renna and Gerta treated four linicks, two holps, three mibbas, a pair of goradinaknaubs and a pregnant browalk, as well. Some very surprised, but extremely pleased, people on Liberty Gem got unusual pets that day. Milla led a shopping expedition.

  That evening, Havadan, Loden and Curren worked with eight in the mine to integrate their comm technologies and adapt trip chairs. Sublicenses to manufacture had been sold. Payment would be made when financial systems were connected. They were nearly done with three very different beings arrived. Havadan whispered, "Toofaynook," and Nev greeted them.

  "Welcome to our workplace."

  "Thank you, Nev Terschell. We have come to tell you that your people have astounded the many of the elder races. You have exceeded all expectations for such youthful peoples. You have leapt beyond cautious meetings and careful diplomacy to friendship. It doesn't exist in the hearts of all, but those who fear otherness are few among many, and great fear is rare."

  "There are some who fear any change or difference. They're important to us. They slow us a little, and make us more cautious. To ease their fear of change, we must ask why it has value. They're the balance to those who embrace anything new and different. Most of our people are somewhere between the extremes, and keep watch on both."

  "You are wise. You were attacked."

  "We have watched over your four peoples for over three thousand stellar orbits of your birth worlds. Eleven times, another species sought to interfere with your development. Each of those times, we sought the consensus of the many to intervene. The consensus was reached, but it wasn't needed. Each time, you integrated the interference into your cultures and maintained your progress."

  "Why did they fear us?"

  "Your location. They called this the 'Arm of Disparagement. In their seeking to halt your growth, they have fulfilled the prophecy of its naming, and slowed their own. You have stepped beyond them with the peace of your meeting."

  "We're a bit surprised at ourselves."

  "Our histories tell us we were when we met others in peace. We have brought you a gift, a mapping of the peoples of our galaxy."

  "Thank you."

  "You are very welcome among the many. This spiral arm is now in your keeping. We do not doubt you will see that young species should be given time, and worlds on which to build, to develop without interference."

  "Our 'adult' method of dealing with people who don't agree the majority have the right to say no-no is a rehabilitation sentence."

  "That's why we are entrusting the task to you, Blade."

  "It won't be integrated into the culture before we decide it will be stopped."

  "Curren, the consensus of the many is it's a relief to give the watching to people who will assure others keep their dirty digits off the young species."

  "Your four areas of this arm are the greatest assurance they will be allowed to grow without interference. Others must go past you. It was only required they go by us."

  "This task is in your keeping. Pass its keeping to others when it's time."

  "That's what you're doing."

  "Yes, Blade. The younger species are developing too quickly for us to watch all. You are toofaynook, watcher with connotation of looking outward, of the young species of this arm. This task is not secret, but it's entrusted to you, not the governments of your peoples."

  "You have welcomed us among the many. What does that mean?"

  "If consensus is sought, your opinion will be asked, Curren. You are also among those that others may visits, or offer trade. No technology is beyond your capacity to understand or build."

  "Is there a faster ship drive or fuel?"

  "No, Havadan, there is not."

  "May we know your call names?"

  "Thank you for asking, Bard. We are Vill, Tonel and Barra."

  "And nobody asks. You're lumped as toofaynook and not asked personal identity . You know its value to us because you know 'identity by job' is not enough for anyone."

  "Your insight is why you are chosen as toofaynook, Blade. Yes, we know it's not enough and it was an error made long ago. We believe you will aid in changing it. You don't look so much alike."

  "Six is also different?"

  "Four species is different, Havadan."

  "What's the danger of trying to make ourselves immune to everything, Vill?"

  "If no cell can be invaded, Loden, fertilization cannot take place. You have a question of the spirit you have not asked, Nev."

  "If they're about to annihilate themselves, may we intervene to save them?"

  "You can try, but it is our experience a species either stops themselves, or finds some other method if they are once stopped."

  "If they're that bent on self-destruction, we won't blame ourselves. Your turn. You have a question to ask."

  "Yes, Bard. Will you accept the lengthening of your lives?"

  "Just us?"

  "Would you give the weight of many centuries to many?"

  "No, but there are some to whom we would offer the experience of many."

  "Who?"

  "Nev's great-great-grandfather nears the end of his life. Most who do seem to be content with their years. He accepts he is, but it doesn't lessen his irritation he won't be around to see a great deal more."

  "He would be much changed, Bard, and his mated of many years might not wish it."

  "She'd wish it for him."

  "You would give gift and burden to him instead?"

  "I know he would cherish the gift and find the burden worth the bearing."

  "Do you know such a one, Havadan?"

  "Yes, I do."

  "And you, Curren?"

  "My great-grandmother is constantly counseled to have patience with her years. She replies she's enjoyed all of them, and her impatience is that she can no longer run to see new things."

  "His great-grandmother and mine await these chairs with impatience."

  The three disappeared and the six looked at each other. Havadan said he was sure they'd made the right decision, but he didn't know what it was. A few moments later, Vill returned. He had a piece of equipment with him. The six saw a flash.

  Bard awoke and checked his feeling time had passed. He'd been unconscious about six hours, and he was hungry. He checked Nev, and he opened his eyes when he touched him. Blade did the same. Curren, Loden and Havadan didn't. None of them were worried, but didn't know why, then the three returned.

  "They will awaken soon. You are younger."

  "Less damage to repair."

  "Yes, but each year adds little."

  "Klillit!"

  "Food in his language."

  "We're hungry too, Loden. Our bodies have evidently been hard at work."

  "Those of many have, Bard. You, and they are the seed of longer life in your species."

  "You were not asked to choose, because it was our decision to give the gift and burden to them. Only you will remember we have done this, but some will know they youthen in feeling and appearance."

  "How long?"

  "That is unknown, Loden, as are the identities of those we gave gift and burden."

  "Farewell. We shall
see you again."

  "So much for asking what they did to whom."

  "Yes, Blade."

  "I'm sure I've been working hard, for days. I'm very hungry."

  "Blade, turn off the projector. We'll snack on fruits and vegetables, on the way to fix a large meal."

  "Thank you, Nev. I'm too hungry to think about cooking, or anything else."

  "They returned, Havadan. They gave 'gift and burden' to many. They don't know who, but they were the right ones to seed our species. They don't know how long, but we'll see them again."

  "I don't think they know what they did, or rather how what they used changed us."

  "They suddenly decided. They didn't seek consensus. I wonder if they've ever use that thing before."

  "I wonder if they're alone, Blade, and chose not to do that to us."

  "Someday, we'll learn, Nev."

  "Elkan dus mun!"

  "He's starving. Food is a few steps away, Curren."

  They ate enough 'salad' to finish the chairs, then went to the house for breakfast. Tarse arrived while they were preparing it. He said he was looking for answers, but one of the questions was, "Where's breakfast?" then he held out his hands.

  "Age spots disappeared as I watched them, Nev."

  "Grandpapa, Bard said he'd give his 'gift and burden' of longer life to you, instead, and the three who watch over the young species… I've got it all mixed in chronology. They gave us the job of making sure no one messes with the developing species on this arm, said we'll get visitors of many species, asked us if we'd accept longer life, flashed a light on us and told us there are many and we're the 'seed' of it in our species. Blade thinks they're lonely and wouldn't do that to us, and Bard suspects they don't actually know what they did. I agree with both, as usual. Grandpapa?"

  "Your great-great-grandmother…"

  "Isn't changing. It isn't right for her. It isn't for any who would find it more burden than gift."

  "And she would. She doesn't want to die, but she doesn't resent knowing the end of her life is coming soon. We both knew I'd live years without her. Who else, Nev?"

  "We don't know. They didn't."

  "Since I found a cat and a lot of trouble that way, I understand."

  "Grandpapa, I wish…"

  "So do I, Nev, but they listened to hers, not ours."

  "I want to argue that, but I can't."

  "We'll find our way together, Nev. We've still got time to share. Now, tell me about 'job' and 'visitors.' You obviously impressed them."

  "Our peaceful meeting impressed them, but they began it. They were already friends and patiently waiting for us to be ready. Four species that decided to work together… No, it was the exchange of pets. We trusted them with our loved animals and they trusted us with theirs. We had no doubt they'd be given love and care."

  "You're right, Nev. I'm sure of it."

  "So am I, Loden. We have given pets to those we have come to know when asked, but not just took many to the right homes."

  "Which reminds me. It's time to bring Patrick home. I'll be back as soon as I have his things gathered."

  "Leave Mews a toy, Bard."

  "I will. We should get more. I wished I could send one with every kitty."

  "So did I. I'll order and hope they get to our order before we run out."

  "You noticed I gave one to Havadan for his mom."

  "You were just quicker, Blade. Did you warn him it feels very strange in a pocket when someone claps?"

  "No, Nev, I was planning to watch his face."

  "Oops. Sorry. Plates, please."

  "Mmm, you're forgiven. Good morning, Patrick. Bard?"

  "Dandy, Cole and Johnny are having supplemental breakfast, and so were Mews and Patrick."

  "Nev is right. It was the exchange of pets that impressed them."

  "I agree, Curren."

  "I do and don't want to know who else. The feeling is reasonable, but that doesn't make it more comfortable."

  "Comm message to neighborhood and family lists. Everyone who woke up exceptionally hungry call. End message. Send. Answer comm."

  "We're about to supplement breakfast and Danny's on her fifth piece of toast."

  "Thanks, Case. Comm out. Answer comm."

  Nev's family and the neighborhood 'checked in.' Kady and Reesa didn't call, but everyone else in the neighborhood, including three babies, was eating. All Nev's grandparents were, but Corinne was his only great-grandmother who was. His great-great-grandmother Terschell was the only woman of her generation who was, but all men on the Terschell side were.

  Gant and Joel were "raiding snack vends." Three other students were racing them to them. Jaril Ressen was at the Andrev's and Dorn and his wife were with Lillen, looking for food and answers. Four men on 'the Valens side' were hungry, but there were more of both men and women in Milla's sister's family, though only two of the eldest, both men.

  Case called again, said his and Stats' parents were eating, no one on Mandolin was answering comm, Gerta, Renna and nine others in space Corps, including Alden, awoke hungry. Several spouses and all children had as well.

  Kail called and told them Deely and three of her students were cleaning out vends. Bance called to tell them his and Silky's parents and grandparents had awakened extremely hungry. Jace's grandmother and great-grandmother had, but no one else in their families was. Ronnie's parents and her mom's mother, dad's father and both great-grandfathers on his side were.

  Dr. Smith called and asked, "What in heaven's name is happening?" She had a list of eight, five men.

  Havadan, Loden and Curren went home to check. They returned with lists of hungry and "too asleep," which included cats, dogs and families, but more males than females, as well. Then Billie called Bard.

  "She said?"

  "Say, 'thank you,' asking for more isn't polite, and other people's pieces of birthday cake wouldn't be pretty if we got all the frosting flowers on ours."

  "I need a reference."

  "We've got a recipe with image, Curren. There."

  "Thank you, Blade. It's near too pretty to cut, but the great appreciation is in its eating, and each piece is many-layered and lovely."

  "Our slices are very large, but theirs are also slices of a beautiful delicious cake, and they don't want larger. More would make them uncomfortable, perhaps sick."

  "A perfect analogy from a five-year-old."

  "Almost six, Tarse. Birthday cake is relevant and high on the anticipation list."

  "I know, and I didn't get an 'I'd like' out of her in seventeen days."

  "Bard?"

  "She may have gotten her birthday present, Blade."

  "You may be exactly right. Add comm connect Braighton house."

  "Good very early, very hungry, morning, Blade."

  "A lot of people woke up that way, Quinn. Telling you we know why is an exaggeration. We know a few of who. We may have made a piece of the suggestion, but Billie may have made a birthday wish. It's time to get to work."

  "Frets is home hunting, with a third slice of toast in one hand. Topper and Labs are cooking with one hand each. Bam just delivered a second helping of seed to the bluebibs and Buddy and Boston are ready for their second day's worth of food."

  "We're on second breakfast and Patrick may be on third day's worth by noon. People may still be waking up very hungry until it's been morning on every place on every world, but everyone who is may be waking soon."

  "You really don't know."

  "We know Billie reminded us everyone doesn't want a big slice of birthday cake, and asking for all the frosting flowers too isn't nice. It is relevant."

  "I… see. Who?"

  "The guardians of all the young species of the galaxy are too sure three, or even six, is very lonely after a long while."

  "And…"

  "It will be less lonely with every generation for humans, tonnid, yomal and brevvy."

  "Thank you. Thinking we
don't have the physical potential just got me a 'that's true' answer."

  "We got the same one, but cats would seem to argue against it being a mental power we possess."

  "That's… true."

  "What did you hit, Quinn?"

  "It's not ours, Bard."

  "Yes, it is. It's a gift that's been waiting for us a very long time."

  "We have a visitor, perhaps with more explanation. Comm out."

  "Welcome to our home, Vill."

  "Thank you. We felt your sadness."

  "Some chose not, and we would have chosen otherwise for them. None of us are unhappy with our choice, but it takes time to reconcile knowledge they made the right choice for them with the pain of knowing they won't always be there. Basically, it took a little girl's thump we were arguing with their choices and asking for more, and grandpapa Tarse's acceptance his wife and daughter both chose not. Thank you. We do see it as gift, not burden, and are sure all our peoples will grow into it over time."

  "We also thank you for giving us the love of the animals we consider members of our families for more years."

  "They will not live as long, but much longer than they would have. You know we didn't build the devices used."

  "We do, but we still wish what explanation you have."

  "The power of them came from your peoples. How it was 'captured' and focused is the secret of the creators of the devices. When they no longer function, the task will be complete. Other species have long lives which they gained slowly over many tens of thousands of years, but the devices were for those who would come who were ready for them much sooner, though their only use was to give toofaynook the time needed to learn and watch. If you hadn't been the ones for whom they were created, they wouldn't have given more than the six of you longer life. If there were not four species of you to grow together, and you were not so alike you leapt from greeting to understanding in moments, we wouldn't have realized you might be the ones for whom they were intended. They'll be given into your keeping. You can take them apart and put them back together. We did, but we didn't learn how they work."

  "Some of the 'how' has no physical component. It existed in and beyond the creators."

  "Yes, Havadan."

  "We would not have been so alike without the interference, would we?"

  "No, you would not, but the gravilocek need no more teaching of the truth of their use… by Fate to fulfill the prophecy their assurance they are 'greatest of species' would be destroyed. They're learning to accept the idea they are no more or less important than other species. Yours are, but it is the ability to watch over others that makes them so."

  "We've all had to face that personally. It's not easy to accept, or carry."

  "And so, you show the wisdom that is required to bear the burden of responsibility, and the wisdom of your cultures in its recognition. Don't expect it of other young species. It's usually very long before they grow from the 'glory of power,' to the weight of responsibility."

  "If it wasn't, watchers would only need to watch for people who want to help them."

  "Those are most common, Blade, and it's often hard to resist."

  "We know that one well. Our peoples spent centuries reminding each other it would damage humans if we just gave them the math they were missing."

  "Your patience was rewarded, for they developed technology you don't have, and no others do either."

  "What?!"

  "Your patent for trip chairs has been placed among those of other singular species developments, Bard. All won't respect your right to choose who will make them, but many will. You are the ninth to build a device that aids people to move themselves with their minds, but no other uses a communication system to give most the power to do so. We followed your choice not to reveal it to all, though some may develop it once they have the knowledge of trip chairs."

  "If they do, they'll probably decide it's not for everybody, just as Bard did, Vill. It's just too easily abused. If they have trip chairs, it will be less tempting."

  "We believe so as well, Blade. Many now seek that which you might accept in trade for right to make them."

  "Lupberries. They build everything else they want as soon as they realize they want it."

  "Several have made the complaint, Loden. Are you ready to meet others?"

  "I am!"

  "Grandpapa, call Granddad and Grandpa Jason. If they're trying to figure out how to start trade with us, you three are going to be the best help."

  "Comm connect Bram. Grab Jason and get here now. The boys' trip chairs are the trendiest trade item in the galaxy and figuring out what to trade is a stumper. You three get your best here. We need a money exchange structured now. It'll be easier if they've got that to work with, and about a thousand worlds might want something they've got, so they don't have to find something we specifically want. We'll work on what other things you have for trade, as well. Languages are going to be a problem. An aid in learning them may be the best trade item to start with, if someone has such a thing we can adapt for us. Comm connect Quinn. Bring your grandma. We're about to dive into the business of the galaxy and she'll help get the four of us into a functioning trade market fast. Comm out."

  "You see why we were sure he wouldn't consider more years a burden?"

  "Yes, Bard, I do. The other younger species are going to be very pleased you are among the many. You will change the pace. That is the gift you give in return."

  "We're going to mix together too. Humans will decide to live on their worlds, and some of them will live on ours. For one hundred eighty years, the last 'interference' has kept us from moving around. Most people didn't, but some always did. It kept us from trading, just because we like a bit different taste or art than everyone else. We pulled that incredible push to all accept the 'general opinion' into the sense of community required to free our world, after one hundred fifty years of not doing a damn thing, because revolution wasn't done. They just watched and waited because they were so sure we had to be part of anything. One hundred eighty years is too damn long to form an opinion something should be done about an emergency, and them giving us that hunk of math wouldn't have hurt us, if we hadn't been 'sick,' and they know it. We could have developed every application right after transpatial,. We'd already found a piece of it, so we'd have said, 'Thanks for the shortcut. Want to trade?' We got too damn settled, but you felt it was going to be… a contribution, just like the last times, and didn't ask to do something until it began to look like they were going to succeed in making it possible to buy us as slave labor."

  "Yes, Blade. We were seeking consensus when Havadan, Loden and Curren decided to search for the way to end your oppression. First they, then you, accepted the responsibility to act on the opinion of your peoples. That is when you integrated the interference into your cultures, blended the heavy push to conform to 'general opinion' with your view each must act on personal principles completely."

  "They were the source of the 'everybody knows travel is a waste of time' propaganda?"

  "Yes and of that in the others, as well, Bard. The trip chairs, exploration fleet and Olympic Games restoration prepared your people to think of travel again, but it was the decision of families to move to this world that made the great change needed."

  "Thank you. That was because our neighbors and family worked to repair shattered works of art, and mend broken hearts."

  "All are here? This is what your peoples have truly earned, an introduction to the many peoples of the galaxy, and your place among them."