Redemption Song

by Henry A. Burns

  “Ah, parables,” Jeremy said in understanding. He waved a hand.

  “Parables, hmm, yes,” agreed Kasumi. “Most stories were about a princess.”

  “Princess?” After a moment, Jeremy nodded. “Let me guess, the princess was spoiled and selfish.” Kasumi nodded. “And the spirits compared you to the princess?”

  Kasumi chirped in shock. “I was the princess,” she choked out. “But how …?”

  Jeremy just raised an eyebrow. Kasumi’s crest flattened.

  “Yes,” she chirped. Kasumi was silent for several long minutes. “The spirits were right,” she said finally. “I am spoiled and … and selfish, and my core, my friends, died because of it.” She looked at the floor. “And I was too much of a coward to follow them.”

  “How did they die?” Jeremy asked.

  “They challenged Sun-Warmed Boulder’s charges by rite of combat,” Kasumi replied.

  “A duel?” Jeremy exclaimed in disbelief. “Your people travel between the stars, and you duel?” He shook his head. “With what, light sabers?”

  “What’s a … oh.” Kasumi paused as her Torque whispered to her. “I don’t think such a thing is possible,” she exclaimed. “No, we use something like these ‘light sabers,’ except they are made of metal.”

  Jeremy blinked. He was silent for a several minutes before he stood. “Come with me, Kasumi,” he said in stern, almost brusque tones.

  “Germy?” Kasumi chirped.

  “Come with me,” Jeremy repeated. Without waiting for a reply Jeremy turned on his heel and walked away. After a moment, Kasumi followed.

  Jeremy led her away from the solar panel, but instead of going to the garage, he headed for yet another building. Inside, one wall was covered with large mirrors, while the wall opposite was covered with racks of weapons.

  “Spirits, it looks like a training hall,” Kasumi chirped.

  “That’s because it is,” Jeremy replied. He stopped in front of a framed section of one long wall. It held a number of pictures, some of which looked hand-drawn.

  Kasumi commented that while the individuals in the pictures were obviosly human, their features were different from Jeremy’s.

  “They’re Chinese,” Jeremy replied. “Bow,” he commanded. He bent the upper part of his body toward the pictures. “Bow,” he repeated.

  Kasumi repeated the gesture. Jeremy had her do it two more times before he straightened and walk over to a cabinet. “I built this place for Mei Lin,” he said. “She …” He stopped. “Never mind,” he said and unlocked the cabinet.

  Inside were three long objects. Jeremy bowed to the cabinet and removed one of them. He turned to Kasumi. “Are your blades anything like this?” He unsheathed the one he held.

  Kasumi’s crest extended to its fullest. “Spirits!” she chirped in a whisper. “It’s beautiful.” She covered her eyes for a second. “Whoever made it was very skilled,” she said in admiration.

  “Yes, he was,” agreed Jeremy. “Mei Lin’s grandfather,” he continued. “He made it for her when she was born.” Jeremy chuckled. “Mei Lin used to complain that she didn’t dare not learn how to use it.” He sheathed the sword and returned it to its place in the cabinet and then locked the cabinet.

  Jeremy walked over to the weapons wall and removed a sword. He handed it to Kasumi and then took a second one for himself. Jeremy walked to the center of the hall and raised the sword. “Attack me,” he ordered.

  “Germy?” chirped Kasumi.

  “Attack me,” repeated Jeremy. “Don’t question, don’t think, just do it,” he growled.

  Kasumi’s crest fluttered wildly for a second, and then her expression firmed and she attacked. She swung the blade. The next thing she knew, her hand was empty, and the blade clattered against a wall.

  “Pick it up,” ordered Jeremy. “And try again.”

  Kasumi picked up the blade and tried a more deliberate attack. She lasted longer, but the result was the same: her hand was empty, and the sword was clattering against a far wall. Kasumi glared angrily at Jeremy. She stalked over to the blade, snatched it up, and then charged. She retained the blade but found herself on her back and staring at the ceiling in shock.

  “How?” she chirped through the Torque. “I know I’m faster than you,” she growled. “I had the best teacher.”

  “And yet you refused to fight Rocky?” Jeremy pointed out.

  “He’s … he’s better than anyone,” Kasumi shot back.

  “But you had the best teacher,” Jeremy pointed out.

  “But … but …” Kasumi chirped.

  “Your father is very wealthy, is he not?” Jeremy said in a quiet voice. “I doubt anyone would want to displease him.”

  When the implications of what Jeremy was saying registered with Kasumi, she fell to her knees and began to sob. “She lied,” she chirped in despair. “They all lied.” She hung her head. “Sun-Warmed Boulder was right to mutiny.”

  “Nonsense,” Jeremy replied sharply. “If anyone is at fault, it is your father,” he declared. “Or your teacher.” Jeremy knelt down and lifted the little alien’s chin with a gentle finger. “It was not your fault.” He urged Kasumi to her feet. “I’m even somewhat impressed with you.”

  Kasumi’s head crest flared in surprise. “Impressed?” she chirped in astonishment.

  “Yes, impressed,” Jeremy replied. “At some level, you were aware of your deficiencies.”

  “I’m a coward, and you’re impressed,” Kasumi grumbled.

  “You’re spoiled, insecure, and impatient,” returned Jeremy. “But one thing you are not is a coward.”

  “I didn’t challenge Sun-Warmed Boulder,” countered Kasumi.

  “And you’re obviously intelligent,” Jeremy added dryly. “Courting certain death when you have the opportunity to live is not bravery.” Jeremy’s voice took on a lecturing tone. “It’s gross stupidity.” He smiled wryly. “Dying is easy; any idiot can do it.”

  Despite her shock over being defeated so easily, Kasumi couldn’t help but chirp a laugh. “That sounds like something the First Teacher would have said,” she told him. “She claimed you had to trick some people into thinking.”

  Jeremy barked a laugh. “True that,” he declared. “Except I would have said most instead of some.” He raised an eyebrow. “What else did the First Teacher say?”

  Kasumi covered her eyes briefly. “One of her most repeated phrases is, ‘Hands cannot lie,’” she said. “Another is, ‘Being poor is not a crime; being rich is not a virtue.’” Kasumi’s crest fluttered. “She used to say, ‘The toughest foe is the one who looks through your eyes.’ I was never sure what that meant.”

  “Mastering others is strength, mastering oneself is true power,” Jeremy quoted.

  “Why … what …?” began Kasumi.

  “Lao Tzu said that a couple thousand years ago,” Jeremy replied. “I think your teacher was trying to say the same thing.” He smiled. “Lao Tzu also said, ‘At the center of your being, you have the answer. You know who you are, and you know what you want.’” He looked into Kasumi’s eyes. “Who are you? What do you want?”

  Kasumi chirped and whistled. “I used to think I knew who I was,” came the translation. “I was Small Snow Flower of the Hot Springs Clan. Youngest Rynn to command her own ship.” She looked at Jeremy, and he could see tears in her eyes. “If they lied to me about this,” she shook the practice blade, “what else did they lie to me about?” She wiped at her eyes. “I want to go home, Germy.”

  “Can you go home?” Jeremy asked.

  Kasumi nodded. “I can contact the ship,” she said. “Sun-Warmed Boulder will have no choice but to return and fight me or lose his command of the ship.”

  “Interesting,” Jeremy murmured.

  “But … but if I challenge …” Kasumi’s crest drooped.

  “Are
you afraid of dying?” asked Jeremy. Kasumi nodded. “Then you will die,” he stated bluntly. Kasumi looked up in shock. “Only when you no longer fear death can you even hope to win.” He raised a hand to forestall any questions. “That does not mean being suicidal. It means …” Jeremy paused. “Humans have something called a ‘fight or flight’ instinct,” he told her. “Under stress, humans stop being rational and either go berserk or run away.”

  Kasumi nodded. “We are the same.”

  “The problem is that we may run when we should fight and fight when we should run,” Jeremy pointed out. He tapped the side of his head. “We stop thinking.”

  “Are you saying that being afraid makes you stop thinking?” guessed Kasumi. “That is what you are saying!” she exclaimed.

  “And our greatest fear is death,” agreed Jeremy. “Once you stop being afraid, you can … you can do anything.” He smiled. “You can even beat Rocky.”

  “Rocky?” A puzzled expression appeared on the little alien’s face. “Rocky?” she repeated. Suddenly, Kasumi chirped a giggle. “Oh, I don’t think Sun-Warmed Boulder would appreciate being called Rocky,” she said, chirping her giggle again. “Oh, not at all.”

  “Good,” Jeremy replied. “When you see him next, be sure to call him that as often as possible.”

  Kasumi’s expression immediately sobered and her crest lowered. “Do you think …” She paused. “I’m still afraid, Germy.”

  “On the contrary, my dear Kasumi,” Jeremy replied almost cheerfully. “You are not as afraid as you were before.” He smiled. “You no longer seem to be afraid of me.” He leaned his face closer to the little alien woman. To his approval, Kasumi did not flinch. “Fear can be conquered,” he said. “You just need to work at it.”

  Kasumi looked into the alien face just inches from her own. She realized that Germy was right; she was no longer afraid of the giant being. When did that happen? she wondered silently. True, the creature was gigantic and strange-looking, but no longer frightening. In fact, the creature felt almost comforting. She covered her eyes for a moment. “If you are willing to teach me, I am willing to learn,” she vowed.

  4

  TO RIDE A UNICORN

  The princess stood in front of the Temple of Light. There was an old monk sweeping the steps. The princess walked over to the monk and covered her eyes. “Excuse me, holy one, may I enter the temple?”

  The old monk stopped sweeping and leaned on the broom. “Who asks to enter the temple?” she intoned.

  “One who has lost all, even her name,” replied the princess.

  “Have you thirsted with a thirst that cracked your lips?” challenged the monk.

  The princess covered her eyes. “I have thirsted,” she replied. “Yet no matter how much I drink, I continue to thirst.”

  “Have you ever been hungry?” asked the monk. “With a hunger that twists your guts and bends your spine?”

  The princess covered her eyes. “I have hungered,” she replied. “Yet no matter how much I eat, I continue to hunger.”

  “Have you ever been naked?” asked the monk. “Have you ever had the cold wind blow against your bare body, the sun burn your skin, and the dust of the road cover every inch?”

  The princess removed her fine robes and covered her eyes. “I stand before you naked,” she replied.

  “What have you learned?” asked the monk.

  The princess covered her eyes again. “I am not who I thought I was,” she replied. “Everything I had was unearned.” She looked at the ground. “Even my name.”

  The princess felt a finger lift her chin, and she found herself looking into the old monk’s eyes. “The path home will be hard, and there is no guarantee you will complete the journey.” The old monk smiled gently. “Kasumi.”

  Kasumi woke with a start. “I was the princess again,” she whispered. “She called me Kasumi,” she added a moment later. Kasumi got out of the strangely shaped kip and padded out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water and then looked at the glass. “I now know what it means to thirst.” She drank the water.

  Kasumi filled the glass a second time and, on a whim, decided to sit on the porch. It was still night, and the sky was sprinkled with stars. She looked at the night sky. “Torque, where is home?” A green circle appeared. With her eyes fastened on the green circle, she slowly sipped the water. “The path home will be hard,” she mused. “But there is still a path home.”

  A tone sounded in Kasumi’s ear. “Torque?”

  “As requested, I have been monitoring the status of the being known as Germy,” the Torque reported. “I have detected a blockage in a major coronary artery,” the Torque continued. “Unless corrective action is taken immediately, it is unlikely the being will see the sun greet the day.”

  “Spirits!” gasped Kasumi. “What actions are available?” she demanded.

  “There are two doses of Omiset available,” the Torque replied. “It is unknown if that will be sufficient to reverse the damage.”

  Kasumi ran toward the garage. After fumbling with the handle, she was able to swing the garage door up. She ducked inside and reached for a case among the items in the back of the truck. Case in hand, she ran back to the house.

  Kasumi paused at the door to Jeremy’s bedroom. “Spirits help me.” She opened the door and hurried to the creature’s bedside. Even to her eyes, the creature looked more dead than alive. “Torque?”

  “Pulse is almost nonexistent,” the Torque reported. “Recommend using a full dose of Omiset.” If the Torque was the greatest technological achievement of the Rynn, Omiset was their greatest biological one.

  Kasumi opened the case, extracted a tube-shaped item, and pressed one rounded end against Jeremy’s neck. There was a faint hiss. “Torque, continue monitoring.”

  To Kasumi, it seemed that the Torque was silent too long. “Pulse strengthening,” the Torque finally reported. “Blockage is dissolving.”

  “Thank the spirits,” breathed Kasumi. She leaned closer. “Germy?” she said urgently. “Germy, wake up.”

  Again, time seemed to slow, but Jeremy finally and almost grudgingly opened his eyes. “Wha … Kasumi?” Jeremy groaned. “What happened?” He rubbed his chest. “Never mind, I think I know.” He blew out a breath. “My heart.”

  “You knew,” Kasumi accused. Jeremy nodded. “Why didn’t you have it treated?” she demanded.

  Jeremy shrugged. “What for?” he asked. “I’m old for a human,” he pointed out. “At best, I’d get another two or three years.”

  “Torque,” chirped Kasumi. “Analyze and determine current life expectancy for Germy.” she ordered. Kasumi sat on the edge of the bed. “Forgive me, Germy. I gave you something without your permission,” she said. “Among my people, that would be considered unethical.”

  “Mine too,” Jeremy replied. Then he chuckled. “I think I can forgive you, though.”

  “Thank you, Germy,” Kasumi replied quietly.

  There was a tone. “Analysis complete. Best estimate is a minimum of fifteen sun paths,” intoned the Torque.

  “I hope you can forgive me again,” Kasumi said. “You’re going to live somewhat longer than two or three of your years.” She smiled slightly. “Our years are slightly shorter than yours, but the Omiset has given you at least another fifteen years.”

  “Truth?” asked Jeremy.

  “Truth,” confirmed Kasumi. She took his massive hand in both of hers. “Even if I never go home, I owe you … I owe you everything.”

  Jeremy was silent for a long time, and Kasumi was afraid her monstrous benefactor was angry. “Help me up,” Jeremy grunted. When he was on his feet, he walked out of the bedroom. Kasumi followed closely. Jeremy walked into the kitchen and picked up a small device.

  “It appears to be a microwave communication system,” the Torque whispered into Kasumi
’s ear.

  “They’re more advanced than I realized,” Kasumi whispered in response. She quieted when Jeremy started speaking.

  “Mel?” Jeremy said. “It’s Gramps.” He pulled the device away from his ear. “Don’t shout,” he growled. “Yes, I’m still alive,” he said. “Mel, shut up,” he barked. “I found a unicorn.” He chuckled. “I thought that would get your attention.” He put the device down and turned to Kasumi. “We are going to have a visitor,” he rumbled.

  A motorcycle growled up the road, turned into a dirt and gravel driveway, and stopped in front of the cabin. The rider dropped the kickstand and dismounted. It was obvious, once off the motorcycle, that the newcomer in the bright red riding leathers was short—barely five feet in height, if that.

  The door of the cabin opened, and an even smaller figure stepped out. The figure wore a hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled forward to hide its face and a long skirt that almost touched the ground. There was a chirping sound. “You must be Mel,” the figure said.

  The rider removed the red helmet to reveal a slightly freckled face, with short-cut red hair and almond-shaped eyes. “And you must be the unicorn,” Mel replied. “Where’s my grandfather?”

  There was another round of chirping. “Germy is resting,” came the reply. “His heart is still weak.”

  “Still weak?” the redhead replied. “Your statement implies it’s getting stronger,” she said. “Which is impossible.” She tilted her head. “Impossible for our technology, anyway,” she added, “Germy?”

  “I have some difficulty with some names,” the figure replied. “Germy calls me Kasumi for the same reason.”

  “Kasumi, huh?” the redhead replied. “What is your real name?”

  There was a chittering that sounded like laughter. “Actually, it’s now Kasumi,” the hooded figure replied. “I doubt you’d be able to pronounce my original name any better than Germy did.”

  “No doubt,” the redhead replied in dry tones.

  Kasumi waved to the door, and the redhead’s eyes narrowed. “Please come in,” Kasumi said. “Germy is eager to speak to you.”