Redemption Song

by Henry A. Burns

  Joseph Franklin eased his floater, as he dubbed it, over to the table to eat. As he did not trust his hands, he had created an interface with his Torque. It was much slower than using his hands, but at least he ended up where he wanted. “Everything smells great,” he said cheerfully.

  “Truth,” agreed the diminutive Naga-form curled up on the table next to Franklin. Being too small to use any chair, even a Rynn one, Second-Daughter-Fifth-Born had no choice but to sit on the table. It was Second-Daughter-Fifth-Born who had decided that she should sit next to Franklin. Light of Three Moons had used the smallest dishes she could find, but even the smallest utensils were too large for the stubby hands of the snakelike Alsoo. Second-Daughter-Fifth-Born had solved the problem by quickly creating a spoonlike utensil out of a spare piece of wood.

  Light of Three Moons placed a serving of fellel-chrr and mac and cheese on Franklin’s plate and a much smaller one on the plate for the Alsoo. Franklin’s smile fell when the interface failed. “Damn,” he muttered. His shaking hand hovered uncertainly over a fork.

  The Alsoo looked at Franklin and then at Franklin’s hands. She slithered over and wrapped her tail around Franklin’s right wrist and used her stubby hands to stop the shaking. “Maker need/must eat,” she declared. “Help maker will/can me.”

  “Spirits be praised,” Light of Three Moons said quietly. She briefly covered her eyes, and then she clapped her hands together twice. “Thank you, spirits and ancestors, for bringing us the Alsoo.” She covered her eyes, as did the other Rynn at the table. “Well? What are you waiting for? Let’s eat.”

  38

  SNAKE SQUAD

  Lieutenant Hendriks and Lieutenant Cool Evening Breeze watched as the Alsoo “recruits” went through the hastily constructed obstacle course. The tiny Naga-forms slithered, slid, and side-winded through the course. The main objective of the current exercise was for the Alsoo to navigate through a series of tubes, reach a specific location, attach a box to the floor, and slither back through the maze—and do it all before the allotted time ran out.

  “Gotta give ‘em credit for stamina,” Hendriks grunted. “This is their third pass through the course today.”

  “They’re driving themselves,” agreed Cool Evening Breeze. She stood. “Okay, that’s enough for today,” she chirped. “Snake Squad, line up.” The score of Alsoo quickly formed two lines. “Good job, squad,” she said in approval. “Get cleaned up, get something to eat, and get some rest,” she ordered. “We’re going to do this again tomorrow.” She slapped her chest. “Pledge/oath.”

  The assembled Alsoo slapped their chests in response. “Pledge/oath,” they chorused. After a moment, they slithered away.

  Hendriks and Cool Evening Breeze waited until the last Alsoo was out of sight before they both sighed. “They’re going to get slaughtered,” Cool Evening Breeze chirped moodily.

  “And that’s different from what they’ve gone through how?” returned Hendriks. “You may be right, Breeze, but I wouldn’t count them out,” he said. “They’ve got guts, and they’ve got heart.”

  “Why do so many human sayings invoke organs?” Cool Evening Breeze said in mock complaint. She sighed. “I miss Crystal.”

  “You and me both, Breeze,” Hendriks replied.

  39

  WOBBLE

  Crystal Chandler held her lower back as she sat. “Goddamn, I’ll be glad when you are born,” she said to her swollen belly. She turned to the snickering black woman sitting opposite her. “Laugh away, Dierdre,” she sneered. “You’re next.”

  “Gotta find a man who won’t mind sharing me with a couple of Rynn first,” Dierdre McIntosh replied.

  “I did,” Crystal replied.

  “Only one Rynn,” corrected Dierdre. “And you still need to find a Rynn male who won’t find Hendriks intimidating. Speaking of Hendriks, there’s something I’ve always wondered.” She raised an eyebrow.

  “I think I already told you how big he is,” Crystal replied with a laugh.

  “I’m still not sure I believe you,” Dierdre replied. “But that wasn’t what I wanted to know.” She gave Crystal a pleading look. “Finding out how hung he is was a hell of a lot easier than finding out what his name is,” she complained.

  Crystal laughed. “He doesn’t like his name much,” she said. “Not that I blame him,” she added with a giggle. “It’s Aloysius,” she said. “Aloysius Wolfgang Hendriks.”

  Dierdre laughed. “That’s not too bad,” she replied. “Besides, he can just call himself Al.” She looked up to see a familiar and oversized figure hurrying toward them. “Uh-oh, Ophelia is heading this way.”

  “And hurrying,” Crystal added in a concerned voice. “Since she’s heading here, it has to have something to do with our diplomacy efforts.”

  “You stay seated,” Dierdre said firmly. She stood. “Problem, Ophelia?”

  “Problems,” corrected Ophelia. “With emphasis on the plural.” She sat down next to Crystal. “The Vatican is expressing ‘concern’ over ‘foreign spirituality.’” Her fingers made air quotes as she spoke. “The ayatollah of Iran is outraged that ‘Shinto cultists’ were given equal representation at the pact signing.” She sighed. “A sentiment echoed by the UAE and the Saudis.” She rolled her eyes. “On the other hand, Japan is ecstatic—or rather, the emperor is.”

  “Same thing,” Crystal commented.

  “Probably,” agreed Ophelia. “Unfortunately, he followed up his statement of approval with a declaration that Shinto would, once again, be the official religion of Japan.”

  “Which of course compelled the Chinese to accuse Japan of returning to their expansionist days,” Dierdre suggested. “I gather they are mobilizing in the South China Sea?”

  “‘Patrolling against rising pirate activity,’” Ophelia said sourly. “Which upset the Australians.” Ophelia sighed again. “I swear, they are just looking for an excuse to start a war.”

  “Which, of course, they are,” Crystal said in acid tones. “Humans,” she said in disgust. “When Hendriks and Breeze get back, I’m going to demand we emigrate.”

  “Speaking of which, when are they coming back?” Ophelia asked. “I thought they’d be back by now.” She covered her mouth in horror. “Oh my dear,” she said to Crystal. “I shouldn’t …”

  Crystal gave Ophelia a fierce smile. “They’ll be back,” she declared. “Or they’ll answer to me.”

  “Your core or the Bugs?” Dierdre asked in grim amusement.

  “Whichever one is responsible,” Crystal replied. She wrapped her arms around her swollen abdomen protectively. “This is not getting us anywhere,” she said. “We have a planet to calm.” She smiled suddenly. “And I think I have an idea on just how to do that.”

  “This is CNN,” said the pretty and very pregnant reporter. “Crystal Chandler-Hendriks reporting.” She turned to another camera. “With tensions building in the Pacific and an upsurge of religious fervor in the Mideast, the world is holding its collective breath and waiting for the other shoe to drop.” She smiled wryly. “Well, the other shoe has dropped,” she said. “The Rynn are leaving.” An image of Bright Sunlight appeared on the screen. “This is from an interview with the leader of the Rynn trade delegation yesterday.”

  “We have been following the developments on Earth with growing concern,” Bright Sunlight said in the video. “While we truly admire humans, it appears that the reverse is not as universal as we had believed.” Bright Sunlight’s crest flattened. “It’s obviously too late to undo the technological transfer that has already been done, but we are immediately suspending any additional transfer,” he said. “In addition, we will be removing all Rynn from Earth and will close all trade outposts.” The Rynn leader smiled sadly. “Perhaps with the Rynn gone, humans will be able to better resolve their internal issues.”

  The camera returned to Crystal. “What was not said but has been conf
irmed is that once the Nieth returns, it will be scuttled,” she said. “And since hyperspace technology has not been transferred to humanity, it appears we’re going to be stuck in this solar system until we figure it out ourselves.”

  “Why was I blindsided?” demanded President Newgate. “Dammit, Bright Sunlight, I thought we had an understanding.”

  “I’m sorry, Darren Newgate,” Bright Sunlight replied in regretful tones and lowered crest. “But unless and until humanity gets … control over its baser instincts …” The Rynn leader ran a long-fingered hand through his crest. “Teacher Jeremy warned us of this,” he said. “There is much to admire about humans, but even more to fear.”

  “But leaving?” President Newgate complained. “Surely there is some middle ground, some compromise?”

  “If there is, it’s going to have to come from humanity,” Bright Sunlight replied. He stood. “I must go,” he said. Bright Sunlight left the president’s office.

  President Newgate stared at the door the alien had exited through for several minutes and then shook himself. He picked up a phone receiver. “Clear all my meetings for the day, Doris,” he growled. “Then get me Premier Xi.”

  For the next week, President Newgate had conference call after conference call. He alternately threatened, cajoled, begged, and bargained with government leader after government leader.

  Premier Xi and Prime Minister Giacovelli of the EU had both been shaken by the Rynn’s announcement. Premier Xi had immediately recalled all his warships, while Prime Minister Giacovelli did something that most considered unthinkable and severed diplomatic relations with the Vatican. He followed that up by declaring a full embargo on the entire Middle East regardless of their position in the Rynn declaration.

  “I thought you were trying to calm things down.” Ophelia Winslow wrung her ringed hands together. “I’m surprised a shooting war hasn’t already started.”

  “Which I think validates Crystal’s approach,” Jeremy Blunt said cheerfully. “It’s not how I would have approached the issue, but it does seem to be having the desired effect.” He gave the reporter an approving smile. “Well done, Crystal.”

  “Well done?” exclaimed the oligarch in disbelief. “Well done?”

  “Well yes, Ophelia,” Jeremy replied. “If you’re going to get a mule to move, you first have to get its attention.” He chuckled. “That was a pretty big stick she used.” He raised an eyebrow. “Now what were you planning to use as a carrot?”

  In response, Crystal spoke to her Torque and an image appeared. It showed a group of about twenty adolescents and preteens, male and female, human and Rynn. It was the scene from the treaty signing ceremony when apparently the same group had performed the wobble dance together. The scene ended, and another scene appeared. It now showed an older group of even more Rynn and humans huddled together. It was apparent that most of them were crying.

  The camera zoomed in on one couple: a human young man and a Rynn young woman. The woman sobbed against his shoulder. The screen split, and a young couple from the earlier video was shown. They were smiling and laughing, and it was obvious that they were smiling and laughing because they were together. After a moment, a second thing became obvious: it was the same people who were now crying in each other’s arms.

  “Not exactly a carrot,” Crystal said. “In fact, it’s an even bigger stick. That scene has been broadcast on every major station over the past twenty-four hours.” She smiled. “The parents of those children have all requested sanctuary with the Rynn.” Her smile got cold. “Bright Sunlight is going to honor their request and offer the same thing to any family that requests it.”

  “I don’t understand how this …” The oligarch broke off. “Any family?” she asked. Crystal nodded. “That could take … that could take years,” the oligarch said in sudden understanding.

  “Decades,” corrected Crystal. “Thousands upon thousands of families from around the world clamoring to emigrate. Thousands of families who will be given full access to Rynn technology—especially medical technology.” Her cold smile got even colder. “Omiset is only part of their medical arsenal, and not even the largest part,” she said. “Rynn live, on average, twice as long as humans.” She rubbed her belly. “Apparently, humans can anticipate a similar increase in longevity.”

  “Interesting,” commented Jeremy. “And I suppose that somehow that heretofore unknown fact is going to get leaked out.”

  “You know how children are,” Crystal said airily. “They just can’t keep a secret.”

  “Carrot and stick in one,” Jeremy said in approval.

  There was a knock on the door to the conference room, and Raindrops in a Tide Pool stuck his head in. “The Nieth just came in-system.”

  Jeremy stared hungrily at the large monitor in the command center. It was currently showing nothing more than random static. A group of Rynn techs were chirping into Torques as they worked on locating the signal from the Nieth. “What’s taking so long?” Jeremy grumbled.

  “Apparently, the Nieth suffered some damage, Teacher,” Morning Stars Fade said soothingly. “The fact that the ship is approaching at deliberate speed indicates that nothing is seriously wrong.” There was a chime. “See, Teacher, all is well.”

  Jeremy nodded as the main screen slowly began to resolve. In less than a minute, an image appeared. “Granddaughter!”

  The Rynn woman on the screen smiled widely. “Greetings, Grandfather,” she said. “It is good to see you again. Mel is busy at the moment, but she told me to send her love.” Her crest dropped. “It was more difficult than we had expected.” Her crest rose. “But what we have learned exceeds our wildest dreams.” She made a motion, and a feathered snakelike creature appeared on the back of her command chair. “Grandfather, may I present Speaker First-Son-First-Born.” She smiled. “Of the Alsoo.”

  The Alsoo warbled. “Greet Speaker/Spirit Talker/you me,” came the translation. “Eaters fight we/you.” The Alsoo clasped his hands together. “Small we truth. Fighters we truth.”

  “We rescued about three hundred Alsoo so far,” Kasumi said. “The only reason we returned home is because we’re running out of room to hold them,” she said.

  “This is Crystal Chandler-Hendriks reporting,” the pregnant blond said crisply. “The Nieth is back,” she said. “And due to some surprising developments, the Rynn’s plan to scuttle the ship is being deferred.” She turned to face another camera. An image of the Nieth appeared behind her. “I met with Captain Kasumi yesterday, and in an interview that will be aired tomorrow, she spoke about the first voyage of the Nieth.” Crystal turned to face another camera. “I remember a class I took many years ago about project management. The instructor assigned us a project and at the end asked us three things: what went right, what went wrong, and what surprised us.”

  “First: what went right,” Crystal said. “The Nieth faced five Polig-Grug pirates in the last six months and were, obviously, victorious in each engagement.”

  “Second: what went wrong.” Crystal frowned. “Captain Kasumi did the best she could with the information she had—information that was sadly lacking in a number of important details. The end result was twenty-five humans and Rynn dead, and an almost equal number severely wounded. The families are still being notified.”

  “Finally: what was surprising.” Crystal smiled lopsidedly. “It was less than a decade ago that humanity was wondering if there was life—” she waved a hand “—out there.” An image of a feathered and snakelike being with an owl’s face appeared behind her. “Sentient, sapient, and nearing extinction, the Alsoo are exactly what the Rynn feared they might one day be: food for an alien species.” Her expression was grim. “The Nieth rescued approximately three hundred of these tiny—they are barely a meter in length, counting their tail—sensitive beings.”

  She continued, “Captain Kasumi has requested permission to refurbish and repair the N
ieth.” An image of the Rynn captain appeared. “She has a new goal, or rather an additional goal.” She winced. “Ooh, excuse me, but …” She winced again. “Danny, I think you’d better call an ambulance,” she said. “Before I go, Kasumi has a new goal, and one that I hope humanity shares: save the Alsoo.” She ripped off her earpiece. “Oh god.”

  President Newgate snorted in amusement as he read a report. He handed it to the white-haired man seated across from him. “India demands—not requests, not suggests, demands that we immediately build a second Talon,” he said. “They’re apparently willing to absorb the entire cost in order to quote ‘save the Naga’ unquote.”

  “Allow them to pay for a quarter of the construction costs and request they provide a full company of soldiers,” Jeremy Blunt said. “Then tell Premier Xi and Emperor Hirohito what they asked for and what they got.”

  “Why not just have them pay for the whole thing?” President Newgate asked. From his tone, it appeared he knew why but wanted to hear it anyway.

  “Half a trillion dollars?” Jeremy asked in amused tones. “Let’s not bankrupt our allies, Darren,” he chided. “You want the goose to keep laying.” He put down the briefing report. “How goes the negotiations with the Mideast?”

  “Well, it was stalled,” he grinned. “Until Commander Eisenstadt and your two—” his smile twisted “—granddaughters paid them a visit.” He shook his head. “Did anyone ever tell you that the Blunt family is damn well intimidating?”

  “Well, my son is a lawyer, after all,” Jeremy agreed cheerfully. “And they can be vicious.” He paused. “I’m surprised Morning Mist wasn’t with them.”

  “Morning Mist is helping Crystal with the baby; it turns out Cool Evening Breeze is as hopeless with babies as Hendriks is,” President Newgate said.

  Jeremy turned to the silent third person in the room. “Morning Stars Fade, see if you can find a Rynn male who likes children and can also put up with Breeze and Hendriks.”