Early Byrd (16 page)

"And my fellows want to kill you all and
loot Earth of all that is precious," a familiar voice replied as
our door swung open.
Rapput
stood in the doorway,
tall and straight. "Yet somehow they
fail to understand that a planetful of courageous, willing allies
is worth far more than any conceivable plunder." Rapput sighed and
stepped through the opening. "Congressman, my nephews . . .
Greetings to you all. I'm sorry I've been unable to come by before
now."

"We
understand," Tim
answered for us all. "You were hurt
too."

"Yes," Rapput agreed. "And buried in work
besides." He looked at Dad. "Speaking of work . . . From what I've
seen, you and your people are doing an excellent job of quelling
the rebellion. I'm aware you've resisted the imposition of a number
of, shall we say, radical solutions and interventions during my
convalescence. In my opinion, you were quite correct to do so. Had
they been imposed the war would've gone on forever. In this, the
work of your English-language clan was better founded than that of
my own. Be aware that changes have been made."

Dad
expression blanked,
and then he stood taller despite
himself. "Thank you."

"The compliment wasn't given lightly," he
replied. "Eventually I seek true partnership. This means
acknowledging even that which is unpleasant." Then he smiled at
Timothy and me. "How are my favorite nephews doing?"

"Fine!" we replied as one. Then he made us
each in turn tell him about our injuries and, as best we could, how
well we were recovering. Midway through a doctor showed up and
tried to interrupt, but Rapput silenced him with a motion.

"I review the official reports daily," he
declared. "Now I wish to hear what they have to say from their our
own mouths."

When we were done, he smiled and
skull-capped each of us in turn. Then he stood and spread his arms
in what was clearly a formal if unknown Pose. "My nephews," he
said, "I hardly know where to begin. Rarely in all the history of
our kind, or I suspect of human kind, have warriors so young
performed so well in so crucial a conflict. It’s no secret that our
acquaintance is short—you’re adopted, and this is the nature of
things. Yet let it be recorded for the ages that I, an Ocrevennar
of the Clan of Gonther, stand in awe of what you've done, much of
which I eye-witnessed, and am both proud and humbled to have you as
family." He paused and smiled, then made a gesture. Two Artemu
bearing golden spears stepped in. "So, I hereby officially declare
you warrior-youths of the Clan of Gonther. This means you're
considered to have proven your mettle and courage beyond any doubt,
and while still under-age are entitled to the same level of honor
and personal respect as any other soldier. This is a rare
achievement indeed—not twice in a decade is this honor bestowed
upon any Artemu anywhere. Yet I've never seen it better earned." He
lowered his arms and gestured again. The two Artemesians carrying
the weapons placed them next to us with great reverence. "These are
ceremonial," Rapput explained. "They're warrior-symbols, usually
earned by ordeal at a much later age. They’re to be hung over your
beds, to remind you that immediate action may be required at any
moment."

Then he turned to Mom, who was hugging Dad
and trying to look strong. "Ma'am," he said respectfully. "Since
meeting you, I've been studying up on human females and their
various roles in your myriad cultures." He lowered his head.
"Please forgive me if I yet fail to understand. It's difficult for
me to imagine how the weaker and gentler can be fully equal, though
I'm trying hard to do so. And yet . . ." He shook his head. "I now
better understand your pain at what comes next. Or at least I
imagine that I do. Either way, please know I sorrow for you. But
this is what
must
be, for the best of both of our peoples.
Now more than ever, after what they've already accomplished.
They’ll become the face of humanity among the Artemu, the standards
by which your entire race will be judged by my own. Someday
they'
ll
come home to you
again. I swear it—that's been the plan since the beginning. But I
won't lie to you. They will have grown into full-fledged Heroes by
then."

Mom nodded, and for just a moment I thought
she was going to break into tears. Then the moment passed and her
eyes turned hard. "Thank you for at least trying to understand, and
for caring enough about my feelings to try to explain. My respect
for you grows every time we meet, and, as you say, that’s good for
both of our peoples."

Then she hugged us both. "Boys," she said
when she was finished. "I'd like to keep you by my side more than
anything in the universe. It's what you deserve, if nothing else.
Yet the more I see of the situation, well . . . Rapput is correct.
Bridges
must
be built. And if this is how his kind builds
bridges, then perhaps we must be flexible on our end as well." She
looked at our uncle. "Sir, I don't think that you make the mistake
of underestimating the martial ability of humans. But I strongly
suspect that despite recent efforts, you don't realize how much we
females have historically contributed to our species' effectiveness
in war. Thus, I feel compelled to offer you a small demonstration."
She sat down in her chair between our beds and reached for our
hands.

"My sons," Mom said once we were all three
linked. "Humans have lived through good times and bad, through
famine and violence and pestilence beyond measure. When
circumstances change, our greatest strength lies our ability to
adapt, to abandon what came before and do what it takes to survive
even when these changes involve our most cherished morals and
values. I wouldn't have said this before the kidnapping and all the
hell it nearly unleashed, but now I understand better what our
species must become if we're to have a future. After considering
mankind’s long and varied history I have no fear that we’ll fail to
adapt, for this is a place we’ve been before and remember well. The
lifestyle and ethics of the Artemu are nothing new to us, and we
know how to thrive while living under their sway.” Her face
hardened
, and her eyes
glinted like cold steel. "You've done well in killing your enemies
and your father's enemies so far here on Earth. I bless everything
you've done so far. Now go, my beloved sons. Go out to the stars
with your adopted uncle and show every creature you meet what
you're made of. Leave them in no doubt that you’re tougher and
stronger and meaner than they ever dreamed of becoming, for this is
now the way of survival. Don't forget mercy and honor, but in the
end . . ." She squeezed our hands so tight it hurt. "Come back to
me someday, both of you. Come back and be welcomed and showered
with my love. But come back either with your shield or lying on it.
For in this new and violent universe, all humanity depends on
it."

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