Pilgrims Read online

  Jake, from his place behind Swann’s chair, tuned out the politician’s rhetoric. He felt a guilty pang, knowing that his best friend on earth, David Gordon, would have hung on every word. Each delegate had the right to make opening statements, so it would be an hour before the Earth delegation was even introduced. He’d have to quietly translate then, so he didn’t feel too bad about tuning out now.

  Jake spent the time studying the Bo-See delegates. Utz Seehafer, the heir apparent, stood behind his father’s chair as an observer, just as Jake stood behind Swann. When Utz met his eye, Jake nodded coolly. Utz gave the tiniest nod back. To Seehafer’s right was a man, dressed in scarlet, who Jake didn’t know. Jake leaned toward Norio, who stood beside him, and whispered, “Who is that?”

  From the side of his mouth, Norio said, “Ancel Fallstar, the smuggler.”

  Jake’s eyes went wide. Seehafer was openly bringing a smuggler to the negotiations. That didn’t bode well for the outcome. Three young women, also wearing scarlet, stood behind Fallstar.

  Norio leaned in and added, “And his daughters. They captain his spaceships.”

  Not surprising, Jake thought. Fallstar would make sure his daughters escaped Rison. What better way than to give them each a starship? That probably meant—Jake glared at the Fallstar daughters—that one of them had shot across the bow of the Eagle 10 and made them pay a toll to come down to Rison. He’d probably never find out which one, and that rankled.

  To Seehafer’s left, General Yancy Pender sat stiffly upright, refusing to relax or let his back touch his chair. His braided beard declared him as a Bo-See military leader. Jake had heard that he was a staunch supporter of King Seehafer. Military might was almost meaningless now, though, with the impending destruction of Rison. An interesting choice of retinue.

  “Any scientists?” he whispered to Norio.

  Norio shook his head and whispered back, “All military.”

  Jake pondered the meaning of the military dominance in the Bo-See Coalition’s delegates. They were clearly ready for war. Were the Bo-See ripe for yet another coup? Jake’s gaze went back to Pharomond and his muscled arms. You’d have to be a fool to ever challenge him on the fight floor.

  After standing so long, Jake shifted uneasily trying to ease the ache beginning in his calves. A glare from Norio, though, made Jake stiffen and stop fidgeting. Swann was speaking again, and Jake tried to pay attention.

  “We thank you for your opening statements. I’d like to introduce Earth’s Medical Mission team, who will be making a short presentation.”

  Jake turned toward the door and watched the team file in. Blake wore his dress whites, which showed off his lean physique. Very formal and correct, Captain Bulmer wore his royal blue uniform of the Aberforth Hills Militia. Dr. Mangot wore a royal blue dress that skimmed the floor, skirts swirling gracefully. With each step, Jake’s tension increased. This was an important moment for Earth, for Rison, and for Em. They must get approval from the International Council, or their mission would take far longer than anyone wanted.

  As agreed, Jake left his position beside his father and joined the group so he could translate. They hoped Jake’s family ties would lend more credibility to Earth’s Medical Mission.

  It was time for Jake’s rehearsed speech. “Lords and Ladies of Rison, I return from off-planet to my beloved Rison.”

  A round of unexpected applause forced Jake to stop. He was surprised that anyone cared that he’d been off-planet. His parents had more good will than they knew because it wasn’t from anything he did or was.

  When the applause subsided, he continued. “I bring with me a team of scientists from Earth. Rison’s own Seastead team accidentally released an umjaadi organism, which has infected the Phoke, Earth’s aquatic people. From the Phoke people, meet Dr. Beatrice Mangot and Captain Heath Bulmer.” Jake stopped to bow to them. He was amused with himself for falling so easily into the formality of such a conference.

  Captain Bulmer responded with a bow while Dr. Mangot curtsied. When she rose Dr. Mangot took a half-step forward.

  Afraid she would start talking too soon, Jake continued, “Sadly, if our peoples are to have a future, it will be as pilgrims on Earth, our sister blue planet. We must have their cooperation, and in turn, we must work to find ways to give them the cooperation they need.” Never had Jake felt so uncertain. The finely turned political phrase was always three times longer than plain communication called for. He noticed that no one was cheering for him now.

  King Seehafer put his hands on his chair to stand, but Ancel Fallstar rose first. Jake saw Swann grimace slightly, but he didn’t understand why.

  Fallstar spoke loud and forceful, saying, “You say that our future lies on Earth. And yet you bring us no word that Earth will accept our people. Still, Ambassador Quad-de waits and waits and waits. Pah! We’ll beg no more. The Bo-See choose to face our fate and live fully right up until our last moments. So, why should we cooperate with these Phoke from Earth?”

  Scorn etched his face and words. Behind him, his expression was mirrored by his daughters. Jake translated easily, trying to stay only a phrase behind.

  A roar arose from around the conference table. It was easy to see that Earth’s delays had created bitter resentment. Each day of delay meant fewer people would escape Rison’s destruction. Each day meant a loved one—a wife, daughter, son, aunt, uncle, mother, father, grandmother, or grandfather—would die.

  If Earth had only accepted Rison’s plea for help a year ago! But, Jake thought, that would mean even greater crowding on Earth. The politics on Earth were just as bad as here on Rison. Crowds of refugees were never welcome.

  Swann rose now and called for quiet so he could speak. “It is true that Earth has been slow in making a decision. But now, with time so crucial, we need to think about the survival of our species. What does it matter if the Earth medical team swims in our seas? What does it matter if they infect our seas? Who will live long enough for it to matter? But for the Phoke, it can matter, and matter a great deal.”

  “And we care about the Phoke because. . .?” Fallstar responded with a flourish of his hands. His robes were startlingly scarlet against the Phoke’s blue and the U.S. Navy’s white uniforms.

  Again, Jake noticed that Swann winced at Fallstar’s words. Jake closed his eyes to gather his thoughts.

  Dr. Mangot could be silent no longer and answered, “You care about us because we are sentient creatures such as yourselves.”

  Jake struggled to keep up the translation into Risonian, so her passion would be understood.

  “You cannot turn a hard heart to us in our hour of need. Because you want to die with dignity, the dignity that comes from knowing you’ve done the right thing, even when no one else has done right. This isn’t about Earth turning their backs on you. It’s about who you are, as a people, as a planet. You’re better than Earth.” She took a big breath, stepped forward and held out her hands in appeal. “We know that you could have attacked us but you’ve take the high moral ground. You came in peace. You appealed to our better side, and I hope that in the end, Earth will come through. But even if she doesn’t. . .” Dr. Mangot’s voice was choked with emotion. “Even if she doesn’t, you must still walk the narrow path, you must still choose to do the right thing.”

  King Seehafer spoke with a deep, booming voice. “Easy for you to say. Your people will live. Mine will die.”

  Dr. Mangot nodded. “Except mine will die, too, unless Rison helps us.”

  They stared at each other for long moments. Then, King Seehafer deliberately turned away from the Phoke. He straightened and faced Swann. His face was hard and his voice harsh, “Prime Minister Quad-de, we asked you a question and you have yet to answer it. Why should we care about Earth’s Phoke race when Earth cares nothing for us?”

  Jake wanted to put his face in his hands and weep. Why were the Bo-See always so hard to deal with? If only Pharomond Seehafer wasn’t their leader. For a moment, he allowed himself to believe t
hat the leadership was all that mattered. What if Pharomond Seehafer wasn’t the leader?

  A sudden, wild idea came to Jake. The only way to unseat a Bo-See King was to challenge his leadership on the fight floor. Jake could do that.

  I’d die.

  But if he didn’t do it, all the Phoke would die, including Em. He had vowed to do anything to save her, even if it meant he didn’t come home. Anything. Did he really mean it?

  I’m not good enough on the fight floor.

  His heart beat faster; he automatically wiggled his foot to feel the knife strapped on his right leg and shrugged his shoulders to feel the knife at the base of his back. It felt good to have the knives back in place; he’d missed them on Earth.

  Maybe he wasn’t good enough to win. But if he tried, if he challenged the King to fight, King Seehafer would have to respond. But it was a move too desperate to even think of—yet.

  Another idea came to him, and he said, “Prime Minister, the Earth mission team asks that each delegate cast his or her own vote, and that the votes are secret ballots.” Maybe they could find a chink in the unanimous front of the Bo-See.

  King Seehafer smirked and leaned back in his chair. He said nothing, letting his retinue speak instead.

  “We respectfully decline to vote as individuals,” Ancel Fallstar said. “We will vote as a block because we are united in purpose.”

  Jake looked across the faces of those on the Bo-See side of the table. “Does no one challenge the King’s vote?”

  Immediately, everyone turned their backs on Jake. Of course, it was an insult to suggest any Bo-See vote against his king. But these were desperate times. Still, no one broke rank; no one even looked indecisive.

  Jake realized that the King of the Bo-See did hold a cast-iron position. Pharomond must be removed. He must be taken out, but there’s only one way to do that: the fight floor.

  Do I dare take that chance? Of course not.

  The discussion raged all morning with each side repeating its position and giving no concessions or compromises. By lunch time, everyone was mentally exhausted. Jake found he couldn’t even eat the sticky buns brought from his favorite Tizzalurian bakery. Despair dogged his steps as he carried trays of refreshments for the delegates.

  And yet the Bo-See still hadn’t said, “No.” They were still listening, and surely something would break through the impasse, and they would agree to let the team go south.

  After lunch, the discussions continued with no progress till about mid-afternoon when an official slipped in and handed a note to Swann. After glancing at it, he rose with a smile.

  “Esteemed leaders,” he said. “I believe we have some progress to report. Ambassador Dayexi Quad-de wants to speak directly to you. We are setting up a large screen in the adjacent room. If you’ll kindly follow me, we’ll hear her report.”

  Earth’s Decision

  “Greetings from Earth!” said Ambassador Quad-de.

  The large screen was surprisingly clear considering that the signal was traveling across light years to reach them. There would be a time-delay of several seconds, of course, so questions and answers were hard. But receiving an ansible announcement was an amazing technology. The translators positioned themselves near those who needed it.

  Mom’s dark hair flopped in limp curls, and she had dark circles under her eyes. She looked exhausted, but her voice was excited. “Esteemed leaders, I’ve just come from talking to the Assembly at Earth’s United Nations. They voted and the answer is YES! We may start evacuation immediately. Send the ships! Tell them to launch today! Tonight! Within the hour!”

  The room erupted in laughter and shouts of joy.

  Jake hugged Blake and they cried together, “Saved!”

  But the Ambassador was still speaking, not knowing that few were still listening. Jake shushed people around him.

  “. . .not the best situation. Our people will not be allowed to swim in Earth’s oceans until the umjaadi organism is contained. Until then, Earth will provide housing in China, in the Gobi Desert in the Altai Mountains. China has an installation there that will be suitable. They will immediately build swimming pools for us, so that by the time the first ships arrive, they will be ready. It’s a triumph for us today! We have a safe place for our people. Send the ships!”

  Jake’s heart dropped. Earth agreed for Risonians to come, but they planned to quarantine them in a desert? No water. If it was bad on the Cadee Moon Base, with people aching for a swim, what would it be like in a desert? They’d be cooped up in shoddy housing for years! Jake had seen videos of refugee camps across the Earth. This was all wrong. It might look like a success on the surface, and maybe it was the best Mom could do, but it was terrible.

  Apparently, King Seehafer agreed. “What nonsense is this? Quarantine us in a desert? Are they mad?”

  Dr. Mangot stepped in. “Of course, they’re mad.” She motioned to Jake to translate, and he repeated her words. “You’ve forced us to accept your people, but that doesn’t mean we have to threaten our seas. But know this: the Phoke have powerful people in positions worldwide. We can change the tide of opinion. If we wish.” Her face turned just as hard as King Seehafer’s. “I need access to the southern seas to save my people. If you allow that, we’ll turn our influence toward finding your people a more suitable place to live.”

  Before Seehafer could speak, a scarlet slash of color stomped up to Dr. Mangot.

  Ancel Fallstar roared, “No. This half-hearted invitation to share the planet of Earth—it’s an insult. No. You’ll never be allowed to search our seas for a cure to the umjaadi. Never.”

  There. He had said it. Never.

  Other southerners nodded agreement. They spoke with one voice.

  King Seehafer shrugged, “There. We have spoken. Finally.”

  The Challenge

  Jake’s heart beat a tattoo on his chest.

  Really, Em, I have no other choice.

  Jake marched up to King Seehafer. “My Lord,” he called loudly, and paused until he had the attention of everyone in the room. “My Lord,” he repeated. Words almost failed him, but he thought of Em the last day he’d seen her, walking on the shore of the North Sea, pale and trusting. He thought of his words, “I swear to you, I’ll bring back a cure for the umjaadi.”

  If possible, he stood even straighter. “My Lord, I challenge you to the fight floor. I will fight you to become the ruler of the Bo-See Coalition.”

  King Seehafer shook his head as if he hadn’t heard right. “Challenge? Me?”

  “Yes,” nodded Jake. “You aren’t leading your people toward a brighter future. You’re unfit to be leader.” He gulped as he heard himself speaking insults, but he couldn’t stop. “The Bo-See Coalition needs a leader who will boldly lead them off-planet. I can do that.”

  Across the room, Jake saw Swann, his face a mask of unbelief and anguish.

  King Seehafer stepped closer to Jake and bent his head to Jake’s level. The King’s eyes glittered like a black diamond forged in a volcano. “You want to challenge me?”

  Jake nodded glumly.

  King Seehafer threw back his head and guffawed. He slapped Jake’s back, almost knocking him down. The king threw out his hands to the crowd. “Did you hear? He wants to challenge me!”

  Now, the crowd joined in the joke, laughing with incredulity at Jake’s foolishness.

  Even Utz shook his head and laughed.

  King Seehafer grabbed Jake’s arm and tugged, hauling him over to Swann. “Did you hear your son’s amusing challenge?”

  Swann started, “Sir, he’s young—”

  “Yes,” interrupted King Seehafer. “Young. And yet, he’s braver than the lot of you.” Now, the king pulled Jake to him in a dramatic hug. “Bravely done,” he murmured.

  Ancel Fallstar called, “You won’t fight him?”

  “Of course not,” said King Seehafer. “He’s young and foolish. Why should he end his life now?”

  No one is taking me seriously! Jake
shoved away from Seehafer and said fiercely, “I will fight you.”

  He dropped a knife from his arm holster and brandished it.

  Seehafer guffawed. “Put it up, son. You’ve earned my respect today by your boldness and bravery. But don’t ruin it by forcing me to kill you.”

  Swann put a hand on Jake’s arm. “Jake. Put it up.”

  Jake realized that he’d overstepped, that he’d never be able to defeat the Bo-See Coalition’s king. He was lucky to be alive right now. He straightened and bowed to the King and his courtiers who had drawn nearer to protect the king if needed. “My Lord.” His voice stuck. “Please. Allow the Earthlings access to your seas.”

  The room was utterly still, waiting for the King to respond.

  King Seehafer waved a hand at the ansible screen. “After the Ambassador’s announcement, we have much to discuss. I will give you an answer tomorrow.”

  A wave of relief passed through Jake, and his knees almost buckled. He was alive. He had demanded an answer from the most dangerous man on Rison and was still alive. He inclined his head in answer, “My Lord. We thank you.”

  As soon as the king turned away, Jake almost collapsed. But Swann was there to hold him up.

  “That was the craziest and most courageous thing I’ve ever seen!” Even Swann was looking at Jake with new eyes.

  But Jake just sank into a chair, closed his eyes and put his head down between his legs to keep from fainting.

  The Bo-See

  The fight floor was brightly lit when King Pharomond Seehafer and Ancel Fallstar entered to spar in a practice fight. No knives, just wrestling.

  Utz watched King Seehafer stomp a bare foot on the dirt, testing how well it was packed. He wore tight fight pants but was bare-chested, revealing massive chest muscles. Fallstar wore the same wrestling uniform, except his pants were scarlet instead of black. Scars scattered around both men’s torsos and arms. They circled, each waiting for the other to make the first move.