Chapter Six
"Dutch, we need to make a change."
"What kind of change, Clete?"
"I don't know. Forget it. It might mess things up. He's handling it. I suppose I can."
"Enough! I am not going to spend days wondering. What?"
"Lane. He aches for her. Needs her. Wants her. Wants her so much he's like a caged animal."
"No. Not this time. The future is too good. I won't risk it. It's not worth chancing. I think a lot of it is this trip. Two days on this ship with nothing to do but think about her."
"He's going to be useless by the time we get to Harvelle, worn ragged. We're supposed to compete. We're going to be out of it."
"You just came up with the answer. I'll bet if we spent two full days training, we'd be ready. And it's not really a change. We're still on the ship. Still traveling with the show. We'll give Frake Melissa's call signal. Lane didn't see anything, but it will keep Frake from getting nervous."
"Done. Ten minutes. In the gym."
Lane was waiting for them when they got there. Dutch almost changed his mind. He looked fevered. He was pale and shaky-looking.
"I know. You don't have to tell me. I'm in rough shape. Put me to work. I'm full of tomorrow's memories and I need them to be now."
Clete put them to work. He worked them every waking hour of the two days. Lane dropped into bed exhausted and slept. It was what he needed. They were ready when they landed.
"Dutch, we are about to turn this world on its ear. This is the base. Where it's all coming from. A pleasant, homey, little ball of vice, crime, corruption, and upright citizen crooks. It starts with the competition we're going to enter and the gray man. He's a mad dog they set loose. We're sending him back to them. This is the one world where they don't want him. He followed us. Now, the competition's fixed. We're about to unfix it."
"How do they fix a martial arts competition, Lane? A fight I could see, but this is huge, competitors from everywhere."
"They start with referees and judges and supplement with beatings and drugs. We're going to have a lot of very good help. Wait'll you meet Master Pon and Jerona, Clete. Dutch, you'll really like the Perisks. This is team and individual. A large amount of money is wagered. The betting is legal and our bad boys use it to pay off the help."
"Tell them who to bet on to collect their pay."
"Right, Clete. The first thing we do is find Master Pon. His school is registered. We're about to be students. He's even going to teach us some things. You'll love it. Let's help get the show set up. We're going to be conspicuously present several places at once."
They helped unload and get things to the concert hall, then slipped quietly back to the ship. It was time to travel. They found Master Pon two days before, settled into lotus position near him on the beach and waited.
They greeted the rising sun and moved smoothly into the tai chi ch'uan with him. He began a series of complex katas. They followed. It was quite some time before he found one they didn't know. They knelt and watched. When he had completed it, Clete spoke for them.
"Master, we ask you teach us."
"Who are you that I should spend my most valuable time?"
"We are ones who have learned the value of knowledge."
"Do you then think you are wise?"
"Only in knowing wisdom must be sought."
"It is a beginning. I will teach you."
"Thank you, Master. We will seek to learn well."
"Good. Now, who are you guys and where did you come from? I thought I knew most of the really advanced people in the sector."
"We're the Gallants. I'm Clete. My brothers Lane and Dutch. We're from outside the sector. We've got wind of something real smelly in the competition coming up. We want to clear the air and we need your help."
"Sounds interesting. Let's go find late lunch. I'm starved."
Master Pon was a delightful little man in his seventies. He had a quick wit and an easy laugh. They took him to Melissa for lunch. He looked around and grinned. When they told him what they planned to do, he smiled widely and officially 'enrolled' them in his school. He was the first person they'd shown Melissa who didn't say she was impossible. They went with him to meet their fellow students and Dutch just shook his head. Lane hadn't told them all Master Pon's other students were female.
"Jerona, Keli, Kera, I want you to meet someone. These are the newest students in our school; Dutch, Clete and Lane."
"Pon, I seldom question any decision you make, but aren't they just a bit unusual?"
"More than you realize, Jerona. They're the best I've ever seen. Except myself, of course. They plan on taking apart a gambling fix on the competition. They also want to put a drug smuggling ring, with a sideline in forced prostitution, out of business in the process. Interested?"
"This sounds like our kind of fun. Keli, Kera?"
"You bet. The company's not bad to look at either. Hi, I'm Keli Perisk. The quiet one drooling over there is my sister Kera."
"Dutch. The drooling's mutual. I'm crazy about twins. Especially beautiful, red-haired twins. How'd you like to help me blow up a few warehouses and labs?"
"Oh, I just love fireworks. Tell us all about it."
"Hmm, I'll bet I can fit three on my bike."
Clete and Lane laughed as they watched Dutch walk off with a lady on each arm. He was in absolute heaven. He was telling them all about "bikes."
"Clete, Jerona is my assistant. More than a student. A perfectionist to the core. You want to learn that kata, she can show you."
"All right! Lead on, Jerona. I'd follow you anywhere."
"You got it, big man. My, you are big. I'm taller than half the men I meet. You make me feel petite. I think I like it."
"Well, Lane, looks like we're left out in the cold. Of course, my wife frowns on it if I stay warm."
"I think your wife and my fiancé would get along. They seem to have some things in common."
"Shall we find a quiet place to talk and make some immediate plans?"
"A good idea. Uh, oh. Sensei, that little girl in back needs a word."
"Damn. She's at it again. She just wants to learn so badly, she tries things more advanced students are doing. I'll... Well, I guess that's taken care of. He's really giving her a lecture."
"Don't worry. Clete gives very gentle lectures. I figured he'd see her. Probably felt her hurting herself. He's an empath."
"I wondered how he knew. He had his back to her. Are you all empaths?"
"No, just Clete."
"And do you and Dutch have talents?"
"I suppose you could call them that. I see the future. Dutch changes it."
"That must be most intriguing."
"It has its moments."
Lane and Pon worked out logistics and made a list of things they'd need. Pon was delighted with the idea of it all happening during the competition and pageant.
He shook his head in sadness when Lane told him the names of the people they were after. They were known and respected. They worked out the arrangements to save spouses and children from suffering shame and humiliation. Pon would add nineteen to his list of staff and students. They would travel to another world and another competition with him. Once there, they would become new people. Wagers on the competition would provide the funds for homes and upkeep. Merith had a list of eight new employees and would make the wagers.
Dutch, Keli and Kera were sitting in Lissa happily constructing bombs. They would need a great many. Clete and Jerona were setting up the competition schedule. They were getting along famously. Things were running very smoothly when Clete suddenly groaned.
"Damn, Dutch! Sorry, Jerona, I can't think. I'm going to find a cold shower."
"What's the problem? What's happening?"
"Dutch, Keli, and Kera are what's happening. They're also the problem."
"Oh
, I see. Come with me."
Jerona led Clete back to the shower room, but the water she turned on wasn't cold. Lane took a deep breath.
"Pon, I need a drink, a cold shower, and probably an anesthetic."
"I feel a bit warm myself. Your brothers?"
"They have help."
"Yes, the ladies are helpful. Come on. Let's grab a few beers and go for a swim. We'll take the kids with us. Nothing like a cold ocean and a batch of little girls to keep things in perspective."
"Pon, you're a genius."
"Yes, but I've also been married forty-five years and been teaching women for twenty-seven. This genius is based on experience."
"I think we should hurry."
"Watch this. Salute your sensei! Time to play! Hit the beach!"
Lane watched and grinned. Every student gave formal thanks, then a mad scramble began. In two minutes, he and Pon were strolling behind forty, running, chattering, squealing girls toward the sea. Some were carrying beach chairs and sports equipment. One pair carried a coldkeep between them. By the time they caught up, two chairs, an umbrella and the keep were awaiting them. They laughed, pulled off their shirts and ran for the sea.
The next day, Master Pon submitted his lists for the competition. They were stamped approved. They weren't even read. He'd never had male students. No one realized they were there. He hurried to the concert hall where his three students and his three assistants awaited in Melissa. They had a large number of beatings and druggings to prevent.
Lane slid Melissa a few hours into the future and they went to work. Groups of men expecting to find one or two sleeping in a room met several awake outside the door. They broke into three teams after they had taken care of the large groups.
Clete and Jerona had developed a smooth working relationship. Dutch, Keli and Kera had tremendous fun. Pon and Lane disposed of men who would have abused young people. They got a full day's rest in Melissa. Lane and Pon spent a good deal of time in the cold water of the swimming pool. They returned to the time they'd left. Dutch, Clete and Lane went to work preparing for the "Our Special Girl" pageant and Pon and the ladies went back to the dojo to organize students and equipment.
Pon commed the masters of other schools in the competition and arranged a meeting. They would eject referees and judges who were unfair. Merith met Pon's brother-in-law and gave him funds and a list of wagers to make. Pon did not wish to know the outcome of the competition. His brother-in-law placed the bets with a very large grin on his face. He'd made a few small wagers of his own the day before.
Lane recorded the tips to five honest men; three detective captains, a prosecutor and a news editor. He set the timer to send out the calls. He took Melissa to a restaurant and placed a tiny tracking device in the hem of the gray man's coat. It would lead Dutch, Clete and him to the board meeting and seal the gray man's fate.
The murderer of Sabbi's father would die at the hands of his employers. She'd seen that changing that would change who she and her mother had become, without needing to be guided to it. The men on the board would be betrayed by some very unhappy, unpaid, employees, when the honest authorities found them in possession of large quantities of drugs. They'd be sure they'd been set up. They would be, but not by their bosses. Sabbi and he had agreed that would be satisfying too.
He smiled as he replicated 'colors' for Pon and the ladies. They would enjoy the leathers and the wild ride. He also installed a set of pegs and built a new seat for Dutch's bike. It was a surprise. It was designed for three. Dutch would be a bit closer to the bars, but he wouldn't mind. He'd still be able to lift the front wheel off the ground. He rested in the past, then returned to the time of his departure. He had a team kata rehearsal. Pon put them to work as soon as he arrived.
"Yes, the appearance is aesthetically pleasing. Now, begin. No. Dutch, you must move a bit more slowly. You complete the moves a fraction too soon, then must pause before beginning the next. Again. Clete, control your power. The punches of all must be equal. Again."
Pon smiled at the three big, blond men and the three big, red-haired women. They'd take the advanced mixed competition. He still felt the splitting of the competitors by sex was wrong, but Lane had explained it was part of the "fix" and very profitable to a pair of unpleasant men who provided bullies for the business. It was why none of his girls were targets.
The presence of Clete, Dutch and Lane had placed his school in the overall points event. They had added possible points in a total of seven events. Pon expected his girls to complete a near sweep of their schedule. If the three men did as well as he knew they should, it would be the first overall his school had taken.
He'd never had entries in the heavy and super-heavy classes. He longed for the 'old days' when all competitors were grouped only by levels of skill and not broken into age and weight classes. It was a technique of the sponsors and promoters, more events and more wagers. He smiled. He had entered himself in three events. It had been a long time. He expected to add the points for masters' level men to their total. The two men he hadn't been sure he wouldn't break in pieces wouldn't be competing. He'd never doubted his instincts about them, just thought testing his control for a few points that made no difference was foolish.
The show people, contestants, escorts and all the students of Pon's school went to dinner together. Frake made the arrangements. A large restaurant became very busy. Lane smiled as Dutch tensed and shook his head. The gray man stood across the street and gazed at them taking seats by the window. He would be on his way to see his bosses. Dutch knew he would be going nowhere else. Ever.
Dinner was a great success. Frake had a bill prepared and signed for it. It too would be covered out of Merith's wagers. It delighted him to know the money would come from the coffers of the people who had used him to smuggle drugs. He had noticed the two Lane had released from the hold and the third he had fired were on the planet. Lane had told him one of them would become a fount of information for the prosecutor. He wished he could stay to see it, but the show would move on. He knew Lane, Clete and Dutch would not be going with them. Their work would be done and they would find another who needed guardian angels. Frake and Pon became friends over dinner. The friendship would last until their deaths many years in the future.
"We have to leave. We have something to do tonight. We'll see you all tomorrow. Come on, let's set this thing in motion."
"With you in a minute, Lane. I just want to say goodnight to the ladies. OW! All right! I'm going. I'm going."
Clete grinned, let go of Dutch's ear and followed him out the door, around the corner and into the alley where Lane had 'parked' Melissa. They moved her to an office and walked into the "Boardroom" across the hall from it. Dutch smiled at the nine very shocked people and sat on the end of the table.
"Hello, we're the Gallants. This is your notice we're shutting you down. Permanently."
"How did you get in here? How did you find this place?"
"We put a tracker on your man in gray. It's in the hem of his coat. I believe I hear him coming now."
"YOU! You can't be here! I just saw you sitting down to dinner. You can't be... You're not natural. You're some kind of spooks."
"Oh, we're quite real. You're going to be sorry I didn't kill you. Goodby."
Dutch laughed as he walked through the door and heard the gray man protesting he couldn't have been followed. He slept well that night.
The news headlines the morning of the competition were about the beaten and mutilated body found floating in the bay. Lane would have liked to hear the 'board' trying to figure out how all those chains had come undone. He was rather fond of the little laser knife he carried in his pocket. It worked well on packing crates too.
The tournament was interesting, especially when the senseis ejected four referees and three judges. They chose new ones from the expert aficionados in the audience. Pon's sch
ool swept through the competition. Two schools dominated most of the events for young males. They did not take any of the men's heavy or super-heavy events. They didn't take the master's either.
The team kata competitions drew cheers from the crowd. When the winning men's team and the winning women's team combined and won the mixed event, they went wild. Pon accepted the overall point award for his school with a determinedly humble bow. He received a standing ovation from both the audience and fellow competitors. The day had already been wonderful and the fun was just beginning.
Pon and his three assistants had box seats for the pageant. He smiled at the gasps of delight when the escorts in white produced a rose from the air for each contestant. He made a mental note to send flowers to his wife in celebration of their victory, then decided to add "at first opportunity" to it. Without her patience and support, it would not have been possible.
Frake and Merith took the contestants out for supper. The Gallants would be busy.
They started by hopping backward in time. They went from world to world and time to time. They thwarted every attempt made on shows that had come under their protection. It took them eight days.
They landed outside Pon's school a few minutes after the pageant was over and Pon introduced the Gallants to his wife Ellith. She smiled in delight when Lane pulled a rose from the air and presented it to her. She mentioned Pon had sent a huge bouquet, which had been delivered moments before. Pon was very pleased he'd called and ordered them during the pageant.
Jerona, Keli and Kera received roses as well. Clete pulled one, and Dutch two, from the air. They asked Ellith to put them in water. They would reclaim them in a short while. Pon told his wife he would be back in a few moments and returned with the others to Melissa to begin an evening of fun. He had smiled at his wife's tale of a crime ring's sudden fall during the evening hours. He didn't tell her he was on his way to help make it happen. She might worry. About his sanity. When they landed, Dutch found his present.
"Lane, you're terrific! It's great! Now I really can ride three."
"Happy whatever, Dutch. We're going to have to take them apart and put them together a lot. It clips in. Oh! I have other surprises as well. Ladies, these are your colors. Pon, this set is for you. Diamond clips for the ears and mirrored lenses for the eyes. Shall we change and terrorize a crime ring?"
They all smiled in delight as they stood before the mirrored wall Melissa made for them in the living room and looked at their reflections. They put the bikes together and roared into the day. Keli and Kera flipped to see who would sit behind Dutch first. They would take turns, changing places each time they hit another city.
The seven of them roared into warehouse after warehouse and lab after lab. They left all the personnel napping outside and blew them up. They 'planted' a large quantity of drug for the police to find when they followed Lane's tips, then rode back to Melissa. They had spent seven hours in the city. They got a good night's rest and spent a pleasant day together.
Lane and Pon spent some time swimming and Dutch complained about his teeth rattling at dinner. They landed, assembled the bikes, and spent the same seven hours in another city. In all, they spent sixteen days in the task, all in the same seven hours. They landed back at the school ten minutes after they'd left. They put together the evacuation plan for the innocents and began working on it. When they had everything ready, they went to the first house and Dutch slipped inside and smiled widely at the woman who was too pained to be shocked when he walked into the room.
"Hello, I'm Dutch. I'm here to get you and your children out of this mess. We've got a vehicle out back and a way for you to disappear. Bring your cat and anything you can't bear to part with, but not more than you can carry in one bag. Please, I know it's very hard to trust right now, but we will help."
"How did you get in? Can you really get us through all those reporters? And not for... a story?"
"I got in because you need me. Yes, we can and no story is wanted. We've got transport offplanet and a new home and identities ready for you."
"I'll get my cat and coat. Merrie, get your teddy bear. Jord, bring your gliss game. We're leaving."
No one paid much attention to one more news crew giving up on a locked house. The news vehicle stopped a few blocks away and two children and a woman carrying a cat climbed into a grav car with a lovely redhead driving it. The scene was repeated again and again, twice with dogs and once more with a cat and with various numbers of various-age children. One man struggled not to weep as he hustled four children into a van and left the home his wife's 'inheritance' had bought nine years before.
Merith drove a closed vehicle onto the ship's cargo lift and drove it out again moments later. Ellith had a large number of houseguests overnight, then kissed Pon good luck and watched two chartered transports take his staff, chosen students and him to the spaceport for a chartered flight to a competition on a nearby world.
Merith collected her winnings, then met Pon's brother-in-law and he gave her his. Lane had explained Harvelle had been the perfect place for the ring's base because there were no income taxes due to the vast mineral wealth. The incident that made it as accessible as it was on Earth wasn't the same, but the result was and the government collected money on every gram exported. It was also why gaming taxes were low.
She cheerfully paid the two percent of the gross. She deposited the rest in numbered accounts and purchased real estate on another world by comm.
The show was broken down and the ship loaded. Merith realized Frake would have to hire several people to replace the three who were leaving. She brushed tears from her eyes and went back to work. There were furnishings to order and clothes to provide. Kitchens must also be stocked.
"Merith, we're on our way. We'll have everything ready for them when they get there. We'll see you at your destination."
"All right, Lane. Lane... "
"Yes? Come on, Merith, you know how it works. You have to ask before I can have the memory. You ask."
"If I tell Frake I'm in love with him, what would he... Would he... Oh, dear."
"Save me a dance at your reception. I love dancing with ladies in white."
He smiled, pulled a white rose from the air and handed it to her. She stared at it in surprise. It was cool and moist with dew. She inhaled the fragrance of the first rose she'd ever held that hadn't been replicated. She laughed in delight as Lane waved and walked away. She took a deep breath and hunted for Frake. She had something to tell him. Lane was smiling when he walked into Melissa.
"All right, that's taken care of. Now, on to our next destination. We're about to become deliverymen. Dutch, here's the list of merchants and items. Set schedules for pickup. You met them all, figure out what should go where and to whom. We need to insert computer records for all the kids in schools so they can be transferred to their new ones. I'll pull their real ones and change the identities. We'll need to do marriage, divorce, etceteras, for every one of them. Clete, you take care of birth and medical records. Here's the list of people and their new identities. Let's get to work."
"Lane, why are you so happy? You're just bubbling."
"Well, Clete, when we get this chore finished, we're going to a wedding. The bride has just promised me a dance at the reception. You guys will get one too, but you'll enjoy dancing with the bridesmaids more."
"Frake and Merith!"
"You got it. Jerona, Keli and Kera are going to be bridesmaids. Guess who the groomsmen are."
"All right! I like being in weddings."
The sudden wistful look on Clete's face made Dutch wish he hadn't said it.
"It's all right, Dutch. I like being in weddings, too."
"Clete, it'll be a little rough in places. Tell Jerona why. She's a good friend. She'll be willing to help."
"She always does."
Clete smiled a slow warm smile. It went with a very nice
memory.
"Damn, Lane. He's doing it again!"
"I noticed. Let's get to work, Dutch."
"I hate trying to think when my teeth are rattling!"
A woman was still very nervous when she walked into her new house. The pain of finding out what her husband was hadn't really eased. She stopped and stared around in amazement. It was beautiful. She wandered from room to beautifully furnished room, carrying her cat and dragging her coat unnoticed behind her. She heard her daughter squeal, dropped cat and coat and ran.
"Look, Mommy, toys and dolls and my closet's full. Jord's too. Is yours full too, Mommy?"
She went to check. It was. She found a large packet on her dresser. It contained complete documents for all of them, including school enrollment for Merrie and Jord. Their first names were the same, but the last had been changed. The message light was blinking on the comm unit. It was from the bank and it thanked her for choosing them for her accounts. She pulled up the records and started to laugh. There was an amazing amount all set up as interest-bearing trusts. She would have a comfortable regular income and the children's education was provided for. She began to put the documents away and found a short handwritten note.
"The name on the decree is fictitious, but the divorce is real. Forget the past. Enjoy your new life. P.S. I set the coffeepot to turn on when you answered the comm unit."
She went to the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. The house didn't have a food synthesizer, but she'd never really liked them. She opened cabinets and found them stocked. She sat down at the table and giggled. Frake had told her not to worry, she had the best guardian angels in the business. He'd been absolutely right. She wondered if one of them was called Dutch.
The scene was repeated in eight homes that day. Most homes had synthesizers. Those that didn't were for ladies and the man who preferred to cook. Reporters searched passenger lists for days. The families of the eight men and one woman had just disappeared, including dogs and cats.
Frake and Merith didn't wait long. It was a good time for all their real friends to attend, but it was less wait for the Gallants. None of them wanted to wait thirty-two days to go to the wedding.
"Congratulations, Frake, you're a very lucky man."
"I know it. Lane, I don't think I'd have ever gotten up the nerve, but she just walked up and said she loved me and what was I going to do about it. I asked her to marry me. Surprised myself. Didn't surprise her though. She handed me a guest list."
"Thanks for asking me to be best man. It meant a lot. Barnard and Jeannie looked pleased too."
"Well, Merith doesn't have any family. She likes Barnard and decided to ask him to give her away. Jeannie was natural for flower girl. Old Earth traditional all the way. It was those costumes you guys wore. I'm glad Pon and Ellith could come. I've got a lot of old friends here, but Merith... Well, she needed some on her side of the aisle."
"Frake, I'm going to dance with your wife. I'm going to give her a kiss too. It's the one time I know my fiancé wouldn't mind."
"That's true. I wish Sabbi and Rose could've come. Merith asked them."
"Work and school. They just couldn't get away."
"Lane, you could've... you know, got them."
"No. My life with Sabbi is going to be wonderful. I don't need to make any changes in it. I am looking forward to the next time I see her though. I dream about it."
"Special reason?"
"Yes. Her mother won't be around."
Frake laughed and Lane went to dance with his wife and give her a kiss. Pon joined him at the punch bowl a short time later.
"It will be a warm night."
"Yeah, Clete and Dutch are going to bring Jerona, Keli and Kera home for a late supper. And breakfast."
"I'm sorry, my friend, Ellith has decided it will be a warm night too. You'll have to swim alone."
Lane laughed and clapped him on the back.
Clete watched Lane sit down for dinner in Melissa. Dutch grinned widely. They all felt good, but Lane was flying.
"All right, tell us."
"Tell you what, Clete?"
"You know. What's up. Why you're three feet off the ground and humming under your breath. Come on, Lane, tell us."
"I'm going to see Sabbi. There's a dance at her university and we're going to it. We're going to make it official. I've just been thinking about it."
"There's more."
"Yes! Yes, there is. Her mother won't be there! I'm going to whisk her away and spend some time with her. I've been enjoying thinking about you two taking your turn."
"Our turn at what?"
"Doing countless laps in the pool!"
Clete and Dutch burst into laughter. It really was their turn.
Lane got more excited as the time drew near. One night Clete hauled him out of bed, carried him, protesting, from his room and dumped him in the pool. Lane sputtered and laughed. Clete shook his head, grinned and went back to bed. Maybe his room wouldn't be quite so warm. Three days later, Lane's memory finally agreed it was time. Clete and Dutch both walked in to his room grinning widely. They'd both felt his sudden surge of excitement and knew exactly what it meant.
"So, how do we dress? Is this formal, informal, a beach party, what?"
"Homecoming. Called The Queen's Ball."
"White tuxes?"
"Not this time, Dutch. You and Clete wear black tuxes. I'm the only one who wears white."
"Oh, ho, you want to outshine us."
"I most certainly do."
"Going to tell us why?"
"No, you'll see. You won't be bored or go unnoticed. You'll get all the attention you need. I just want more."
"All right, Lane. Clete, black tuxes."
"Done."
Lane smiled, told Melissa to execute the flight plan and began getting ready. Dutch and Clete would wear black tuxes with red satin cummerbunds, ties and roses. He would wear all white including an opera cape. He planned on putting on quite a show. Sabbi would love it. She was a true romantic and so was he. He made his preparations and smiled. Clete hadn't caught on to the purpose of all the equations he'd given him to work on while he lifted weights. He'd just been happy to have some new ones to "play with," while the barbell went up and down.
The girl checking tickets at the door didn't ask them if they had them. Dutch handed her a rose and asked her for a dance later. The plain little girl became a beautiful woman in an instant. He was sure she was and she really couldn't doubt it.
Lane smiled at Clete's wide grin when love for them both rose in a warm wave in him, then suddenly became a thought of Sabbi and a great deal warmer.
They stepped through the doors and Dutch grinned, too. They followed two paces behind Lane as he walked across the dance floor. People stopped to watch and an aisle cleared.
Sabbi looked up and saw him. Her face lit with delight. She waited. The gleam in his eye and his smile told her he was up to something. He made a full formal bow and produced a bouquet of white roses from the air. He dropped on one knee before her. His deep rich voice carried through the room.
"I, Sir Apollo Avelaine Gallant, ask for your hand in marriage."
"Yes."
He pulled a ring set with a huge diamond from the air and placed it on her finger. She began to sing her song and he lifted her to her feet. He joined her in duet and they danced. When they finished the song, he kissed her and flower petals drifted down around them.
The room erupted in applause. Clete and Dutch grinned. Lane had figured out the flower petal trick and used it to good effect. He'd been spectacular. The prince had crashed the homecoming and walked off with the queen.
Clete and Dutch bowed to them and moved toward the refreshment table. Dutch filled two cups and carried them to the girl at the table in the hall. Clete felt the slightly awkward determination of a group of young women who had no special companion for the most romantic e
vent of the year, but weren't about to miss it. He walked into the midst of them.
"Hi. I'm Clete. Can I be your date? I hate being at things like this alone."
He pulled rose after rose from the air and handed one to each. A chubby young woman with a delightful smile suddenly laughed.
"Absolutely, and I think you're big enough to actually go around."
"Oh, I do my best. Would you like to dance?"
Dutch found the shy girls in the hall, the ones who had built the floats and decorated the room. The ones who had worked long and hard, then dressed up and peeked through the door at other people enjoying the fruits of their labors. He sat on the ticket table, gave out roses and gently teased. Before long, he shooed them through the doors ahead of him, found a table and seated each and every one. He bowed and led the little ticket girl onto the floor. Boys next. They'd be harder, but a bit less shy to start. There would also be fewer. For some reason, a pair of very shy girls were likely to talk each other into things and a pair of very shy boys were likely to talk each other out of them.
The three women and two men faculty members and the group of alumnus smiled. They had no idea who the big men who had 'crashed the gate' were, but they were very welcome. They had made the night magical and brought the outsiders in. And in the center of the floor, the queen danced with her prince.
The last song was announced and couples moved onto the floor to hold each other and move to the slow song. On the last chord, the man in white flipped several things into the air in quick succession. There were sudden flashes of light all over the room and something began to drift down. A botany professor picked one up and gasped in amazement.
"It's real! The rose petals are real! They're not replicated! They're real!"
All over the room, young university students caught drifting petals and tucked them away, memories of a magical, romantic, night.
"Time for supper. Tell me, ladies, where would you like to continue this evening?"
"Clete, you can't be serious."
"Teri, I think you ladies have enjoyed my company. I know I've enjoyed yours. Whyever would you be surprised I want to take you to supper? Choose some place nice. I want to show you off. The boys and I feel quite smug having you all to ourselves. Don't we, Cliff?"
"Yes. How about Tres Jacque?"
"Ah, a suggestion. Sounds like a good one. Now, transport?"
"We can walk. It's about six blocks and I'd love to be seen with a whole bunch of pretty girls."
"Ladies, would you walk six blocks on a warm autumn evening so Cliff, Darrell and I can show off?"
"We'll get our coats."
"Teri, please allow us to use it as a way to say we're pleased to be with you. A bunch more people in line getting coats one at a time is silly and it's a nice opportunity."
They collected the checks and walked to the coat room.
"Clete, you're an absolute master. I'm having a great time learning from you."
"No, Cliff. See that man over there? That's my brother Dutch. I always thought he was a master. Tonight, I learned the true master is my brother Lane."
"The one who asked Sabbi to marry him."
"That's the one."
"I see what you mean."
"Ah, you really are learning."
"Clete?"
"Yes, Darrell?"
"Um, well, Tres Jacque is... well... "
"Don't worry. We'll cover it. It seems someone recently decided he owed me some back pay."
"Who? Oops, sorry. I didn't mean to pry."
"Then you won't mind if I don't tell you. It's rather embarrassing to be paid to escort the most beautiful women on a planet across a stage."
"Hi, Clete. Where are we taking the ladies?"
"Cliff suggests Tres Jacque, Dutch."
"Excellent. Thanks, Cliff. I couldn't get a name from anyone. Just 'anyplace' and 'you choose.' I take it we're within strolling distance."
"Yes. Dutch, make sure you reassure student budgets."
"True. We were pretty spoiled at the academy, in the Federation in general. I may never get used to the idea of needing to carry money. I'll comm ahead. Get us the center of the room. Lane and Sabbi?"
"Yes, definitely. Check. He may have already made the reservations."
"You're right. I'll bet he did. Weeks ago. Hang on, Kip. I'll take some of those. Ah, Lane. Reservations Tres Jacque?"
"Weeks ago. Hi, Clete, Cliff, Darrell. You lost a coat check. Teri's. Middle of the dance floor."
"Got it. Here, guys, be right back."
"How'd you know?"
"What?"
"About the coat check and our names."
"Easy, Cliff. Sabbi told me your names and Clete tells me about the coat check."
"Teri's coat check. In the middle of the dance floor."
"See?"
"Lane, not fair. You're making them nervous."
"You're right. I'm sorry. I'm just showing off. Like the lights and flower petals. I asked the girl of my dreams to marry me and she said yes. I'm feeling pretty smug."
"There's a lot of that going around. I came all alone tonight and I'm leaving with at least a girl on each arm. I'm feeling pretty good."
"Cliff, I like you. Ah. No, this won't do. Too drab for tonight. She needs something special."
"Lane, what are you going to do?"
"Just watch, Clete."
"Hand her the tickets, guys. This we want to see. Dutch!"
Dutch turned from aiding young ladies with coats and Clete nodded toward Lane. They watched as he reached her, looked at her, looked at the coat, back at her and shook his head. He tossed the coat in the air. There was a flash of light and a full-length, snowy-white satin cape dropped onto his arm. When he lifted it to drape around her shoulders, the way the light glinted from it identified it as Carenna Satin. She laughed and kissed him.
Clete laughed when Cliff said he thought he'd keep learning from him because he was too awed to ask Lane questions. When he turned, the two girls from the coat room were standing behind him, still holding the tickets.
"Lane! Two more for supper!"
"Done!"
"Do you mean... us?"
"I most certainly do. You're almost done here. You've worked hard all evening to help make this night special and raise funds for your organization. You definitely deserve supper."
"Yes! I mean thanks. Come on, Jen. Let's get these coats."
They were nearly the last to leave. Lane and Sabbi led the way. They were followed by a large group of happy girls carrying roses. Amidst the girls were five near ecstatic boys, Dutch and Clete. Tres Jacque was awaiting them. The maitre d' bowed to them.
"The queen's party has arrived!"
Suddenly every waiter and busperson was aiding with coats. The maitre d' led them to the center of the restaurant and bowed deeply. Lane removed Sabbi's cape and handed it to him. He pulled a chair out for her and every other girl found herself with a chair held for her. They were all seated and handed menus. Everyone but the maitre d' vanished.
"May I suggest?"
"That would be most kind."
Sabbi was having a wonderful time. She knew Lane had set everything up. The kitchen would even know what to prepare. She listened in near rapture to the delights Lane had chosen as the maitre d' named them. Mouths dropped open around the table when she nodded.
"Yes, I think that would be suitable, but do see if anyone prefers something lighter."
"Ladies, gentlemen, do you prefer something other?"
Dutch grinned at Clete and folded his menu. Lane was flying and neither of them was firmly on the ground.
"No, I believe the queen has spoken for us all. Thank you, Milady."
"Very well. It will be but a few moments."
As soon as he'd left, Sabbi burst into giggles.
"Oh, Lane, what a meal. They don't even serve half the things he named."
"They do tonight. Well, at least at this table."
"That's another thing. A table for twenty-seven?"
"I had them build it. The U shape was the most efficient use of space. Kept us all close enough to chat."
The feast started arriving in minutes. It was wonderful. The chef came out and thanked them for allowing her to prepare such a wonderful menu. Sabbi said they thanked her for preparing it superbly. When the evening ended, each coat was held for the right person. No bill was presented.
Cliff worried privately to Clete about it. He reassured him everything, including very generous tips, had been arranged. Cliff nodded.
"A master."
"Lane, we're going to see the ladies home. We'll see you shortly."
"I doubt that, Clete. Have a nice swim."
Dutch and Clete both burst into laughter. When asked what they were laughing about, they just shook their heads and grinned.
They escorted the girls to dorms and co-op houses and said goodnight to the boys. Clete and Dutch looked at each other and laughed. They ran back to Melissa. They were going for a swim. It was a very long one, but Clete was very happily fixing breakfast when Sabbi walked into the kitchen rather early the next morning.
"Hi. Mmm, smells good."
"Good morning, Sabbi. Breakfast in about five. Coffee's ready."
"Why do you cook?"
"What?"
"I mean, you have a food synthesizer, but you don't use it much. You prepare most of your own meals. Why?"
"Well, I suppose because we enjoy doing it. We use the synth if we're in a hurry. Or if Dutch cooks. Most of the things we cook come from it. Maybe it just seems too easy."
"I think part of it is you're olfactory oriented."
"What?"
"The smell of cooking food makes you hungrier, more appreciative. Makes a home more homey. Do you remember the smells of your boyhood?"
"Oh, yes. Prairie grasses on a hot summer day, spring rain, a wood fire, my mother's skin when she gave me a hug."
"Lane's the same way. Real roses, because replicated ones don't smell fresh. Tells me every ocean smells different. Recognizes places by smell. Dutch too?"
"Dutch too what?"
"Oh, hi, Dutch. Recognize places by their smell."
"Maybe not smell so much as a... gestalt of things. Light, sound, the feel of the air, the smell and taste. I guess smell plays a very big part in it. Why?"
"It all started when she asked me why we cooked instead of using the synth."
"Sabbi, I think you've hit something. I grew up in space. Starships and space stations. Clete and Lane didn't. I suppose I notice all the things I mentioned because my environment was so controlled. I collect clothes made of real materials when we go into the past because I like the way they feel on my skin. And, as for the cooking, a synthesizer doesn't make my mouth water the way Clete and Lane's cooking does. That looks great, Clete."
"Simple and fast, but sometimes bacon and eggs are just perfect. Enjoy. Where's Lane, Sabbi?"
"I'm not quite sure. He handed me this dressing gown, gave me a kiss, and said to tell you he'd be here before his eggs got cold."
"I am. Ah, breakfast. I was looking for where we're going. Comparing star charts with my memories."
"Where are we going?"
"Tenepeth, Dutch. It's a beautiful place. Rich and green. Warm seas and beautiful beaches. Yellow sun and three moons. Earth-like without all the people."
"Just how many people is it without?"
"Don't worry. I'm not taking us anywhere totally uninhabited. You'll find playmates. Clete, this world will be very interesting for you. The people are empathic. Makes it a very peaceful place."
"I hate to mention this, Lane, but I have to get back to the university. I have classes tomorrow."
"Sabbi, this is a timeship. You could be gone years and make your next class. We're only going for three days. You won't forget your subjects. We're going to Tenepeth for a reason. About ten years before we'll arrive, a disease devastated the planet. Children under the age of about five weren't hit very hard. A mild fever and a quick recovery. Older kids had it quite a bit worse. About sixty percent of them died. The adults were decimated. I want you to see how they cared for all those children. Hundreds of them to four or five adults and thirty or so older kids."
"Oh, Lane, it's perfect! Yes, take me there."
"We're on our way. We'll be very welcome, especially Clete."
"Why me?"
"They're trying to rebuild their population. Ten months after we leave, the birth rate doubles."
"Wait a minute! I'm not responsible for that!"
"Not directly. Your presence just warms things up a bit. Look at it this way, at least you won't look like a prune from spending three days in the swimming pool."
Sabbi suddenly realized what he meant and blushed.
"I didn't think about... I forgot... I just--"
"Sabbi, we don't think about it either. Lane's spent a lot of time in that pool. Lots more than three days. Dutch and I are very happy for you two. Love is a wonderful thing to be near. You're family. You've become a piece of what makes us what we are. A part of the love."
"Clete's right. You belong with Lane. We both feel it. I'd be absolutely ecstatic about it if it weren't for one thing. Clete's so damn happy about it my teeth are rattling!"
"Rattling? Oh, that's right. You've said that before."
"Happens every time things get really nice. We're not even sure exactly what it is he's doing. He doesn't seem to be able to control it. It bothers Dutch more than it does me. I find it a mild distraction, but it drives Dutch crazy."
"It's like... Have you ever rested your head against a cat when it's purring?"
"Hmm, yes, but it didn't rattle my teeth, Dutch."
"Imagine what it would have been like if the cat was Clete's size."
"Oh, my."
"Yes, oh my. You're extremely welcome here, Sabbi. The proof is in my head. I'd be walking on air if Clete would just stop purring!"
"Dutch, I'd stop if I could. You know I don't know I'm doing it. It just happens."
Sabbi looked at the three of them. Dutch looked disgusted. Clete looked chagrined. Lane was wearing a wide grin. She burst into laughter. They were family and she was part of it. She wondered if she was purring too.
Lane suggested they give her a martial arts lesson. She had been working quite hard and it showed. Clete was delighted with the progress she'd made. One day she'd be very good. Lane told them they'd be landing shortly after lunch and he and Sabbi would prepare it. Sabbi decided she liked to cook, but wasn't fond of doing dishes.
"We've landed. Come on, Sabbi. Let's go look around. This is one of the havens the people built for the children. It's still in use, but most of the kids are in their teens. Don't be surprised by young-looking pregnant girls. They're watched over carefully. There's a real gap between generations. A lot of young teenagers, but very few kids between two and nine. Remember, there are a hundred empty cities out there and every child is needed."
"All right, Lane. I'll remember. Oh! It's beautiful!"
The sun seemed to shine softly on low, tree-shaded, buildings of a soft tan color. Bright-colored playground equipment dotted large grassy lawns. There were clusters of buildings scattered across a huge area. Each cluster enclosed a play area for very small children. Lane led her to a cluster where happy toddlers played. They introduced themselves to two girls, who looked about fifteen, who were watching the children and one of them called for someone to show them their home.
Each building was designed to house about a dozen young children and one or two young adults. Rooms were large and comfortable. Bedrooms were shared by two or three children of the same sex, but not quite the same age. Oldest being furthest from the adults, youngest closest. There were playrooms and study rooms, dining rooms and kitchen
s. Three small rooms puzzled Sabbi until she learned they were included so there were places children could go to be alone.
One room was called the "thinking room." It was furnished simply and had nice windows, but no toys or other forms of entertainment. She learned it was where children were taken when they had badly misbehaved. It was a place to think things over. One young boy was sitting by a window and looking out. The girl guiding their tour asked him if he'd thought about why he was there. When he told her he had, she gave him a hug and sent him out to play. Sabbi was impressed with the affection that was obvious. Each building was a real home, warm and nurturing.
"Lane, I want to do this. Even on my very-civilized world, there are people who have children and really don't want them. They think they do, but find out later they didn't. I want to make a place they're wanted."
"You will, Sabbi. We'll help. I'll help. Clete will be a wonder with the kids and Dutch will be everyone's favorite uncle. You'll find others who have enough love to give it to lots of children. You're going to be Mom to dozens of wonderful people and I'm going to love being called 'Daddy.' Come on, let's find a place by ourselves. I want to tell you a story about a very special child and how he came to be. We need to get a ways away from Clete. This is the best place to tell you. The people here will help him deal with your sadness."
"Lane, he is sad, isn't he? Somewhere inside he's been terribly hurt. He has too much depth not to have known great pain."
"Sabbi, you will always amaze me. You care so deeply about others. Clete's caring is easy for me to understand. He feels other's feelings. Yours is a wonder to me and always will be. You work to know how others feel. Your love is boundless. I'm going to bask in it and wonder at it all our lives together."
"Hi, you headed for the beach?"
"No, Dutch, a walk through the forest. Find Clete. Find some people for him to be around. I'm going to tell Sabbi about Helen."
"Give me a few minutes to find him and meet some people. I saw a group of young women sitting on the beach. I'll take him there, then make myself scarce."
"Find yourself some company too, Dutch. Clete's pretty attuned to Sabbi right now. It'll hit you hard too."
"Yeah. Later."
"Why is Clete attuned to me?"
"Catnip "
"What!?"
"Having you around makes us all happy. Your presence makes him purr."
"Because of you."
"Some, but a lot of it's you. You radiate warmth and caring. It delights him. I'm going to tell you how much."
Dutch 'tracked' Clete and moved fast. He wanted to find him before he started hunting for them to find out what was wrong.
"Come on, Clete."
"Where to, Dutch?"
"Down the beach a ways. You're about to make some friends. Lane sent me."
"Oh. All right."
"I'm going to take you where you're going and take off. I have some friends of my own to make."
"This is all rather mysterious."
"Yeah, I know."
"Dutch, you're hurting."
"Yeah. A bit. I'm going to find somebody to help make it go away. You've stopped purring. First time I was ever sorry my teeth weren't rattling. There are your friends. Later."
"Hello, I'm Talla. What has you puzzled and worried?"
"My brother. He just led me here and said make friends. He's hurting and didn't tell me why. My other brother is sad too. NO! Not... Oh, Lane, I'm not ready."
"Peli! Tiva! Help me! Oh, such pain! Such sadness. His loss is too great. Help me comfort him."
They cradled him and cried with him. They shared the story that had pained Sabbi so deeply. They held Clete as Lane held Sabbi, helping ease the pain by sharing it. Dutch hadn't been so lucky. Two girls found him curled on the ground crying.
"Please, let us help you."
"It'll pass. I'll be all right. I'm sorry. I know I'm hurting you."
"Yes, you are hurting us. Stop being foolish and let us help us all feel better. Lethe, what shall we do with him?"
"Make him forget about it, Dida. We know how."
"Yes. Oh! I've shocked him. That wasn't what I had in mind at all."
"You're children!"
"No. Not on this world. We know the way it was. It must be different now. Come on, Lethe. He'll get over the silliness. Tell us your name."
"Dutch. Stop! You don't know what you're doing!"
"Oh, Dutch! We know exactly what we're doing. Lethe, he's beautiful."
"All right, I believe you! You know what you're doing. Now, stop it!"
"Dida, kiss him, then he'll stop shouting. Oh! That's better. His mind is still protesting, but his body is most definitely not."
Dutch surrendered. He didn't really have a choice in the matter. The two empaths felt his response to every touch, each caress. He moaned as Lane's passion suddenly burned through the link he had with his brothers. When Clete caught fire, he was lost. Suddenly, there were more of them. Dozens of them. Touching him. Loving him. He knew when Clete loosed the tight hold he kept on his passion. The world caught fire. The moons were rising when he began to think coherently. He was surrounded by children.
"Stop that! You're embarrassed. Just stop it! No one of us is a child. Children don't respond. You're on our world. We'll show you again we're not children."
Dutch started to laugh. He was used to the intimacy of sharing his brothers' passion. Lane had landed him on a world where all shared that intimacy. He was trying to impose his values in a place they just didn't work. The age of adulthood was different. There was no struggling with misunderstood feelings. No fears of being different or unliked. No loneliness. No frightening adolescence. It was still a struggle not think of those around him as children, but his reason told him they were adults. There didn't seem to be any nudity taboos either.
"Ooh, your skin is so white in the moonslight. And so soft. Especially, here... and here. You're shocked again. You're just going to have to get over that. I'm Teli and I just won't stand for it. I'm going to stop it right now."
"Teli! Leave him alone. There are lots of silly taboos where he comes from and you're breaking dozens of them. You're being mean! This is more than cultural. He just doesn't want you. He's totally hetero. You aren't going to change it."
"You're right, Dida. I'm sorry, Dutch. I wasn't paying attention to what you were really feeling. You're just so beautiful, I got carried away. I hope we can be friends. All right! I'm forgiven. Too bad though, I'd really--"
"Teli!"
"Yeah, yeah. Behave myself. I'm going for a swim. Anybody else?"
"We'll all go. Come on, Dutch. Teli will be good. I promise. If not, I'll get mad."
"Oh, I'll be good. The last time Dida got mad at me, my head rang for a fiveday. I felt singed for twenty. Half my friends wouldn't talk to me. When Dida gets mad, everbody gets singed."
"I've got a brother like that."
"We noticed your brother. Everyone on the planet noticed your brother. We're still noticing him. What is he doing? My teeth feel... "
"Like they're rattling. Yeah, I know. Do you know what a cat is, Dida? Do you have an animal... How do I explain it? It's just Clete. He's content. He's purring. It drives me crazy!"
They laughed and pulled him toward the sea. He looked around for things, but couldn't find them. He gave it up as hopeless. When on Tenepeth... He hadn't been skinny-dipping in a warm sea in a long time.
"Hello, Dutch. Nice night."
"It would be if you'd stop rattling my teeth!"
"I can't help it. You know I can't."
"This is obviously your brother, Clete."
"Yes. Clete, this is Dida. You're making her teeth rattle too."
"Oh, sorry. I really wish I knew how to stop it. It... just happens."
"Don't worry about it. Oh, my. You're huge. Everywhere
."
"Uh, Dutch, they're kids."
"No, Clete, they're not. Believe me. They're just small adults. I've gotten a very long lecture about it. And a rather effective demonstra-- CLETE!"
"Dutch, she's making me warm. Very warm."
"Hi. I'm Lethe. That's just Dida. She makes everybody warm, but not as warm as you do. You are the most magnificent male I have ever seen. Go away Teli. This one's the same."
"Not fair!"
"Dutch, I'm going to have real problems in this place. How long did... Lane say we're... staying?"
"About two more days."
Clete groaned and Dutch laughed.
They had a too-good time for the two days, but they learned a great deal too. Dutch 'won' his battle with himself to accept what he knew was the truth of the culture, but Clete knew he was still working on it a bit when Lane was saying farewell to Sabbi.
"I suppose I didn't really get over it til I found out Dida was a mother, Dutch. It helped when I met Carva."
"Nothing like having a seventy-year-old patriarch treat them as adults to make it easier to accept them as such. Clete, we've got to ask Lane some things."
"Like what, Dutch?"
"Tiva didn't seem to have any doubts about you and I fathering children on her world. The gestation period is about right and the physiology is similar."
"Well, two hearts is a start. Helen got help. Decided before I married her. Just made up her mind and got medical assistance."
"Like my mom. 'I want a baby. You're going to be the father.' Clete, I want to know. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I've never even thought about it before. And they're so young."
"Do you know how old Dida was?"
"Not old enough."
"You're wrong. They're a small people. You got a lecture because she thought you needed it. She made me promise not to tell you til we left."
"Tell me what?"
"Dutch, Dida has three children. The oldest is four. She's twenty-three. Not one of those kids was under eighteen. They mature fairly slowly. Puberty hits between seventeen and eighteen. Tiva's in her thirties."
Dutch started to laugh. She'd told him children didn't respond. He hadn't asked her at what age they stopped being children. She'd told him her world was different and he'd forced himself to accept it, but he hadn't really understood it. He'd still thought of them as being the same. No wonder she'd been surprised at his shock. He hadn't explained he came from a place where puberty began at twelve or thirteen, in many people. Some even younger. He realized communication was more than just being able to speak and understand the language.
"Hi. That was really hard to do. I don't suppose saying... I can't even say the word. I couldn't even say farewell. I ended up with, 'See you soon.' It'll never get easier, but I will see her again fairly soon. Now ask me."
"Lane, will any of those women on Tenepeth bear our children?"
"I don't know."
"TERRIFIC!"
"Easy, Dutch. I don't. They don't really know either. Paternity isn't really important to them. Every child is loved and needed. If a male and female pairbond, they take her children and seven or eight more and set up a household. Your friend Teli was pairbonded. He just saw you as a very attractive, non-threatening, diversion. He wasn't interested in the women. He has a heterosexual mate. They'll probably find another male to bond with eventually, since he seems to be so inclined."
"But he was on the beach with us."
"So was she. I doubt you were exactly aware of what was going on around you. Why do you think Sabbi and I were left alone?"
"Because you were pairbonded."
"Exactly. You and Clete weren't. Teli is nearly as old as we are. Pairbonding doesn't usually take place until the mid twenties. Sometimes never."
"That explains what Dida said about you, Dutch."
"What did she say?"
"You stirred her too much. She stayed away from you because you would not be ready when she was. You might never be. I was safer. I had been mated."
"Tenepethans bond for life, Dutch. If one of them dies, they never bond again. That's why Carva didn't have a mate. Once in a while a bond forms one way. It's a sad thing. One loving the other and knowing that one does not love in return. Only responsive to one person and that person wanting more. It's less common than a three-way bond. Dida was falling in love with you, so she turned to Clete to stop the process. I hope it worked."
"Lane, don't you ever get me into something like that again! There's a woman I may have injured and children who may be mine. And I won't ever know. Don't let it happen again!"
"Dutch, it had to be. You had to grow up sometime. You're a heartbreaker. Women have fallen in love with you before. You never even noticed. Just kissed them goodby and went on your merry way. Now maybe you'll think about it before you turn on the charm and fill some poor girl with dreams she learns, the hard way, won't come true. Humans don't usually bond for life. If a heart breaks, it mends and loves again. Usually. And you're too different biologically to father children unless a woman seeks help. You don't catch or carry diseases. Tenepeth was for you. Clete was something that helped them, but you were the reason we were there. I could have taken Sabbi to other places that were good examples. I won't do it again. I won't have to. You'll accept responsibility for your actions. Oh, sometimes women will fall in love with you and you'll hurt them. It happens to Dad. But you'll never just blithely ignore their feelings again."
"I do, don't I? Assume they're into having a good time just like I am and never look deeper."
"Dutch, most of them are. You just have to notice when it gets beyond that point. Ask Clete why Riss just suddenly disappeared. He knows. Even in the midst of his falling in love, he felt her pain when she said, 'Well, Dutch, it's been fun,' and walked off. I saw it too."
"And I didn't. Damn. I feel like a complete heel."
"You aren't or you wouldn't feel like one. You'll always love women, and they'll always love you. Don't stop charming them and loving them. Just be aware if you're hurting them and be gentle."
"Thanks, Lane. I learned a lot of lessons on Tenepeth. I want to go back there someday. But not until Dida's bonded."
"Did you have to do that? Oh!"
"Do what? What did I do?"
"Decide to go back. Lord, what a mess. Well, it's not that bad. The answer is you think so. Some of the kids are pretty big, but you don't ask Clete to check. In their culture, it's just not important and it's a very healthy one for kids."
"Yes, Lane, I got that part of the lesson too."
"I was sure you had. Let's go fishing. I'm in the mood for Rocky Mountain trout and the smell of pines."
"Good idea. Let's go. Clete, get your hip boots on. Fresh fish tonight."
The last evening of the fishing trip, Clete suddenly looked up from cleaning up after dinner.
"Dutch, you're tense. What's wrong?"
"I don't know. I feel watched. Icy breath on the back of my neck. A feeling of... being plotted against. Evil intent. Directed at us, Clete. Lane, do you see anything? Any changes?"
"No. Fishing trip is over. We're headed for the future to explore. We find interesting people and places. We head back and I take Sabbi to the winter formal. Nothing new. Including this conversation. It... isn't there."
"Let's finish cleaning our cooking area and get going. This forest just doesn't feel as friendly as it did."
"Done. I'll load the fishing gear. You put the fire out. Lane, lay in the coordinates. I'm ready to get out of here too. Dutch? Dutch?"
"Like laughter. Cold and mocking."
"Lane, get the fire. I'm going to get him in."
"Got it. Out. Place looks good. Damn. Here, give me the gear. Clete?"
"Yeah. I've got him. Push. He's not moving."
"What? Oh. We're ready. Good. Let's get out of here. Why are you
two pushing me?"
"Because you stopped moving. Inside fast. Lane and I want away. Whatever you're picking up, we don't like it either. Door closed. Better?"
"Yeah. Still feel... wary. Lane, get us on our way."
"Coordinates in. We're gone."
They sat and talked for awhile and Dutch relaxed. The fire and the feel of home lulled them. They went to bed settled and comfortable.
Clete jerked awake with Lane's raging loss burning through him. Suddenly, Dutch was enraged, then shocked cold. He ran for Dutch' s room and pulled Lane off him and held him as he screamed.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?! SHE'S GONE!! YOU CHANGED IT!! SHE'S GONE!!"
"CLETE, I ALMOST KILLED HIM! HE WAS AT MY THROAT! I ALMOST KILLED HIM!"
"SHUT UP!! Damn!"
Clete slugged Lane. He couldn't hold him. He was incoherent and wild. He dropped him and grabbed Dutch. He was collapsing in near hysteria.
"Easy. Easy. You were under attack and you weren't awake. Dutch, you weren't even fighting him."
"I couldn't. I almost killed him in the first instant. I was afraid to. I was afraid I'd kill him. He couldn't have known what he was doing or I'd be dead. What happened, Clete? What did he mean?"
"Come on. Let's get to neutral ground. I'm going to drop him in the pool. If he doesn't wake up, we'll have to pull him out. I'm going to hang onto him until he's coherent. I want you to help."
"I can't. Clete, I nearly killed him."
"YOU SAID THAT BEFORE!! NOW MOVE!!"
Clete shook him. It was a very dangerous thing to do. Dutch was nearly as wild as Lane had been. He sighed in relief when the crazed look went out of his eyes and he nodded.
"Good. 'She' can only be Sabbi. Let's find out what happened."
"He thought I'd made a change, Clete. Made a decision that took her from him. He's still going to think that when he wakes up."
"Did you?"
"No. Nothing. I've been searching my mind for something I might have done subconsciously. There's nothing there. Except... "
"Except what?"
"The memory of mocking laughter."
"Dutch, we've been attacked. Personally. And very badly injured. A healing trance won't cure this. Get in the pool. I'll drop him in and be right behind you."
"I don't... All right. Do it."
Dutch grabbed Lane and shoved him against the wall. The shock of the cold water brought him to. Clete jumped in and they held him as he started to fight.
"Lane! He didn't do it! Dutch didn't do it! Dutch didn't change things! Easy. Easy. Now tell us. Tell us, Lane. Dutch didn't make a change. You said there was one. Tell us."
"I... I woke up with my head spinning with change. Real deep change. I couldn't do anything but lay there and wait for it to clear. When it did, she was gone. My life with Sabbi was gone. No home. No love. Gone. I guess I went a little crazy."
"No, you went a lot crazy. Do you remember trying to kill Dutch?"
"I... No. Yes. I guess. I wanted him to change it back. To make him... bring her back."
"Lane, I didn't make any changes. None. Not even subconsciously. You've been attacked. We've been attacked. What I felt in the forest. It has to be."
"We've been hurt. Bad. Not just you. All of us. And it was set up well. Your long future memory came back just in time for your meeting with her. Just in time for you to see a future and have it ripped away. You nearly killed Dutch. He nearly killed you. The attack came close to completely destroying us. It nearly defeated us with one stroke. We were totally defenseless against it. We love her too. If she's gone from your life, she's gone from ours, Dutch's, mine and my son's. If one of you had killed the other, could that one have lived with it? Could I? It knocked us down, but we can get up."
"You're right. Oh, Clete. Your son. I only saw my pain, my emptiness. I'm sorry. Dutch--"
"You don't even need to say it. Let's get out of here. I'm shivering and I'm not even sure I'm cold."
"Reaction. I'll get towels. Sorry about the punch, Lane. I couldn't think of anything else to do."
"It's probably the only thing you could do. A week in a healing trance should make my jaw feel normal again."
"Weak humor, but better. Here. Hand up. Towel. Dutch."
"Thanks, Clete. I'm weak in the knees. They feel like jelly."
"Let's go to the kitchen. I'm ordering cocoa with something in it for us all. I'm wobbly too. Adrenaline reaction. Things went crazy in a hurry. Come on, Lane."
Clete and Dutch each put an arm around Lane and guided him to the kitchen. Clete got them both down at the table and fixed them a hot drink. Both were shivering. He put a bit of liqueur in the cocoa and sat down with them.
"Drink. Let's talk. Something out there is out to get us. It made a change. I don't know if we can unmake it, but we can try."
"No, Clete. I don't think we can. It changed something and I think we're stuck with it."
"Why not, Lane? Why can't we change it?"
"Because Sabbi's going to marry someone else. Elope. She's very sorry, but I was so romantic she thought she was in love with me. As soon as she met him, she realized she was wrong. Maybe that's true. Maybe she was always supposed to marry him and the real attack came when I fell in love with her. He's a nice guy. He'll make her a wonderful husband. A builder. Widower with two kids. Wants to build her dream for her. We'll see them again. Won't be long for us, but about twenty years for them. He'll build it. Clete, they offer to give your son a home."
"No. We'll find another way. Tell them thanks for offering."
"I will. Let's get this over with. I want it done. This round to the enemy. Score one zip."
"Wrong, Lane. We're ahead on points. This just feels worse. It was a knockdown. Almost a knockout. It's the first round we've lost and it was a hit below the belt. We fight fair. We always will. It doesn't. Doesn't know how. Wouldn't want to. That's why it's the enemy."
"You're right, Dutch. Definitely below the belt. At least we don't have to take turns in the swimming pool."
Dutch and Clete laughed. Soon Lane joined in. It was weak and edged with hysteria, but it was laughter.
"Now what? What did you mean you wanted to get it over with?"
"I'm setting the coordinates to go back to see Sabbi, Dutch. Let her tell me goodby."
"Lane, we could go back and get her right after we left her. Stop her from meeting him. Make a change."
"No, Dutch, that would be using its methods. We don't do that. You don't do that. But thanks for offering. I'll survive. Like Clete, I'll have some wonderful memories. They aren't enough, but they're what I have. I'm going to set the coordinates. Clete, would you make us another drink and bring it to the living room? I don't feel much like sleeping."
"Done. Go on, Dutch. Keep him company. He'll want to be alone later, but right now he needs us."
Clete fixed more cocoa with the mint liqueur and carried it to the living room. They sat and watched the fire in silence until Lane went to dress. Clete decided he didn't want him going alone and Dutch agreed. They dressed and were waiting for him when he returned.
"I want to go to the door alone, but I'd like you with me as far as the lift to her apartment. She's moving out. You'll meet him. He'll know who you are. Clete, he hurts for me, but he loves her. You'll feel it. Let's go."
They walked with him as far as the building lobby and waited. A fellow carrying a chair came out of the lift Lane had taken up.
"Hi, I'm Mike Renfield. Damn, this is awkward. Look, I... "
"It's all right, Mike. We love her too. Take good care of her."
"She's an impossible dream come true. I really do love her. You're Clete, right? I don't know how I could have gotten so lucky. She's right. I'd have known you guys anywhere. Rose called you the three most beautiful men there are. Hair like that. She said
the big strawberry blond was Clete. Lane was the one with hair like moonlight and Dutch's was of spun gold. Supposed to tell you Snow White will see you in her dreams, Dutch. I don't think she quite knows what Sabbi sees in a chubby fellow like me without enough hair to cover. Neither do I. I'm babbling. Sorry."
"That's all right, Mike. We understand. Let me help you with that chair."
"Nah, I'll get it. You wait for your brother. The chair doesn't need you."
Dutch watched Mike struggle through the door with the chair, then turned back to the lift. They both knew Lane was coming down.
"Lane was right, Clete, a nice guy."
"And he does love her. Feels real... almost ashamed about hurting Lane."
"Yes, and he'll be with her more than I would have been. Let's go."
"You all right, Lane?"
"No, Dutch, but I'll limp along. One more hurdle."
"Lane, I'm sorry."
"Yeah, Mike. I know. We'll stop by in about twenty years to look at how you make her dreams come true."
"I'll do it, Lane. I really will. Oh, oh, here come the kids. Ice cream everywhere."
"Here, take my handkerchief. We'll see you when you've built her dream. Good-by."
"Good-by, Lane. I hope... Well, you know."
"Yeah. I know."
Lane shook his hand and they walked away from where he was laughing and wiping ice cream off the faces of two pretty little girls.
"Take me to a bar. A loud, obnoxious, beer and whiskey bar. Several of them. Get me drunk and in a half dozen brawls. I promise I won't break anyone. No one will break me either. Unfortunately, that's already been done. I want a lady who's not one on each arm and one in my lap. I want to pass out sometime tomorrow and not dream. I want to wake up with such a bad hangover I can't think. Then I want to laugh at the thing that laughed at us. Dutch, I know where we're going. Adith. Pirates. Bad ones. Insane. The enemy is there. Got a strong hold on them."
"Sounds like it needs to be changed. Let's do it."
"I found a bar. A whole bunch of them. I can feel the wildness."
"Lead on, Clete. The three Gallant boys are going to cut loose."
"Done."
The ten books of the Paradox Equation
Choice of the Gallant
Battle is Joined
True Sons of Their Fathers
We, the Paradox Born Child
To Gain a Liege
War for Yet to Come
Build the Sixth Power
Define Sentience
Acceptance
Mobius
All ten books of Paradox Equation are available at the single low price of $9.99 at your favorite bookseller.
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