15
Learning Tari
Colonel Tomel's tale of the Nanomites War fascinated Peter. He couldn't believe an advanced society like the one on Tarizon would tolerate slavery. For the first time he realized what it must have been like back in the day of Abraham Lincoln, knowing that millions of human beings were being treated worse than farm animals. Although the Nanomites were not human beings, they obviously were very intelligent, aware of the quality of their life, and enjoyed their freedom. It felt good to be fighting for the abolition of slavery. He felt like he was going to be doing God's work.
Language school turned out to be an amazing experience for Peter. It only lasted ten days or the equivalent of two school weeks on Earth, yet in that short period he had mastered the Tari language, which was vastly different than anything on Earth. When he thought of how little he'd learned in the three agonizing years he'd spent in high school Spanish class, he couldn't believe how archaic the education system was on Earth.
The first thing they were given before class began each day was a drug called parazene. It was a mind stimulant that made the students feel very awake and keenly focused. Then they were taken to classrooms similar to the language labs Peter had back in school, except in this classroom the teachers attached electrodes behind the student's ears and to their foreheads. There were big TV monitors where the teacher began the instruction at a very rapid pace, but Peter had no trouble following her and felt exhilarated when the session was over.
After each instructional session the students all met in small groups of six students and one teacher. They spoke only Tari and even after just the first half day session Peter felt he was communicating fairly well. In the evening they watched a film in Tari and even though Peter didn't understand it all, much of it he did. That night they gave earphones to each student and placed monitors on their heads again. There was music at first, to put them to sleep, and then the instruction began—or at least that's what they were told as most of the students only remembered the music.
The next day Peter's mind ached from the incredible stimulation it had been receiving. It wasn't exactly a headache, but more like extreme fatigue. He asked one of the teachers how the brain held up to this kind of intense concentration. She said that even at this level of brain activity only sixty percent of the brain's capacity was being expended, so there was nothing to worry about. Nevertheless, Peter continued to worry and wondered what impact a second day of this type of stimulation would have on him. The greatest danger he feared was a stroke, and he was keenly aware that a stroke could lead to permanent mental and physical disability. He just prayed the teachers knew what they were doing.
After the third day Peter's mind had adjusted to the intense teaching routine and each morning thereafter he looked forward to that day's session and all that he would learn. In the past he'd never had a thirst for knowledge, simply a desire to graduate and get into college. Now, he suddenly wanted to learn for the sake of gaining knowledge and understanding. It was a strange and wonderful feeling. When the two-week crash course was over, Peter felt a little disappointed. He didn't know if it was that he was getting addicted to the parazene, or if he was worried about starting boot camp.
Fortunately Peter had three days between language school and having to report to camp. When he returned to the Councillor's mansion from his break, Rhin was there to welcome him.
"She really missed you," Councillor Garcia said. "She roamed the grounds every day looking for you and would hardly eat."
Peter sat on the ground Indian style and gave Rhin a hug. She wagged her tail frantically and tried to lick his face. He laughed as he dodged her drooling tongue.
"So, is there anything you would like to do during your break before boot camp?" the Councillor asked.
"Yes, I would like to visit Lucinda," Peter said.
The Councillor frowned. "Do you think that is wise? You should try to forget her."
"But I'll never forget her. I think about her every day, if not every loon."
"If you need a woman's company, I can—"
"Not any woman. I want to see Lucinda. She's carrying my baby."
"Of course. I'll see what I can do, but I would recommend you focus on your task ahead. She can only be a distraction."
"If I know she and the baby are well, I'll be less distracted."
The Councillor shook his head, "Love is frowned upon by the Central Authority, as I'm sure you know."
Peter nodded. "So I've heard."
"But love is part of human nature and cannot be expunged by act of the legislature. So, I won't tell you who to love or not to love. My only interest is to lessen your pain, for I fear there is little hope for you and Lucinda."
"I appreciate your concern, but I would still like to see her."
"Like I said, I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you," Peter said as he stood up and began to walk toward the house. Rhin, in her excitement, ran as fast as the wind all the way to the front door and then dashed back and circled them as they walked. They laughed at her exuberance and exhibition of inexhaustible energy.
Inside Jake was waiting for them. "Sorri lanei," he said, which in Tari meant good day.
Peter smiled and said, "Ubba san tone," which means "same to you."
Jake led them to the study where a kitchen robot named Zippo had prepared them Sankee and sweet biscuits. This was the first time he'd seen a robot in the country mansion, so he asked about him. "I don't remember seeing this robot at the house before I left for language school."
The Councillor replied, "Oh, that's right. Zippo was sent back to the manufacturer for repairs. He was just returned to us last week."
"So, he just cooks?" he asked.
"That and any other tasks we have him do. He can fix just about anything."
"Are there a lot of robots on Tarizon?" Peter asked.
"At one time there were, but since the day the sun disappeared their production has been a low priority and they have become quite expensive to own and maintain. Only the wealthy can afford them now."
After they had downed a few sweet biscuits, Jake said, "So, are you ready for boot camp?"
"I guess," Peter replied. "Ready as I'll ever be, but how are you going to explain my absence from the Councillor's office? I'm supposed to be his intern and people will expect to see me from time to time."
"Well, I've got that all worked out. Your name from now on will be Leek Lanzia from Lower Azallo. Lower Azallo is the largest continent in the southern hemisphere. You're from the city of Luva in the province of Queenland. It is a rather remote area with a very cold climate similar to your Alaska on Earth. Have you been to Alaska?"
"Yes, my dad took me and my brothers there on a fishing trip one summer."
"Good, if anyone asks you what your homeland is like, just describe what you saw in Alaska."
"Sure, that should be easy."
"Your mother's name is Gilva and your father's is Ruggi. You have two brothers and a sister who are Earth-children so you can just use your Earth siblings names, Reggie, Mark, and Marcia. We thought that would be less confusing for you."
"Yes, that will make it easier."
"If they ask about your mate, you can describe Lucinda. That way your story will seem real."
This intricate cover that Jake had conceived for him started to make him worry. What would happen if his cover were blown? He hesitated to bring that up but finally decided it would be better to know the stakes up front. So he asked the question and Jake responded, "They will assume you are a spy trying to work yourself into a high military position where you can acquire critical information to pass on to the enemy or commit acts of sabotage."
"So, if I'm discovered, they'll kill me?"
Jake nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid so, but that's not likely to happen. We've had a lot of experience with creating fake identities and the ones we've got for you are nearly impossible to tell from the real thing. A greater danger is that you will say something wrong. T
hat's one reason we have you coming from Queenland. The people down there are somewhat strange, so if you say something that's not right they'll probably just laugh at you and chalk it up to being from the Underland."
"The Underland?"
"Yes, Queenland is so far south it is often called the Underland, bottomland, or some even refer to it as the butt of the planet."
They all laughed. "Great, so I'm going to be the joke of the squad."
"I'm afraid so," Jake said smiling.
"Okay, but what about my internship? You still haven't told me how you're going to handle that."
Jake looked at Peter and then at the Councillor. The Councillor smiled and replied, "Only a handful of people have actually seen you and they are all at Earth Shuttle Intake. We thought about having a clone engineered to take your place while you're gone, but we didn't have time. It takes a full cycle to produce a viable clone. So, we have a young man that looks a lot like you who will act as your double while you're gone. I've managed to substitute his picture in your file for yours."
"What about my tracking chip? Didn't they implant one when I arrived here?"
"Yes, you'll have to have a little minor surgery before you leave. We’ll replace your implant to match your new identity. Don't worry about it. It's like having a mole removed."
Peter took a deep breath. Somehow he doubted it was all that simple. "What about Lucinda, Jimmy Falk, and Cheryl Winston and her children? They all know what I look like."
The Councillor shrugged. "There's little likelihood that any of them will show up at the Hall of Councillors. I wouldn't worry about them. Just worry about doing well at boot camp. When you get back, I fear the war will be eminent and we will need you to unite the Mutants, Seafolken, and Nanomites against Videl Lai."
After their discussion was over, Jake gave Peter a packet full of information on his fake identity. Information about his parents, the schools he attended, his medical history, family, friends, and relatives. He cringed at the thought of having to memorize everything in the packet. It was his hope that he could relax during his break and mentally prepare himself for the difficult weeks that lay ahead, but that obviously wasn't going to happen.
The next day the Councillor told Peter he had made arrangements for him to see Luci that evening. He said she had agreed to come visit him here at the country house as it would provide more privacy than a meeting in the city. He was ecstatic with the news and started watching the clock wishing the day would go by more quickly.
While he was waiting, he wondered if she had missed him the way he had missed her. He didn't figure she had since she had made it clear her main attraction to him was as a sperm donor. But still, while they were together, it seemed there was a spark, something more than just sex. At least he hoped that was the case.
Depression started to set in as the day progressed. It occurred to him that even if she wanted to be with him as a wife or a mate, it wouldn't be possible. She was already mated and he wasn't sure a person could be unmated. He wondered if the Councillor had been right. Was seeing Luci really a good idea?
The moment Luci stepped out of the subtram, Peter was glad he'd insisted on the meeting. She looked even more beautiful than he'd remembered. There was a glow about her that took his breath away. He figured it must be the pregnancy. Peter had heard pregnancy had that kind of an effect on women. She was dressed in a white dress with a red scarf. She smiled warmly when she saw him. He rushed over to her and they embraced.
"Luci. I'm so glad you came. You look great."
"Thank you. It was so nice of you to invite me. I couldn't believe it when I got a call from the Councillor's office."
"I couldn't bear not seeing you again. I'm going away in few days and I'll be gone for quite awhile."
"Where are you going?" Luci asked with a hint of concern in her voice.
"I don't know exactly. Some kind of training facility."
"What kind of training do you need to be an intern?"
I shrugged. "You got me. I just do what I'm told."
They walked over to the house and went inside. The Councillor and Lorin were out, so aside from the housekeeping staff and Zippo, they had the place to themselves. Peter asked Luci if she wanted some sankee. She said she did.
"Luci. I want you to meet Zippo," he said.
Zippo bowed slightly and said, "At your service, Lucinda Dimitri."
"Bring us some sankee, would you Zippo? And some of those sweet cakes too."
"Right away, Peter Turner," Zippo said and then turned and headed toward the kitchen.
"The Councillor has a robot," Luci said. "I haven't seen a robot in a long time."
"Yeah, I heard they were kind of rare these days. . . . So, how are you feeling?"
She smiled and rubbed her belly. "I'm feeling a little queasy in the mornings, but I'm not showing yet."
"Well, it hasn't been that long."
"It's going to be a boy," Luci said proudly.
"Oh, wow! A boy? You know already?"
"I had a test done. It turned out male. I can't wait to hold him in my arms."
He was about to say he couldn't wait either, then he stopped himself. It was probably unlikely that he would be allowed to see or hold the baby. On Earth he would have rights, but on Tarizon he was just a sperm donor with no parental rights whatsoever. It made him angry to think he'd never know his own child. If he had consented to it that would be one thing, but he hadn't. His only hope was to somehow make Luci fall in love with him. Then he’d figure out a way for them to live together as a family.
The kitchen door swung open and Zippo came out with a pot of sankee and a plate full of sweet cakes. He adroitly set everything on the sankee table and then asked if they wanted anything else. They said no and he retreated back to the kitchen.
"So is your mate happy you're pregnant?" Peter asked.
Luci shrugged and replied, "Not as much as I would have thought. He's happy for me of course as it is a great honor to be pregnant, but I'm not sure he's ready for a child. There are a lot of things he wants to do before we get tied down with a family."
"Really? Like what?"
"He wants to travel. His father was a sea captain from the Isle of Muhl. I think he wishes he could be out sailing on a freighter like his father."
"Where is the Isle of Muhl?" Peter asked for the sake of conversation.
"It's in the southern hemisphere near Ock Mezan."
He didn't ask her where Ock Mezan was because he didn't feel like a geography lesson right then. There were more important topics to cover like: Do you miss me? Would you leave your mate if I asked you to? Do you love me?
Their eyes met and his pulse quickened. God this is hard. "I think a lot about the time we spent together," he said.
"Really? I would think that with all that you are doing you wouldn't have time to daydream."
He smiled. "I'm afraid I haven't been all that busy up until language school here recently. That was pretty intense, but even so, I often thought of you."
She looked away. Almost as an afterthought she said, "I thought of you as well. We had some fun times together.”
Peter smiled broadly.
She looked back at him stifling a laugh. “So are you going to show me around?"
"Sure," Peter said and stood up. "This way."
Peter led her through the dining room to the study and then showed her the kitchen, game room, and the living room. She was obviously impressed. "So, where's your bedroom?" she asked.
"Upstairs. Would you like to see it?"
She gave him a wry smile and said, "Yes, of course."
After showing her the Councillor's huge bedroom Peter led her into his room. Just as soon as they were inside she shut the door and put her arms around him. They kissed each other frantically and began to undress, but before they made love, Peter said, "Are you sure you want to do this? You don't have to. You're already pregnant."
She laughed. "You don't think I enjoyed getting this w
ay?"
He laughed. “Well, I wasn’t sure.”
She kissed him again and there were no more questions. While they made love Peter wondered if it meant that she did love him? He still wasn't sure, but he thought for the first time it might be so. When they were spent, Luci fell asleep. As he watched her peaceful slumber, he dreaded the thought of letting her go once again. Soon she would be back with her mate and he'd be on his way to boot camp for six phases. How could he ever win her love if he couldn't be with her? Depression surged through him like water through a storm drain. There was little doubt in his heart that his love for Luci was doomed.