Spirit of Empire 4: Sky Knights (50 page)

“I like things the way they are.”

Graylee nodded her agreement, then looked to Thaeron. “How long will you live?”

He shrugged. “Who can say? Maybe 45 seasons.”

“I’ll see over 100 seasons.”

His gaze went first to his wife, then to Pen where his gaze softened. “I would choose that for her.”

“Let’s talk more tomorrow,” she suggested.

“You’re right. It’s been more than a full day.”

“And now you’re a hero,” she said with a smile.

“We’ll see. The king will be back in three days. He will not be happy with a hole in his wall.”

* * * * *

Thaeron set out the next morning with Graylee in tow, and to her amazement he allowed Pen to accompany them. As they walked they talked, though there were a lot of interruptions from people calling congratulations to Thaeron. By the time they reached the hole in the wall, his men were already at work.

Graylee watched in amazement at the efficiency with which they repaired the footing and laid blocks. Lieutenants Bardek and Crowles found her standing back from the work with Pen beside her.

“What’s your plan now?” Bardek asked.

Her eyebrows lifted. “I don’t know! I guess I’ll wait to be reassigned.”

Crowles spoke up. “Hawke made it clear to me that you would resign from the marines and become a member of his staff.”

A hand involuntarily went to her throat. “But I’m a marine and proud of it.”

“And you’ve fought gleasons. Hawke is no longer a marine, but he’s never stopped carrying a weapon, nor will you. But Graylee, you’re here for bigger and better things than us marines.”

“Am I needed elsewhere?” she asked, suddenly uncomfortable.

“Probably.”

“I need two more days. I’d like to get work started on a project here.”

Crowles’ eyes narrowed. “What sort of project? We’re moving real carefully with these people.”

“They need running water and a sewage system.”

Crowles ran a hand through his hair, scratching here and there. “They definitely need that, but is this the place to start? We have to keep the whole planet in mind.”

“You started fighting gleasons in one kingdom. After you learned there, you took what you learned to the rest of Tranxte. That’s the sort of thing I’m talking about.”

Crowles frowned and looked at Bardek. “What do you think?”

Bardek stepped back with both hands raised in defense. “Hey, I’m a fighting man. You’re the one who’s been Hawke’s right-hand man.”

Crowles looked back to Graylee. “What can you do in two days?”

“Plant some seeds. That’s all I want to do at this point.”

“Well, okay, unless some other crisis comes up. Are you ready to clean up?”

“I was ready yesterday. Maybe tonight.”

“Okay. Keep your comm at your side so I can call.”

“I need a few things, but I don’t think they’re available on the shuttle. Do you by any chance have access to maps and writing utensils?”

“No, but I can look into it. What exactly do you need?”

“A detailed aerial shot of this town so we can outline pipe runs. Paper, and writing utensils would help.”

“You’re joking. They don’t read and write.”

“I know. I’m only talking about drawing pictures. Builder Thaeron sometimes draws up plans for things he builds.”

Crowles scratched his head again while he considered, and she couldn’t resist. She stepped up to him and examined his hair. “Yep, lice,” she said, stepping back. “Been going native, have we?”

He just rolled his eyes. “We’re used to it. I’ll deal with it.”

“There’s one more thing,” she said.

“What?”

She looked to Pen, then back to Crowles. She’d been thinking about this since getting out of bed this morning. “I want to leave a pad behind, a blank pad with only one program—a program for teaching Galactic High Standard. I might add a few things from my own pad such as a primer on making clay pipes.”

He shook his head slowly while he considered. Eventually, he said, “That’s a huge first. There are implications.”

“I know. I’ve given this a lot of thought. Pads are powerful computers. They could someday be used for making weapons, that sort of thing, but by then they’ll probably have their own computers anyway. For the moment, it’s a way for us to start teaching. Governor Havlock is planning to bring in lots of teachers some day, but with all the various languages here, they won’t be productive for quite a while. Even when they learn the local language, they won’t be able to teach very much to people who don’t know their written language. On the other hand, if their students all speak Galactic High Standard, and I’m talking about all over the planet, they can get right to work.”

Crowles was nodding his head thoughtfully, so she plunged ahead.

“If I leave a pad behind everywhere I go, I think the younger people will treat it as a game. For them, learning a new language will be fun. It would give our future teachers a foundation for going forward.”

He stared at her while he contemplated. In the end, he did not give her a complete answer. “I like the idea, but I have to pass this one upstairs.”

She nodded. “One step at a time. Baby steps. I know the drill. This is just a trial. If it doesn’t work, the pad’s power supply will only last for a year or so.”

He nodded grimly and turned away. “I’ll call from the shuttle.”

“Deal with your lice while you’re at it,” she called.

Lieutenant Bardek went with him, though she noticed he kept his distance.

Thaeron led her and Pen on a tour of the town during which the two adults talked about how and where pipes could be laid. When they started back toward the hole in the wall late that afternoon, Graylee excused herself.

“I’d like to go to the shuttle and clean up. I know it’s not a big thing to you, but it is to me. I can be back in time for supper.”

“Oh! Can I go, Papa?” Pen asked, suddenly filled with excitement.

He stared at her in amazement. “You want to go inside a sky ship?”

“Yes!”

“Aren’t you afraid?”

“A little, but Sky Knight Graylee will take care of me. I know she will.”

He looked to Graylee, preparing to refuse, but she spoke first. “Her future is calling her, just as I told you it would. Sky ships will be around for the rest of her life. She might as well get used to them.”

“You’re moving too fast.”

“Whose idea was it?”

“Her mother won’t speak to me for a week.”

“It’s only a week. I’m sure you’ve been there before.”

“Will it fly?”

“Yes. Their work is in the sky looking for demons.”

“Do they fall?”

“Never. She’ll be more safe in the ship than she is here.”

He scratched his head and she suddenly felt a need to scratch her own head. He pulled Pen into a hug, then let her go and turned abruptly away.

Graylee took Pen by the arm and started toward the main gate. “Do you know how hard that was for him?” she asked.

Pen answered solemnly. “I do. I’m a little scared, M’Lady.”

“I know. Fear can be a good thing sometimes, but I’ll take good care of you. Did you know I’m a teacher?”

“You’ve used that word before. What’s a teacher?”

Graylee took a moment to call the ship. She got the answer she hoped to get and focused back on Pen. “Do you go to school?”

“What’s that?”

“Hmm. I see. I’m going to talk to your father about a school. It’s a place where you learn new things. A teacher is like a tutor, the one who guides your learning.”

“I’d like that. Mother’s my teacher now, I guess.”

“And that can’t change, Pen. I hope you know that.”

“It won’t. I’m 11. I’ll have a family of my own in a few years, and I still have a lot to learn. This is way more exciting though.”

“Have you chosen a husband?”

“No. Boys are dumb.”

“Would your friends find this exciting?”

“Mmm . . .” She shook her head. “Probably not. Maybe.”

“I hope you do.”

They reached the main gates and went out. Pen looked around herself in wonder. “I’ve never been out here before,” she said.

That stopped Graylee in her tracks. “You’ve never been outside the wall?”

“Girls are only allowed to use the side gate by the river.”

“This was a much bigger step for your father than I realized.”

The shuttle settled to the ground, the front ramp opened, and Crowles welcomed them inside. Pen stepped aboard as if it was nothing new to her, though her eyes took in everything.

“I moved your stuff from Hawke’s shuttle to this one,” Crowles said. “I cleared a room out for you as well.”

“I don’t know how long I’ll be here,” Graylee replied.

“Uh, probably a long time. This is your squad now, assigned by General Stymes himself. I’ll get you introduced around, but I’m guessing you want to clean up first.” He looked to Pen. “How about you, young lady? Want to clean up?”

“No, sir. I don’t like baths.”

“I won’t be long, Lieutenant,” Graylee said. “Are you willing to show her around?”

He looked to Pen. “Is that okay with you?”

“I . . . suppose.”

Graylee cleaned up and sought out the squad leader. To her amazement, it was Lieutenant Bardek. He informed her that Lieutenant Crowles was temporarily assigned to her as well.

“How did that happen?” she asked him in amazement.

“We asked.”

She shook her head, partly in amazement and partly in pleasure. “So how does this work? I’m just a private.”

Bardek shook his head. “Not any longer. You were never brought here to be a marine. As of today you’re officially on the Governor’s staff. General Stymes is pleased with what you’ve done so far and he’s assigned this shuttle and squad to you with the admonition that you keep up the good work.”

“I haven’t done anything yet. How’s Hawke?”

“He’s in a tank and still breathing. They’re not telling us much more than that. Don’t sell yourself short,” Bardek corrected her. “Besides the trip to the mine, you plugged the hole in the wall. By the way, did you know that no gleasons have attacked that repair?” When she looked confused, he added, “We’re wondering if they might not like looking at the fabric any more than the locals do.”

Her jaw dropped at the grin on his face.

“So what’s next?” he asked.

“I want to get started on a sewer system here unless I’m needed somewhere else. Do we wait to get called to problems or what?”

“We weren’t given any direction,” he said. “I’ve known Hawke for quite a while now, and I don’t think you’re ready to jump into his shoes yet. You might never be—no offense, but kings and guard captains prefer talking to men more than women. This builder-teacher thing feels to me like a better match for you, at least until you get to know a few more locals.”

“I’m supposed to spend some time as Queen Atiana’s teacher.”

“She’s off-world on another mission, so she’s not an issue at the moment.”

“I should meet the squad. What’s your background by the way?”

Bardek smiled and turned toward the stairs. “Your squad’s waiting downstairs.” He pointed to a patch on his arm. “Myself, Crowles, and Sergeant Euon are Firsts, one of the original 20. We’ve been here for over two years and have seen it all.”

She raised her eyebrows. “You took part in the battle for Tricor?”

“Too big a part. All of us were on the wall. Everyone on the squad is experienced, so no worries there.”

After meeting her squad, Graylee went in search of Pen. She found her on the bridge with Crowles. She appeared to have no fear as she looked down on her town.

Graylee stepped over to her and put an arm around her shoulder. “What do you think, Pen?”

“This is so exciting!” Pen exclaimed. “I can see the whole town and Papa’s mine all at the same time. The town seems a lot bigger when you’re in it.”

“Your father is probably worried sick about you. We should get back.”

“Can I come back tomorrow?” Pen asked.

“Um, maybe. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be here.”

Pen’s face fell. “I thought so.”

When the shuttle touched down, another shuttle settled in beside them. A marine stepped off the ramp pushing a floater loaded with containers.

“Healer Kori sent what you asked for and included some spares, Ma’am,” he said. “This small one here will get you started. I’ll drop the rest of them with your squad.”

“Healer Kori?”

“She, Milae, and General Stymes are holding down the fort since Hawke is out of the picture. Everyone else is gone.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know, Ma’am.”

What’s in the containers?”

“Paper, writing utensils, some spare pads, body armor for you that won’t hurt their eyes, and a bunch of other stuff we thought you might need.
”
He opened a container and held out several outfits similar to what George had made Queen Atiana aboard
Resolve
.