The Heiress 155q11

Eric Hoffman

The Heiress

To my child, who has shown me so many new worlds.

BookRix GmbH & Co. KG 80331 Munich

Prelude

“It’s hot in here. Can’t we roll down a window or something?” The limousine shifted on its axles when he squirmed in his seat. She wondered why she ever brought her moronic brother along. “No. We’re supposed to be discrete, ? These are tinted windows, so no one can see who we are until we get to the bank. It’s essential to the plan.” He shifted in his seat again and pulled at his collar. “Then maybe we need to change the plan. I’m burning up in here.” She pushed the intercom button. “Roderick, turn up the air conditioning a couple of notches.” She faced him squarely. “You better not screw this up. I’m counting on you. If anything goes wrong, you know what father is going to do to you, right?” He didn’t look at her. “Ease up, sis. I had R and D work on the gloves. They amped up the power a hundred and seventy-five percent. I’ve even been practicing my moves, so don’t worry about me. I can handle anything they throw at me.” “That’s not what I’m talking about, genius.” She was already annoyed about having to ride backwards because he got carsick. His typical macho fascination with physical power had pulled him off track once again. “The whole reason we’re here is to make sure father’s little savings-and-loan company gets its act together. We go in, we tell the manager what’s at stake here, we give him some time to comply, and then we go home and tell father it’s taken care of. That’s the plan.” He looked puzzled. “I thought we were going to lean on him. Isn’t that why we brought all that equipment in the trunk?” “We only open the trunk if the manager doesn’t cooperate. Will you think for a minute? How’s it going to look if we walk into a bank armed to the teeth and

demand to see the manager?” He thought for a minute. She could tell he was thinking because he always got a blank expression every time he forced his brain to work. “Like we’re robbing the place, right?” She sighed. “When we get there, please let me do the talking.”

Chapter One

The process was complete. It had taken nearly a complement of piin’mikts, but it wasn’t as painful as she feared it might be. The pedagogicus was correct: it was as if she had taken a long nap full of dreams, waking only briefly whenever a new structure had developed enough to spasm. With a series of clicks around the rim of the portal to her Créche, a sound that reminded her of the fluttering of a bird’s wing as it launches itself into the air, the cover lifted up and shifted to the right letting in a gust of cool Appalachian air. The sensation was exciting, bringing tiny bumps to the surface of her brand new integument. Carefully, she raised one of her locomotory appendages and pushed it into the world. Wait. Time was not measured in mikts here. She would have to get used to that. It was “days” when referring to the planet’s rotation and “years” when referring to its revolution about its native star. A day was broken into two complements of “horas”—no, it was “hours” in the local language—and each hour was divided into five complements of “minutes”. Why five, she wondered. Wouldn’t it be more consistent to shorten the minute to accommodate a sixth complement? She would have to ask about that when she met an actual Human. She positioned her manipulatory appendages to assist in the shifting of her center of gravity so that she could maneuver out of the Créche. The walls of the chamber were made of stone. She had expected that. Her mother had placed her Créche in something called a cave, away from curious Kozian eyes. The same independent power source that powered her Créche also bent light to hide the cave’s entrance. The source of the power sat to the right of the Créche, with conduits branching out of it like the manipulatory appendages of a jh’zuul’t. She found her own appendage pointing at the source as she identified it. Odd that it should do that. There was another container sitting next to the power source. It was about twopoint-five times larger and opened from the top like her Créche. She lifted the lid and found what the pedagogicus told her she would find: several pieces of technology, nutritional supplements, Kozian currency, and a pile of folded fabric. That’s right, she thought, Kozians wear clothing. What was the word Kozians

use when they‘ve forgotten something obvious? Of course: “duh!” She lightly thumped the front of her cranium with one manipulatory appendage as she said it, just as the pedagogicus had taught her to do. She rubbed the place she had thumped next, thinking that next time she would thump herself with a little less force. She found two coned tubes of fabric on top of the stack and ed that these were designed to cover her two locomotory appendages. Pants, she thought as she pointed at them. She grabbed the pants by the coned portion, made the attempt to lift her limbs into the tubes, and promptly fell to the ground. How do Kozians apply pants, she wondered, if gravity prevents them from lifting their lower appendages? She stood and stared at them, deep in thought. Perhaps she could try lifting one appendage at a time, but doing so only resulted in falling to the side. She tried scooting into the pants, first by placing the subdivided ends of her appendages—her “toes” she reminded herself--into the tubes and shuffling slowly forward. She found that she could only apply the pants partially before a wad of fabric prevented further forward motion. Scooting faster did not yield better results. It finally occurred to her that she could raise her appendages if she began in a horizontal position on the ground. Luckily the Kozian form was flexible enough to accomplish the task, but she needed to assume a vertical position halfway through the process if she wanted the pants to be raised high enough to be fastened around her midsection. Fabric that covered her upper form, where most of her internal organs were housed, was easier to apply because she could raise her manipulatory appendages independently without shifting her center of mass uncomfortably away from her axis of balance. The pedagogicus had informed her of the social relevance of these fabrics, but had not prepared her to apply them with grace. This was another area she would have to investigate. If only her mother were here. She was certain that her mother would be able to convey the answers to the questions that the pedagogicus had not addressed. It was not that the pedagogicus was flawed; it simply was not designed to explain everything. She knew experience would provide insight beyond the limits of the pedagogicus’ operational parameters. Even mothers could not answer all of the questions that would surely occur to her. She knew this. She even knew that her mother would not be present for this, her Day of Maturation. It had all been explained in a message that her mother had left with the pedagogicus. Circumstances were not ideal, the message had

said, and she would need to finish her metamorphosis alone and remain discreet afterward, blending into Kozian society as best she could until her mother could re her. Avoid identifying herself as Prægk to any Kozian and, should she meet another Prægk, inform them that she was investigating Kozian interaction as a member of the Order of Scholars. Interact with other Prægk as little as possible. Above all else, if she met any with connections to the innovator she was to disappear, whatever the cost. She had no idea what the innovator was, but she would remain alert nonetheless. Experience would undoubtedly clarify these instructions. Still, having a mother around to solve the mystery of pants would have prevented a few patches of discolored integument that landing on the hard ground had caused. Her primary directive was to establish herself as a useful member of Kozian— no, “Human”—society. This is what the “Human” currency was for. Most of what her mother had left for her could be left in the container, but some of it would need to be added to the great pool of currency on which Human society had come to depend. It was foolish, of course, to base the health of a society on something so material, but the pedagogicus had explained that this was the current status of Kozian cultural development. Many advanced civilizations had gone through similar phases and had successfully emerged, becoming wiser for the experience. It was the collective hope of the Prægk that the dominant species inhabiting this world in the Kozian system would emerge as well. When that time arrived, the Prægk would present themselves and invite the Kozians to with them in the great galactic consortium of advanced species. For the time being, however, social wellness on this world was still measured in of currency. If she wanted to fit in, she would have to act as if this currency was intrinsically important. She had learned that the place where the currency of individuals ed the larger pool was called a “bank”. Such a place was to be her first destination, so she took several of the small, green pieces of paper—a material derived from botanical resources which she thought was incredibly clever—and placed them in one of the fabric pouches called “pockets” attached to her pants—yet another useful Kozian innovation. She grinned, thinking that she was going to enjoy the cleverness of this species very much. She took a deep breath as she stood before the masked entrance of the cave, seeing the outside world and knowing that it could not see her yet. What would it feel like? She knew it was precisely seventy-three degrees, as Humans measure heat energy, from the instruments in the Créche, but she didn’t know how seventy-three degrees would feel. Would it be comfortable? How would this new

body respond? Humans added fabrics to their bodies if the heat energy was uncomfortably low and removed fabrics if it was uncomfortably high. Beyond that general knowledge provided by the pedagogicus, she had no idea. She would simply need to experience the outside world for herself. Tilting her new cranium backward slightly—another gesture she didn’t consciously cause, it just happened—she stepped forward… …and could not make herself move beyond the opening of the cave. It was too new. There were too many unknowns. The pedagogicus had trained her well, but it couldn’t teach her everything that she would need to know. What if she made a mistake? What if she made a fool of herself? What if nothing on the planet conformed to her training? Is it possible the Créche’s programming had been outdated and that society had changed while she completed her development? She stood motionless for a very long time, paralyzed by uncertainty, watching the Kozian star climb higher and higher into the sky. In that time, nervous synapses in her new brain shifted and sparkled until at last a new idea had formed. There simply wasn’t any way she was going to find out the answers to her questions, no way could she find evidence to counter her fears, until she moved through that opening. That single thought stirred her new locomotory appendages into motion. She moved forward.

Chapter Two

Seventy-three degrees felt very nice, as it turned out. Sunlight streaming through the trees of the forest and bathing her skin with warmth was one of the many things she discovered that the pedagogicus could not convey to her. The sound that the wind made as it moved through these trees was also a pleasant sensation, and it was the first time that she was consciously aware of her ability to detect sonic vibrations. Her hands touched the cartilaginous extensions on each side of her cranium as she strained to “hear” other vibrations. She was prepared for visual and chemical stimuli, but hearing was especially and surprisingly fascinating. She followed the local map that the pedagogicus had recorded in her nervous synapse patterns. If she were to walk in the direction of the planet’s rotation, she knew that she would come upon a path, which would in turn lead her to a paved road. This road would lead her more or less toward the planet’s r’khij pole and she would follow it for several zh’taadi before she would arrive at a Human settlement, a location named “Shenandoah”. She almost lost her way through the forest because of all the fascinating sights and sounds. The birdsong in particular created an emotional response that nearly overwhelmed her senses. As she walked along counting all the different songs she could distinguish another sound infiltrated the symphony. It was a mechanical sound comprised of several devices moving rapidly, which she inferred based on what the pedagogicus told her was called a “Doppler effect” on this world. She even had a fairly good guess as to what they were. They were called “automobiles”, and she found herself running toward the sound to see them for the first time. They were a bit more frightening than she had expected. As she walked along the paved road, an automobile or larger vehicle would her every twenty-two seconds, on average. They came up behind her at what seemed a dangerous speed, the wall of air they displaced shoving her body forward in a manner she found most inconsiderate. They were quite loud as well, drowning out the sound of the birds. Eventually, she learned how to anticipate their approach and to

brace herself against the force of the parabolic displacement wave, but she wondered how the Humans operating the vehicles compensated for missing the wondrous birdsong in all their haste. Eventually, one of the vehicles slowed and the operator, the first Kozian that she had ever encountered, spoke with a loud voice out of an open window. “Hey, there,” he said, “y’all need a lift somewhere?” “What is a lift?” she said. “You know,” he said, “a ride. You want a little help getting where you’re going?” She thought a moment. She was, of course, fluent in the local Human language, but this Human seemed to be using idioms that the pedagogicus hadn’t disclosed to her. “I am sorry,” she said, “but I do not understand what you are asking me.” “Honey, I’m just asking if you would like me to take you somewhere. I’m just trying to be helpful.” “Oh! You are offering me assistance,” she said raising the volume of her voice so that it could be heard over the sound of the ing vehicles. “I am very grateful, but there are so many things I need to encounter before I arrive at the settlement along this road. I must decline your invitation.” “Suit yourself,” said the operator, “but a young lady like yourself shouldn’t be walking all alone. You take care.” He accelerated his vehicle and continued down the paved road. Why, she wondered, should she not be alone? Was he not alone, sitting in his vehicle? She continued her journey, her thoughts occasionally interrupted by a growling noise that came not from any Human machine, but from her own body. She sensed that it originated in her upper abdomen. It was vaguely uncomfortable, and she sensed that she needed to do something about it. Of course, she thought. This was a Kozian body. Kozians were not autotrophic like the Cilili or the Gwanza. They were heterotrophic, and that meant that she would need to secure sustenance that her new body could metabolize. She knew that none of the plant life around her could be readily utilized by her Human body; she would have to go to a place where they provide appropriate…what was the word? Food. Luckily, another vehicle slowed as it approached her. She would ask the operator where she might…eat food.

“Hey, good looking!” said the male, younger than the first had been. “You looking for a little excitement?” What a curious question, she thought. Excitement was a Human response to external stimuli. Humans didn’t need to look for it; it just happened. “I am not,” she said, “but I am looking for food. Do you know where I might find food that is nutritious?” “Yeah,” said the operator, “I got some food for you. Why don’t you hop on in and we’ll take care of everything.” “I am very grateful,” she said, “but as I explained to the first vehicle operator, I am enjoying the journey. Perhaps I will hop on your vehicle another time. For now, could you tell me where the food might be?” “Aw, come on, baby. I ain’t gonna bite.” Why would he not disclose the location of food to her? Something inside her well-ordered arrangement of neural synapses suggested that this Kozian was not to be trusted. “It is curious that you believe me to be a baby,” she said. “I know for certain that I am an adult Human, not an infant. You may not be interested in biting, but I do wish to bite food. Do you or do you not know where I can find it?” His mood changed suddenly. “Yeah, okay. I get the message. Geez, you sound like my old girlfriend.” “Perhaps a companion closer to your own age would bring you less stress.” His forehead wrinkled slightly as he looked at her and he shook his head from side to side. “Yeah, whatever. If food’s all you want, then go up this road a couple miles and you’ll find a place called Danny and Dina’s on the right side.” “I can find food there?” “Yeah. It’s a diner. There’s food there.” He drove away, the wheels of his vehicle accelerating too quickly for the loose terrain alongside the paved road. She marveled at the difference between the two male Humans she had just encountered. The first operator was clearly older and more even tempered. Was attitude a function of age? She decided that she would explore the matter further

by observing the males she met. For now, though, the uncomfortable rumblings in her abdomen compelled her to prioritize her physical needs over her more intellectual ones. Danny and Dina’s Diner had an aroma that she wasn’t sure how to categorize. On the one hand, there were very intriguing smells that certainly came from the preparation of food. It emanated from a rectangular hole in the wall behind a long table, at which several humans sat eating and reading newspapers. These certainly were very wise and informed Humans who kept apprised of current events. On the other hand, there was a more noxious odor that seemed embedded in the materials that covered the variously shaped seats. It was an ashen smell, indicative of something that had burned down to a tar-encrusted residue. Since it didn’t seem to bother the Humans in the room she elected to pretend that it didn’t bother her either. In truth, however, she found herself wondering how to extract oxygen from the air without breathing too deeply. “Welcome to Danny and Dina’s,” said a smiling woman wearing a dark green covering over her upper body. If the plastic placard she wore under her left clavicle was accurate, her name was Amanda. “Ya’ll want a table or a booth today, hon?” “Actually,” she said, “I was hoping to purchase some food.” Amanda looked at her a moment before her mouth opened wide with a sound that was quite startling. “Oh, honey, that’s funny!” she said. “I’ll get you some food all right, but where do y’all want to sit while you’re eating it?” She smiled, mimicking Amanda’s mirthful response without understanding why it had occurred. “I think I would like to sit in the sun,” she said. “Not a problem. I’ll just put you by the window,” said Amanda, grabbing a shiny, plastic-covered folder. “Oh, I’m sorry, hon,” she said looking toward the floor, “y’all can’t eat here if you don’t have any shoes.” She glanced at her feet, dirty from the path she walked. “People cannot eat without shoes?” she said incredulously. “Not here, anyway,” said Amanda. “We’ve got a sign in the window. Go get your shoes on and we’ll be happy to serve you.”

She could not, for the life of her, figure out the connection between wearing something on your feet and eating, but it wasn’t something she was going to pursue because she didn’t want to appear like an outsider. “Please,” she asked, “Where might a Human like me purchase shoes?” “You’re in luck, honey. There’s a shoe store right across the street. Go get yourself some shoes and come on back.” She exited the diner, taking note of the piece of paper in the window that read, “No shoes, No shirt, No service.” It was fortunate that she had ed to wear a shirt, at least. Still, she was going to have to to pay attention to such written announcements to avoid any more infractions against Human social regulations. The shoe store was indeed within view, but it was to the left of the diner, not the right as Amanda had said. Perhaps she would let Amanda know about this when she returned. The shoe store also took her breath away, but for an entirely different reason. There was no noxious, ashen smell. She had no words for the distinctive aroma that was produced, no doubt, by the hundreds of shoes that filled the shelving units. There were many rows down which she could wander and wonder at the astounding diversity of shoes she could choose from. She had of course studied a plethora of visual records on Kozian culture, but she had never really thought to study their feet. One side of the store contained what clearly were shoes for male Humans, but two thirds of the room was dedicated to options for females, many of which did not appear to be well-suited for covering the feet. A young male greeted her at the end of the aisle. “Good morning, ma’am. Can I help you find some shoes?” “I appear to have already found them,” she said. “Yeah, I guess you did,” he said, smiling. “Do you want to browse around, or is there a particular kind of shoe you’re looking for today?” he said. “I think I just need shoes so I can eat,” she said. “Okay,” he said in a tone she couldn’t identify. He had extended the second vowel sound of the word, and she sensed that changed its meaning in some subtle way. It was something else she would have to research. “Are you looking for something with heels?” he said.

“Yes, I think that I would prefer something that covers my heels, as well as my toes.” He was silent for a moment. “Tell you what,” he said, “have a seat right here, and I’ll get you sized. Then I’ll bring you an assortment of shoes you can try.” Before she could tell him that she was exactly one-hundred and seventy-seven centimeters in height, as Humans measure it, he had disappeared down one of the aisles. She sat in the chair he had indicated and waited. He returned with a metal device that was decorated with lines and numbers. He knelt in front of her and gently placed her foot on top of the device. She was reminded of the story of Cinderella from her education and found that the way he had touched her foot was very pleasing. “Well now,” he said, “it looks like you’ve been walking through a bean field this morning. But you are a perfect eight. Wait right there a moment.” He returned with several small boxes, each with a pair of shoes, and a pair of highly elastic pouches made of a thin material that he slipped on her feet. “Try these on and let me know which ones you like. I have more if you don’t like any of these.” She placed shoe after shoe on her feet, completely forgetting her need for food. There were brown shoes that covered her toes and red ones that did not, surrounding her feet with straps that buckled around her ankles. There were shoes that respected the shape of her unadorned foot and shoes that raised her heels off the ground forcing her to walk on her toes like some of the mammalian carnivores she had studied. A few of the shoes were made of a woven material atop a thick, flexible foundation of polymer. “Runners” these were labelled. They seemed quite practical, since she had intended to explore “running” at a later time. She selected a pair of blue “runners” and presented them to the man when he returned to check her progress. He appeared to be pleased by her decision, although she wasn’t sure why he would be. What she wore on her feet wouldn’t really affect his life at all, as far as she could tell. “That’ll be fifty-four dollars and eighty cents,” he said when they had both walked toward the front of the store. “Will that be cash or charge?” This was an exchange that she understood. She handed him three green pieces of paper each adorned with a “20”, and he smiled again as he handed her the remainder: a piece of paper with a “5” on it and two thin silver coins, along with a white piece of paper that was a record of the purchase. “I expect you’ll be wearing them out,” he said. “Would you like the box?”

She had no idea why, but she really wanted the box. Wearing the shoes and carrying the box, she walked back to the diner where Amanda happily sat her in a booth by the window. She looked through the plastic-covered list of all the foods she could choose from. A young, dark-haired woman soon approached her table and said, “Good morning. My name’s Holly and I’ll be your server today. Do you know what you would like, or do you need a few more minutes?” “Holly?” she answered. “Where did Amanda go?” “Amanda’s seating customers today. I’ll be serving you. I hope that’s all right.” It was unexpected, but it was all right. “There are many choices listed here,” she said. “Can you recommend an appropriate food for someone who hasn’t eaten?” “Oh, I know what you mean,” said Holly. “I didn’t get breakfast today either. Would you like to hear about our specials?” She thought that the first time she had ever eaten Human food was inherently special, so Holly’s suggestion was extremely appropriate. She agreed to eat something called a “chicken club sandwich with coleslaw”. She also agreed to apple juice, which had intrigued her ever since the pedagogicus had presented the concept to her. When the Human food was brought to her, the smell of the sandwich made her salivate unconsciously, the coleslaw was tasty but it made her tongue feel strange, and the apple juice was a sweet, sweet delicacy beyond description. She ate the food enthusiastically, with soft moaning sounds that attracted the attention of several young Humans nearby. They smiled at the sound and duplicated it until the fully grown Humans instructed them to stop immediately and to reorient themselves in their seats. As delightful as the food was, however, she still could not understand why the shoes were necessary. Perhaps the shoes pressed upon nerves in her feet that enhanced her ability to taste. If so, she could understand the wisdom in requiring them. It was Amanda who brought her the bill, because Holly was temporarily reassigned to breaking something unidentified. “You new in town?” said Amanda as she returned with the remainder. “I don’t recall ever seeing you out and about.” “I suppose you could say that I am very new,” she answered.

“I thought so. You know, I have a feeling about you. You staying with anyone, or are you on your own?” “I do have a place to stay,” she said, “but it is a long walk from here. I don’t know anyone that I could stay with, if that is what you are asking.” “Well, I know it’s none of my business, but I’m sort of Shenandoah’s unofficial Welcome Wagon. Why don’t you come around my place tonight? I’ll treat you to a home-cooked meal and fill you in on all the gossip.” She could think of no reply. She hadn’t understood what Amanda was or what she wanted her to do. Why did Amanda compare herself to a wagon? What was “gossip”? Was it another type of Human food? “I’m sorry,” she finally said, “but could you repeat that slowly?” Amanda laughed. “Yes, I think Americans do speak kind of funny. I couldn’t place your accent, but I guess you’re from another country, right?” “…Yes. I suppose that would be a true statement.” “I thought so. Honey, your English is very good. Why don’t you come around here about three o’clock, and I’ll show you around town?” “Yes,” she said. “I have a feeling about you as well. I accept your invitation.” Once again practicing a skill that the pedagogicus told her would be essential when interacting with Humans, she smiled at Amanda.

Chapter Three

She knew precisely when to arrive at the diner again because her training had included systems of Kozian time measurement. Being Prægk, she was accustomed to thinking in of mikts, piin’mikts, and qæpiin’mikts, but the hours that Humans preferred were not so different in concept. A mikt was onetwelfth of the Prægk homeworld’s journey about its star just as a month was one twelfth of the Humans’ home planet’s journey. A piin’mikt, or one one hundred and twentieth of a mikt was nearly equivalent to a Human day, and a qæpiin’mikt, or one twelfth of that, was nearly two Human hours. Once she had realized that Humans repeat the numerical designations of the hours each complement, or set of twelve, it became relatively easy to read Human chronometers. There were several public chronometers positioned around the small town of Shenandoah, so she was able to time her explorations nearly perfectly so as to arrive at the diner at the third hour after midday. Amanda met her at the small counter where a pleasant male Human had accepted her currency after her first Human meal. “It was delightful,” she had said to him when he had asked her how the food had been. “I will most definitely be eating again soon, and on a regular basis after that.” Amanda waved to the female that had taken the male’s place behind the counter before leading the way out to where her vehicle had been stored. The seats were uncomfortably warm as they entered the vehicle, but tolerable and well below the temperature tolerances for her new integument. “Shall we tour the town, now?” she asked. “Yes, ma’am,” said Amanda, “but first we need to pick up my daughter from school. I’m sorry, honey, could you remind me what your name is?” That was another detail she had overlooked before leaving her Créche. All of the Humans she had learned about had been designated with a name, but she had been so intrigued by their accomplishments that it hadn’t occurred to her that all Humans were known by similar identifying words and that she would need to be as well if she wanted to blend in. Having to think fast, she said, “I am my mother’s heiress.”

“Aw, that’s sweet,” said Amanda, operating her vehicle out into the paved road. “It’s so refreshing to hear grown women who still love their mamas. But that’s not a name you hear everyday. How do you spell ‘Heiress’?” “H-e-i-r-e-s-s,” she answered. Spelling was another Human skill that had always intrigued her. She had often begged the pedagogicus to help her practice spelling the words of this most inconsistent Human language. “That’s a pretty name,” said Amanda. “What about your mother? What was her name?” “She went by the name of Nhæ’rh’mha,” said Heiress. “That’s not a name you hear much anymore. I had a great aunt named Norma, and the organist down at the Methodist church was named Norma, but that’s about it.” “So Nhæ’rh’mha is an uncommon name?” “Well, yes. Especially the way you pronounce it. I expect it might be more common where you were born. Where are you from, Heiress?” “I was born in the mountains, not far from here.” She was pleased that she had not been forced to lie. One of her foremothers had taken the form of a species that was incapable of lying because their true intentions were displayed in the changing hues of their face. Although Kozians could easily conceal their true intentions, the very thought of lying made her uncomfortable, undoubtedly because of the ancestral memories she had inherited. “So, was it your mother that was born in another country?” said Amanda. “Yes. She was born a very long distance from here. She told me it was very cold all the time.” “I bet it was Siberia,” said Amanda. “I read about Siberia in a magazine once. I thought your accent sounded a little Russian.” Because Amanda seemed satisfied by her conclusion, Heiress chose not to challenge it. They moved past the shoe store, which served as a visual reminder of an unfinished task. “When you were giving me directions to the shoe store

earlier,” she said, “you said it was to the right. It is to the left of the diner.” “What?” said Amanda. “Honey, I know where the shoe store is. It’s right over there.” She gestured toward the store, which was indeed to the right of their present orientation. Heiress found that the correction she offered was no longer relevant, so she said nothing further. “I really like the shoes you picked out,” Amanda continued. “They’re cute as a button.” “They actually have strings to secure them,” said Heiress. “I think they are called ‘laces’.” Amanda laughed again. “Honey, I like you. You’re a hoot and a half.” Heiress didn’t even know how to ask what Amanda had meant. She reasoned that if Amanda appreciated hoots then she would work to continue being one, that is, as soon as she discovered what hoots did. Amanda maneuvered the vehicle to her daughter’s school, a large building with the blue, red and white banner of the United States of America affixed to a pole in front of it, above the mostly blue banner of the State of Virginia. There were several young humans in front of the building engaged in many different activities that had nothing to do with academic achievement. Amanda waved to the crowd, so Heiress did as well. A young female approached the vehicle and, without an invitation, opened one of the rear doors. As she sat in the back seat, throwing a large fabric bundle with straps in ahead of her, her mother examined her using a mirror mounted in the vehicle’s front window. “Sweet Jesus!” she said. “Are you bleeding?” “I’m all right, mom,” said the girl. “Let’s just go.” “What happened?” “Mom, it’s nothing,” said the girl, raising the volume of her voice. “You’re embarrassing me. Let’s just go home!” Amanda set the vehicle into motion. “All right, young lady, but when we get home I’m going to hear the whole story. If any of these kids are picking on my baby, heads are going to roll." Heiress twisted in her seat to get a better view of the young female. “I notice that

there is circulatory fluid on your left temple, but it has dried. It appears to have flowed from a wound that has now clotted. I would estimate this wound occurred about two hours ago. Am I correct?” “Who are you?” asked the girl, covering the wound with her hand. “Now Kira Ann, you be polite,” said Amanda. “This is Heiress. She’s our guest.” “It is most gratifying to meet you, Kira Ann,” said Heiress. “I am skilled in treating physical injuries. Perhaps I can help to heal the discoloration around your eye when we arrive at your home.” “You have a black eye?” asked Amanda. “Mom!” said Kira Ann. She elongated the vowel, just as the male at the shoe store had done, but Heiress couldn’t make any relevant connections between that situation and this. It was another question for the pedagogicus later. Amanda pointed to various landmarks between the school and her house, including a library, a park, and a station for police where a very nice Human named Bobby Ray Cotton worked. He was apparently a frequent visitor to the diner. Heiress also took note of elements of Shenandoah’s infrastructure, such as the insulated cables mounted on the trunks of deceased trees found alongside every paved road. She knew that some served to convey electricity to Human dwellings, while others carried modified electrical currents that were used as modes of communication. Meanwhile, Amanda spoke freely about many of the individuals that lived in the houses they ed. There were “sweet families” and “good Christians” and women who excelled at certain culinary creations. There were people that Amanda had attended school with and others who had moved to Shenandoah from other settlements. Amanda seemed to know a great deal about the personal histories of many individuals and how they were interrelated. It was difficult for Heiress to absorb all the information; her hostess seemed to have an impressive mental capacity for storing the complicated, interwoven relationships of Humans. Heiress wondered if such a gift was necessary for her work as a carrier of food. Throughout the convoluted route, Kira Ann remained silent, and when they arrived at the house she opened the door before the vehicle had come to a complete stop and ran inside. “Come on in and make yourself at home, now,” said Amanda. “I’ve got to get to the bottom of this.” As Amanda attempted to

establish a productive flow of communication between herself and Kira Ann, who had taken refuge behind a locked door, Heiress explored the first Human dwelling she had ever visited. It was only slightly more spacious than her cave, but possessed more colors and more surfaces that were soft and yielding to the touch. Even the floor in the large main room was softened by a layer of synthetic fibers that brought to mind the grass-covered ground outside, except that it was brown, not green. There were several two-dimensional photographs mounted on the walls. Many were of Kira Ann at a younger age. Heiress wondered what photographs of herself would have looked like. When she secured a dwelling of her own, she may have to fabricate a few. There were also photographs of an adult male, who also appeared in photographs alongside Kira Ann and Amanda. “May I ask who this male Human is?” said Heiress when Amanda returned from speaking to her daughter’s door. “That’s my husband, Jay,” said Amanda smiling. “You’re not going to meet him, I’m sorry to say. He’s off on assignment until next week.” “What sort of assignment did you send him on?” Amanda laughed again. “No, honey, he works for the government. He’s a development consultant. They send him out once or twice a month to help build things. Right now he’s in Alaska working on a new Inuit Community Center.” Heiress knew about Alaska and the Inuit. She had a fondness for their rhythmic music. “He is fortunate to have an occupation that allows him to travel,” she said. “Yes, well, it’s a mixed blessing,” said Amanda, sighing. “The money’s good, but it’s hard when he’s away from home so much. On the other hand, with Jay gone tonight we can just have a girl’s night. That is, if Kira Ann decides to be social and get her butt out of her room for a while.” A “girl’s night” sounded intriguing, and Heiress found herself looking forward to seeing this “butt” that Kira Ann kept in her room. If it was sufficiently interesting, Heiress would consider procuring a “butt” for her own dwelling. She hoped that they came in different colors. “Let’s work on getting supper ready,” said Amanda. “I insist that, if you want to eat in my house, you have to work for it. I’ve got some venison burgers in the freezer, so we can fire up the barbecue tonight. You can help shuck the corn.”

Fortunately, it didn’t take long to figure out that “shucking” corn meant removing the green outer covering of the seed pods and exposing the edible seeds. “Cornsilk” was what Amanda called the stringy, inedible material that clung to the seeds, and “corn on the cob” meant that the seeds were left on the rigid spike that anchored them. Amanda softened the corn seeds by setting them in a bowl-shaped screen held over boiling water, but she cooked the venison burgers in a black metal structure that she kept behind the house. It was unclear to Heiress why some food was heated outside the house while other food could be heated inside, but, because she didn’t want to appear naïve, she kept her questions to a minimum. Even so, she was learning so much just by observation. The food was delicious, which came as no surprise since Amanda spent most of her time around food. Kira Ann came out of her room to eat, but didn’t say much. She had arranged her hair so that it covered the injuries to her face. When Heiress needed to empty the contents of her bowels and bladder, she was directed to a room specifically designed for that purpose which, luckily, was placed along the same hallway as Kira Ann’s room. Although the door was ajar as she ed, a quick glance into Kira Ann’s room did not reveal to Heiress what a “butt” was, so she made a mental note to ask the pedagogicus later. Her list of questions was indeed growing to a nearly unmanageable length. When the meal had ended and Kira Ann had once again retreated to the sanctity of her room, Heiress sat with Amanda in chairs outside where the metal barbecue had been. “Would it be impolite to ask about your daughter’s injuries?” she asked. “I am very curious about them.” “She was protecting one of the younger students,” said Amanda, with a glass of dark wine in her hand. “It’s a good school, but it’s got its fair share of bullies. Kira Ann saw one of the fifth graders being picked on by a high schooler, and she stepped in to help. She got her black belt in kung fu last year, so I know she can stand her ground in a fight if she has to. Trouble is, she’s been in too many fights lately. She just let her guard down today, and caught a fist in the eye. I’m calling the school tomorrow and ask why they aren’t putting a stop to all the bullying. Stepping into a fight should be a teacher’s job, not my little girl’s.” Heiress also knew about kung fu, one of many martial disciplines that her mother had insisted she study. Amanda’s words had reminded her that she needed to train her new physical body to implement what she had learned. It was one thing to become familiar with blocks, kicks and punches, but without limbs

to do them her education was clearly incomplete. “So your daughter put her own physical body at risk on behalf of someone who could not defend themselves. That sounds commendable,” she said, sipping her own wine. “Oh, make no mistake, I am proud of my little girl. I told her I think she did the right thing. I just think the school needs to step up and deal with these bullies so our children won’t have to. Didn’t you know any bullies when you were growing up?” Heiress knew from the context that “bully” probably referred to a Human that intimidated others through physical confrontation and not to the male form of certain species of hooved mammals, although she wondered if there might be a connection. “I grew in the mountains,” she answered. “I do not think there are bullies there.” “Oh, honey, there’s bullies everywhere. You’re lucky you never met one. Didn’t you ever go to school?” “I received an extensive education, but I did not go to school with other Humans.” “I see. Home-schooled,” said Amanda. “I thought about that for Kira Ann, but I wanted her to have social interaction. Plus, I don’t think I could have kept up as her teacher. Did your mother teach you?” “I had a pedagogicus.” “What’s that?” Heiress found that she needed to choose her words carefully. If Amanda didn’t know what a pedagogicus was, then it probably wasn’t something that Humans utilized. Her mother had warned her about appearing too different from the Humans she encountered. “It is…a kind of teacher, I suppose.” “Is it like a private tutor?” Heiress considered the definitions of the words Amanda had used. “Yes,” she said. “That’s it precisely. A pedagogicus is a private tutor.” “Well, honey, that explains everything. You’ve spent your entire life up in the

mountains without knowing what it’s like to be raised in a community. Have you ever been to church?” “I have studied the belief systems of most Human religions,” she said. “That’s not the same thing. Church is more than just studying the Bible. It’s about being with other people and learning how to care about something bigger than yourself. I think, come Sunday, I need to take you to church.” “I think that would be wonderful,” said Heiress. “Do you think your momma would like to come, too?” “My mother is not available right now. She told me that she needs to be away for a while, but when she returned we could be together.” “She needs to be away? Now, honey, I don’t mean to pry, but is she in rehab?” Heiress once again consulted her mental dictionary. “Rehab” did not appear there. But she knew that Humans often shortened words that were in common usage, perhaps because longer words tired them. “Do you mean ‘rehabilitation’?” she asked. “Sure, honey. Now it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I’ve had cousins who went through rehab programs, and it’s changed their lives around. Did your momma drink a little too much?” Heiress honestly didn’t know. In a Human form, she would have had to consume fluids to survive, but she didn’t know if her mother ever drank fluids in excessive amounts. “She never told me that she did,” said Heiress. “Well that’s all right,” said Amanda. “She may have been one of those alcoholics that hid it from their family. I enjoy my wine now and then, but I don’t try to hide it and I never have more than a glass or two.” Of course. By “drinking a little too much”, Amanda had referred to alcohol. Human culture was abundant with rules about the consumption of alcohol. The wine in Heiress’s glass contained alcohol, but she couldn’t as yet feel its effects on her mental effectiveness. The Prægk metabolism was more efficient than a Human’s owing to the greater complexity of their DNA, so she would have been

able to consume far more alcohol than Amanda without feeling any ill effects. Still, she thought to limit her personal consumption to a single glass. It would be dangerous to have her judgment compromised even in the slightest fashion. “I don’t believe my mother consumed alcohol to excess. I believe that she is away because, like your husband, she is occupied by her work.” “I’m sorry, Heiress. I didn’t mean to jump to conclusions. What does your momma do?” “I am not certain about the details, but I do know that she is a scientist.” “That’s wonderful. This world needs more women scientists. Kira Ann used to be very interested in science. She always chose science books whenever we went to the library. Nowadays she just studies her kung fu, when she studies at all.” “Doesn’t she study mathematics or literature? I thought those subjects were required for students her age.” “Oh, she does fine in school. We’ve never had a problem with her grades. If anything, it’s hard to keep her interested in school when she’s ahead of the other students. That’s when young men and young ladies get into trouble, when they get bored and start looking for something else to excite them. You know what I’m saying? What a strange question, she thought. “I understand your words,” she said, “but I sense that you are referring to something with which I am unfamiliar. Growing up sounds very complicated.” Amanda sighed. “That’s the truth,” she said, “but we all get through it one way or another. I don’t push Kira Ann, and she knows I’m here for her if she ever wants to talk about anything. I’m sure your momma knows that raising girls is a lot of watchdog work. You know, see everything; forget most of it.” Heiress didn’t know if her momma knew that at all. She wondered briefly what her life would have been like if she had developed like Humans did, with two parents to guide her through the process, interacting with them on a daily basis. The pedagogicus taught her, however, that it provided no benefit to wish one had a different life. There was a basic tenet in Prægk philosophy that maintained the life one had was the life one needed to have in order to make the contribution to the universe that one needed to make.

She and Amanda talked a while longer, each emptying their glass containers of wine and commenting on the general beauty of their immediate environment as the planet turned away from its sun. It was a clear night, and the small segment of the galaxy that could be seen was in clear view. Heiress noted silently that the Prægk Homeworld—or more accurately the star it orbited—could not be seen from her present position. She was truly a long way from home, a world she knew about only from images implanted in her memory. Eventually the two went inside the house to enter into a short period of dormancy. Amanda provided the equipment that Heiress would require to make her dormancy more efficient—textile objects called “pillows” and “sheets” arranged in a specific order atop a “sofa”. Heiress spent the end of her first day of her mature life contemplating the instructions her mother had left for her, her purpose in this wide universe, and what sort of contribution to it she would be called upon to make.

Chapter Four

The morning sun woke her, shining through the large window in the part of the house that faced the paved road. Out of habit, her very first habit, she responded by stretching her locomotory appendages—no, her “legs”—up into the light. The sofa had been at least as comfortable as her Créche, and she felt physically refreshed. A peculiar sound attracted her attention. It seemed to be coming from the grassy area at the side of the house that she and Amanda had sat watching the stars appear. The sound was someone forcibly expelling air from their lungs in a rhythmic pattern. Rising from the sofa carefully so as not to let her center of gravity determine her motion, Heiress moved to a window and peered through it. Kira Ann was dancing. It was a dance that was particular to martial arts training. Heiress watched as the girl punched at the air, shifted her stance, spun and kicked at imaginary objects high above her own head. It was fascinating to watch, and Heiress decided that this would be a good day to begin a training regimen of her own. Kira Ann stopped dancing the moment Heiress appeared. “J’kai I’qat,” she said, invoking the common Prægk greeting. ing her mother’s instructions, she immediately shifted into the local Human language. “It is a good morning.” “Yeah,” said Kira Ann, “I guess it is. What was that thing you said before? Was that Russian or something?” “It…was the first language I learned,” said Heiress. “I’m sorry. I temporarily forgot where I was. What was the dance I saw you doing?” “It wasn’t a dance. It was a kung fu form. I usually go through my forms in the morning.” “It was beautiful. May I watch as you continue?”

“No. I’m done,” she said. “I’m going to go inside now.” “How are your wounds today?” said Heiress. Does your face still ache from the wounds you received while protecting the younger student?” “How’d you find out about that? Did mom blab? It’s none of your business!” The question seemed to have angered the girl. Heiress must have transgressed another social convention. She didn't understand the verb “to blab” and, being only one Earth day into her maturity, she did not own a business. It was entirely possible that Kira Ann’s anger had more to do with her own lack of information about her guest than anything her guest might have done, so Heiress continued as if the anger was not of her doing. She kneeled and plucked a few leaves of a particular plant out of the ground. “Here,” she said, offering the leaves to Kira Ann. “What’s that?” “It is called Plantago major. It will help ease the pain of your wounds.” “How is a weed you just ripped up out of the lawn going to help?” “The fluids in the plant’s tissues have antimicrobial properties,” said Heiress. “They intermix with the fluids in your skin and enhance your body’s natural ability to heal itself. Here, let me show you.” She rubbed the green leaves between her palms and showed Kira Ann how the action released the fluids. She then laid the broken leaves on the skin of her arm, demonstrating what Kira Ann needed to do. “No, that’s okay,” said Kira Ann backing away as Heiress offered her the leaves. “I don’t think putting lawn on my face is the answer. I’ll just use a cold washrag.” Heiress was uncertain why the girl would refuse such a simple remedy. “It’s fortunate that you have such a useful plant growing in such abundance nearby. The people you call Chinese have used this remedy for centuries to help heal the wounds they sustained as they practiced their martial skills.” Kira Ann’s interest was visibly piqued. “Really? The Chinese used this?” She took the leaves from Heiress’ hand and studied them. “That’s pretty cool. Are

you a doctor or something?” “I am not a doctor,” said Heiress, “so I must be something. Learning about Human cultures is an interest of mine.” They heard Amanda calling to them from the house. “Girls, come in and get some breakfast,” she said. Dutifully, they entered the house. Amanda was dressed in the clothes she wore at the diner the day before. “I hope you like pancakes,” she said moving efficiently around the room where food was prepared—Heiress couldn’t . Was it called the “ketchup”? “I’ve got to go to work today. Clara Marie called in sick and they don’t have anyone to cover lunch. Kira Ann’s going to her grandma’s for a few hours, and I can drop Heiress off at the bank on my way into work. Sweet Jesus, Kira Ann! Get those weeds off your face!” Kira Ann pointed at Heiress. “She said it was Chinese medicine!” “Honey, if that’s medicine than we’re rich, ‘cause we’ve got those weeds growing all over the yard. Throw it away and go wash your hands before you sit down at the breakfast table.” It came as no surprise that the pancakes were delicious as well. Heiress consumed five of them, decorated with maple syrup—might this have some connection to the trees of the same name, she wondered—but she had to refuse more because she felt inexplicably heavier. She also sampled “coffee” but found it to be too bitter for her taste, and it delighted her to find a food that she detested. Amanda apparently did not share this opinion. She watched, fascinated, as her host drank three cups of the hot liquid. Used breakfast dishes were placed in a silver “sink” in the ketchup, which was a curious name for something that remained stationary. The morning rituals completed, the three climbed into Amanda’s vehicle. Heiress was left at a single-story building close to the center of the settlement. “Come on over to the diner when you’re done,” Amanda had. “I’ll take you where you can get some fresh clothes.” There were many vehicles left in a broad area adjacent to the bank, and Heiress watched many people enter and leave the building. The average stay was approximately one-sixth of an hour, so Heiress concluded that she would have plenty of time to explore more of the settlement after her task here had been completed.

An older Human in a uniform stood just inside the building’s glass doors. “Morning, miss,” he said, bowing slightly to her. “Indeed it is,” she answered, smiling in response. Half of the building was a single large room, and it was here that all of the people that had entered before her were located. Some wrote at square tables, some stood in line at a long table behind which others—undoubtedly employed by this bank—interacted pleasantly with them, and some sat at desks in a part of the room away from the long table. One of these stood and approached Heiress. “Good morning,” the female Human said. “Welcome to Gem Bank. Is there something I can help you with?” Heiress showed her the large collection of green slips of paper she had been carrying in the box that the male at the shoe store had given her. “I have brought currency that I would like to store in your bank,” she said smiling. “Oh, my goodness,” said the woman. “Well we can definitely help you with that. Please have a seat and a banker will be with you shortly.” This struck her as odd. She didn’t understand why the height of the banker was important. Perhaps the shorter bankers specialized in working with people new to the bank while the taller ones worked with established patrons. The height of the banker that arrived to serve her might be a way to gauge her progress over time. She sat in the chair that the woman had indicated. There were bound books made of shiny paper on the table beside her—“magazines” she said to herself, her very first—and she opened one that was filled with photographs of various people. She read a few paragraphs but could find no useful information. If the bank was truly dedicated to helping people increase their financial resources, wouldn’t textbooks on personal management be more useful? A sudden commotion interrupted her pondering. “Everyone on the floor!” said a woman dressed in black by the door. She leveled a weapon at the wall behind the bank’s long counter and fired. It left an explosion of white dust and a large hole. “Tellers, get away from the windows!” she ordered. “Anyone pushing any alarm buttons won’t live long enough to eat lunch!” People all around her threw themselves onto the floor in a panic. The man in the uniform stepped up behind the woman holding a smaller weapon of his own, but before he could say anything he was knocked to the ground by a larger man

wearing two bulbous metal gauntlets. “Looks like you owe me one, sis,” the big man said. Sis? Sis-ter, perhaps? If they were related it would explain why they were dressed alike, she thought. He was in black as well, from his head to his feet, and they both wore an ornate pattern of gold around their shoulders that reminded her of certain French designs from the planet’s Seventeenth Century. They weren’t speaking French, so she didn’t get the connection. “Shut up and stick to the plan,” the woman told him. “Keep these people out of our hair while I get the money.” She pointed at one of the men in the lobby—one of the ones who wore his name on a small plastic placard above his shirt pocket, like Amanda wore at the diner. “You! Pretty boy!” she said, “You are going to get the manager for me and then you are both going to take me to the vault. Any trouble and my associate here hurts a couple of your clients.” As if to prove the point, the male raised his gauntlet and brought it crashing down on one of the smaller stonetopped tables. It shattered violently, bringing a fresh round of panic from the people in the room. Interesting, she thought. Kinetic amplification. She hadn’t been aware that the Kozians had developed anything like this as yet. The woman pushed the man from the bank through a door that led to the concealed half of the building. Her sibling paced up and down when she had left, surveying the people she had charged him to keep away from her hair. “You heard her,” he said. “My name is Bedlam, and if anyone gets any dumb ideas, I’ll do to you what I did to that…that table thingy.” From her point of view, in a low chair partially hidden by a plastic plant—the presence of which raised other, unrelated questions to her mind—she could watch Bedlam without attracting his attention. The more she watched, the more she was confused by the evidence before her eyes. There were too many inconsistencies, and she needed to understand them. “Excuse me,” she said as she stood and approached him. “Are you sure that this is what you want to do?” Bedlam just looked down at her, speechless. “…What?” he said. “Are you crazy, lady? Get on the ground with the rest of the customers. We’re trying to rob a bank, here.” “So I gather,” she said. “I’ve heard about people who do this, but it has never made sense to me.”

“Get on the ground, lady! I don’t want to hurt you.” His eyes shifted back and forth. He clearly didn’t do well with distractions. “I know you don’t,” she said. “I really don’t think you want currency, either. Your technology must have taken much currency to manufacture, so you clearly have access to such material resources if you need it. Here’s what I don’t understand, though: by committing a crime, you put yourself at unnecessary risk, in of both your health and your social reputation. So what do you really want?” “Lady, I swear…” “Are you attempting to prove your masculinity by exercising power over others? I’ve heard that many males do this. Have you considered athletics instead?” “Shut up and get on the floor!” he yelled. He grabbed her by the arm to shove her down, but she twisted her arm to break his grip. She simultaneously kicked the back of his knee and forced him to the ground. “Hey!” he yelled and spun around to exercise his power over her, but a swift kick to his face disrupted the electrical patterns of his brain and sent him the rest of the way to the floor. The people in the room were stunned. Seconds after Bedlam fell, three of the men threw themselves on top of him, pinning his arms to the ground. “I appreciate your help, citizens,” she said, “but he won’t be able to use his weapons while he is unconscious. The bank’s furniture is safe for now.” She turned and walked through the door that the woman with the projectile launching devices had taken, taking care to note first if there were any signs conveying social restrictions, such as the diner’s sign prohibiting those without shoes or shirts. The only sign she found read “staff only” and, seeing only a flagpole in the corner that could serve as a staff, she removed the flag it held and carried it in with her. She was curious. Why would people take the currency of others when they obviously didn’t need to? If the brother couldn’t answer the question, then perhaps the sister could. Even if she couldn’t, the unnecessarily aggressive behavior they exhibited needed to be stopped. Couldn’t they tell that these Humans were afraid of them? There were many rooms along the hallway she walked, with ample evidence of Human activity, but no Humans were to be found. She heard voices down the hall and to the left, so she sought them out. The voices belonged to the sister and two males. One was the male the sister had

threatened in the bank and forced through the door. He was kneeling on the floor with his hands on his head, and the sister was aiming her weapon at him. The other male was older. He was nervously turning a dial on a huge metal door—the largest door Heiress had ever seen. “Faster,” the woman was saying, “or you’re not going to like the mess I make in here.” As the woman’s back was to the hallway, Heiress had no trouble approaching her. “Excuse me, but I have a question,” she said from the doorway. The woman was clearly surprised. She twisted her body toward Heiress and pointed the weapon at her. “Get in here now!” she yelled. “Thank you,” said Heiress as she stepped through the door. “I was just wondering why you were doing this.” “Get down on the ground or I’ll blow your head off!” said the woman. Heiress realized that if she were going to have any sort of a rational discussion with this Human, she would need to help her calm down. As agitated as she appeared at that moment, how could she possibly reflect on her motives and give a meaningful response to Heiress’ queries? And how could she possibly remove Heiress’ head by blowing? Heiress spun quickly out of the projectile’s probable trajectory and smoothly jammed the pointed metal end of the staff into the end of the weapon. Throwing her end of the staff to the floor, she stepped on it to ensure the weapon could not be raised and extended her other foot to strike the woman’s shoulder, forcing her to drop the weapon. Both males ran clumsily out of the room as the woman fell backwards against the wall. “Who are you?” she said. “And how did you get away from my brother?” “My name is Heiress, and I’m sorry about your brother, but he was very rude. He was scaring the Humans in the bank, so I kicked him in the face. He’s unconscious, but he should be fine.” At that point, a sustained, wavering musical tone could be heard reverberating through the hallway. The woman made a reference to a structure that restrains the flow of rivers and generates electricity, though Heiress couldn’t see how it was relevant to the conversation, and pulled a long, silver blade from her boot. “All right, sweetheart, I’ll have to settle things with you later. Right now, I need

a hostage.” Leaping forward, she grabbed Heiress’ hair and pulled it violently toward the floor. Heiress was momentarily caught off balance, but quickly repositioned her legs to compensate. By that time, however, the blade the woman held was poised over her throat. “You’re going to walk carefully down that hallway, chica,” said the woman in her ear. “If I don’t get away safely, your singing days are over. Do you understand?” Heiress considered the woman’s words carefully. “No, I don’t. I’m sorry,” she said. Grabbing the woman’s wrist, she pushed it away from her throat. The woman wasn’t as strong as she appeared to be. Heiress swung her leg to a position behind the woman’s leg and leaned on it, forcing the woman to the floor. With her face in position, Heiress thrust her elbow backwards swiftly, and the woman fell to the floor as unconscious as her brother. The long, wavering tones grew louder and stopped abruptly, and Heiress heard a commotion in the bank, so she moved back down the hallway to investigate. Several males wearing uniforms rushed past her, so she stood aside to let them by. One of them, wearing a gold placard on his chest that read “Montgomery”, threw an arm over her shoulder and hurried her into the bank. “Are you all right, ma’am?” he asked. “No,” she said. “I’m feel disappointed. Neither the brother nor the sister could give me any satisfactory answers.” Finding her box of currency right where she left it beside the mysterious plastic plant, she resolved to return to the bank at a time when circumstances wouldn’t be so disorderly and left for the diner.

Chapter Five

News of the attempted robbery had already reached the diner by the time Heiress arrived. She walked through the front door, wearing her shoes, and Amanda ran out from behind the payment table to meet her. “Oh, honey, thank heaven you’re all right. I was so worried when I heard the news.” “What news is that?” asked Heiress innocently. “The bank robbery. Weren’t you there?” “I was, but I do not understand why you would worry.” Amanda looked at her with an unreadable expression on her face. “You don’t understand why I would worry? I didn’t know if you were hurt, or what was going on. Come sit down and I’ll get you a cup of tea.” As she sat at the same table she had sat in the day before, she wondered at Amanda’s reaction. Apparently not knowing about a person’s physical state was a valid reason for anxiety. If that were so, though, why did she not worry about her daughter, whom she had not seen since the morning? Why did she not exhibit the same anxiety for others she had not seen, like her husband? And what was the significance of giving tea? Amanda sat the cup of water down in front of her before setting herself down across from her. “Now tell me, honey, are you all right? Are you hurt?” “I am all right. I am not hurt,” said Heiress. “There was little chance of injury. The ones who sought to take currency from the bank were not sufficiently committed to the task.” Amanda paused. “Heiress, don’t take this the wrong way, but sometimes I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Heiress was relieved. She thought that she was the only one who felt that way. “When I spoke with the criminals, a brother and a sister, I did not sense that….”

“Wait a minute,” said Amanda. “You spoke with them?” “I did. Neither one would give a plausible answer when I asked them why they were attempting to take what was not theirs.” “Oh my God. What did they say?” “Well, the brother seemed too distracted to reflect on his reasons. When he responded to my questions with violence, I rendered him unconscious and sought out his sister. Now, his sister seemed…” “You rendered him unconscious?” said Amanda. “What does that mean? Did you hit him?” Amanda’s eyes were held wide open as she spoke. Perhaps she was experiencing difficulties with her vision. “I kicked him, to be more precise.” “Didn’t they have guns?” “The brother did not. He relied on physical strength to intimidate the Humans in the bank. His sister, however, did carry such a weapon. She was also unwilling to reflect on her motivations, so I had to render her weapon inoperable before…” Amanda’s hands had flown up to cover her mouth. “You fought them?” she said. “Did anybody see you fight them?” Heiress reflected on this. “Several people watched as I kicked the brother, but I don’t believe anyone witnessed the fight I had with the sister. Why? Is this important?” “Honey, word travels fast in this town. If someone recognizes you, you might not be comfortable with all the attention you’ll be getting. I think it’s best if you just lay low for a while, just until all this blows over.” More idioms that she didn’t quite understand, but Amanda’s suggestion that Humans might want to seek her out did make sense. Her mother’s instructions were to blend in to Kozian society without attracting unnecessary attention. Amanda’s understanding of the ways of her species would be useful in this situation. “What should I do, Amanda?” she asked.

“We’ve got to get you home and out of everybody’s sight. I’ll tell the boss I’m going on break, and I’ll run you home.” Amanda asked her to ride in the rear seat of her vehicle on the way to her house —and not to run which had been a minor disappointment as it sounded diverting —with her head lowered toward the cushion. Perhaps this is what she had meant by “laying low”, Heiress thought. When the vehicle stopped in front of Amanda’s house, Heiress carefully opened the door and slid out onto the ground, using all four of her limbs to move her body toward the house and keeping her head as close to the ground as possible as she moved. “Honey, what are you doing?” said Amanda. “I am laying low. Am I doing it correctly?” “Get up, girl. You’re going to attract everybody’s attention crawling around like a bug. Just walk into the house like nothing’s wrong.” In truth, Heiress didn’t believe that anything was wrong. She had prevented a criminal act in a way that no Humans had been injured by the violent tendencies of the brother and sister. Was Amanda suggesting that she should have allowed the criminal act to continue? “No, dear,” said Amanda when she asked her inside the house, “you did a good thing, but there’s a lot of people who would say that fighting someone with a gun is foolish. You really could have gotten hurt, today —even killed. Now, I’m not sure how you were raised in the mountains, but down here people survive by using their common sense and staying away from trouble.” Once again, a single statement by Amanda led to several compliments of questions about the rules governing Human behavior. “I sense that you wish to keep me safe and unharmed,” she said, “but I’m not sure how I could have avoided the encounter. The brother and sister criminals endangered Humans in a place where I was already located; I did not rush toward the violence. I also sensed that taking currency was not really why they were there, and I doubt that they would have harmed anyone unless their own lives were in danger.” “All right, all right. I understand,” said Amanda, “but I heard that poor Floyd was knocked unconscious by one of them. With a single blow. Imagine what he could have done to a frail little thing like you.” “Now I understand your concern,” said Heiress. “I appear to you to be physically

weaker than I actually am.” She bent down and grabbed the lower part of the sofa’s underlying structure. Checking her center of balance, she lifted the sofa above her head. “Sweet Jesus!” said Amanda. “Honey, put that down! What have they been feeding you up in those mountains?” “That would be difficult to explain,” said Heiress, “but, as you can see, my physical strength compared favorably to the brother’s strength, even augmented as it was by his technology.” She sat the sofa down gently. “His ability to control his physical strength was also inadequate. His sister was more skilled as a fighter, but her strength was far less than her brother’s. She relied too heavily on her weapons. Once they were removed from her, she posed no serious threat.” Amanda had sat in a chair, looking as if she had just completed an exhausting amount of work. The skin of her forehead wrinkled in a peculiar fashion. “Heiress, if I hadn’t got to know you better last night, I wouldn’t know what to think.” She leaned to the side and pinched the narrow part of her nose located between her closed eyes. “I still don’t know what to think. I’m going to need some time to figure things out.” She paused, and Heiress chose not to interrupt her efforts to think with further comment. She reached up and pinched her own nose to see how it affected her own ability to think. She couldn’t feel any discernable enhancement. “Well,” said Amanda eventually, “I took you in as a friend, and I couldn’t call myself a good Christian if I turned you out now. I’m going back to work, and I want you to promise me to stay put until I get home. Don’t answer the phone, and don’t talk to anyone. Do you promise?” “I promise,” said Heiress. It wasn’t long after Amanda had left that Kira Ann walked through the door. She seemed surprised to see Heiress sitting in the living room. After an uncomfortable silence, due in part to Heiress’ promise not to speak to anyone, she bolted down the hallway and closed the door to her room. Heiress wanted to interact, but she wasn’t sure if doing so would violate Amanda’s order to “stay put”. It would help immensely if she knew what the phrase meant. She was sitting on the sofa, but no one had “put” her there. She had “put” herself. It was possible that the location Amanda wished her to remain “put” in was the house,

because by bringing her here Amanda might conceivably be considered the “putter”. After some reflection, Heiress decided to interpret the parameters of the location in which she would remain “put” as the house and that communicating nonverbally would not be a violation of her promise to avoid talking with anyone. At about the same time as she reached this conclusion, Kira Ann emerged from her room. “Is Mom home yet?” she asked. Heiress shook her head in a gesture that was widely, though not globally, recognized as a negative response. Kira Ann picked up a small communication device from a table and pressed some of its tiny buttons. “Hi,” she spoke into the device, “this is Kira Ann. Is my mom still there?” A pause, then “That’s okay. Could you let her know that Grandma brought me home?” Another pause. “Thanks, Margie. Bye.” Folding the device and setting it back on the table, she looked at Heiress. “You got to let the parents know where you are so they don’t go all ballistic on you, you know what I’m saying?” Heiress understood all the words she used, although she couldn’t imagine that Amanda would use a ballistic weapon on her own child. Humans were not one of the species in the galaxy that did anything like that. She nodded her head to indicate that she knew what the girl was saying. “I mean, it’s not like I’m a child anymore. I can get anywhere I need to go by myself. It’s a small town, right?” Heiress nodded. Shenandoah was indeed a small settlement, especially when compared with other Human settlements, and Kira Ann did indeed possess two fully functional locomotory appendages. Kira Ann put herself on the other end of the sofa. “At least you think so,” she said. “I don’t know if you heard, but someone tried to rob the town bank today. That means every mom in town’s going to be super protective for the next month. It’s going to suck for all of us.” Heiress nodded again. From what she understood, Kira Ann had drawn a reasonable conclusion regarding parental behavior. She added “to suck” to her list of research items, although from the context she didn’t imagine anything that “sucked” would be desirable.

“I mean, it’s not like I’m defenseless, you know? I know how to protect myself.” Another probable statement. Heiress nodded again. “At least it’ll make it harder for anyone to pick on little Mike. His mom’s not going to let him out of the house. I’ll bet she even walks him to the door at school. He’s been picked on so often, I’m surprised she doesn’t do that now.” No question posed, so no response necessary. Heiress focused intently on Kira Ann, listening for the next interrogative statement. Nonverbal communication seemed to be working rather well. “Still, those Branston brothers might find a way to get around things. So…” She looked back at Heiress just as intently. “…if someone wanted to protect someone who might be in danger, then that someone should probably stay alert, right?” Once again, Heiress considered her words. Finding nothing that was inconsistent with logic, she nodded. This appeared to have cheered Kira Ann. “That’s what I thought, too,” she said. “Thanks. You know, you’re a really good listener.” She rose and walked back to her room, not noticing Heiress’ final, enthusiastic nodding. Three Human hours after that, Amanda returned. She affirmed that Kira Ann was indeed home with a short verbal exchange through her daughter’s door before sitting on the sofa beside Heiress. “Did the phone ring?” she asked. “Did you talk to anyone?” “The phone did not ring, and I did not talk to anyone,” said Heiress. “I held my promise.” “Thank you, honey,” said Amanda patting her hand. “This thing’s got the whole town excited. Everybody’s talking about it, but from what I overheard at the diner most people think you up and left town. They reckon that you didn’t find this a safe place to set down roots.” Perplexed by several new metaphors, Heiress reverted to the nonverbal strategies that had worked so well with Kira Ann. She nodded. “Until this blows over, we’re going to keep on going like nothing happened.

That means tomorrow you, me and Kira Ann are going to church.”

Chapter Six

Heiress knew about churches from her time under the tutelage of her pedagogicus. The whole concept of religion, in fact, intrigued her. She knew that Humans had many different approaches to knowing what the Prægk considered to be unknowable, and that differences between these approaches had led to many violent confrontations throughout Human history. She had been informed that, although most Humans had developed a general attitude of acceptance of others who held different opinions regarding the unknowable, some still sought to force others to conform to sets of belief through coercion. Even in what Humans considered to be an enlightened age, many Humans treated those with different opinions with suspicion. The region in which Heiress had been established was a curious mix of intolerance and acceptance, and she was eager to explore the matter further. The pedagogicus had shown her many images of buildings in which Humans explored the unknowable. She had expected the church to which Amanda would bring her would be white, decorated with windows made of multicolored crystal, and constructed with a tower designed to hold a large ferrous bell. Instead, Amanda’s church was made of hardened clay units—“brocks” she thought—and was practically indistinguishable from Kira Ann’s school or the local repository of publically owned books. The people that met them in the vehicle storage area were dressed in what Amanda had described as their “Sunday best”. Both she and Kira Ann were dressed similarly. Amanda had loaned Heiress a simple garment she called a “skirt” to wear because she regarded the pants as inappropriate. Heiress complied; she was familiar with the connection between clothes and religion, although she did not fully understand the reason for it. Amanda was also concerned that someone might recognize Heiress from the bank, so she rearranged Heiress’ hair by securing it in a bundle behind her head and fixing it with a polymer device called a “hairclip”. Heiress had to wonder, though, would merely changing her clothing and rearranging her hair sufficiently disguise her identity? As it happened, it did not. As they entered the church they were greeted by the same female that had greeted Heiress at the bank the day before. “Good

morning, Sandra,” said Amanda, though not with the same vocal enthusiasm as she greeted visitors to the diner. “Good morning, Amanda,” said Sandra. “And good morning to you,” she said to Heiress. “You know I was so worried about you at the bank the other day. Wasn’t that the most frightening thing you ever saw?” “Yes, I suppose it was,” said Heiress, although leaving her cave for the first time might have exceeded the robbery in emotional intensity. “Well, I’m so glad no one was injured. We can thank the Lord for that, and those brave men who wrestled that horrible thief to the ground.” Heiress was perplexed. Did Sandra actually witness the event? “I’m sorry, but do you mean the men who held the thief after he fell to the ground? It was really…” “I think we’re all grateful for those brave men,” said Amanda suddenly, “and for those police who disarmed the woman.” “Oh, I agree,” said Sandra. Thank the Lord I had gotten away by the time they arrived, but the people who were trapped in the bank say that she was probably the worst of the two. Anyway, I’m so glad you’re all right.” She handed printed sheets of paper to both Amanda and Heiress before advancing on a family that had just arrived. “I’m not sure that Sandra re the events as they occurred,” said Heiress. “Perhaps I could remind her…” “You’ll do no such thing,” said Amanda. “Let her think what she wants. We don’t need someone like Sandra Frye telling the whole town what really happened.” They entered a large room with several rows of wooden benches, each covered by a thin pillow reminiscent of the thicker pillows that covered Amanda’s sofa. They sat in one of the middle rows, largely because the rows closer to the door had already been occupied. The part of the room they all faced was raised slightly, like a stage, and there were two people playing musical instruments— one a piano and the other a small, electrically powered device that sounded a bit like an organ. The paper in Heiress’ hand, she realized, must be a guide to help viewers track the progress of a dramatic presentation. She felt a surge of

excitement. She had studied Human theater in the Créche but had not expected to experience it so soon. She hoped it would be something by William Shakespeare; she enjoyed the creative manner in which he used language. The lights in the room did not dim, as she expected, before the actors placed themselves on the stage. There were several actors in blue robes that seated themselves in three rows to the left of the stage and three others, two male and one female, who sat on the stage. The female was the first to speak. She expressed a welcome to the Humans that attended the performance and announced events that would soon be occurring. She then announced a number, and the audience responded by finding the number in books that had lain on the benches. Amanda found the number in her book very quickly and handed the book to Heiress. The musicians began playing, and Heiress noticed it was the same music that was written on the page she held before her. How did they know, she wondered. They played it all the way through, and just before Heiress was about to applaud, the audience stood up and sang the same tune. She had been under the impression that theater was more of a ive experience. She stood and ed her voice to theirs, finding great delight in speaking the words using the musical pitch prescribed on the page. They did so three times, using different words each time. Although the people around her did not always use the precise pitch as was written, she still found the experience enjoyable. Kira Ann, however, seemed not to share the same attitude. She spent the entire time mumbling the words without regard to the pitch, and she seemed distracted by other young Humans in the room. “That was an incredible experience,” Heiress said when they sat down again. “You’re really weird,” said Kira Ann. “Shh,” said Amanda, seemingly to both of them. The rest of the performance was not as enjoyable, and was so different from what Heiress had learned about theater that she was not surprised that so few people had attended the performance. One segment of the program called upon the audience to “pray”, which Heiress understood to be a time when Humans were silent, attempting to make some sort of conscious connection with the unknowable. One of the actors, however, wouldn’t stop speaking during this

time, and Heiress found it difficult to formulate her own thoughts. She wondered how the other audience had been able to pray. The longest part of the performance consisted of the third actor, who had been silent up to this time, speaking about a portion of the Bible that he carried with him in his left hand. The paper recorded that this actor was known as a “minister.” The minister was apparently responsible for delivering what Shakespeare would have called a “soliloquy”. His soliloquy was delivered in an emphatic manner, as Heiress would have expected, but remained the least enjoyable part of the performance for reasons that Heiress shared with the actor after the performance had concluded. “I think I realized as the minister was speaking,” she said to Amanda in the same hallway in which they had encountered Sandra an hour and a half before, “that the performance was not meant to be entertaining. I think he was attempting to educate his audience.” “Honey, don’t let him hear you call it a performance,” she said. “Jack Bailey called it a performance last year, and had to leave the Board a month after that. Reverend Duller has a Master’s Degree in Theology from Regent University. He takes it very seriously.” When the minister met them at the door, he grabbed Heiress’ hand with both of his own and thanked her for attending. The gesture caught her by surprise; she involuntarily changed her stance to enable her to break his grip if he refused to let go. Fortunately, he did. “I found the music very delightful,” she said, “especially the part where the entire audience could participate in its creation. However, I detected a few logical inconsistencies in your address. For instance, you stated that the fact that there are so many Christians in the world constitutes proof that the Human Jesus actually appeared to his students after his physical death. Did I understand you correctly?” “Yes,” said the minister, “that is what I said.” “Then, wouldn’t the fact that there are so many adherents of Islam in the world constitute proof that Mohammad did the same?” said Heiress. “Or that the number of Buddhists would be proof that Siddartha Gautama also attained a state of control over physical realities?” “Well, that’s not really what the Bible says…”

“I would not expect the Bible to address the issue,” said Heiress, “because it was written many Earth centuries before Mohammad lived, and, being primarily a narrative for a single culture, I would not expect the Bible to address Buddhism, either.” The minister paused, regarding her with an expression that, in any other context, she would interpret as mild amusement. “I think you might enjoy our Bible Study Group on Tuesday evenings. I teach them myself. Is that something you might be interested in?” Heiress considered the possibility. “I think I might,” she said, “if there is opportunity for discussion. I would not understand the purpose of gathering if only one interpretation of such an intricate narrative is expressed, as was the case during this morning’s ritual. I would welcome hearing many opinions. Might we also discuss other literary works, such as the Quran and the Bhagavad Ghita?” “No, my dear,” said the minister. “Just the Bible.” She would have questioned him further, but Amanda, who had been attempting to locate her daughter, took her by the arm and pulled her gently away from him with a tight smile and a nod in his direction. They found Kira Ann outside, talking with a few other young Humans at the edge of the vehicle storage area. They did not appear happy. Perhaps they too were expecting something more closely aligned with Shakespeare. They glanced from side to side as they spoke as if they were on guard against someone who might catch them in an illegal act. When Amanda called Kira Ann, she left the grouping and ed her mother and Heiress at the car. “How are your friends, sweetie?” said Amanda. “They’re okay,” said Kira Ann somberly, although Heiress didn’t think she had revealed the entire truth. “Maybe it was a little too soon to go to church,” said Amanda that afternoon. They had gone directly to the house, even though Amanda had said it was customary for families to enjoy a public meal after experiencing the ritual. “People will be talking about the bank for a few weeks. After that, things will die down and you can start looking for a place of your own.” “Unfortunately, my task at the bank was left uncompleted,” said Heiress. “I still have to find a place to store my currency.”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” said Amanda. “I think I can get Wednesday off from work. Why don't you and I drive down to Harrisonburg while Kira Ann’s in school. There are more banks there, and I’ll take you to a mall where you can get some more clothes.” “Wouldn’t a day away from your job result in a loss of income?” Amanda laughed. “Don’t you worry about that, honey. I learned in Sunday School a long time ago that friends are worth more than money. Let’s just go and get it done.” Heiress pondered this reply throughout the afternoon. Her mother’s instructions to blend in to Kozian society would require her to find people who would be willing to testify to her identity as a Human, she knew. She also knew that she would need to become part of a Human community to accomplish this, but it had not occurred to her that people in such communities might have emotional connections, such as “friendship”, that would serve to keep them in the network. She had thought that Human communities were sustained by common culture or by mutual needs; the skills of one would serve the needs of others, and that one would also benefit from the skills of others, creating a complex web of interdependent usefulness. Amanda’s statement had implied that there was a bond of friendship between them. It was very satisfying to realize that Heiress had become established in a community, albeit an extremely small one, so soon after her Day of Maturation. She didn’t know why, but she hoped that her mother would be impressed by her achievement. Kira Ann seemed less eager to claim a bond of friendship with her. She kept to her room most of the rest of the day, only emerging to collect nourishment. When she did, she wore a plastic device over her head that covered her ears. “That’s just her headphones,” Amanda explained. “Kids today don’t go anywhere without being plugged in to their music, if that’s what you’d call it.” Odd that Kira Ann hadn’t worn the device when they had gone to church. Perhaps it was because she knew there would already be music there. As she lay on the sofa that night, Heiress resolved to establish a friendship with Kira Ann by discussing their common fascination with music. A noise from the hallway attracted her attention. She lay as still as she could to avoid frightening whomever was awake so late into the night. She was surprised to find that the culprit was Kira Ann, dressed in black clothing. Kira Ann moved

with amazing speed and was through the doorway before Heiress could question her about her intentions. She ed that Kira Ann practiced her kung fu forms in the morning, but didn’t realize that she started so early, and thought it might be a good time to observe and ask her about her music. Quickly and just as quietly, so as not to disturb the sleep patterns of her friend Amanda, she slipped out of the house to follow the girl. Kira Ann was not in the yard practicing her forms. Heiress peered through the darkness and saw the girl running down the paved road carrying a simple staff. She followed. She watched as Kira Ann moved silently between buildings and motionless vehicles, running in a determined fashion as if the girl had a precise destination in mind and sought the shortest possible route to it. Kira Ann soon arrived at the edge of one of the parks that Amanda had shown Heiress on her first tour of the settlement, and she crouched behind a row of extremely short trees that had been shaped to appear as a single, long tree. Beyond Kira Ann, illuminated by a light mounted over an area specially prepared for the Human sport called “baseball”, were several young Humans. They all appeared to be males. Six of them surrounded a seventh, who was more diminutive in physical stature, and this single young Human was handing something to the largest of the six. The largest male examined the object and handed it to another young Human standing next to him. When the largest then grabbed the smaller male and roughly shoved him against a tall, metal barrier nearby, Kira Ann leaped from her hidden position. She used her simple staff to topple the young male closest to her, and toppled a second before the first had collided with the ground. She spun away from a third and vaulted over a fourth before attaining this largest young male. Heiress perceived that they spoke to one another, but she could not discern the words. The largest male suddenly assumed a standard kung fu stance, and the two began to fight. Heiress’ choice was clear. Kira Ann was outnumbered, and it would be a betrayal of Amanda’s offer of friendship if Heiress were to allow the girl to be injured by a ruffian taller and heavier than she. The other males moved around the two while simultaneously preventing the smaller male that Kira Ann was undoubtedly protecting from escaping into the darkness. Heiress, analyzing the situation and quickly forming a plan of attack, moved briskly toward the confrontation.

The ruffian had thrown Kira Ann to the ground as Heiress moved closer, barefoot and advancing silently. Two of the young males immediately held Kira Ann to the ground as the ruffian approached his victim, stopping short when he saw Heiress entering the light. Heiress grabbed the two atop Kira Ann and threw them aside. “A warrior that oppresses others for personal gain has no honor,” she said. “You will be held able for your actions.” She detected one of the ruffian’s associates approaching her with a short wooden club, raised and ready to strike her. She raised her hand to deflect the blow, but Kira Ann had already lifted herself from the ground and landed a kick to the young male’s chest. The ruffian used the distraction to rush Heiress. Although his fighting skills were impressive, Heiress easily blocked his punches and kept him off balance. She helped Kira Ann with the other five while the ruffian recovered from his unwise advances. When his kung fu skills proved ineffective, the ruffian reverted to a less refined fighting style, which Heiress thought was the opposite of what a smart warrior would do. He was clearly letting his anger get the best of him. He grabbed the short club that his associate had dropped and ran at her, swinging wildly. She grabbed the club and twisted it out of his hands. She trapped his wrist, applied pressure to his shoulder, lifted him high into the air and slammed him down onto the ground. Using her leg to immobilize his lower body and holding his upper arm stiffly behind his back, she aimed the club toward the side of his skull. “This Human is a danger to others,” she said. “Shall I kill him?” “No!” cried Kira Ann. “We don’t kill! He’s a jerk, but we have to let him go.” Heiress released her hold on the young male. “As you wish,” she said. He scampered out of her reach and watched, breathing heavily, as Heiress snapped the club in two. “I know you,” he said. “You’re that woman from the bank.” Limping, he ran off into the darkness, following his associates who had escaped as they could. Heiress glanced over to Kira Ann, who was scowling at her. “What do you think you’re doing?” the girl yelled at her. “I could have handled this myself! Now everybody’s going to know who you are!” Kira Ann grabbed her simple staff and ran off in the same direction that the smallest male had run. Heiress stared after her, more confused than she had ever been. She spied the

object that the ruffian had taken from the small male lying on the ground, and she bent down to pick it up. It was a bundle of papers, fastened together by a short piece of bent metal wire. Across the top, it read, “An Analysis of British Strategy at the Battle of Bunker Hill, by Douglas Branston.”

Chapter Seven

“Who is Douglas Branston?” she asked Kira Ann the following morning. “None of your business,” said Kira Ann. “Might he be one of the Branston brothers you mentioned before?” Kira Ann didn’t answer. She continued to practice her form in the dew-covered grass. “Might the smaller male you were protecting be named ‘Mike’?” “I said, stay out of it,” said Kira Ann. “You actually said it was none of my business. I do not own a business, so the parameters of my interests are still undefined.” Kira Ann quit her form and marched toward the patio. “Would you stop taking things so literally? That’s really annoying,” she said. “You are attempting to divert me by changing the focus of our conversation,” said Heiress. “I wish to know why you are endangering yourself on behalf of this smaller male named ‘Mike’.” She displayed the bundle of papers she had kept. “Is there something you do not wish to be revealed about British military strategy?” “That doesn’t belong to you!” said Kira Ann. “I suspect it does not belong to Douglas Branston, either,” said Heiress. “I think his violent behavior should be exposed.” Kira Ann grabbed the papers, and Heiress surrendered them willingly. After all, they did not belong to her, either. “You’re going to tell Mom about last night, aren’t you?”

“Your mother is my friend. Don’t you think I should honor her friendship by helping to keep her daughter safe?” “All right, Heiress, I know blackmail when I hear it,” said Kira Ann. “Yes, Mike is that boy I was protecting last night. He’s my best friend’s little brother, and he’s smarter than anyone should be allowed to be. Douglas Branston is the second best student in my kung fu school, and he’s a grade-A jerkface. He’s been forcing Mike to do his homework for him. I heard about it and got in his face last week, so he set up a secret meeting at the park. Now do you understand?” “Not completely,” said Heiress. “What is ‘blackmail’?” Kira Ann turned swiftly toward the house, making a noise that Heiress had never heard a Human make before—it was a bit like Alaskan fur seals defending their territory, except it came from the vocal chords of a young girl. “I will not tell your mother,” she said, “because I seek your friendship as well. However, I think you should tell her.” “Tell me what?” said Amanda, who appeared in the doorway about the same time that Kira Ann had reached it. “Nothing,” said Kira Ann, moving past her. “Well, whatever,” said Amanda. “Sit your butt down there and eat your breakfast.” Heiress entered the house as well, hoping again to see the elusive butt that Kira Ann kept so well hidden. Amanda stood beside the table, laying small, round, bread-like objects on ceramic plates. Kira Ann poured a viscous, brown liquid on hers and began eating them, so Heiress did the same. They were sticky, but amazingly delicious, as was everything that Amanda made in her ketchup. “What are your plans while I’m at the diner, Heiress?” said Amanda. “I have encountered new words I would like to research.” “Oh? Like what?” “Jerkface.” Amanda’s eyes narrowed as she looked at her daughter. “Can’t imagine where

you might have heard that,” she said. “I would also like to explore your collection of public books today,” said Heiress. “I believe my chances of being recognized as the woman in the bank are negligible if I remain isolated to a single building.” Amanda hesitated before answering. “All right,” she said, “I suppose we can risk it. Folks might get nosy if they put it together that you’re staying here. Maybe the best place to hide is in plain sight. Come on, finish your pancakes and I’ll give you a lift into town.” Hardly a word was spoken between the house and the school. As they made their final turn in the route that Amanda had chosen, she found her daughter in the centralized mirror. “Y’all have a good day in school, sweetheart,” she said. “Try to stay out of trouble. We don’t want a repeat of Friday.” “It’s all under control, Mom,” said Kira Ann. “I would recommend caution as well,” said Heiress. “Retaliation after humiliation seems to be a common behavior among young males like Douglas Branston.” “Douglas Branston?” said Amanda. “What’s going on with Douglas Branston?” “It’s nothing,” said Kira Ann speaking with clenched teeth. The significance of this mode of speaking eluded Heiress, so she turned to see if there were any visual cues to help her interpret it. She found furrows across Kira Ann’s forehead as the girl was looking straight at her. “There’s nothing going on with Douglas Branston.” “I’m confused,” said Heiress. “You know that statement to be untrue.” “Honey, what is going on between you and Douglas?” said Amanda. “Ask Heiress. She’s the one who’s apparently dying to tell you the whole story.” Heiress met Amanda’s questioning gaze. “I am not currently dying,” she said. The vehicle stopped along the curb, and Amanda turned in her seat. “Young lady, you and Douglas are the two best students in the kung fu school. You both know

that you’re not supposed to start fights.” “I know that, Mom, but apparently Douglas doesn’t.” “Honey, tell me what’s going on. I promise that you’re not going to be in trouble. Is Douglas Branston bullying other students? Is that what the fight was all about on Friday?” Kira Ann looked out the window to her right and audibly expelled air from her lungs. “Yes,” she said, “but I took care of it.” Amanda expelled some air of her own. Heiress could easily see that the two females were genetically related to one another. “Listen, sweetheart, you don’t handle something like this on your own. You’re very good at kung fu, but real life isn’t like in those graphic novels you read. When someone’s acting up, it takes a whole community of people to put a stop to it. Now you keep your nose clean today, and when school’s over you and me will sit down and talk about how we can address this violence together, okay?” “Okay,” said Kira Ann, still staring out the window. “It’s important we do this as a community. The last thing I want to see is a bunch of kids fighting in the streets at night like those New York City gangs.” “I said okay. Can I just walk to school from here?” “Go on, girl. Mama loves you. Make good choices today.” Kira Ann vacated the vehicle’s rear seat and walked toward the school, which was one fourth of a zh’taad away by Heiress’ estimation. At her observed speed she would undoubtedly reach her destination in time. Amanda put the vehicle into motion once again. “So what do you know about all this?” said Amanda. “I saw you and Kira Ann talking this morning. She say anything about it to you?” “We did speak,” said Heiress, “but I must honor my promise to her. I think that when she returns from school she will tell you everything that you need to know.” Amanda expelled another lungful of air. “All right,” she said. “I won’t pry. Lord help both of you when you have daughters of your own.”

As they drove to the building where the publicly owned books were kept, Heiress reflected on the exchange she had witnessed. She was very impressed by the way Amanda had communicated to her daughter. In circumstances where her daughter’s safety might be in jeopardy, she had refrained from extracting information forcibly. Rather, she explained to Kira Ann the importance of resolving conflicts cooperatively while simultaneously communicating that her decisions did not merit punishment. It was a rather elegant way of managing a potentially frightening situation. Heiress hoped that when she reproduced, as was the responsibility of every Prægk so that the wisdom of previous generations could be transmitted into the next, that she would impart herself as well as Amanda had done. The public book repository was called a library, and not a libretto as Heiress had thought. She was sure that libretto meant something, though. This library was small when compared to some of the libraries that Heiress had encountered in her teaching, but she was sure she could still learn many relevant facts about Human culture. There were many books that seemed to be written specifically for juvenile Humans in this library, causing Heiress to wonder if the place might be considered a Human equivalent of a Créche, at least in part. Her choices numbering so many, she opted to begin by becoming better acquainted with recent events first. The newspapers were kept just to the right of the entrance. The recent editions of the newspapers had each been affixed to a short flagpole. The newspapers she had seen at Angela’s diner had not been mounted like these were. Heiress picked one out of the wooden rack and waved it over her head. Its cellulose pages made a pleasant sound as they fluttered through the air. How fitting, she thought, that a library would so revere the written word that they would transform it into a banner. A woman behind a long desk, however, wearing a plastic placard that read “Angela” disagreed. “Let’s not play with the newspapers, dear. If you want to read one, take it over to a table. Otherwise, put it back on the rack.” Strange that anyone would discourage the celebration of language, especially when they made it so possible, but Heiress complied nonetheless. She read several pages, absorbing information on recent events all over the world. The paper she had chosen seemed to focus on events in Washington D.C, which Heiress understood to be the istrative center of the United States of America. She read much about what was happening there, or, judging by the content presented, what wasn’t happening there that should be. It left her with

the impression that the American government was far more complicated than the pedagogicus had led her to believe. Another section was decorated with many different styles of illustration. Although the section was labelled “Sunday Funnies”, she couldn’t find anything that was funny about them. Many of the characters speaking were depicted as non-Human animal lifeforms which were generally incapable of communicating in English, and it confused her that the Human characters did not naturally respond to this inconsistency with either wonder or fear. Perhaps that was the point, she speculated. Humor, as she understood it, occurred when the logical conclusion to a chain of events was replaced with an unexpected outcome. By this definition, all that she had read concerning Washington D.C. was more humorous than these “comic strips”. She resolved to purchase a newspaper of her own and ask the pedagogicus to explain it all to her later. She had nearly finished her reading when two females entered the library and surveyed the remaining newspapers on the rack. “Here it is,” said one. They opened the selected newspaper on an ading table and ran their fingers over the words, seemingly searching for information about a specific event. “This is it,” said the other. “Gem Bank.” As they read in silence, Heiress’ attention was completely fixated on them. The one with blond hair had the lithe, muscular form of an athlete, while the one with brunette hair was more solidly built. They both read with an acute concentration, however, and apparently finished reading at the same time. “According to this, the one we’re looking for isn’t a local resident,” said the brunette female. “None of the bank staff recognized her, and that’s strange for a town this size.” “I still say we need to interrogate this woman, the one named Sandra Frye,” said the blonde female. “I’ll bet there’s something she didn’t tell the reporters.” “This isn’t the FBI, Wolfsong. We have to be more discreet.” “Oh, like calling me by my Department code-name in the middle of the public library is discreet?” “Keep your voice down. My point is that when hunters start stamping through the meadow and firing their guns to prove how scary they are, the rabbit usually hears them coming and escapes. You’re new to the Department way of doing things. Let me show you how we handle first s.”

“Fine. But it’s strange hearing someone called ‘Bearheart’ talk about subtlety. What do you suggest we do?” “Let’s talk to the police. In my experience, local law enforcement is only too eager to clear their small towns of any paranormals, and we could really use extra eyes helping us to find her. The two that tried to rob the bank—Bedlam and Ballista—are being held at the County Jail. I’ll bet they might be able to give us a more accurate description of the woman than the bank’s security guard. We’ll play on their desire to get back at her.” “Okay,” said Wolfsong. “I like it so far. Even as small a haystack as this town is, though, finding a single needle will still take time. What makes you think our rabbit is even here?” “Simple,” said Bearheart, pointing at the newspaper. “She was carrying her money around in a shoebox. Not a backpack, not a suitcase, not even a purse. She came from somewhere local, and I’ll bet anything she went back to somewhere local.” “Makes sense,” said Wolfsong. “Why would she try to open a bank somewhere she didn’t plan to live, right?” “Let’s get to the police station,” said Bearheart. “Even if we have to go door to door, this might take two or three days.” Wolfsong closed the newspaper. “Do you want this?” she asked Heiress. “No, thank you,” said Heiress, though her voice wasn’t as strong as it had been up to that point. “I am already familiar with the robbery at Gem Bank.” “Small town, right?” said Wolfsong. She deftly placed the newspaper back in the rack as the two women left the library. Heiress was being hunted. Amanda had been right when she said that Heiress would not care for the attention resulting from her actions at the bank. What had been done, however, as the ancient Prægk proverb taught, could not be undone. What could she do now to keep true to her mother’s directive to remain hidden from view? Finding a suitable answer to this conundrum dominated her thinking until she saw Amanda’s vehicle stop in front of the library later that afternoon.

“Honey, we’ve got a problem,” said Amanda. “I agree,” said Heiress. They hastily retrieved Kira Ann from the school. Heiress noted that the girl seemed very eager to leave the place. Amanda expressed her belief that their own house may not be the wisest destination, so she guided her vehicle to her mother’s house. “You wouldn’t believe the pair who came to the diner today asking about you,” she said once they were safely inside. “A young man and a woman. She wore a big hood that covered most of her face. I didn’t get a close look at her. She had a low voice and ordered her meat extra rare. He ordered three peas and a glass of water, can you imagine? He said he was training his body to get the most out of the least, whatever that means. Does this sound like anybody you know?” “No, it doesn’t,” said Heiress. “Neither does it sound like the two women who are hunting me. Or perhaps they are hunting rabbits. I am not certain. Their conversation contained many metaphors I didn’t understand.” “Well,” said Amanda, “two mysterious people on your tail is bad enough, let alone four.” “It was Douglas Branston,” said Kira Ann. “He was telling everybody at the school how he fought the dangerous bank robber last night by Avery’s Field. He’s got everybody convinced that Heiress was working with those two bank robbers.” “Dear Lord,” said Amanda. “His mother’s going to make sure everyone in town believes it, too. I swear, the mouth on that woman, and no brain to stop it squawking.” “My friends,” said Heiress, “I have thought about this predicament intensively. It is clear that circumstances have evolved beyond our ability to manage them effectively. I can no longer remain ive.” “Would you please talk English,” said Kira Ann. “This is serious. We’ve got to do something.” “That is what I said. I am sorry that I have brought this chaos into your lives.

You will not be safe as long as these Humans search for me, and I can think of no other way to improve the situation,” said Heiress. “I have to leave you.”

Interlude One

Once all the arrangements had been made, the brother and sister walked down the steps of the county courthouse. A limousine was there to meet them. “Your father is not pleased,” said the short, balding man who stood by the rear door. “We exposed a potentially fatal flaw in security,” said the sister. “Do you think it would kill the company to be at least a little grateful?” “The public has seen that the bank cannot protect their assets against paranormal criminal activity,” said the man. “This unfortunate lapse of judgment on your part will result in a lack of trust, and Zahlmeister depends upon our clients’ trust. It is likely that your actions will result in a six point seven two decrease in Gem Bank’s holdings. At least part of that amount will be taken from your personal assets.” “That sucks,” said the brother. “Can we at least have our equipment back?” “Ordinarily, the answer would be no,” said the man, “but there is an element of this fiasco that has piqued Zahlmeister’s interest. The company has decided that you will be given an opportunity to redeem yourselves.” The sister and the brother looked at one another. Never in all their affluent lives had they been given an assignment, and neither quite knew how to respond. “What exactly do you want us to do?” said Ballista. “The young woman that so handily defeated you would be an asset to Zahlmeister’s interests. The company wants you to find her and present an offer of employment.” “How are we going to find her?” said the brother. “Should we rob another bank?” His sister elbowed him. “Zahlmeister realizes that leaving you to your own devices is a risky proposition,” said the man. “We have engaged someone to help you in this

matter.” He opened the door of the limousine. A woman dressed in the delicately embroidered clothes and silver jewelry of a gypsy fortune teller stepped out. She looked carefully at Bedlam and Ballista, then closed her eyes in deep thought. “I see it clearly, like sunlight as it dances on the water,” she said. “The one you seek will present herself to you before the end of the week.”

Chapter Eight

As the Créche opened, she extended a leg out into the morning air. Even though sunlight streamed in through the façade that covered the cave’s opening, she did not feel joy. She had failed. It had taken the rest of the day to walk back to the cave, even though Amanda had driven her to the very edge of the forest. With every step she was acutely aware that she did not want to go back. She clutched her shoebox to her chest as she shuffled among the trees. It contained her currency and two items that Amanda had given her: a small telephone that folded in half, and a small radio receiver that did not. The first was so that Amanda could call her and keep her informed about events in Shenandoah. She kept it for emergencies in a small compartment in her vehicle. The second was so that she could study Human culture from the safety of her cave. The shoebox was sitting on the floor at the base of her Créche, exactly where she had left it before she had crawled inside and fallen asleep consumed by the unanswered questions in her head. Would she ever return to Shenandoah? Should she attempt to establish herself in another Human settlement instead? How could doing the right thing possibly lead to failure? She climbed out of her Créche and stood at the door of the cave, looking out on a world that, though fascinating in every respect, was proving tremendously difficult to live in. As the Kozian star appeared to rise higher and higher, she considered her options. She wondered if leaving the region would frustrate attempts to find her. It was indeed a large planet comprised of many Human settlements she could select from. There were many regions that had intrigued her—, Japan, Ireland, and the Amazon to name a few. But would these regions be far enough removed to elude those searching for her? She would need to take her Créche and the supplies her mother had left behind with her, and that would require obtaining a vehicle and learning to operate it. Then again, the cave had clearly been designed to conceal her, and relocating would require her to keep all evidence of Prægk technology hidden from Human eyes. Would her mother even be able to find her if she left the cave?

“Pedagogicus, awaken,” she said. “I have questions.” To her surprise, a small volume of air between herself and her Créche began to sparkle. Rippling distortions ebbed and flowed throughout the volume, and colors appeared and shifted within it. In a short span of time—seconds, as Kozians measure it—a figure stood before her. “J’kai I’qat,” it said. “I am pedagogicus. You are the protected.” The figure was not Human in appearance, but had the large, round head, long neck and slender limbs of a Cilili. It was clothed in a robe made of prismatic, geometric shapes that were constantly in motion instead of the tight-fitting garments usually worn by the species, and it retained the blue-gray pigmentation and facial tattoos of a mature scientist. Cilili were commonly shorter in stature than Kozian Humans, but the figure levitating above the ground brought it to Heiress’ own height. “You are my pedagogicus?” she said. “Your confusion is expected, protected. This appearance was not necessary while you were in your juvenile form. In accordance with conventions established by the Qræzh’æl Tal, this appearance is designed to be more useful to you in your Maturity.” “Why then do you appear as Cilili?” “This appearance was determined by Nhæ’rh’mha to remind the protected that she is part of a larger universe.” It was a form chosen by her mother. She chose not to question it further, but rather to wait patiently until the reasons were disclosed to her according to her mother’s wisdom. “I have been outside the cave and have encountered many limitations to my knowledge. I have questions.” “You have but to speak them, protected.” “I have found that the local language is not consistently spoken among Kozians. Why do Humans choose to elongate certain vowels in words that do not require them?” The pedagogicus sparkled. “Many Kozian languages incorporate elongated vowels in their established phonetic compendia, such as Cantonese and Norse. Elongated vowels in these cases constitute distinct phonemes from their shorter

forms. As English is not among the languages that is so structured, using an elongated vowel may serve to communicate emotional emphasis.” “What emotion?” “Any emotion, protected, depending upon the context the word was used. There is no consistent rule that governs the use of elongated vowels.” She pondered this. Until she could identify a pattern in their use, she would simply have to be mindful of the context in which they appeared in order to learn how to interpret them. Heiress could accept this, but part of her wished her mother had left her in China or Norway. “I have also encountered words I do not understand.” “You have but to speak them, protected.” “What is the meaning of ‘hoot’?” “An onomatopoeic word most commonly used to portray the vocal sounds of an avian species known as an owl.” Why had Amanda compared her to an owl? More specifically, Amanda had said she was one and a half owls. Because this was probably not something the pedagogicus would know, she pressed on. “Define also the following: ‘butt’, ‘suck’, ‘jerkface’.” The pedagogicus paused. “If I may ask, protected, what sort of Humans have you been meeting?” Heiress spent the rest of the morning learning that language was indeed a flexible phenomenon, and that certain words used by certain sets of Humans could convey concepts quite distinct from the established definitions. For example, an adolescent using words such as “suck” and “radical” tend to communicate completely different ideas than a physicist would using the same . She concluded that discerning meaning from the spoken language required consideration of the speaker as well as the language and therefore English, like government, was far more complicated than she had imagined. She learned that “blackmail” referred to a strategy used to force others to comply with one’s own wishes and was usually considered unethical, although in practice it was quite widespread, especially in government. She learned that

plants made of plastic were just as ubiquitous. Although the pedagogicus could provide no easy explanation for this, she formed the hypothesis that Humans surrounded themselves with the appearance of nature to help them cope with the deleterious effects of the synthetic environmental complications they had themselves created. She hoped that she would get a chance to explore this further. Lastly, she was somewhat glad that she had never beheld the butt that Kira Ann had so effectively kept concealed. By the time the sunlight had stopped streaming through the cave’s entrance, Heiress once again felt the pangs of hunger in her abdomen. “I’m hungry,” she said. “The protected should eat.” “Do you have any food that would nourish me?” “I am sorry, protected, but no. The Créche was equipped to nourish your juvenile form, but not your mature form.” She opened the storage unit and searched its contents. There was money, clothing, and technology, but no food. In order to meet this basic need, she would have to venture outside the cave. She wondered if her mother had intended this. “How long can this Human body survive without food?” “Eleven Kozian days,” said the pedagogicus, “by which time you shall be too weak to procure it. For optimal physical and mental effectiveness, you need to nourish your body daily.” As long as her decline was not exponential, she calculated that she should be able to last three days and still have the necessary strength to find food. “However,” said the pedagogicus, “Your body also has a need for water that is more immediate. If you are calculating how long you will be able to remain in this cave, as I suspect, you will need water in two days.” “Am I to understand that you can read my mind?” “No, protected. I know you because I raised you.” She engaged the pedagogicus in a long discussion about why she needed to remain hidden. In the end, however, she could not refute the argument that she

would need sustenance that could not be found in the cave. She was feeling quite frustrated and even found herself standing with her arms crossed over her chest, facing away from the pedagogicus; it was a posture she had seen Kira Ann assume when discussing issues with her mother. Gazing out at the forest, however, her synapses made a connection that temporarily raised her spirits. “I would not have to leave the safety of the forest to find plants that would nourish this body,” she said. “I’m certain I would be able to find Allium tricoccum, Cercus canadensis, Carya ovata, Morchella esculenta…” “Indeed,” said the pedagogicus, “but how will prepare them for consumption, or do you intend to consume them in their raw state?” She would need to make a fire, but how? She may be able to generate enough friction to bring plant material to the combustion point, but that would be timeand energy-consuming. The smoke from a fire might also alert Humans to her location. “Your power source,” she said at last. “I could create heat by channeling energy through a material of greater resistance than your circuitry.” “I applaud your creativity, protected, but disconnecting the power supply would deactivate me permanently,” said the pedagogicus. “Who, then, would you have to teach you where your butt is?” That was when Heiress ed the telephone. She removed it from her shoebox and opened it. Amanda had printed her own numerical code on a small, rectangular piece of paper as she was showing Heiress how to use the device. Heiress entered the code on the tiny plastic input surface. “Honey, I’ve been worried about you all day,” said Amanda. “Where are you?” “I am staying in the forest,” said Heiress, “a short walk from where you left me.” “In the forest?” Amanda seemed not to believe her, if Heiress was correctly interpreting the tone of her voice. “Honey, how could you stay in the forest? There’s no campsites up there. Have you eaten anything?” “No,” said Heiress, “I have not. Do you believe that I could safely enter town to acquire food to eat?” “Absolutely not,” said Amanda. “I’ll bet the whole town’s out looking for you. I’ve never seen so many police out at one time, and Shelby at the diner said he even saw police talking to Reverend Duller. They even spent an hour out at

Mary Lou Branston’s place. Lord knows they got everything that’s happened in this town since last Christmas out of her. You best stay put for now.” She was speaking rapidly and quietly, and Heiress didn’t understand everything she said. “May I ask for some advice?” There was silence for about a complement of seconds. “Well, honey, spit it out,” said Amanda. Heiress interpreted her reply as an affirmative. “How might I find food, if I should not leave the forest?” “Can you get back to the place I dropped you off?” “You mean the place where I left your vehicle? Yes, I can.” “I’ll meet you there in two hours with some food. Are you going to be all right ‘til then?” “I will. Once again, I am very grateful.” She caught herself smiling involuntarily after she closed the lid of the telephone. “I trust that you have learned the first lesson your mother hoped you would learn,” said the pedagogicus. “I have learned many things in these few days,” said Heiress. “To which lesson are you referring?” “That being part of a community is more than merely a luxury, and more than a ing desire. It is how this species has thus far survived.”

Chapter Nine

“…that there’s just nothing better for bringing in the big ones than Rok Steady Rod and Reel. Chosen by pros throughout the Southland.” She looked at the pedagogicus. “It is an ment for equipment used to capture fish.” “For food?” “Sometimes. As you know from your study of Human history, fish have been regarded as important sources of nutrition for millennia. In modern times, however, many Humans capture fish for sport.” “And who is ‘prose’?” “, protected, Humans often shorten longer words. ‘Pros’ is the shortened form of ‘professionals’.” So, Heiress thought, there are Humans who specialize in making equipment so that people engaged in various occupations may capture fish. She shifted her attention back to the small radio receiving device Amanda had given her that had been her primary focus for three Kozian days. There were several hinged, white containers made of a material Humans called polystyrene foam scattered on the cave’s floor all about her as well as several polymer utensils—remnants of the meals Amanda had brought to her after her friend’s scheduled time was completed at the diner. The pedagogicus had called her attention to the debris on several occasions, each reminder less subtle than the previous, and touted the benefits to maintaining a sense of order in the limited space, but she ignored it. Learning about the Human world took priority. To pacify the pedagogicus, however, she did push the growing pile of refuse toward one wall. “…and to celebrate Columbus Day we’re offering discounts on all oil and lube services. Come on down and we’ll give you a complete oil and filter change for

thirty-nine ninety-five. Transmission fluid changes for twenty-nine ninety five. Complete lubes for just fifty-nine ninety five. Offer good in selected stores while supplies last. Nobody knows mufflers like Moeller’s!” She looked at the pedagogicus. “It is an ment for automobile maintenance services.” Heiress had so many questions she didn’t know which one to ask first. “Do Humans not know how to maintain their own vehicles?” “Research has shown that some Humans do, but a majority prefer to give currency to others in exchange for vehicle maintenance. It is much the same case as with computers, home construction, and their own physical health, as we discussed before.” “So it is a way Humans foster interdependence?” “I would hypothesize that it has more to do with an unhealthy desire for convenience.” Heiress pondered this. It seemed to her that understanding this basic Human trait would help her to blend into Human society as her mother had instructed. “What is Columbus Day?” she asked. “If you will recall your lessons in history, protected, Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, sailed from Spain to the islands of the Caribbean region over five hundred years ago. Columbus Day commemorates this.” “Are there similar days to honor Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco Nuñez de Balboa?” “There are not, protected, although the small island of Guam commemorates the day that Ferdinand Magellan visited their island and named it ‘the Island of Thieves’.” What a strange thing to commemorate an insult, thought Heiress. She made a commitment to explore what qualities Christopher Columbus might have had to warrant such special treatment. “Why would vehicle maintenance be an appropriate way to commemorate Christopher Columbus’ visit to the

Caribbean?” “Unknown, protected. No such correlation has been noted in past research. I would guess that it is because the two entities are similarly concerned with transportation.” “Pedagogicus, is there a unique significance to the number ninety-five for Humans?” “For of the Lutheran Church within Christianity, it was the number of disagreements that the founder Martin Luther posted on…” Heiress moved her open palm in a spiral, a Prægk gesture of necessary interruption. She had seen something moving outside the cave. Walking softly to the entrance, she peered into the foliage. There was a Human out there, dressed in a dark green hooded cape like the one she had seen in the illustrations for the European fairy tales. “Can anyone hear us out there?” she asked the pedagogicus. “The façade’s energy matrix is designed to scatter and redirect light. Being quasi-solid, however, it would transmit sound vibrations of sufficient volume.” “Then let us both be silent,” said Heiress. The figure moved quite differently than the other Humans she had encountered. There was a smoothness to this Human’s gait, much like a feline’s. The Human moved along the path at the base of the cave’s entrance, moving its head slowly to its left and right like someone who is searching the ground for something, or, Heiress thought with a shiver, tracking something. The figure stopped not far from the cave’s entrance and scanned the face of the cliff. With three graceful bounds, much more easily than Heiress had done, the figure scaled the short tumble of rocks that separated the cave’s entrance from the ground below. Heiress held her breath. She could see that the figure was definitely Human, but had many features common to many large, spotted felines as well. Perhaps it was one of the Aztec gods, she thought, come to life and looking for her. The Human even crouched like a feline as it—no, she—searched the appearance of rock and root in front of her. How did she find me, wondered Heiress. She immediately ed that

many carnivores track their prey by scent. This Human/feline must have followed the scent of the cooked poultry that Heiress had brought into the cave! She chided herself as she watched the Human/feline wrinkle her nose, then cautiously reach forward to touch the façade. There were claws on her hands where there should have been fingernails. Heiress knew that she could not penetrate the façade, no matter how much she scratched at it or pounded on it. She wasn’t certain, however, how responsive the façade had been designed to be. Would there be a scratch mark left on the surface of the appearance of rock? That was how she would have determined its authenticity if she had been the investigator. The cat/woman in front of her gave no indication of discovering its counterfeit nature, but placed both of her hands on it and leaned forward to fill her feline nose with its aroma. Did it even have an aroma? After several minutes, the cat/woman left the wall behind. Heiress watched as she bounded back down to the ground and stopped at a tree. She removed a silver canister from her belt and sprayed some of its contents on the bark before swiftly moving back in the direction she had come. Heiress cautiously stepped through the façade, her focus never wavering from the spot that the Human/feline had disappeared into the foliage. This strange amalgam of species had found something worthy of further study; Heiress was certain of it. She moved to the tree that the intruder had sprayed. There was no discoloration on the bark, but Heiress could detect an unmistakable odor emanating from the surface. It had been tagged, she thought, but not with a visual marker that could be easily removed. A carnivore, living by her senses, would use a chemical marker. She ran back to the cave and slipped through its false front. “What was that?” she asked. “That wasn’t a species I encountered in any of our lessons. She was not Prægk, or the façade would have permitted her entry.” “The visitor was a genetic hybrid of Human and feline,” said the pedagogicus. “Humans have discovered the presence of the Parent Molecule in their cellular structure and are just beginning to learn how to manipulate it. It is one of the reasons that the Prægk have been interested in this species.” “Her form was not Chosen?” Something in Heiress’ own ancestral memories

ignited a strong feeling of indignation. Her reaction was somewhat of a surprise even to herself, and she promised herself to reflect on it at a later time. “Humans are still in their infancy,” said the pedagogicus, “and they have an imperfect understanding of the Choice. There are a few Humans that have endured a change to their form, some by their consent and some without, but consent is not equivalent to Choice. Many of these Humans have entered into positions of service, using the skills they have acquired to help other Humans, but the Human we have just encountered is not among the ones whith which I am familiar. It is unknown if the Prægk are as yet aware of her history or her alliances.” “Amanda said that there was a Human who ate at the diner, four days ago,” she said, mostly to herself. “I wonder if this is the same Human. I do not think that large hoods are currently in fashion, so it seems likely.” She opened the storage unit and placed a device, short and roughly tubular in shape, over her right hand. “Pedagogicus, I advise that you change the appearance of the façade. We must make it difficult for that Human/feline to find her way back to this place.” “As you advise, protected.” She made her way back to the tree and lifted the device up to it. Its internal systems analyzed the chemical composition that produced the odor and, at Heiress’ request, suggested a few locally occurring compounds that would neutralize it. Luckily, Heiress had access to citric acid, found in the bright yellow citrus fruits that Amanda had included in one of the meals but which Heiress had regarded as unpalatable. Because citric acid was also found in tomato, Heiress rubbed the stale remnants of a food called “pizza” on the bark as well. Reanalysis revealed that the original odor had been neutralized seventy-eight percent. She hoped that time would take care of the rest. She turned and marveled at how the pedagogicus had altered the cave’s opening. A jagged outcropping of soiled basalt stood where the flattened wall of rootcovered limestone had been. It was a bit disconcerting to push through the new façade, but once she was safely inside the cave she found the small telephone and once again entered Amanda’s code. “You’ve reached the Madagan’s,” Amanda said. “Leave a message after the beep, and we’ll get back to you soon as we can.” beeeep.

“Amanda, is that you?” she said, but she only heard silence. Confused, she folded the device. “Do you that I spoke of this species’ desire for convenience?” said the pedagogicus. “To this end they have also developed electronic systems that will answer their telephones for them. Your vocal message will be recorded, and Amanda will hear it at a later time.” Heiress entered the code again and, as Amanda’s instructions had indicated, waited for the short synthetic tone to complete before she spoke. “Greetings to this electronic system,” she said. “Please convey the following message to Amanda: one of the Humans you mentioned to me earlier may have discovered where I am hiding. Do not endanger yourself by bringing food to the forest.” She folded the telephone. “The Human/feline will return,” she said. “I hope our precautions will fool her.” “That will depend on how many cues she has left, protected, and on her ability to follow them. Although the area your mother selected is well populated with botanical life in reasonably high densities, it is possible that her visual and olfactory senses are comparable to the feline species that has been allegedly incorporated into her Parent Molecular coding.” Predatory felines, Heiress recalled, were commonly nocturnal. It was reasonable to conclude that the Human/feline would return at night. “I should remain vigilant,” she said. “It would seem sensible to do so,” said the pedagogicus. “As an additional precaution, I will deactivate. Maintaining this appearance taxes our energy reserves, and it would be unfortunate if our façade should falter. Does the protected agree?” She had kept the pedagogicus activated for several days, not realizing the cost of doing so. “Let it be so,” she said and watched the shimmering Cilili appearance dissolve into the cave’s atmosphere. Long after the sun had disappeared behind the crest of the mountain, but before the long shadows of the trees had vanished into the growing darkness, the telephone emitted a chirping tone. Fortunately, she knew what that meant. “Hello,” she said, ing what the pedagogicus had taught her about

beginning encounters with Humans with a gesture of politeness. “How may I help you?” “Heiress?” said Amanda, “is that you?” “It is,” said Heiress. “I’m pleased that your answering device delivered my message to you.” There was a slight pause. “Sure, honey, I got your message. Are you all right?” “I am, but I’ve recently encountered the hooded woman you met in your diner.” “Oh, Lord,” said Amanda. “I was afraid something like this might happen. How did it go? What did she say?” “We did not speak,” said Heiress. “I am well hidden, and she did not see me, but that may change soon. I may have to leave the place where I am hiding.” Amanda’s voice reflected anxiety. “That’s okay, honey. Things are getting pretty dicey around here, too, but whatever you do, don’t go back to the place where I bring you food. Find a way to get to the library. I’ll pick you up after I get Kira Ann from school and I’ll tell you all about it then. I think it’s a good idea for all of us to get out of town for a spell so, like I promised you, we’re going to the mall.”

Chapter Ten

She watched the surrounding forest diligently throughout the remainder of the evening and continued well after the Kozian sun dropped below the horizon. The Human/feline did not return. It occurred to her well into the night that, if the strange visitor did return, she really hadn’t planned to do more than watch silently, so was it really necessary for her to stay awake? Curiosity was her primary motivation for doing so. Was there anything about the stranger that she hadn’t noticed the first time? Eventually, as she analyzed her decision to remain vigilant, her body quietly made a decision on its own. She fell asleep huddled against the cave’s wall. She awoke with a start and a sore shoulder. The sun was already positioned high in the sky. Her first thought was that if she did not move quickly, she would not be at the library at the appointed time; the thought instigated a mild surge of panic. She rushed to the edge of her Créche and activated the pedagogicus. “When Amanda arrives at the library, I will not be there. Why did you not awaken me?” Its voice reverberated through the soft lining of the compartment. “I could not, protected. I am only autonomous within the Créche. If you wish to interact with me outside the Créche, you must activate my remote presence function.” She had not planned this well. “Pedagogicus,” she said, her voice shaking, “what should I do?” “You must calm your mind, protected. The Kozian brain functions less efficiently when it is experiencing anxiety. This is caused in part by the close proximity of the emotional and the higher reasoning centers. I suggest that you breathe deeply and allow your reasoning to provide a solution.” This seemed a sensible suggestion, largely because anxiety was not a pleasant sensation and she had always enjoyed breathing. She stood still, willing herself to relax, and reflected on her situation. By her best estimate, the library was eight point four Human miles away. It had taken her three point eight hours to

walk the distance on her first day. She needed to be at the library in one point five hours, assuming her estimation of the current time was accurate, and she believed that it was. To achieve eight point four miles in one point five hours she would need to move five point six miles per hour on average over the entire distance. She knew she was capable of attaining that speed, but she also knew that the Kozian body experienced fatigue when the chemical demands of muscular contraction exceeded the rate of metabolism. She didn’t know if she could sustain the effort, having never run so fast for so long. It would be beneficial to know her body’s tolerances, she noted, so future decisions like the one she presently faced would not require so much time. Without the necessary awareness of her capabilities, she thought it would be unwise to commit to running to the library. Was there, then, another way she could travel the distance? She opened the storage unit and looked inside. It seemed to her that there was something here, pushed aside when she had been looking for something else, that might be useful. She found the device she had in mind. It was shaped like the green fabric pack that Kira Ann wore on her back—she couldn’t what it was called—except that it was made out of a durable polymer and conformed more to the shape of the wearer’s back. It had been left for her to use in case she ever needed to leave quickly a location in which she had been recognized as Prægk. She decided to leave pondering the ethics of using the device to avoid being late for a later time and maneuvered it to rest on her back. It automatically conformed to her contours. Fibrous extensions emerged from its sides and wrapped themselves around her torso and hips. She touched a separate polymer shield to her front and the fibers attached to it as it expanded to cover her from her neck to her waist. Although it was built for protection, its external surface capable of withstanding the force several puur’maadi, it was surprisingly comfortable. It was probably best to avoid consulting the pedagogicus, which would undoubtedly attempt to use reason to contradict her decision. The operation of the device was part of her education, so she grabbed her shoebox, stepped cautiously out of the cave, walked to an area of the forest that was relatively devoid of overhanging branches, and activated it. Four translucent, resinous wings silently sprang into place. She felt a warmth against her spine as the wings began to vibrate. When she felt a certain pressure against her left clavicle indicating the mechanism was prepared to respond, she crouched and leapt

skyward. The wings erupted into a frenzy, beating down the air in a synchronized pattern. Before she even knew it, she was level with the forest canopy. Heiress rapidly discovered that understanding how powered flight occurred was not the same thing as knowing how to fly. Levelling her attitude to a position even with the horizon, she had barely gotten her arm raised to protect her face before careening through a dense collection of oak leaves. Dodging to avoid another broom-like tangle of twigs, she found herself in a collision course with a cliff face, which she evaded by pointing her nose skyward, as well as she was able to determine which direction “skyward” actually was, and found herself surrounded by the pine trees common in the higher elevations of the Appalachians. She rolled and yawed amidst the tall pines, sending many species of avians screaming into the blue sky, and came to a stop clinging to the sticky branches of one of these springy conifers. When she regained her composure, and her heart rate approached but failed to achieve a steady, resting state once more, she did her best to recall how the device was controlled, noting that Shenandoah could be seen nestled in the valley toward the west, and wondering if the compressed and torn shoebox she clutched to her chest was still capable of containing her possessions. When she had summoned the courage to leap out from the thin trunk, she picked a direction to the north of Shenandoah because that way was devoid of any trees that might reach out and swat her from the sky. She kept her muscles loose this time and used her legs to stabilize her flight, readjusting them whenever she began to roll in an unwanted direction. After some practice she was able to control her position fairly well, turning lazy curves in the air like a giant dragonfly, so she pointed her face toward the town and began her search for the library. She ed enough of the library’s structure to locate a roof with the same approximate shape. She realized as she approached it that it may attract undesired attention if she landed in the adjacent vehicle storage area. The park on the other side of the library gave her a softer surface to land on, but not enough coverage for the level of stealth she needed. She finally elected to direct herself into an oak tree on the other side of the park. She didn’t quite understand the mechanics of landing on level ground, but she at least had some experience landing in trees. After a brief encounter with a very territorial Scuirus niger, she quite deftly folded her new wings and maneuvered through the oak’s branches to

alight on the ground, feeling very grateful for its solidity. It wasn’t long before she observed through the library window Amanda’s vehicle stop close to the building. She hurried out to meet it. “Thank heaven you’re all right, honey,” said Amanda. “This town’s been a little crazy these last few days. People keep talking about more strange folks showing up and asking questions.” “Where’d you get the backpack?” said Kira Ann from the back seat. “My mother left it for me to use,” said Heiress. “What sort of strange folks?” “There was a young woman who came into the diner the other day, dressed like some kind of gypsy. She sat with another woman and a man who apparently spent most of his free time at the gym. I asked her what she wanted, and she just looked at me and said, ‘Through the child of a server you will find her’. Made the hair on my arms stand straight up.” So, “folks” was another word for “Humans”. “Have you encountered any other ‘folks’?” “Why don’t you put your shoebox in your backpack?” said Kira Ann. “Hush, sweetheart,” said Amanda. “No one I talked to, but for a few days I think I was being followed.” “Followed by whom?” “I don’t know. I’d think I see something out of the corner of my eye, and when I turned to look it’s gone. Maybe it’s just me being paranoid.” “Paranoia would be a natural response to circumstances like the ones you have experienced this week.” “If there’s no room in your backpack for your shoebox,” said Kira Ann, “then what have you got in there?” “My wings,” said Heiress. Kira Ann was silent for a moment. “Fine,” she said slamming herself back into her seat, “leave ‘the child’ out of the conversation.”

“That’s not our intention, I’m sure,” said Heiress. “Have you encountered any ‘strange folks’ this week?” Kira Ann stewed for all of ten seconds. “Yeah,” she said. “At the park on Wednesday. I was…” She paused, squinting her eyes as she looked out the window. “I was talking to some of the boys in school and this guy came up to us and asked if we knew anything about the woman at the bank.” “Kira Ann, why didn’t you tell me about this?” said Amanda. “’Cause nothing happened, Mom,” she answered. “We all scattered and ran home. You know, the whole ‘stranger danger’ thing you drilled into us when we were in kindergarten? But I think Douglas Branston might have talked to him. He wasn’t in school today, so I couldn’t ask him.” “Sweet Jesus,” said Amanda. “Jay gets home tomorrow. He’ll know what to do about all this.” “If your husband is as wise as you say, I look forward to hearing his plan for resolving our predicament,” said Heiress. “Are you ever going to talk normal?” said Kira Ann. “Sweetheart, I love you, but you really need to think about what comes out of your mouth,” said Amanda. “Now we’ve got enough stress going on without your bad manners. You need to apologize to Heiress.” “Sorry,” said Kira Ann with a much lower volume than before. “Apology accepted,” said Heiress, simply because her training recommended the response, even when she did not understand the offence. “What do you think we should do, Amanda?” “Well, honey, don’t take this the wrong way,” said Amanda, “but the first thing we’re going to do is get you to give up your shoebox.” The mall in Harrisonburg wasn’t anything like she expected, not that she knew what to expect. It was literally overwhelming, and Heiress found it difficult to move more than ten steps into the largest building she had ever been in. It was big enough to fly through, if she hadn’t been persuaded to leave her “backpack”

in the rear storage compartment of Amanda’s vehicle along with Kira Ann’s. Heiress simply stood in the middle of the huge hallway, her eyes wide, her mouth open, and clutching her shoebox to her chest with both arms. “Heiress, what’s the matter?” said Amanda. “Haven’t you ever been to a shopping mall before?” Heiress shook her head. “I have seen pictures of buildings this big, but I have never visited one.” “You’ve got to be kidding me,” said Kira Ann. “Were you raised in a cave or something?” “I…well…” “What did you do for fun up in those mountains?” said Kira Ann. “Memorization exercises,” said Heiress. “Strategic challenges, language drills…” Kira Ann’s whole face became numb. “Oh, Mom, we’ve got a lot of work to do.” “Tell you what,” said Amanda. “I got some big tips at the diner this week. Let’s just forget everything for an afternoon and spend the money on something that’ll help us all feel better.” “I do not understand,” said Heiress. “How will exchanging currency for material objects solve our problems in Shenandoah?” “They won’t,” said Amanda flatly, “but maybe taking our minds off of it for a while will give us a fresh perspective.” Heiress didn’t understand the logic of Amanda’s suggestion, but this mall that stretched out before her almost demanded further exploration. Kira Ann took her by the hand and led her, with more excitement than Heiress had ever seen in her, toward the first of several clearly labelled sections of the mall. A map by the door had referred to these areas as “shops”, and Heiress made a mental connection to the word “shopping” that Amanda had used as they were entering the large vehicle storage area. Once through the wide, glass-framed doorway of the “shop” Kira Ann and Amanda guided her toward an extremely large

collection of what the younger of her two mentors called “purses” and “bags”. Because she had observed that nearly every female in the mall carried a similar object, she needed very little encouragement to secure one for herself. She selected a brown “bag”—neither woman could adequately explain how it was different from a “purse”; it just was—made of chemically-treated mammalian hide. It was nearly equivalent in volume to her shoebox and held her currency quite nicely. The bag was equipped with a smaller item, something that Kira Ann called a “wallet”, that was apparently designed to hold her currency, and Heiress discovered that it was mildly satisfying to keep her currency organized, which was something that her shoebox had failed to do. She had transferred her possessions to her new bag just as she noticed Amanda forcing her shoebox into a receptacle labelled “trash”, and for the first time in her life water emerged from the corners of her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. Her friends actively prevented her from retrieving the torn remains of her shoebox by redirecting her attention toward other items of possible interest. Kira Ann showed her a place where she could purchase decorative objects to put in her hair, and Amanda helped her to select clothing that would make her appear “stylish” and “chic”, two desirable qualities for a woman of her apparent age. She observed Amanda selecting “underwear” and chose some for herself, opting not to it she had never worn anything like it before. They experienced together something called a “pedicure”, and Heiress was reminded as the three of them sat side by side in the incredibly comfortable chairs of the shoe salesman she had met on her first day in town. They found several options for nourishment afterward, and Heiress thought it would be appropriate to purchase Amanda and Kira Ann’s food as well as her own. Amanda permitted this with almost no resistance. As they sat at a table consuming “chicken burritos” surrounded by all the other Humans that were also visiting the mall that day, Amanda raised the subject of their common trouble in Shenandoah for the first time in several hours. “I think we’re probably going about all this the wrong way,” she said. “I think you should probably come back home with us.” Heiress was enjoying the mall immensely, but never would have guessed that Amanda considered leaving her there. “No, no, no, you silly goose,” said Amanda. “I mean, look at all these people around us. I’m sure that news of the bank robbery back home reached all the way over here in Harrisonburg, but none

of these people are raising a fuss. I think it’s high time you came out of those woods and started living like a normal human being.”

Chapter Eleven

They did not go back to Shenandoah that evening. Instead they traveled to a hotel, a place that offered those traveling a room with beds in it in exchange for currency. Amanda explained that traveling to a location near the airport enabled them to arrive on time more easily. This made sense. Amanda often made sense. It was one of the things that Heiress had grown to ire about her. Kira Ann seemed most eager to enter the room they had secured. She immediately grabbed a small remote control device and sat happily on the bed pushing its buttons. The display screen in front of her changed frequently. Because Kira Ann had a bed and a television device at home, Heiress was confused by her enthusiasm. Perhaps these were of a higher quality than the ones in her home. Heiress inspected them carefully and secretly, but could not discover their special appeal to the girl. That night was Heiress’ first experience sleeping in a bed. It wasn’t as comfortable as the Créche which had been designed for her specifically, but it was much more comfortable than a sofa. Perhaps this was something Kira Ann had known about. Heiress slept soundly. The mall had been big; the airport was bigger. Once again, Heiress was amazed to the point of near paralysis at the immensity of the place. Not only did the enclosed space exceed anything she had ever seen, there were also more Humans in one place than she had ever seen. She was, of course, aware that Humans exhibited tremendous variety as a species, but to see it firsthand was a special thrill. They were all moving with an apparent sense of purpose, many of them carrying or pulling their own personal fabric-covered boxes. She wanted to see all of them but found that they were moving in so many different directions that appreciating each one individually was an impractical goal. Still, it was difficult not to try, and Kira Ann noticed her effort. “Mom, make her stop,” she said. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?”

“Her eyes are darting around like she’s a squirrel on caffeine or something. People are staring at us.” “I am sorry,” said Heiress, “but this place is astonishing. It is like the mall, but where are all the places to purchase material items?” “That’s on the other side of security,” said Amanda, “but we’re not going to buy anything here. It’s way too expensive. We’re just here to pick up Kira Ann’s daddy.” “Daddy” was another word that Heiress didn’t know, so she would wait and observe what Amanda did to discover its meaning. Would Amanda pick up the daddy before her husband arrived? Perhaps she would wait until after he arrived so that he could assist in the selection of the daddy. Heiress found that the excitement of learning something new was still very exciting to her. They stopped at a large display labelled “Arrivals/Departures” which Amanda consulted with great interest. “The plane we want is this way,” she said. They ed a short line of Humans that, judging by the maze of ribbons and posts located nearby, could have been a lot longer than it presently was. When they reached the front of the line Heiress was asked to place her new bag and her shoes in a gray polymer box. Strange, she thought, that Humans had so many rules about shoes; she could not eat without them, but she could not come near the airplanes with them. Her possessions entered a large silver box that reminded her of something she had seen in Shenandoah—a building in which vehicles entered at one end and emerged from the other end cleaner. How kind of the Humans at the airport to clean her new bag and shoes for her. A Human in a uniform instructed her to walk slowly through an archway that resembled the diagnostic devices in common use among the Prægk. “Am I in good physical condition?” she asked him. “You look fine to me, ma’am,” he said. “Have a nice day.” “Thank you very much,” she answered. “And you as well.” She smiled, as was customary, and was grateful to receive her shoes and bag again after they had traveled through the large silver box. “They do not look any cleaner,” she informed Amanda. “Perhaps we should send them through the cleaning device again.”

“Just put on your shoes, honey,” said Amanda. “People who work here really don’t care for jokes. Grab your things, and we’ll move on.” Heiress had previously learned that humor was one of the qualities that was present in all Human cultures, so it had never occurred to her that there might be Humans without it. Was this due to a genetic abnormality? She had not been aware that there was a connection between Human genetics and the fundamental aspects of personality. Even so, she was both impressed and pleased that there were occupations for those who possessed no humor. It seemed that Kozians, like the Prægk, found ways to help individuals with such challenges to feel useful to society. She was beginning to see why her mother had chosen this particular planet. They ed through an area that reminded her of the mall the day before, but she noticed that Amanda was not as enthusiastic about exploring the material goods within these shops. Kira Ann, however, seemed more enthusiastic, and was visibly frustrated by her mother’s refusal to enter them. Amanda was instead focused on directional signs that led them to something called “A8”, which turned out to be a waiting area for Humans about to embark on airborne journeys of their own. There was a large window at “A8” through which Heiress could watch airplanes land and take to the air. She stood in a row of several juvenile Humans with palms pressed against the glass and, like them, was completely entranced by the view. When the designated time for Jay’s plane arrived she watched it roll carefully toward the building, guided by a Human holding two small devices that glowed bright orange. She felt someone move into the space next to her. By the reflection in the glass she could tell that it was a Human female. “Impressive, aren’t they,” said the female. “Indeed,” said Heiress. “It is one of the things I love about traveling,” said the female, “to watch something so large and powerful move so gently into position. When the ramp moves out to connect with the airplane, it is like watching two people in love, long separated, greeting each other once more.” That was a connection that Heiress might never have made. She felt a small shiver run up her spine when the ramp did exactly that. “How fascinating,” she

said. “How did you know it would do that?” The female looked at her with a curious expression. “It always does that,” she said. “That is how the people get out of the plane and into the building.” Her features identified her as Indian, with something else unidentified. Her dark eyebrow arched gracefully over her left eye as she spoke. “Is it safe to say that you have never visited an airport before?” “I am sure it would be safe to say so,” said Heiress. “It would also be accurate.” “My name is Calico,” said the female, extending her hand. “It is rare to find an American who has never been to an airport. Are there none where you are from?” “This is the airport closest to my place of birth,” said Heiress. “I have never had a reason to visit it before today. My name is Heiress.” “Heiress,” repeated Calico. “How ironic. Most heiresses in the world travel by air quite frequently. You are the first I have met who has not. Speaking as someone who has never been to Virginia, could you recommend any interesting places to see? I am quite fond of museums.” Heiress considered the possibilities. “I understand that there is a large museum in Washington D.C.” “The Smithsonian?” said Calico. “Too large for my tastes. Too many cameras. I think that I am in the mood for something more provincial.” “I do not think the settlement I am from, Shenandoah, has any museums, but there is still much to discover there.” Calico looked at the small device strapped to her wrist. “Then I will do my best to visit,” she said. “After my business here, I think I shall need somewhere quiet to rest a while.” The door leading into the extendible walkway opened and a steady line of Humans entered the area. Amanda and Kira Ann had taken positions from which they could watch the arriving Humans clearly. “As soon as we greet my friend’s husband,” said Heiress, “we are going to Shenandoah. Perhaps we could take you there as well.” She turned, but Calico had disappeared. Heiress scanned the

crowd of Humans moving through the area, but could not find her. Looking back, she saw Amanda smile suddenly and move quickly toward a male who had just arrived. Kira Ann rushed in as well and hugged the male tightly around his waist. Heiress didn’t think he could have escaped her grasp if he exerted all his strength, but she was also strangely certain he would not want to. She had never seen anyone welcomed to a place so zealously. “Heiress, this is my husband Jay,” said Amanda. “I am honored to meet you,” said Heiress, extending her hand as Calico had done. “The same,” said Jay. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you, Heiress.” His hand felt large and warm wrapped around hers. “I’ve had some thoughts about what to do about our little problem.” “If you please, sir,” said Heiress, “I have observed that your daughter has a strong will, but I would not classify her as a problem.” Amanda barely contained a burst of laughter behind her hand, and Kira Ann scowled at her with her hands planted on her hips. “That she is,” said Jay, “but I still think we’ll keep her.” He wrapped a muscular arm around his daughter’s head and gave her hair a gentle kiss. “Let’s get ourselves home.” He talked about his activities in Alaska throughout the journey back to Shenandoah. Amanda’s husband was a “trouble-shooter”, a person who advises others when circumstances are not progressing as expected or desired. On this particular occasion he had been sent to find someone. From what Heiress had been able to discern the person who needed to be found had skills that the organization Jay represented required. It did not sound like the Human wanted to be found, because Jay had traveled all over Alaska to find him. Heiress could easily understand why Jay was successful in his work; he had a calming quality to his voice and appeared to be an intelligent and reasonable Human. He told them how he needed to help the lost person understand how his actions affected others and how the lost person was acting on assumptions that were not true. In the end the conflict had been resolved and the lost person found a new function within the organization that was more appropriate than his previous one. “I am curious, Jay,” said Heiress. “What would you say to those who are hunting for me to convince them that I am not a threat to them?”

“Well, the first thing I would do,” said Jay, “is to find out if you are. I wouldn’t be able to do anything until I understood the situation. Tell me, these people who are looking for you, did you know them before this week?” “I can honestly say no,” said Heiress. “Do you know anything about the organization they work for?” Heiress considered this. “I was not aware that they were associated with an organization.” Could it be that there were even more people who wanted to find her? Was it possible that the innovator her mother had warned her about was among them? The realization created in her an intense desire to grab her flying device out of the vehicle’s rear storage compartment and race back to the safety of her cave. “To be honest,” said Jay, “I don’t know if they are, but it’s a reasonable assumption. Most folks don’t travel miles and miles to find someone unless someone else wants them to do it. If we figure out why they want to find you, then we’ll know more about what to do about it.” “As your wife has said, I have done nothing wrong. A brother and a sister were attempting to take currency from a bank. I merely prevented them from hurting Humans.” “I understand that,” said Jay. “You did a wonderful thing for those people. So what makes you think that the people who are looking for you want to hurt you?” “I have no evidence that they do,” said Heiress. “I do not know their intentions other than to find me, and I do not wish to be found.” “I see,” said Jay. “Are you hiding from someone who hurt you in the past?” Clearly she wasn’t. Her mother wanted her to remain hidden from the Prægk to the best of her ability and to remain completely hidden from the innovator. She did not know if either the Prægk or the innovator had caused harm to come to her mother, but it was one possible explanation for her mother’s explicit instructions. Ordinarily a Prægk inherited many of the memories of the Parent, but she had none. She wondered if her mother had found a way to inhibit the flow of Parental memory and, if so, why. “It is possible,” she said to Jay, “but I

have no memory of anyone causing harm to me or my mother. It is she who instructed me to stay hidden.” “Would you mind if I had a talk with your mother, then?” “I have no reason to object, but I do not know where she is.” Amanda placed a hand on her husband’s arm. “Her momma’s a scientist, dear. Heiress said that she was on assignment somewhere.” “Do we know her name?” asked Jay. “Norma, I believe,” said Amanda. “Norma what? If she’s associated with an established research agency, then maybe I could track her down.” Amanda turned in her seat. “Honey, what’s your last name?” “The last name I have received is ‘Heiress’, as you know.” “No, that’s your first name. I mean your last name.” “Heiress is my first and last name.” Kira Ann stared at her. “Your name is Heiress Heiress?” “Hush, pumpkin,” said Amanda. “I guess I should have asked, what is your family name?” “Other than my mother, I have no family. I am simply Heiress, Nhæ’rh’mha’s daughter.” “It sounds Scandinavian,” said Jay. “I’ve been having trouble placing her accent, but that could be it.” He found Heiress in the vehicle’s centrally mounted mirror. “Heiress, do you know the name of the company that your mother works with? When she does her research, who does she report her findings to?” “I am sorry, but I do not know,” said Heiress. “Well,” he said, “a first name’s not much, but it’s a place to start. I’ll make some

calls when we get home and see what we can find out. I’ll also call Brett over at the police station. Maybe he can back off his boys a bit so we can find some answers.” There was no visible evidence of anyone searching for Heiress as they traveled through Shenandoah. She watched Jay wave at the people they ed in a friendly manner. If Amanda had been correct in her assessment of communications within the settlement, it was likely that Jay’s arrival had been noted and conveyed numerous times before they had even reached the house. As they approached the family’s home, they could see that there was another vehicle waiting for them. Heiress’ heartbeat increased in frequency by at least five percent when she saw the two females she had seen in the library sitting on the vehicle’s leading surface. “Sit tight,” said Jay. “Let me see what this is about.” He exited the vehicle and lifted his right hand into the air. “Ms. Baer,” he said. “It’s been a while. To what do I owe the pleasure?” “Sorry to bother you, Mr. Madagan,” said Bearheart, “but I was hoping to get your help with something.” “Let’s talk in the house,” he said, and he made a gesture that Amanda and Kira Ann interpreted as “exit the car.” Heiress complied as well. The female called Wolfsong stopped walking as soon as she saw Heiress. “Now that’s impressive,” she said. “We’re about to ask him to help us find someone, and before we even ask he shows up with her. You were right, Bearheart. This guy’s good.”

Chapter Twelve

There was no emotionally intense interrogation, no violent battle as these agents of the government attempted to forcibly take her into custody. Bearheart and Wolfsong simply sat in Amanda’s living room—she supposed it was Jay’s as well—and talked calmly. It was nothing like Heiress had imagined events might occur if she were discovered. Amanda and Kira Ann had stayed in the ketchup while Heiress sat on the sofa and listened to the Humans talk about her. “As you know,” Bearheart was saying, “The Department investigates every report of potential paranormal activity, which is why we have been searching for her.” “What makes you think this young woman is a paranormal?” said Jay. “I’ve read the police reports. Witnesses said that she overpowered the one called Bedlam by kicking him in the face. No one saw how she overpowered the woman, but she claims to have studied kung fu. My teenage daughter has a black belt in kung fu, and I know for a fact that she probably could have disarmed the one called Ballista, too. When ordinary people are preventing crimes everyday all across the country, why does the Department believe that Heiress here is a person of interest?” “Why has she been avoiding us for a week?” said Wolfsong. “If she had nothing to hide, why not just come forward?” “That doesn’t answer my question,” said Jay. “The Department must have had a reason for pursuing this particular case. Why her and not some other citizen who stood up against a crime? Why not the guy in New York who dove into the Hudson two weeks ago to rescue those tourists?” “We investigated him, too,” said Bearheart. “There’s been a change in procedures since the days you were part of the Department. Nowadays we monitor the news and flag every instance of personal heroism, outside of law enforcement, fire and rescue, and the military, of course. Those cases that suggest paranormal abilities might have played a role get ed into the next

phase, which involves on-site investigation. The Department heard about a young woman who single-handedly subdued two unknown agents who were using high-tech equipment to commit a daylight bank robbery. Don’t you think that would be worth taking a second-look at?” “Excuse me for the interruption,” said Heiress, “but you have mentioned a department several times during your explanation. To what are you referring?” “The Department of Homeland Security,” said Bearheart. “Agent Wolfsong and I work for a part of the Department called Office of Paranormal Affairs. Your friend Mr. Madagan used to work there as well, until he took another position.” His current position was upright, standing with his back to the fireplace. Heiress guessed that he sat when he was working in this Department. “So you travel to wherever people who wish to help others do something that is considered heroic and determine if they have used abilities which are abnormal?” “Paranormal,” said Bearheart, “not abnormal. Paranormal abilities are things that some people can do that others can’t, like move objects with their mind or run incredibly fast.” “I do not have either of those abilities. I simply used abilities that I’m sure many other Humans possess.” “That’s really all we needed to know,” said Bearheart. “But Agent Wolfsong asked a good question a minute ago. After you helped all those people in the bank, why did you hide from us?” “I was told that doing what I did would likely bring attention, and that is something that I would prefer to avoid.” “I see. I’ve noticed that you have an accent. Is the reason you want to avoid attention because you were not born here?” Heiress answered quickly. “I was born here, in the mountains not far away. My mother was not.” She had seen Jay lean in to defend her and did not want him to have to lie on her behalf. Humans excelled at creating stories, but she preferred to adhere to the truth, even if it was only the minimum amount of truth that was necessary. When her mother did return, Heiress wanted her to find a daughter that had not compromised the moral principles that her mother through the

pedagogicus had instilled in her. “Where was your mother from?” asked Bearheart. “I’ve been wondering about that myself,” said Jay. “Her last name is Normasdottir, so I’m guessing Scandinavian. Some of her vowels sound Scandinavian, maybe Finnish. I had thought about ing the embassies in D.C. to see if they have any records.” “What is that thing?” said Wolfsong, who had been eyeing Heiress’ flying device that was leaning against the end of the sofa. “It’s a backpack,” said Jay. “I’ve never seen a backpack like this.” “You know the Finns. They’ve got to redesign everything from forks to toilets.” “How do you even get it open?” As Wolfsong moved toward it, Heiress felt the muscles in her legs tighten, preparing to grab the device away from the agent if she had to. One of the most important rules she had learned was to keep Prægk technology out of the hands of the Kozians. “Agent Wolfsong,” said Jay, “you know as well as I do that to open that backpack you need probable cause, and I’m sure Agent Bearheart would agree that you don’t have it.” Wolfsong met his eyes and moved away. “Relax, Mr. Madagan. I was just curious.” “I understand that her mother is a scientist,” Jay continued, “away on some sort of an extended assignment. Heiress doesn’t know any of the details. I had planned to conduct my own investigation to see if we can get any news of her.” Wolfsong crossed her arms. “I take it that she is in your protective custody?” Jay turned to face her. “She is of legal age, Agent Wolfsong, and she hasn’t broken any laws. She is a guest in my house, and my wife has vouched for her character. Can you think of any reason she would need to be in anyone’s custody?”

Bearheart stood up. “Please calm down, both of you,” she said. “Mr. Madagan, you are correct. She isn’t guilty of anything other than being an exemplary citizen, and there’s no evidence that she has any reportable paranormal abilities. As far as I’m concerned, Agent Wolfsong, our business is concluded here.” She extended a hand to Jay. “Thank you so much for your time and your assistance in this matter, sir. I can easily see why they speak so highly of you at the Department. We’ll be heading back to D.C. right away.” Heiress stood as well, simply because she didn’t want to be the only one in the room that was sitting. “Will the other agents be leaving as well?” she asked. Bearheart looked at her. “What other agents?” “I saw a female in a cloak,” she said. “She seemed to have undergone a procedure that combined her genetics with that of a large spotted feline. Amanda said that she was traveling with a male, but I have not seen him.” Bearheart and Wolfsong exchanged glances. “Do you believe these agents are also looking for you, Heiress?” “Yes, I think that they are. I encountered the feline Human in the forest where I was staying. She was clearly searching for something and took great interest in the places where I had been. I managed to elude her, but watched her mark the tree outside of my home.” “That’s really gross,” said Wolfsong. “We haven’t met anyone in Shenandoah like that,” said Agent Bearheart, “but that doesn’t mean they’re not around. If someone doesn’t want to be found, it’s possible to hide even in a town as small as this.” “I’ll ask the police about it,” said Jay. “I’m told they’ve been scouring the town pretty hot and heavy this past week. Someone had to have seen or heard something.” “We’ve been working through the police and haven’t heard a thing about these other agents,” said Wolfsong. “I would think that they might have brought us all together if they thought we were all working on the same investigation. I don’t mean this to be an insult, but small town law enforcement doesn’t always have the same investigative training as we do in the FBI.”

Jay sighed. “If it’s all the same to you, Miss Wolfsong, I’m going to ask them without demanding to see their résumés.” Once again, Bearheart stepped in. “You have our word that we are the only two agents from the Department in town. I’m not sure who these other people are, but I think it’s best to assume the worst.” “Agreed,” said Jay. “Like I said, I’ll mention it when I talk to the Chief. In the meantime, we’ll keep our eyes and ears open.” Agents Bearheart and Wolfsong politely refused an invitation to stay and share a meal, explaining that they needed to return to Washington D.C. “I am very grateful to you, Jay, for speaking on my behalf,” said Heiress after they had gone. “Agent Bearheart is one of the best in the Department,” said Jay. “I believe we can trust her explanations. These other two agents worry me, though. I don’t like the idea of two unknowns working so close to my family. Until we learn more about them, I think we should just lay low.” Amanda emerged from the ketchup. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve had enough of all this cloak and dagger stuff for one day. It’s high time we had our special ‘welcome home’ barbecue,” she said. “Heiress, honey, what are you doing on the floor?” It was not Heiress’ first barbecue, so she participated in its preparation with great delight. Jay took over the task of cooking the meat on the outside grill while Heiress shucked corn and Kira Ann helped Amanda prepare everything else. Kira Ann spent a greater than usual amount of time looking at her small, handheld communication device. Her thumbs moved across its display screen with a speed that Heiress found truly amazing. “Pay her no mind,” said Amanda. “She’s got to catch up with her friends.” Given the intensity of Kira Ann’s mental focus, she had apparently fallen far behind her friends in this activity. In the interest of learning more about the behavior of adolescent Humans, Heiress would ask Kira Ann later about the rules of this particular competition. Once again, Heiress found the food to be delicious; it elicited a warm feeling of security in her—one that she had not felt since before she emerged from her Créche. After the meal, Jay taught Heiress a game involving “playing cards”. “Cribbage” was a game that his father had taught him, he explained, but he did

not play much because neither Amanda nor Kira Ann liked the game. Heiress found it relatively simple to learn, and once she had applied the laws of probability and employed strategy based upon them, she was soon winning games against him. For some reason that was likely connected to past experience, Amanda found her quick mastery of the game extremely amusing. Jay lost with grace, which only increased Heiress’ iration of him as an exemplary Human. As evening arrived, Jay created a fire in the stone “fire place” and relaxed with his wife and Heiress in its glow. Kira Ann entered the house from the place where they kept the metal barbecue. “I’m going to bed, now,” she said, moving quickly toward the hallway leading to her room. “What?” said Amanda. “It’s only eight-thirty. Are you feeling all right?” “I’m fine,” she answered. “I’m just really tired. Good night.” Still holding the communication device, she disappeared into the hallway. “Now that’s odd,” said Amanda. “What could have sent her off like that without hugging her daddy?” Heiress did not respond, but looked around the room and wondered how Amanda could have secured a daddy at the airport without her noticing it.

Interlude Two

“Are you serious?” said Bedlam. “What makes you think a bunch of kids will help us find her?” He rubbed his nose, which was still sore a week after the mystery woman kicked him in the face. Trance closed her eyes again. “As I have seen, these children of the night will lead us to one who holds the woman’s heart. Make them your allies, and you will be one step closer to your prize.” “Do you have to be so dramatic?” said Ballista. “Nobody else in this stupid little town knows anything. Let’s just go ask these undersized twerps and be done with it.” She shoved past her brother and marched out into the park, toward the small group of teenage boys who had collected under the picnic pavilion. “Excuse me,” she shouted toward them, “which one of you darling boys can help me out?” The boys froze as she walked out of the darkness. As soon as they ed that they were in a group, a few of them flexed their emerging masculinity and whistled at her. “Hey, sweet thang,” said one, obviously hiding a cigarette behind his back. “Can we get some fries with that shake?” “Mind your manners,” said Ballista, “or I’ll buy the grimy little factory your dad probably works in and fire him. We just want to know if you know anything about the woman who stopped those bank robbers about a week ago. We want to talk to her.” “If you want that one,” said the tallest boy, “all you gotta do is talk to Kira Madagan. She lives over on Spruce Street. Her and the one you’re looking for are tight.” “What’s your name, boy?” said Ballista. “Branston,” he said. “Doug Branston.”

“Well, Mr. Branston, do you think you could get this Kira Madagan out here to the park so we could talk to her?” “Why? What’s in it for me?” “Fifty bucks,” said Ballista. Doug looked to his left and right at the other boys. “Yeah,” he said. “I can make that happen. But that one you’re looking for is tougher than she looks. Better bring some backup.” Bedlam took a step forward. “What, you punks think we can’t handle it?” Ballista grabbed her brother’s arm and silently ordered him to shut his mouth. “Don’t worry about that,” she said. “We made some calls. Backup’s on the way.”

Chapter Thirteen

Heiress slept well that night. This may have been because the previous two days had been filled with many new experiences—the mall, the airport, flying for the first time, and learning how to land in a tree, to name a few. It may also have been because it was the first night in several that she didn’t feel hunted. Agent Bearheart had done much to relieve the stress caused by her irrational fears: that the government had discovered her, that they had known she was Prægk, and that they had informed the mysterious innovator of her whereabouts. On reflection, she also recognized the presence of a deeper fear, that barely two weeks into her maturity she might have failed in the only task that her mother had assigned to her: to stay hidden. There was, of course, the matter of the two unidentified agents, but she felt confident that Jay would quickly resolve that situation as well. Her rest was deep and began soon after she had laid her head on the pillow. Even so, she awoke with an inexplicable feeling that things were not right. She peered into the darkness of the room around her but could not discern anything that was out of place. Carefully, she listened, but the only noise she heard that was out of the ordinary was an odd rumbling sound emanating from the hallway. She arose and attempted to trace it to its source. It originated behind the door to the room where Amanda and Jay slept. The rumbling sound was very rhythmic, matching approximately the pace of Heiress’ own breathing. Since she had not heard it before this night, she hypothesized that Jay was somehow producing the sound. Or a bear. She had studied bears and knew about their basic tendency to avoid Humans, so thought it was unlikely that a bear had infiltrated the house. Still… She turned quietly and noticed that Kira Ann’s door was open. According to past experience, this was definitely out of the ordinary. She cautiously pushed on the door and listened for the sound of a girl breathing. The room was silent. She moved inside, employing all she knew about moving silently. Kira Ann’s bed was empty. Heiress went to the back door thinking that her young friend might be practicing

her forms, but there was no one in the grass-covered area behind the house. The only other place she could think of to look, the only other place she had seen Kira Ann at night, was the park. She put on her shoes, slipped out the door, and ran out into the very quiet and dark settlement of Shenandoah. The park was quiet as well, but it was not unchanged from when Heiress had visited before. The roof of the pavilion at the center of the park was now strangely resting on the ground. Heiress ran to it, noticing that each of its six s had been broken in half. Kira Ann was nowhere in sight, but as Heiress scanned the park around her she sensed the faint sound of movement under the pavilion roof. She found a place where the s of the roof had separated, creating a gap through which she could see with the help of a nearby light source shining forth from a tall wooden pole. All she could see was a child’s hand moving slowly back and forth through the dirt on the pavilion floor. “Are you in need of assistance?” she called through the gap. It was faint, but she distinctly heard a boy’s voice say, “Duh.” She knew what that meant. “Move to the tallest part of the space under the roof,” she said. “I am going to lift it off of you.” Two boys said something underneath the roof, but she was no longer listening. She visually analyzed the structural integrity of the fallen roof and moved to the edge that seemed most intact. Grasping it firmly, she lifted. It was heavier than she anticipated, but it still rose from the ground like the lid of her Créche. Hand by hand, she pushed it through an arc measuring over one-half pi by Human systems of circular measurement, which required her to walk through a group of seven wide-eyed, cowering boys. The roof soon fell upside-down and cracked into three large pieces. “Whoa…how did you do that?” asked one of the boys. “I am quite strong,” she said. “This was a stable structure when I saw it last. How is it that you were trapped underneath it?” “It was that big musclebound guy,” said another as his friend helped him off the ground. “He punched through the posts with those big metal gloves of his and the roof fell down on top of us.”

“Why did you not simply move out of the way?” “Because his sister was holding a gun on us, that’s why,” said the tallest boy. She knew that one. “You are Douglas Branston,” said Heiress. “I would guess that you annoyed Bedlam and Ballista as you have annoyed many others in Shenandoah. I am looking for Kira Ann. Have you seen her?” “Yeah. She was here, but they took her somewhere else.” “Why would they take Kira Ann somewhere else?” Douglas looked at her with a blank stare. “They’ve got Kira Ann ‘cause they’re looking for you. Are you, like, an idiot or something?” She looked him directly in the eyes. “As I understand it,” she said, “it is not customary to be rude to someone who has just rescued you. You have just survived a traumatic experience so I will excuse your rudeness for the moment. Where is Kira Ann?” “They took her to the bank,” Douglas mumbled, his eyes avoiding hers. “The lady told us to tell you to come and get her.” Heiress quickly decided on a course of action. “If any of your friends are injured, Douglas Branston,” she said, “I suggest that you make certain they receive treatment. Otherwise, go home and do not participate in any more suspicious activities.” She did not wait for his response, but rather turned quickly and ran back toward the house. She stopped at the edge of the park when a woman dressed in the manner of a Romanian gypsy stepped out from behind a tree. “Are you the one they seek?” she asked. “It seems likely that I am,” said Heiress. “Please excuse me, but I must move quickly.” “It is a trap,” said the woman. “I know because I helped them to set it.” Heiress scanned the immediate area. They were alone. “If this is true,” she said, “then why would you participate in such an ethically questionable endeavor?”

“I’m sorry,” said the woman folding her arms and leaning against the tree. “I didn’t know what kind of people they were. I catch glimpses of the future, but I don’t always see everything. All I know is, they have powerful friends. If you go after the girl alone, you will not win.” “There is much I would ask you about what you have just spoken,” said Heiress, “but I do not have time to do so now. If you wish to help, I would suggest…” She froze in place, staring at the woman. “I can think of nothing to suggest,” she said. “Perhaps you should just go home.” She ran back to the house and quietly slipped inside. Her plan was to rescue Kira Ann and have her back home before Amanda and Jay awoke. If she told them about their daughter’s predicament now, she reasoned, they would probably experience a debilitating amount of stress until their daughter returned. It was better that they awoke to find Kira Ann safely at home. Heiress was mildly uncertain that this was the best choice, but at present she could not spend much time reconsidering the decision. She grabbed her backpack and, feeling it adhere to her upper body front and back, she stepped out into the grass once again. Her wings sprung from their housing, and she took to the air. The night was colder than she expected, but she flew on. The bank wasn’t difficult to locate. It sat at the edge of Shenandoah, precisely where Heiress’ mental map predicted it would be. Its vehicle storage area was very well lit, even as it was so near to the middle of the night. There were also lights shining on the inside, which very few other buildings in Shenandoah displayed. From the air, the Gem Bank glistened against the dark ground like its namesake. Heiress landed near the lighted space, but in a place still dark enough to conceal her. She looked through the bank’s windows. She saw no Humans inside. She made her way to a position where she could peer through the glass doors where the man in the uniform had greeted her several days before. It came as no surprise that he was not standing there, but a flicker in the lights suggested that there was movement inside. She crept closer. “What do you think you’re doing?” The voice, originating to her left, was low in tone and volume. She was startled by it, but she repressed the natural reaction to jump. The voice seemed to wrap around her like a blanket—or a net. She slowly turned her head in its direction and saw a hooded figure crouched behind a plant. The steady eyes of the Human/feline she had seen outside her cave were staring back at her.

“I am going to rescue my friend,” she said, “and you are not going to stop me.” “If you go in that bank, you will be beaten.” “If you try to prevent me, you will not succeed, and you will probably sustain great injury. I am tired of being hunted.” Her warning given, four transparent wings emerged again and began to vibrate. She leaped into the air, seeking an entrance to the building that was not so annoyingly defended. She would crash through the glass windows if she had to. Before she reached the height of the bank’s roof, however, she felt two hands grab her by the legs. The extra weight pulled her back to the ground. She felt something inside her change suddenly, an overwhelming urge to fight. She twisted out of the Human/feline’s grasp and instantly rolled to her feet. “Perhaps,” she said through clenched teeth, “if I present your broken body to your friends inside the bank, they will know that I will not be denied.” The Human/feline did not reply. She only crouched, ready to pounce.

Chapter Fourteen

“There are better ways to approach with stealth,” said a second voice, light and calm. “For instance, it’s usually considered wiser to keep to the shadows.” “Tell her,” hissed the Human/feline without averting her gaze. “I’m not the one about to run into an ambush.” Heiress knew what “ambush” meant. She had run across the concept in the Créche while studying historical Kozian military tactics. A pursuing force is lured into an area where the force that is being pursued rapidly assumes a more offensive style. Ambushes generally happen in terrain where the pursued force has retreated to a position with a protective advantage, such as large rocks to hide behind. “On the contrary,” she said, “it is unlikely that Ballista and Bedlam can ambush me. I know where they are, and I have faced them successfully before. I have been in this bank, and I know that there are no large rocks there. How can there be an ambush if there is no surprise?” The Human/feline changed her expression to one of confusion. “Who said anything about rocks?” she said. “You are not thinking clearly,” said the second voice. “There are more than two agents in that bank. They have brought help. We counted four additional men and a woman, ready to fight you and steal you away from here.” Heiress cautiously looked at the young man, the source of the second voice. He was standing beside a tree, careful to stay in the shadow of its trunk. “There’s your surprise,” he said. “Are you not associated with them?” said Heiress. “Of course not,” said the Human/feline. “We are from a global organization called Edelweiss.” “Then why have you been hunting me?”

“We heard about your heroic actions in this bank and wanted to meet you,” said the young man. “But right now there is a young woman in danger inside that bank. We are here to help you get her to safety. Please come into the shadows where we can agree on a plan of attack.” She did not trust them, but she could not disagree with his priorities. He was correct that stealth would be wiser than a blatant attack, at least until she knew more about who or what she would be attacking. Keeping her eyes on the Human/feline, she moved into a less illuminated location and found another short plant to put between herself and the two agents from Edelweiss. “I will listen to you,” she said. “What is Edelweiss?” “We help people who are oppressed,” said the Human/feline. “I am Leopardess. He is Mandala. We originally came here to see if you might want to us.” “Do you believe that I am oppressed, or do you wish me to help you help the oppressed?” Leopardess stared at her in a way that most people did when she asked valid questions. Mandala thankfully broke the awkward silence. “Our mental focus is not where it needs to be,” he said. “At the moment, the one that is oppressed is the girl inside the bank. Perhaps you can judge our trustworthiness while helping us to rescue her.” Again, she agreed with him. “Tell me what you know about the people inside.” “You’ve met the ones who call themselves Bedlam and Ballista,” said Mandala. “His strength is technologically enhanced and she seems to have a fascination with firearms. We thought they had been taken into custody after you met them, but someone obviously secured their release. We’re not sure why, but it seems to have something to do with you.” “Their friends arrived yesterday,” said Leopardess. “They do not appear in our database, so we do not know their histories or their capabilities.” “It doesn’t matter,” said Heiress. “They have taken my friend, and I will force them to release her.” Mandala took a deep breath. “No good decision was ever born out of anger,” he said. “We are outnumbered by our adversaries, and it is likely that we are

outgunned as well. Therefore, we must out-think them. I have a proposition.” He spoke, and Heiress listened. Satisfied, she marched along the pavement that led to the bank’s doors and, tired of caution, she pushed through them. Of the seven people visible in the room, Bedlam stood nearest to her. He stood tall, with his massive arms folded across his chest. She looked him in the eye. He returned her gaze, but averted his eyes after only a moment. For all his physical power, augmented by his kinetic gauntlets, she could tell that his will and his intellect were not equal to hers. He would be no problem. There was only one Human present that was larger than Bedlam. Another muscular male wearing similar gauntlets stood off to the left. He was dressed in blue. Three more males stood on the right. Two of them each had a pair of short swords in hilts hanging from their belts. These two were so similar in appearance that Heiress surmised that they were twins. The other male was completely covered by a black and white costume, so she could not say if he bore any genetic relationship to the others. A female standing next to the rear wall was also completely covered, but her costume, clearly designed for ease of movement, was dark brown. Ballista stood in the center of the room next to a large black box that was sitting on top of one of the bank’s stone tables. “Where is Kira Ann?” said Heiress, fixed on Ballista. Ballista rested the heavy weapon that she carried on her shoulder. With the other hand, she patted the box. “The girl is fine,” she said. “I just wanted to make sure I had your attention.” “You have it,” said Heiress. “Prove to me that Kira Ann is unharmed.” Ballista struck the box with her elbow. “Hey! Cut it out!” said Kira Ann’s muffled voice. “If I fall off this table, my dad’s going to have your head!” “See,” said Ballista, “she’s just as mouthy as ever.” From where Heiress stood she could see a row of holes along the top edge of the box, so she knew Kira Ann could breathe. There was a metal device hanging from the side of the box that was most likely a locking mechanism. Heiress had seen similar boxes at the airport containing dogs and cats, and she was actually grateful for this black box in front of her. What restrained Kira Ann would also protect her if this encounter should escalate into violence.

“You brought Kira Ann here so that I would come,” she said. “Now that I have done so, what do you wish to say?” Ballista smiled. “I have been authorized to offer you a position in the company my father owns…” “Our father,” said Bedlam. “Whatever,” said Ballista. “The position comes with salary and benefits, as well as generous bonuses for exemplary performance and access to a well-stocked expense for travel expenses. Not a fat as ours, of course, but still more than you’ve ever seen, I’ll bet. After a successful period of service and a demonstrated loyalty to the company, you would also be eligible to take stock options as part of your financial compensation package. Do you accept?” The room was silent. “To be honest, which I always am,” said Heiress, “I did not understand anything that you just said.” “Oh, for God’s sake,” said Ballista. “A job! Zahlmeister Securities is offering you a job!” “Doing what?” “Using your fighting skills to do anything that the Board wants you to do. Even my brother understood that much!” Heiress looked her in the eye. “So, you kidnapped my friend, an adolescent girl, so that you could offer me employment?” Ballista thumped her own forehead. “Look at that!” she said. “She does have a brain! That’s it exactly, genius!” She slowly walked around the box as she continued speaking. “But of course, no one gets a position at Zahlmeister without an interview. You got lucky a week ago, but now we have to see if you’ve really got what it takes. Bedlam here wants a rematch, don’t you Baby Bro?” “Yeah,” said Bedlam, taking a step toward Heiress while banging his gauntlets together. Pale blue sparks burst forth from them with every blow. Heiress assumed a defensive stance, watching him raise the metal gloves high into the air. She leapt back when they came down in front of her, breaking the stone floor

beneath them and sending cracks and fissures in all directions. She watched for the precise moment that both of his hands were on the ground in front of him. She shifted her center of mass, leapt forward… …and kicked him in the face. A shock of sufficient force having jarred his brain, he lost consciousness and fell to the floor in a large, muscular heap. “God, what an idiot,” said Ballista when the dust had settled. “I honestly don’t think we’re really related. Thunder, or whatever your name is, give this chick a real fight.” The huge male in blue advanced toward her. She watched as his broad shoulders eclipsed the lights in the ceiling and, just as he reached out to grab her, she dropped to the floor and slipped between his legs. Flipping over, she kicked the backs of his knees. “AAuugh!” he yelled, more out of anger than pain. Heiress had not used her full strength. Still, he wobbled as he spun around to face her, and Heiress managed one quick punch to his abdomen before he had focused on her exact location. She stepped back and assumed a defensive stance once more. “That all you got?” said Thunder, or whatever his name was. “You really think that ju jitsu garbage is going to take me down?” “It is kung fu,” she said, “but I will forgive you for confusing the two. I estimate that you are as stupid as you are clumsy.” “You got a big mouth for such a scrawny chick,” he said, and advanced on her again. Heiress moved away from him, backing through the doors of the bank. Her assailant broke through the doors using his gauntlets, shattering the glass on his way through. It was a needless display of power, Heiress thought, but Kozian males seemed prone to such displays so she dismissed it. She let him get very close before she turned away from him and activated her wings. By the time she had achieved a safe height, Leopardess and Mandala had already leapt into the fight. The plan that Mandala had suggested was working; Heiress would divide their forces, and her newest allies would keep anyone who ventured outside occupied. She twisted through the air and dove back through the doorway. The twins had

drawn their swords and were on their way outside, presumably to assist the giant in overwhelming her, but she purposefully collided with them and sent all four of their blades clattering across the floor. When they arose, which they did more rapidly than she predicted they could have, she used kung fu to incapacitate them both. She stood over the unconscious twins, staring directly into Ballista’s eyes. “I must decline your offer for employment. You will now release my friend, or I will render you unconscious as well,” she said. “Again.” Ballista did not avert her gaze like her brother had. “I don’t like people telling me ‘no’,” she said. “And I’ve got too much at stake here. Let’s see if you change your mind if we take your sassy little friend somewhere you’ll never find her. Zigzag, stop her.” The last male in the room, who had been standing calmly to the side while Heiress fought all of his associates, sprang into action. His speed was completely unexpected; one moment he stood poised beside the same chair Heiress had occupied a week previously, and the next she felt a blow across her back that slammed her to the floor. Looking up, she saw him standing in front of her with one of his companion’s swords. Although his face was hidden, she sensed that he was smiling. Behind her, sounds of the fight outside informed her that Thunder, or whatever his name was, was still conscious. If Mandala and Leopardess could not incapacitate him, she would have to contend with him as well. She took a breath to address the male in front of her, but he was gone before she could utter a single word. She felt an impact against the side of her head that threw her to the floor once again. Angered, she stood to face him, but was tripped by some of the black polymer straps that the bank used to direct where people would stand while they waited for service. She rolled to her feet again, only to feel some of the same straps being wrapped around her, pinning her arms to her sides. This time, she was thrown across the room and, having no free arms to brace her fall, she landed roughly in a carpeted part of the room. Her backpack protected her from injury, just as it prevented the sword Zigzag wielded from cutting into her flesh, but she still felt bruised. She knew that she had to think quickly. She had bested Bedlam with strength and speed, and removed Thunder with guile. She had used kung fu on the sword-wielding twins, but Zigzag moved more quickly than they did. Kung fu would not work on someone that Kozian eyes were too slow to see.

But she was not Kozian, was she? No species in the galaxy was more skilled at adaptation than the Prægk. The Parent Molecule that was enthroned within her cellular structure was many times more complex than Human DNA. It was the source of her physical strength, her ability to learn, and her resolve. She closed her eyes and adjusted her senses. Through the vibrations in the floor, she detected his motion and, more importantly, his location. She opened her eyes and saw him running toward her, running as if he were moving through a medium much more viscous than air. He raised the sword he was carrying, preparing to strike. She watched his every step and waited for him to come closer. As the blade descended, she rotated her body so that it sliced through the polymer straps instead of her skin. She struck out with her foot, hitting him in the upper thigh in such a way that he was thrown wildly off balance. Instead of smoothly gliding past her, he tripped and twisted through the air like a boneless jh’zuul’t, colliding with one of the large windows and crashing through it amid a torrent of shattered glass. She tensed the muscles in her manipulatory appendages and the broken polymer straps fell limply to the floor. She watched as Zigzag rolled across the grass outside, finally stopping at the edge of the pavement, motionless and bleeding profusely. Having defeated him with speed, she came to understand the confusing Kozian adage to “fight fire with fire”. Its meaning had eluded her for so long in the Créche. She turned to face Ballista, but noticed immediately that she had disappeared along with the female in dark brown and, to her horror, so had the box containing Kira Ann. Activating her wings, Heiress flew as fast as she could through the broken window and sailed into the sky, looking for any signs of where Ballista might have gone. In spite of the commotion at the bank, Shenandoah was mostly quiet. A few vehicles moved through its streets, but a closer aerial examination of each did not reveal any of the females Heiress sought. Searching for other candidates, her attention was seized by a sudden frenzy of dancing red lights. They were mounted on the tops of vehicles which were all moving rapidly toward the bank. Police officers, she thought, who in the course of their fervent duty to control the situation would undoubtedly attempt to prevent her from pursuing Ballista. She needed to continue her avoidance of them, at least until she had rescued Kira Ann. The police would find the real instigators of the commotion at the bank and

remove them from the battle. Perhaps they would assume that Mandala and Leopardess had subdued all of Bedlam and Ballista’s criminal companions. It didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was Kira Ann’s safety. If Heiress was going to find her and free her from Ballista’s oppression, she would require additional equipment. Turning toward where the Kozian sun would eventually appear over the horizon, she raced toward her cave in the mountains.

Chapter Fifteen

Carrying all from the cave that she thought would serve her well, Heiress flew low over Amanda and John’s house. All the lights were still off, which suggested that they were not yet aware of all the events occurring that night. She was relieved by this, and it renewed her determination to have the matter resolved before the light of dawn. She could still see the red lights of the police cars illuminating the atmosphere in the area of Shenandoah around the bank. If the police officers were still occupied with that, then she could search the rest of the settlement without the added concern of encountering them. She decided to land in the park—no people to witness the landing, and no trees to complicate it. As it turned out, there were people in the park to see her alight gently on the grass. Soon after the soles of her shoes were moistened with dew, Leopardess bounded out to intercept her. “Where did you go?” said the Human/feline. “We thought that Ballista had captured you.” “Ballista has escaped with Kira Ann,” said Heiress. “I have gathered tools to help me find her. Were you at the bank when the police arrived?” Leopardess bared her teeth slightly. “Police and I do not always get along. Mandala and I left when we saw the lights approaching. Everyone else there was unconscious.” “Thank you for your help at the bank,” said Heiress. “You have done much this night to convince me of your sincerity. When Kira Ann is safe again, I will listen as you tell me more about Edelweiss. For now, however, I ask that you stand aside so that I can concentrate on finding my friend." She took a step toward the edge of the park, but the Human/feline intercepted her. “I don’t know who you are or where you came from,” said Leopardess, “but you are a fool if you think you can do this alone. How do you suppose you will locate her?” Heiress held up the technology wrapped around her right wrist. “This is a

chemical detection device. I have already calibrated it to locate quantities of gunpowder above one point two kilograms. This should lead me to Ballista quite effectively.” “It will also lead you to any of the three gun stores in town and an ammunition factory, as well as half of the houses,” said Leopardess. “Most men in this part of America are hunters. It will take you all night and most of tomorrow to find her that way.” Heiress considered this. She did not have that much time. “Do you have another suggestion?” she said. “I know that four people can search the town four times faster than one.” Heiress scanned the park. “Mandala is probably near. Who is the fourth person?” Leopardess turned and whistled through her pointed teeth. Mandala emerged from the foliage and walked toward them, and he was followed by a woman dressed in the manner of a Romanian gypsy. “She says that her name is Trance,” said Leopardess. “She also said that she is a friend of yours.” “Perhaps not yet,” said Trance as they collected in the middle of the field, “but we will be. I have foreseen it.” She stared at Heiress, as if she were struggling to someone she had not seen for years. Heiress stared back, wondering if this Human needed the assistance of a psychologist. “Have you ‘foreseen’ how we are going to find the girl?” snarled Leopardess. Trance seemed unaffected by her tone, even though it was a tone that even Heiress, as new to the subtleties of Human expression, could detect. “Yes,” said Trance, “I have. The five will walk toward the rising sun, and will find the one who will weep.” “There are four of us,” said Mandala, “and you are not suited for the work that’s ahead of us.” “I have seen five,” said Trance, “like the points of a faraway star.” Heiress held her breath. Was it possible that this Human could discern her true origins? She would need to be very cautious around her if that was within this gypsy’s abilities.

“East, then,” said Leopardess. “I do not believe in this fortune-telling nonsense, but we have to start somewhere.” They had barely traveled a kilometer from the park when an ominous figure became apparent in the road ahead of them. “The female in brown,” said Heiress. “It would seem that Trance’s words had some truth in them.” “Perhaps because she is in league with them,” said Leopardess. “There are fortune tellers at the street carnivals in Norway, and they are all charlatans, taking money and telling people want they want to hear. Wasn’t this one seen with Bedlam and Ballista this week?” Mandala stepped in between Trance and Leopardess. “Whether she is or not,” he said, “she seems to have led us in the right direction.” “It is another trap.” “You and I both excel at evading traps,” he said. “You watch the gypsy, and Heiress and I will contend with the brown woman.” “Please excuse my teammate,” he said as the two of them continued forward. “She often smells trouble where there is none.” “Although I am new to this sort of work, I would think this would be a good time for caution,” said Heiress. “Our work is full of surprises,” said Mandala, “like this woman in brown.” The woman was silent until they were near enough to speak comfortably. “Ballista sent me to stop you,” said the woman. “And will you, Calico?” asked Mandala. The woman removed her mask. Long, black hair fell out from under it. “How did you know it was me, my attractive scholar?” she said. “You have a distinctive way of standing in the moonlight,” said Mandala. “I believe I saw it last in Islamabad. Heiress, this is…” “…the woman at the airport,” said Heiress. “Did you find your museum?”

Calico cocked her head in Heiress’ direction. “That trip was delayed,” she said. “How kind of you to .” “Why do we find you in league with Ballista?” said Mandala. “I am insulted that you would think I would take orders from someone like her,” said Calico. “I merely stumbled upon the brats from Zahlmeister collecting their accomplices and planning something big, and so I invited myself to the party. I told the brother that I was a friend of the sister and the sister that I was a friend of the giant. How could I up a chance to spoil some corporate snob’s plans?” “Where is Kira Ann, Calico?” said Heiress. “Now, my dear, you will never be an acceptable secret agent if you are so impatient,” said Calico. “If you had done your homework, you would have known that Zahlmeister bought the ammunitions factory right over there just two days ago. That is where you will find the girl, safe inside her box. Do you have any more questions for the professionals?” “Yes,” said Heiress. “Can you fly?” “No.” “Good.” Her wings exploded from her back and she sprang into the air, targeting the factory that Calico had indicated. She had had enough of the useless banter and of allies that might suddenly switch allegiances again. There was only one person that she knew was completely committed to Kira Ann’s rescue, and that was her. She had beaten Ballista before and had no doubt that Ballista would be beaten again. The entrance she needed was easy to locate. There was a long, black vehicle parked by a large door with a sign above it that read, “Grauman Ballistics”. The vehicle’s rear cargo area had been left open. She landed on the pavement and pushed her way through the metal doors, denting one and tearing the other off one of its hinges. Once inside, she simply followed the lighted hallway to the far end of the building. She found Ballista kneeling behind the box in the center of the room. One of the shells from her weapon exploded on the wall next to the doorway Heiress had

just ed through. “That was a warning shot!” said Ballista. “The next one goes through your head!” “Who then would you hire?” said Heiress. “When you left the bank, you insinuated that you would use Kira Ann to make me accept your offer of employment. Don’t you think killing me would defeat your purpose?” She walked slowly into the room. “Deals go bad every day,” said Ballista. “Take one more step, and you won’t be accepting any deals, ever again.” Heiress took three more steps. “You arrogant witch,” said Ballista, and fired her weapon. Heiress closed her eyes, simply out of reflex, but the Prægk force screen that glistened around her had successfully stopped the projectile. Ballista screamed and fired again and again, but each bullet fell harmlessly to the floor, its kinetic energy having been absorbed by the screen and ed into her harness’ energy storage units. “Calm down, Ballista,” she said. “You are experiencing the frustration that results when circumstances do not unfold as one hopes. I felt the same frustration when you sent your associates to stop me. They have all been sent to the hospital, and if you do not surrender, so will you.” “Shut up!” screamed Ballista, and fired not at Heiress, but at the towering stack of wooden pallets behind her. Splinters of wood exploded in all directions, and the tower fell on top of Heiress, pinning her to the floor. As tactics go, it was rather effective, thought Heiress, but when she heard the muffled sound of the box being dragged away across the concrete floor, she realized that she did not have the freedom to appreciate her opponent’s battle strategies. She gripped the wooden frames above her, pulled her legs underneath her center of mass, and pushed against gravity. The pallet holding her down, and the four above it, were lifted high into the air. She threw the massive tangle off to the side. Ballista stopped pulling the box away and watched in amazement. “Fine,” she said. “If I can’t hurt you, I’ll hurt something else.” She shifted her weapon’s barrel and pushed it inside one of the box’s air holes. “This rifle’s also equipped with a flamethrower, so here’s the new deal: you leave now, or I’ll burn her

alive. What’s it going to be?” Heiress didn’t even need to think. Her wings exploded outward and she launched herself fully at Ballista. The weapon Ballista held fired, but it had already been ripped away from the box along with its bearer. Heiress slammed Ballista cleanly through the large metal door that had been behind her. They landed roughly on the pavement outside. No longer concerned with subtlety, Heiress tore the weapon out of Ballista’s hands and snapped it in two. The energy stored within it ripped free in an explosion of sparks, each of which was absorbed by the Prægk screen. Ballista threw herself out of the way, rolling clumsily backwards and slowly lifting herself to her feet. “Surrender now” said Heiress through gritted teeth. “Go to hell,” said Ballista weakly. Heiress threw herself into a tornado kick, striking her on the right shoulder. Ballista had tried to block the kick, but the energy stored in the Prægk harness added to Heiress’ own strength, enhanced by her rage, would have leveled a concrete wall. The bones in Ballista’s lower arm broke in several places. “Surrender!” said Heiress. “Never!” screamed Ballista, clutching her arm. Heiress delivered a roundhouse kick that shattered the armor protecting her enemy’s knee, as well as the t within. Ballista fell to the ground, writhing in pain. Tears of agony gushed from her eyes as she wailed. “SURRENDER!” screamed Heiress. Ballista could only shriek her defiant response like a trapped animal. Heiress raised her fist, preparing for the final blow… …and she felt a firm but gentle hand encircling her wrist, holding it fast. She looked to the side and saw Mandala’s eyes locked on to hers. “Calm your rage, Heiress,” he said. “Look at her. She’s beaten. The fight is over." She looked at Ballista, writhing on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth and seeped out from under her hairline. Her arm and her leg had been rendered useless.

She looked back at Mandala. “I could have killed her,” she said. “That’s not who you are, Heiress,” he said. And she was certain that it was not who her mother wanted her to be. She filled her lungs with air and released it slowly. “Thank you, Mandala,” she said. “I am myself again.” As Mandala tended to Ballista, Heiress moved quickly inside to free Kira Ann from the box. Leopardess, Calico and Trance leaned over it, examining the door and the locking mechanism. “It is too hard for my claws,” said Leopardess. “Does Ballista have the key?” she asked Calico. Heiress consulted the power readings on her right wrist. “We do not need a key,” she said. “Please stand aside.” Kneeling at the door, she grabbed the locking mechanism and twisted it off. She threw its mangled mass to the side and opened the door. Immediately, a foot flew outward from the box and kicked her across the jaw. The force of the blow was unexpected, and it knocked her off her heels and on to the floor. “Omigod,” said Kira Ann. “I’m sorry. Omigod, I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Heiress rubbed her jaw. “It’s almost dawn,” she said. “Let’s go home.”

Chapter Sixteen

“Kira Ann Madagan, I am so disappointed,” said Amanda to her daughter who was sitting on the sofa. “What makes you think you can just trot off in the middle of the night without telling anybody?” “I’m sorry, Mom. I got a text that said Doug was meeting Mike in the park again. I couldn’t just do nothing.” “Sweetheart, I’m not saying you didn’t have a reason. I’m saying the way you handled it was wrong. Didn’t we discuss this just a few days ago? “Yes,” said Kira Ann, staring at the floor. “I thought we agreed that if it happened again, you would tell me about it. You aren’t the Shenandoah Police.” “I know,” said Kira Ann. “I swear,” said Amanda, “after breakfast I’m marching right over to the Branston’s and talking to his mother. We’ve got to put a stop to this once and for all. Baby, you could have gotten seriously hurt.” “I know,” said Kira Ann. “It won’t happen again. I promise.” “All right,” said Amanda. “Lord knows I’ve made more than my share of mistakes in life.” She planted her hands on her hips. “Come on, girl, help me get breakfast out on the table for everybody.” Amanda was a good mother, Heiress thought. She wondered what her own mother would have said. Would she have been angry? Even so, the daughter would have given anything to hear the mother’s voice in that moment. Heiress shifted her attention to the group of people who were speaking outside. Jay stood with Leopardess, Mandala, Trance and Calico. Before she ed them, however, there was something that she needed to do. She quietly moved down the hall and peeked through the door to the room where Amanda and Jay had slept.

No bear. Still, it could have left the house after she did. That mystery would have to be solved another day. “No, sir,” Leopardess was saying as she ed them. “We had discovered that there was a connection between Heiress and your family by speaking with a Reverend Duller. We would have met with you sooner, but another matter forced us to call off our search for her temporarily.” “The situation at the bank, I take it?” said Jay. “Yes, sir,” said Mandala. “It came as quite a surprise that two criminals would attempt to rob the same bank twice in one week.” Jay shrugged his shoulders. “From what I hear from the police, they probably thought they would have better luck with more help. Thanks for putting a stop to it.” “We didn’t…” said Leopardess, “I mean…you’re welcome.” “I think we can tell Edelweiss that the young woman who stopped them the first time was simply a gifted citizen in the right place at the right time,” said Mandala, winking at her. She felt the strange sensation of blood rushing to her cheeks. “Thank you,” said Jay. “I understand why Edelweiss would want to look into it, but Shenandoah really doesn’t need a bunch of paranormal agents running through the streets. One of the reasons we settled here after I left the Department was for the peace and quiet.” “I have not seen much of your town,” said Calico, “but it reminds me a little bit of the neighborhood where I grew up in Canada. It would be nice to stay and enjoy it for a while.” Heiress could sense Jay hold his breath for a moment, and she wondered at the meaning of it. “And what exactly are your plans, Ms. Calico? Do you think you’ll go back with these two to Switzerland?” “Oh, I am not with Edelweiss,” she said. “Although I have worked…near them on occasion.” Heiress detected Leopardess’ slight snarl, and she sensed that there was a story that she had not heard. “I came to America on other business, and I

am very pleased now that I will have company.” “Oh?” said Jay and Mandala simultaneously. “Yes. Heiress has agreed to accompany me for a while.” Heiress sensed everyone hold their breath and look at her. She really must ask the pedagogicus why Humans deny themselves air when they desire further information. It was a most unusual behavior. “She speaks the truth,” she said. “I feel the need to see more of the world outside of the mountains of my birth, and Calico has agreed to show some of it to me.” No one said anything for several Kozian seconds. “Heiress,” said Jay at last, “are you sure that this is what you want? You know that you can stay with us as long as you like.” “You are the most generous Human I have met so far,” said Heiress, “but my desire to see the world is very strong, and I fear that if I stay more ‘paranormal agents’, as you call them, may come looking for me and further disturb the peace and quiet. I have made the necessary measurements, and her vehicle is spacious enough to carry the personal items I will require.” Jay sighed, perhaps to replenish the air he had denied himself earlier. “All right,” he said, pulling out the small animal hide package he kept in his pocket, “but I want you to keep in touch at least once a week.” He gave her a small rectangle of thick paper. It had his name and the unique numerical code one would use to him using one of the small handheld communication devices. There was a curious emblem in the upper right corner, and when Heiress brushed her finger over it a phrase appeared in prismatic letters. It read, “The Mysterium”. “That’s where I work,” said Jay. “Keep it to yourself, and I’ll tell you more about it sometime. Now, come here.” He extended his manipulatory appendages out to the sides. “It’s for a hug,” he said when she looked at him questioningly. “Most people on this planet,” he said winking at her, “hug to express affection.” Somewhat stunned, she moved forward and let him wrap his manip…his arms… around her. It felt incredibly warm and satisfying. “I have no father,” she said, her eyes growing moist in spite of her efforts to prevent it, “but if I did I would want him to be as kind and as welcoming as you.” She felt his arms tighten

around her very slightly. “Well,” he said, “I’m hungry. I hope you can all stay for breakfast. I better go in, though, and ask Amanda first.” “I believe she has anticipated your offer,” said Heiress. “She is currently standing in the ketchup preparing breakfast.” She had never heard everyone laugh at the same time. It was an incredibly infectious sound.

Postlude

The short, balding man entered the private room at the hospital, having already showed his credentials to the four armed guards outside. His stood for a moment, observing the two people in the beds before him, a brother and a sister. “Bedlam” had been kept under sedation once it had been confirmed that he didn’t have a traumatic brain injury. His sister, “Ballista” apparently, had bandages on her head and casts covering her left arm and right leg. She opened her eyes when he cleared his throat. “It’s about time,” she said weakly. “The food is terrible. When can we go home?” “Not for a while,” said the man. “The Board has determined that you need to make amends for your serious lack of judgment. I’m afraid you will be tried for your crimes and sent to prison.” The look of anger on Ballista’s face was quickly followed by a look of physical pain. “You can’t do this to us,” she said, her voice quivering slightly. “I don’t want to go to prison.” “Relax, girl. You will not serve long. After a few months we will assess how well you have learned your lesson, and then Zahlmeister will come to collect you.” “It’s not fair,” she said softly. “What about our friends. Are they going to prison, too?” “Zahlmeister has other plans for them. For now, do not concern yourself with the matter.” “It’s not fair,” she repeated. Another tear flowed down her cheek. The man sat in a chair that was far more…common than anything he was used to. “It’s not all bad,” he said, doing his best to sound comforting, but not quite

attaining the proper tone. “Zahlmeister has determined that your methods were not completely foolish. You simply failed to think things through. When you have finished with your shortened prison sentence, we will take you in and teach you what you are lacking. If you truly want to be an agent of Zahlmeister, and not just the children of its founder, we can help you achieve that goal.” Ballista said nothing. She turned her face to the wall as best as she was able. The man sat a few moments longer in the chair, if that’s what you want to call it, and then left without saying another word. Ballista wept quietly, wondering how her father could just abandon her like that…

For Your Consideration

1. Have you, when starting something new, ever had to figure things out as you went along? Do you prefer to ask for help or to work on your own? What do you think Heiress did?

2. Heiress chose Amanda as a friend because Amanda helped her. How do you choose your friends?

3. Did your feelings about Baliista change between the beginning of the book and the end? How so?

4. If you were Kira Ann, would you have done anything different? Why do you think it is difficult sometimes to tell your parents what's really going on in your life?

5. What do you think will happen next in Heriess' life?

About the Author

Eric Hoffman lives in Red Wing, Minnesota with two very ive family and one cat who couldn't care less about his books. He writes simply becasue he has finally come to believe that it is fun to write. He has written several novelettes for young adult readers, and this is the first to be published. He intends to write for as long as he is able because all the characters in his head deserve to have their stories known. He also painted the cover illustration, believing that creating art is a lot of fun, too. He hopes with all his heart that you have enjoyed this book.

Publisher: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG Implerstraße 24 80331 Munich

Publication Date: September 9th 2021

https://www.bookrix.com/-mpf798a6f44c116

ISBN: 978-3-7487-9280-2

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