This is a chapter of the novel Earth’s Embrace by Space Cadet Michael. In this novel, the little and the lost becomes the fulfilled and the found - It is a novel of jungle adventure, artificial intelligence, and the answer to what happened to Percy Fawcett. See the full chapter list here.
Previously, Kashiri got her flight simulator working with Rimak’s help and treated him to a channel surfing trip in thanks.
Yoashicopitso. The Fawcett shop.
-Rimak-
Rimak draws back the bright red curtain revealing a small hallway with another curtained opening at the end, one to the side, and a single, simple but solid looking wooden door with a heavy metal latch that sits unlocked in the open position. Rimak pulls open the door and a music comes out of the darkness behind. The Yoashi people call it beautiful: flute, drums, and tonal bells. But it is too fast, too cluttered. More like a cacophony than music to Rimak’s ear. Music should be soft and lyrical. He’s been in Yoashi long enough that at least he can tolerate it without wanting to cover his ears, but he still cringes inside as if it's poking needles in his brain.
He holds the door open for the others. Brian leads Reeto and Pari down the stone steps into the darkness behind the door. Rimak follows last, towards the source of the noise, watching his footing on the ancient steps so worn with use that they have a soft depression and rounded shape in the middle that make it easy to misjudge the next one. A light, invisible at first, but dim enough to see the steps by, outlines the others from below as they descend.
The room is much different from the upstairs with walls that are the glossy black of the Banetmabo. To the right, dusty shelves stack high up to the vaulted stone ceiling and stretch off far into the dimly lit distance. Their every surface is piled with various shapes blurred together in the gloom. The shapes are trinkets and favors collected from countless expeditions to the ruined remains of the cities of the Banetmabo.
Straight ahead bricks fill in the shapes of a large arched doorway and two arched windows. Their architectural majesty means that the arches probably used to be the entrance to this building. A relic of an ancient time when the street was ten feet lower.
To their left sits Kashiri’s flight simulator. Rimak is thrilled that Kashiri is able to practice flying again. Her passion is infectious. He wants to do everything he can to help her become a pilot.
Kashiri is engrossed in her training and has not noticed them. Brian walks over to the audio system and switches it off.
Brian flicks a light switch at the bottom of the stairs and the room lights up.
Kashiri looks up, miffed. “Hey!?”
“We have guests my dear.” Brian says. “Let me introduce you all. This is Parime and this is Reeto, newcomers!”
Kashiri greets them with a simple “Hi,” and a polite smile. Then she and Rimak exchange friendly nods.
Brian’s tone changes to a careful, gentle one. “Can you help me find a journal of your father’s? The one from your last expedition?”
She removes her leather flight gloves and disappears behind a row of shelves. She is back promptly with a worn leather-bound book. Writing on the cover says: “Expedition Notes, 2017.”
“Thank you.” Brian says as he takes it and starts flipping through the pages. “Won’t take but a moment.”
“What are you working on down here Kashiri?” Pari asks.
Kashiri responds in English. “I am practicing flying the crafts of the Banetmabo. They can maybe go anywhere,” She says with bright lights behind her eyes, “but none have ever been flown.”
“Kashiri here wants to be the first!” Rimak boasts.
Brian is rapidly flipping through the notebook, stopping to read sections with his finger, then flipping again until he stops and quickly raises his finger in the air. “Aha! Here it is.” Brian holds out the book, open to a page of sketches. “See these? It looks like just what you brought in. Can you pull the relic out again?”
Reeto looks at Pari in case she wants to stop him, and then brings out the power pack. Brian produces a coin. The sketch matches the shape and size of Tolek’s piece exactly, complete with a small coin for scale.
“I hope you are up for a challenge. It’s not the easiest place to get to.” Brian says.
“Is this the place where…?” Rimak trails off, assuming Brian knows he is referring to his son’s death.
“Indeed, yes. It was where Harry was returning from. It’s across the Great Rift. Deep into the deadly jungle.” Brian says. “An untouched city.”
Rimak emits a contorted, restricted gargle that is a mixture of surprise and an attempt to not show his surprise. Untouched, unexploited Banetmabo ruins are unheard of.
“But everyone who enters that jungle gets ill!” Rimak tries to temper his excitement but it comes through in his tone, he is sure of it.
“My father and I did not.” Kashiri boasts, Brian translates.
“What kind of ill?” Pari asks.
“Fever. Cold sweats, Headache. Vomiting.” Brian says. My grandfather called it Malaria. Somehow my family is immune.”
“We have pills that will protect us.” Pari says. “How do you get there?”
“Oh! You can’t go alone.” Brian says. “The route is very dangerous, very. You’ll need a guide and some help.”
“Can you share some of those pills?” Rimak asks.
“How long of a trip is it?” Pari replies.
“Ten days in the danger zone.” Kashiri says.
Reeto pulls a bottle out of his shirt pocket and wiggles it at Pari with a wink. “I’ve kept this on me since Andrew did or did not take his pills. I’ll always bring extra of something that weighs nothing and could save your life. You could say that makes me kind of like a guardian angel and this is my angel dust!” Rimak watches him gesture his head this way and that as he appears to do some mental arithmetic. “We have enough that we can take two more people.”
“Three if you bring someone who is immune. I am too old but Kashiri knows the way. She will guide you.” Brian says.
Kashiri groans and speaks fiercely in her native tongue as she raises her hand and points at Brian’s chest. “No, I will not.”
Brian responds back just as forcefully with both hands, palms up, pleading. “But think what this would mean for us? For the store. You could bring back enough in this one trip to keep this store going for the rest of my life. You know I can’t do that myself.”
“Well maybe if it wasn't called 'Fawcett and sons I might have a place here.” Kashiri says, exasperated by a repetitive argument even Rimak has heard more than once.
Kashiri turns and heads up the stairs.
“You could bring back the shuttle!” Brian calls after her.
“She didn’t mean that, she knows she is welcome here. I’ll-I’ll just be a moment.” Brian stutters and follows after her.
Once they have gone, Pari asks Rimak, “Why didn’t she want to go?”
“She wants to choose her own way in life.” Rimak says. “You know how it is with children. Finding relics is Brian’s way, not hers.”
“Well, we’ll have to find another guide then.” Pari says. “Do you know any?”
“There is no other. I think she will go. And when she does, you remember your friend Rimak. You will need a translator. I should join you.” Rimak feels immediately self conscious that he sounds too eager. So he adds, “Nothing in this world comes for free. In return perhaps you will teach me about your world.”
Rimak notices Reeto look at him out of the corner of his eyes. It seems clear that Reeto suspects that Rimak has other hidden reasons for going along.
“We will need a translator, thank you. We will definitely keep you in mind.” Pari says.
“We should probably check on them.” Rimak says. He heads up the stairs with Pari and Reeto close behind. They enter the showroom to find Kashiri standing at the front door, frozen, holding the open sign half flipped. She is staring out across the street. Brian is at the window looking in the same direction.
A tall, thin young man is walking across the street towards them. His bright red robes are clearly visible not only for their color, but for the lack of busy traffic anywhere near him. A break in the chaos of the street has appeared and it is lined on either side by people pausing their busy lives to let this man cross the street. No one bows or shows any additional movements of reverence or fear, they simply stop to let him pass by.
Rimak has asked people why they do this, and most people don’t really know. It is just what is done to those with the markings. But when Rimak really digs deep with someone, he inevitably finds that there is an assumption that this man is busier than everyone else, that his time is more important. Rimak knows better. Kestenbetsa might act busier than everyone else, but he is no more busy or less busy, it’s just an act to maintain a distance from the parts of the world he would rather not interact with.
Kashiri snaps out of her trance and drops the sign. It clangs against the glass of the door. She pulls the door open and stands to the side, clearly reverent.
Kestenbetsa barges into the shop, red robes bellowing behind him. He wears three small black stones suspended on his forehead from a thin headband. These are his ‘markings.’ It is clear from how he strides into the store how highly he thinks of himself. It has a lot to do with those little black stones that show the purity of his ancestral spirit. Rimak is continually tickled by the irony that this man who’s most prized possessions match every item in the store with their obsidian color and sheen, so dislikes this store and everything it represents.
Kesten completely ignores Kashiri, his focus entirely on Pari and Reeto. Kesten is used to getting forgiven for his rudeness. He is a boy genius with the right lineage. He made critical breakthroughs in understanding the propulsion drives of ancient spacecraft before he had even finished school. Kesten’s good connections helped him become the leader of the department of Space Research, and then head of the most powerful organization in this region, The Society. Not only is he smart and talented, but he’s been afforded every privilege since he was born.
It is rare these days to see someone with one marker on their forehead, let alone three. Ancient traditions say that anyone who came through the gangway had three. But they passed them down; If they have three children, each gets one. Having three markers requires an unusual family tree or great personal wealth. Kesten has both.
Rimak on the other hand has no markers. Not one of his people from the land of Poma Inca came here with any markers. Rimak doesn’t want them, doesn’t need them. He doesn’t have to prove who he is to others. He judges who he is through his actions every day.
Rimak is a great explorer and a decent spy. Poma Inca selected him to be the first Incan to join The Society. His position is tenuous, his entry a gesture of goodwill in a fragile political relationship. He should do everything he can to curry favor with this intelligent and powerful man. And Rimak does. It is his job. But to Rimak, Kesten is lacking in the areas that most count. Kesten is inexperienced in the hard reality outside his comfortable bubble. Kesten is not someone he would trust on an expedition. Not as a colleague. And certainly not as a leader.
Kesten faces Pari and Reeto but speaks the local language to Brian without looking at him. “Greetings Mr. Fawcett. Great weather today, no?” Kesten’s movement and tone are an obvious sign of disrespect, even if his words are polite.
“Yes, it is indeed my good man. What brings you here on such a fine day as this? Do you want to buy some gifts?” Brian sounds cheerful. Rimak thinks he probably is cheerful too. Nothing unsettles that man.
“I do not buy goods stolen from the Gods.” Kesten says. “I am here to see the newcomers.”
“Now, now Kesten. We do nothing illegal here.” Brian says, still friendly.
“Desecrating the homes of the Gods is not illegal, no. Our laws don’t apply there. But heretical? Blasphemous? I think yes.” Kesten turns to Brian. “But today, that is water under the bridge!” He says, holding his arms out wide, suddenly gracious and smiling. “I heard you can talk to our guests. Please, introduce me to them, welcome them to our great city of Yoash, and let them know that I humbly invite them to be hosted at The Society. We have spare rooms and they will be well cared for. They could join us for dinner tonight.”
“Most certainly.” Brian says, still cheerful.
He translates the message into English for Pari and Reeto. They turn to each other, say something quickly in English that Rimak misses, then Pari says, “Yes, we will be honored to stay with you tonight and join you for dinner. Hopefully we can depart tomorrow, we really must be on our way.” Brian translates for Kesten who nods, obviously pleased, then confused.
“Leaving so soon?” Kesten says. “Where to?”
“We are going to the City of Death.” Kashiri says from behind Kesten causing him to whip around to face her.
“What? How? Why?” Kesten says.
“Pari and Reeto want to see it.” Kashiri says. “They have medicine that protects them and we can take two more. You should join us. There is an undamaged shuttle there I know you would like to see.”
“A shuttle?! Well if this is true, then of course!” Kesten says enthusiastically. “But how do you know this?”
“I have seen it.” Kashiri says.
“You are telling me that you succeeded where twelve of my kin failed at the cost of their lives?” Kesten says.
“It appears our little secret is out of the bag,” Brian says.
“Why am I not surprised by this?” He pauses, thinking. “But how did you survive? Do you have these pills too?” Kesten asks Kashiri.
“It turns out we Fawcetts are not affected by the fevers of that jungle.” Kashiri says.
“Why did you not tell us? We could have made a serum, made a full expedition! But no, of course not. You wanted to keep it for yourselves.” The disgust sits clearly on his face and tongue.
Kesten turns to Pari. “What do you newcomers want with the City of Death?”
Brian answers, “They have keen interest in studying the Akadyons. Not so different from you.”
Kesten turns to face Brian. There is a tense pause. Rimak hopes that Brian will find some way to politely exclude Kesten, but does not expect it.
“This is an opportunity I cannot miss. I will join you. When do we leave?”
Rimak gets that sinking feeling that happens when a bad outcome is foreseen but cannot be prevented.
“Not me, I’m too old.” Brian says. “Kashiri will lead the way.”
“As soon as we can. First thing tomorrow.” Kashiri says.
“Well the Society is at your service. We will bring you as far as we can and outfit you with anything you do not have.” Kesten says.
“Thank you sir. May I give you a list?” Kashiri asks.
“Yes, I suppose you may. That would be very efficient.” Kesten says.
“I’ll just be a moment.” Kashiri disappears into the back of the store.
“And what about this medicine our visitors bring?” Kesten asks.
Rimak asks Pari and translates her response. “It is to be taken once a day for two days before we set foot in the affected area and through the four weeks afterwards.”
“Well you must have plenty extra then,” Kesten says. “May I see?”
Brian translates. Reeto produces the bottle again, then once it is out, is reluctant to hand over the bottle, only doing so after encouragement from Brian.
Kesten struggles to open the child locked cap. Pari mimes the ‘push down and twist’ motion and Kesten opens it. He takes a handful, replaces the lid and drops the handful in a pocket of his.
Pari protests.
“I will leave them here as insurance.” Kesten says. “You may have them back to finish your doses when we all return, safely. Rimak, I see you have already met our guests. Please bring them to the Society. Dinner will be at seven.”
Reeto takes back the bottle, immediately opens it and starts estimating the number of pills left.
“Yes sir,” Rimak smiles wide with a gentle head bow.
“Well I must go. I have much to prepare.” Kesten says as he turns and heads back out the door.
Once he is safely gone Brian says in English, “What a delight that man is.”
“What’s his deal?” Pari asks.
“A sorry case of self-importance and provincialism. He believes he is the key to his people’s salvation. He intends to one day meet the Gods who left so long ago. It’s quite a burden really. I pity him. It makes him a very busy man with little patience for life.” Brian says.
“Hmm. I know the type.” Pari says, glancing sideways at Reeto who has placated his concern and is putting the bottle back in his pocket. He smiles back knowingly.
Rimak wonders who they are talking about.
Kashiri returns holding a slip of paper. Brian points out the front door with a shrug. Kashiri chases out the door after Kesten.
“I have told you I am a friend.” Brian says to Pari and Reeto. “I mean that sincerely. Maybe it’s just that we speak the same language, but I feel you are good people. I want you to know that Kashiri and I will do everything we can to help you find the power pack. But, you are new here and I must warn you. The Society has their own agenda. Rimak here is one of them but I think you can trust him.” Brian winks at Rimak.
“I’ll keep your secret.” Rimak says.
Brian continues, “But I recommend you don’t tell anyone else about what you are looking for. Kesten would give his left arm to keep the power pack for his research. Just tell them you are going to study the ruins and once you find what you are looking for, keep it hidden from him.”
Kesten’s is a stickler for punctuality so Rimak makes sure he and his guests arrive at six thirty. They make their way to The Society HQ. It is impossible to miss. An imposing black, obsidian, Banetmabo-built domed structure with fourteen spokes extending out like spokes on a wheel. All the main roads end up here. It is the physical, economic and cultural heart of the city, and it is by far the city’s largest building.
As they approach, Rimak gives Pari and Reeto a history lesson. “When the Banetmabo left, they took much more than themselves.”
“When they left, what happened to the Akadyons? Or are they even older?” Pari asks.
“Sorry, Banetmabo is our local word for the Akadyons as Brian was calling them. I much prefer it.”
“Why?” Pari asks.
“Banetmabo roughly means ‘Let things be as they are.’ I think these people,” Rimak gestures all around him with arms held wide out, “need to follow the example of the gods they worship. They are too hung up on the past. They need to let go of these old gods and embrace the new. They need to be a bit more practical. Like Kashiri here.” Rimak smiles at Kashiri and is pleased to see everyone else take notice of her. She squirms, not sure how to accept the compliment.
“And what does Akadyon mean?” Pari asks.
“It is a nod to the oldest known empire from your Mesopotamia, I believe it was called. One of the most ancient empires from the cradle of civilization. I wouldn’t be surprised if Brian himself came up with that one, given that he’s practically the only English speaker here.” Rimak leads them through the shrinking courtyard that makes its way up between two of the spokes to the central dome.
“This had been the center of the city.” He continues, “It and the rest of the city was built by the Banetmabo. Apparently they were very generous. They fed all these people. But their generosity had a limit and for some reason they left. The food stopped coming and the people that lived lazily off the generosity of others turned on each other. Famines, war and chaos followed. My people brought order from the chaos in many places. But we did not reach here. The Society started here in this building and brought order, peace, and purpose to Yoashi.”
“They became very wealthy. All of Yoashi’s trade comes in and out of this building. My people have our own wing on the other side where we take and make deliveries.” Rimak hears the pride in his own voice.
“The Society now has one purpose. To find a way to talk to their Gods. They want to uncover the secrets of the Banetmabo, rebuild their technology, find out where they went, and ask them why they left. They have scoured the planet, the ruined cities of the Banetmabo, and taken anything that might help them. They might have had more but Inca Papa was smarter, faster, and he took all the best machines from the destroyed cities before The Society was even a gleam in Unam’s eye.”
“Inca Papa?” Pari asks.
“Unam?” Reeto asks.
They reach the enormous building and Rimak pulls a thick rope that hangs by the door.
“Yes, I should have mentioned. IncaPapa is the God and leader of my people. You might get to meet him as we pass through Amaru on the way to the Great Rift. Unam founded The Society fifteen generations ago and ‘brought order from chaos from her sheer force of will’ as Kesten likes to say. You may have noticed the three stones Kesten wears.”
“Yes, I was wondering why he bought something from Brian’s store when he seemed to dislike him so much.” Pari says.
Rimak laughs heartily. “Wouldn’t that be a sight? No, Kesten didn’t buy them, he inherited them. Directly from the great Unam herself.”
The door opens and an orange-smocked staff member greets them. “Please, follow me.” The staff member says, ushering them inside. They enter into a small side chamber with a ceiling as tall as the base of the central dome. It rises high above them, its jet black walls disappearing into a cavernous darkness pricked only by small lights along the wall above the staircase that winds its way many floors above them.
As they climb the stairs Rimak watches Pari and Reeto try to look through the darkness above them. They are clearly impressed. For people who have never seen this place before, it evokes an entirely unique level of awe.
“Incredible, isn’t it.” Rimak says in shared reverence. “We still have no idea how they did it.” He allows them to continue on in silence until they near the top of the staircase, still far below the cavernous ceiling.
“I hope you are hungry! The food here is,” he makes a satisfied noise and places his hand on his stomach. “Fantastic!”
The staff member stops at the top of the stairs, at the edge of a wide opening into a room. ”Through here please.” The guide says.
“Thank you.” Rimak nods at the guide as he passes into the room where Kesten is seated at a large table.
They enter a large open space with the same black walls, filled with an extremely long, dark, obsidian table surrounded by plain, dark wooden chairs with high backs. Kesten is seated at one end, scribbling furiously in a notebook. “Please, take a seat. I’ll be right with you.” Kesten says without looking up from his work. Rimak translates and the party of four take their seats on either side of Kesten, Pari and Reeto across from Rimak and Kashiri.
The dinner setting is meant to impress. Brightly colored, patterned ceramic plates, similar to those at Brian’s shop, are set with ceramic cutlery. The fork has two elegant prongs, the knives are sharp.
Kesten closes his notebook and looks up at his guests. “I must apologize about the pills earlier. You must understand I can not afford to take unnecessary risks.” Rimak translates.
“I don’t have much of a choice it seems.” Pari says matter-of-factly.
Kesten enthusiastically changes the subject. “I trust Rimak has told you all about us by now?”
“Well, he has told us a little about you.” Pari says.
“Has he told you why we do what we do?” Kesten watches the faces of Pari and Reeto as Rimak translates, gauging their receptiveness. They are certainly interested.
“Not really, no.” Pari says, telling a partial truth, but probably wanting to hear it from Kesten himself.
Kesten lifts his arm to point towards an elegantly carved plank of wood mounted above the entryway they had passed through. “‘The most people, the most happy.’ I am sure you noticed the reverence with which the people treat me. It is not something I have asked for. It is a responsibility I bear as the steward of a great legacy.” He touches the black jewel on his forehead that is closest to his free hand. “When the Banetmabo left us, our world was turned upside down. All of a sudden the food that had been brought to us at every meal stopped showing up. We had never before considered that we had to participate in our basic care. The city was turned upside down. People were confused and angry. And in this chaos, Unam, revere her memory, brought peace, reasonableness and order back to our lives.” Kesten is bright and animated as he describes her, but he pauses to let Rimak translate.
“She didn’t have to step up. No one would have faulted her if she had not. But she did. And the people listened. Without Unam, we would not have civilization, we would probably not even be alive today.”
Pari raises her hand slightly above the table, wanting to ask a question. Kesten pauses and motions that she do so. “How did Unam bring peace? What did she do specifically to help everyone?”
Rimak has never heard the specifics before, only the generalized story of greatness and deserved respect, so he is excited to hear what comes next. “Unam went straight to the off limits parts of this building and started to unlock its secrets. She knew our salvation lay in the secrets of the Banetmabo, and there she found them. Stores of food and the machines to make it. She figured out how to use these machines, and organized the distribution of the food to the hungry people of the city. It is her legacy of learning which I continue today as her oldest living relative.” Kesten touches a stone on his forehead for a moment as a show of reverence.
“The Society has seen fit to place me at its head. A duty that I take very seriously, and, in my opinion, a duty that is the most important of our time.” Kesten turns to Pari and Reeto and leans in to bridge the gap between them in some small way, placing his hands on the table. "We seek only the betterment of our people. And we must use every resource at our disposal. We don't have all the answers.” He motions to himself and Rimak. “But the Banetmabo," he leans back in his chair and raises his arms up wide gesturing at the room around them, "have many, many more. Some day we will unlock enough of their secrets that we can follow after them and ask them for the rest."
“I share your goals, in my own way.” Pari says.
“How so?” Kesten asks.
“We pursue knowledge and understanding too, for the betterment of our people.” Pari says.
“Is that what brings you to Kininasi?” Kesten asks.
“Yes,” Pari says. “I am a scientist. Your Banetmabo seem to have built the robot intelligence that brought us here. Tolek. I, we, are here to learn everything we can about it.”
Servers bring out the main course: an orange glazed pheasant sitting on a bed of sweet creamed baby carrots is brought to the center of the table between them, and individual bowls of cucumber and nutmeg cream soup are set before each person. It is a characteristically formal affair. The servers wear red tunics with holes for sleeves that show baggy white dress shirts. They bring the food in similar brightly colored, patterned ceramic dishes. Rimak's mouth waters.
"You want to know about the Banetmabo. So do I. If you help me reach Tolek, I will give you open access to our library. Almost four hundred and fifty years of careful research on the Banetmabo." Kesten says.
Pari looks at Reeto, who does not complain. They nod.
"Great! Tell me every detail about your journey through the portal. And please, help yourself.” Kesten motions to the feast.
Pari plates her food as she describes the temple on Earth's side, the gangway room, and the robots, but she leaves out any mention of Tolek's quest for a power pack. Kesten asks many questions. He is very interested in the robots, in particular Pari's description of Tolek.
"Can you take me to it?" Kesten asks.
"I don’t know where Tolek is," Pari says. "He knocked us out and we woke up outside this city. But," Reeto shoots a look at Pari after he coughs loudly into his fist, pretending to choke. She passes him a glass of water and after he stops coughing, continues, oblivious to his signal "when we head back we will wait where we were dropped off and it will take us back so we can go home. Why don’t you come with us? I’d very much like to see your records." But Rimak does not translate what Pari says. Rimak instead says that Reeto and Pari were gassed and dropped off, wandered into town, and do not know how to get back. How to find Tolek doesn’t feel like information that Kesten has to be trusted with.
"That is too bad," Kesten says. "Well, if you help me get to Tolek my offer still stands. We have but one purpose here, and it is to learn from our Gods. Anything you can do to help will be well rewarded." Rimak translates, faithfully this time.
The servers come in and clear the plates. A small shallow glass chalice is put in front of each of the diners. "Ah, dessert!" Kesten says.
Inside the glass is a beautiful silver swan. Its surface sparkles with an effervescent quality. This is not a dessert Rimak has seen before.
“You are all in for a treat tonight.” Kesten says. “Our dessert chef found it in an old cook book recently. He calls it The Silver Swan. It is a true feast for the senses.”
Rimak follows Kesten’s lead and lifts his swan. It fits easily in the palm of his hand, but he grabs it daintily with his fingers and bites off one side. It is a delicate, sweet, heavenly delight. It is almost like biting into air, except it is a sugary fluffy, sweet kind of air. The outside is even sweeter, gives no resistance to the bite, but provides crunch as you chew.
Rimak is experiencing culinary ecstasy. He looks across the table and sees Reeto quietly experiencing the same. They catch each other and share a smile and pair of raised brows of appreciation.
“This is the fanciest Peep I have ever had.” Reeto says, then jumps slightly. Rimak assumes Pari kicked him under the table.
“Peep?” Rimak asks.
“A delicacy we have on holidays.” Pari says. Rimak notices a smirk from Reeto.
"May I ask you a personal question, Pari?" Kesten says. Rimak translates.
"Yes," Pari says.
"What is it that drives your need to learn," Kesten asks.
"Science. The pursuit of knowledge and better understanding. I want to know because that is progress," Pari says.
"But why do you in particular need to know about these specific things? What is it about an ancient culture that would change you or your peers? Something more specific must drive you," Kesten asks.
"I know what it is." Reeto asks Pari. “May I?” She nods. "The future generations."
"And do you have future generations in particular that drive you?" Kesten asks.
"Yes. My little niece and younger brother. I have raised them as my own for many years. They are like children to me," Pari says.
"Well, we shall have to make sure we get you home safely to them, shan’t we?" Kesten dabs his mouth with his napkin and sighs the happy sigh of a man with a full belly.
This is the moment.
"Sir, you will need a translator and there is room for one more. I would like to accompany you if it is acceptable to our guests," Rimak says.
“What do our guests say?” Kesten asks Reeto and Pari. Rimak translates and they both say ‘yes.’
"Yes, Rimak," Kesten says. "You have translated most acceptably. You must accompany us tomorrow."
Rimak raises his glass in a toast. "It will be my pleasure to join you." Their glasses clink together, sealing the collaboration of this tenuous band of explorers.
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