The Quarry

[Rage Menelas]

[font=Lucida Sans Unicode]Three weeks and some odd days later, Ryan was called before the order-master of Urtyre.

Master Liu tells me that you are an outstanding apprentice. Your handling of the crisis on Hei'a 12 has certainly borne out this opinion. This was no Dalcachene. He was of a race unfamiliar to Ryan; shortabout five twobroad with dark, mahogany-colored skin; close-set eyes, bright but of indeterminate hue (alternately hazel or pale green depending on the lighting); thick black hair cut short in what Ryan would have called military fashion. There was no gray in it but the lines around his eyes betrayed his wizened years.

Thank you, Order-master Emoce'i. I grieve for the loss of my master.

As does the entire order, I assure you. He stared at the Terran, unblinking, an apparent attempt to appraise the quality of his character. Ryan met his gaze in like manner. Finally satisfied the order-master smiled and continued. Master Liu insists that you be allowed your freedom and that you be granted title to Saar'floe. I have granted his wishes with a single caveat.

Sir?

You will fly on the wing of Master Liu until I am satisfied that you are ready to accept the title of master. Until that point in time I bestow upon you the rank and title of Journeyman Starflyer of the Exeonassi, which has never before been done for anyone with less than two years experience as an apprentice. Do not make me regret this decision.

Thank you. I will not, sir. He saluted (a strange flourish that he had had to practice at some length before Quang to get right), and excused himself. Not bad, Ryan old boy, not bad... One step closer to absolute freedom! His brow wrinkled as he walked down the long corridor outside the audience chamber toward the exit. He wondered how flying on the wing of the mad ninja would go. He shrugged, only time would tell.

They had made the trip to Pella'agre and returned the captives without incident, but parting with Laura had been difficultmuch more so than anticipated. Though still in turmoil over the bitter revelation he had been forced to swallow concerning her, there were still some very deep feelings there. It was obvious by the tears shed at his parting that they were reciprocated. He had hugged her warmly and whispered his forgiveness into her ear, but then left without another word. A substantial volume of water needed to flow under that bridgetime to figure that situation out later.

The political situation was another matter. Apparently the complex where he and Master Erzo'acteru had been held was being visited by the leader of the rebellion against the legitimate government of Dalca'odge. Quang thought it strangely coincidental that it was at that very point in time that the devastating assault had occurred, that the shields were mysteriously down (for he had not been responsible for that, he assured Ryan). Machinations were at work behind the scenes there. He was sure of it, was determined to uncover the details.

The Baeliwik faction leader did not survive the attack, but several of his lieutenants did. They were all up for trial. No-one doubted they would be swiftly convicted, summarily executed. Ryan evinced amazement that the federation had no qualms in capital punishment, as it was a continuing source of hot debate back home. Quang was amused.

You Americans... you think what you determine to be immoral makes it so. Morality is as much a factor of culture as it is some absolute law of God. The reference to God made Ryan's ears perk up.

Are you... a Christian, Quang? He had heard that South Korea had the strongest, most prolific population of Christians in Asia, but it had never occurred to him that Quang might be one of them.

I am, he admitted. But all contingencies are not covered by the bible. For instance, no mention of the existence of other starfaring races is mentioned, nor of the other two species of sentients: the Daakrere, the Massamertes. ...neither is it denied. This was true, Ryan had to admit. Hearing the tough marine pontificate on matters of morality and religion however made him sit up and take notice. There was much more to this fierce warrior than met the eye. Ryan filed the incident away for future reference.