Choice of the Gallant_Paradox Equation I

by Sharon L Reddy

  He quit being careful with them. He took out four and listened. Nothing. He made himself a target again and someone nearly hit it. Three had fired at him. He found two of them. He heard a door slam and wondered if one had left. He decided it was a trick. He was right.

  He broke one of the two who had set up a crossfire near Clete. He checked him. He was in trance. He found the last man near Lane. He actually didn't mean to drop him from the balcony.

  Lane was in trance too. He carried him into Melissa, then got Clete. He put Melissa in flight and wondered where the coordinates Lane had set would take them. He was delighted when she landed at one of their favorite places to fish. He waited for them to come out of trance. It was a full day before Clete smiled at him, drank the water he held for him then went to sleep. Lane did the same about two hours later. Dutch breathed a sigh of relief and went fishing. They'd be hungry when they woke up.

  He spent about as much time checking on the two of them as he did fishing and kept a mental 'hand' on them the rest of the time, but he had plenty to cook when he built the fire and started frying them. Clete walked out of Melissa as he was cooking the last pan of fillets.

  "Mmm. Bass. Enough for three?"

  "Actually, enough for five, Clete. I figured you'd be hungry. I'll bring these in when they're done. Fix something to go with them. I can feel Lane's about to wake up too. I'm sure bass, pan-fried over an open fire, was what he had in mind for breakfast. He's awake."

  "You've been using a lot of energy monitoring us. Have you slept at all?"

  "Well... "

  "I thought not. Food then bed. I'll finish here. Lane will know. He'll be in the kitchen. Go find him."

  Clete was right. Lane was in the kitchen and had obviously made preparations before they went to find trouble. Dutch followed his nose.

  "Eat. The bass will be here before you finish your salad. Fried potatoes coming up. You're out on your feet. You've barely slept in five days."

  "I guess it has been five days. Didn't realize. Got in a couple hours when I got too groggy working on the math for my pocket. Then I played with it. After that we got busy. No wonder I'm tired."

  "Bass."

  "Thanks, Clete. Mmm, hungry too. Hey, you guys are the ones who were hurt. I'm supposed to be taking care of you."

  "You already did. It's our turn. Clete, get him a hot bath ready. I'll have our plates fixed when you get back."

  "A bath sounds good."

  "Dutch, we need recuperation time. We're going to spend ten days here, then go back and clear the theater."

  "You said you didn't know how many there were."

  "I don't. Actually, I should have said you and Clete are going to clear the theater. I'm going to disarm the bomb under the stage."

  "Lane, those people really don't like us."

  "I know. Ain't it great?"

  Dutch laughed, finished his meal and headed for his bath. Clete and Lane ate, then gently lifted him out of the water and tucked him in bed. He didn't awaken.

  They spent ten days recovering their strength and speed. They weren't quite in peak form, but Lane said they would be before they needed to be. They traveled back to the theater and he went to disarm the bomb. He didn't learn how many men had been left, but Clete did. They had taken nine together. Dutch had gotten the other ten alone and he'd only broken three of them. They left them stacked on the sidewalk with their broken weapons nearby. Dutch called the police and lodged a litter complaint. There were piles of trash in front of hotels, a theater, even in front of the civic arena.

  They spent the night working on creating and stocking pockets. It had taken them years to figure out their father's trick with the roses. They'd learned a great deal in the process, especially Clete. They'd all put on muscle too. Clete enjoyed math most with a barbell in his hands. Their father had put a reader above the weight bench when he'd complained he didn't have time for both lifting and math, and he'd been combining them ever since. Arguing they could work on the math with him without the barbells didn't work. Dutch had given up trying to change Lane's memory that it never would, while they were still in the academy.

  They wondered how long it would be before they could throw things into the air and have doves appear, or create showers of flower petals, or tap things into existence. Lane grinned and said awhile, but pulling a rose from the air for every lady escorted would make a nice addition to the show the next night. Frake found them putting the risers in place in the morning.

  "Hi, boys. I have a little surprise for you. I had the programs printed up. I hope you like them."

  "Featuring the Gallants as escorts. How about that? We're featured. Thanks, Frake."

  "You're the best part of our show, Dutch. I wanted to tell you so. Where it counts."

  "We'll costume appropriately. All right! You've expanded the show! I've got to find a horse. Later."

  "A horse?"

  "Don't worry Frake. It'll be great. Merith chose the finalists for your featured performances, didn't she?"

  "Yes, Lane. She said Clete was impressed with the martial arts one. The other four were strictly her choice. Dancer, singer, dramatic reading, and musician. Said they were too good not to use. I need to get ready before the local crew arrive to open the ticket booth and the lobby lounge. My idea of how much is too much and that of bartenders don't always match. See you onstage."

  "What's up, Lane? I like to know what I'm anticipating with relish."

  "Well, tonight we costume as fairytale princes. Dutch is going to borrow a white horse from the circus."

  "And?"

  "Clete, do you really want me to tell you who's going to win?"

  "No, it would be too hard to hold nervous hands and feel them hoping if I know they won't win."

  Dutch wasn't gone long. Lane and Clete were just putting the last riser in place.

  "I found one and he's a beauty. Perfect. I know what to wear tonight too. I hope we've got a pattern."

  "We don't, Dutch, but I'll go get us one. I'll see you in eight days and be back in ten minutes. I'll store a lot of costume patterns. We'll need them eventually."

  Lane knew where he had to go. Only one place would have everything, Earth in the twentieth century. He spent three nights and a morning there; one night in the wardrobe at Disneyland and the others at Universal Studios and Paramount. He copied only two women's costumes. He spent the morning at the floral market in Amsterdam. He spent the return trip storing flowers in nontime. He found Dutch and Clete reassembling the light bank, but they were nearly done. Clete growled his hello.

  "I know, Clete, I need a nap. I've got real roses. Interested? I'll show you where I put them and tell you what I've got in mind."

  "Clete, let's get this together quick. He's about asleep on his feet."

  "Dutch, if you two don't quit abusing yourselves, we're never going to get back in top form. Lane says we're going to compete next stop. I'd like us to be ready."

  "We'll be ready if it takes a month. There. Let's go. I want roses that are dew-touched and real."

  Lane showed them the flowers and gave Dutch the codes for the women's costumes. He'd know what to do with them. He laughed when Clete scooped him up, carried him to his room and dropped him on his bed. He'd forgotten it was going to happen. He'd had other things on his mind, like keeping Dutch from going after the gray man when he saw him in the audience.

  Sabbi just stared at Dutch with her mouth open. Rose laughed in delight. They both recognized the two garments he held.

  "The song needed the costume, Sabbi. A lot more people than you realize will recognize it."

  "Oh, Dutch, thank you! They're wonderful!"

  "I didn't do it. I'm just delivery boy. You have to thank Lane. He put a lot of work into getting them for you."

  "Where is he?"

  "Asleep. Clete tossed him in bed."

  "Did he spend all night getting these?"

  "More than all night. Those are the real Disney. The same ones they used at the Disney pa
rks on Earth. He didn't tell me how he got them. Well, the pattern was of the real thing. The gown may be old-fashioned, but it's fairytale princess beautiful."

  "Dutch, make sure I see him before the show. I want to give him a big kiss."

  "He'll find you for that. You can bet on it."

  He did. He also told her to make sure to listen for her music and be ready to sing any time she heard it. He was a bit dazed. He had known he would be, but reality was much more intense. He suddenly decided he wanted to make a change. He was about wobbling by the time he found his brothers.

  "Dutch, I want to ride the horse. Would you let me?"

  "Oh, boy. Clete, do you feel what I see?"

  "Uh, huh. This is a change. He's nervous about your answer. Doesn't know what you'll say."

  "I say yes. Whoa!"

  "Nice catch, Dutch. Let's get him over there where he won't get dirty."

  "Damn. It shouldn't have been that big a change, Clete. What did it do?"

  "Made him incredibly happy. Dutch, our brother's in love."

  "I'm glad it's her mother I'm interested in. This could have been awkward."

  "It still will be. I'm quite a bit older. Dutch, thank you. It doesn't change things on our current project, but it makes my future a lot richer. I'm going to marry her."

  "What's the sadness?"

  "We won't have any children, Clete. Not of our own. She'll have hundreds to love. She's going to do exactly what she said she wanted to do."

  "Build a place for unwanted children."

  "Yes, Dutch, we help her. I won't see her enough for me, but a lot of time for her. At least, if nothing changes."

  "Lane, changes we make other places shouldn't have any effect on her. You see her life. You're in it. We'll keep you from getting killed. You'll be there and so will she."

  "Thank you, I... I was--"

  "Afraid of change. We'll watch over her. What? What is it?"

  "Clete... later. I'll ask later. I see it. I'll know. Sometimes I get in a hurry. I want it before its time."

  "You missed this one, Lane. The answer is yes. When the time is right, we'll take Sabbi the son Helen found a way to give me. All you see is asking me when you're ready."

  "How did you know?"

  "I suddenly realized there would be a place for him. We can't give him one. Now, since we've got her future all planned, don't you think we should get to work on her present?"

  Things went smoothly until Dutch saw the gray man. He stood at the front of the stage dressed as a fairytale prince and looked like the hunter he was. Heads turned to see his prey. The gray man saw people looking at him and left quickly. Clete and Lane kept Dutch from following him. It wasn't easy.

  The incident had a strange effect. It should have made the crowd nervous, made the show tense. It didn't. When the gray man left, the audience stood and cheered. They didn't have any trouble telling heroes from villains.

  Sabbi's song brought a thunderous ovation. Dutch wondered why Lane hadn't ridden the horse. He suddenly realized why when he saw him talking to the orchestra conductor and smiled. Sabbi would sing again.

  The production numbers went well and all the performers were wonderful. The girls made their final costume change and the formal presentation in the ball gown competition began. The crowd went wild when roses were plucked from the air and given to each contestant. The presentation ended with the curtsy and the audience roared its approval.

  Dutch smiled and winked at Rose in the front row. Sabbi's very old-fashioned costume had brought gasps of recognition and whispers throughout the theater. The world was a bit 'arts crazy' in general and media history was a popular hobby. Two of the judges had recognized it, too.

  The runners-up were named and Clete and Dutch grinned at Lane. He looked like a runner in a race, waiting for the starting gun.

  Merith was holding the beautiful white horse in the wings and the orchestra conductor whispered instructions. They all knew. It had become obvious to everyone but her. Frake opened the envelope and called out, "And the winner of the twenty-fifth annual Woman of Our Dreams Pageant is... Sabitha Berke!"

  She looked stunned. Frake escorted her to center stage and the previous year's winner crowned her. Clete draped the sash and Dutch fastened the cape. Lane dropped down on one knee before her. There was a flash of light and he held a bouquet of eighteen, dew-fresh, long-stemmed, red roses up to her. He rose and laid them in her arms and they bowed her onto the runway. When she reached the end of it, the orchestra segued into her song. A hush fell over the audience and they watched.

  Lane rode out onto the runway on the magnificent white horse and lifted his beautiful baritone voice in duet. She turned, saw him, and watched him dismount

  "I'm here, if you'll have me."

  He took her in his arms and kissed her. He lifted her onto the saddle and mounted. The crowd went crazy. They rode back to center stage and the other contestants showered them with their flowers. Sabbi settled into Lane's arms and leaned against his chest. Her prince had come.

  Dutch leapt off the stage, bowed, and offered Rose his arm. He escorted her to the stage and Clete bowed and offered his. Dutch grinned at Clete.

  "Since it looks like we're going to be family, why don't you come to dinner in our home tonight?"

  Frake cued a spotlight on Sabbi and Lane and brought the stage lights down. The conductor led the orchestra into a soft reprise of her song and the audience began to sing. At first, a soft voice here and there, but soon, a chorus that filled the theater with song and eyes with tears. No one would ever forget the night they saw a fairytale come true.

  Clete shook his head when Dutch escorted Rose into the kitchen after giving her a tour of Melissa. He'd have known what the headshake meant even if Rose hadn't voiced it as soon as she sat down.

  "You do know this isn't possible?"

  "Why does everyone I bring home say that? It's possible or it wouldn't exist, Rose. It's just based on some very complicated physics. It's a dimensional matrix."

  "Dutch, who are you? Who is my daughter so suddenly in love with? What are you doing with this show?"

  "We're half-brothers. We all have the same father. Gallant, Knight Hero. He's not human. The ship is his creation. We have been accepted as the defenders of life in this universe. Clete is Sir Pericles Buchannon, Knight Guardian. I'm Sir Roberrin Duchelle, Knight Champion. Lane is Sir Apollo Avelaine, Knight Judge. He's the son of two good and powerful beings. He sees the future. We're here to end a very nasty ring of extortion, forced prostitution and drug smuggling. This group of worlds can't become part of the Fed until that's done."

  "The man tonight?"

  "I was just a bit too late to stop him from beating up a fifteen-year-old girl and injecting her with drugs. He was recruiting. We got her through it. I didn't kill him because Lane said he'll lead us to the bosses."

  "But you wanted to."

  "Oh, yes."

  "Good."

  "Rose, you surprise me."

  "My husband was a police officer, a detective. Five years ago he stumbled across something really evil. He was murdered on our doorstep. Overdosed with drugs. I didn't see the killer's face, but he wore gray. Now, how do you three cause enough trouble to break up something the size of what he found? It covered most of the unaligned planets in this sector."

  "By being several places at once. You're in a ship that travels in time and space. Sabbi won't be alone most of the time."

  "She's very young, Dutch."

  "Lane knows. It's one of the first things he said. He's patient. He really does see the future. Remembers it."

  "Why didn't he know about Sabbi before?"

  "You ask hard questions. We change the future. We make choices."

  "Tell her true, Dutch. You change the future. Lane didn't know about Sabbi until you changed the future. You told him he could ride the horse."

  "Thanks, Clete, you're a big help."

  "Rose, each of us brings something to what we are. Lane is the i
nvestigator, the inquiring mind. I'm an empath, the feeling and the, might as well say it, passion. Dutch is the driving force, the will. Together, we make a pretty powerful team. We've chosen to make ourselves into a force for good."

  "And who decides what good is?"

  "You're right, Dutch, she does ask hard questions. He had to earn it first, but Dutch was given the right and responsibility to decide. Don't ask by who. This one you have to take on faith, just as we did. Now, let's have supper. We've had to give this explanation too many times. You deserved it, so we did it again."

  "Where are Sabbi and Lane?"

  "In his apartments. I'd say she's getting the same explanation you are. Come on, Rose, relax. You trust us in general. Trust Lane. He really is her prince."

  "How old is he?"

  "Twenty-eight. Give or take a few million years and a universe or two."

  "That answer was not reassuring."

  "It wasn't meant to be. Rose, she loves him. He's worthy of it. That's enough. Now, let's eat. I'm starving."

  Clete didn't quite know what to do about her. She was still worried and nervous. Sabbi and Lane solved the problem. They walked in hand-in-hand and so obviously in love, she melted. All her reservations evaporated. Her daughter was happy. It was enough.

  The little kitchen nook became warm and cozy and they became family. Things even smoothed enough for Rose and Dutch to take notice of their mutual attraction again. Yes, warm and cozy.

  "Clete!"

  "What? What did I do? Oh. You know I don't know I'm doing it. It just happens when I feel content. I really can't do anything about it, Dutch."

  "What's he mean? What's he doing?"

  "Rattling my teeth, Sabbi. He's purring!"

  Chapter Six

  "Dutch, we need to make a change."

  "What kind of change, Clete?"