Resurrection: Book II: Settlement Chronicals

by W. J. Rydrych

  That evening, in New Athens . . .

  Takai Maesaka breathed deeply and rose from the seated position on the floor where he had been engaged in his nightly exercise and meditation session. He felt physically tired but mentally refreshed, his mind free of the cares of the day.

  Kevin should be in New Orleans by now, he thought, and soon would be leaving for the Torgai village, the really important part of the trip. While there had been no further trouble with the Kraa their scout-packs were frequently observed in the foothills on this side of the divide and occasionally near the colony itself. It was this constant awareness that the Kraa were still a menace that kept their full resources from being applied to the colonization goals.

  Too many men were still tied up in the military, and key manpower and energy resources were being unnecessarily wasted patrolling the border. As far as the Eretz Israel was concerned, their concentration on the Kraa was time better spent on other pursuits. They needed resolution of the Kraa problem, but it was now evident that no final solution by military means was possible. They could harass the Kraa, and largely limit them to the eastern side of the mountains, but they could not defeat them. In the meantime the drain on their limited resources continued.

  If they couldn't beat them, then they needed a peaceful resolution. That was the true purpose of Kevin's trip. To find a way to make contact with the Kraa, using the captive Kraa-Torgai as an emissary if that appeared feasible; risky, but there appeared to be no other way. According to reports from Eric Moffa at the Torgai village, Kraa-Kuk-T was, after initial resistance, beginning to integrate well into the Torgai community. He had been adopted into the family of Ta and was rapidly re-learning those parts of the language he had forgotten or never learned. From the rapidity of his progress it was thought he had been taken away by the Kraa when he was well past infancy.

  Kevin's assignment was to determine whether Kraa-Kuk-T should, or could, be persuaded to make contact with the Kraa, and whether he would be a reliable emissary. If the Kraa would agree to meet, a partition of the planet would be proposed, with each side leaving the other unmolested in their own areas. It would be many years before they had any need for the eastern part of the continent, and leaving it in Kraa hands for now, as the price of freedom from the Kraa threat, was well worth it. It would be decades, and perhaps even hundreds of years, before the eastern areas were needed. In addition to the southern area, the many islands in the vast ocean remained to be explored, and they would fall to the colonists, not the Kraa.

  As for the risk of an explosion of the Kraa population during that time, their assessment indicated the shortage of large game animals in that largely forested eastern area would be self-limiting. Further, they could always reconsider the agreement if events made it in their interest..

  There were other reasons Takai wanted a rapid, peaceful resolution, but he admitted that was more a private reason. He wanted to have the ruins reported earlier by Eric, and verified by scans from orbit, examined in detail. The question of that dead civilization was intriguing, but, while only a day or two travel from the present Torgai village, with the Kraa situation the area was too dangerous for a survey team. Delay in investigating the site was OK with Takai for now; it was too late in the season for a mission in any case, and it fell low on the priority list. But next year it might be possible if a Kraa agreement could be reached.

  Torgai village: July 17, Year 22 . . . .

  The meeting had been held in the council den for privacy, with those present limited to Kevin, Eric, Hath, Hath-Boc, Barco, and Ta. They had discussed the problem from every possible angle, and had paused to allow food and drink to be brought in for an evening meal. Kevin wanted to resolve the issue as soon as possible, being careful to explain the Governor's personal interest in finding a solution.

  Kevin had flown from New Orleans to the village the previous afternoon, using a VLV rather than a more economical scoutplane. While wasteful of fuel he didn't have the full day free that would be required for that routing.

  When he first arrived at the village Kevin had met privately with Eric and broached the reason for his visit. After considerable discussion they had met with Hath, Hath-Boc, and Barco to discuss the proposal in detail. Then, when the desirability of the action was decided on, they had brought in Ta. Ta was key, since he knew both Kraa-Kuk-T and the Kraa better than any of the others, and, additionally, he must be consulted as the father of Kraa-Kuk-T by adoption.

  At first Ta had been doubtful that the Kraa could ever be approached, or even if they did agree would abide by the agreement. His distrust ran deep. Part of the concern was about Kraa-Kuk-T himself, and whether he could be trusted. He had been away from the Kraa for about a year and a half, and, while becoming more and more acclimated, was still nearly as much Kraa as Torgai. Once in Kraa territory he would be on his own and might or might not return. Or he might help the Kraa trap the colonist's delegation; his Kraa upbringing would provide a strong pull. But it was felt any other Torgai or human entering Kraa space without advance approval by the Kraa leader would very likely be killed immediately. Even if accompanied by Kraa-Kuk-T they would not only be at risk, but would put Kraa-Kuk-T at risk as well. The initial contact would have to be made by Kraa-Kuk-T alone or not at all.

  Finally Ta agreed to bring in Kraa-Kuk-T himself to be questioned on whether he felt approaching the Kraa was feasible, and whether he would be willing to undertake the mission.

  Shortly thereafter . . . .

  Kraa-Kuk-T lowered himself and dropped to a crouch to enter the council den, and, when inside, stood uncertainly. He looked around at the assembled group and didn't know what to think. He had never been in the council den, something reserved for Torgai elders, and had been astonished when summoned. Had he done something wrong? While he knew well the human Eric, Hath-Boc, and his adopted father, Ta, he had experienced only fleeting contact with Hath and Barco. Ta motioned for him to come and sit by him, which he immediately did.

  When the proposal to carry a message to the leader of the Kraa was broached to Kraa-Kuk-T, he was at first bewildered, but as he began to understand what they wanted he became enthusiastic. They were proposing a meeting to discuss peace with the Kraa.

  The thought of peace between the Kraa and the Torgai and flat-faces was a new thought to him. It had never occurred to him that fighting and war wouldn't always be a way of life. While he had begun to feel at home in the Torgai village, the possibility of seeing his pack again had brought out the old feeling of homesickness. He missed his pack-mother and pack-sisters, and being an individual like the Torgai and humans had not been his way. While they had families, and he had been brought into the family of Ta, it really wasn't the same. Except at night the members of the family pretty much went their own way, leaving him on his own, or left him with the Torgai assigned to teach him their ways. The pack had been different; the members were never separated by more than a few meters.

  Kraa-Kuk-T admitted he didn't know if he would be allowed to see the leader, Kraa-Ki, but didn't think the Kraa would kill him if he returned. He had no idea, even if he were allowed to see Kraa-Ki and give her the message, whether she would be interested in peace. The Kraa didn't understand what peace meant, but they might understand the idea of separate lands. In the old days, he had been told, the Kraa had stayed in the northern forests and tundra and rarely ventured into Torgai lands. This was a concept they should understand.

  Kraa-Ki was, he told the group, much feared for her rages. If she became infuriated by the offer of the flat-faces when presented by Kraa-Kuk-T he would probably be torn apart. But she might listen. And she might allow him to bring a message back.

  When they asked him if he would agree to undertake the mission he said yes without hesitation. When asked whether he would then return, he was taken aback at first by the question, and had not responded for a few moments. His answer was that, if he could, he would at least bring a Kraa response back, but didn't know what he would do then. This response
seemed to satisfy the Torgai and humans. When he left the council den Kraa-Kuk-T's head was swimming. While no decision had been reached when he was dismissed, it was clear that it ‘might’ happen; he might see his pack again. While he was now a part of Ta's family, and had developed a casual relationship with some of the Torgai, he still he missed his pack. In his old life it had only been his pack-family he felt close to, with an uneasy relationship with all the other packs.

  Once Kraa-Kuk-T left the den the remaining occupants remained silent for a short time, before Kevin asked the question, “well, can he be trusted?"

  No one answered at first, then Hath-Boc said, "he will try to do the right thing, but his loyalties to the Kraa are still strong. I believe he will try to get the message to Kraa-Ki, and if he can return with her response; but he may never return to us."

  Hath nodded, "those are my feelings. He may never return."

  "Well," Eric commented, "if he carries the message that's the important thing. He has a lot of value to us, both now and in the future, but he's expendable; we've learned as much from him about the Kraa as he knows." Adding, “besides, if he returns with an answer we still have the option at that time of detaining him.”

  Kevin turned to Barco, and respectfully asked, "you have insight we lack. Do you feel he can be trusted to carry out the mission?"

  Barco was silent for several moments, before he responded, "he will try to do as we ask. What he told us he believes, but he is torn between his old people and his new. I believe Hath-Boc put it well. He will try to do as we ask, but may never return; the pull of his old pack may be too strong."

  Ta sat silently during the discussion, looking from one to the other. When Barco had finished Barco looked at him and nodded for him to speak. Ta leaned forward, and said, "he has become as a son to me, but the well being of the people is of most importance. Let it be done."

  Kevin looked around the group, and noting the nod of agreement from each, said, "yes, let it be done. We should discuss, however, exactly when this will happen and who will be in the delegation. As we discussed before we can land a VLV at the pass, but from there Kraa-Kuk-T will have to enter Kraa country unaccompanied. I suggest the message ask that Kraa-Ki agree to meet with us sometime within one month, or turning of the major moon, with strikes by the Israel east of the mountains stopped for that time as a sign of goodwill. If there is no response in a month the strikes will recommence. Then we can periodically send a VLV to the pass to see if Kraa-Kuk-T has returned, and if and when he does, bring in the negotiation team

  'Now, because of the difficulty in translating Kraa to Torgai or English, and then back, we need more than one interpreter. Eric has suggested Hath-Boc and Jeff Armstrong to handle the translation. They have the highest level of dual language skills and can communicate well with Kraa-Kuk-T, who would have to handle the discussion with the Kraa. The delegation should be kept small to limit the loss if it turns out to be a trap; so I suggest the delegation consist of myself, plus Hath-Boc and Jeff Armstrong. I can't, and won't, risk the loss of either of you," he said glancing at Hath and Eric, "any comments?"

  After a pause, Eric responded, "it's hard to disagree, although I would like to be there. When would you leave?"

  "I'll return to New Athens tomorrow for final discussions with the Governor, and would expect to return here two days later," Kevin responded, "the following day we could ferry Kraa-Kuk-T to the pass. That would be four days from now. Then, perhaps after a week we would plan for a flight from the advance base to check the pass each day to see if he returns, and with one day notice could have the negotiation team on the ground."

  The decision had been made, and right or wrong the steps were being put in motion.

  Kevin and Eric walked slowly to Eric's home where Kevin was staying. Eric glanced over and said, "thanks for bringing Jeff into the operation. I have to worry about him; he's torn between both worlds and needs stronger links to his own people. In the short time he spent at New Athens he found he just couldn't cope, the Torgai way of life is too heavily ingrained. Both Tommy and Amanda have adapted well, Amanda particularly, and we hardly see them anymore. It's Jeff who can't break free."

  Kevin nodded, "no thanks necessary, he's a member of the team because his talents are needed. But don't underestimate the danger. You may not thank me later. But, when this is over, I'll do what I can to help him work permanently into something that will fit. What about if I get him assigned to my staff later for some of the survey work? If peace is achieved we'll be moving heavily into exploring both south of the river and some of the larger islands. Some of the Torgai scouts will be involved, so Jeff would make a big contribution acting as intermediary with the Torgai. In fact, he could spend most of his time here at the village."

  "That would be ideal," Eric nodded, "he knows he needs to bridge, but doesn't really know how; after all, he's lived with the Torgai since he was a baby."

  They had reached Eric's house, the only above ground structure in the village, and opened the door to be met by Margie who was just beginning the evening meal. Kevin always looked forward to his visits, and always stayed with the Moffa’s when here. He scoured the colony to bring modern conveniences to make their life easier; from mirrors, utensils, pictures for the walls and tools, to the glass windows and screens recently installed. Since their house had originally been constructed with window openings covered only with loose fitting shutters, kept closed in the winter for warmth and at night during the summer to keep insects out, installing real windows had been a big improvement.

  Margie was especially appreciative of the solar stove brought on his last visit, "after all those years of cooking on an open fire," she had said, "it's like paradise to have a real stove and oven."

  This time he brought a promise of a set of solar panels and the necessary storage devices and wiring to provide electricity for their house. The equipment was being put together at New Athens now, and would be ferried in along with an expert to handle installation. As long as they were willing to live with the Torgai the Governor felt they deserved what modern conveniences they could provide.

  In theory decisions were made by a council of elders, but in practice, while not in name, Eric governed the Torgai city in conjunction with Hath, as headman, and the shaman Barco.

  CHAPTER 12: The Treaty

  (July 21, Year 22): Kraa-Kuk-T continued to trot at the distance-eating pace he had been at since he left the top of the pass early that morning. Stripped to the waist, his only burden was the bag hung over his shoulder containing the clothes he had worn when with the Torgai, a sleeping robe, and several days supply of dried meat. Now, seven hours later, he had covered nearly 70 kilometers, passing out of the treeless upper altitudes, through the scrub growth near the timberline, and continued along the faint path under the heavy tree cover that formed a green canopy over his head. While the trail was faint he could still detect the scent of the Kraa who had passed much earlier.

  The tree cover was a welcome relief. The Torgai village had been in an open valley, and, while there were occasional clumps of trees, it was essentially a grassland. But the Kraa world where he had grown up was forest land, much like that he was passing through now. The tree canopy provided a welcome sense of protection.

  The VLV had landed at the pass shortly after sunrise, and stayed for no more than 20 minutes. After the first week he was told a scoutplane would check the pass at noon each day for the next month to determine whether he had returned. After that month, when the major moon again reached its current phase, if he hadn't returned he would be largely on his own; the truce would be over. Before starting down the trail he had been grilled by the ‘flat-face’, with Hath-Boc interpreting, to make sure he fully understood what was expected of him, how and when to again make contact with the humans, and the consequences of failure.

  The first part of the trip had been uneventful, but then, slightly over an hour before, a Kraa pack had fallen in behind Kraa-Kuk-T at a distance of about 30 meter
s. Now another pack had positioned itself about 30 meters in front. Kraa-Kuk-T felt no concern about the Kraa escorts once he had acknowledged the trailing pack in Kraa fashion. The Kraa had been his people for many years and he felt comfortable in their presence. They had no reason to want to harm him. Additionally, as a Kraa-Torgai he held considerable rank in the Kraa society. The escorts, Kraa-Kuk-T felt, weren't there as guards, but to protect him from any dangers on the trail, and as a courtesy to lead him to a higher ranking Kraa; probably the Kraa commander of the region.

  Hour after hour the pace continued without interruption, and as the miles receded behind them Kraa-Kuk-T felt more and more at home. The odor of Kraa, which he hadn’t smelled for many months, gave him a soothing feeling; as if he were among his own Kraa pack. While he wouldn’t show it to the escorting packs, Kraa-Kuk-T was feeling the effects of the long day on the trail. During his months with the Torgai he hadn’t been as active as usual, and was unused to the constant, fast travel. It was slightly before dark when the leading pack came to a stop as it entered a small clearing. Here was where they would spend the night.

  Kraa-Kuk-T positioned himself between the two packs as they staked out their separate resting areas, and crouched upon the ground, opening his pack to get some of the dried meat he carried. This had been a long tiring day. He estimated he had covered nearly 150 kilometers in the approximately 12 hours since he had started, pausing only for a drink at the occasional stream. How much longer before he reached the primary Kraa concentrations he had no idea.

  Now, taking his first close-up look at his Kraa escorts, he was unable to identify their leaders. The one that had been in the lead looked familiar, but he couldn't be certain. In any case, neither of the pack leaders were of high rank, since neither wore identifying medallions around their neck, and neither pack contained a Kraa-Torgai. In the hierarchy of packs that had developed among the Kraa only high ranking packs, with a direct blood relationship to the overall leader, Kraa-Ki, had Torgai among them.