Silent Dances

by A. C. Crispin

  such power ? Shirazz t ri ed to explain to us, but First - One-There had trouble with the translation . I thought you might be able to explain

  better , since you are one of us."

  Tesa sighed. The Grus had a tendency to glaze over whenever she t ri

  ed to explain economics, and with humans that was often their

  strongest motivation.

  Choosing her signs carefully, the young wom an assured her avi an

  family that they shouldn ' t have to wor ry about evil Terrans coming to the World in the futu re and skinning their children . It was only because the Simiu had been willing to finance these p ri vateers that the re had been an y profit for them in marketing the illegal skins. T ri nity was simply too far off the established space lanes to be economically

  attractive for such limited -- and ri sky -- exploitation . Colonizing the planet was one thing , stealing from it was another.

  Tesa could tell that the Grus family still wasn' t sure they understood the

  fine points , but they had complete trust in her word . " You c an trust Shirazz, too," Tesa promised. "Even if she doesn ' t blink."

  The three avians merely exchanged a questioning glan ce. "There's one

  more thing, Good Eyes ," Weaver signed. "Something your mother said to us today."

  "Yes?" Tesa had been pleased and surpri sed to discover that her family

  had diligently studied Grus sign language as they traveled to T ri nity .

  They had w an ted to be able to talk directly to the people who had t re

  ated their daughter like family, the people who had seen her last . Fo rt unately, they'd been able to get the good news of Tesa ' s "resurrection

  " a few days before they ' d docked . It had been a th ri ll for Tesa to have her hum an family step off the shu tt le and greet her avi an family in their own l an guage . And Lightning had proudly welcomed them--in

  Plains Indi an Sign L an guage.

  "Your mother seems to feel that you' ll be leaving the World ," Taller signed solemnly . " She tells us that you want to be hearing , as they are . Is this true , Good Eyes?"

  So, this was the real reason for the visit.

  "If you were hea ri ng , Good Eyes ," Taller signed , " it would be difficult for you to live with the people . We would always wor ry about you, an d be afraid there could be an other accident, that we could harm you , as we did Puff."

  Weaver an d Taller gl an ced at each other almost shyly. "We

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  think ," Weaver signed tentatively , " that there may be another egg next year . We thought you would raise that child with us."

  " Don't worry about what my mother thinks," Tesa reassured

  them . " I ... haven't yet talked to her about this. I'll explain it later. Could you do me a favor now? Could you take the quilt to my grandmother ?

  Some of the seams are split and she wants to repair them before the

  dance."

  Weaver took the autumn - colored quilt from the hum an , and the three avians cautiously left the shelter. Tesa grabbed a brush and pulled it through

  her tangled, damp hair. She'd never have time to get everything done now!

  She noticed the distinctive spicy-musky scent of the Simiu Ambassador

  before she felt his dry, leathery touch on her arm. "Ambassador Dhurrrkk',"

  she signed, "you're positively gleaming!"

  The handsome Simiu male's sorrel-colored crest stood straight up at her

  compliment. "Thank you for noticing, Honored Tesa," he signed, his violet

  eyes twinkling. It was odd for Tesa to watch the alien attempt the

  elaborate Grus signs, but Dhurrrkk' worked hard to be precise and graceful.

  His aptitude for languages was well known . " I had to look my best for

  the celebration ! But, first ..."

  I wanted a minute to speak with you alone, Tesa filled in mentally.

  "I... I felt I had to speak with you alone. It is about"--his crest drooped--"my people, and their involvement in the events that happened on this world."

  "Oh, please, Ambassador, you must know that no one blames your entire

  race for the actions of one family ..."

  " We must all share the dishonor ," Dhurrrkk' insisted. "Not

  enough has been done in the pas t to reconcile this bitter issue between

  our two peoples. I fear now that it has festered so long that many of my

  people will never change their thinking."

  "I'm afraid you're right," Tesa agreed. "And it's no differe nt among the hum an s ." She thought of Bruce . She had to admit that the meteorologist was unfailingly polite to Dhurrrkk ', but he always gave Tesa the feeling

  that he was mentally smirking over the " Terran victo ry " whenever he add re ssed the Ambassador.

  "However, my people c an make sure nothing like this ever happens

  again ," Dhurrrkk ' p ro mised . " Regarding the members of Kh re kk ' s family who were involved--m an y of them

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  have fled to Sorrow Sector . Those that have remained were not party

  to this c ri me , but their dishonor is g re at . I am working on a plan , now, for re paration to the people of Trinity."

  "I have complete trust that your people will do the honorable thing ,"

  Tesa signed , graciously.

  Dhurrrkk' s crest rose again until he was once again his ebullient self . "

  Enough of this solemn talk!" he declared. "Hono re d F ri endMah re e sent me after you. She has finally re ached Hono re d F ri endRob . They are t al king now on the holovid. You must come speak to him."

  Tesa nodded, reaching for her Clovis-point spear . Thunder had found it

  in the marsh , and as Tesa detached the feathers from its staff , she

  remembered Bruce calling it her coup stick, after she ' d batte re d Jim M al tese with it, saving Thorn ' s life.

  Dhurrrkk' watched as Tesa ca re fully tied four feathers in her hair - two Terr an eagle , one Aquila - and one of Shimme ri ng's pure white ones.

  They left the sleeping area together.

  In the shelter' s common ro om , Tesa saw Mah re e Burroughs standing before the holo transmitter , talking animatedly to the man with whom

  she'd shared one of the universe's best-known adventures . A cool wind

  blew through the open windows, sending bits of down gusting th ro

  ugh Rob Gable ' s holo - vid apparition . The sho rt , slender CLS

  Ambassador-at-Large was wearing her sound nullifiers and Tesa could

  read the captioning of Rob ' s words.

  "A month?" Rob was saying with a broad grin . " That's g re at! How'd we get so lucky? Hey, is that Tesa behind you?" Mah re e tu rn ed , her long , brown braid swinging . " There she is, in the flesh!" Tesa still hadn '

  t gotten used to Mah re e's p rofi ciency in Grus sign language . The former Secreta ry -Gener al to the CLS slung a companionable arm

  around the t al ler woman . " You have Tesa to thank for our time together, Rob. Since I dropped eve ry thing to get here to solve a

  problem that doesn ' t exist anymore , I've found myself with time for a decent vacation ." She winked conspirato ri ally. "You didn ' t know that StarB ri dge Academy was a pa rt -time re so rt , did you, Tesa?"

  Rob was shaking his head. "You really know how to get people ' s

  attention , Tesa. You've got the entire CLS Council in an uproar."

  "I'm sure," Tesa signed . " I'm really sorry the way things worked out . To get so close to achieving Ea rt h ' s official First Contact ..."

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  Rob looked puzzled, then glanced at Mahree. "I haven't told her yet," the

  older woman admitted. "I wanted to be positive, first."

  Tesa turned to the CLS representative. "Sure about what?"

  " Tesa," Rob explained, "not many people have ever found two different intelligent species on one planet before. The CLS Council has voted
to

  discount the effect the privateers had on your relationships with the Grus. It

  didn't hurt that Thorn Albaugh had irrefutable proof that Khrekk's clan was so

  heavily involved, and that Jamestown Founders was also working to

  undermine the Contact.

  "But the fact is that you found another intelligent species! And then to get the Grus and the Aquila, whose enmity was steeped in so much tradition , to

  cooperate for a common goalI'd say that was a pretty good day's

  work!"

  "And so do the First Councillors, Tesa," Mah re e added. "I've just finished speaking to them . Earth is being given c re dit for a successful First Contact. Terra will have full membership in the Cooperative League of

  Systems, and"--Mahree's face lit up in a wide grin--" all its inhe re nt perks and re sponsibilities."

  "We did it?" Tesa asked incredulously. "We're in? We got it?" She flung her arms around Mah re e . The smaller woman re tu rn ed the hug enthusiastically.

  When they broke the embrace, Rob was looking at them wistfully. "Damn , I always miss the best parties. Well, it's great that you've worked out the

  hookup so I can watch the dance. I understand your family will be joining in?

  This is tu rn ing into a wonderful cultural exchange ! The media's

  picking up the broadcast to give Terrans back home their first look at

  their First Contact. Not to mention that the whole Academy's going to

  be watching. Oh, I almost forgot--Jib sent his love. Hell, I practically had

  to physically restrain him from sneaking into my office during this call."

  "Tell him a long le tt er's coming," Tesa signed. "I miss him so much ! I was thinking , Rob, a good pair project on a wilde rn ess planet might be just the thing to really mature that youngster!"

  Rob looked at Tesa suspiciously. "You know, Mahree, when those two we

  re together here , it was a miracle I got anything done! But, Tesa, one

  more question before I let you go. Did you ever get squa re with your pa re nts about that surge ry ?"

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  Tesa shifted uncomfortably. "Not yet. But I 'll talk to them

  today." At least she'd discussed it with Meg. The older woman

  wasn't sure she understood, but she respected Tesa's decision and was

  thrilled when she realized that meant Tesa would be staying on Trinity.

  Mahree looked up at Tesa. "I need to discuss a few things with Rob, do you

  mind, Tesa? I don't want you to feel like I'm giving you the rush."

  "Which she is," said Rob with a teasing grin.

  "No, I've got to get going." She waved farewell as she left Mahree bathed in

  the glow of Rob's reflection.

  Tesa almost made it to the door when Thorn stepped inside. Before she

  could protest, he insisted, "Two minutes! I get two minutes of your precious time!" He pulled her toward a more p ri vate area . " I've made all the arrangements."

  "What?"

  "For our getaway. Now don't argue with me. Of course, I had hoped we could

  go to your caldera, but Bruce says it's hipdeep in snow. Instead, we'll spend

  four days in Rain's territory-you know, where you took your sweat bath.

  Strictly business! The privateers spent a lot of time in that area. We need to

  assess the envi ro nmental impact in case they dumped anything toxic,

  and I'll still have time to write the report ... before I leave." He watched her,

  waiting for her reaction.

  "Leave..." Tesa signed blankly, feeling her chest tighten. "But I thought ...

  You said you might stay ..."

  He looked down, nodding. "I thought ... hoped I could. I wouldn't mind being

  just a biologist again. This special investigator stuff isn't all it's cracked up to be. But ... I'm going with Dhurrrkk' and Mahree on the Twilight Blossom.

  They'll take me to Hurrreeah, the Simiu homeworld. There, Dhurrrkk' can

  introduce me to the ri ght families , so I can continue my investigation.

  There were a lot of people involved. I owe it to Peter and Scott to pursue this

  as far as I can."

  Tesa frowned worriedly. "You're not going to Sorrow Sector, are you?"

  "Not if I can help it," he promised. "Anyway, I've got two more weeks here.

  How about it? Can Ms. Very Important

  Diplomat find four days to spend with a poor foot soldier about to go into the

  t re nches?"

  "What happens after you come out of the trenches?"

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  He shrugged. "I hear there'll be a few biologists' positions opening up

  around here ... maybe I'll apply."

  She smiled. "Okay. Four days. We'll see how it goes." Meg suddenly stuck

  her head around the wall. "I hate to break you two up ..."

  "Sure you do," Thorn agreed sarcastically. He gave Tesa a quick kiss.

  "Later."

  "Everyone is looking for you," Meg signed needlessly as she escorted Tesa to the door.

  The young woman looked at the old biologist, enjoying the renewed sparkle

  in her eyes. It had taken a few days, but Meg's spirits had lifted after their

  ordeal. Last night, she'd begun telling funny stories of some of the scrapes

  she and Scott had gotten into over the years. Even the Grus had enjoyed her

  tales, but Tesa realized it was the first time since she'd met Meg that she'd

  seen her speak of her dear friend without sorrow.

  At the door of the shelter, Tesa stopped Meg. "Will you do me a favor? I

  need ... a few minutes to talk to my parents alone. Can you ask them to come

  in here?"

  Meg looked at her suspiciously. "A few minutes? Is this what I think it's

  about?"

  "Please, Meg. I don't want to put it off any longer."

  "Okay, I'll send them in. But only for a few minutes!" Tesa's mother came in first, squinting as her eyes adjusted to the dimmer light. AnadaAki was

  dressed in her best dance costume, and as Dan entered behind her, Tesa

  could see he was still trying to get his fancy Oklahoma bustle tied just right.

  "Tesa," her mother signed, regarding her Grus shirt, "what a wonderful

  outfit!"

  Tesa smiled. "I knew you'd love it," she hesitated, dreading what she had to

  say. "We need to discuss something."

  "Yes..." her father signed, smiling as he reached over to gently touch the two alien feathers Tesa wore in her hair. "You have been through hell these

  last few weeks," Tesa began, trying not to show her nervousness. "I hate to

  add anything else to that ... but I'm afraid I've got to."

  Her parents turned to each other, concerned.

  "A lot's happened to me, here," Tesa signed, remembering the moment in

  the forest when she'd realized her lodge faced the wrong direction-when she

  first understood what lay in her life's path. "I've changed. I know now, who I am, and the way ... I want to be. Mom, Dad-I don't want my ears

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  'repaired.' To me, they aren't broken! It wouldn't be right for me. I know I

  might never convince you of that ..." AnadaAki's face changed subtly, but

  she recovered quickly. She sta rt ed to sign something , but D an placed a hand on her shoulder . She looked up at him, questioningly.

  "Don't apologize to us for your decision," her father signed to Tesa. He looked at Ana. "I had a feeling this was coming. I didn ' t say anything to you , because I wasn ' t sure." He tu rn ed back to Tesa . " Remember , we spent two months in space ... with your grandparents!" Both adults

  smiled, remembering, no doubt, how that sorrowful voyage had started out.

  "Your grandfather refused to believe you were dead. He insisted he was

&nb
sp; coming here for a dance, not a funeral! He was being so ... contrary! Then,

  when the message arrived that you were safe ..."

  "He must've been impossible!" Tesa signed, grinning. Her mother nodded.

  "And then all your father and I talked about was bringing you home with us ...

  to have that surgery." Her lip trembled, and she hastily wiped away a stray

  tear.

  "The grandparents never said much about it," Dan signed. "They just ...

  disapproved quietly."

  Ana nodded . " I ignored them. I still don't understand ... "Maybe you never will, Mom," Tesa signed. "I think there are a lot of things children do that their parents never fully accept. I know you want what's best for me. You

  want me to be just like you-it's what every parent wants! I understand that

  better than I did six months ago. But you're looking for the reflection of your

  own desires in me. I don ' t w an t the surgery. I can't do it for you, and I don't want it for me."

  "Will you be staying on Trinity, then?" her mother asked. Tesa nodded. Ana

  touched the nullifiers in her ears. "Well, being hearing here is ce rt ainly a disadv an tage ..." She sta rt ed to sob then , so Tesa pulled her into a hug, feeling her father wrapping his strong arms a ro und the two of

  them . Her mother drew away after a moment, hastily wiping her face.

  "You'll ruin those beautiful feathers !" she scolded , an d gave a goodnatu re d laugh . "I love you, Tesa."

  "I know , Mom." The three linked arms an d beg an to stroll toward the door.

  " I think you should know , Tesa ," her father signed. "There's a good chance that your grandparents may ask if they c an stay here. " Tesa looked at him, startled.

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  "The trip took a lot out of them," Ana told Tesa. "I think my mother was frightened of the deep-sleep ... and when she first saw Trinity, she got this

  expression on her face."

  "I know that look," Tesa agreed.

  "And frankly," Dan admitted, "I think my father's interested in Meg!" The three burst out laughing as they stepped outside.

  Tesa looked for her grandparents. Her grandmother was sitting beneath the

  weeping tree, stitching up Tesa's quilt and chatting away, via voder, with the

  Mizari Liaison. Tesa watched the elderly woman stealing glances at

  Esteemed Shirazz's beautiful colors and wondered if Grandma was thinking