by Dan Haronian
Daio didn't talk to Dug about Sosi. He felt guilty. Every time he analyzed things he always came to the conclusion he. He hadn’t had control over his own fate in the forest and even less control over Sosi's fate.
Dug didn't asked about Sosi either. His pain consumed all his attention. His swollen lips and broken jaw prevented him from talking for long time. When he could speak again, the pain and thoughts of losing Sosi had faded enough to talk about them.
The days in the room gave Daio time to wonder about other things as well. The old vehicles wandering in the streets convinced him that Naan had simply never reached the critical mass required for bringing in new and advanced technology to be economical. The economy of Naan was very limited and simple technology was enough to provide all its needs. It was a logical conclusion, but quite inaccurate.
The Doctor came for a visit one dark night, a few weeks after the room became their home. Dug was already able to sit up, and had even walked around the room a bit. Daio had a little limp, but beyond this was completely healthy. The darkness outside was complete, as the streetlight had not yet been repaired.
“Dark night,” said the Doctor as he walked into the room gazing at Daio standing by the window.
Daio turned towards him. “How often does it happen?” he asked and remembered that Sosi had asked the same question when they were in the forest.
The Doctor nodded his big head, “It's not fixed. Sometimes five days sometimes eight days.”
The Doctor’s face looked gloomy and Daio thought about asking him if everything was okay, but he didn't. He didn't care and didn't really want to know. It wouldn't have surprised him if the gloomy look were something bland and meaningless. Despite the Doctor saying he would do everything to take care of them, he suspected the Doctor has used them. He didn’t think the little man really meant the things he said.
Daio was mistaken in this as well. The Doctor was thinking of Sosi. The youngest brother had shown amazing capabilities and now he was dead. The little man felt that maybe his test had gotten out of control. He wondered if he’d made a catastrophic mistake that would destroy the mission he’d dedicated his life to, or if this was simply how things were meant to be. He'd hoped Daio was the chosen he had waited so long for. But what if he wasn’t? Should he continue as planned? What choice did he have? These questions had plagued his mind ever since the fire and were the reason for his gloomy look. When he walked into the room he felt he was no longer in control of things. They would happen as they happened. He hoped he had done enough.
“You are free,” he said and moved his gaze between them. “You can leave.”
Dug and Daio looked at each other for a moment. “How did this happen?” asked Daio walking towards the Doctor.
“They caught the gang leader on one of the remote planets. I don't have many details, but somehow Mampas finally figured out that you didn’t have anything to do with the uprising.”
“Gang?” said Daio.
The Doctor smiled, “Yes, Naan is so small and vulnerable that even a gang of robbers can take it over.”
“I thought they were rebels from Mampas?”
“Yes, me too, but I am glad this was not the case, otherwise it would have been harder to convince them to set you free.”
“It ith thtange moe than it ith amathing,” said Dug. His mouth was still swollen and he could not move his jaw much.
“It is strange more than it is amazing,” repeated Daio after him so that the device on the Doctor’s belt could translate.
“Why is it strange?”
“What is thee to ob hee?”
“What is there to rob here?” repeated Daio.
“Minerals, you know Naan's founders were miners.”
“Minerals?” wondered Daio, “I never heard about mineral robbers. It takes time to mine. You could bring the whole galaxy in to kick them out before they could make any profit.”
“Yes, that is true. Unless they eliminate you completely.”
“So that is what they were after? Naan's minerals?” asked Daio.
“I don't know. I was not briefed about their interrogation.”
“Ae thee Mineals hee that wooth all this?”
“Are there minerals here?” asked Daio.
“Yes. That is how Naan became populated.”
Dug nodded his head, ”Soun odd,” he said. The translator remained silent and the Doctor watched Dug as he tried to gain control over the saliva that was dripping from the edge of his mouth.
“Did they ask how we got through to their president? They must know we scrambled information to get to him.”
“I told them that we tried to enter the code they gave me and that it didn't work. They seem to think that the scrambling of the network that was blocking the connection to Mampas caused the whole thing.”
“They think the scrambling led us to the President of Mampas?” asked Daio, trying to find reason in the Doctor words. He looked at the Doctor with discomfort. It might sound reasonable if the government of Mampas was only its president and three bums. “Well Sosi is gone now," he said and became quiet for a second. "They don't need to worry too much about scrambling.”
“Yes,” said the Doctor and the worried look returned to his face.
“What is going on outside?” asked Dug making an effort to speak clearly.
“The city is recovering,” said the Doctor interrupting Daio’s thoughts. Three or four streets didn't justify the title of city.
Daio walked to the window. “Maybe we should tell them about Sosi,” he said.
“Tell them what?”
“That he scrambled information in order to get through.”
“Why?” asked the Dug and Doctor the Doctor immediately after.
“Maybe it's better they know that we did it out of necessity and that Sosi died soon after. Maybe it's better we tell them now than if they find out about this somehow later. I don’t want it all to fall on our heads suddenly later like the darkness outside.”
“I don't think it's a good time to be honest,” said the Doctor. “You don't know Mampas. They are very sensitive when it comes to scrambling. They won't be as forgiving as you may think.” He sighed. “You need to understand that they have neutralized the desert rebels scrambling capabilities. If they find that scrambling was involved in this matter, and that you, or even me, had something to do with it, they will never let you go.”
He looked at them to see if they were convinced.
“It would be enough for them to take you to Mampas. If they do that, they will discover your past.”
Dug nodded and thought about their house in Seragon and their peaceful life.
“I still don't understand how you managed to prevent them from taking us in the first place,” said Daio. “They didn't even interrogate us.”
“They cannot interrogate citizens,” said the Doctor and switched his gaze between the two.
Daio smiled. “Citizens?”
The Doctor returned his smile. “In gratitude for your sacrifices, and in memory of Sosi, the temporary government of Naan accepted my recommendation to offer you citizenship.”
Daio looked at Dug and said, “We are grateful for this offer.”
“It is the least we can do.”
“Still I doubt if this citizenship can stop them,” said Daio.
“I know, but the fact that we gave you citizenship made it clear we don't see you as enemies. That, combined with my arguments, was enough. And besides they found the people they were looking for and their interrogation probably proved you are not involved.”
“What does it mean to be a citizen here?” asked Daio.
“If you are asking me if you have any duties then you can relax. We don't expect you to do anything you don't want to do yourself,” said the Doctor. “I promised Mampas we would keep eye on you, but if you want to leave no one will stop you. I will settle things with Mampas.” His skeptical tone was clear even through the translator.
“We are not g
oing anywhere,” said Daio and looked at Dug. “I don’t think we could get on official flights anyway, not with our names. And besides, Sosi died here,” he mused. “I don't think I can leave so soon.” He gazed at Dug who nodded.
“I fully understand,” said the Doctor.
“Whae wee we do? Whee ae we going to eive?” asked Dug.
“Where are we going to live?” repeated Daio.
“As I told you, you don’t need to do anything, but if you ask me this place is about to go through a major development and we would love to see you taking part in it. We need talented people like you and I have no doubt you will see a good return for your time and effort. As for accommodation, I already took care of it. Your house is ready as soon as you want to move in.”
“You want us to help develop this place,” said Daio with more than a little doubt. “We are yellow boxes traders,” He said.
“So?”
“So? In any other place in the galaxy they would throw us in jail or inject a lethal drug in our veins and sell our organs.”
“This is not any other place. Besides I’m sure that any decent place would give you a second chance,” said the Doctor. He walked towards the door and peeked outside. The door opened wide and a little man with a small box like the one the Doctor had walked into the room.
“I will take you to your home now,” they heard him say.
“Now? But it is dark outside?” wondered Daio.
“It's not far from here, and the car is waiting,” said the man.
Daio helped Dug get to his feet and they followed the little man.
The town was completely dark and the only light in the street was that of the cars headlights. They made three turns on the drive. On every turn the car’s lights splashed across the houses close to the turn. Finally they arrived at a gate. Two lights hung over the gate and they could see someone working on its lock. It opened and the car went in.
Unlike the other houses the front of this house was lit. Daio and Dug got out of the car and stood staring at it for a while, astonished. The house had two floors and a tiled roof covered with old light collectors. There were two windows on the first floor and two smaller ones on the second floor. They all overlooked a green garden that covered most of the area to the right of the house’s entrance.
“The town is completely dark and this house shines like a star,” whispered Daio.
“This is the house father,” said their driver. He pointed to the man who had opened the gate and now was walking over. “His name is Moah Salin.”
Moah heard his name as he approached them. He stepped toward them, stopped, and bowed. He was old and short but looked solid as if he was no stranger to manual labor. He was completely bald and wore a white suit that matched the house’s elegant façade.
Daio nodded at him, an embarrassed smile on his face. “This is the house where we are going to live?”
The translation came from the driver’s box and Moah nodded looking pensive.
“This is someone’s hoos?” asked Dug and wondered if it was the Doctor's.
Moah signaled them with his hand and they walked to the front door. When they reached the foyer, Moah opened the door for them and stood next to it as they walked in. The house was luxurious inside as well. Dug made an effort to raise his head to take in the magnificent style of the stairs and its carved wooden handrail that led to the second floor. Moah pointed toward the living room to the right of the wide lobby. The living room ceiling was high and decorated beautifully. The pattern merged nicely with the designs that flowed down the walls to the large windows overlooking the garden.
They walked in slowly, and Daio helped Dug sit on one of the armchairs.
“Moah will take care of all your needs,” said their driver. “In the rooms on the second floor you will find new clothes. I hope they will suit you.”
Moah spoke. “Tell them I have prepared a light meal for them.”
When they heard his translation, Moah smiled awkwardly. Daio nodded to him and Moah bowed and then walked to the kitchen and dining room beyond the lobby.
“Whose house is this?” asked Daio.
“There are eight rooms on the second floor," said the driver ignoring Daio's question. "You can choose any room you like. Every room has a toilet and shower, and their quality is similar.”
“Thank you,” said Daio and gazed at the man's agitated behavior.
“If that is all, I will be on my way. The Doctor will be here in the morning to talk to you.” He bowed and left the house.
“This is crazy,” said Daio and looked around him.
“I am uur it's tempoeey,” said Dug.
“Do you want to eat something?”
Dug nodded. He held the edge of the armchair with one hand and tried to pull himself up. Daio was close enough to help him straighten up and to make sure he didn't fall. They walked to the kitchen and after a light meal went to the second floor. Each of them picked a room, took a shower, and went to sleep.
Daio woke up first and when Dug came down from his room he was sitting on one of the armchairs and looking outside.
“I could get used to this,” Said Daio when Dug sat heavily on the armchair next to him and closed his eyes.
“Don't,” said Dug.
“I don't suppose you had a hard time sleeping last night,” said Daio.
“No, no a all. I seept so ood my boey wants moo foom this. I oney hope we don’t et a check in the end.” He tried to stifle a yawn to avoid the pain in his jaw.
“I think we paid in advance,” said Daio after a few seconds.
He stood and walked to the edge of the living room. Along the wall stood a wooden cabinet with carvings on its walls. Daio leaned on it and gazed at the magnificent ceiling.
“Something here is odd,” he said and wrinkled his forehead.
“What is ood?” Dug asked, his eyes still closed. He didn't want more surprises or questions.
“The house is big,” said Daio with surprise.
“Yes,” answered Dug in a sleepy voice.
“No, I mean…” He said looking around. "It's scale. It’s as if it was built for normal people.”
Dug opened his eyes and looked around him. Suddenly he could see it too. The doorframes, the stairs to the second floor, the armchair he was sitting on, and even the bed, were all his size.
They didn't have long to think about it before they heard noises from the entrance. The Doctor walked briskly into the living room accompanied by two strangers.
“How do you like the house?” he asked, “I hope it is adequate?”
“Yes, very much so,” said Daio walking toward him from across the living room. “The house is very impressive.”
The Doctor looked around him as if he was surveying furniture in a shop. “This house previously belonged to the President of Naan.”
“Ahh, this explains a lot. Where is he?”
“Dead. His family too.”
The room was silent for long seconds. Daio suddenly felt disgusted by the Doctor’s tone. Dug was now completely awake.
“I would like to introduce to you Soey and Shuman,” said the Doctor. The two people next to him bowed. The quick change of subject gave Daio the feeling that the Doctor wasn’t even trying to give the impression that he cared about the death of the President.
“Soey and Shuman are language experts from Naan's University,” continued the Doctor. Daio shook off his thoughts.
“They will teach you spoken Naanite so that you can communicate without a translation box. I think things will be easier after that.”
“University?” wonder Daio.
“Yes,” said the Doctor. “I thought I mentioned it. I founded it after leaving the University of Ses. It's small but I hope that with the new momentum that will sweep Naan the university will develop as well.”
Daio nodded. “How long do you think it will take to learn this language?”
“Naanite is not a hard language. It is much easier than Seragonian
. I don’t think it will take long.”
“Eeellent,” said Dug.
The Doctor gazed at him with a smile. “Soey and Shuman will be here every morning for a few hours. We'll see how you progress and back off the lessons as you improve."
“I’d be happy to visit there sometimes,” said Daio.
“Visit where?”
“The university.”
“You are always welcome of course, but don't expect too much. As in most cases, the university here is only a reflection of the society.”
Daio nodded, “Still, it looks like you are more than just an anthropology professor.”
“All due to circumstances. You have no idea how much I want to go back to my office and forget all the daily troubles I am dealing with right now.”
“Yes I suppose," said Daio although in light of the latest events he wasn’t sure he believed the Doctor.
“I suggest we start tomorrow. We'll let you get used to the place, and I am sure some daylight and fresh air will do you good.” He looked to the window.
Daio didn't answer and Dug was feeling sleepy again. The Doctor bowed and walked out the door. Soey and Shuman smiled at them, waved, and said, “See you tomorrow,” and followed him.
“There is something strange about the Doctor,” said Daio when the three left. He shook his head. “I don't know what it is.”
“He wants to eeword us. He wants to eive us a chance, to clear our pass.”
Daio didn't answer but shook his head in disagreement.
“Why aa you aaking this so haad? Think wee we wee few days ago.” Saliva started to drip from the edge of his mouth and he wiped it gently with his hand. “We are feee now. We are heeoes and we haae all this.” he looked around him. “What could be bettee than that?”
“This is what we see but I’m not sure what we see is what is really going here.”
“And what is really going heee?”
Daio gazed at him and shrugged his shoulders.
“Don’t you think it is an odd coincidence that three outlaws from Seragon, stowed away on a shuttle that happened to land on this backwater planet, exactly when a gang of robbers, or rebels, tried to take it over? Isn’t it even more strange that these outlaws happened to be the only ones around who can save the place from complete destruction, and in the process become the local heroes?”
