On Earth, there are three Triads intending to integrate
not only the three peoples and stop the war that threatens to break loose and
slaughter Humans and devastate their world; but to stop the war that consumes
Kiiote economy and Yown’Hoo moral fiber. All three intelligences hover on the
edge of extinction. The merger of Human-Kiiote-Yown’Hoo into a van der Walls
Society might not only save all three – but become something not even they
could predict. Something entirely new...
The young experimental Triads are made up of the smallest
primate tribe of Humans – Oscar and Kashayla; the smallest canine pack of
Kiiote – six, pack leaders Qap and Xurf; and the smallest camelid herd of
Yown’Hoo – a prime eleven, Dao-hi the Herd mother. On nursery farms and ranches
away from the TC cities, Humans have tended young Yown’Hoo and Kiiote in secret
for decades, allowing the two, warring people to reproduce and grow far from their
home worlds.
“We had nearly fallen into stagnation when we
encountered the Kiiote.”
“And we into internecine war when we encountered the
Yown’Hoo.”
“Yown’Hoo and
Kiiote have been defending themselves for a thousand revolutions of our Sun.”
“Together, we
might do something none of us alone might have done…a destiny that included
Yown’Hoo, Kiiote, and Human.” (2/19/2015)
My great uncle, Rion said, “The cost of creating such havens
is so prohibitive that neither one of the super powers can afford to keep
them.”
“Why would the cost make them stop doing that if they can?”
I asked.
There was a long pause, then ‘Shay said, “Because if they
make places like that, they also have to defend them.”
GURion said softly, “And success by either side at
destroying the places carries its own cost.”
I almost said something without thinking then shook my head,
looking at the door leading from the Human quarters toward the ones occupied by
our Triad-mates. “You’re telling me that neither the Kiiote nor the Yown’Hoo
likes killing kids.” The others nodded slowly, looking all sad. I said, “They’re
upset when they kill each other’s kids on purpose,” I took a deep breath, for a
second feeling sorry for them. “But they kill us on accident and it doesn’t
make anyone feel anything – except irritated.”
GURion reached out and almost put his hand on my shoulder. I
confess I flinched. He pulled away, and I felt like a jerk. He wrapped himself
with his arms as if he were cold. He said, “They pay real Humans to do the
husbandry while they provide tactical cover – and treaties. That cuts the cost
of reproduction.”
Retired suddenly spoke. He’d sat himself down in a big chair
that sat in a pool of yellow light coming from a lamp. “It’s the treaties that
were so controversial, though. Making them meant that Yown’Hoo and Kiiote had
to interact – and because we were the ones doing the actual work, we had to be
part of the talks at the table.” He paused a long time, leaned over and unlaced
his boots, grabbed a low, backless chair and pulled it toward him. Settling
back in the chair, he put his legs on the backless chair and sighed. “It was out
of those talks that the idea for the Triads grew.”
‘Shay said, “You were there, weren’t you?”
Retired shrugged. “It doesn’t make any difference either
way. Even if I wasn’t there, I was around. I think I was off-world.”
“So, the Yown’Hoo…” I started.
Retired held up a hand. “Not all the Yown’Hoo. Ji-Hi, the Mother
of All was there when she only had ten. But her scent was so powerful that she
swayed other Herds to hear in her register.”
GURion spoke this time, his voice eerily sing-song, like the
chanting of the Dwarves in that one fantasy flattie, saying, “Even I know that Pan
and Zir, Kiiote Pack Pack Leaders with the four strongest of their litter,
nearly full grown; and St. Admiral, Martyr for Humanity with her mate, were
there. After senseless arguments, snarls, stamping, and the drawing of
imaginary weapons, it became clear to all that something needed to change. The Yown’Hoo
couldn’t fight much longer as the actual fibers of their heart muscles had
begun to show irreversible genetic drifting. The Kiiote litters shrank as their
bodies sensed that there was less prey, so there needed to be fewer young
mouths to feed even while the generals called for more.”
Retired said, “There was no solution in war.”
Suddenly ‘Shay said, “The only answer was peace.” I stared
at her. He voice had changed. Her stance had changed. I didn’t recognize her.
But I did grasp the implication and all I could whisper was,
“And we were the offerings of peace.”
I barely heard GURion say, “No one knows yet if the offering
is one of honey…or one of blood.”
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