The young experimental Triads are made up of the smallest
primate tribe of Humans – Oscar and Xiomara; 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)
Great Uncle Rion looked down, between us. When he looked back
up, he said, “When we get to the safe room, we’ll lay all of our cards out on
the table.”
I nodded slowly, pursed my lips then said, “All right. But
it’s only because you’re better at comprehensible metaphors than Retired is.
And he’s Human.”
GURion took me by the shoulders, shook me gently. I thought
he was gonna yell at me. Instead, he said, “I want you to promise that you’ll
say that to him at the worst possible moment.” He shook me again, “Promise,
Oscar!”
Shaking my head, I grinned then said, “I promise.”
“Now let’s get caught up to the rest of the family.”
We kept on through the tunnel, the only light oozing down
from the green glowing slime that covered the walls and ceiling. It looked like
it should smell bad even though it didn’t. “Ten kilometers?”
“Give or take.”
“How far have we come up to now?”
“We drove about sixty kilometers, ran another two or three.
Why?”
“It would have taken us twelve hours to come this far. And
you said we have to make it almost to Winnipeg?”
He stopped and turned to face me, “Yes. Why?”
“I figure at the rate the group moves, it’ll take us two
hundred hours of constant movement,” I paused. “And it’s winter and we’re
moving north.”
“So?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
GURion shrugged. “Why would I? No one said this was easy.
The Triad’s greenhouse life is over. The work has to start now because Earth
and the Kiiote and the Yown’Hoo don’t have much time left.”
“What are you talking about?” I was starting to feel sick. “What
do you mean our ‘greenhouse life’?”
“We have to keep moving if we’re going to make the
rendezvous.” He started walking.
I ran up beside him. “You’re scaring me, GURion!”
“It’s pretty much past time to get scared. The eighteen of
you have a job to accomplish along with the thirty-eight other Triad members.”
“What did you mean about a ‘greenhouse life’?”
“The Triads are ready to go finally. You’ve had everything
you’ve ever needed to grow strong and smart. You’ve got skills in all kinds of
areas among you all. It’s time for you to join up and start creating a new society.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but GURion took my arm and kept me moving forward
as he said, “But you’re not going to do it today. We have to get up to Grendl
before our next real move.”
“Oh, so between today and a hundred and twenty-two hours
from now is nothing?” I asked.
He snorted. It was a realistic sound for someone who didn’t
even breathe. “Hardly. Most likely it involves not only hiking, but more
driving…”
“Not a bakery truck again!”
“No. More likely solar-powered four-wheelers. Maybe
motorcycles.”
“How would the Yown’Hoo ride a motorcycle?”
“Sidecars.” The idea of the Herd Mother stuffed into a car
alongside me, Xio, Qap, or Xurf…I laughed. My great uncle added, “I know. The
very idea boggles the mind!”
I fell into step beside him and pretty soon we’d established
a matched stride and the meters started to disappear below us.
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