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 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)
Language. It had been coopted by
the Triad. Gestures, words, emotions, and sounds had been blended, until when
they were intent on solving a problem, no one outside of their group could
understand them. Even so, in how they reacted to the world of all three people
were similar enough.
One thing that remained precisely
the same, however: fear of the future.
Xurf, Zei-go, and Hil-hi-el
abruptly shivered at the same time. The rest did as well. Herd-Pack and
Pack-Herd huddled closer to the heating stick.
Zie-go said, “Xurf and I will take
first watch. Doj and Eel-go-el, middle watch; Fax and Jus-hi-el, last watch of
the night. At first light, we will set off and not rest until we find the Human
that Retired has set us to recruit.”
“What if it has no wish to be recruited?”
asked Jus-hi-el.
Zei-go turned to Xurf who said,
“Then we kill it and take the transport. We clearly need the vehicle more than
they do, and under Lieutenant Commander Patrick Bakhsh’s orders, we have
limited choice.” This time Xurf did not stumble over the Human name. He didn’t
stumble because it was the moment of commitment. This small Pack-Herd would do
what it had to do – or die trying.
Morning dawned, a high wind and
dull steel skies frigid even for the Kiiote, who huddled in a pile, faces buried
in tangled legs legs.
A branch snapped in the woods and
all six Triad members sprang to their paws and hooves. Xurf snarled in Human,
“Who goes?”
A Human stepped from the thick
pine wood, hands held out in from of it.
Xurf sniffed, “It is a strange
looking male. It’s top hair is excessive,” speaking in the patois the Triad
spoke when they didn’t want others to know what they were saying.
“It reminds me of a half Yown’Hoo,”
said Zei-go, emphasizing the thought with a fart. They all knew well that Human
noses were essentially dead to the world around them. Certainly inefficient for
the predatory success they had enjoyed on their world. Nevertheless, they had
conquered mastodon, great white sharks, Siberian tigers, and wildebeest herds.
For some reason neither Kiiote nor Yown’Hoo fully understood, Humans had
conquered a world filled with predators as bad as those on Y’eh One or Kii. The
Triad had learned to weave their talents together to create a powerful entity.
This Human sniffed and released a
fart so loud, all seven of the Herd-Pack, Pack-Herd jumped and stepped back.
When the scent drifted over them, it was far more complex than either Oscar or
Xiomara had ever produced. Xurf growled then pushed himself to bipedal posture.
The Human was startled this time
and stepped back. He said, “You are Kiiote!”
Xurf spoke and pressed scent
glands, saying, “I am. And who might you be?” The Human studied him and Xurf’s
jaw tightened. The only other who was able to make him feel this uncomfortable
was Qap. He could stand it no longer, “Who are you?”
The Human snorted and said, “I was
Chief Executive Officer to Admiral Latavia Adeoye of Combined Forces of Earth
Government…”
All seven – Xurf, Fax, Doj,
Zei-go, Hil-hi-el, Jus-hi-el, and Eel-go-el dropped to their knees and bowed.
Only the least of them dared murmur, “We are here to serve your Office of Saint
Admiral, Martyr and Defender of Children.”
He smiled and waved as if he were royalty and said softly,
“You may rise and come with me.”
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