Family-Final Part

Epilogue

(From the journal of Spaselopedus Barinium.)

From that day forward my grandfather and I grew closer. Unfortunately, only a few years later he died of an unforeseen heart condition. With him gone, I was recruited into the Observer corps because of abilities spotted by one of my teachers. I think of Domitor fondly from those days and I remember the things he taught me during our time together. Frankly, as an Observer candidate, I had no choice but to remember everything.

11 January A.D. 2032 on Karpla

Spaselopedus finished writing the passage and closed the diary on the desk. It would have been just as easy to record his journal on a computer, even in Koplushian script, as he had just done in his own hand. The break from using a computer refreshed his mind somehow, like a meditation. 

He had barely plunked the pen into the pencil holder when his wife Linda came into the room.

“Spence, can you help me here?” she said, a baby in her arms. “Dom needs changing and I was just going to nurse Robby.”

“Of course, Linda,” he said without hesitation. Rising from the chair, Spaselopedus changed little Dommy’s diaper and disposed of it in the bin. It was still the child’s nap time, and though he doubted any hope of success, he sat in the rocker with him and began singing quietly. 

Before he had finished the song, his son was asleep again. But to satisfy his preference for completeness, Spaselopedus quietly finished the verse, “…To go and return, and remember where I’ve been, for my home is Paradise, and I won’t leave it again.”

-The End-

Family-5

Domitor took his Brizeth and triumphantly scooped up Rolefma’s Mimpoth. “And that’s the game my dear!”

“Not until I hear what happened to Spaselopedus, you rascal!”

He slowly placed the captured Mimpoth on the table and sighed. “It’s not bad. Flarfer and Gromar were suspended for a few days. They are learning remotely until they go back. The instigator is being transferred to another school.”

She nodded. “That’s about what would happen in my day. Nothing has changed much.”

“This is his third day out. Flarfer understands it’s not a punishment for anything he did. It’s just policy to let things settle at the school.”

Rolefma smiled briefly. “Maybe he could use a parent.”

Domitor narrowed his eyes at her. Then his face softened. “Don’t forget to pay for our drinks.” He smiled, rose and waited for her to follow. “I need to get home and see how the boy is doing.”

She gave him a light hug. “Until next time, then.”

He bowed slightly and put on his cape.

The hover-taxi landed at the residential complex and Domitor got out. He turned to the entrance and adjusted his cape. Spaselopedus should have been at home, but the boy was nowhere in the rooms, nor in any of the lobbies of the building. Beginning to worry, he contacted building security.

Domitor was distraught when over an hour later, two security officers delivered the boy to his door. “We found him in the old sub-basement,” said one of the officers. “You might want to discourage that. It’s not a secure area down there.”

He acknowledged the advice, thanked them and brought Spaselopedus inside. “What, of all things, were you doing down there? I was worried!” 

The boy looked at the floor and then at Domitor. “I was exploring the building and found a lift with an extra level listed below the usual ones.”

“There’s nothing down there, is there?  You should have just come back up.”

“I don’t know,” he said with a shrug. “There’s like broken walls and stuff.  It was dark, so I came back to get a light.” He held up a penlight. “It was like I was exploring the ruins of Kidaina!”

“Well, it’s not safe,” said Domitor, frowning. “I doubt anyone’s been down there since the Apocalypse.”

“Wow!” he said, excited. “Over eight thousand years ago!”

“You are not to go there, Flarfer! You could get hurt. If you want to learn about Kidaina, there is plenty of information on the computer.”

Despondently he said, “Yes, sir.” And he slunk off to his room. He re-emerged only moments later to ask, “Grandfather, why did we leave Kidaina?”

For a moment Domitor considered the long and flowing litany about the period of industry and invention that one read about in the patriotic history of the Peacekeepers. He resisted the urge to repeat it and simply said, “We polluted that world to the point where it was unlivable and we had to leave.”

“Oh,” said Spaselopedus. “Teacher said we found the way to go faster than light and we wanted to live farther away from Norem.”

Domitor paused for a moment. “That answer is also correct, Flarfer.  Now go study your schoolwork.” Watching the boy leave, he continued frowning, but thought to himself, how like his father! 

Later, they shared an evening meal together, that is, they sat in the parlor on opposite sides of the room. While opening another fokeebit, Spaselopedus said, “Grandfather, did we found Koplushia?”

Domitor said, “What?”

“Kids at school say that our family founded Koplushia. Did we?”

He put his plate on the side table and took a sip of his tea. “Many people were involved in the founding, Flarfer. There were several Barinium families among them.” He put his cup down. “I could tell you stories about some of them.”

But Spaselopedus was preoccupied unwrapping another fokeebit. “Kesken said that we keep saving the world. I don’t know what he means.”

Domitor chuckled. “It’s a misconception. It’s more correct to say that the Barinium name is mentioned a lot in our history. It’s an honorable name and a good name.” 

The boy was silently looking at the plate on his lap.

He watched this for a few moments, then said,”Would you like more to eat?”

Spaselopedus’ words came out quietly. “I miss my parents.”

Domitor shrank inside. He had dreaded this moment as much as he was unprepared for it. The only thing that came into mind to say was, “I know you do.” Then he added, “I miss them too.”

He sniffled and a tear ran down his cheek. “They didn’t let me see them. Just said they were gone and sent me here.” He wiped his eyes and sniffed.

Domitor quickly put his plate aside and opened his arms. He remembered times like this with Ranakinin.

Spaselopedus jumped from his chair and dashed across the room into his grandfather’s arms. Domitor lifted the boy onto his lap and hugged him. “It’s all right, Flarfer. It’s all right,” he patted the boy’s back as he sobbed on his shoulder. Domitor cried with him, and it was at that moment that Domitor Barinium realized that he would be taking Spaselopedus in.  The boy needed family and, selfishly, he did not want to be alone.

Family-4

A few days later, Domitor was working in his study when he heard the door open and close followed by a few whispers. Then the sound of the water closet door told him that Spaselopedus was home from school. He began putting his work away when someone appeared in the doorway. It was a young breehah.

“Pardon me,” he said in a high voice. “I didn’t intend to intrude.”

Domitor smiled. Before the breehah could turn away, he motioned for him to enter. “You aren’t disturbing me. Metoosahs! Are you Gromar?”

“Metoosahpe, Nree Barinium,” he replied. “Yes, I am Gromar Reetorbe.”

The single insectile eye was inscrutable, but Domitor noted that Gromar’s antennae had been drooping back in fear, but now leaned forward, showing his regained calm. The breehah looked up at the shelf of books above Domitor’s desk.

He chuckled lightly. “Yes, I have a lot of books, don’t I? They are all about members of the Barinium family. “

Gromar shifted his hindquarters slightly. “Our scholars still teach the story of Hen’rem.”

Domitor reached up and tapped the spine of one of the volumes on the shelf. “We call him Engrem. This is the book containing his journals.”

Gromar said quietly and deliberately, “h’En-gurem.”

Domitor nodded, smiling. “I know. It’s not easy. But Your Koplushian is very good.”

“Thank you, Nree Barinium.”

He turned in his chair to face the breehah more directly. “Where are you from on Silonar?”

“We live in Gigedi province,” he said. Then, perhaps noting the human’s lack of recognition, he added, “It’s on the northern shore of the river Pajre’pror.”

Domitor nodded. “Ah! And the Pajre’pror flows into the sea near Kahpoolo. I served on the island for many years as an archivist.”

“I was to go to the university there, but then I had the honor to come here.”

“Are your parents on Koplushia as well?”

Gromar’s antennae turned inward slightly. “No, Nree. I am staying with my aunt and uncle in the Alien Quarter.”

Domitor nodded again. “I’m sure you miss them.” 

“Yes, but we can communicate and I will see them when I finish school.”

At that moment, Spaselopedus appeared in the doorway of the study. He glanced at the breehah and then looked nervously at his grandfather. 

Domitor smiled. “Gromar and I were just chatting.”

“Grandfather, I am sorry I didn’t tell you before that I was bringing a friend home.”

“That’s all right, Fl– ah, Spasel-opedus.” He pronounced the name carefully.

Gromar said, “Thank you, Nree Barinium for letting me visit.” Domitor’s single nod served as acknowledgement.

“Come on, I want to show you that game I have!” Spaselopedus stepped out of the study.

“I would like that, Hesbee,” he said, following behind. 

It took Domitor a moment to realize that Gromar was calling Spaselopedus by his initials, S.B. He wondered if the boy cultivated that practice among his peers.

A few days later Spaselopedus and Gromar were walking towards District Five Basics School. He had met the breehah at the hover-landing. The day before, they had spent time together at Gromar’s residence. As they walked down the path, Spaselopedus was alarmed to see Gromar’s pet clinging to his neck.

“Is that your famapehaa? Why did you bring it to school?” The creature was a gray slug about a hand span long. As he watched, it stretched around Gromar’s neck to about twice that length.

“I saw no rules against it,” said the breehah.

Spaselopedus slowed his pace a bit. “I think that’s because we don’t keep animals in our dwellings. I don’t remember anyone doing that when I lived on Vrit either.”

The creature left a pinkish trail of goo when it moved. Gromar casually ran a finger through the trail and put his finger in his mouth.

Spaselopedus shuddered. “Ugh! I didn’t like when you did that yesterday. And now we’re in school!”

 “I think you would like it, Hesbee. Guharhaa is one of our exports.”

He shook his head and grimaced, but said nothing. The door of the building opened automatically as they approached. After they checked in, he and Gromar headed down the hall to their first class. 

After they passed a small group of girls, Spaselopedus glanced back at them. 

“She was looking at you again, Hesbee.”

“Which one?”

Gromar’s antennae crossed momentarily. He said, “Her hair was light and she had skin like yours. Is it important?”

Spaselopedus shrugged. “Her name is Kenderra Jesel. That’s all I know.”

“I’ve noticed her watching you before.”

He made a non-committal sound and they continued to the lift.

They had only gone a dozen paces when a loud mocking voice behind them said, “Hey Barinium, save us, save us.”

Spaselopedus sighed, stopped, and turned around. He knew it was one of his classmates. “What do you want, Kesken?”

Kesken Archel was taller and more athletic. He leaned against the wall with his arms folded.  “You know. Save us or something.  Isn’t that what your family does?”

Gromar turned, putting his rump behind him. “Not all the Barinium’s are Hesbee’s ancestors,” he said. On my world we honor Hen’rem Barinium, but there are many others who are not so notable.”

Spaselopedus gave his friend a questioning look, but before he could say anything, Kesken said, “A cute doggie! What’s that on your neck?” He reached out and removed the famapehaa before either could react.

“Be careful!” said Gromar.

“Give that back!” said Spaselopedus.

Kesken held the famapehaa out to examine it. “What the skuit is this?”

Suddenly, Gromar rose up on his hind legs and brayed loudly. Towering over the young humans, and with his forepaws clawing the air, he yelled, “Gerfoife famapehaa homaa!“

Kesken jumped back, tossing the creature away. Spaselopedus deftly caught it, continuing his motion to the side. He crashed into the wall, but kept the famapehaa safe. Gromar returned to all fours as his friend regained his feet. 

“What’s going on here?” said a deep, adult voice. They turned and saw their teacher, firmly holding Kesken by one shoulder.

Family-3

Two days later Domitor was at the Vailsten spaceport. The previous day, the Ministry of Education had sent the information of when Ranak’s son would be arriving on Koplushia. Domitor located the approaching flight from Vrit on the screen of his hand computer and watched its progress until it landed.

His pocket computer displayed a picture of the boy. He looked very much like Ranak at a similar age. That had been over forty years ago, he thought, and truly he admitted that Astrilla had done most of the rearing of their child. 

At that time they were living on Silonar, and educational services were at a minimum on the island outpost that the Koplushians occupied. Despite this isolation, there had been a stir among the breehah Scholars after they learned his family name was Barinium. 

Following some research, Domitor discovered that a distant, indirect ancestor once spent time among the natives there. He was amazed that the name had not been forgotten in the thousands of years since. It spurred him into the hobby of collecting the histories of any Barinium families he could find. 

One of the breehah Scholars even gifted him with a bound volume containing writings in the breehah language by an Hen’rem Barinium. The volume was a printed copy, not a manuscript. It was some time before he realized it was a journal of Engrem Barinium, one of the founders of Koplushia’s first colony, Anthtl Zetek.

A beep from his computer brought Domitor back to the present. The display now showed a map and a dot showed the progress of Ranak’s son as he approached. Other passengers passed by, occasionally blocking his view. At first he thought to seek out the boy, but decided to stay and wait. They might miss each other in the crowd.

Soon Domitor spotted him across the concourse. They made eye contact and waved. Then the boy proceeded toward him, an obedient roboticized cart, trailing behind with the luggage.

With a smile, he stumbled, “Megres, are you Sepais’..lopdus?”

The boy looked up at him nervously. “Megres, I am Spaselopedus.” Then, checking the picture on his own computer. ” Are you my grandfather… uh… Domitor?” 

He nodded. “Yes. Are you ready to go?”

Spaselopedus looked down momentarily, then back at his luggage. “Yes, sir.”

They walked down the concourse together, the cart following them obediently. There were others trundling through the spaceport, following other passengers. 

Because of his historical research, Domitor was reminded of the earliest known times, when trained dogs would haul carts along the roads of old Mornerth on Norem. And during  his time on Silonar he saw similar sights among the breehah. Those small, gentle centauroids pulled carts not unlike those in the recreated images from Koplushia’s ancient history.

They came out of the building and moved towards the nearest empty taxi landing. In the mid distance, he noticed three breehah waiting at a stop. One of the three was smaller and stood near the luggage.

Suddenly, Spaselopedus said loudly, “Ha, ha! Look Grandfather! Look at the doggies!” 

Domitor turned to the boy sternly. “Those are not dogs! They are breehah and sentient beings the same as you or I!”

Spaselopedus looked down and said quietly, “Yes, sir.”

“All beings deserve our respect,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what they may resemble.”

Spaselopedus nodded, but looked back at the breehah who were now boarding their taxi. Moments later one landed for them. Domitor lifted the bags into the vehicle and they climbed in. As the taxi lifted from the ground, the now empty cart trundled off to its charging station.

Over the next few days, Domitor set up the boy in the spare room of his dwelling and enrolled him in the District Five Basics School. Things settled down enough that he met Rolefma for their usual game.

“You’re calling him Flarfer?” she said, putting her Byn down on the playing board.

Domitor shrugged. “I kept tripping over … Spas… lupus–” he waved it away with his hand. “Besides, my grandfather called me Flarfer.”

She looked at him and smiled. “It’s hard to believe.”

Domitor put his Shov on a strategic square. “What don’t you believe?”

“That you were ever young enough to have a grandfather!” She smiled. A Rishekee was pushed forward.

He stroked his beard in thought. “That’s the way families usually work.”

Rolefma sighed. “Some families can barely be called such. Parents use ectogenesis to create the children and let the state care for them.” She paused expectantly, then continued. “What good is it to have children without giving them care, passing on the family culture?”

Studying the game board, he said, “The education ministry teaches them our culture…”

She made a noise, “Phmmf!”

Domitor grunted. “Isn’t it your turn?”

“No, it’s yours,” she said, taking a sip of her tea.

After a moment, He captured a Rishekee with his Ahnyrn. “What you are describing is nothing new. We’ve used in vitro fertilization and artificial wombs since before the Apocalypse.”

“But it became much more prevalent during and after the Repopulation,” she said defiantly. “For a very long time family units have been the exception on Koplushia, not the rule.”

Domitor looked at her with irritation. “I haven’t made any decision yet.”

Rolefma took her Brizeth and jumped two of his pieces. She captured a Rishekee on the third square. “It’s your move, Dom.”

When Spaselopedus returned home that afternoon he was excited. “Grandfather, do you remember the breehah we saw at the spaceport?”

Domitor nodded.

“I met one in class today! He’s from Silonar and his name is Gromar.”

He smiled. “How did you meet him, Flarfer?”

“He was lost and looking for our classroom. I helped him.”

“Very good.”

“He has an odd accent,” said Spaselopedus offhandedly. 

Domitor said, “All accents are relative, Flarfer. Your accent differs slightly from mine and people who live in space habitats have different accents too.”

But Spaselopedus was off to his room. “I’m going to see what I can look up about Gromar’s planet!” 

Domitor did not stop the boy, nor did he mention at that moment that he had served as the Administrative Archivist on the breehah world for many years.

Family-2

He returned to his residential unit and busied himself by locating every image, video, or print of Ranakinin in his computer or in drawers. As long as Domitor could look through the pictures, it was as though his son was alive.

A nagging hunger forced him to eat something hours later. While he sat at his desk, consuming a fokeebit, he accepted a video call from Rolefma.

“Dom, are you all right?” she said. “I just heard about Ranak.”

He stared back at the screen showing Rolefma’s face. “I’m fine,” he finally said. “I was just looking for some old pictures.”

“Could I come over? I know it’s unusual, but we could eat together.”

“No need,” he said, holding up the empty wrapper. “I just had something.”

Undaunted, she said, “If you want to talk anything out, Dom, I’m willing to listen.”

“I know. Thank you, but not tonight,” he said. “I just need to be alone.” He ended the call before Rolefma could continue.

Domitor turned back to his computer and brought up the news stories from Vrit about the accident. The storm had been unexpectedly strong and had tossed the air-shuttle like a toy. Then he noticed something. Ranak had been part of a tour group visiting the Valley of the Tombs. His son had died during an unnecessary trip to visit an historic site!

Under his breath he muttered, “He was always dashing off to see something or other. If he had just stayed home he’d still be alive.”

Rolefma called him the next morning. Reluctantly, he accepted the call. “I was wondering if there was anything I can help you with,” she said.

Domitor took a breath before answering. “I appreciate the thought, but really there’s nothing to do before Ranak’s boy arrives here from Vrit.”

She made a noise before continuing.”Mmm. Do you know anything about him? His name?”

Domitor looked up in thought for a moment. “I remember he was born on Vrit. He has about seven years… Ranak and, um, Evina gave him a non-traditional name… Spasel… lopus, or something.” He shook his head.

Rolefma smiled briefly. “I suggest you learn it. Which family name does he use?”

“I don’t know.” He thought again and shook his head. “It’s years before he has to decide anyway.”

She made a gesture with her head. “True by some conventions. Any siblings?”

Domitor sighed. “Two. Both adults and living on the Chorit mining colony.”

“Hmm,” she said. “When are you expecting the boy?”

“I’ll be notified, no doubt, by the Vritian Embassy.” His expression soured. “They remind us constantly that they once colonized all of  the galaxy, but they can’t predict the weather!” 

Deciding she could offer no more, Rolefma said, “Let me know if you want any help, Dom. Take care.”

“Thank you,” he said quickly. Immediately after his screen went blank, he bowed his head and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Later he received a call from Kana Hizokwa of the Vritian embassy. She informed him that Ranakinin Barinium’s son, Spaselopedus would be arriving at the Vailsten Spaceport in two days. When she inquired if Domitor had any questions, he dismissed her and ended the call.

That evening, he sent a videogram to Ranak’s older sons, Hariel and Itsain of the Chorit mining colony. He informed them of Ranak’s death, the current situation, and asked if they wanted guardianship of their young brother. Even via hyperwave, the message would take time to reach them, and he did not expect a rapid reply.

But the next day, a reply did come. Domitor was in the middle of a project when the house monitor announced, “You have a videogram from Hariel Simm.”

He glanced up at the audio/visual pickup. “Jelefek, Play the audio only.”

“The message is in avatar format, sir.”

Domitor put his work on hold. “Send it here then.”‘Avatar format’ meant that it was interactive, able to adapt to the conversation. Many considered it more polite than a simple recording. He found them generally annoying.

The still image of Hariel Simm, his oldest grandson, stared at him on the screen. Domitor sighed. “Good morning, Hariel. How are you?” The greeting activated the avatar, and it became more life-like.

Hariel smiled. “Good morning, Grandfather. We received your message.”

The problem with avatars, thought Domitor, was that one sometimes had to pull the information from it. They rarely simply stated what you wanted to know. “How is your brother?”

“Sain is well.”

His name is ‘Itsain’, thought Domitor. Just as he chose his mother’s family name, he further avoids any connection with the Bariniums by choosing a shortening of his true given name. The original form of Itsain was ‘Itsen’, the city on Norem where the Barinium name was established, or so it was recorded in the journals of the Barinium ancestors.

“I messaged you in reference to your father and his son. Would you accept guardianship of him?”

Hariel’s face darkened for a moment. “Yes, your message stated that our father and our mother, Evina perished on Vrit. The Vritian embassy and Koplushia notified us as well.”

Interesting subroutine, Domitor thought. “And the boy?”

The avatar’s eyes narrowed slightly. “We’re on a small mining colony here and don’t have room for kids,” said Hariel. A sardonic smile. “Why don’t you raise him?”

Domitor pressed his lips together, reached out and ended the message. He sighed and leaned back in his chair. A few minutes later he returned to his project.

Family-1

Family

by 

D. Eliot Rutan

Domitor sat across the Gyvyk table from Rolefma. They were in their usual gaming parlor during the quiet time of the day. The youth of Vailsten, the capital city of Koplushia would not take over the parlor with their loud dice games until evening.

Rolefma moved her Rishekee one space into the farthest rank of squares and flipped it over to reveal a black bar. “There, for what good it will do.”

Domitor smiled and moved his Byn one space horizontally to capture her Ahnyrn. “Well, that kept me away from those two squares. Fortunately I didn’t want to go to them.”

After a pause Rolefma said,  “Are you sure there’s nothing on your mind, Dom?”

“Not especially. Why?”

She picked up her Brizeth, jumped the two intervening pieces and put it in the place of his Mimpoth. “I’m surprised you didn’t see that coming. I just noticed the opportunity.”

“Hmm,” he said. “Maybe I’m just getting old.”

“Nonsense!” she said in a chiding voice. “Domitor Barinium, you are just as alert now as you ever were!”

He drank the last of his tea and put the cup down. “Well, there’s nothing bothering me. Maybe you distracted me with those deep, dark eyes.”

“Always such a flirt, even when we worked together in the Ministry!” Rolefma smiled. “But, you’re still paying for the drinks from today.”

“Very well,” he said, brushing the side of his white beard with his fingers. “Next time you won’t trick me.” They stood up and hugged lightly.

“Same time next week?”

Domitor nodded. “Of course, my friend.” After she left, he adjusted his shoulder cape and went to pay the cashier.

He stepped outside into the sunny late morning. Instinctively, Domitor inhaled deeply as if to clear his lungs of the filtered air inside the parlor. He turned and walked down the path to the nearest corner. Moments later, a hover-taxi dropped down. 

Domitor got in, gave his destination to the onboard computer, and it gently rose into the air. Seeing the city from this vantage always pleased him. Lush parkland surrounded each of the ministerial complexes on the island. This gave officials, functionaries, and tourists enough room to enjoy.

The island of Vailsten was not small. Indeed, it was the largest one in the largest of Koplushia’s three landlocked seas. The northern end boasted a modest, but efficient spaceport which was conveniently located directly over the Central Hub tube station. Residences, permanent and temporary, were chiefly on the southern part of the island.

A few minutes later the taxi set down near the District Five residential complex. Domitor got out and walked the distance to the lobby entrance. He noticed there were a few people in the glassed-over lounge area as the lift doors opened. He didn’t recognize anyone.

The lift took him down sixteen floors where he entered another spacious lobby. Even though it was far underground, the room looked as though it were on the surface. The large vid-plates on the walls depicted a seamless outdoor vista, complete with randomized wildlife in the distance.

Domitor ignored it all, having seen it everyday for decades. He walked down the hall of the north wing and to the door of his dwelling. When he was inside with the door closed, he removed his cape and sat at the large wooden desk. “Jelefek, check messages,” he said.

“One message,” said the house computer. “From the Vritian Embassy, Please expect a visitor at eleven o’clock.”

Domitor glanced at the time strip over the door.  It was nearly eleven now.

“A reminder,” said the computer, “Tomorrow is…”

“Stop!” He said in a loud voice. The computer remained silent. 

Sitting at his desk, his shoulders slumped ever so slightly as he remembered. Tomorrow would have been his wife’s birthday, but Astrilla had passed away eight years ago. In the time since, Domitor could not bring himself to remove the reminder from the computer.

He sat there for a moment in thought. That must be what had distracted him from the game today. Subconsciously he was thinking about what tomorrow once meant to him, a chance to show Astrilla how special she was to him. She was gone now, and lived only in his memory. Domitor looked up at the framed picture of her on the wall. “Has it really been eight years, Dear?”

The computer interrupted his thoughts then. “Sir, you have a visitor waiting in the upper lobby.”

Out of habit, he looked at the audio/visual pickup on the ceiling. “Tell them I will be right there. What is the name?”

“Her name is Kana Hizokwa.”

It was not a familiar name, a fact that indicated nothing. Domitor pushed himself away from the desk and headed for the door to make his way to the lobby.

The lift doors parted and he stepped out. A young woman was standing before him. She was dressed in trousers and matching vest which covered a high-neck, pastel yellow shirt. Her long dark hair was tied in the back with a band. The round someley hanging from the chain around her neck indicated she was a minister of the Engrethy religion.

“Kana Hizokwa?” he said.

“Yes, are you Domitor Barinium?”

He nodded.

“I have tea set up this way,” she said. Kana began walking to one of the more private alcoves. The main lobbies of residences had facilities for the basic beverages. It was unusual however, for the guest to offer the refreshment to the host.

The small, low table was set with a teapot and two ceramic cups. As he took the seat across from her, Domitor said, “What’s this all about?  I was told you were a messenger. What is the message?”

Kana paused for a moment as she filled both cups. “It’s about your son.”

“My son, Ranak?”

She nodded slightly. I’m afraid I have terrible news. Yesterday an air shuttle on Vrit was returning to Kildad, our capital city. It flew through a strong storm and crashed upon landing. All aboard the shuttle were lost… including Ambassador Barinium and his wife Evina Simm…”

Domitor sat there, emotionless, as the woman described the events leading up to the accident and the status of the investigation that followed. He did not respond until she said, “As next of kin, you will have to decide on the disposition of their young son.”

“Their son? What can I do with their son?”

After a pause, Kana said, “I have no official standing in this, but I am given to believe that if a family member does not take the child in, then they become a ward of the state until they reach maturity.”

Domitor said slowly, “Yes, that is our law and our custom.”

Kana waited, then said, “I imagine the Ministry of Education will be contacting you. If you need to talk, you can contact me at the Vritian embassy here in Vailsten.”

At first he did not understand, but as she rose, her somely swung away from her body. It reminded him that as an Engrethy minister, she was offering to act as a counselor to him. As Domitor stood up, tea untouched, he said, “Thank you. I’ll let you know.”