Struggling to Find a Suitable Home, Pt 2

The chamber is silent before Anem speaks, "These abominations are a result of unleashing primitive instincts with no restraints. This is how Eresh intends to rule. We can only hope that the surviving primates can sustain what they have been taught but they will always be under Eresh's rule." Ninma asks in disbelief, "So we are not to help them in any way? Just abandon them?" Anem has grown increasingly irritated with Ninma's sympathy for Second Breeds over the botams and speaks to her in a stern voice, "We are not abandoning them! We never intended to keep them in the first place!" His voice softens, "There are other ways to help, methods that do not require many resources. You and I will discuss these possibilities later. I promise. Right now we need you to be focused on relocating our colony away from this madness. A few Second Breeds will survive and they can be helped when the time arrives. Do you understand?"

Ninma smiles, "I know it is difficult for you all to understand my affection for these primates. I have trouble explaining it myself. I understand Anem." He replies, "Good. Now let us make plans." Doctor Chamiabac reminds us of another detail, "One thing we have not considered yet is how we plan on keeping this from Eresh. While he may be confined to his zone on the ground he does have some freedom in the atmosphere. Our preparations will not escape his detection." Balam concurs, "I agree. His aerial perimeter overlaps our zone and we cannot renegotiate without raising suspicion."

Anem pauses before saying, "So we tell him." The perplexed looks on our faces persuade him to explain further, "Look. He will be happy for us to leave. He inherits an enormous amount of territory to roam and explore with little restraint. He will have several of our Second Breed civilizations under his control to rule over as he pleases. This may even qualify as a type of defeat over us. After all it is we who are retreating. I think he will be very cooperative. Even if we were to propose any conditions." Alom asks, "So do you want me to open communications with Eresh?" Anem nods, "Yes. Get me a direct line. I want to speak with him personally and arrange the meeting."

Early the next day we inform the colony of our recent decisions. After seeing the conquest of Kirsh for themselves very few disagreed with the move. So once again we begin to pack. It is becoming routine now. Anem is in his personal chamber speaking with Eresh. He has been in there for karons. We are in the meeting chamber working out the transport schedules when he finally enters. Anem sits, "We meet in two days outside of Kirsh. Balam. I want you and Ninma to make arrangements for the meeting. Have a campsite secured and prepared." He looks in our direction, "The rest of you finish planning the relocation. Determine how long and if there are any conditions we need to consider before negotiations. Have a report ready by tomorrow morning."

The rest of the day and most of the night flash by, as we rush to complete our assignments. A few karons of sleep and we are back the next day with our results. We decide on our strategy. Then Anem instructs us on our conduct during the meeting, "I want you to restrain yourselves. No matter you see. Ignore any comment Eresh makes. His only intent is to provoke you. Do not allow him the satisfaction of an emotional outburst. Understood?" Anem's eyes immediately turn to Ninma, "Understood?" We all confirm his order.

The following morning begins bright and cheery. After everyone assembles we head to the meeting with another reminder from Anem. Balam has selected a partially barren hilltop south of Kirsh, "It is the tallest hill in these parts and we will be able to see anything that approaches. It is a good defensive position should Eresh get any ideas." Anem comments as we walk to the main tent, "You and Ninma have done well. I appreciate the effort. Hopefully your thoroughness will not be necessary."

Balam has brought a whole division of troops. Most are down below in strategic positions. The rest are guarding in different locations around the camp. Anem did not think the safety precautions were necessary but Balam insisted. We did too. And for the first time in staff history we outvoted Anem. He smiled and chose not to veto. On a side wall of the tent is a table with food and refreshments. Two male Second Breeds are standing behind the table waiting to serve us. We are early so we get something to eat before the meeting.

While we are eating a trooper enters the tent. She announces that Eresh has made contact and is approaching. Anem calmly takes a drink of fruit juice and says, "Let us go out and welcome our guests. Balam. I only want two guards placed at the tent opening. All other troops are to be stationed outside the perimeter during these proceedings unless needed. This is non negotiable." Balam looks unsure but follows orders and leaves to inform his troops. I quickly finish eating before stepping outside with the others. Eresh's vimana is above the center of camp. The rickety old transport lowers to the ground.

I am reminded of how little we allotted them after reoccupying the planet. This vimana has also been modified. Guards are standing at its windows. A rush of fear enters my mind. This could be a trap to kill all of us in one swoop. Balam and the doctor must have the same notion. Without a word the three of us slowly move in front of Anem. He smiles, "Do not be alarmed. Look. They hold no weapons as we agreed."

Once on the ground the door opens. A trooper steps out first. He surveys the area then turns back, "Clear!" Huncam walks out next. He is wearing an elaborate military uniform. The medals shine in the morning light. They move to each side of the door and stand at attention. Eresh steps out wearing a colored robe of some sort. Jeweled adornments hang from his neck. He holds a gaudy and ominous looking staff in his ring-endowed hand. The final touch is a delicately forged metal crown on his head. I hear Alom whisper, "You have to be kidding me. Are we supposed to bow?"

Looking at Eresh Anem quietly scolds him, "Quiet! Do as you were told." Anem gently moves us aside to go and greet Eresh, "Welcome." He takes Eresh's hand in friendship, "Let us go inside and be comfortable." Eresh releases his hand and looks at Huncam who in turn looks at the trooper. The trooper immediately runs inside the tent. Balam motions his guards to hold their position. The trooper reappears and nods. Eresh begins walking, "Why thank you Anem. My. You look well. And how is your family?"

We enter the tent behind them as Anem answers, "They are well Eresh. Thank you for asking." Huncam's trooper stands to attention inside by the tent opening. The rest of us take our seats. Anem inquires, "Are you hungry? We have a variety of refreshments for your pleasure." Eresh politely declines, "No thank you. We have already eaten but I will have some fruit juice if I may." Alom whispers to me, "This civility is beginning to get sickn. . ." Anem looks at him with an icy stare and Alom stops. Eresh ignores the comment, "My. You do have a wide variety of food. I see that you have been doing very well."

A Second Breed male serves Eresh a fruit drink. Eresh looks up to him, "Very well indeed." The primate walks away. Anem's tone becomes serious, "Okay Eresh. We all know why we are here. Shall we get on with this?" Eresh's eyes follow the Second Breed for a moment and then back to Anem, "It would be my pleasure. Now. You want to relocate to the western continents. You want my scouts out of your zone until you do. This may be difficult seeing that my primates possess Kirsh."

Ninma's emotions cannot prevent her outburst, "You explicitly violated the treaty! And allowed your damn beasts to viciously massacre innocent lives!" Anem shouts, "NINMA! I think you and Alom would be more comfortable in Balam's vimana. Now go!" Alom innocently asks, "What did I do?" There is no answer. So he and Ninma get up to leave. Eresh smiles and says to Anem, "I see little has change since we parted. I must say though. Beauty is so enhanced when it glows with hatred." Ninma turns back as they approach the opening but Alom grabs and pulls her out.

Anem regains Eresh's attention, "All right Eresh. Let us proceed." Eresh turns back and chirps, "Gladly. As I was saying it would be difficult to control my primates in Kirsh without actually being there. Kirsh is obviously in your zone. I think we should discuss this before we proceed." Balam retorts, "Kirsh is too close in proximity to make this practical." I remind Balam, "Yes but having his primates nearby without any supervision makes the situation even more perilous." Eresh emotes another insincere smile, "Ah so good of you to join us. Thank you. Kumo is right. There is no telling what they may do if I were to remove Fara. Tell you what. None of my vimanas will be allowed anywhere near the city. How is that for a compromise?"

Anem responds, "Very generous Eresh and a compromise I can live with. Now let us move on to other matters." Eresh senses an opportunity, "As you can see I am willing to ensure that these negotiations run smoothly. I would think that this deserves a show of appreciation in return. How about giving me a vimana that is more appropriate of my status?" Anem smiles, "Your compromise is not that generous Eresh. The vimanas and vocs you have are more than enough for your needs. Sorry."

Anem pauses, "But I think we can offer a few concessions that will make any other compromise extremely worthwhile for you." The meeting goes on for karons. There are a few heated debates but eventually an agreement is reached. We have achieved two objectives. The treaty map has been redrawn. Designating new aerial and ground zones. The remaining cities still under our control will be left alone until we leave. Anem whispers to Balam, "That should satisfy Ninma for the time being."

In return Eresh is provided with a few construction hand tools and some supplies. The meeting ends and we resume our former insincere politeness. Eresh makes one final request, "May I have a few moments to speak with Anem in private?" He turns to Huncam, "Go back to the vimana." Huncam cautiously rises and marches out of the tent with his trooper following behind. Anem nods his head to us "Go ahead and take the primates with you." The Second Breeds rush out with us and enter a small tent nearby.

Huncam and the trooper are entering their vimana. Meluhha comments, "Huncam is always so stiff and unfriendly. Has he always been that way?" Sarcastically Alom answers, "I think he was born that way. It must have taken several tohs for his poor mother to recover from the experience." Eresh and Anem exit the tent, "It has been a fruitful meeting either way. We should do this more often Anem. I for one have enjoyed it so. Ah, and your loyal subjects. It was wonderful seeing you all again. Do keep in touch." Eresh walks off and boards his vimana. Balam quietly asks Anem, "So what did he want?" The vimana lifts from the ground as Anem answers, "He tried persuading me to give him a new vimana again but he did not like my conditions."

A few days later Anem calls us in to announce the location he has chosen for our new home. He is in a jovial mood today. His son Paxil just received an award for academic excellence, "Kia is especially proud. For it was her who Paxil featured in his essay." I am happy for my friend, "Congratulations Anem. He is an outstanding young male." The others join in and Anem thanks us, "Now. Let me show you the location." On the monitor is a view of the western continents. Meluhha voices her assessment, "I assume you have chosen the northern hemisphere. It holds more resources than we will ever need and usable water is located everywhere."

Doctor Chamiabac adds, "Yes. The northern sector is the most logical choice with many ideal locations to choose from." Alom rises and steps to the monitor, "So where did you choose, Anem? On the central plains by the mountains or here on the eastern part of the continent?" Anem leans back in his seat, "Yes. The northern hemisphere is the logical choice. It is the most obvious making it the wrong choice." Alom's hands drop to his side, "The wrong choice? How can that be?" He walks back to sit down.

Anem explains, "The idea is to confuse Eresh. Do what he least expects. One way is to use his ego against him. Eresh has convinced himself we aspire to build a great empire. To him we are competition. He realizes that the northern hemisphere is the logical choice for empire building. We shall do the opposite and relocate to the south. Here. In this region." We look where the pointer is located. I am first to speak out, "But that is on neither continent. It is only a peninsula." Confused we begin to mumble amongst ourselves. Meluhha speaks next, "I do not understand. The land is mostly hot humid and dense forest. We would have to carve out a suitable place to live." Ninma adds, "Anem. We must still build a city to live in. This will add a great amount of unnecessary labor. Is this really a wise choice?"

Anem almost appears apologetic, "I understand your doubts but the choice has its reasons. It is to escape Eresh's mind." He rises from his seat, "I am tired of violence and war. No longer willing to subjugate our people to never ending threats by primates. If Eresh sees that we are peacefully living in a location where growth is limited we are no longer competition. It will bore him. His attention will be diverted. Turning to his own to inflict his misery. Maybe then we can live in peace." Anem looks to Ninma, "It does not mean we are abandoning the primates we leave behind. We can still help from here."

There is not much else to debate. As always, Anem has made a well thought out and wise decision. It is more challenging than usual but our colony understands the decision when they are told. I admire their loyalty and willingness to do whatever is needed to survive. Anem inspires this loyalty and we trust his decisions. It did not take us long to prepare and we are now relocating to our new home. Anem is there with our people to help get things started. I am in Balam's vimana watching the last transport leave the eastern continent.

Balam asks me, "So what do you think will happen now? I mean with the rest of our primates?" I look at the monitor and answer, "They will be defeated and conquered. No choice but to live under Eresh's rule. There are those that may even benefit by freely joining. A few of them should remember what they were taught. Those are the ones I am interested in. It will be fascinating to see how many generations of Second Breeds can sustain the knowledge. I understand Anem is even allowing Ninma to recruit a group to help." Balam laughs, "You and Ninma are both alike in different ways. First there is Ninma. She fawns and coos over the wretched creatures. And then we have you. Always wanting to observe and study them. I will never understand you."