Entering the Grid
Lilith lead her crew to the large room she had received on the invitation. They paused three paces to the right of the door forming a half circle to take in the room and be admired by all who arrived before them.
Cora noticed the room had no seating it was a very pretty empty box. Adel noticed the patterns on all of the people filing them away under practical, impractical and wanted. Lilith noticed she was not the tallest in the room that was rare and she liked it she began placing the groups to the ship they represented. Tory quickly picked out fellow historians. Ghee categorized them by overt health. The Entertainer tossed out his CENT system. It recorded everything covertly. His favorite part of the day was when he was alone editing. He’d distribute it all for reporting sorting out who got what will happen later. The uncut recording would go to the archive for historians to pick through.
Their outfits were made of pearl essence at first glance most thought they were in white but with every move a new color was discovered. This made them interesting to watch. When they turned toward one another without a visible signal it impressed The Keeper who was waiting for all of his guests to assemble before appearing himself. He and the advisory council were analyzing the turnout. The costumes some wore were would hamper their abilities to move. Each group of eight was given direction from their docking point to the Greeting room on average it took them 20 minutes to reach the room. Her party was one of the slowest. The discreet activity of The Entertainer was not detectable without feedback from the recording devices he and his other guests posted.
"She has no face paint her hair is unaltered." He observed aloud to justify how long he looked at her. "The whole team looks under dressed and some how more."
"I agree, notice that she took the absolute center. The formation of her team so no one will be able remove her or change the position of their line. They have not spoken a word yet. Let’s see what happens when the next group arrives." Cal his Manger smiled. The group came off a ship two minutes after Lilith’s but had not made their way down the hall. He pointed to the view of them. They were spectacular. He could not count the colors they used nor the number of words they said per step.
When they entered the room it was clear they were using audio to describe things in detail. They made their way to Lilith’s group talking to and or about people. Lilith’s people noticed them coming. She looked at the elder and he understood. He marked the short one who was describing Lilith as they approached. Mimicking her cadence before she could start her next sentence. "Such an accurate description of Ruler Lilith. I thank you. What is your name? What ship are you from? How long did it take to get so much color in your hair? It is brilliant." Instantly the semi circle was a complete spiral with Lilith at the center.
"Her elder stopped them from touring the room and contained them to spectate with him. The contrast of the two groups works to make her look in charge of both. Look at how people are ordering their self around them." The Keeper said as they watched the interview of the Keg from the elder of the Nis. "Their Historians get on well." He looked at Cal "Did she plan this?"
"Cal expanded the grid. She has made it so every event they are in she or her people are also in. The two ships had communication their Historians are friends." Cal looked toward their historians. "Have you any friends among the other ships?"
"No sir we are only friends with each other. We don’t use the system unless we have news to report. It is our system to maintain we do not use it for entertainment." The three said in unison.
"So the biographic you presented us with are speculative only?" Cal said trough a clenched jaw. They looked at him and the narrowed eyes of their Keeper and knew something was wrong with the true answer. They looked at each other and then nodded stiffly holding their chin up.
"Everything is speculative no one knows more than what they observe. Our report is as comprehensive as it could be without emotional attachment to the subject the truth is evident." They said in unison and let the truth of their words sink in.
"You are right. The difference is how we see a thing and how the thing sees itself. She sees herself as a ruler. A thing we do not have. Should I allow our young people leave to run toward her rule or Keep them is the question before the board. The Grid will give answer to the questions Adviser Yo asked." The Keeper said.
Lilith was looking at him with her eyebrow raised. She heard the full conversation as the recorders The Entertainer had dispersed filtered everything remotely about her. Her physical eyes could not see him so he must be hiding or as short as his image. Lilith kept a running head count. Cora asked Adel if their were any puffs in their side pack. Adel asked what kind and gave them some and they shared with an inquisitive Keggite. Lilith told them to eat puffs if they felt any hunger or boredom. Cora liked to stay busy and standing in a room waiting for it to fill three hours after mealtime fit the criteria.
Lilith did not speak but Ghee knew it was time and lifted her favorite kind of puff into her mouth taking Tory’s advise to not allow anyone to see it open. Yet her skin changed shade slightly showing her pleased with his action. Tory fed her another and then took one for himself. Their companions from the Keg reported on the flavor they were given and their amazement at how it left no after image in their mouth. As they went on about the color debating on the shade of yellow The Entertainer told them they come in a number of shades and colors according to flavor. Each has a color the more heat yellow the more salty white, sweet red, bitter blue, creamy black, and bright green.
"How long have you been eating them?" His little Keg asked.
"Since I boarded the Quake it is their invention. We had chips but you have to chew them and some flavors stain the fingers. These are much easier to deal with." He answered showing her how quickly it grew from mustered seed to thumbnail before he put it into his mouth.
"So they invented their own food. They are making their own planet. And they invited our children to join them proving they have a unique outlook on the Order." She said. Although she was short and looked like what the people on Earth would call a fairy troll doll, Eva was a reporter for the Keg. Finding Lilith and reporting her observations was a job she took seriously. Her task was to evaluate Lilith and if her proposal was a good one. Befriending the handsome man was not her plan but she did enjoy him. As a reporter answering questions was never done having herself interviewed by someone her age was fun.
The other seven in her group were youngsters who played games for a living and a historian. She observed her historian and Lilith’s the two men looked very much alike not just the way they stood and spoke but skin and bone structure. Without thinking she described the two as she walked to them ending in the question, "Are all historians cousins or just you two?"
They looked at each other smiled Tory turned to her and answered, "Every hundred years historians gather for a year. Our grandparents met and had twins his father and my mother."
"How fortunate for you to have family in this sea of humans." She said.
"Yes we are." Said Lilith speaking for the first time. "We set our grid so that we each could reconnect with our tribes. I think it was interesting that we all come from the same planet. The parents putting children on each ship so that there would be diversity and kinship." The crowd around her listened hushing anyone who made noise. "I’ve noticed that my invitation to the Nis of my hour was broadcast to all ships but I would never take the unwilling or unfit. During this time I will find out if I want applicants from other ships under my rule. I may not want them. The Holder of Worlds promised us a portion of all born my same hour of the Nis. It was my intention to let the different lines and tribes of the Nis know the system was ready for the second wave of applicants."
She then lifted her chin motioning the Keg reporter close and whispered. To all in the room she was silent but in the room where The Keeper and his friends were observing her voice was clear. "When The Keeper of this world over heard what was happening on mine. He decided he wanted our system. I checked also had my historian review the system never has a ship from Earth made a mark on our system. So I am here to evaluate him to see if he is wants war."The Keg reporter looked at The Entertainer for confirmation. He put an arm around looking as greived as he could by the idea. Lilith turned from them her eyes fully to the spot on the wall the Keeper’s camera was on her and in her most menacing whisper said, "I am leaving this room on the count of 3 if you do not show yourself. Standing there watching us is rude. I have important things to do. One. Two."
The Keeper walked to the podium Cal was one step behind him to his left. Unhurried steps allowed the room to acknowledge him as a voice introduced him. Cal took his stand and scanned the crowd.
"Hello Cousin Cal how are you? I was right Ghee the chin on both ships held. Come to me after all of this is over and let’s talk." She said without moving her mouth. Cal noticed that no one heard it but him and the man on her right that nodded yes. They smiled broadly when he looked at them.
"Greetings delegates welcome.." The Keeper was making his speech thinking the smiles were for him. Cal wanted to throttle his Historians. Why didn’t they know of this relationship. He was orphaned at eight. He did not know until it was time to change schools. After all of the other children were picked up by their parents he was called into his teacher’s office. He was an only child of only children. His grandparents told him the news and that they did not want to disrupt his schooling because, now that his childhood was past, all he had was his future they wanted it bright as possible.
He was sent to the best schools and solidified a place in management. Once theist of his grandparents died, he believed himself to be alone. Now he found out he was not alone he did not know how to feel.. So he choose not to feel at all. Ghee asked Lilith,"Do you think he will want to be uncle our children? It is a big responsibility but you have no brothers. He looks enough like you I’d bet the child would not mind."
"I think after the schedule puts us together I’ll know if he would be trusted as my stand in brother. I just like looking at him. I now know what I would have looked like if I were born male." Lilith said noticing the change of color in Cal’s face. "If he isn’t matched do we have a female for him?" Ghee and Tory raised their eyes to him. then looked at her with the question Cal had in their eyes, "It would be my job if he was my brother to make sure he produced cousins for my children. Tory didn’t you say he was orphaned young? So I am his closest female relative it is my job to be sure he is well and carries the tribe to the next generation."
"I am sure you know what is best for your tribe wife. Before you sister him make sure he wants people in his life. We are overwhelming in our pursuit of the Order most people are unwilling to have children past replacement. Some can’t have them." Ghee said putting his arm around his wife. The Entertainer covertly had recorded the interaction earlier when Tory told them about Cal. They heard it playing in their ear as it played in Cal’s. The Entertainer told them he would do something to signal him out when he had Lilith record a greeting to him. He said it would play in his ear and her’s when their physical eyes met.
"He looks very brave. I don’t think he is afraid of anything. I just want to hug him and talk to him I haven’t seen family near my age in decades. Tory tell me what he likes what he does I need to know everything Is a Keeper and Administrator and a Manager a Ruler?"
Tory looked at her when he heard their conversation and smiled. "The Keeper is a combination of the Holder of Worlds and Armed Protector. The Manager is a combination of Ruler and Administrator. The thing that is most different is our rulers give orders and our administrators evaluate how well they are followed. Like a ruler no one checks his work. Like an administer people do what he wants them to do but only for a reward of some kind. He is given people and tasks like an administrator. The social structure will need more study. They do not have anyone to point to and say this person makes the rules. It seems they just follow the rules made on the ship."
"No new rules? That’s why they don’t like me. I understand them now. I’ll not change for them but I will make sure I am as old rule as can be. We don’t want to embarrass Cousin Cal." She looked at her Cousin as the recording ended. He smiled at her.
The Keeper finished his words and started toward her. Her cousin stopped him to whisper, "She is my cousin I must make the introduction." The Keeper did not like to be managed but relatives get to make introductions. This was the first time Cal introduced him to family. He brought him to his side as they advanced on Lilith the Historians parting the crowd before them. They entered her spiral and Cal was hugged public for the first time in his life. Three people crowded around him like he was the most important thing in the world.
The men released him and stepped back with bowed heads, "Cousin Cal my husbands Tory the Historian and Ghee the Bio-creative Protector I hope they meet your approval." She said formally not letting him go.
"They do as I see you are in health and happy with them I’ll allow it." he felt her relax and saw tears in her eyes.
"You are the first in the family to meet them I liked them. I am so glad to have your approval." They would talk later and she would go into detail but for now she straightened and looked at the Keeper. "Who have you brought?" She said knowing who but also knowing the ritual.
"Cousin Lilith I bring you my friend Kevin a single male to consider and the Keeper of the First Ship’s People." Kevin had no idea Cal would introduce him as a single male. He was but that was not a worry he had spoke to his friend about.
"I am pleased to meet you. We do not need a husband but will find you a wife to show we are excellent at matching. You must allow it as my duty to Cousin Cal is to approve his mate and he has pushed you ahead of him. Once he sees how good we are he will submit to being a husband and father. You have no sisters?" Lilith’s voice was relaxed she had her husbands clasped around her looking at him critically like it would be a hard thing to match him.
"If Cal says it is time for me to take a wife it is. I will submit to this." That sent the reporters and advisers into a frenzy of words. "Adviser Yo will you be my second normally it would be Cal but as he has placed his cousin as groom sister he must be groom brother."
Yo never was a second but he stepped forward and nodded yes. He would have to get the bride to approve the match showing her how being The Keepers wife would benefit her. He was eager to meet the female picked out by Lilith. It would show her abilities in a new position. Sisters were the match makers before the ships left. The saying, "No one knows a man better than his sister and no one understands women better than a woman." still was rang true.
As the group chatted about the grid and what time they would see each other on it, Cal wondered why he pushed his friend forward instead of taking the offer of a hand picked wife. He watched his Cousin as she talked to people about whatever subject they deemed interesting. She asked questions like Yo but also drew conclusions. He found it interesting she made the same observations he did.
She invited him to the Quake and he had automatically said yes. All of his co-workers had never seen him so comfortable. He had nothing to smile about and a smirk was the closest thing anyone could get until now. The Keeper noticed how much his friend and the ruler looked alike and thought it odd that until they were facing each other no one put them together. The world was too small. The Entertainer thought they were stunning. He was very happy he was going to come to the ship.
Lilith held Cal’s hand as she walked to the ship behind Cora and Adel her husbands were behind them with the elder a few paces back his arm around Eva. At her door he let go with a look of regret. Her body was so soft he knew she would be enjoyable. He had exercised with many people over the years but it had been a long time since he had his arm around a woman as soft as his wife. The feel of her skin was so much like his wife that he was not going to mind the glitter on his arm. As soon as they entered the Quake the glitter would be removed any way.
Once Adel made the door Cora opened it as they sealed the entry everyone had a microscopic layer taken from them Lilith showed Cal how to stand and be accepted on to the ship. "You stand here in the entry port arms away from you spreading your finger lie this. The ship will take your clothes and all off and build you an on board out fit. When you want to leave it will redress you in what you are in now or you can ask it for one of Adel’s designs."
He stepped in to the entry port and it stripped him bare and built a skin suit around him. It went on wet and quickly dried to a silken material that soon draped itself around him. He never worn metallic colors but the slate grey was pleasing. When he came out of the entry Cora was coming out also they smiled at each other and Adel said, "Wow Lilith if you were a guy you would be this guy."
"He is tall and thin like me and the chin it is like looking at my father but young. I’ve so much to say and yet nothing really important. I just want to look at you and hold your hand. I haven’t seen family in so long." She pulled him to the couch. They chatted until they fell asleep in a heap. He woke up believed there was no way to move from the pile without awaking someone. He smiled and went back to sleep. When he re=awoke Lilith was also awake. "I don’t want to wake them but I have to check up on things." She slipped out of the pile and as everyone readjusted he freed himself as well.
"This is my world."Lilith said as she expanded her screen. "Morgat my I hear what’s playing for the builders? I need to wake up. Thank you. Can you bring down the beat a third. Yes let them hear my voice on the third beat from this." She smiled at Cal, "Builders today is the day to plant the second generation plants. you did so well with the first generation plants we only had to replant one section. Have a great day building ever better tomorrows."
Cal watched her manipulate symbols and understood that she was managing. She looked as if she was dancing her movement was precise. After builders she spoke to breakers who had their own music. All sectors heard her voice a greeting, order and accolade. She then thanked and dismissed her workers that were to rest. She introduced him to her administrator and told them of her need for a wife for his Keeper. One that will make him happy to let her pick him one.
They sent three, she evaluated them and sent the details of who was best suited for The Keeper to Yo for his second opinion. "I need you to take this one she is perfect for you if I were male I’d take her." She said as she expanded an image of a woman her age working. "I also need to know if you have one more male who needs a wife." She sat on the floor by his right foot.
"Why don’t you give her one of your husbands?" he said dryly and received a slap on his calf.
"I’m bonded to my husbands and they are to me. It would be easier to give someone my kidney."At his look of confusion she pulled him on the floor beside her and explained. "I have two kidneys and could always have another grown but it will not be the same."
She kept her choice for him on the screen. The woman was going about her day not knowing her life was being decided. Cal watched her. The husbands came in and she stood up to greet them. "Is this who you are giving The Keeper? She is beautiful." Ghee said hugging his wife.
"Very good pairing an administrative person who must deal with community should have a wife that is self driven and good at organizing." Tory added moving to her other side. They kissed each other and walked to the shower leaving Cal alone with her image.
Cal watched his woman. She went from woman on the screen to his woman the moment Ghee spoke of giving her to another. When Tory gave his assessment of her it annoyed him. The Entertainer came in the room and watched him. "You are claiming her? I see it in your eyes. Do not worry it is my job to know people. I made your cousin Lilith’s match. She is happy. Managing a wife is different from managing a group of people but it is wonderful. I loved being a husband."
Cal smiled at him as he joined him on the floor. "I have to go home and get ready for the game but she seems to fit. What is marriage to the Nis?"
"We have several tribes that interpret it differently. Lilith’s husbands are from the Korn they pair almost at conception whenever they are not with their parents own infants are with their significant other. When they are old enough to take a mate they take each other or in their case a wife. Your tribe simply asks a co-worker to mate. Your wife asked for a mate and was assigned one she is of Cora’s tribe and you see how well they get along. To the Nis a wedded group is one. Generally you address the whole not the individual. A Ruler is the exception because they may take as many mates for however long they want. Lilith is the first Nis to marry let alone take two husbands out of her tribe and keep them as partners." The Entertainer wanted to ask why he was n’t paired already but instead went on.
"A holder generations ago created my job. Part of I fill in the blanks, keep people moving along their path, find reason and order in the chaos of joining two lives etc. I noticed that I do not have a counter part from any of the ships. So my title was changed."
"We have a second for the same purpose they just are temporary for one couple instead of a permeant position. Yo is the Keeper’s, The Keeper is mine. I want to watch the process before entering into it. So please allow me to follow you in your dealings with Yo."
"Sure, I’m ready the entry way will dress you in what you wore yesterday or any of these." The Entertainer made a motion and the screen filled with images of him in every outfit he could imagine danced across the screen. It took him a moment to seriously consider one.
"I’d like that one, but can you make it darker there?" Cal asked just to see the response.
"Do you remember how to use the entry?" The Entertainer asked standing up and collapsing the screen. He did not wait for an answer but turned and walked in the direction of the entry. Children were too annoying when given the motivation. Once there he turned raised eyebrows to Cal who hadn’t answered him.
"I just stood in it, I think Lilith operated it." Cal said trying to remember what she did and failing.
"Lilith is a Ruler. They do not operate the entry, not even for a relative. Someone else must have set it for you. Adel I need you." Their 3D image appeared. Cal thought it was them. "Cal is in the entry and wants to recovered in this outfit just a little darker. I leave him in your hands."
His images in the outfit he had pointed to in several darker variations appeared in his real dimensions and surrounded him. "Tell us the one that appeals most to you and we will program the entry to provide it." They said from their room as they prepared to teleport into their images after eating they were sure Cal did not notice he was really alone. They used Ichabod’s trick almost as well as he did as soon as he taught them in exchange for the creative technology they developed. As their cousin Cal put their images through paces. The changes he made were picky and vain. Before they made the voyage to Cal they stopped his demands with,"The first set of games will start soon Cousin stop playing around and pick something or we will."
"Sorry for that I never was given choice in what to dress in. It wasn’t something ever considered. I went from my school uniform to my work one. No one ever showed me so many colors and textures to choose from. You are also my cousin I remember Lilith introducing me as ’Our Cousin Cal’ still I did not know if she was saying I was her and her husband’s or yours." He put his hands on the one he liked best. "This is the one." He then went into the entry and watched Adel deconstruct the images of him as he was washed and dressed.
Adel translated into their images and finished erasing the images of their cousin. Finding out he was the last of their tribe on the First Ship was surprising. The original crews of the 100 ships were not all close relatives. But their tribe’s parents on Earth had twin boys who married twin girls. They had a new respect for Cal. When they found out that he was the last of their tribe amongst the First Ship. The order was to be fruitful and multiply had been disobeyed. He didn’t have anyone to love him. Respect for him was all over the information the history and communication people had gleaned. He had awards and shining reports. If he lived on the Nassim he would be a husband and father of several children,
After they finished their work they held each other and waited for their cousin to come out. When he did they looked him over and said, "We are a handsome people. We refuse the notion that the first ship be denied another generation. You are to father a child in one year or we will tell our elders and have you brought to the tribal council." Before Cal could speak Lilith and her husbands came into the room. The Entertainer and Cora were pretending to ignore them.
"Adel he has reasons and we are not here to deride him for not obeying the order. Cousin Cal has a wife assigned to him and when he is ready she is and if he is not willing to be a husband we will send him a portion of the tribe’s children to father." Lilith’s eyes narrowed on her cousin. "Cousin Cal, you do not have to be a husband but no one of our tribe is aloud to ignore the order completely, and you are not too busy to parent your job is less active than mine and I am a wife to two and pro-creative mother of three. We all have responsibilities to our family and you will fill them. Adel we do not involve the elders unless it is something major. If he refuses to parent we will bring the matter before them but we have spent all our lives to get away from the rule of others. We will not submit Cal to them unless you want to declare him your child?"
Adel did not think that they were acting like parents toward him but had to admit it once Lilith said so. "He is older than us but yes we felt parent like frustration toward him. And have to admit to using the threat our parents used at their time of frustration with us." They looked at him and sighed. "We are sorry Cal you are not a child we should not treat you like one."
Cal let their words sink into him. He was frustrating to them by not being a father and mate at is age. Frustrate was a new word to him. First time alone he would look up "parental frustration" and review tapes of expressions of it to see if they were telling him the truth. He did not think he was old.