Red Eagle 2: Part 3

“What are you so nervous about?” Sara asked. “Your results are probably a result of months spent together, if anything.”

“I don’t think they will be.” Renee replied. “I haven’t changed so much as indulged.”

“Then you have even less of a reason.” Pylon said. “Our judgment certainly isn't going to change.”

“Prehaps, Damain would care to explain?” Targus said. “Since this seems rather personal to both of you.” Both Damian and Renee’s face went bright red until Damain coughed.

“Back home in the Semiwilds stuff like this decided your tribe. Decide a lot of your life. Each and every test was marked as a personal rite of passage.” Damian began and looked at Renee. “Watching someone else do it is… going to be weird for me too.”

“What if I ran all of it on auto-pilot?” Pylon asked, looking around at everyone.

“Isn’t this going to be most of the morning? That’s a lot of memory to block out.” Renee replied.

“Can’t block what I’ve never seen.” Pylon said. “Dematorians have some personal problems too, ya know? Every A.I runs a little bit differently. It’s not the first time something… personal has come up.” Pylon scanned his databacks during a pause trying to find the right word.”

“Would that solve our problem, Renee?” Targus asked
.
“I-i was expecting some kind of order from you.” Renee said as she blinked. “If i’m honest.”

“I remember a young lad endlessly asked when he would pick up his last 10 cards.” Targus replied.
“I remember him finding it an insult and invasion of his personal space, and a captain who shouted. For one of the only times I have ever seen her shout, the moment I came to her with said issue.”

“As our captain now, and as a lady wondering when my 3rd test will be.” Sara replied. “Could I ask why?”

“Sharing one afterthoughts.” Targus began. “Is often easier than picking them, I’ve found. One grabs their cards when they are ready. A fact that is what makes a second test commonly the longest. And what making the gap between the second and third test longer than any other. Even for myself.”

“The first is for the world. The second is for the team. The third is for yourself. And forth is for someone you may never be.” Delma said.  “Is how the Triemkeylen often worded it.”

“Pylon.” Renee sighed. “Goes on auto-pilot. But the rest of you stay, if you want.” Renee stepped into the chamber. “You’re never a Luxkem until you make your own light.”

Damian stepped aside with a grandiose bow. “I’ll be stepping out then. Not something I need to watch.”

“What?” Renee asked. Staring at a wide eyed Sara as Pylon typed results in. “Didn’t think that came from us?”

“You knew?” Sara replied. “I knew we were cousins. Never knew we were that close.”

“Yes, it will be rather strange.” Targus replied. “I have never had species closely linked on the same ship before. But as far as I know only a few thousand years separate you two.”

“1,360” Renee replied, and motioned to Pylon to start her test. “Now, if you’ll excuse me”

“2,470” Sara replied. “Is our opinion anyways.”

“Fascinating.” Targus replied. “Neither species choses the point that one left the other.”

“Our gaps started long before that.” Sara said. “And our conquesting didn’t stop after it.”

Targus laughed for the first time the crew had ever heard. “May cards guide you both.” He replied. “Perhaps then we will have an answer… one day.”

Both stared as Renee took hours in her pod. Pylon ran through sequences at whatever pace the tester decided. Late afternoon came as the ship passed a white star. Until finally Renee stepped out of the pod. Another 10 cards shuffling down the tube.

“Confident?” Targus asked.

“More than I've ever been.” Renee replied.

“Then you have gathered a proper deck.” Targus replied. “One I look forward to testing.”