Bob
December 2173
Delta Eridani
“Archides.”
Archides stopped in mid-step and looked wildly around. “Bawbe?”
I cancelled the camouflage on the drone for a mont so he could locate it. He grunted an acknowledgent and settled carefully to the ground to sit, leaning against a tree. I brought the drone down to eye level, then re-engaged the camouflage.
“I don’t think you’re going to be allowed back.” The statent was delivered in a low voice, without looking at the drone. “Since you were banished, there have been no attacks.”
“That’s because I’ve killed six hippogriffs so far that were heading your way,” I replied. I was irritated, and I let it show in my tone.
Archides looked at the drone, eyes wide. “You’re still protecting us?”
“You’re still important to , Archides. Especially you and your family. Speaking of which, how is Buster doing?”
Archides smiled fondly. “He wants to help make tools now. Of course, all he does is bash rocks together, but it’s a start.” He lost the smile and looked down for a mont before continuing, “I’m getting a lot of what you call cold shoulder, still. So of the other cubs have started to tease Buster. I don’t want you to go away forever, but I can’t have my family affected.”
“I understand, Archides. I still need to get you up to speed with the bow and arrow eventually, but it can wait. The thing to rember is that I didn’t wipe out the hippogriffs, just the local nest. As a species, they’re still out there, and your area is effectively unclaid territory for them now. You need to be ready to hold them off. At minimum, you need to have a supply of extra spears. And the bows and arrows will give you more range.”
“Okay. I’ve been playing around with the short spears, uh, arrows. I told people they’re small spears for Buster. They laugh, but they believe . The bow part, why does it have to be different materials?”
“Laminated material is stronger and has much better spring. Eventually you’ll glue it, but for now, tying is good enough.”
We talked for a while longer: plans for new weapons, suggestions for the dicine woman, basic math. I would bring these people out of the stone age one way or another.
Eventually, Archides got up, said goodbye, and headed back to Calot. It was enough. It was a good day.
* * *
Marvin had sothing to say again. I could always tell. He would open his mouth, then close it, then try again. I wasn’t sure if I should be concerned or not. Last ti, it had been hippogriffs. Not a good track record.
Finally, he managed to squeeze it out. “I think I’m going to be heading out, soon.”
I froze for almost half a second. “As in, leaving Delta Eridani?”
“Yeah. Bob, you’ve done a lot with the Deltans, but I think it’s past the point where it needs two of us. This is a caretaker situation, now.” He made a gesture at the video window I’d been watching. “Truthfully, the council kicking you out was probably a good thing for them. They go back to deciding their own destiny. You can still tweak things here and there, but the sky god business really wasn’t healthy. For you or for them.”
I thought about being offended, getting mad, but the truth was that I’d been having very similar thoughts. I dropped my eyes and nodded. “Still, it won’t be the sa without you around to give Guppy bad greeting lines.”
“Hell, Bob, with SCUT we’re never really out of touch. If I keep my speed below .75 C, my tau won’t go high enough to preclude VR. I might just seem a little groggy to you.”
“Funny, it still doesn’t feel the sa.” I shrugged and paced back and forth a few tis in silence. “I guess I understand, though, Marv. It’s always been my project. Luke and Bender knew that.”
“Sure wish they’d intercept the SCUT plans transmission,” Marvin comnted, changing the subject. “It would be nice to know if they’re okay.”
I nodded and sat down. What a crap year this was turning into.
On the other hand, SCUT did make things a little easier. There were things to do, and Bobs to talk to.
I shook my head and sighed. The moping was pointless. I would always be able to find a laundry list of things to be depressed about, if I worked at it. The Deltans were still there, even if they weren’t talking to at the mont.
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