Time passed, as time usually does.

Luke leaned on the cane, and waited for his group to catch up. He was actually feeling good, despite the fact that his leg was beginning to ache. The climb to High Watch was for once not being done for the purposes of a night hunt.

Gradually, seven or eight kids caught up, climbing the ladder to the lookout; they were joined by five adults, including Quendra and Thurfrit and, Luke noted, Drugar. Poxea the Gatherer had also come, he saw. He nodded to her, though she looked nervous. He smiled as the group came in and took their seats.

“All right,” Luke said, sitting down in a chair. “Look up.”

They were high enough in the canopy of the woods, and far enough away from Medzina that the sky was lit up like Tokyo.

“What do you see? Yes, Nela?”

A girl, about thirteen or fourteen, was raising her hand. “Stars?”

“Yes, stars,” Luke said. “Do you know what stars are, Nela?”

“Well, I’ve heard that they’re like the sun – they’re all suns.”

“Very good. That is exactly what stars are. They’re like the sun.”

“Why aren’t they as bright as the sun?” a little boy asked.

“That’s an excellent question, Josa. The reason they aren’t as bright as the sun is that they’re really, really, really far away. Like, you can’t even believe how far away they are.”

“Farther than the Guardian’s house?”

Luke grinned. “A lot farther. You know how when you look at a glowberry, you see it right away? The glow from it gets to your eyes right when you see it, right?”

The kids nodded; so did a couple adults.

“Well, all those suns glow, like glowberries do. But we’re so far away that it may take years for the glow of those suns to get to our eyes.”

The kids’ jaws dropped.

“Is one of the stars up there the star Earth goes ‘round?”

Luke turned back to Nela, who was watching the skies intently.

“It’s so far away you can’t even see it, not without a telescope – that’s a special thing you look in, that makes you able to see farther. But I can tell you where it is.”

Luke pointed to a brilliant red star. “See that star? That star is called Betelgeuse, or as the Titans call it, Kokinit. It’s a super-big star, bigger than the sun that Earth goes around, bigger than the sun Archavia goes around. Now, see those four stars grouped brightly, not too far away?”

“The head of the tupp in the sky!” a girl said.

Luke chuckled. “You have picked up on so much you don’t even realize. The Titans call that constellation Topontik. It means ‘Tupp.’ And yes, that’s the part of it they call the head.

“I guess I didn’t need to show you Betelgeuse, because I was just using it to point out Topontik. Look at the ear of the tupp, the highest of the four stars. You see it?”

The group nodded.

“Just to the left of that, so far away that it would take almost a hundred Archavian years to get there flying fast as light, is Earth. My homeland, and yours.”

The little group gasped, and strained to look at it. “So if we were to start flying toward the ear of the tupp…we’d get to Earth someday?”

“Someday. It’d take a long, long time though. You need one of the special ships the Titans have.”

“Will humans ever have them?” Nela asked.

Luke looked at her, and smiled. “Yes,” he said.

“How can you be sure?” Thurfrit asked, and then sheepishly grinned. “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“You’re here for the lesson too, Thurfrit. You know Selana, the moon of this world.”

“Of course,” Thurfrit said, nodding to the waning crescent of the moon.

“There is a moon of Earth. Like the moon of Selana. It’s different, though – not blue and brown and green, but gray. If you look close, it looks like it has a face,” Luke said. “And one day, before I was born, probably around the time Drugar was…on that day, humans flew a ship all the way to their moon.”

You could have heard a pin drop. Quendra looked at Luke, awestruck as she’d been the first time she heard the story.

“There are people, right now, living on a spaceship that flies around and around Earth, but never lands. We’ve built spaceships that don’t need people, but can automatically take pictures and send us information about other worlds that circle the sun. The Titans have a head start on us, it’s true, but we will catch up. Because we’re as smart as they are, and if we’re as smart as they are, there’s nothing they can do that we can’t.”

“But we’ll never see Earth, will we?” Nela asked.

Luke sighed, and looked at her carefully. “I don’t know if you will, or if I will. But then, I never thought I’d get to visit the stars, and I have. Never even knew this Tribe was here, but it is. And I believe in my bones, someday, some of us will get to see Earth. I don’t know if it will be us, or your children, or your great great great grandkids. But someday, either the Titans will take us there, or Earth will fly here to meet us.”

“And that’s why we have to do our best and work hard for the Tribe, right?” said a boy of about eight.

“That’s why, Molo. That’s why.”

Luke smiled, and then looked up at the sky. “Now, the stars aren’t just pretty, and they aren’t just important because Earth is up there. I asked Poxea the Gatherer to come here tonight to tell you what she sees in the stars. It’s very important, because the stars have a story to tell us – the story of when the Tribe needs to gather and prepare.”

Poxea came up front, and began talking, hesitantly at first, then with a bit more certainty, as she outlined what stars signaled the end of the summer, and which heralded winter. Luke leaned up against Quendra, as it was a nice break from leaning on his cane. He looked up at the ear of the Tupp, and nodded to it; it was where he was from, and while he would probably never see it again, he could always remember the time he lived out there.

* * *

I’m surprised and rather gratified by how many followers I’ve gained. And yes, I know that 43 is not that many in an Empire of tens of billions, but still…it’s 43 people willing to listen to me. I especially want to recognize Telen Sarvu, my most distant and most Dunnermac subscriber. Thank you for the kind words; your people’s struggle for recognition is an inspiration for all of us who seek equality, and I am glad to hear that things on Azatlia are pleasant.

The news on Darren Avery is not, alas, any better; he still remains in the custody of the HOS, and there’s no indication he’ll be freed anytime soon. I know that there have been questions about whether his “Wild Girl” owner is a “bad influence,” but I can tell you, having met said “Wild Girl,” that she is neither wild nor a bad influence. She’s very kind, and very worried about her friend. And yes, I say again – FRIEND. Darren is her friend, and whatever legal fiction says she can’t own him is foolish, as she never wanted to own him. SHE SHOULDN’T BE ABLE TO OWN HIM, BECAUSE NOBODY SHOULD. Darren shouldn’t be facing “rehabilitation,” he should be given his freedom and the right to choose his own fate, like any other sentient creature who justly defended themselves would be. If he wanted to stay with a friend – even one who was angry at times (over the injustice her friend faced, let’s not forget) – as long as he wasn’t being abused, nobody should be able to stop him. The ownership of humans strips us of our agency, and the basic right of self-determination that is the birthright of all sapient, sentient creatures.

And yes, I know, as a few of you pointed out, I am owned. I am microchipped and registered to Gaeta Helic Neutha, and that’s not changing anytime soon. I wish I wasn’t owned, but then, so does she. If she could, to use a word from Earth, manumit me – grant me my freedom – she would. If she did, alas, I would just become a stray human, and soon I’d be swept up and be sent to an HOS shelter, where perhaps I could join Darren Avery in rehabilitation.

Of course, if Gae did free me tomorrow – if she had that ability, and did so – I would willingly choose to stay with her. I do not see her as an owner. She is a friend, and she is….

The line in Yamanu’s post broke there, as he had finally stopped being able to concentrate, as Gae blew a soft breeze across him, the sweet-spicy scent of gazia from a candy she was sucking on.

“What would you like, my dear?” Yamma said, as he worked on her small pad.

Gae giggled. “Am I distracting you?”

Yamma turned and looked at her; she had lowered herself to the desk’s level, and was grinning at him. She was adorable, if the size of a small landmass, and she was clearly quite pleased with herself.

“No. You couldn’t possibly distract me. It’s not like you make the sound of a ship on full gravitics every time you shift in your chair.”

“Sorry. I just had to get payback. I mean, how many times was I working on something important, when suddenly, I felt a little tiny person trying to slip his way into my shorts?”

Yamma grinned. “Well, had you ever complained…..”

“Hmm. I did…though rarely for very long, And never seriously,” she said.

“Well…then you know exactly how much I’m complaining right now,” Yamma said.

Gae grinned. “You planning on posting that anytime soon?”

“Oh, in the next few hours,” Yamma said. “Unless something comes up.”

Gae blew softly on him. “Anything coming up yet?” she asked.

Yamma breathed in Gae’s breath, and smiled back at her. “Just maybe,” he said.

She grinned, and scooped him up, and dumped him down her blouse.

Yamma landed on her breasts and slid right into her cleavage, which was almost inevitable, given that Gae was moving her breasts up, down, and side-to-side in an effort to put him there. When he fell between her breasts, she pushed them together, gently but firmly, keeping him pinned between tons of her.

“Oh no you don’t!” he laughed, although given where he was, it came out more as a “Mmm mmm mmm mmmpf! Hmmf hmmmf!” He pushed against the overwhelming softness, and began to slide his foot carefully, slowly, then quicker, along the breastflesh.

It had the reaction both Yamanu and Gae had expected; she began to giggle uncontrollably as the slight tickle continued. Soon, she let her breasts go and – leaning backward so Yamma would slide, not drop – freed him to skid along her stomach.

Yamma wasn’t cooperating, though, not yet; he set his foot and braced himself, and leaped to the fabric that bridged her two breasts. He aimed for the port side – he liked her right breast fine, but he could feel her heartbeat more strongly though the left. He pushed down on the yielding flesh, and forced himself along it until he came to the edge of her areola.

Gae slipped off her shirt, but she kept her bra on. Slowly, so as not to disturb him, she sat on the cot, leaning against the wall.

Even in the dim light, he marveled at the detail he could see. He supposed human women had the same details, or similar. Still, it was remarkable, seeing this magnificent structure up close. He had spent many hours wondering what Gae would look like at his size, or what she’d make of him if he were the Titan, and she the human. He rather doubted she would be as enamored of him as he was of her. He was good looking, he supposed, but she? She was incredible.

He slid himself along the bumpy terrain, feeling the beat of her heart give a steady shake to the adipose tissue below, and now and then a tiny earthquake passed through, a shiver running up the back of Gae’s spine as he drew closer to her nipple. Finally, he touched it, and then had to hold on, as Gae squirmed with delight.

He stayed there quite a while; he wasn’t gentle. He couldn’t be, not if he wanted to get the desired effect. But he was tender in his work. Had he been her size, he would have applied the same light touch she perceived.

Gae finally could take it no more; she gently laid her hand against her breast, feeling the tiny man sink into her flesh. Then she pulled the bra cup forward enough to send him tumbling across her stomach. She giggled as she twisted slightly, sending his skid in the direction of the entrance she held open to her.

He slid down through the small patch of brambles, and nearly slid all the way through – it was certainly not dry here. But he was able to gain purchase, and he felt with his foot for his target.

Aha. There it was.

He thought about righting himself, but instead he began kicking it, firmly, varying his speed at times but never letting up. He let her fluids wash over him, and soon enough, the trickle gave way to a burst, which he let wash over him, soaking him from head to toe.

Gently and softly, he kissed her as he slowly turned himself, and slid down between her thighs, in the puddle at the bottom of her panties. He leaned against her, feeling the warmth of his girlfriend throughout him. There was part of him that thought he could just live down here, in her shadow. But he knew that was only part. Besides, if he was willing to live down here, he wouldn’t be worthy of it.

He lay against her, exhausted and happy. No, he couldn’t live down here. But he could certainly visit.

* * *

Aisell sighed as she completed the space round, sweeping the computer yet again. In some ways, it was a good sign – the nature of Tol-Bot made it hard for AIs to simulate. Right now, it was emulating Iron Maiden, but there was simply no way for it to capture her sudden leaps of insight, her masterful, unorthodox moves.

Not that Aisell thought herself at that level. Not yet. But she would much rather be losing to an AI that had Iron Maiden’s skill than beating up on a tin can.

She was leaving that day for Neropal, for the Northeast Korafia sub-regional. She knew that the Grand Tournament was a long shot for her, but if she wanted to entertain any hope of qualifying, she’d have to finish in the top ten there, then finish in the top five in the Korafia-Subdou regional, then finish in the top five on Archavia….

Well, it was unlikely to happen this year. But then, it had been unlikely the last two times she’d tried it. She got close, the first time. Got to the top twenty. And then she got too cautions. Played not to lose. Lost anyhow.

She wouldn’t make that mistake again. She didn’t know if she’d get there this year, or if it would take time to climb the mountain, but she was not going to go out afraid. Never again. She had friends who’d faced death.

Luke hadn’t worried about losing. Just winning. And if she hadn’t cheated him, maybe he would have.

No. She could face defeat. She’d face it charging, going for broke, and daring it to beat her. And if it did, she’d get up and prepare for next year. She’d do it until she either won, or knew that she wasn’t good enough. And if the latter…she’d at least know she’d tried her best, fought her hardest, played as aggressively as she knew how.

For now, all that lay beyond the horizon. For now, there was only the upcoming matches, the sub-regional tourney. For now, that was all that mattered.

She shut down the system and went inside to pack.

* * *

Lesis Teronidia flipped through his files idly, and sighed. He thought back to that lunch in Rutger, several weeks ago. The one where Gae Neutha’s human chewed him and Leny out.

Maybe the human had a point, and Lesis had to admit, part of him was glad that Darren was not put down. But as he yawned, he knew that Leny had been right, too, because as much as TETH tried to push Darren’s incarceration with HOS, the crowds had gone home, and the shouting had died down, and most people thought it was perfectly fine that the pet who defended itself was with a kind, upstanding woman like Lyroo Prenn.

Lesis wondered if Darren would rather be dead than where he was. Lesis knew if Darren had died, it would have been awful. But he had to admit, it would have made people madder. Made them angry enough to maybe do something, instead of just go home once the imminent crisis was averted.

Maybe it was wrong to think of building the movement on a dead human, but then, how many Dunnermacs had died to gain equality? A martyr is a particularly potent symbol. Darren Avery could’ve been the martyr they needed.

Alas, now he was back to trying to figure out how to get people’s attention, and given that Archavia’s outrage was cooling, that wasn’t easy. He was disappointed that Gae had left; she would have helped. She was a believer, and she had ideas….

He looked back to his pad. She’d sent him something, hadn’t she? Before the Rutger Massacre? Yeah, here it was. He scrolled through it. Furrowed his brow.

Medzina. That was Prenn’s home town. She hadn’t given many details about the place, though. He wondered….

For a moment, he considered calling her; maybe he could talk her back in, now that everything had settled down. But given her anger…no, this had potential. He couldn’t waste it.

He dialed another number, for someone he’d worked with for years. They didn’t always agree on everything, but damned if she wasn’t good at stuff like this.

“Ncaesi? Hey, it’s Lesis,” he said. “I’ve got something I want to show you.”