ENCOUNTER by Hep Aldridge (bill gates books recommendations .txt) 📕

It was late in the day. What’s one more day, I thought.

We thanked her, left the chamber, and headed to the “restaurant” where we had started taking our meals. As we walked over, I noticed Eduardo and Lithel, who was in her cat form, were walking together. They’d been spending a lot of time together, even when we weren’t being briefed. She would hang around the campsite after meals, and he would spend time quietly talking to her, and I guess she responded in like telepathically. Sometimes I would see them sitting quietly, staring at the fountain and city lights, while he gently rubbed her head. Nothing being said, but the bonding was palpable.

“That is true,” the thought came blasting through to me as I saw Jeannie approaching.

I flinched and said, “I’m never going to get used to you being able to see our thoughts, Jeannie,” and laughed.

“I am sorry if it upsets you, Colt,” Jeannie replied.

“No, no, it doesn’t upset me, please, no offense meant. It’s just sometimes startling; that’s all. I don’t mind, really,” I said, smiling. “I mean it. I’m just glad to see Eduardo happy. He seems to really enjoy Lithel’s company.”

“And she, his,” Jeannie replied. “There is something I need to speak with you about, Colt. It is rather serious and very important.”

“Sure, what is it?” I thought, somewhat concerned.

“It is about Eduardo. Now that I have regained my full abilities, I have been going out into the outside world for the first time in almost five hundred years, and I see the world has changed dramatically.”

“That’s an understatement,” I thought.

“I agree,” she said, “it is hard for me to adequately put into your words my concerns and feelings about it. I fear for your future as a civilization. There is hope, but the dangers are mounting. Many of my people left to allow this world to develop on its own. But they did plan on returning one day when your world was ready to advance and take your place as another of the space-faring worlds. But I realize that day is still far off. My Watchers have not been able to assess the outside world as effectively as I have needed. Thus, my surprise and sorrow when I visited outside the cloak for myself. There is still so much war and hate; it is not the world we had hoped to help create, but such evolution of societies is not unusual.” She paused, “I need someone who can go out and blend in with this world, someone who is smart and willing to learn. Someone who, if needed, could act as my emissary in that world. They must be able to adapt and be strong enough to survive in it. With the right training, I think Eduardo could be that person.”

I stopped in my tracks and looked at her, “Are you kidding?”

“No, not at all. I have learned much about the boy; he is confident, accepting, resourceful, compassionate, and very brave. His mind is always questioning, wanting to learn more about everything. He has no family and few ties to his life in the city. His roots are here in the mountains. He understands nature and the importance of balance in all things, yet he can find his place in this modern world and survive when necessary.”

I could not argue with her; I had seen these same qualities in him. The time we had spent together over these few years was great, and I had watched him grow and develop. He was a great kid, rapidly growing into a fine, strong young man, but he was still just a kid in my eyes.

“You know he thinks of you as the father he never had,” her thoughts shook me, “and your team as his family, Joe the big brother, the rest aunts and uncles, even an older sister. In his mind, you are his family. He loves you all.”

I had to admit, I was and wasn’t surprised. Eduardo had grown up around us and with us. I guess I did have similar feelings for him. “But why tell me this now?” I asked.

“Because when I approach him with this offer, he will seek advice from his ‘family,’ and I thought you should be prepared. Also, I needed to know if you had reservations about him accepting my offer.”

My mind was racing, running the multitude of growing up scenarios in my head: Would he, could he adapt to this world? Would he be happy here? Could he handle the responsibility that would certainly come along if he accepted this role? I had to shake myself out of this morass. As a child, he grew up in these mountains. When old enough, he went to the city alone and survived on the streets for how many years? Then, when the opportunity came along with Sean, he was smart enough to seize it and had done well for himself. He was indeed a survivor.

I took a deep breath and looked Jeannie in the eye, “With your guidance and protection, I think if this is what he wants, he will do fine. More than fine.”

She smiled at me and said, “I agree, and you have my solemn promise I will protect him always.”

A little later, I saw Jeannie and Eduardo, away from the others, engaged in a serious conversation. Lithel had changed back to her “fairy” form and was standing on Jeannie’s shoulder. The discussion lasted for some time. When it ended, Eduardo bowed ever so slightly to Jeannie, and Lithel began flitting around both of them.

Eduardo turned and headed my way, smiling yet serious, with Lithel following him, still flitting about excitedly.

I knew what was coming. He had decided, and I smiled.

Chapter Thirty-One

We were all excited as we entered the Cathedra room the next morning. This is what we had come for, our reason for being here. The time had finally come. Jeannie was waiting for us