*****Audio File***** "Chapter 30 - Curtain Call - Audio File" [The White Raven, Chapter 30, Curtain Call] [Lone Gunslinger Base, Festival Day, Planet Raunu] “Hold my hand,” shouts Jaco. Josh grabs the offered hand and pulls at Jaco and the two brothers dodge around the cluster of trucks and across the road. It seemed that nearly every truck in camp was trying to make it down the switch-back to the warehouse where the Children’s Festival Day play was being held. “Hurry,” shouts Josh. Other Gunslinger's kids were jumping out of their parent's trucks also and running down the switch-back, the festive atmosphere and cluster of everyone trying to get down the hill from the upper camp only fueled the youngsters excitement. Jaco stepped up to the edge of the cliff at the side of the road, only six months ago he had climbed this hill as an intruder. He had fought through the worst storm to fall on the Lone Gunslinger base in years, and nearly died for his efforts. Josh held his arms out and Jaco picked him up. The smaller boy wrapped his arms and legs around his brother and his eyes sparkled at the opportunity to finally get to fly. “Hold on tight, but don’t grab my wing-blades,” says Jaco, and then leaps off the cliff and glides out over the trees. Josh twisted his head to see the ground and screamed with delight. The extra weight was harder to control than Jaco had thought it would be. Jaco was a Jackdaw, and the smallest of the race of Ravens, he just wasn’t built to take passengers. Jaco glided down to the parking lot and landed harder than he intended. Josh let go and ran off towards the warehouse flapping his arms as he pretended to fly like a bird. The exertion of the short flight only increased the growing headache that had been plaguing Jaco for weeks. He rubbed his temples as he walked towards the warehouse everyone was pushing into. Jaco was in a heat cycle, and he didn’t have anymore of the drug left he needed to suppress the symptoms. He could have gone to any of the renegade Raven females for assistance. It was common for a Daraian female to mate with many partners, they weren’t mammals and their reproduction habits were far different. But then he would have to suffer the embarrassment of admitting that his own mated partner didn’t desire him, even to the point that Keal would allow his partner to suffer horribly in a mating cycle alone. Jaco turned away from the door and walked around the building, the thought of being in a room with so many people and yet still alone was only making him nauseous. The back of the warehouse was stacked with all the crates normally inside, they must have emptied everything out here to make room for the Festival Play. There wasn’t much time left, maybe even tonight was the end. Daraians couldn’t ignore a mating cycle for long, a female would die within a few weeks, a male within a few months. Natural evolution had played a cruel joke on the Daraian species, they either submitted to the procreation cycle, or they died. The Daraians were ideally suited to spread life throughout the universe, and that is where all the problems started. The constant wars with the Kitsune hadn’t allowed the Daraians to colonize other worlds as they should, and Darai suffered from over-population because of it. The Daraian culture had developed the cruel concept of natural selection to combat their population problem - the whole thing was a vicious never ending cycle. The more natural selection the Daraians allowed, the more their females developed eggs. Daraian females now developed an egg every fourth month, only to see those eggs destroyed in more and more cruel ways, which only caused a further increase in the reproduction cycle. Even the males suffered now from attempting to ignore the mating cycle. It hadn’t always been like this, Daraians evolved quickly. Nature thought the Daraians were in danger of extinction because they were killing countless millions of eggs every year and the reproductive cycle continued to increase to compensate. Jaco sat down between two crates and closed his eyes, trying to will the pounding in his head to go away. He didn’t want to die, not yet, and not like this. “What are you doing?” Jaco opens his eyes and holds his hands up startled. “Don’t shoot me, please.” “I’m not going to shoot you,” says Ace. “You tried to,” replies Jaco. “Oh please, I got my name for a reason,” says Ace. “If I wanted to shoot you do you think I would have missed?” Jaco shook his head, he had seen Ace shoot before, she really did live up to her name when it came to marksmanship. “You’re trembling, are you scared of me?” asks Ace. “No, it isn’t that,” says Jaco. Ace knelt down next to Jaco and placed a hand on his forehead. “You’re burning up,” says Ace. “I’ll go get a doctor.’ “No,” pleads Jaco, grabbing her wrist. “There isn’t a doctor anywhere that can help what’s wrong with me.” “You tell me what’s wrong right now or I’m going to go get the Commander,” threatens Ace. Jaco turns his head away, embarrassed. “I’m in a heat cycle,” whispers Jaco. “I have been for three months.” Ace stares at Jaco for a long moment before replying. “So it’s true then, Hero isn’t sleeping with you.” “No, he has no desire for me that way,” says Jaco. “I hope you don’t blame him,” says Ace. “It’s our Kitsune ancestry, that kind of thing is seriously taboo. If someone were to actually catch you two together like that, there are some that might hang you both.” “I know, I don’t blame him,” says Jaco. “Just leave me alone now.” “I’ve taken the Daraian biology class,” says Ace. “Refusing a mating cycle is a serious health issue for a Daraian.” “You think?” says Jaco, sarcastically. “Tell me the truth, when you were peeking in my window, were you looking at me or the bird,” demands Ace. Jaco closes one eye and tips his head at Ace. “I knew it,” says Ace. “You were looking at me.” Jaco wisely keeps silent, he really was looking at the pet falcon, but, let her think whatever made her happy. Ace leans in close to Jaco. “You know, human females are a little like Daraian females.” “I took the human biology class too,” says Jaco. “You have a mating ritual called marriage, and only then do you mate and never with different partners,” says Jaco. “If you believe that, you’re silly,” says Ace. “We mate when we damn well please, the books are wrong.” Jaco is starting to feel uncomfortable, Ace is a little too close and he can smell the jasmine scent from the soap the female Gunslingers like so much. “Why would humans write books with lies in them?” asks Jaco. “Beats me, maybe to make us feel all righteous about ourselves?” says Ace. “Corvian Gunslingers especially, they walk around with a stick up their backsides.” “Don’t tease me,” says Jaco. “I don’t speak Raunian well enough to understand what you’re trying to say.” “That’s exactly what I’m trying to say,” says Ace. “I’m from Raunu, not Corvus.” Ace leans in and kisses him, Jaco’s eyes widen and he leans back a little and Ace follows him. Now Jaco understands. Ace is a Lone Gunslinger from Raunu, not one of the Corvian Purificationist Gunslingers. And, she's one of those human girls curious about Daraian sexuality. “Uh… there’s a two-percent chance of Human to Daraian genetic compatibility,” mumbles Jaco. “I think that’s an acceptable risk,” purrs Ace. “Happy Festival Day.” Jaco surrenders and wraps his arms around Ace. ***** [House Swan, Swan Province, Planet Darai] “I’m not going, it’s barbaric,” says Dartarion stomping his feet. “You are going, even if I have to drag you there,” threatens Lord Swan. Dartarion planted himself like a statue in the middle of a hurricane. Costume seamstresses flew back and forth between Lady Swan and the sewing rooms with last minute corrections to costumes for approval. “Lady Swan, tell him, it’s not even a real city,” shouts Dartarion. “There isn’t even a theater there, and I heard the runway is made out of dirt.” “We chose one of our older rustic designs for the theater, it’s nearly completed,” says Lord Swan, beginning to lose his patience for the argument. “There is a full size stage for performing arts as well as a screen for movies.” “Well I’m not going,” pouts Dartarion, crossing his arms and forcing theatrical tears to his eyes. “Dart darling, how old are you now… oh yes, seventeen,” says Lady Swan. “A bit past your prime, perhaps I should begin auditions for your replacement.” Dartarion turns pale and pulls his lips into an expression of shock. Lady Swan turns away from the petulant actor and continues supervising the selection of costumes. “How long do we have to be on that horrible continent?” asks Dartarion, surrendering out of a sense of self preservation. “Five stage shows and the movie premiere at House Eagle, then seven stage shows at House Struthio, and four outdoor performances at House Cassoway,” replies Lord Swan. “House Cassoway always smells like cow shit,” says Dartarion. “Language, Dart darling,” scolds Lady Swan. “Now go pack.” Dartarion stomps out of the room, and Lord Swan looks up as the spoiled boy slams the door shut behind him. “It’s time to replace him,” says Lady Swan. “The device is on the table, his plane will crash into the ocean as we leave House Eagle,” replies Lord Swan. “It will be a tragically beautiful end to a wonderful career, he will be immortalized and Darai will weep for their most beloved son.” “Perfect, the new movie will gross five times more with Dart’s demise.” Lady Swan nods, takes a favored blue chiffon scarf from an attended and then turns to an overflowing trunk in the corner. “Come on out of there, darling.” A small hatchling with deep dark blue eyes, thick brow, a delicate jaw, and a rich light chocolate skin peeks out from behind the trunk of costumes and glances around to make sure Dartarion is gone before emerging. “You’ve already chosen Calistian to be the new heart throb of Darai?” asks Lord Swan. “Are you ready to seize the throne and be a star, darling,” Lady Swan asks the small hatchling. The boy nods his head, he was only a hatchling, but he had already clawed his way past thousands of other hatchlings to make it this far. “I’m ready,” says Calistian. Lady Swan picks up the small locked box from the table Lord Swan had pointed out and holds it out to the boy. Calistian keeps his face neutral, but inside he wants to dance and sing - this is it, finally, permission to take the stage he was hatched for. Calistian gently takes the box from Lady Swan and cradles it as if it were the most precious egg in the hatchery. “You know which plane is Dartarians?” asks Lady Swan. The boy nods. “He will be watching for this,” says Lady Swan. “I won’t fail,” says Calistian. “It’s my turn now.” Lady Swan brushed the blue Chiffon scarf across Calistian’s face, the boy shuttered slightly but kept the forced smile on his face. He remembered the last time he saw that blue scarf. An actor, one of the older Swan boys had stumbled on stage during a live performance in front of House Sparrow. Lady Swan called the House together a week later in the Palace Theater and danced the Flight of the Sparrow with the doomed boy. Calistian was sitting in the front row and couldn’t take his eyes off the boy’s face. The failed actor knew what was coming, but there was nothing he could do to save himself. The boy could have run, but nobody gets very far - no, better to dance a last perfect performance and be remembered for that. On the final note of the dance, Lady Swan wrapped the blue scarf around the boy’s neck and pulled him down to the ground. The boy held his final pose almost until the end, then panic set in and he clawed wildly at his throat until the last few kicks of his feet against the stage ended. Failure on stage was not accepted in House Swan. The Swan Troupe took another three days to get ready for the tour of the Struthian Continent, and more importantly, to the new House Eagle. House Swan always traveled by conventional aircraft, and though they owned their own aircraft they always went through the public airport to board the planes. At least ten-thousand girls crowded into the terminal to get a glance at Dartarion, and nearly as many younger girls to see the rising star, Calistian. Boys were mixed in with the crowd to see their favorite stars as well. Lady and Lord Swan walked in front, followed by Dartarion, and then Calistian, and the lesser actors and actresses behind them. The girls swooned over Dartarion, squeeled at Calistian, and the boys roared when the singing sensation, Salaeon, stopped for a photo-op with several of her fans. The Grackle News Crews snapped photos wildly as each performer sought-out their fans. Security was a nightmare, it always was when House Swan made a public appearance. Hawk security pushed the crowds back and tried valiantly to keep order. One over-zealous fan broke free of the crowd and rushed towards Salaeon, the Hawk security wrestled the fan to the ground only inches from the singers feet. Salaeon calmly knelt and kissed the fan on the cheek before the Hawks dragged the boy away. Lady Swan watched with approval, Salaeon was pure gold, you couldn’t buy that kind of publicity. “She’s ready for an off-world tour,” Lady Swan whispers to Lord Swan. “I’ll make the arrangements,” replies Lord Swan. Scores of luggage came next, and even the stage-hands had their own fans. Lady Swan watched the stage-hands carefully, looking for which one might have the largest following. A muscled and rugged young man carrying a clothing trunk stopped for a moment in front of a group of young ladies in their twenties and heaved the trunk from one shoulder to the other. The young ladies nearly fainted as the young man shamelessly flexed his muscles. “What’s that young man’s name?” asks Lady Swan. “Tomo,” replies Lord Swan. “I saw a script on your desk, Savage Hawks,” says Lady Swan. “Yes, it’s the proposed sequel to the cult movie, Broken Wings,” replies Lord Swan. “Go ahead and produce it,” orders Lady Swan. “Cast Tomo in a minor bad-boy part, lets see if we can build his cult following and capture that market.” “That’s going to ruffle Malaei’s feathers,” says Lord Swan. “Have a word with all our cult actors,” says Lady Swan. “I want them working together to capture the dark theater - no natural selection authorized. If even one of them comes down with so much as a tummy ache they will all dance the Flight of the Sparrow with me.” Lady Swan continued to observe the Swans, every activity was a performance. There were several other possibilities, but they would need some more grooming. Lady Swan’s eyes fell on one of the boy’s from the ballet troupe. The young man was nineteen and had paused next to a group of other young men to sign autographs. “That’s Kamae, isn’t it?” says Lady Swan, her eyes narrowing dangerously. “Didn’t we warn him about that?” Lord Swan sighed and glanced at his mate. “Daraian society is changing, there is a market for that sort of thing, and we would be foolish not to grab the market while we can. There are several minor Theater Houses rising that can impact our profits if we are not careful.” “I don’t agree, this could cause a scandal,” says Lady Swan. “And since when do we not want a scandal?” replies Lord Swan. “Scandals are profitable, they sell magazines, and look at his fans, they aren’t screaming or causing trouble. Those are respectful and quiet boys seeking out their idol, and Kamae has done more to increase the popularity of ballet than anyone in twenty years.” “I’ll allow it, but it’s on your head,” warns Lady Swan. “The first sign of trouble and I want him sold to a mining colony.” Lady Swan spun around and headed down the boarding ramp to her plane. Lord Swan kept his expression neutral and sighed. He had no intention of ever selling the young man to a mining colony. Lord Swan waited until Kamae was finished with his fans and continued on with the troupe. Kamae had dark brooding eyes and a strong toned body - when he danced he was poetry in motion. Lord Swan fell in next to Kamae and walked with the young man. The Lord and Lady of a House never flew on the same aircraft, and Lord Swan never announced which aircraft he would be flying on. “You must be more discreet when in the presence of Lady Swan,” warns Lord Swan. “Yes, my lord,” says Kamae. “But I had to stop, Prince Heron was in that group, and he is donating the new seats for the Opera House.” “Would you risk your future for such a minor House?” asks Lord Swan. “Will you be flying on my plane?” asks Kamae, ignoring the question. “Of course,” replies Lord Swan. “Shall I present myself to your stateroom to discuss the new choreography, my lord?” “Don’t be flip, it doesn’t suit you.” “Yes, my lord.” “Bring Wilaem with you.” “Yes, my lord.” ***** [House Eagle, Eagle Province, Planet Darai] “Mergan, is the guest quarters on the medical ship ready?” shouts Moeth as Mergan runs past with Cala carrying a basket of apples. “Almost, were still looking for pillows,” replies Mergan. “I’m making a fruit basket for every room,” shouts Cala. “Good idea,” replies Moeth. Kata runs past the opposite direction carrying an armful of fish with the White Raven. Raen glances up at the two and then at Moeth questioningly. “They had a heart to heart, lots of shouting, and then crying, and then hugs,” says Moeth. “So I told them they could be together unsupervised as long as they stay in public, and continue with their family counseling sessions with the Tarlock that is running the new Family crises center.” “Sounds good,” says Raen, nodding. “Okay, so we’re putting Lady and Lord Swan, Dartarion, Salaeon, Malaei, and that new one… uh… what’s his name… you know, the hatchling that played in the movie ‘Fledgling Owls’?” “Calistian,” replies Moeth. “Yea, him,” says Raen. “So, they all go in the medical ship, that’s our best quarters.” “A derelict ship we dragged back from Demonia is our best accommodations,” says Moeth, shaking her head. “We’ve got the Ballet Troupe in Cargo Ship 1, and the Musical Cast in Cargo Ship 2, and those weird dancers in Cargo Ship 3.” “Weird dancers?” says Moeth. “You mean the Interpretive Dancers?” “Whatever,” says Raen. “We’ve still got the twelve commercial buildings we can use,” says Moeth. Vas runs up, out of breath, and bends over panting. “There’s… a… delay… with… the… ground… vehicles…” gasps Vas. “Oh blast,” says Raen. “How long?” “Not until tomorrow,” pants Vas. “They are going to have to walk from the airport.” “Is the runway ready?” asks Moeth. “Prince Falor assures me the concrete has set and will support the aircraft,” says Vas. “Peli is marching all the hatchlings to the airport now to greet them.” Clap glides in and lands softly next to Raen. “The Demonians said the dinner feast is ready,” reports Clap. “Looks good too, I didn’t know there was so many ways to cook fish.” “We probably should…” Moeth starts to say and is interrupted by the blaring emergency horn. The hatchling put on watch at the edge of the cliff is jumping up and down and pointing out over the ocean. “They’re coming… their coming!” shouts the hatchling. Raen runs for the cliff and leaps out into the thermals, and banks around for the airport - Moeth, Vas, and Clap follow. The hundreds of eagle hatchlings are lined up in neat rows to the side of the runway waiting for the visitors. Raen glides in and lands next to Gini. “Are we ready?” asks Raen. “Yes, we’ve practiced for days,” says Gini. “They are all so excited.” Raen looks up at the half-built air traffic control tower, Prince Falor is standing on top of it speaking into a portable Com-device. He will be personally bringing in the House Eagle’s first official visiting House. The White Raven, Cala and Kata, Mergan, and the High Priestess glides in next and lands next to Raen. “Look, here they come,” shouts Cala. The first House Swan plane touches down on the new runway and taxi’s in towards the waiting eagles, followed by the next… and the next… “How many planes do they have?” asks Cala. “I can see at least eight,” says Vas. “I hope we have enough room for everyone,” says Moeth. Falcon ground crews push boarding stairs to each of the aircraft as they come to a stop. The first two planes open their doors and Lady Swan appears at the door to the one plane, and Lord Swan at another. “Oh, they don’t fly together,” says Vas. “Makes good sense for safety.” Lady and Lord Swan walk down the stairs with others following them. “Ahhh, it’s Dartarion!” squeals Kata. “And Salaeon!” shouts Cala. “I love her song ‘On wings we fly’” “Okay, hatchlings,” shouts Gini facing the hatchlings and raising her arms… and a one… and a two…” The eagle hatchlings raise their voices together and sing the Daraian National Anthem. Lady and Lord Swan approach Raen and stop to listen to the hatchlings singing. Lady Swan claps enthusiastically when the eagles finish the anthem and Raen bows deeply. “Welcome to House Eagle,” says Raen. “That was wonderful, darling,” says Lady Swan. “You have done so much with so little. Don’t you have a House Eagle Anthem, that would be more appropriate, don’t you think? Well, no matter, we’ve written the House Anthems for all the important Houses, I’ll have our writers begin immediately.” “That is kind of you,” says Raen. “And you must be the infamous Moeth,” says Lady Swan, fanning herself. “I’m just all flush to meet you.” “Thank you,” says Moeth, forcing a smile, unsure if being called infamous instead of famous was an insult. “The hatchlings are looking forward to meeting everyone,” says Raen. “Oh, I’m sorry, darling,” says Lady Swan. “We’ve noticed you couldn’t afford security, we can’t risk our performers when all these fans rush forward.” Raen tips his head slightly to the side. “They’ve been told not to do that.” “Darling, even Hawks, the most disciplined race rushes the performers,” says Lady Swan. “These are eagles,” says Raen, as if that explained everything. Lady Swan motioned Dartarion to come forward, the actor was obviously not happy but approached. “Walk the line, Dart,” orders Lady Swan. “There’s no security,” whispers Dartarion, his eyes wide. “Do it,” says Lady Swan. Dartarion walks down the line, and though there was some happy squealing to see their idol, not a single eagle moved. “I’ve never seen anything like that before,” says Lady Swan. “Like I said, they’re eagles,” explains Raen. Lady Swan was an expert at judging people and the temper of an audience. She immediately understood what everyone else that had ever met Raen had felt but been unable to put their finger on - those under the Heart of Darai’s command were fanatically loyal to him. Now, how could she use that to her advantage? Everyone had a weakness, what was Raen’s? Lady Swan wrapped her arm through Raen’s. “So, where is this city of yours?”