Ashapat also had silver curls and shook as he stepped out there. His skin was light gray. “My bae and sae, I also spoke long with Ahstam, who sits with Cev’s family. He is a cloned ba of Ahstam, and will work in Rainbow. Many of his clones will go to each prov’s Healers Chamber. We will have clones of every notable healer including Mehai Of Ishah, before slavers trained him for their work, Feia Na, Founder Of Ishah, Via, Master Healer Of Ishah, Pie, Master Healer Of MarKu, Pie, Master Healer Of Ye~, Aib, Master Healer Of Eans, Math~an, Master Healer Of Escet Vuans, and more. Clones of myself and my bae will also go to each prov. If a family has need of one to stay with him, his healer may request a clone of any healer that pleases him. Pirad can add skills of a hundred healers with abilities to benefit Zheien who are mixed with Elshar. Our healing is difficult at best, but Rahn Estar suffered as nae colony has. We need to tell our healers of even minor unwells.”
I looked over at Cevit Ion’s family. He kept a hand on Jirris in his lap. Farley told me most people don’t know that’s his younger brother, that they kept all of his family a secret for fear that his enemies would kill him. He had classes with him at Sigan Mas, and he also finished that year. He took all of them to Marenalay to meet Pondaiash and learn from him. They all rescued students who got hurt or drugged by Elshars posing as students. I couldn’t imagine going to GSU if students were waiting to attack me! High school was bad enough--
“Our plan is to gather in the buildings of Rainbow, outside us. Those couples who wish privacy may have a room with familiar furnishings, and their healer will have a bed in the hall outside their portal. I ask that when nae needing privacy, all remain on a bed in the main chamber that we can offer healing oft.
“Many of us learned to ignore unwells, to make travel possible, and to do important work for our lieges. Now we can easily make cloned bae and sae, and each of them may choose to continue work that they have memories of skills to accomplish. Their records will state the fact that they are clones, and once, in the early days of the Alliance, clones were common and shared work. Any person may send his cloned ba or sa to do his work, on any world.
“There is nae need for death with honor in your occupations. Ry’nao said we are to cease this practice, that we healers long protested! Of all Zheien, deaths of preventable unwells are most common in those mixed with Elshars, and all of us have yellow skin. The second highest number of these are Eans, those with green skins. Third highest is the Yeff, even though their skins are orange. Eans and Yeff had to undergo extreme genetic modifications to live on their worlds, but Pirad changed their worlds so they are now healthy!” His blue eyes turned light. He smoothed his white robe, that had blue-green borders, and Tessite decorations tinkled.
“He gave us Elshar Zheiea, a world with nae poisons, and nae mines! All mineral that would be mined was moved to Esta Faho and Rahn Estar, and all mining, shipbuilding and weapons research is now automated. We gave choices to the 12,000 who work on Esta Faho, and they moved to Rahn Estar. Our combined facilities there are more efficient, and have more protections for workers. Most of the weapons facility moved to Lisbaar Alb to be with their families. There is only one family in the old weapons facility on Esta Faho, and we can nae convince them to leave. Pirad moved all of the mines of Rahn Estar, to Esta Faho. This includes all the mines of Rahn Estar and all its pollution, Kin Para’s mines, Sara Kia’s mines, and the unmined minerals of Calladia and Sara Kia. All worlds except Esta Faho will be farming worlds now, and automated, but for the facilities on Rahn Estar with their workers who wish to keep their homes on their homeworlds or other worlds of Alb. Most workers of Rahn Estar moved their homes to Samar Thaae. Most of Esta Faho chose D’sharr Alb. These will continue to work on Rahn Estar.
“My healers there are happy that now there is a Rainbow Unwell Colony on Rahn Estar for workers. Wasa Mai oft came to me with concern for our shipbuilders, whom had many injuries from overuse of their telepathy, or injuries from moving heavy equipment. Automation avoids the largest part of this, but we wished, long, to provide healing. Now, with Pirad’s help, we can offer healing to all 20,000 workers. As you may know, Areon has four new shipbuilding worlds that it built recently, and brought with its star system. They advised Wasa Mai and offered plants and animals for Rahn Estar for parks to please workers, and grow foods from their homes. Now Rahn Estar has these parks among the residences of the workers, and they produce more work! Other shipbuilding facilities see this and plan to do the same. Instead of a landscape of rocks and barren, poison sand, workers walk past small squares with plants and animals. They may take of fruits and edible flowers or healing herbs. Animals are available as companions in their homes. People are happier. Harmful substances are filtered from winds and sands, and traded. What poisons one species might nourish or heal another. The Nefcot Ring gives energy for all manner of useful progs, to find these new resources and markets for them.
“Tech is nae limited now. All of you know how Ishah is poisoned from Elshar-owned mines, but even Ishah could mitigate effects so mortality is from hunger, nae mine poisons, but for workers. Ishah’s population grew constantly from imports of workers, so, like Zheien worlds, they were unaware of how high their mortality was. King Dai’nos provided means for large numbers to emigrate during the Panic, and King Theaspaura of Fhiah advised him to send them to worlds of Alb and provided great ships for them.” He spread his wrinkled fingers wide, and his arms. A thin Zheien.
“Among those who arrived, we received great numbers of healers able to work, and with food and healing, they work and have happiness. But, fully half have unwells preventing work, and many spent time in mines and have poisonings. Pirad hopes to cure most of these, but some of his cures take much time. King Dai’nos is taking measures to heal his people, and most did nae move! Ishah are also a mixed people. They are nae as healthy as once we believed. Pirad is helping them.
“And, he is helping us. New progs run to try to detect unwells. We found that many of our workers on Rahn Estar needed healing and obtained it! And, former slaves who need useful work can now choose our shipbuilding and weapons facilities among many other places in Alb, with healing available that enables one to keep working!
“I wish to thank those who wrote progs while slaves came to join us. Our Earthans who write progs, our new server instructors, are learning quickly and saved many of our lives! I speak of Peh Ras’ new wife Sharon, Camen’s new wife, Lindy, Pondaiash’s new wife, Leyla, Farleikon’s new wife, Ella, and Elsie, who saved lives tonight!
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“Thank you very much for your help to us! Your ideas gave Peh new ideas, and he tells me Earthans on other worlds of Alb are also changing our thinking! Father Of All blessed us with you, and I hope all my Earthans will tell us of any problems. We will assign a governor for your Earthan Colony soon. All provs of Elshar Zheiea touch your borders, that we may know of your well, and you may choose which of our provs are dear to your heart and ask citizenship from our kings. There is nae limit of which citizenships you may hold, from Elshar Zheiea or any other world of Alb. We wish all to be happy, and with citizenship comes protection. We encourage all Earthans to add at least one citizenship. Your Earthan citizenship of your native country remains, unless you have a reason to wish to sever it. Diplomats are happy to explain any part of Unified life to you. We are Unified but also Alliance, so if you have questions, please, ask.
“When we leave here, we go to Rainbow. Friends may stay by you. While there, you may design a home or site your existing home. You may place your possessions there, or keep them in our alt storage. Any pets you may have with you may stay by you, and we have progs to protect them as well as you, and they are entitled to healing and foods. If you wish a pet, animals will be on the commons and any who stay by you are yours. They, like you, have a record to show whom they prefer. Our pets may choose whom to stay beside. This includes riding animals and large animals. They can sleep on the bed with you or on the floor by your bed.” He looked to a room with his picture on it, and a silver gelsai bounded out. They have six legs and are big as a German Shepherd! She sat by his right leg and rubbed her head against it like a cat. Her triangular ears definitely reminded me of a cat, as did her huge eyes. But they had round pupils like ours. Blue, and turned light when he petted her head. A wave, and we saw her record. She works in his healers’ chambers and her title is Serenah, Healer’s Arm. That’s another name for healer helper. She’s 51 years old!
“It is important to follow Molly’s rules. Rest when weary. Seek healing when unwell. For so many years of war, we had to work beyond what any caring healer wishes! Now is time for rest.
“King Challet already declared a festival to celebrate our new world and work is only half days, for those well to perform it. But, I say to all of you, ask of your healer before planning to walk among the displays. Many of you need more rest than this. We have many musicians, tutors, diplomats, artisans, those of too many occupations to name! Most of these will come to your bed if your healer feels this is well for you.
“And, all bakers and sweeters will bring trays to all, whether resting in a bed, resting on a cael or other riding animal, or walking in the festival. Our liege will add days for each couple who married on Earth, and who marries at home or in Rainbow. Nae fear that you miss!
“I urge all of you, keep your healer near, and you have nae, ask for one.” His eyes went from serious blue to black. “Think nae that you nae need a healer. All of you do, for unwell can come suddenly in one already seen by his healer. I wish all of you to be well, and we see sudden peril at times when we nae expect this. Every person needs a healer by him.
“So, here is Wasa Mai, King Of Rahn Estar, to speak with you concerning our worlds. Other kings will address their bae and sae.”
Wasa Mai, a very old Ishah with barely any yellow in the folds of his white skin, ambled over to us. His blue eyes also wavered from dark to light, like everyone else’s who spoke. “My bae and sae, I see, perhaps a hundred of you who are mine. I was named an Elder and I am 20, but I appear older than I am because of our mine poisons. I wish to speak with many, but my healer tells me I have nae health for it. He tells me I must speak with a few today, and a few more, tomorrow, and I must use progs to tell me with whom I spoke, so I will.” He spread his arms out wide, and all three wide, flat fingers spread out. Narrower than the twin fingers of Zheien, but still rectangular. Light shone through them, like a hand on a flashlight.
“For those of you unfamiliar with our government, I am King Of Rahn Estar, the five worlds that existed to mine ore and raise plants and animals, for healing herbs and foods. I answer to King Challet, who answers to Cevit Ion, our 7th Galaxy Minister until Peatabus, 1st Galaxy Minister, reorganizes our government. He may leave things as they are with the members of the Alb Council. He may add an Earthan Colonies Minister.
“As it stands, Molly, Queen Of Rainbow also governs the Earthan Colonies Of Alb. I think is too much for a young ruler! I rule five small colonies, and have a Council, and each member of my council rules a council of his world. Zheien colonies have a king of their world and one for each prov, with councils of 9 members. Elshar colonies have a leader of their world, and a council, with ten members. Each prov, if he has more than one, has a leader and a 10-member council.
“In Rahn Estar, we did share rule with Elshar colonies, and so had members who were leaders of Elshar provs. Mican of the Par Vu Council oft came to us on his way to or from Elshar Mashai and we oft shared work. Now we have one Elshar to represent the Artisan Council and the Trader Council, and he is Micansen, Leader Of Elshar Rahn Estar.” Farley startled, and so did Antomias! “He travels among our provs now, instead of worlds. I decided not to risk any more of our people. Pirad offered me automation for all of our mining and farming. We moved all of our riding animals and other animals with our people. Any rare plants, we brought with us. In this way, if we did suffer an attack from slavers, our losses are limited, but Pirad thinks we will not have any.
“Children, have you questions for me?”
I couldn’t think of one. Nobody else asked. Most of us smiled at him. An Ishah diplomat came and led my family off the ship. They’re going to their new house. None of ‘em smiled. Daddy’s probably grumbling to himself that his name wasn’t mentioned.
But, I don’t dare leave Farley’s family. They’re my family now, just as much as my parents, Jo, Rose, Karl and Allison are. Jo and Rose were asking where their new friends were. Brian, his cloned brother, reassured ‘em. He’s coming to live with my family. Maybe he’ll be a good influence on Karl, if my family doesn’t make him crazy!
Waved up holos of people to walk with ‘em. Introduced Jo and Rose to Jason’s sisters Marlie and Sam, who were eager to say hello. They had MarKuan friends with ‘em. Didn’t look quite as nervous with friends. Steven introduced Allison to his little sister, Mandy, who’s 6 and she seemed interested in her and Brett, who’s 9. With them were Puret, 9, his brother Donn, who’s 7, and Wisper, who’s 5. That boy got scared a lot, so I think they’re comfortable with him. After all, they’re scared and panicky a lot, too.