“Would you like to stop in the library for a while, Syp?” Solrio asked as they went into the elevator.

“I suppose we could.”

“You don’t sound too enthusiastic.”

“So many things are still undecided,” Syp tried to communicate its unease.

“Yes. Let’s take on one at a time. While we’re looking in the library, I’ll communicate with the specialist’s office about an eye examination.”

The library was unoccupied. Syp began with the pictures on the walls. Keon Ellis, Kina Ure, Jarek Ray, and Trone Moon had all been highly respected judges on Trazene. Cavin Usher and Damon Bravo had served as key negotiators in the Trazene space war with the Obsidian Assembly. As Syp wandered around the library, it became more and more confused with all the name choices. After she finished the conversation, Solrio typed on the computer screen and brought up a list of names.

“Here are more to consider,” she offered.

Syp looked them over. “Can you send them to my electronic pad?” She did. "I’m glad I don’t have to decide today.”

“You have enough to do. We need to be on our way.”

It wasn’t long before an eye specialist was studying the structure of Syp’s eyes. “I see what the challenge is,” she remarked. “The lenses in your eyes are tipped. You have about forty percent of a normal field of vision.”

Syp was anxious for a resolution. “Can it be corrected with lenses?”

“No.” The doctor rolled her stool backwards and made notes in Syp’s records. “What I can do, however, is to go in surgically, and move it into position. You’ll also need a third eyelid put in; you’re missing that.” She talked about the procedure. “I can take care of it right now, or we can wait until after the noon meal. I’ll give you a few minutes to discuss how you’d like to proceed.”

Solrio suggested that the procedure be done right away. That way she would be able to watch over Syp’s recovery for part of a day before it returned home. After Syp agreed, Solrio informed the assistant. Solrio waited several hours anxiously, as the doctor worked on Syp. When Syp sat up and looked at the doctor and Solrio shortly after midday, it gasped. “That’s amazing.”

“Many Stafriez wear clear lenses when they go outside,” the doctor shared. “You’ll want them today for sure. There’s a lens place next door.” Syp thanked the doctor several times before they went to the lens shop. Solrio and Syp went through a lengthy process of narrowing down choices before settling on two blue pairs of specialized lenses. One was for indoor work; the second would block the harsh rays of the sun. As the duo exited the shop into the bright sunlight, Syp looked around eagerly. It could now see clearly where it was going. After a late lunch, Syp and Solrio transported back to the Enclave of the Protectors on Iragos.

“Let’s talk about the specific things you were thinking before this incident happened. You had an idea but weren’t sure how to proceed. Can you share what you were thinking, Syp?”

“It’s still disjointed.”

“That’s okay. Maybe together we can make sense of it.”

“My uncle is a doctor. He uses synthetic medicines to treat people. He’s also trained to use herbs and plants. My grandmother taught me about herbs and plants when I was only two years old. People are hungry; they live on the southern end of Trazene. There are certain plants that grow tubers, wild lilies and leeks for example. There are also plants that multiply quickly and are edible. It’s easy to start plants from an established patch from a forest. The main patch would continue to grow. There is a woman who has offered to teach me more about her plants. Some of them are from places around the globe.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“You’re thinking about foraging in the woods, undeveloped areas, and open plains for plants that are edible, and testing them by creating new growths.”

“Yes.”

“Are you thinking about going into medical school?”

“I don’t know. When Glen Timarek mentioned that Sage Elvan had worked with people that are now biotechnologists and economic botanists, I wondered what those people did and what their training was like.”

“This might be a good direction for you. You might be able to bring species of plants into a laboratory and test them. You could start with your uncle and this woman that you know and see if you can pick up knowledge that way. What do you think you would need to begin a laboratory of your own? A large sunroom? A geodesic building?"

“Those are good ideas, but not all plants grow well in the sun. I don’t know what would work for those. I could talk it over with Eiske.”

“If you would continue to work on your education, I would present your idea for funding,” Solrio said quietly.

“I can’t ask you to do that,” Syp responded. “We don’t know if this idea would work.”

“I’m sure there are similar efforts in various places of our solar system. I believe the Protectors would take the chance on this venture. If you can prove your diligence with your education, it would be more likely to be approved.”

“I can do that while I’m travelling. My electronic tablet has a solar charger.”

“Would you consider staying with your uncle for a few months? That way you could be taught outdoor skills and how to defend yourself.”

“You would teach me these things? Why are you so willing to do all these things? What do you expect in return?”

Solrio studied Syp’s face. “You are suspicious of my motives.”

“Yes.”

“I have nothing to gain by these arrangements. This is my job. I’m supposed to serve as a teacher and mentor. I’m prepared to teach you what you need to know to be successful. Perhaps you believe that good things are for everyone but you?” Syp turned away at this question. “Syp, it’s okay to receive help when its available. You know it’s what you want. People have a basic need to be safe and belong. You said yourself that you would be satisfied if you had this.”

“I did.”

“Part of the process of growing up is learning to identify a problem, to seek solutions and choose the best one. Knowing when to ask for help is important. You asked for help, and I’m here to provide it. My expectations are that you will do your best with what you’ve asked for, provide regular reports on how things are going, and be willing to share your successes with others. Do you think you can do this?”

“Yes.”

“Very well. I will contact your uncle and we will talk with him about your idea, and this plan. Please go to your quarters, gather your things, and return to this room. There’s a case on your bed that you may take with you.” She went off to make the call. Syp went to its room and found that the clothes and boots that it had soaked in the ocean were dry. Tunics of different designs and new jeans lay in a pile. There was a small collection of things on a bureau with a note that Syp should take them and empty the bureau too. Syp filled the case and carried it to the conference room.

Solrio and Eiske were talking when Syp came into the room. She was urging him to help Syp choose a new name, and that a temporary name was Bahansir the Younger. “Here are your identification papers, Bahansir. This is the original document that we will continue to work on. We’ve scanned it into the computer. We'd like to put this in a place where it won't be damaged. Can we do that?" Syp agreed that this was a good idea.

“Thank you. Eiske, may I return with you to your home? I would like to stay for a few months, if that’s okay.”

“Please do!” Eiske was pleased with this decision.

“Please explain to your uncle what we’ve decided as to how to move forward.” Syp told Eiske about the Stafriez online education system and the idea of connecting with Sage Elvan.

Solrio added, “Bahansir’s eyes have been surgically corrected. It has a prescription pair of lenses for outdoor use, and a second pair for indoor use. In three days, I will transport over and bring a computer that will connect you with the Stafriez Academy. I’ll set up a monthly allowance for Syp’s expenses and teach it how to track the balance. I’ll call Sage Elvan for an appointment. I’ll also change the educational account at the information center to read Bahansir the Younger. I'll set it so that you have access to it, Dr. Bonnema.”

“May I have permission to wander through the forest by Eiske’s house searching for edibles?” Syp asked.

“Yes,” Solrio answered. “You also have permission to go to Minnie Blok’s home and greenhouse. Stay away from the Brons; don’t speak of them to anyone. Is there anything else?”

Eiske and Syp looked at one another. “No. We’ll be on our way. We have a lot to do.”

“Thank you for the new clothes, Solrio,” Syp smiled at her. “I like the new styles.”