The Companions

The Companions by Sheri S. Tepper Page A

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inherit. I’ve told Mother when I do take it over, it’ll be from Faroff, but she pretends not to hear me. When it happens, she’ll be surprised to learn that I mean it. If you really want to go off world, you should be studying something that will help you do it.”
    He hit a nerve with that one. My innards went into the familiar spasm that was half embarrassment, half fear. I forced myself not to sound whiny. “I know that, Witt. Paul is only twenty, but he’s doing advanced-level language studies, specializing in ET lexicology…”
    â€œAnd taking personal credit, no doubt, for having inherited his father’s talent for languages,” Witt said in his topstory, very superior voice.
    â€œYes, that’s true. He does have the talent, however, so it doesn’t really matter where he got it, for I don’t have the talent despite having Delis as my father, too. Paul will be a linguist, and linguists are in demand.”
    He nodded. “Every time we encounter a new race we need squads of new translators.”
    I went on, “Taddeus is more modest about inherited talent, but he got Matty’s artistic skills, and I didn’t, even though she was also my mother…”
    â€œHe could have inherited from Joram…”
    â€œHe could, yes, or from both of them. Whichever, he’s been exhibiting since he was twelve, and his future as Joram IV is all mapped out. By the time they were halfway through general schooling, both of them knew exactly what they wanted to do, and I haven’t a clue. I got all the way through general schooling without any idea what to do next. I’ve worked with Jon at the kennel since I was eight. I’ve taken vet courses and animal behavior and nutrition courses. I’ve become more and more able to do things that are needed less and less, things that are either illegal or impossible.”
    He lowered his voice. “How about the ark planets?”
    I whispered, “At the shelters, they say arkists don’t take anyone under fifty years old.”
    â€œThey don’t?” He sounded both surprised and pleased, which I couldn’t fathom.
    I said, still in a whisper, “The iggy-huffo terrorists have sworn to wipe out animals and the people who care for them on any ark world they can find. Since it could possibly happen, the arkists only take mature people who are willing to risk losing their lives…” I stopped for a moment as I tried to sort my confusion into sensible words. “So, I ask myself, why go on to school? To learn what? With this sanctuary thing happening, I’m sure I’ll have a lot to do, but only for a while. Once it’s over, if I want to go off world, I’ll have to settle for doing something not very interesting.”
    â€œYou might settle for joining me in a cohabitation liaison, instead.”
    It came completely without warning. I thought he was joking. I started to laugh, but stopped when I saw the intent, totally focused expression on his face, as though he had been working toward this remark all evening. I said doubtfully, “You don’t mean that, Witt.”
    He sat back, smiling. “Oh, yes. I do very much mean that. We get on very well together. People our age need…companions. Even if I haven’t said…well, I’ve thought about it. We could make it work, Jewel. I’ve already taken a single apartment in the University Tower. With my income from the family trust, we can get along until we’re ready to go off world.”
    â€œI’ll bet your mother had a fit about your moving out.”
    He shrugged. “Well, yes, but it’s customary for students to live there, and Father told her to quit fussing about it. Many of the students are liaised…”
    That surprised me, and I said so.
    â€œNo concs in the University Tower,” he said. “As I said, people our age need companionship.”
    â€œMy

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