Chapter 37
Aftermath
Soul-wrenching screams of terror filled the air as silver strands of the mindless organism known as Thread poured into the canyon. Within moments, only silence remained. So many died; so many that didn't have to… if they'd just listened… to their animals… and to me.
I was going to be sick.
Tarnaa brought me back to Benden Weyr. As we settled to the Weyr bowl and she released me from her claws, I could feel my insides churning. I fought it as far as the entrance to the Living Caverns before finally succumbing; spewing violently all over the ground.
I am sorry, lifemate, Tarnaa crooned to me, head caressing my cheek.
Goldie, meanwhile, was circling somewhere above, doing her best to console me.
"Hey, Skipper, are you alright?" Dav asked, he and Key rushing out the entrance.
All I could do was shake my head.
"Let's get you inside and get you some water," Key spoke, taking me by the elbow.
My two Federation friends sat me down at a nearby table. Manora came running over, a tall glass of water in her hands.
"Go slowly," she urged, holding the glass up to my lips, having correctly guessed the reason for my ill health.
Nodding my thanks, I began to take slow, small sips, trying to get my stomach back in order.
Not long after, other dragonriders began to arrive; their banter far more cheerful than I felt. Some were even celebrating the defeat of the Exile attack forces encountered in the hills north of Benden Hold.
And so it went for nearly an hour. Riders continued to arrive, celebrating the defeat of the Exiles at Fort Hold and at Landing. And with each hurrah or cheer, I only got angrier. They didn't seem to understand!
Finally, Benden's Weyrleader walked in, brushing dust from his face and jacket, accompanied by several other Benden riders.
"Well, I'm glad this sad mess is finally over," F'lar sighed, flinging his riding gloves onto a nearby table.
Like a white-hot supernova, sudden rage exploded inside me. Soundlessly, I walked up to Benden's Weyrleader, Goldie squealing in alarm somewhere above. Then, before anyone knew what was happening, I hauled off and punched F'lar right in the face, striking him so hard that he went flying over a nearby table before crashing heavily to the ground.
"Skipper, have you lost your mind?!" Dav gasped, seizing me by one arm, Key grabbing the other.
"My sister, what is wrong with you?" Key hissed, clearly disturbed by this turn of events.
"Dana?" Kara spoke, bug-eyed with disbelief.
"You better have a good explanation for what just happened, young lady," F'lar growled, finding his feet with the help of some of the other riders.
"Condescending now, are we, Weyrleader?" I growled, struggling in the grips of my two Federation friends. "Talking down to me as though I was a mere child? I have traveled across this galaxy, witnessed the wonders of Creation wherever I've gone. I have met and befriended members of countless races on worlds beyond number! Do not make the mistake of thinking me somehow beneath you!"
"But he's your Weyrleader!" Ryeena argued, clearly unnerved by what was happening.
"No, he's not," I argued. "Tarnaa may have been hatched here, but first and forever my allegiance is to my Craft and Hall. I am a Masterhealer, a veterinary surgeon, Craftmaster of Surgery here on Pern. I am also Lord Holder of Robinton Cove per Master Robinton's last will and testament. Those two facts alone put me on equal footing with you, Weyrleader."
"Then why did you strike him like that?" Lessa asked, her own anger only slightly controlled.
"I had my reason, but you won't like it."
"Explain," F'lar growled, nursing the growing bruise on his face.
"You want to know who I truly blame for this whole sad debacle?" I spoke to the crowd, fury smoldering in my eyes. "I blame the dragonriders!"
Righteous indignation exploded all around me; nearly every rider loudly protesting their innocence.
"That's absurd!" one exclaimed.
"We had nothing to do with this!" another argued with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Didn't you?" I growled, shaking free of my friends' grasps. "Let's review some of the facts of this case, shall we?"
"Turns ago, the dragonriders rediscovered Landing," I said, gesturing to the south, "the place where the Ancients originally set foot on this planet. Among all the amazing discoveries you unearthed there was the AIVAS unit, replete with a mind-numbing, seemingly endless supply of incredible information."
"So?" someone in the back of the room shrugged.
"I don't fault the dragonriders for making use of the data that AIVAS contained," I went on, unperturbed. "That knowledge helped you put in motion the very steps you needed to take to fulfill your ultimate goal… the end of Threadfall forever on Pern."
"What does any of this have to do with you trying to smash in my face?" F'lar demanded, blotting the blood that was streaming out his nose.
"Having analyzed all the data about the Red Star," I went on, sweeping the room with my gaze, "I understand why you had to act with haste in doing what you did. But tell me, oh wise Weyrleader, what did you do to keep the citizens of Pern informed about the reasons for your actions?"
"Well, I…"
"Did you think to engage the Harper Hall to help you explain what you were doing? You don't need to answer that. I spoke at length with nearly every member of the Hall. None could recall you asking for their help."
"What help could they have been?" another rider spoke. "They knew as little about all AIVAS' strange technologies as we did!"
Several other riders in the room voiced agreement.
"THEY ARE HARPERS!" I roared, sweeping my arm in a dismissive arc. "Teachers, purveyors of information and ideas. They are also mediators, trained to help diffuse difficult situations. If you had enlisted their aid in educating the citizenry about your actions and intents, it might well have averted the attack against AIVAS or the subsequent kidnapping of Masterharper Robinton!"
"But that was only the beginning," I went on, pacing back and forth. "I've gone over at length all the documentation and records concerning the trial of those arrested for the attack on AIVAS and for the kidnapping of Master Robinton."
"You can't honestly tell me you're defending those feckless…" someone stammered.
I shook my head. "What they did was wrong. Any number of galactic legal facilities would've convicted them of the crimes."
"So what's your point?" another rider complained. "They got what they deserved!"
"Did they?" I growled, the sudden, unbridled fury I felt turning my dragon eyes a bright burning red, causing everyone near me to back away. "Let's consider that observation, shall we?"
"Records from the trial indicated the choice between execution and banishment for those convicted was evenly split," I went on, glaring around the room. "It finally came down to Lord Jaxom casting the deciding vote."
"What of it?" F'lar grumbled, crossing his arms on his chest. "What's your point?"
"He chose banishment," I answered, face to face with Benden's Weyrleader. "Knowing Jaxom, he probably considered it a more humane punishment than execution."
"Your point?" Lessa wondered.
"Try putting yourself in their shoes, Weyrwoman," I responded, whirling to face her. "Can any of you tell me to my face that you could put yourselves in their shoes?"
"My sister," Key quietly spoke, "what troubles you?"
"I do not condone what those people did," I told him, turning to face my Kendite friend. "But banishment is a very harsh punishment."
"Harsh?!" F'lar shouted, his face writ with disbelief.
"As I said, Weyrleader," I responded, turning to face him. "Put yourself in their shoes."
I turned then, facing everyone else in the room.
"If any of you were banished… if everything you knew and loved… your home… your family… your friends… your way of life was suddenly stripped from you, and you were then sent away to a place you did not know, where you had to start your life all over from scratch… "
I turned back to F'lar. "How would you feel, Weyrleader?"
"I… "
Several seconds passed, and then…
"I would feel confused, hurt," Lessa quietly spoke, coming up to us. "Lost."
"Given what those people did," I went on, "would you consider that a punishment that fit their crime?"
I could see Lessa's jaw working, but she didn't answer.
"May I add something?"
It was Davar. I nodded.
"While I have not reviewed these records you mention, Skipper," he quietly remarked, "Federation law in this case would not have allowed such a punishment."
"What?!" several in the room gasped.
"Is that true?" Ryeena spoke to my Kendite brother.
"Yes, little friend," Key replied, nodding to her. "And corporal punishment… the taking of a life for a crime that is committed… has been banned."
"This is Pern!" F'lar argued, trying to dismiss the notion with a wave of his hand.
"I see doubt on your face, Weyrleader," I said to him, noting his confusion. "Be that as it may, a decision was made, based on the laws as you and your people saw it. And then, the unthinkable occurred, the single key factor that set this whole sad affair in motion."
"And what was that?" another rider asked.
"The dragonriders abandoned their most sacred trust and duty," I quietly replied.
"That's preposterous!" one rider exclaimed, several others nodding in agreement.
"Why were the dragons originally created?" I asked into the silence.
"We all know that," another scoffed, waving a dismissing hand.
"Enlighten me, rider," I demanded, stepping up to him, my dragon eyes still burning red. "Why were the dragons created?"
"To battle Thread."
"Why?" I demanded, glaring up at him. "We're talking about the Ancients, the ones who came here from across the sea of stars. Wouldn't their advanced technology have been better able to combat the Thread?"
"No, it wouldn't," Lessa answered, her head lowered.
"Why not, Weyrwoman?"
"They… "
"They were trying to escape the reach of the Federation," Key replied, recalling what we had discussed. "They would not have brought with them the means to maintain their technology. They were seeking out a much simpler way of life."
"When Thread first began to fall," Ryeena spoke up, "the Ancients created the dragons as a living, renewable way to counter the threat."
"'Dragons must fly… when Thread is in the sky!'" I finished, reciting the lines from one of the Teaching ballads.
Looking about at everyone gathered in the room, I told them, "Dragons and their riders were created to protect ALL of Pern from the ravages of Thread. That was and is your most sacred trust and duty. But what did you do with the Exiles?"
Silence.
"You turned your backs on them," I went on, sweeping everyone with my gaze. "Abandoned them to the horrors of that space-borne parasite."
I faced F'lar. "Can you honestly tell me that is a punishment anyone should endure, no matter how heinous the crime?"
"My sister," Key spoke, turning me to face him, "are you telling me these 'exiles' were left to deal with this Thread… without any sort of protection?!"
I didn't say a word, but the look in my eyes made Key back up, tears sliding down his face.
"In some of the galactic court systems, Weyrleader," I quietly spoke as I turned to face him, "the dragonriders could've been arrested and tried as criminals for what you all did."
That fact rocked Mnementh's rider back on his heels, his face turning white as a sheet.
"First, they were banished, stripped of everything that was important to them," I spoke into the silence that followed. "Then, to add insult to injury, the Dragonriders abandoned the Exiles to the ravages of Thread. Small wonder their feelings of confusion and loss turned into a raging hatred of the very thing that was meant to protect them."
Silent as a ghost, Kara came up to me, tears pouring down her face. Then, wrapping me up in a very tight hug, she whispered, "At least one dragonrider remembered. Thank you!"
I turned to the gathered weyrfolk, their expressions a mix of anger, regret, but mostly of pain… the pain of suddenly grasping the truth.
"There is a fall over the Eastern Islands tomorrow starting at 0700 local time," I said, sweeping the room with my gaze. "Tarnaa and I intend to be there to fly the Fall."
"Out of the question!" F'lar exploded, stepping in front of me. "I forbid it!"
"And how will you stop me, Weyrleader?" I nonchalantly inquired. "Tie me up? Lock me away someplace? Sit on me? In case you've forgotten, my kidnappers already tried that."
For several long seconds, we faced each other, then…
"Wirenth and I will go with you, Sis," Brekke said, coming up to give me a hug.
"What?!" F'lar exclaimed. "Now wait just a minute!"
"So will Canth and I," F'nor added, joining us.
"If you will have us, Masterhealer," Lessa spoke, coming over, "then Benden Weyr will fly with you!"
"Lessa?!" F'lar stammered, staring at his weyrmate.
"She's right, my love," Lessa quietly responded. "We did abandon our sacred duty… to protect all of Pern from Thread. And we very nearly paid the ultimate price for our folly. We have to try and make amends for that."
Southern Weyr stands ready to fly with you, Masterhealer, a familiar voice spoke in my head.
Lessa, Brekke, and I all gasped when we realized who it was.
"Did you…" Lessa stammered.
I shook my head, too in shock for words.
Ista Weyr will also fly with you, Dana, a second dragon voice spoke.
"What's going on?" F'lar demanded.
N'ton says Fort Weyr will join you, friend Dana, yet another dragon spoke to me.
I was so stunned by what was happening that Kara had to help me to a nearby stool.
"Southern Weyr, Ista Weyr, and Fort Weyr will all be flying the fall," Lessa reported, eyes bulging in disbelief.
"What?! How? Did you call them?" F'lar demanded of me.
She did not need to, Mnementh informed his rider.
We have been able to hear her thoughts from the moment she arrived on Pern, Ramoth chimed in.
"Her rebirth as Tarnaa's rider only made her thoughts that much clearer," Brekke chimed in. "By the Egg of Faranth, Dana!"
"So many…" I whispered, my thoughts reeling.
Suddenly, I straightened, standing to face F'lar and Lessa.
"We'll need a large place to meet," I began.
"The Hatching Grounds," Lessa finished for me. "It should be large enough."
"Heth, Laneth, Lioth," I spoke aloud and sent at the same time, "bring your riders to Benden Weyr's Hatching ground. We'll meet there!"
We're on our way! Heth reported.
We come, friend! Laneth added.
"Lioth!"
Dana?
"Ask N'ton to bring Masterharpers Sebell and Menolly," I told my bronze Fort friend. "We'll need their assistance, as well."
N'ton says no problem!
"Ruth?"
Yes, Dana? the little white dragon instantly responded.
"Please bring Lord Jaxom and Lady Sharra to Benden Weyr's Hatching grounds," I explained, glancing about at all the riders gathered around me. "I will need their assistance, as well."
Understood, Masterhealer, Jaxom's lifemate replied. We will be there shortly.
"Ch'hin?"
"Ch'har?" I replied, turning to Keymon.
"If you wish, we can speak with Captain Morgan," Key said, laying a hand on my shoulder. "The Wolfhound's weaponry may be useful in mitigating some of the spores before they enter the atmosphere."
"Federation law may tie his hands, my friend," I replied, returning the gesture. "Once a colony has existed for a millennia, it becomes an independent entity, no longer subject to Federation law." Smiling, I added, "But if they feel like assisting an old comrade, then I won't object. Any help will be appreciated!"
"Consider it done!" Dav chimed in, laying his hand on my other shoulder.
"Sounds like I better get the kitchen staff going," Manora chuckled as she hurried off.
"Get going, you two," I said, grinning at my two Federation friends as I slipped on my commlink headset. "I'll be waiting for your call."
Dav and Key quickly departed, each grinning from ear to ear.
Then, as I turned back around, I suddenly found a fist directly in front of me, barely touching my nose.
"I wouldn't stop you if you did," I quietly told F'lar.
For a moment, it looked like he might take me up on my offer, but…
"I was furious with you for that," he grumbled, slowly lowering his clenched fist. "But I have to admit… You were right, Dana."
"Weyrleader, I…"
"Don't you dare go apologizing, young lady," he chuckled, grinning down at me. "By the Egg of Faranth, I bless the very moment you decided to seek Pern out. If not for you, the outcome of this sad page of our history may well have turned out very differently."
"F'lar, I…"
"You've saved countless lives since your arrival on our world," he went on, smiling as he laid his hand gently on my trembling shoulder. "We'd be honored to fly with you in the morning!"
Tears fell from my eyes as I nodded my thanks.
"Angel Zero One, this is Wolfhound, come in!"
"Go ahead, Wolfhound," I spoke into my comm unit's mike.
"Our high-rez bioscanners are picking up traces of humanoid lifeforms in the canyon!"
"What?! You're certain?"
"What's going on?" Brekke asked, anxious about my sudden agitation.
"99.7 percent probability, Angel Zero One," Wolfhound radioed.
"By my ancestors!" I whispered, turning white as a sheet.
"Dana, what's wrong?" F'nor asked, giving my shoulder a shake.
I pushed past him, seeking out my fellow healer.
"Ryeena, get back to the Healer Hall!" I told her, drawing my blaster. "Mobilize the triage teams! I'll call you when I have exact coordinates!"
"Coordinates? For what?" F'lar wondered as I hurried past him out of the Living Cavern.
"There may be survivors of the canyon Fall!" I shouted before winking between!