Tamerlane completed his preflight check, then turned to his father to ask,
"Where do you want to go, Dad?"
Tyr took a moment to consider their options. He had suggested to Tamerlane that they logged some flight time, while the ladies kept Beka occupied. His objective was time alone with his son; the destination did not matter.
"If I were not on board, where would you go?"
Tamerlane considered for a moment, punched in flight coordinates, then launched the runabout. "The Academy is holding a display competition this afternoon."
Tyr blinked. "Do you want to enter the competition?" He was not comfortable with his son's rapid maturity.
Tamerlane answered his question with a question. "Would you have entered at my age?"
Tyr waited until Tamerlane had been given clearance by ground control to exit the civilian air space. For security, the Alpha always travelled the military transit routes. Tyr imagined that an admiral or two had been alerted that The Kodiak was in the air on an unscheduled flight.
"Well, Dad?" Tamerlane turned the chair to face his father, after putting the ship on automatic pilot.
"When I was fifteen I was performing questionable tasks for undesirables. I was an outcast, without a Pride or sponsors. I had been an orphan for four years. Displaying was inconceivable."
"Dad, before the Dragons came did Kodiak males display at fifteen?"
Tyr considered his words carefully. "You are the future of the Nietzschean people. You must respect the past and the old traditions, but you may have to forge new paths for your people to follow."
"Plaguenation, Father. What does the future of the Nietzschean people have to do with an Academy display competition?"
Tyr could see the Academy Orbital out the port window. They were minutes from docking. From his station, he disengaged the autopilot, bringing their transit to a halt. The ship floated in space, the idling engines underscoring their conversation.
"My explanation is for your ears only. Do not share it with another. Consider my words. Should you wish to discuss them again, suggest that you take me flying. Do not, under any circumstances, speak to me of this in the presence of others."
Tyr had turned from warm and loving father to stern and demanding Alpha right before his eyes. "Yes my Lord Kodiak."
"Have you not asked yourself how it is that our woman hold the power to procreate? When did that start? After all we are the progeny of two males, our female ancestors are never mentioned. Did the Progenitor copulate randomly? No female was designed for him by Paul Museveni to our knowledge."
Tyr waited for Tamerlane to digest the information.
"He would have done the choosing of his females." The face of his son was animated with surprise.
Tyr continued, "Our current tradition has left the maintenance of the blood lines to the woman to perfect. Tamerlane when you were born perfection was achieved. There is no Nietzschean alive - male or female - who has DNA better than yours - or more favored."
"Dad, we have come full circle. By definition, any Nietzschean female is inferior."
Tyr's pride at his son's understanding showed in his face.
"So I must choose my mate or mates. I could consult with the matriarchs, but ultimately the choice is mine."
"Do you see why you cannot mention this to anyone."
"That would pull the foundations out from under the entire Nietzschean social structure." His stomach roiled in protest.
"We aren't ready to do that yet, son." Tyr patted the lad on his shoulder.
"And I suppose you are going to tell me that every single Pride is going to want my DNA added to theirs." Tamerlane chuckled. "That's why you think I'm going to give hundreds of grandchildren."
Tyr nodded.
"Dad, if I agreed to that, my life would be one impregnation after the other. I'd never leave my bed." Tamerlane shuddered. "The only word I would need in my vocabulary is next."
"That is what could happen if we took this to its most ridiculous outcome." Tyr grinned. "Don't tell Beka this, but there is a certain appeal to a life where one's only obligation is to service her for the rest of my life."
"Dad, that's way too much information." Tamerlane was appalled.
"Don't be so prudish. We've just been talking about you fathering hundreds of children. What is wrong with me keeping one female thoroughly satisfied?"
"Does this mean I shouldn't enter the displaying competition?" Tamerlane brought them back to their immediate concerns.
"The more you prove yourself, the stronger will be your position, when we make your claim." Tyr resumed their flight. "Participation is up to you, Tamerlane. However, please, do not accept any offers that might result."
"So I can be beaten to a pulp, but I can't mate. All pain, no gain."
"Exactly."
Tyr took a moment to consider their options. He had suggested to Tamerlane that they logged some flight time, while the ladies kept Beka occupied. His objective was time alone with his son; the destination did not matter.
"If I were not on board, where would you go?"
Tamerlane considered for a moment, punched in flight coordinates, then launched the runabout. "The Academy is holding a display competition this afternoon."
Tyr blinked. "Do you want to enter the competition?" He was not comfortable with his son's rapid maturity.
Tamerlane answered his question with a question. "Would you have entered at my age?"
Tyr waited until Tamerlane had been given clearance by ground control to exit the civilian air space. For security, the Alpha always travelled the military transit routes. Tyr imagined that an admiral or two had been alerted that The Kodiak was in the air on an unscheduled flight.
"Well, Dad?" Tamerlane turned the chair to face his father, after putting the ship on automatic pilot.
"When I was fifteen I was performing questionable tasks for undesirables. I was an outcast, without a Pride or sponsors. I had been an orphan for four years. Displaying was inconceivable."
"Dad, before the Dragons came did Kodiak males display at fifteen?"
Tyr considered his words carefully. "You are the future of the Nietzschean people. You must respect the past and the old traditions, but you may have to forge new paths for your people to follow."
"Plaguenation, Father. What does the future of the Nietzschean people have to do with an Academy display competition?"
Tyr could see the Academy Orbital out the port window. They were minutes from docking. From his station, he disengaged the autopilot, bringing their transit to a halt. The ship floated in space, the idling engines underscoring their conversation.
"My explanation is for your ears only. Do not share it with another. Consider my words. Should you wish to discuss them again, suggest that you take me flying. Do not, under any circumstances, speak to me of this in the presence of others."
Tyr had turned from warm and loving father to stern and demanding Alpha right before his eyes. "Yes my Lord Kodiak."
"Have you not asked yourself how it is that our woman hold the power to procreate? When did that start? After all we are the progeny of two males, our female ancestors are never mentioned. Did the Progenitor copulate randomly? No female was designed for him by Paul Museveni to our knowledge."
Tyr waited for Tamerlane to digest the information.
"He would have done the choosing of his females." The face of his son was animated with surprise.
Tyr continued, "Our current tradition has left the maintenance of the blood lines to the woman to perfect. Tamerlane when you were born perfection was achieved. There is no Nietzschean alive - male or female - who has DNA better than yours - or more favored."
"Dad, we have come full circle. By definition, any Nietzschean female is inferior."
Tyr's pride at his son's understanding showed in his face.
"So I must choose my mate or mates. I could consult with the matriarchs, but ultimately the choice is mine."
"Do you see why you cannot mention this to anyone."
"That would pull the foundations out from under the entire Nietzschean social structure." His stomach roiled in protest.
"We aren't ready to do that yet, son." Tyr patted the lad on his shoulder.
"And I suppose you are going to tell me that every single Pride is going to want my DNA added to theirs." Tamerlane chuckled. "That's why you think I'm going to give hundreds of grandchildren."
Tyr nodded.
"Dad, if I agreed to that, my life would be one impregnation after the other. I'd never leave my bed." Tamerlane shuddered. "The only word I would need in my vocabulary is next."
"That is what could happen if we took this to its most ridiculous outcome." Tyr grinned. "Don't tell Beka this, but there is a certain appeal to a life where one's only obligation is to service her for the rest of my life."
"Dad, that's way too much information." Tamerlane was appalled.
"Don't be so prudish. We've just been talking about you fathering hundreds of children. What is wrong with me keeping one female thoroughly satisfied?"
"Does this mean I shouldn't enter the displaying competition?" Tamerlane brought them back to their immediate concerns.
"The more you prove yourself, the stronger will be your position, when we make your claim." Tyr resumed their flight. "Participation is up to you, Tamerlane. However, please, do not accept any offers that might result."
"So I can be beaten to a pulp, but I can't mate. All pain, no gain."
"Exactly."