The Methuselan Circuit (36 page)

“You see Professor the Remvalix operate in a collective, just as your fellow Gaians do,” Bob said cheerfully. When they got the professor to a level area in the canopy many more Remvalix joined the hunting party. With great dexterity they stripped the Professor of his armor and clothes. Alexander cringed, but he couldn’t look away. There was a lot of chatter between the insects, and eight of them held him down against a thick branch. The rest sorted themselves out in a line. The first clattered with glee as it reached out with its sharp mandibles and snipped a small bit of flesh off the Professor’s calf.

“Ouch, what are you doing? We can talk, what do you want, what do you want?” The professor screamed, his terror finally finding his voice.

Bob floated up and down, ensuring he got the best images possible as one after another of the Remvalix stepped forward and took their turn. “Come now Professor, this is your specialty. The Remvalix live as a collective and everyone in the collective gets exactly what everyone else does. Individuals subvert themselves for the good of the collective, and right now Professor Strauss, traitor of Terra; you are what’s good for the collective!”

“Nooooo!” the Professor wailed, and Alexander couldn’t believe how long he listened to it.

When it was over, he said, “Dad why did you make me watch that?”

Dad looked serious. “You became a man at the Academy son, but you came out of it pretty clean. Part of that is due to your ingenuity and part of it to Commandant Augesburcke. He convinced Khandar to keep an eye on you—to be your big best friend if you needed one.”

“Khandar,” Alexander exclaimed. “He was a strange best friend!”

“He’s a Golkos remember,” his Dad said. “Augesburcke told him all about the death’s-head order and what I did. After that Khandar kept close tabs on you; he kept Augesburcke informed.” He sighed and put his hand on Alexander’s shoulder. “Many of our people lost a lot. James lost his Mom. He may not have known her well, but he lost her all the same and I lost some good friends.” Patted Alexander on the back. “This business isn’t over. These people do not play fair. They wouldn’t think twice about putting a kid like you where Professor Strauss was today. This is for real, and there’s no turning back.”

“I know; I understand now.”

“Understand this as well son,” Dad said, and his expression softened. “I couldn’t be more proud of you. It’s not for everything you accomplished; it’s because you were brave enough to try. Whatever life throws at you, so long as you try your best and don’t give up, you have a chance and that’s all any of us can ask for. That’s why I’m proud of you, and hey—” he punched Alexander playfully in the shoulder. “Alexander thanks for being my son!”