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It took a few seconds for the Speaker to respond to these startling revelations. "You are saying that some primitive Earth weapon defeated the mighty Torgga Appala Punra and that you left him there alive and returned with Tay Tap to this time and place with the help of the Guardians again?"

"Yes."

Silence filled the room, while people looked around the table in wonder, trying to gauge each other's reaction.

"What is this deadly weapon?" the Speaker demanded.

"I have no intention of answering that question. To do so might put Tay's life in danger."

Loedan blinked then gathered his thoughts together again, hearing the thoughts of the other Council members in his mind and

weighing their opinions fairly. "Courtney Tay, have you talked to the Guardians recently?"

"Not since yesterday afternoon. They usually pop in each day to ask me how Tay Tap is doing. They have been quite concerned, naturally."

Once the Speaker was capable of getting to his feet, he rose. "Tay Appala Punra, the Council feels that, under the circumstances, it is not suitable that this human be addressed by the royal title of Courtney Appala Punra." Courtney felt the anger ripple through her partner. "From this time forward, she will be addressed as Guardian Courtney Tap, as befits one recognized by the Council as a royal member of the House of Tap and a Chosen One." He bowed and Courtney sat in surprise as in turn each in the room stood and bowed, including Tay Tap herself.

It is we who hold the deposed Torgga.

Our path now lies in a new direction.

Courtney and Tay Tap will show us the way.

So spoke the voices of we Guardians, and all present knew that a new era had begun.

Tay and Courtney remained seated as first the Speaker and then the House officials bowed again and took their leave. "Can you make it back to our rooms?" Courtney asked softly.

Tay nodded, lost in deep thought. "Courtney, what is this Earth weapon that I must watch out for?"

"Alcohol."

"Alcohol!" exclaimed Tay in surprise.

"Rubbing alcohol. I knew from my experience with you that cold bothered you terribly. Haichen told me that the only thing she knew about where you were was that it was terribly hot and dry. I dosed him down good and the heat evaporated the alcohol almost instantly, dropping his skin temperature drastically. He went into shock and passed out." Courtney smiled.

Tay laughed explosively. "Humans!"

From Guardian Courtney Tap's Logs

The events of the last few months have been strange, fearful, and yet wondrous. I have come to a much greater understanding of my planet and a greater love for its people. I have also come to understand, to some extent, the philosophy of an alien people. My people now, too, for I am Tap and the Chosen One. How impossible this would have all seemed on the day I decided to break into Tap's private quarters. The Guardians would tell me that it was meant to be, that my decision was just the Universe unfolding as it should,

no matter how surprising and shocking that might seem to us. I have come to accept that we are star stuff, as is the entire universe. Whether for good or bad, we are part of the same web, the same universal conscience. We have only to listen quietly to understand each other, our planet, and its place in the universe. I hope we can do so before it is too late.

Tamma is the first to be born into a new era. Ahead of her are turbulent and hard times for both her peoples. They must learn that the future, however uncertain, lies in the hands of those who can leave behind the hatreds and biases of the past and move on courageously with open hearts and minds. They must learn to respect this planet and our universe.

Planet Earth struggles for survival. It is a rose lying on the black velvet of space. Its future lies in our understanding of the balance of nature, its resources, and the universe.

From the dark depths of time, turtle watches the rose Earth she created and is sad.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-16