XLI - Medallion

Casio and Chief Councilwoman Mavox Pro trudged up the gravel drive leading up to Kamon's cabin.

"It's beautiful here!" the chief councilwoman gushed. "I can understand some of its appeal."

"Yeah," Casio grunted a reply.

The incline became much steeper. Soon Mavox Pro was panting. "Casio!" she gasped at last. "Do you mind if we rest? I'm not used to this kind of a workout!"

"Yeah. Sure," a dour Casio replied.

Mavox Pro found a grassy spot and sat down. Casio stood beside her for a moment, then sat as well.

"Are you sure we couldn't have landed the hovercraft closer to Kamon's cabin?" Mavox Pro asked after she had regained her breath.

"I told you," Casio answered with some irritation, "there's not much of a clearing! Besides, Hawk never wanted a hovercraft up there! Said it would spoil the place."

Mavox Pro nodded but said nothing.

"Look, Chief," Casio resumed, "I want you to know I really appreciate you bringing me here. I know you must have had to call in a lot of favors over at the State Security Agency. They've had this place off limits for no good reason, but there was nothing I could do about it and I did try!"

Mavox Pro considered a response. Casio knew Quartz Lok was her illegitimate child and that Galaxo, the Delphi's husband, was the father, she was sure of it. He had used that information to blackmail the Delphi and gain amnesty for both Jasmine and Kamon. Supposition, yes, but it all fit. She'd asked Galaxo. The Delphi wouldn't talk about it, not even to her own husband. Casio had been equally tight-lipped. "I've heard you can have considerable power around the Capitol," Mavox Pro said cautiously. She'd like him to admit it; she wanted to know for sure.

"When you have one bullet in the chamber," Casio remarked, "you can only use it once. My gun's empty."

"And?" Mavox Pro probed. His comment was evasive. It was tantalizing but less than revealing.

"And nothing!" Casio snapped.

He was making it clear that the subject was closed. So be it, Mavox Pro thought....for now.

Casio turned away from the chief councilwoman and reached in his pocket. He glanced quickly at Mavox Pro -- she wasn't looking -- and pulled out the medallion. The sun's rays quickly caught the sparkling gems. He was careful to keep the medal hidden from Mavox Pro's view. The dazzling brilliance of the blue sapphire which had been so consuming in Kamon's apartment was now gone. It was a beautiful gem but now normal. It seemed much more of a match for the sparkling ruby. What had happened to it? Why had it changed? How had it changed?

He stole another glance at Mavox Pro -- still okay -- and tapped the medallion with his finger. Maybe the medal was a homing device or something. How come the blue sapphire didn't glow anymore? Had he broken it? He'd brought the medal along on the outside chance it might lead him to Kamon....or help in some way; he wasn't really sure. He tapped the medallion again. Nothing.

Casio finally shoved the medal back in his pocket in disgust. What a dumb idea! Bringing along this stupid medallion! He was going goofy! Crazy!

"Well," Mavox Pro," said, rising to her feet. "I think I'm ready to resume. I'm just not used to this climbing. You'll have to forgive me."

"You're forgiven," Casio muttered.

"I'm sorry you have to put up with me," Mavox Pro further apologized. "But the State Security Agency just wouldn't let you come here alone. I had to come along. It was the best I could do."

Casio's eyes rolled upward. Why did she have to be so nice to him?! It was driving him crazy! She kept talking and talking and talking....she'd never stopped talking the entire trip! And apologizing! He was getting really tired of that, too! This nice woman image that she had taken on since the Council vote just didn't fit her!

"I'm glad I came, though," Mavox Pro continued cheerily. "It's given me a chance to spend some time with you, get to know you. I should do this with all the Council members. It's given me a new perspective."

"Chief," Casio finally cut in, "I think I liked you better when I didn't like you!"

Mavox Pro opened her mouth to respond, but she wasn't quite sure what to say. She was confused. She wasn't certain how to take the comment. So, she said nothing.

The pair trudged on in silence. Another half hour passed before they finally reached the top of the steep hill. Both were exhausted.

"Did Kamon walk up this every time he came home?!" Mavox Pro was a bit incredulous. Why would anyone want to put herself through this?! Who would want to live in such a place?!

"If he was alone, he walked," Casio explained with some irritation. "If I was with him, I made him drive the rover up." She had spoken of Hawk in the past tense. It bothered Casio. No one knew for sure what had happened to Hawk. Casio feared the worst, but his heart held out some small glimmer of hope. The big guy couldn't die! He just couldn't!

Finally on level ground, Casio walked briskly. He was tired but he was also anxious, curious. Hopefully, there was some clue as to Hawk's whereabouts in the cabin. He had very little else to go on. The State Security folks had not brought back a body. Therefore, the possibility existed that Hawk was still alive. Casio had clung to this slim chance for the past week......but his hopes were fading. What if he found nothing here?

Then he'd go into the mountains. He'd leave the Big Chief behind. He didn't care what she did. He just had to know what had happened to Hawk!

Mavox Pro fell behind Casio. He'd stop at the cabin. She'd catch up.

When he got about fifty feet from the cabin, the front door opened. Surprised, Casio immediately slowed, almost stopping. Who could be here?!

In the next instant, Kamon stepped out onto the porch. His face broke into a broad grin.

Stunned, Casio nearly stumbled. "Hawk?!" He could barely believe his eyes.

"It's good to see you, Casio!" Kamon boomed. He ambled down the porch steps.

"HAWK!!" Casio shouted as he broke into a run. He flung himself into Kamon and hugged him tightly. "I can't believe it! I can't believe you're here! I thought I'd never see you again! You don't know how worried I've been!"

Kamon hugged Casio and smiled. "I'm glad to be back."

Casio released him. "Back? From where? Are you alright? Those State Security Agency spooks said they'd shot you!"

"I'm fine," Kamon answered. He saw Mavox Pro approaching. He was surprised to see her, especially in this place. "Never been better. Not a mark on me." He was going to reveal no details in the presence of the chief councilwoman.

"You mean you're not hurt in any way?!" Casio demanded.

"No!" Kamon insisted. "I'm fine!"

"You're sure?" Casio asked.

"Yes! Of course."

"Then why didn't you call me?!" Casio complained. "I've barely slept at all in the past week!"

"Because I just got here," Kamon explained. "I haven't been near a phone in a week. I called your office only a moment ago and they said you were coming here."

"Where have you been?!" Casio demanded.

Mavox Pro was closing in on them. "I can't tell you," Kamon said quietly.

"What do you mean you can't tell me?!" Casio exclaimed. "I want to know where you've been!"

"I've been with aliens," Kamon answered in a near whisper.

"What!?!" It was an answer Casio did not take seriously. "Are you crazy?! I'm not kidding! Where've you been?!"

Mavox Pro was only a few strides away. "Later!" Kamon whispered through clenched teeth. His tone and manner made it clear he did not want to continue this line of questioning while in the presence of the chief councilwoman.

"Kamon!" Mavox Pro greeted him heartily. "I'm glad to see you!"

"Welcome to my home, Mavox Pro," Kamon replied. His greeting was formal though not hostile. His last conversation with her had been a chilly one. Though he still held her responsible for the loss of his beloved Minot trees, the anger within him had fled. It was an odd feeling. So much had happened in the past few weeks. His entire life had changed, his outlook with it. The world seemed much different; so did the people in it.

"I'm glad to finally be here," the chief councilwoman responded sincerely. She noticed his changed attitude. It was an awkward moment though not uncomfortable, very much unlike the atmosphere in his Council office three weeks ago. "You seem quite fit, Kamon." She was asking a question.

"Never felt better in my life," Kamon answered.

"Quite frankly," Mavox Pro said, "I'm surprised. I'd heard you'd been shot, wounded badly."

"You'll find no evidence of a gunshot wound on me," Kamon stated honestly.

"Yes," Mavox Pro acknowledged. "It would seem that the officers at the State Security Agency are given to exaggeration."

Kamon simply nodded.

"Well then," the chief councilwoman turned cheery, "I have some news for you which I think will please you. The Council voted yesterday to repeal the 'Minot Preservation Bill'. It passed by the prohibitive two-thirds majority. As of this morning, these Minot trees are yours again, Kamon."

Kamon was stunned. "I don't know what to say...except thanks."

"No thanks are necessary," Mavox Pro responded. "I have simply helped to undo a great injustice."

"I didn't have this in mind when I cast my vote in your favor a week ago," Kamon offered.

"And I believe you," the chief councilwoman replied. "I, unfortunately, cannot say that my thoughts were as pure as yours. I asked myself a hundred times why you did what you did. The only logical answer I could find was -- a conscience. You have one. I am in need of finding mine again. This act was my first step toward that goal."

"There are hundreds of thousands of people suffering in this world," Kamon stated. "Some starving, some ravaged by conflict. All are far more important than Minot trees and me."

"Well, Kamon," Mavox Pro said with a smile, "you are certainly a taskmaster. Full of surprises. Nonetheless, the trees will remain yours. I shall personally see to that." Her face turned sober, her tone sincere. She touched his arm. "Welcome home, Kamon."

Kamon was touched by the open gesture of emotion and support. The world did indeed seem very much different. "Thank you." There was a moment of silence. Then Kamon smiled. "Please come into my home, Mavox Pro. I'll show you around if you like."

"I'd like that very much," she answered gratefully.

The three went inside the cabin. Kamon closed the door.

Casio pulled the medallion out of his pocket. "Hey, Hawk, what is this thing?" He didn't have to hide it anymore. He expected nothing unusual from it nor did he need anything.

"You have it with you!?!" Kamon exclaimed. He could barely believe his good fortune.

"Well, yeah," a confused Casio answered. "What makes it glo--"

Kamon snatched the medallion from Casio's hand and raced up the stairs. "Make yourselves at home!" Kamon shouted. "I'll be down in a few minutes!" He slammed the bathroom door shut behind him.

"Where did he go?" Mavox Pro asked. She noted Casio's puzzlement.

"The bathroom."

"Oh," the chief councilman responded. It was explanation enough for her.

Kamon was alone. The single brown hair still lay on the towel, Jasmine's hair. And now he had this gift from Jasmine, the medallion.

'I think you will also now find something else on the medallion that you did not notice before,' she had said. 'I believe it will please you. It pleases me.'

He looked at the face of the medallion. It was beautiful but it was as he remembered it. He turned the medal over. His eyebrows shot up. An inscription!

He flung open the door and raced to the head of the stairs. "Casio!" he shouted. "Did you have anything inscribed on this medallion?!"

"No!"

"Did anyone else have access to it?!"

"No!" Casio shouted, truly perplexed by Kamon's odd behavior. "It's just like I found it! What's the mat--."

But Kamon was gone again. Back to the bathroom with the door slamming shut behind him.

"Goofy," Casio muttered. None of it made sense. "He may not have gotten shot, but he must have fallen on his head!"

Alone again, Kamon read the inscription on the back of the medallion. The once smooth metal had somehow transformed itself. The words were distinct and finely styled.

His heart swelled as he read the message. She loved him! Truly loved him!

He stood and savored the thought for several moments, fingering the medallion as he did so.

But at last, questions set in. How had she done this? How had she retrieved the medallion to engrave this message on it?

She had not, was the answer. The message itself indicated as much. 'I WILL HAVE lived in vain'. Future perfect tense. This message had been composed before their flight from the prison, not after. She had expected to die, not flee. This medallion had altered itself after he had left Positron. How he could not imagine. Perhaps it was a unique property of the metal itself. It had been given to him by an alien, after all. Although amazing, anything was possible.

The more important question was: Why had she expected to die? Why would she want to die? She had resisted his every effort to free her. Why would she choose death over life?

'Death is not the final chapter.' It had been her last statement to him on the hovercraft. What had she meant by that? An afterlife? No. That was too simple. She had struggled with something inside herself before making the statement. There had been indecision, not in the content of the declaration, but in the mere fact of making the statement. Why?

Kamon could see this now, very clearly, as precisely as he could recall the conversation. He finally had time for reflection.

It had something to do with her unseen partner in this peace mission, he finally concluded. There was a code of conduct which she must follow in her travels. He felt certain that she had overstepped those bounds in his case. She had come to love him. It had caused her to reveal things about herself that she otherwise would never have done. He wondered if she would have acknowledged her love for him if he had not forced the issue by rescuing her from prison. He thought not. She had been prepared to leave without revealing her alien nature. Her message on the medallion indicated as much.

'Death is not the final chapter.' Why had she said this? She must have expected to die on Arnot. And her unseen partner would have revived her? How might this have been accomplished? They were aliens with many talents. Perhaps her intent was only to simulate death. She might have that ability. Their capabilities might be far beyond anything he could imagine. They had healed him.

But what purpose would have her apparent death have served? Martyrdom? A message of universal peace and love left by a woman who had given her life for the cause. There could be power in that...especially if there were a disciple willing to carry on in her name.

That was him. Kamon. He was the disciple. He could do it. He must do it....for Jasmine...the woman he loved.

END OF CHAPTER