Read Global Warming Fun 2: Ice Giants Wake! Page 30
PARTS GROW AND LEARN AT ALL TIMES. WE LEARN MUCH FROM YOUR INTERNET, INCLUDING YOUR SCIENCE. BUT MUCH WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND AND WE WANT TO LEARN MUCH MORE."
"There is much we do not understand about you," said Running Bear. "We will help you if you help us. If we know each other better we will be less likely to make mistakes."
"SUCH AS THE BOMBING. WE ACT AS ONE. HUMANS OFTEN ACT AS INDIVIDUALS AND MAY HAVE CONFLICTING INTENTIONS. IT IS A DIFFICULT THING FOR US TO UNDERSTAND."
"Yes," said Running Bear. "We want to avoid such mistakes as the bombing."
"THIS IS A SOUND BASIS FOR CONTINUING PEACE AND COOPERATION. WE AGREE TO THIS."
"Yes," said Mouse, and there were affirmative nods from the other Tribe Leaders. "The Tribe agrees also."
There were happy smiles and exclamations among the humans.
"Hurrah!" exclaimed Ed. "Now maybe we can get some sleep. A nice straw Lodge bed would be wonderful. Ten thousand years of rest isn't required; eight or ten hours will be perfect. On second thought make it eleven or twelve hours, since it will be with Mary. Then if I still have any energy left I'd like to work on a history class curriculum."
"Sounds like a plan, teacher," said Jack. "White Cloud has some ideas for Tribe infrastructure improvements using some diamond money that he wants me to help him with. Doc and Frank will continue to man the lab here until a new generation of Tribe scientists emerges; I don't think we could get them out of the lab if we tried."
Jack, Ed, and Mary left the lab and started their hike for the Lodge, followed closely by Singing Moon and Talking Owl. Running Bear started to follow them. He stepped into the little porch where coats and winter footwear were kept and quickly slipped his on, but when he stepped towards the outer door Mouse suddenly came in from outside and blocked his way.
"Your mission here is complete, Mohican," she said.
"So it seems, Old Mother," he replied, as two others also stepped from outside into the tiny room.
"You can leave our little lost Tribe and go back to your NSA and your National Congress of American Indians," said Talking Bear.
"But you have certain other ambitions also," said White Cloud. "We talked about them when we hiked up the Mountain together."
"And you explained to me that although reluctant you would not oppose them, but the Tribe would."
"I shared your delicate problem with Old Mother telepathically and she has come up with a possible solution, if you are interested," White Cloud continued.
"Specifically, a job for you has opened up in the Tribe," said Chief Talking Bear, "if you are interested."
"Here in this cold little porch remote from the Claw we will not be overheard by the Stone-Coats or the jants, so we can speak of it freely," explained Mouse.
"What sort of job?" Running Bear asked.
"Chief Peace Maker," said Talking Bear. "Hiawatha held the position centuries ago but since then there have been no satisfactory heroes available to properly fill the job. Tell me this, Mohican, what do you think of our agreements with the Stone-Coats and the jants?"
"They are good, but maybe too good to be true. They are probably the best agreements that could be made at the time but they are also naively optimistic. I nearly broke into singing Kumbaya. Both the Stone-Coats and the jants need to be watched closely. We don't understand the thoughts or motives of either of them. Trust but verify is the approach that needs to continue. There will be a need for continuing negotiations with them."
"That is the job we wish you to fill," said Mouse.
"I think I can make it a Government Civil Service position like your NSA job," said Talking Bear. "Your years of service should transfer so that you won't even lose any time put in towards pension benefits. But there is a string attached; a difficult requirement that must be fulfilled as a condition of employment. You must first marry a Princess."
"And become an honorary Tribe member and through marriage a member of the new Tribe clan that the Princess will lead: the Owl Clan," added Mouse, once Running Bear started breathing again. "You must also help her carry out her duties as Religious Chief."
"And both she and her cranky mother must agree to all of this," said Talking Bear. "The father already does."
"But we think that they will both agree if you catch them at the right moment," added Mouse.
"Such as right away," added White Cloud, as he shoved Running Bear out the door.
"Run, Mohican!" added Mouse, laughing.
A dazed John Running Bear caught up with the Mohawk Princess at the center of the amphitheater. She was alone, and she was smiling and ran to meet him with open arms and soft lips. "Yes!" she shouted before soundly hugging and kissing him.
"Yes to exactly what?" he asked, a very short time later.
"To everything, silly. I overheard the conspiracy unfold at the lab. Perhaps the Stone-Coats and jants couldn't, but I have certain talents that they lack."
"And Mother?" Singing Moon was out of sight and in the Great Lodge.
"I already explained to her that I love you and she accepts that. I think she sort of likes you. You did save her life, you know."
"I'll have to work closely with her on jant issues."
"That's the breaks, John; no job is perfect. But I can promise you there will be fringe benefits."
"True enough! According to your father, there might be a good pension involved."