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Updated: June 12, 2025
Oh, well. "If it's not prying, how old are you?" "You will soon of Ch'kara be; no prying is. I thirty-five Homeworld years have, almost forty-six Imperial Standard. You?" "Thirty-five too, but Standard." Hovan made a quick calculation. "Twenty-seven, Homeworld. And you already a Ranger are? That hard to believe is. How?" "It's not really a matter of age," Tarlac said.
Climbing the three steps to stand before them at the altar, he formally identified himself "Esteban Tarlac of Clan Ch'kara, Ranger of the Terran Empire" and bowed, hands crossed over his bare chest. That was as much to the statuettes on the altar's upper tier as to the two rulers. "I ask the blessing of the Circle of Lords as I attempt this final part of the Ordeal they ask of me."
That Yarra was here, now, could only be because of him, to show she regarded her alien es'ruesten, her new clan-child, as fully one of Ch'kara. It was something he hadn't expected; it was an honor, and it added to his determination to succeed in the Ordeal, to bring credit to his adopted clan. He climbed out of the car with the others and followed them up the steps to accept her formal welcome.
"I, Hovan of Clan Ch'kara, do solemnly swear . . . to protect and defend the Terran Empire . . . from all enemies, foreign and domestic . . . and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same. This I pledge before the Lords, by my own honor and Ch'kara's." Tarlac lowered his hand and extended it. "Congratulations, First Lieutenant Hovan, and welcome to Imperial Service."
Males shared in the creation of life, but it was females who actually brought it forth into the clan, by birth or adoption. In the case of adoption, the new ruhar should be brought into the gathering hall, with as many of the clan as possible attending. Steve wouldn't have that, or even a close approximation, until Homeworld; there weren't enough of Ch'kara in the Fleet.
"Lieutenant Hovan spoke to his Clan Mother at my request, and got her consent. Thark's exile will be on Norvis, guarded and taken care of by Clan Ch'kara. That way he's visibly punished, in a way that demonstrates the Empire's trust in our newest citizens." "An elegant solution," Corina agreed. She turned to Hovan, gave him a polite seated bow.
He had time to notice disruptors and shortswords on the commandos' belts in addition to the daggers, before the officer snapped him a salute that would have done credit to an Imperial Marine. He was motionless for an instant in surprise, then he returned the salute as crisply as his spacesuit would allow. "Ranger Esteban Tarlac of the Terran Empire." "Team-Leader Hovan of Clan Ch'kara.
After some thought, Hovan added, "I probably would not believe it from someone not of Ch'kara; I know I would not wish to believe it. But finding that I share such a tie with you, Steve, does not distress me." Tarlac managed a faint grin. "That's a help, and I appreciate it. Do you think all of Ch'kara" all of the Traiti? "would feel like that? Because I am going to have to tell them.
"Thanks, ruhar." "My honor," the other replied, turning his attention to the control panel. Less than half a kilometer later, a dozen more Ch'kara cars had come to escort him, holding at shoulder height like the first and moving at his walking speed. He hadn't expected that, and couldn't think why not. Of course his family would come to meet him, to join him for his successful return home.
Ka'ruchaya Yarra had told him to judge the Terran he would meet, and if he found the man worthy, to offer adoption into Ch'kara. It would be an unprecedented honor for Hovan, as well as the Terran, if that happened; adoption was a Clan Mother's privilege, delegated sometimes to another female, never in Hovan's knowledge to a male. He had told no one about his mission from Yarra.
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