First Channel

They took every precaution. Abel and Margid Veritt had adjusted their own schedules the past three months so they were pre-turnover when Jord was in need. Rimon was less than a week into his cycle, at his steadiest.

As Rimon took up his position behind Jord, Kadi at his side, he couldn't help remembering Del and Billy. But Billy was afraid, he reminded himself. Willa isn't.

The plan was simple enough: both Rimon and Abel would be zli

As the moment arrived, Jord's nager was troubled, haunted, Rimon knew, by echoes of a series of unsuccessful attempts at what he was trying again today. With an extreme effort, Jord went into healing mode, but need threatened to kick him over into killmode at any moment.

Rimon entered healing mode too, supporting Jord. There was a now-or-never desperation in Jord's field as he held out his hands to Willa. She grasped his arms and pressed her lips to his almost before his laterals had seated themselves against her flesh.

The flow began at once, pleasantly, but too slowly—the same frustration Rimon had endured for months on end during Kadi's pregnancy. But it is endurable! he willed to Jord.

Grimly, Jord held steady, slowly meeting physiological necessity while he fought the urge to increase his draw speed. Willa was steady, just as she had been every time for Rimon.

Nonetheless, frustration was weakening Jord's control, and long before he reached physical satisfaction, without warning, something flipped inside-out. The draw leaped instantly to the speed of the kill.

Even as Rimon was reaching for Jord in the agonized fear that he was already too late, he felt Willa's response:, delighted surprise and intense pleasure.

The girl reacted as Kadi did, cooperating, pouring forth her life-force as fast as Jord could take it, pure joy springing through her as she gave and gave.

When it ended, Rimon was plunged with Jord into hypo-consciousness. Willa was staring up at Jord, looking utterly beautiful. His tentacles had withdrawn, and his fingers were lax on her arms. When Rimon moved from behind him, he saw that Jord's eyes were closed, as if he feared what he would see. He glowed with selyn.

"Jord," said Willa in awe. "You do that better than Rimon!"

"God be praised!" he whispered. Then, as the fact that she was truly alive and well sank in, he caught her into his arms, his tears falling into her hair.

Abel Veritt, too, was crying openly, as was Mrs. Veritt. They both embraced their son as Abel said, "At last! Oh, thank God, thank God!" Then even he was speechless.

Rimon was prickling with the reaction after the fact. He put an arm around Kadi. "We did it!" he said numbly. "We actually taught someone else!"

Abel Veritt turned to Rimon. "My faith has been rewarded, despite my errors. Jord," he turned back to his son, "God has blessed you."

"Father," said Jord, "I didn't do it! I lost control, and– it was just like every other time—except for Willa."

"It was the way I started," Rimon said. "I had no control at first. It was all in Kadi's hands. It still is, except that now I know I can control, if necessary."

"Willa," Abel said reverently.

"I said I would teach Jord." Her nager was as i

"You certainly did!" agreed Abel. "Jord, Rimon, we must talk about your experiences later, decide how to proceed from here—but now we must let everyone know that their prayers have been answered!"

When they were on the green, Abel rang the bell with sweeping strokes that gave it an oddly festive sound. People poured from their homes. When they saw Jord and Willa together, both alive, tears and laughter mingled, and families embraced each other—particularly parents hugging their Sime children, reaffirming the knowledge that they were not cursed.

Then everyone went to the chapel to give thanks. Abel ended with a prayer for guidance in teaching everyone. Then he went to the lectern and stood looking out over the congregation.

"I have watched the hard, painful effort both Rimon Farris and my son have put into learning not to kill. I have witnessed the devastation wrought by their failures—failures with nameless Gens from the Pens, not close friends or family. Yes, I know, you don't wish to hear this—but for that very reason I must say it, and you must listen. There will be no unsupervised experiments. At the present time, only one person is qualified to supervise, and that is Rimon Farris. Jord?"

"I agree absolutely, Father. Today's success was much more Willa's doing than mine. I have a great deal to learn before I can teach others."

"Therefore," continued Abel, "no one will attempt transfer unless Rimon judges that both parties are ready. Especially the Gen. And that," he paused, looking over to where the Forester family sat, "means you, Jon Forester. When Rimon says and with whom Rimon says. You understand?"

"Yes, Mr. Veritt," Jon said clearly.

To himself, Rimon thought, when Jon wants it as badly as Willa did, not before. No wonder Jon felt like a fat-rabbit surrounded by hungry foxes. No one in Fort Freedom would think of taking Jon against his will, or against Abel's proscription—but a Sime in need didn't think at all.

Abel was speaking to the whole congregation again. "In the months ahead, each time a child establishes as a Gen, he and his family must decide whether he will stay here or cross the border to safety. For we must all remember that there is danger here for such children—and we are that danger.

"Until each and every one of us learns not to kill, we must avoid temptation. You know the way; we have practiced it at Farewells for years. A Gen in our midst is to be surrounded by those who are high-field. Anyone approaching need must keep away. Is that agreed?"

"Agreed." It was a reluctant murmur.

Surveying the congregation nagerically, Abel continued. "That had to be said, and I zlin that you all understand. But this is a day of celebration, when we all renew our vows to seek the road away from the kill. God has set my son's feet on that path, and I vow again to follow. Let us rejoice in this day's miracle, and in the hope it brings for all the days ahead!"

As they left the chapel, Rimon and Kadi found Del and Carlana at the back.

"Another miracle!" said Carlana, gazing at Willa and Jord.

"It's a fact we must adjust to," said Rimon to the Sime woman. "Killing can be a matter of choice."

Abel joined them, saying, "Everyone wants to congratulate lord and Willa. It's their day. Why don't you all come over to our house? Rimon, we must make some plans."

As they walked, Del said, "I wouldn't let Carlana come here today when I heard what you pla

"You came, the way you did that time to see if I'd killed Kadi. You are a true friend, Del."

"Yes," said Abel. "You'll learn quickly—you're sensitive—"

"No," said Del, "that's just it—I'm not sensitive. Rimon always could zlin further than I could. When I'm observing, I don't know what Rimon and Jord are talking about half the time, fields within fields. Maybe it takes that kind of supersensitivity to learn not to kill."

They settled around the Veritts' table, Mrs. Veritt soon producing tea and little biscuits. While Kadi ate, Abel toyed with his tea and shook his head. "No, God would not condemn some Simes to the kill and not others, so it can't be mere sensitivity. But perhaps sensitivity allowed Rimon and Jord to learn without a teacher."

Carlana gave a plate of biscuits to Owen and Jana and shooed them off to play. Abel was still thinking. "We must put our heads together, go over every piece of information we have—everything Rimon has ever done, or Kadi, or Willa. And the failures—yes, we must never make the same mistakes again."