Prodigy

Revelations

It was a short flight to Kathy’s house. Kate settled on being quiet during the flight. She didn’t really wish to watch holo-plays. There was so much she could tell Kathy that wouldn’t interfere with what she needed to tell her father. As the flier landed in the port Kate spoke.

“Could I play music for you instead. I don’t really want to watch anything. What is in my mind is better than what is in the plays,” she said.

“Of course, dear. I thought you’d want to relax,” Kathy said.

“I need to remember in a way I’ve never remembered. Music will bring it out in me.” Kate said.

Kathy led Kate into the ballroom in her house. It was large enough to host several hundred guests, but was tiny compared to the one in her own home. Her father could host up to seven thousand guests in the party wing of their estate. It was the stage that drew Kate’s attention. It had the chairs and instruments for a full orchestra, a set of drums, and a piano, not to mention the other instruments. The moment she entered the room, the piano struck the opening notes to Antre’s anthem. Then the images began.

***

Kathy wasn’t exactly surprised when the instruments started playing themselves. Adrian had videos of Kate moving stuff with her mind when she was very young. But when the trumpets sounded and the last salvo of the Great Civil War was fired…the hall became an immersive holo-play. Kate had said she wanted to remember and the history of Antre played out around them to a backdrop of not just the National Anthem, but also the battle hymns of the different branches.

Kate walked through the room, weaving among the players created from her own mind. She witnessed the signing of the five constitutions, watched the major battles unfold and the ages pass and Kathy watched her. It wasn’t just the display of supreme control of light and sound that Kate displayed. She understood the history of her nation on a level few children would grasp.

As Kate walked through the room, six other figures that did not go with the play formed around her slowly. As the huge man formed to her right, she thought it might be Adrian, until the heavy plate-mail and sword formed and a crown materialized on the man’s head. When they turned, the profile of the form showed it wasn’t a man, the face was still that of a boy despite the fact that he was well over two meters tall. Another youth sauntered to her left. This boy wore twin swords but also carried a primitive-looking rifle. While not nearly as large as the other boy, his grace made him much more intimidating.

Behind Kate and the two boys were four other figures, two males and two females. Only one looked to be in her late teens, but one was so alien it was hard to tell her age. At first Kate didn’t seem to notice the company, until she glanced to the side, then she stumbled and stopped and all images except the six vanished.

Kate looked at her, then glanced at each of her companions in turn. The large one spoke. “You are a daughter of Antre, as we are children of our own nations. There is no shame in recognizing who you are, but we are also one. You can’t ignore us forever.”

There was fear in Kate’s eyes and Kathy realized that Kate wanted to know if she saw these people.

Kathy walked up to them. Examining each in turn. “Kate, would you introduce your friends?” She asked.

“I don’t know that they are real, not really.” Kate stammered.

She reached towards the largest and he extended his hand. She took it…it was solid, and the grip was firm, but it didn’t have the heat of a live person. “I am Caligan of House Timora, rightful king of Kaytia.” He looked to the right and a fanciful city of spirals and sky-bridges formed. “I have watched you for years, you would make an excellent ally.”

The rest of the group introduced themselves. The boy to Kate’s left was Darson of Davram. The girl in the tactical suit was Epsilon. No other name was given. The alien was Fligure. He claimed he was the only member of his race. The final two were twins, Akiri and Akito. Each person had their own accent which was unlike any accent that she was familiar with. It was very unlikely that these people were simply Kate’s imagination.

***

“Kate”, Kathy called as her guest went to leave the room. It was late. They had discussed global politics until the early hours of the morning.

Kate turned.

“Thank you, I can’t explain what happened tonight, and I don’t understand this magua stuff, but I want to. Yes, I’m terrified, but not of you and your siblings. The world is simply much larger and darker than I imagined.” Kathy said. “Get some rest. It’s a big day tomorrow.”

Kate inclined her head. “It’s a start. You will never know what it means to me that you aren’t running scared.”

“Kate, Danika is a psychologist and sociologist. She could help you also. We will build a team and try to understand exactly what you are, but we will also keep your freedom.”

Kate nodded again, then turned and left the room.