Independence Day: Crucible (The Official Prequel) by Greg Keyes Read Free Book Online

well, with several decorations Dikembe did not recognize. He continued his speech for a few more moments, then put his arm around Dikembe’s shoulder and walked with him toward the house.
    “I had almost despaired of you, boy,” he said softly, “but now I see you understand at last where your true loyalties lie. It is good you have returned.”
    “Thank you, Papa,” he said. “It is good to be back.”
    “Let’s have some breakfast, and you can tell me of your journey.”
    The morning meal felt more like a debriefing. The only women present were the serving girls—even his mother was excluded. His spirits rose when he saw his childhood friend Zuberi across the table and he was bemused to see he had somehow risen to the rank of colonel in the few years Dikembe had been gone.
    When he was finished relating the somewhat expurgated tale of his return, his father began rambling about the war with the aliens. It wasn’t anything he hadn’t learned from Bakari, although the slant of it was quite different, much more optimistic in tone.
    After breakfast broke up, Zuberi came over and clasped hands with him.
    “Dikembe, old man,” he said. “Trust you to run toward the fire, rather than away from it.”
    “Had I known there was a fire here, I might not have been so hasty,” he replied.
    “Well, it’s good to have you back,” Zuberi said.
    “How is Eshe? The kids?”
    “They are well,” Zuberi said soberly. “The reason I fight, my friend.”
    “I can think of no better motivation,” Dikembe said. “We need to catch up, old friend—but I haven’t seen my mother yet.”
    “I understand,” Zuberi said. “Soon, though.”
    * * *
    He met his mother on the veranda. It was raining, and water was pouring in sheets from the eaves. A small, round-faced woman, she was sitting next to a table, a cup of tea in front of her.
    “It’s good to see you, Mama,” he said.
    She rose and embraced him.
    “I didn’t think I would see you again,” she said. “The signs were all against it.”
    “Well, I’m glad to say the signs were wrong,” he replied.
    He saw she was weeping, and took her hand.
    “What’s wrong, Mama?” he asked.
    “I wish you had not come home,” she said.
    “Why?” he asked, surprised.
    “Because I fear you have only come here to die.”
    * * *
    The next day, his father summoned him to his office, which had largely been furnished by taxidermists. As a younger man, Upanga Umbutu had been fiercely proud of his hunting prowess. Growing up, Dikembe and Bakari had often accompanied him, but Dikembe had never felt particularly proud of the pursuit. The animals were always at such a disadvantage, it hardly seemed fair, but he had loved being with his father, and valued the memories of their time on the trail and in camp.
    “Dikembe,” his father said. “I am considering what rank to begin you at.”
    “What?” Dikembe said. “Father, I am of course willing to fight, but I need not have any rank.”
    “You’re an Umbutu,” his father insisted. “You’re my son. It will not do for you to possess no rank in the national army.”
    “National army?” Dikembe said. “What do you mean?”
    “The army of the Republique Nationale d’Umbutu.”
    For a moment, Dikembe was at a loss for words.
    “Father,” he finally said. “There is no such country. This is a province.”
    His father’s chin lifted a little from his chest.
    “Son, at the moment there is no government other than what you see sitting in this chair. One day, hopefully, that will change. Until then, we must defend ourselves.”
    “Against the aliens, you mean,” Dikembe said.
    “Against everyone,” he said. “In times like this, there are those who will take advantage. I will not let them.”
    “Bakari said you had been offered aid against the aliens,” Dikembe said carefully.
    “Aid,” his father replied dryly. “Aid in the form of foreign troops. Planes in our airspace—and who is to say that when the war is