The three-person team emerged from the cave hours after the last skirmish, finding the sky lightening towards the east, the sun giving advance warning of its intent to reclaim dominance in the southwest Asia area, at least for the balance of the day.

Chekresu hovered just off the narrow trail that led to the cave, the back of the craft to the trail. A wide ramp led down to the trail, allowing easy access for supplies as well as for medical needs. Ronnie and Elsrensia were off the craft, with Elsren tending to those injured or otherwise in need of medical attention.

Another Arrhazonan craft had long since departed with Mohammed Omar, the leader now in Arrhazonan custody aboard AISV llhaesa ahrella t’yaeli, at least until the Arrkarharan world determined exactly what it wished to do with him.

Addison wandered to the left as she emerged, choosing to sit upon a rock just to the side of the cave opening, her mind lost deep in thought as her vision focused vaguely in the brightening distance, her expression a melded form of satisfaction, exhaustion, and reflection.

“Mind if I join you, dear daughter?” Ronnie asked, somewhat startling Addie, her request meeting with a simple nod, her daughter patting the rock to her right, signalling for Ronnie to sit down alongside her.

Addison continued staring off towards the next mountain, not that far away from their location in the rugged terrain between Afghanistan and Pakistan. “Addie,” Ronnie began after waiting a minute to acclimate to Addie’s mood. “I understand your performance was exemplary, your contribution invaluable.

I wish you to know that…I was wrong.”

Caught be surprise by her mother’s comment, Addison shifted her thoughts, turning her head towards Ronnie. “Wrong about what, mother?”

“I was wrong to oppose your involvement. You are a woman now, not a child. You grew up right before my eyes, but apparently, I was not looking. At the very least, I was not processing the obvious.

When the three of you left Chekresu last night, I closed the door behind you and cried. I leaned back against the door and cried, Addison. It was a deeply emotional moment, and it was so because I thought this all wrong for you.

I wish you to know this, and wish you to know what a fool I was not to see my daughter as she is, for who you have become, instead of clinging to the collective compilation of memories of you in childhood.”

In times past, Addison might have cried in that moment, she might have placed her head upon her mum, sought out her comfort, her ability to make her world right. Addison yearned in a way for this, but right now, she preferred to follow another path. Something new came first this time.

“Mum, you didn’t make a mistake, and you were not wrong. You have a right, and I expect you to do this, to speak up and share your concerns, your views. Being an adult does not mean concerns vanish, that I need no longer hear them. It means that the final say with what happens with me rests with me now. That is the only difference.

Please know I expect you to express your viewpoint, always. In turn, I hope that you value what I might offer for opinion as well.” Addison leaned her head upon Ronnie’s shoulder now, a hand reaching out for her mother’s nearest arm. She paused for a moment, even as Ronnie reached out and placed her free hand on Addison.

Addie gave an affectionate squeeze with her hand, resuming sharing what scrolled through her mind. “They were not easy, the events of overnight. I had to fight, and I had to inflict hurt; fortunately, I did not have to kill.”

“Llhaesa told me two died and six were wounded in the fighting, including Mohammed Omar, whom you finished off.”

“I did what I had to do.”

“I have seen the recording made by the remote devices, Addison. What you did in that instant was…astounding. It was astounding in assessing and evaluation, astounding in deciding to act, in its decisiveness, and in execution.

As I watched, the emotion that welled up inside of me, well, I am not ashamed to say I jumped up and cheered for you, cheered with you, I felt with you in spirit.

You put an end to things, and maybe, just maybe, saved Jahrae from harm. You…are your mother’s daughter, and I mean that in the sense of the four of us collectively.

There is more, Addie, but…I will let Jahrae share it with you, later.”

“Share what?” Jahrae asked, approaching her seated co-parent and daughter.

“Addison and I were discussing how wrong I was to oppose her participation, how she is an adult to us now. We also talked on what happened overnight. And just now, I mentioned there is something you might wish to share with her, a bit of news.”

Jahrae caught her meaning, a smile pulling over her face. “There is news, Ronnie, although I don’t think a smooch from me and Chief of Government Gl’nsiel is all that big a deal, do you?”

Addison looked up, her eyes wide, telegraphing curiosity. “Smooched by the Chief of Government, what on earth for?” she wondered aloud.

“What of me? My kisses do not count?” Jahrae teased, prolonging the play, delaying the answer.

“I value you kissing me, mum J’har, but you parents do that all the time. Why does the CoG wish to do this?”

“Well, she usually does – actually we both do – when someone is awarded the Choice of Jahrae.”

A look of shocked surprise pulled over Addison’s face, her mind realising the implication of the words just spoken, that she was to receive the highest honour awarded by the Arrhazonan world.

“No way!” Addie exclaimed, her smile betraying her pride.

“Yes, it is true, Addison, and so I suggest you brush up on your speechmaking, not that that is a problem in this family,” Jahrae confirmed.

“Not long ago, I probably would run now,” Addie reflected on the changed circumstance. “I put some distance between message and event on one hand, and facing the results on the other. Now, I am honoured, especially given for whom the citation is named, mother.”

“Addison, thank you,” Jahrae replied, touched not only by her daughter’s words, but also by something more. “Not just for your words. What you did in there,” Jahrae began explaining, nodding towards the cave entrance, “was brilliant, and I have not yet had a chance to express my appreciation in a way I would like.

I drew Omar out, because we wished him hostage, not dead. Instead of allowing that skirmish to continue, you acted when you saw clear opportunity, and you made it work. One cannot teach such evaluative and decisive judgement.”

“Mum, how do you know when to act in a way that is lethal? I am not at all certain I could go that far. Would that have put you at risk?”

“Addison, none of us wish to kill, in fact you know we collectively hate it. Yet when I see a situation before me where one of my family in this case or of my team in a generic sense faced a threat that included the possibility of death, I act.

With both deaths, one caused by me, one by mum ‘essa, we both were out of reach of the assailant, and both imminently threatened, one llhaesa and I, the other threatening you.

In that situation, out of reach, death possible, you would know to act. Please do not question yourself, it is unnecessary, especially in view of the courage you showed in hand-to-hand fighting. Addie, that is the hardest element for people, the hand-to-hand skirmishes, yet you performed brilliantly.

I like that you are reluctant; do not try to overcome that reluctance, we always need to carry it within us.”

“You all have such a great way of viewing the world, it makes so much sense, it feels so right,” Addison praised, feeling better for this conversation.

With the air warming, Ronnie noticed sweat forming on her daughter’s face, and so she reached over and pulled off the black skullcap that still covered her hair, Addie’s hair pacified by the dreadlocks, preventing a wholesale hair rebellion. “I do not believe you need this on any longer, my dear. Let’s see that lively dreadlocked head of Addison hair!”

“Thanks mum, I guess I should change out of this clothing, but I’m not ready to move as yet. I like chatting with you.”

Llhaesa approached, her cap also removed, hair flowing freely. “Word is out, folks,” she casually remarked. “Networks now have the story of Jahrae as captive, of her rescue, and of the capture of Omar. Oh, there is one other little detail. They also know that Addison is the one who took out and captured him, and they are running the video footage we provided to governments. What they show again and again is Addison disabling him.”

“Oh, no!” Addison groaned.

“The producers of the movie love you, Addie. You keep increasing their profits before the movie ever releases!” Ronnie observed in humour, though the statement was likely factual.

“No worries there mum. I will keep acting and my responsibilities in life separate. As a part of this family, I feel a total commitment to all the lot of us stand for.”

“There is still more,” llhaesa casually tossed out to the group.

“More?” Jahrae asked, trying to prompt an explanation.

“Yes. It seems several regional governments, those heretofore with poor records on women’s rights, at this moment have streets filling with women who, having watched some of the footage released of the rescue, demand equal rights.

Three governments pledged to implement new laws proclaiming gender equality.

Addison, you triggered their reaction. They saw what you did. Yes, they saw what we all did here, but you, a 17 year old, you who, after Jahrae called out Omar, after he proved deceitful in the match with J’har, took him out, calmly and audibly declaring your equality as you walked away.

That footage repeats over and over on media.”

“Mum, I fear for the women in the streets. Are they in danger?” Addie wondered.

“Good point and question,” Jahrae replied. “There is always danger when people run up against despots, but the greater good comes into play. I prepared to give my life, as did llhaesa, during the time leading to and through the revolution on Arrhazon.

I do not wish to see people die, and somehow, I think what happened here made it just a little safer for them, to be honest. You, all of us… did wonderfully.”

“Addie,” llhaesa began, “we have not had a chance to discuss what happened when we were apart. I could sense you take out two, but without seeing the video that others have seen, I am curious to know what you did leading to strike at both.”

“One had his back to me as you took out the attacker, apparently unaware of my presence. I was sheltered and pounced. He went down easily.

The second saw me, but could not raise his weapon all the way to fire. I helped him raise it; he lost a few teeth from the weapon, he probably felt like losing his lunch next, because I struck him in his gut before the weapon even hit the ground, finishing with a strike upward with my foot. That probably cost a few more teeth.

I was pretty fired up at that point.”

“Mum ‘essa told me right then, after she explained you taking out two more, that you could take on a tiger and win,” Jahrae smiled, sharing the remark made at the time.

“I felt like I could, mum J’har,” Addie agreed, a bright smile on her face.

Elsrensia walked up and indicated all the wounded were treated and evacuated. “Shall we get out of here?” she asked, knowing all would agree.

Afghani troops approached on foot, ready to take over the cave area, wishing to study it and look for information left behind by the Taliban.

The family climbed aboard Chekresu, while llhaesa took to piloting. She, as with the others, felt tired but playful, and so llhaesa took off as if following the path of a corkscrew, heading upward, the inner force dampener preventing anyone from feeling the spiralling effect and getting sick. The only clue was the circular movement of clouds outside their clearsteel viewscreen to their front.

Llhaesa performed a few more aerobatics before heading off for the AISV. Upon arrival, the family decided to tend to personal hygiene and sleep, agreeing to gather later that day.

Each of those involved showered and took to their beds, sleeping a solid eight hours before the first of them woke in early afternoon. As usual, llhaesa was first up, dealing with her restlessness by making an early afternoon breakfast of apple and cheese crepes.

Anticipating demand, she made enough to feed those sleeping in their suite and a good deal more. The sweet aroma of baked apple and melting cheese was ill content to remain confined to the kitchen area, and soon the lagging sleepers meandered into the kitchen, following the call of their noses.

“Damn but those smell good, ‘essa,” Jahrae remarked. “Do you mind if I try one? I am famished!”

“Of course, silly, please do. I made enough for an army.”

“Ugh, no army talk.”

“Oh; sorry about that, J’har. I made enough for captives.”

Jahrae groaned over the bad pun, moving over and behind llhaesa and giving her an affectionate squeeze. “I love you, despite the awful pun. You make good crepes, so you have that as a good point.”

“Oh, are you making a list of good points and bad points?”

“No, I just assemble a list of your good points.”

“I am honoured, J’har, although the list will be short.”

“Nice try, no believe.”

“What smells good?” asked Addie, she and Serry making their way into the kitchen. As with their parents, both were in nightwear covered with a robe.

“Mum ‘essa decided to use smell to attract us out of bed, knowing we were all hungry. I suggest we start in eating it all, and make her work harder for the effort.”

Ronnie and Elsrensia arrived minutes later, they too digging into the homemade crepes, Elsrensia sampling the llhaesa specialty for the first time, while Ronnie was used to llhaesa making crepes, albeit as Tim.

Ronnie’s mobile rang off, the calling party identified as from the White House. “Ronnie here,” she answered, wondering what happened now.

“Yes, yes, I understand. Please give me time to discuss this with the family, and I will call back in a while.”

Ending the call, Ronnie shared its purpose. “We are desired in Washington. The President wishes to discuss the rescue and its aftermath with us. She specifically requested us four parents, but especially insists on Addison attending.”

“What about me?” Serry asked, disappointed.

“I am sorry, honey, but this is one time you will have to stay with your grandparents. This will be all business, at least for the most part. You would be bored.”

“Oh, all right. Do you think they will take me to the Arboretum?”

“Yes, I do think you can convince them to do that, Serry, if you ask really nicely,” Jahrae advised.

Within an hour, they notified the White House of their intent to attend, and with Jahrae piloting, landed there uneventfully; albeit a bit slower than if llhaesa was at the helm.

The five made their way to the Oval Office, settling upon oppositional-facing sofas, joined by President Ellenwood, Barbara Millwood, and Marcia Paang.

“Thank you for coming once again on short notice,” the President began. “I have watched the footage recorded by the Arrhazonan equipment, and I must say you are a group few would ever wish to tangle with.

Addison, for a 16 year old to do as you did – and yes, I recognise you are not all that far from 17 – is remarkable. Small wonder that you sat here three days ago, making your impressive case to include you on the rescue team.

In the process, you changed this world just a little bit more, Addie. I know your intent was to rescue your mum, but your dedication, your will to do what was right, to take part defending what you believe and whom you love, has struck at the hearts of people around the world.

Undoubtedly, by now you are aware of media reports. What other governments say to us in private is just as affirming, even more so. Governments, those with declarative leaders, move to institute equal rights, knowing the women in their streets today will not accept anything less. Those with legislatures will follow the legislative pathway to change.

The Taliban, with Omar disgraced, is a collapsing political movement. One of their next in line leaders now claims they never advocated against women’s rights.

Chief of Government Gl’nsiel sent along a message that you would receive Arrhazon’s highest honour, and well, I am not going to pile on here, but I agree with the sentiment behind that decision.

Addie, I asked all of you here to see if you would agree to do regular reports from Arrhazon, share your experiences as you discover half of your heritage. Yours is a generation of great hope, and you can be a voice for them, to all generations.

I am asking in order to avoid network squabbling over which one has access to what you send back in the reports. I would like it to be for everyone, worldwide.

The reports would share one world with another in a positive way, encouraging and inspiring.”

“Ms President,” Addison mused, “what happened in the cave was not completely positive. I fought, threw people down a mountain slope, knocked others unconscious, and intentionally broke Mohammed Omar’s arm.

I prefer to encourage change through non-violence, and it is a bit distressing that it is violence, that one my age engaging in violence, no matter the justification, should prove to be the catalyst that inspires a world.

What am I missing here?”

The President leaned back, drawing a breath. “You are astute, and you ask appropriate questions; I doubt anyone here is surprised by this.

It isn’t really the violence, Addie; it is taking action, doing something to defend what is right. You helped rescue your mother, taken hostage by an unscrupulous movement that works to oppress women as a key element of its advocacy and conduct.

You stood up against the Taliban; you treated them as insignificant, as powerless. Think of this another way. For many in that part of the world, they seemed almost all powerful, always near to do harm to someone in their family if they disapproved of some innocent little thing they happened to do – like a man shaving, or a woman who walked in town with her head uncovered.

You showed their power is intimidation, but that it is an illusion. If people stand up to them, they lose. You shattered their invincibility. That you did this by fighting them, well, people understand why you fought. That was not a school debate, they chained your mum in a cave, and you all did what you had to do to get her out of there safely.

This world saw a young woman do what she must to save her mother. When the Taliban tried to stop you, you had no choice but to act.

The world also knows you are non-violent at heart, Addison. They know that is true of your mothers as well, which is why in two years, we see remarkable change in our collective world outlook.

I would guess, if you were to ask your mothers, they would tell you there was a moment in time where circumstances called to them to embrace who they were, what called to them to do in life. You are on the side where a calling will beckon, and you will embrace your future, your place in life.

We already know, or at least see strong hints, that you are a future leader. In some ways, given what shows in our news media now, you already are, joining your parents.

You leave for two years, two years of exploring a wondrous heritage you have yet to see in person. I would love to see what you see, hear what you think, how you react and evaluate to what you witness, what you experience, the people you meet, the things you do.

Even though you will be away, you can still work for change here, because this world needs you, Addie, just as we need your parents. You can help us learn with you, help us continue to grow, and move toward the ideals set by your family.”

Rather than Addison answering, llhaesa jumped in. “Ultimately and unlike the decision for her inclusion on our rescue team, this decision is up to Addie.

That said, never again will any of us question or debate her inclusion. Speaking for Ronnie, Jahrae, and Elsrensia, our daughter earned her adulthood; she proved her ability, her maturity, and her judgement, to us. It is now a given, as it is one of us to another.

I try to picture visiting a new world, the world I left learning through me, with me; I do not know this experience. I arrived here thinking I was of this world, with memories created for me, my mind programmed with details of Arrkarhara.

This idea has merit, but it only has merit if its doer finds the wish to do within her soul. I do not fault anyone who finds it not something they wished to tackle, but if Addie wishes to do this, I support her choice.”

Jahrae, Ronnie, and Elsrensia nodded in agreement, while Addie merely smiled, replying, “I would love to do this, on the condition my reports would be exactly as you suggest: freely accessible by the world.”