Ender's Game

7

Salamander

'Isn't it nice to know that Ender can do the impossible?'

'The player's deaths have always been sickening. I've always thought the Giant's Drink was the most perverted part of the whole mind game, but going for the eye like that—this is the one we want to put in command of our fleets?'

'What matters is that he won the game that couldn't be won.'

'I suppose you'll move him now.'

'We were waiting to see how he handled the thing with Bernard. He handled it perfectly.'

'So as soon as he can cope with a situation, you move him to one he can't cope with. Doesn't he get any rest?'

'He'll have a month or two, maybe three, with his launch group. That's really quite a long time in a child's life.'

'Does it ever seem to you that these boys aren't children? I look at what they do, the way they talk, and they don't seem like little kids.'

'They're the most brilliant children in the world, each in his own way.'

'But shouldn't they still act like children? They aren't normal. They act like— history. Napoleon and Wellington. Caesar and Brutus.'

'We're trying to save the world, not heal the wounded heart. You're too compassionate.'

'General Levy has no pity for anyone. All the videos say so. But don't hurt this boy.'

'Are you joking?'

'I mean, don't hurt him more than you have to.'

*

Alai sat across from Ender at dinner. 'I finally figured out how you sent that message. Using Bernard's name.'

'Me?' asked Ender.

'Come on, who else? It sure wasn't Bernard. And Shen isn't too hot on the computer. And I know it wasn't me. Who else? Doesn't matter. I figured out how to fake a new student entry. You just created a student named Bernard-blank, B-E-R-N-A-R-D-space, so the computer didn't kick it out as a repeat of another student.'

'Sounds like that might work,' said Ender.

'OK, OK. It does work. But you did that practically on the first day.'

'Or somebody. Maybe Dap did it, to keep Bernard from getting too much control.'

'I found something else. I can't do it with your name.'

'Oh?'

'Anything with Ender in it gets kicked out. I can't get inside your files at all, either. You made your own security system.'

'Maybe.'

Alai grinned. 'I just got in and trashed somebody's files. He's right behind me on cracking the system. I need protection, Ender. I need your system.'

'If I give you my system, you'll know how I do it and you'll get in and trash me.'

'You say me?' Alai asked. 'I the sweetest friend you got!'

Ender laughed. 'I'll setup a system for you.'

'Now?'

'Can I finish eating?'

'You never finish eating.'

It was true. Ender's tray always had food on it after a meal. Ender looked at the plate and decided he was through. 'Let's go then.'

When they got to the barracks. Ender squatted down by his bed and said, 'Get your desk and bring it over here. I'll show you how.' But when Alai brought his desk to Ender's bed, Ender was just sitting there, his lockers still closed.

'What up?' asked Alai.

In answer Ender palmed his locker. 'Unauthorized Access Attempt,' it said. It didn't open.

'Somebody done a dance on your head, mama,' Alai said. 'Somebody eated your face.'

'You sure you want my security system now?' Ender got up and walked away from his bed.

'Ender,' said Alai.

Ender turned around. Alai was holding a little piece of paper.

'What is it?'

Alai looked up at him. 'Don't you know? This was on your bed. You must have sat on it.'

Ender took it from him.

ENDER WIGGIN

ASSIGNED SALAMANDER ARMY

COMMANDER BONZO MADRID

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

CODE GREEN GREEN BROWN

NO POSSESSIONS TRANSFERRED

'You're smart, Ender, but you don't do the battle-room any better than me.'

Ender shook his head. It was the stupidest thing he could think of, to promote him now. Nobody got promoted before they were eight years old. Ender wasn't even seven yet. And launches usually moved into the armies together, with most armies getting a new kid at the same time. There were no transfer slips on any of the other beds.

Just when things were finally coming together. Just when Bernard was getting along with everybody, even Ender. Just when Ender was beginning to make a real friend out of Alai. Just when his life was finally getting livable.

Ender reached down to pull Alai up from the bed.

'Salamander Army's in contention, anyway,' Alai said.

Ender was so angry at the unfairness of the transfer that tears were coming to his eyes. Mustn't cry, he told himself.

Alai saw the tears but had the grace not to say so. 'They're fartheads, Ender, they won't even let you take anything you own.'

Ender grinned and didn't cry after all. 'Think I should strip and go naked?'

Alai laughed, too.

On impulse Ender hugged him, tight, almost as if he were Valentine. He even thought of Valentine then and wanted to go home. 'I don't want to go,' he said.

Alai hugged him back. 'I understand them, Ender. You are the best of us. Maybe they're in a hurry to teach you everything.'

'They don't want to teach me everything,' Ender said. 'I wanted to learn what it was like to have a friend.'

Alai nodded soberly. 'Always my friend, always the best of my friends,' he said. Then he grinned. 'Go slice up the buggers.'

'Yeah.' Ender smiled back.

Alai suddenly kissed Ender on the cheek and whispered in his ear. 'Salaam.' Then, red faced, he turned away and walked to his own bed at the back of the barracks. Ender guessed that the kiss and the word were