The Swarm (64 page)
Authors: Orson Scott Card
“He'll be insufferable now,” said a voice.
Mazer turned to see Colonel Li.
“You must be proud of him,” said Mazer.
“Hardly. He nearly blew himself to bits. He's no good to us dead.”
No good to
you
, you mean, Mazer thought.
“He respects you more than you know,” said Li.
“We've been through some harrowing experiences together,” said Mazer. “Far too much for a kid his age.”
“You still see him as a child then?” said Li.
“You don't?”
“What is a child but an adult with less experience. Bingwen has had the experience. I think that makes him more of an adult than most people.”
Mazer nodded. “Maybe you're right.”
“Not all children are our future, Captain Rackham. Some of them are our present.”
He moved on without saying another word.
On the screen, the marines in the Battle Room had formed a line and were each presenting themselves to Bingwen to give him a formal salute. It was a long procession and would take a while.
Mazer paused to tap at his wrist pad and check his e-mails. There was one from Imala. He read it quickly, eager for an update. Pregnant. And with the baby at risk. Where was she? What mission had they given her?
He would get word to the Vandalorum. The message would be waiting. Victor's suit had saved Bingwen. It was the least Mazer could do.
Imala. Pregnant.
Mazer's mind went to Kim then. She was in New Zealand now. Not pregnant. Not growing a child. Which meant she would feel alone. I am coming, Kim. No alien army or jackass vice admiral or Hive Queen or Hive Queen's daughter is going to stop me. We will have our little Pai Mahutanga and our little Pahu Rangi and maybe a few others besides. And I will sing to you a calming song every time you ask.
Â
First and foremost, we would like to thank the army of talented people at Tor who made this book possible, particularly our editor, Beth Meacham, whose support never wavered and whose counsel was always wise. Thanks also goes to Professor Ryan Julian at the University of California, Riverside, for helping us solve a particularly difficult chemistry conundrum. Many thanks goes to Emily Rankin for her careful reading of the manuscript and for suggesting refinements that greatly improved the novel. We owe a great debt of gratitude also to Cyndie Swindlehurst for catching errors you will thankfully never see. Thanks also to the retired and active military officers and specialists who allowed us to interview them for this novel, namely Andy Johnson, Ben Shaha, Tracy Mann, and my dad and hero, David Johnston. Jeanine Plummer gets our thanks as well, for opening her home and allowing some of the book to be written there.
Of course, none of this would be possible if not for our loving wives, Kristine Card and Lauren Johnston. They are our first readers and our wisest counselors. Without their support, faith, and encouragement this book would not exist. Family, dear reader. That is the engine and fuel of life. And oh what a ride.
Â
By
Orson Scott Card
from Tom Doherty Associates
ENDER UNIVERSE
Ender Series
Ender's Shadow Series
The First Formic War (with Aaron Johnston)
The Second Formic War (with Aaron Johnston)
Ender Novellas
THE MITHERMAGES
THE TALES OF ALVIN MAKER
HOMECOMING
WOMEN OF GENESIS
THE COLLECTED SHORT FICTION OF ORSON SCOTT CARD
Maps in a Mirror:
The Short Fiction of Orson Scott Card
STAND-ALONE FICTION
Invasive Procedures
(with Aaron Johnston)
Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus
Â
Orson Scott Card
is the author is the international bestsellers
Shadow of the Giant, Shadow Puppets, Shadow of the Hegemon,
and
Ender's Shadow,
and of
Ender's Game,
the beloved classic of science fiction, as well as the acclaimed fantasy series the Tales of Alvin Maker. He lives in Greensboro, North Carolina. You can sign up for email updates
here
.
    
Aaron Johnston
is the coauthor of the bestselling novels
Earth
Unaware,
Earth Afire,
and
Earth Awakens
. He was also an associate producer on the movie
Ender's Game,
wherein he makes an appearance as an officer of the International Fleet. Blink and you'll miss him. He and his wife are the parents of four children. You can sign up for email updates
here
.
Â
Thank you for buying this
Tom Doherty Associates ebook.
Â
To receive special offers, bonus content,
and info on new releases and other great reads,
sign up for our newsletters.
Â
Or visit us online at
us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup
Â
For email updates on Orson Scott Card, click
here
.
For email updates on Aaron Johnston, click
here
.
Â
CONTENTS