Shadow of the giant

and the Nubian
leaders already knew that. But it was sufficient for Caliph Alai to save face.
In the end, Bean and Suriyawong spent their efforts returning prisoners and
protecting the convoys of non-Muslims who chose to leave their homes inside
Sudanese territory and find new homes in their new nation.
    In the aftermath of this clear victory, the FPE was so
wildly popular in black Africa that nation after nation petitioned to hold a
plebiscite. Felix Starman informed most of them that they had to reform their
internal government first, providing human rights and elections. But the
plebiscites in the democracies of South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Uganda, and
Burundi proceeded immediately, and it was clear that the Free People of Earth
had real existence as an intercontinental state with convincing military power
and resolute leadership. As Colombia now accepted the borders of Runa and
petitioned to become part of the FPE, it seemed inevitable now that all of
Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa would be part of the FPE, and sooner
rather than later.
    There was movement elsewhere, too. Belgium, Bulgaria,
Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia began to plan for their own plebiscites, as did
the Philippines, Fiji, and most of the tiny island nations of the Pacific.
    And of course the FPE capitals were flooded with pleas from
minorities that wanted the FPE to grant them nationhood. Most of these had to
be ignored. For now.
     
     
    On the day that Sudan—under enormous pressure from Caliph
Alai— recognized both Nubia and the FPE, Peter was surprised to see his office
door open and his parents come in.
    "What's wrong?" Peter asked.
    "Nothing's wrong," said Mother.
    "We came to tell you," said Father, "that
we're very proud of you."
    Peter shook his head. "It's only the first step on a
long road. We don't have twenty percent of the world's population yet. And it
will take time to integrate these new nations into the FPE."
    "First step on the right road," said Father.
    "A year ago, if somebody had put up a list of these
nations," said Mother, "and said that they would ever unite into one
coherent nation under a single Constitution, and surrender command of their
armed forces to the Hegemon... is there anyone who would not have
laughed?"
    "It's all thanks to Alai and Virlomi," said Peter.
"The atrocities committed by the Muslims in India, and the publicity
Virlomi gave those actions, combined with all the recent wars..."
    "Terrified everybody," said Father. "But the
nations joining the FPE are not the ones that were most afraid. No, Peter, it
was your Constitution. It was you—your achievements in the past, the promises
you were making for the future..."
    "It was the Battle Schoolers," said Peter.
"Without Bean's reputation—"
    "So you used the tools you had," said Mother.
"Lincoln had Grant. Churchill had Montgomery. It's part of their greatness
that they weren't so jealous of their generals that they had to depose
them."
    "So you won't let me talk you out of this," said
Peter.
    "Your place in history was already assured by your work
as Locke, before you ever became Hegemon," said Father. "But today,
Peter, you became a great man."
    They stood in the doorway for long moment.
    "Well, that's what we came to say," said Mother.
    "Thanks," said Peter.
    They left, pulling the door closed behind them.
    Peter went back to the papers on his desk.
    And then discovered that he couldn't see them because of the
tears blurring his eyes.
    He sat up and found himself gasping. No, sobbing.
Quietly—but his body was wracked with sobs as if he had just been relieved of a
terrible burden. As if he had just learned that his terminal disease had
spontaneously healed itself. As if he had just had a long-lost child returned
to him.
    Not once in that whole conversation had anybody said the
name "Ender" or referred to him in any way.
    It was a full five minutes before Peter got control of
himself. He had to get up and wash his face in the tiny bathroom in his office
before he could get back to work.
     
     
    16
     
    JEESH
     
     
    From: Weaver%[email protected]
    To: PeterWiggin%[email protected]
    Re: Conversation
     
    I have never met you, but I admire your achievements. Come
visit me.
     
    From: PeterWiggin%[email protected]
    To: Weaver%[email protected]
    Re: Meeting
     
    I also admire your achievements.
     
    I will happily provide safe transportation for you to the
FPE or any other site outside of India. While it is still