“Chapter 2
Seeing the Future

Bean looked at his three children and it was only with effort that he concealed the depth of his grief and fear for them. He had known it was only a matter of time, and while he was relieved that Ender had finally woken out of his long pacifist slumber to end Sergeant’s domination, he knew that they had only set the scene for conflict to come. What will happen when I’m gone? thought Bean.

Petra, I have botched this completely, but I don’t know how I could have done it better. They’ve had too much freedom, but I couldn’t chase them through corridors where my body no longer fit.

“Andrew,” said Bean, “I appreciate your loyalty to me, and the fact that you repeated all conversations verbatim, including the incredibly stupid and dangerous things you said.”

Bean watched as Ender blushed a little — not from embarrassment, but from anger. He also saw how Carlotta looked a little relieved, and Cincinnatus — Bean had always hated the nickname “Sergeant” — got a sudden look of triumphant hope. These children had no idea how transparent they were to him. Learning to read other people took time, no matter how clever a child might be.

Though they might be better at it than Bean supposed. What if they knew exactly what emotions they were showing now, and let them show deliberately?

Petra, you got the easier bargain. I never thought how challenging it would be, raising children who were so grimly determined to survive — however they chose to define that — and so preternaturally good at acquiring the skills to do it.

I must have been just a little terrifying myself at that age, if anyone had cared to notice. If Achilles had understood me only a little better, he would have killed me and not Poke. But Achilles was insane, and killed out of need rather than policy.

Ender had the self-control not to plead his case, despite the criticism, nor to try to build more of a case against the others. Instead he stood patiently, despite that slight blush, which was already fading.”

Remember, the official release date of Shadows in Flight is January 17, 2012 but you might expect it at your local bookstore as soon as November 28, 2011! How is everyone liking the new short novel? Remember, if you have any Ender’s Game related news send it to us!