The Council of Hhearn Trilogy Box Set

by P F Walsh

  Bloodhunters were small transparent devices that flew and hunted the Geo location of the pocketcom of its target. Launched near where the target is likely to be, it will circle until it finds its target and attack, aiming for the warm body mass. Upon contact, it would fire a long needle into the body and inject a neurotoxin that would kill within minutes after paralyzing the subject. It was a nasty device from one of the outworlds. Once injection was accomplished, the Bloodhunter self-destructed the chip inside and no history could be recovered. This one, damaged, was still buzzing and had not fired its injector. He opened his case, took out the files and scooped the Bloodhunter into his case, closed it and locked it. He immediately headed for the Lab, now wide awake from an assassination attempt. He wondered how many people knew what his private pocketcom number was, and likely, what he was working on, would there be a clue in the Bloodhunter’s chip?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Book One

  Beztl-Tor relaxed in a private room as two female masseuses worked on his broad back with deep muscle massaging. He was in his favorite massage café, in the seamier part of the city where he could enjoy his pleasures including ingesting substances that were outlawed. He could also meet with other like persons, without anyone raising an eyebrow. His tips were the largest of any patron, and they were spread across all the people who ran the café, waited on tables, masseuses, and the doorman.

  They all knew who the money was coming from, and made sure Beztl-Tor was never interrupted. Especially being surprised by a visit from the rules enforcement foot patrol which skimmed the neighborhood, never really looking too closely so as to avoid conflict. Spontaneous arrests were seldom, but regularly scheduled ones were the rule, mostly persons set up to be apprehended, and then bailed out within an hour. This kept the local enforcement supervisor’s arrest percentage in an acceptable level. If Doris had looked at all this, she would have just nodded her head. Nothing new there.

  Suddenly, both masseuses stopped massaging him and slipped out the service door. Beztl-Tor knew he had a visitor that was one of his most important contacts to be recognized and allowed to come into the massage room.

  Without looking up Beztl-Tor said.

  “What do you want?”

  Kastm’n the Elder, diplomat at large for the Zakar Empire replied simply, “Blood.” Beztl-Tor lifted up one side and looked at him,

  “Well, you can’t have mine. Why, and who, are you on the hunt for?”

  “I want the blood of the Captain of the Seeker that killed my clan brother. I should include you too, since you assured us the attack on the Seeker would go smoothly, just like the first one.”

  Beztl-Tor spat back,

  “You know all such attacks are open to surprises and unwelcome outcomes. That was one of those. Your clan brother was not up to the challenge. But, be patient, soon Captain Flynn will leave after the Council vote to return to his planet, and you will get another chance. Be better prepared next time. I will let you know when he is preparing to leave. Make sure whatever you do is well outside our solar system boundaries.” He went on,

  “Just to show you how magnanimous I am to my friends and associates,” Beztl-Tor said, “tomorrow, I will transfer to your account, the one million kalt I funded for the unsuccessful attack, but get this next one right.” Beztl-Tor rolled back onto his stomach and waited for the masseuses to come back. The conversation was over. After the Zakarian left, Beztl-Tor angrily reminded himself,

  “My bid to build the frame of the replacement for the destroyed Seeker ship is stuck in the Finance Committee, but two lost Seekers would have ramped up the pressure to start construction. Damn that Captain Flynn, I hope the Zakarian follows through.”

  Sean, Doris and Nasht-Mer spent the afternoon together going over the upcoming presentation that night. They discussed the details of what Sean planned to do, what Nasht-Mer could help with, as well as what to anticipate that could upset this critical evening. While Sean was talking, she was assembling in her mind some attendees that she would attach very special and intense monitoring to because, those were persons she had long suspected had dark dealings. After she set that thought aside, she returned her attention to Sean as he said,

  “I’ve asked Allister to set up a table with generous samples of our world’s most popular liquors and whiskeys for the attendees to try. We brought with us a sizable store of pleasurable items.”

  Nasht-Mer replied that would be an excellent idea. He had planned this earlier and Allister already had the list of what he wanted offered. He knew Allister had been listening and was already sending drones to arrange it all. Sean and Doris left Nasht-Mer around three PM Earth time so each would have adequate time to shower and dress for the evening’s presentation.

  As Sean and Doris walked back to the ship, Sean turned to Doris,

  “You OK? You haven’t said more than three words in the last hour.”

  “I’m good, this is your show Sean. As you might suspect, diplomacy is not my strong suit. I will just play the scary security guard and glower at everybody. By the way, will there be food?” She asked with a smile. Sean knew when Doris started talking about food, all was well.

  The reception was a full State affair with around two hundred and fifty attendees, many interested in meeting Sean and Doris, and more who showed up for the networking and refreshments. All were attired in very formal garb, especially the ladies who each wore a plain floor length gown. Still, it was clear huge wealth was present in the Upper Lounge besides the ruling members of the Council and their Mates. All of the event this night was being broadcast on world-wide vid and well as being sent to all the member planets. The cameras were scattered around the room, three in the Main Dining Room, and three more in the Auditorium. Allister insisted that the broadcast team run their own connecting cable into the ship, flatly refusing the request to merely connect to the ship’s network. Both Sean and Allister felt that was too much of an opportunity for hacking into the ship’s systems, and planting sleeper code. Thus, there was no electrical connection between the ship, the broadcast team and their equipment.

  Sean could see all the camera placements provided complete coverage of the Lounge as well. Earlier, he had received assurances from the Diplomatic Security Team that every camera operator and support team was vetted and cleared as trustworthy. He could see every one of them wore a distinctive neck badge with a tracking chip as he had asked for. Allister would monitor those badges and flag anyone whom moved from their assigned task.

  As in the old Earth Imperial days, each person or couple was announced by a Diplomatic Page as they entered the Lounge. This allowed Sean to have an advanced knowledge of their names so as to greet them as he stood a dozen paces inside the lounge and directly in front of the entrance. Doris stood off to the side, but nearby. He greeted each one with personal thanks for coming and a sincere hope they would enjoy the evening. As soon as he heard the slightly louder announcement of:

  “The Director General of Interplanetary Affairs, Her Highness Duchess of Mer.”

  Sean directed his attention at the wide doorway smiling broadly as he watched Nasht-Mer make her entrance, allowing a slight pause in the doorway, as the announcement was read off. She was spectacular in a shimmering, strapless Dolce and Gabbana gown from Earth that hugged her body in a manner guaranteed to make every man in the room want her, and every woman in the room hate her. Her silver hair glistened with tiny sparklettes as she moved. She flashed a blazing smile at Sean and moved to greet him. All eyes were on her, and no one looked at the doorway when the Senior Councilor and his Mate were announced. Sean took her hand with a slight bow, and kissed It, causing several ladies watching nearby to reflexively, and a bit audibly, take a sudden inhale of breath.

  Everyone could see the extra-long Earth table with servers next to what the Ship normally had for a bar. That table was covered with glasses and various bottles of Earth’s liquors and whiskeys, along with multiple, large bowls of Potato Chips. Over the table was a si
gn that read in Shrep, “Earth Pleasures.” Sean wondered at Allister’s contribution to that display, and how at times, he seemed much more that an AI. The crowd around that table got thicker and thicker and soon there was a waiting line as the word spread through the Reception that the Earth spirits and snacks were unbelievably delicious.

  One Councilor who had been to that table three times came over to Sean and said,

  “Captain, I must compliment your planet for making the most delicious drinks and finger bites I have ever tasted.” He held up his drink that Sean recognized was Sean’s favorite, and said,

  “This is absolute treasure Sir,” he finished with a hand and arm flourish of grace. Sean thanked him for his compliment and with a hand motion for him to wait there, walked behind the table and took out a bottle of his favorite American Honey. He walked back to the Councilor and handed him the bottle saying,

  “I think Sir, you will find more of that in this bottle, for your pleasure, and my thanks for your kind compliment. However, you have not yet enjoyed dinner, that is coming shortly in the Main Dining Room” The Councilor glowed as he took the bottle and moved away with his mate.

  Sean looked over the room and was pleased to see a room full of happy faces and all chatting with others, no one in a hurry to leave. That was always a good sign for a party, and this one was important. Sean noticed over on the side of the Lounge was a frame that held four long, chrome bars. From time to time a man would come and strike each of the four bars, and always the same four notes. Each sounded to Sean like the familiar beginning of a well-known piece of Earth music. This was Hhearn’s limited contribution to music. It was sparse.

  “Nicely arranged by Nasht-Mer along with Allister.” He thought. He moved over to Doris as he watched.

  Doris quietly said,

  “The way the booze and the chips are going, it was really wise to bring plenty.” Sean turned to her,

  “Remember, you can’t eat just one chip.”

  Doris watched the whole thing, thoroughly amused at the show, and then turned and discovered a Security Officer standing next to her with his hand outstretched to meet her. She took it as he said,

  “Allow me to introduce myself, I am Maja-Ben a Security Officer in the service of the Director General. I was there when you arrived but did not get a chance to talk after the excitement was over. I must compliment you on your handling of the assault on your arrival. I have never seen one concluded so quickly without the least effort on your part, and your Captain appears fearless.”

  Doris, for a moment appeared flustered. She never received compliments, especially from a very handsome man in a striking black uniform. She was able to mutter a thank you, and was then drawn into a lively conversation on law enforcement about which she knew plenty, all the while keeping her eye on Sean and those around him, something noticed right away by the Officer she was with. She also discovered there were very few women in law enforcement on Hhearn, making her role as security for a starship Captain of extreme interest. That was enormously enhanced by her calm handling of the assault.

  The rest of the cocktail time in the Lounge went well, Sean was welcomed and complimented numerous times on bringing some excitement to Hhearn. Nasht-Mer was completely surrounded by dozens of ladies who wanted to know where, on the planet, did she get such a stunning gown? Nasht-Mer then began to tell them it was from The House of Dolce and Gabbana on Earth, and they will be seeing more like this at dinner and from two other designers called Valentino, and Dior. Some were speechless at how regal and lovely she looked, definitely not the usual Nasht-Mer they saw on the vid. The spirits and snacks he had set out on the table had been nearly exhausted by an hour’s end, and numerous requests were made for more of all of it.

  “That,“ he thought, ”really depends on the outcome of the application,” but tonight, he was feeling positive, while also realizing that booze and chips were not going to win Earth a membership. He extended his thanks to as many as he could speak to for attending the reception as the evening got closer to dinner seating. Sean was able to identify all the Councilors he had the occasion to meet. Each of them wore a gold medallion smaller than Sean’s in the shape of a planet surrounded by a row of tiny red gems set around the outside edge representing the Member planets.

  After an hour and one half, Sean announced to the room,

  “Dinner is now being served in the Main Dining Room. A Diplomatic page at the door you came in will lead you to the Dining room. Feel free to bring your drink with you. Tonight’s dinner offering will be from five regional sources of Earth food specialties. It will be buffet style, so you can sample each regional food style. There are hundreds of regional food styles on Earth and there is a robust tourist industry catering to those who love good food and luxurious accommodations. Tonight, is just a sample.” Sean paused then continued,

  “While you are dining, Volunteers from the Director General’s Office will model some Earth fashions from a few of our most famous Ladies fashion houses of design. On the other side of the Dining Room from the food counters, there will be three booths. One from each of the three fashion houses. These three can take orders for any gowns you see modeled, or shown in their portfolio. Once an order is taken for a specific gown this evening, no other orders for that gown will be accepted. All of this is but a sample of what Earth has to offer as a member.” Sean paused and then concluded,

  “After dinner, to complete our evening, we have arranged some special entertainment for you. I think you will enjoy it. I will give you all a thirty-minute alert before we go to the Auditorium.”

  The rising enthusiastic buzz among the attendees was from very excited and happy faces. Nothing like this had occurred in anyone’s memory, and the uniqueness of it all was captivating everyone in the room except Tamn-Kar the Senior Councilman, and Beztl-Tor the industrialist. Each was trying to convince their mate and escort that all this was nonsense and lies. No one else in the room was supporting that meme. While they were not sitting near each other, both men realized that serious inducements were successfully being made by Earth for membership. It was, at least for tonight, out of their control, and neither one was comfortable with that. Their minds were filled with anger and hate while being forced to maintain a pleasant face with smiles for the cameras.

  The guests filed into the Dining room which was elegantly set with white table cloths at tables for ten. Each table had a bouquet of local flowers and four long lasting taper candles that were all lit. The room lights had been dimmed and the crystal glassware sparkled from the candlelight as the guests chose tables, and dinner companions.

  Sean who had led the guests into the dining room with the Diplomatic page, went to the far end of the room where there was a microphone set up and announced, again through his translator,

  “Welcome to the Seeker’s formal Dining Room. Once you have chosen a seat and table, you may proceed to the food counters on your left. There are various entre’ choices in four types of regional food. You may choose to sample all and return for your favorite or any combination that pleases you.”

  “As you return to your table with your plates, a Food service volunteer will come around with a small cart containing several of Earth’s finest dinner wines. The Server will inquire as to the preferences of your palate regarding sweet versus dry, and make a choice for you to try. There is no limit on taste testing.”

  After making that announcement, Sean joined Nasht-Mer as she walked along the counters taking in the fragrances of each style of Earth cooking. All of them smelled irresistible and after she picked up a plate, she chose Italian, recalling her experience with the dinner she had on the Seeker with Sean.

  “Good choice Director,” he whispered into her ear, “that’s two of my favorites!” as she ladled some Tortellini and a piece of Lasagna onto her plate. The food containers each had a sign over their section identifying the regional area the food was native to, and a brief description of its ingredients, all written in Shrep. There was Itali
an, Chinese, French, and Classic American. The guests all began to load up their plates and return to their table eager to try the food that smelled so very good. The Dining Room was filled with the fragrance of fine foods.

  “Allister has outdone himself with this food preparation.” He thought. He knew the ship was equipped with dozens of food synthesizers so his concerns of having it all set out hot and fresh, were uncalled for. There was a steady stream of guests moving back and forth from the counters with new or repeat selections.

  Sean got up from his chair and moved back to the microphone and announced, “I would like to suggest to all my guests that you save a bit of room to enjoy the creations of Earth’s finest pastry sweets to end your meal. Those are being unveiled behind me.” And he went back to his table with Nasht-Mer who had not yet had any of Earth’s pastries. She had a very eager look on her face as she decided to stop eating and save what little room she had left. He said to her,

  “Try the banana creme pie.” as she rose from the table to be the first to go to the desserts which all had a little Shrep sign identifying what they were.

  While they were eating, volunteers from the Director General’s Offices were modeling gowns from the three houses of fashion that Sean had brought back with him. The Hhearn ladies frequently stopped eating to look at the gowns as the models passed by their table. Some put down their fork, got up and rushed over to the designer booth to order that gown. There was a small frenzy as each new gown came out to be modeled. Every single modeled gown was sold. Sean waited a bit as the guests sampled their dessert and returned to the microphone.