by P F Walsh
“I hope we are not going to have another night like the last one, are we? I’ve already showered.”
“Definitely not Ma’am, definitely not.” he answered and closed the door after she got seated. The Secret service agent climbed into the passenger front seat and they left for the White House.
‘The Beast,’ the President’s limo was parked right under the portico so Millie had to walk a bit to get to the door. The Butler met her and brought her up to the residence floor. The President came out fumbling with his tie.
“Would you like a drink before we go?” He asked.
“No thank you, I’ll have some at the Embassy. Here let me do the tie.” She said and took the ends from him and proceeded to expertly tie it in a snap. The President walked over to a mirror and said,
“Excellent, this is better than the butler does it. Although he won’t be pleased to hear that. I could never get the hang of tying the darn things, and I refuse to use a clip on.” He put on his coat, took one last look in the mirror and said,
“Let’s go.” as he extended his bent arm.
In the limo, the President turned to Millie and said,
“This information I am about to tell you regarding the letter the other night is classified, so keep this to yourself, no sharing with family or friends, understand?” He asked as she nodded.
“We believe the letter was intended for me. You were as close as they could get. It was an anonymous tip that China is going to send a deadly virus to Taiwan. Our people say it will kill a lot of Taiwanese and spread quickly. They have lost ‘face’ since we stopped them from hijacking our new starships in orbit.”
“Hijacking? I’ve heard nothing about that.” Millie said.
“Of course not, we kept it quiet, but they lost a whole team trying to do it, and we think they are now preparing to strike out at someone to regain their self-image. How would you like to get even for the unpleasant night you spent the other day?”
The British Embassy in Washington was all lit up as guests arrived in an endless line of limousines. The President’s limo, of course, was surrounded by black SUV’s with flashing lights. An Embassy butler stood back as Secret Service Agents exited the Limo, and the front SUV, to allow the President to alight. He turned, and as a gentleman, extended his hand to assist Millie as she bunched up her gown to get out. Once out, she and the President stood there for a bit to allow a smattering of applause, and lots of camera flashes. Millie was wearing her blazing smile.
“Are you ready to step back onto British territory Millie” The President asked in a quiet voice.
“Ready when you are Mr. President.” She said and they went to greet the Prime Minster who was there to welcome them both. The Prime Minister extended his hand,
“Mr. President, Jeremy Saunders, very pleased to meet you and have you as a guest this evening.” He said cheerfully as he and the President shook hands while the cameras flashed. The President, after the photo op turned and brought Millie forward,
“Allow me to present Ms. Millie Griggs, one of your splendid citizens and an amazing worker of interplanetary miracles.” Millie almost blushing, offered her hand and the Prime Minister. momentarily surprised she was British, was not sure whether to shake it or to kiss it. He decided to kiss her hand,
“So glad to meet you Ms. Griggs, Interplanetary indeed? I can see I am in the company of extraordinary travelers; I want to hear more of your exploits as the evening progresses. Please come inside.” The group walked up the grand staircase to the Ballroom on the second floor. The crystal chandeliers sparkled and the clinking of glasses blended in with the small band that was playing softly. The room buzzed with chatter on who was that beautiful woman with the President? Did he now have a girlfriend after all those years of being a bachelor?
As soon as the President was drawn away for politicking, a group of. ladies surrounded her introducing themselves and trying to draw Millie out as to who she was. Millie was buying into none of it and was being as vague as possible and still be polite. A man came over and interrupted,
“Ms. Griggs allow me to introduce myself.” He said out of his translator. Millie knew immediately he was from Hhearn.
“I am Kevbit-Pak, Director General of Economic Development for the Council of Worlds. I wanted to meet you. I have heard so much about you from my friends back on Hhearn. They all say you are bringing so much enjoyment to Hhearn, and that Ball was most amazing. Thank you. I am so sorry I missed it, but I did watch the vid. Splendid!” He gushed as he held her hand gently.
“Director, it is a pleasure to meet you, and thank you. Keep in mind there will be another Ball just like that one next year. Make sure you’re back on Hhearn for that. The Senior Councilor’s Mate is the local Chairperson.” She said, as the ladies all stood there listening, amazed, and realizing that Millie had been on a starship to another planet and was known on an interplanetary basis.
“Oh my,” they all thought, “no wonder she is with the President. We must get her to come to our ladies’ meetings and share her stories. Tonight, is not going to be a dull as we expected. Ball? We need to find out about that for sure!”
The night went on as more people wanted to meet her once the buzz of who she was streaked around the room. No one in the room except her and the President had been on a starship to another planet light years away. They all wanted to know about it. Her and the President were the highlight of the night. Catching her alone as she was leaving the Ballroom for the lady’s room, the Prime Minister said,
“Ms. Griggs, you are a bit of excitement this evening here. You seem familiar, have we met back in England perhaps? “He asked.
“Perhaps once, sir. I believe it was you I threw a cabbage at during a political speech in a local square, it was you wasn’t it?” She jested.
“Of course, you were the lady in the red coat. You’ll have to work on your aim a bit though, you missed.” He joked back.
“See here, I would like a chance to hear more of your activities, perhaps lunch next week?” He asked. Millie was on her game,
“Wednesday is free at the moment but I reserve the right to adjust, there’s so much going on right now.” She said seriously.
“Of course, of course,” he said. “Let’s plan having lunch here shall we, there’s no waiting.” He smiled. Millie nodded graciously and went to the lady’s room. Once inside the stall, she broke out in laughter, she just dangled the Prime Minister, who she suspected, was seeking a listening post on the President.
“Well, there’ll be none of that, but lunch would be nice.” She thought still smiling. She left the stall and moved to the sinks to wash hands and primp. Her interest was taken by another elegant woman there with blond hair in a perfect French Twist and a stunning gown. She had to ask who made the gown and was told it was a Teri Jon by Ricki. When they were both satisfied with their appearances, Millie followed her out of the Ladies room, and as the lady moved into the crowd, Millie stopped another lady, and pointing, asked who that elegant lady was.
“That’s Lady Patricia, she has a small estate in England but lives here in the States.” Millie asked the lady if she would stand with her a bit and point out who was there since she was very new to Washington. One by one the lady pointed out the guests until she came to the Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations. The Local Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. had been banished, but the UN was a separate entity. China had instructed him to be in Washington in hopes or re-establishing relations. Once Millie heard who he was, at that point she said,
“Oh dear, that’s quite enough, I don’t think I can remember all of those. Let’s stop there, and thank you.” She said as she moved away to pick up another champagne flute, tipped it in a planter to empty half, and moved in the group until she was in front of the Chinese Ambassador.
“Oh, you must be the UN Ambassador from China!” She said, appearing to be the slightest level of tipsy as she sipped her glass. He bowed and introduced himself,
“I am Gui Ch
ou and I am very pleased to meet such a broadly traveled lady. Your interplanetary travels are well known. May I compliment you on your dress?” he said politely.
“Thank you, Mr. Chou, you didn’t notice my necklace, did you?” She said.
“Yes, of course I did it sparkles and makes the whole outfit perfectly put together.” As he bowed slightly again.
“It was a gift from my mother. Do you like gifts Mr. Chou?” She asked teetering ever so slightly to enhance her imitation of being tipsy.
“Gifts are one of life’s most enjoyable pleasures, both to give and to receive.” He said.
“I agree, really I do. I hear that you are about to send a really important gift to Taiwan. That’s so nice since you don’t get along that well. I wish it would improve relations, but I hear that the plan is to return the gift immediately and directly to Beijing. Think how poorly you will feel when it is returned, maybe you shouldn’t send it? Oh, there’s the President, I must tell him it’s time to go.” And she rushed off to move into the crowd. The Ambassador stood there with a deep frown on his face, and then moved to leave the reception immediately as he lifted his cell phone to his ear.
Another nicely gowned woman intercepted Millie and struck up a conversation. This time, she recognized the woman as a Television news reporter. Millie could see the tiny little microphone looking like a button on her gown. They talked for ten minutes and the reporter walked away wondering how she could talk with someone that showed up with the President for almost ten minutes and come away knowing less than she started. Her perplexed conclusion was,
“She sandbagged me. The President has got himself a very smart lady, we’ll have to keep tabs on her. Or, I didn’t ask the right questions?”
In the Limo on the way back to the White House she told the President,
“James, that was a very nice evening. I really enjoyed myself. Thank you, you have definitely made up for the panic the other night.” She smiled, and told him what she had said to the Chinese UN Ambassador, he laughed. Then she continued,
“I was also picked over by a newsie, but she got nothing. On a more notable point, the Prime Minister has hit me up for lunch next Wednesday. I accepted, but I’m sure he seeks a British social spy on you. I’ll have none of that, and I insist there be none going back the other way. Our friendship is just that, a friendship with no ulterior motives. Our confidences shall remain between the two of us. You smartly dressed Pols will have to joust without my handkerchief. I won’t have it any other way.” She said. “You agree?”
“Millie, I agree. I knew you were somebody special right away, or is it straight away?” She smiled, as he held her hand.
“I also have a dozen invites from Washington ladies, some to parties. I think they hope I will bring you along.” She said.
“Welcome to Washington! Some of those ladies are married to very powerful men, they can be vipers, keep your shields up.” Then, with a smile,
“Night cap at the big house?” He asked.
The dark chamber was lit by ceiling lights concealed among the coffered ceiling beams, but there were always two torches burning on either side of the front of the room to remind all that the Gild was in session. The Zakar Chieftains of the Thulk Gild were now sitting for administrative reports and resolutions. All Blood matters had been settled in the early part of the meeting, and now representatives from various administrative departments brought their concerns or successes to the gild for disposition. One such manager was standing before the Gild nervously handling his papers as he said,
“Honored Chieftains of the Thulk Gild, I am Reezm-Jol and I hold the office of ‘Pennymaster.’
On Zakar, honor is assigned levels with the highest being ‘Warrior.’ Occupations that did not involve combat, defense, or war held the lowest esteem. Finance was considered at the bottom, and thus, the Finance Minister was pejoratively called ‘Pennymaster,’ a necessary function for Zakar but with little honor or respect.
“Why does our Pennymaster come before the Gild? We have important matters to settle and the affairs of the Pennymaster do not rise to such level.” barked a Chieftain.
“I beg your indulgence lord Chief, but the Gild has made financial pledges that we are unable to keep with honor.” He said with a trembling voice.
“What is this pledge, and why is it not being kept?” Another Chieftain asked.
“The Lord High Chieftain made a pledge to the Council of Worlds that we would pay for the construction of a new Seeker starship to replace the one a Zakarian destroyed without Gild approval. The pledge was honorable, but the finances are not adequate to fulfill the pledge. The ship is under construction and the expenses for its construction arrive daily. We have not the funds.” He said
He looked with downcast eyes and afraid to raise them up. Other administrative managers had upset the Gild before, and were swept off the floor with a Kefma, a long pole with a scimitar blade on its end that each of the Guards were armed with. One had to be careful not to raise the ire of these Chieftains who dealt in blood decisions. He quickly continued,
“As my Lord Chieftains know, our income is cyclical and this demand occurs at our lowest income ebb. It would not be honorable to ask the builders to stop building, or to defer payment demands.” He said.
A Chieftain spoke up,
“How do you propose to solve this embarrassment Pennymaster?” Shifting the responsibility to him even though the Lord High Chieftain had made the pledge.
“My Lord Chieftains, we operate two financial systems. One is our main, traditional banking system similar to the other worlds and we have reciprocal agreements with all of them. We have never refused a draw nor have we been refused. It is important to keep this honorable stature. The other system is really a version of a money storage vault. These are located on our Embassy grounds on six of the worlds and are exempt from audit since they are on Zakar soil. Many businesses and financiers store excess funds they do not wish to report in these vaults. We question no one when they open an account to store funds in one of our Embassy vaults. And we refuse all audit requests”
With frustration on hearing a repeat of what the Chieftains already knew one Chieftain snapped,
“We know all that, what has it got to do with our insufficiencies?”
“Lord Chieftains, I examine those accounts regularly and one of those accounts is owned by Beztl-Tor, a Hhearnian who dealt in illegal transactions. One of those deals was the financing of the Zakarian destruction of a Seeker and the assault on another one. His hands were not clean.” He continued,
“Beztl-Tor was identified as being a co-conspirator in these crimes and fled. His attorneys, at his request, liquidated all his sizable assets and moved the funds into our Hhearn Embassy storage vault. All in cash.” Now, with a smile he continued,
“Beztl-Tor is now dead with no heir or designated successor, there is no will, and no succeeding instructions for his attorneys to follow. In other words, the money will be declared abandoned and will be recovered by us, as is stated in our storage agreements. Since that takes ten annuals to occur, I request your permission to empty the Beztl-Tor vault compartment of its cash and precious metals and leave behind an equivalent monetary draft from us, to pay upon demand, when Beztl-Tor rises from the dead and returns.”
By now, the Chieftains were beginning to smile, two even chuckled. Here was the kind of irony they could salivate over. The man who underwrote the destruction of the seeker lands up paying for its replacement.
“Pennymaster, it appears we have underestimated you. All important matters are not settled on the edge of a sword but sometimes by the stroke of a pen. You have our permission to proceed. Because of your cleverness in this matter you are authorized to wear your dagger when appearing before us. Now go.” The Lord High Chieftain said.
The Pennymaster backed out of the Gild chamber satisfied he had done well and now they had even raised his honor and trust.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Book Tw
o
The Discovery and the Domak Destroyer dropped out of ‘no-space’ into a solar system with two moons and one ‘Goldilocks’ planet. A ‘Goldilocks’ planet is one that falls within a star's habitable zone, and the name is often used for planets close to the environment and size of Earth. This solar system had one. Allister began immediate scanning and updating of his onboard star charts.
“How far are we from Hhearn?” Asked Sean.
“We are now 167.5 light years from Hhearn.’ Answered Allister. “This sector is unexplored by the Council and quite off from Seeker search limits.”
“That’s why it took us so long to get here.” Thought Sean.
“I am detecting abundant signals of all types from the occupied planet. It is clear it is heavily settled. There is also a perimeter detection drone ahead. It is not armed as far as I can tell, but is certain to announce our arrivals.” Said Allister, “I am scanning to learn what I can of the drone.”
“Signal the Domak,
‘Proceeding toward occupied planet slowly. Local Drone has detected us and sent signals to the planet.’” He said to Allister.
“Done, Captain.” And then, “Sir, the drone is allowing a download of the local language and navigation protocols.”
“Great, first glance appears non-hostile, that is always a good start.” He thought.
“Captain I have the hailing frequency and minimal translation; shall I request permission to approach?” Asked Allister.
“Yes, characterize us as a diplomatic mission with policing escort in a criminal pursuit.”
Allister continued to scan the planet and its ships.
“Captain, my scans show three freighters tethered together in a high geosynchronous orbit, all with minimal power. There are several smaller ships moving about, but for the size of the settlements on the surface, there is little ship activity.” Allister reported.