by S. H. Jucha
At the same moment, Harbour was sitting at the salon table in her captain’s quarters, sharing greens with fellow empaths.
“I think I’d like an emotional tasting of our engineers when they return,” Sasha Garmenti, Aurelia’s younger sister said. “Can you imagine the emanations of three people who’ve had their bodies made whole again?” She wore a dreamy expression, envisioning the sensations she might enjoy.
The empaths around the table laughed at Sasha’s remarks. There was little doubt that Sasha would be able to pick up more from the engineers than most empaths. Although only a teenager, she was already one of the most powerful empaths and was growing stronger day by day. However, her capabilities were ruled by a blunt and determined personality.
“I think the most important point is that the engineers do return fully repaired,” Yasmin, Harbour’s close friend, commented.
“I have no doubt they will,” Harbour added. “Although, Jessie said that the Jatouche might need to augment their skills to deal with humans.”
Small smiles danced across the faces around the table. In this intimate group, Harbour had given up referring to Captain Cinders in a formal manner. At certain times, when Harbour’s guard was down, the empaths sensed her emotional reactions at the mention of Jessie’s name.
“Then what comes next?” Lindsey Jabrook asked. She was a miracle to the empaths and a sign of the evolution of their powers. Age had been a detriment to empaths, weakening their ability to keep the emotions of others from assaulting their minds.
Sasha had played a game of protection with her mother, Helena Garmenti, defending her against her stronger sister, Aurelia. In repeating the game with Lindsey, they discovered Lindsey’s mental guards were gradually repaired. Thereafter, Sasha had gone from one isolated empath elder to another, helping to restore their balance.
“I think the next move must come from the Jatouche,” Harbour replied quietly.
“What do you think that will be?” Aurelia asked. She was only a year past her teenage years and had been shuttered in the downside governor’s house for most of her life. However, her tutelage under Captain Cinders and senior spacers showed her accelerated maturation.
“I’ve an inkling of what might come from Tacticnok, but it’s a matter of what her father says,” Harbour replied. “I would hear your thoughts first, Aurelia.”
“I don’t know what the Jatouche might offer, but I’ve an idea of what it will entail,” Aurelia replied. Greens paused on their way to lips, as the empaths waited to hear her thoughts. The young empath smiled at the attention she’d suddenly received. “It’s nothing momentous,” Aurelia said quickly. “It’s more about the mechanics of our response.”
“Do tell,” Harbour enticed.
“Well, whatever the Jatouche request, it’ll probably entail a journey through the gate to speak with them, their ruler, I mean,” Aurelia explained. “From my experience, I can tell you that the downsiders won’t want to be left out.”
“I don’t think any faction will want to be left out,” Nadine commented.
“I have visions of a great line of Pyreans waiting at the dome’s platform to be whisked away by the blue light,” Sasha said, reaching for the pitcher of greens.
Lindsey slid the pitcher away from Sasha. She was gentle in her reprimand. “Three greens are giving you more than enough visions for now.”
Sasha’s scowl fell impotently on Lindsey’s implacable face, and the teenager acquiesced. Lindsey was one of the few individuals who could direct the headstrong girl.
“As I was saying,” Aurelia continued, “to reach the dome we’ll be riding aboard spacers’ shuttles.”
“Aha,” Harbour exclaimed, and Aurelia grinned in reply.
“And this means what?” Yasmin asked.
“You have to be vac suit qualified to ride aboard spacers’ shuttles, no exceptions,” Aurelia replied, a mischievous smile twisting her lips.
“This piece of information should be kept quiet until the right moment,” Nadine cautioned Harbour. Everyone, except Sasha, was nodding in agreement.
“Harbour, what was your thought about what the Jatouche might say or request?” Yasmin asked.
“Tacticnok spoke to me about a Pyrean envoy journeying to the Jatouche home world as a preliminary step toward membership in their alien alliance,” Harbour replied.
Mouths fell open. Harbour was speaking about a future that staggered the imagination.
“I’ve a question,” Sasha piped up. “Who gets to be the envoy?” She looked around the table, but no one was returning her gaze. Instead, the others were staring at Harbour.
“Afraid so,” Harbour admitted. She was inundated by warm waves of affection sent her way. Harbour kept her gates partially closed to manage the emotions sent by Sasha. The teenager still tended to have two levels of power, on and off.
-3-
Rictook
His Excellency Rictook, the ruler of the Jatouche system, chose to hold his meeting in the formal court due to the number of attendees and the disparate groups represented.
The aging ruler was the last to enter the grand court after he’d been informed that everyone was present. Immediately, he noted the absence of the usual seating arrangements. The senior advisors weren’t grouped together. Instead, they sat apart, surrounded by their supporters. Even his daughter, who normally sat alone, was accompanied by another.
So, it will be one of those meetings, Rictook thought, with resignation, as he settled on the centuries-old throne, with its rearward slot for his tail.
The audience patiently waited for Rictook’s signal to begin their presentations. However, he seemed intent on examining the faces of those assembled. The confidence and brightness in the eyes of Rictook’s daughter told him that she believed her arguments would win the day. For that reason, Rictook recognized Roknick, the master strategist, first.
“Your Excellency,” Roknick said, rising, as was required in the formal court setting. “It is with regret that I report the abysmal failure of our team’s interactions with the humans.”
The soft hissing from many of the attendees told Rictook that Roknick was speaking for the minority. Rictook raised a hand ever so slightly off his thigh, and the audience quieted.
“Gitnock, what did you encounter that resulted in your failure to deploy the intravertor?” Rictook asked.
Tacticnok kept her muzzle tight. Otherwise, she would have flashed her teeth in amusement. Her father’s health might be failing, but his mind was as sharp as ever.
The elderly scientist, Gitnock, rose and replied, “Deployment was successful, Your Excellency. The device is performing as expected and even supplying the Pyreans’ fabrication station with limited power.”
Rictook nodded and returned his eyes to Roknick, expecting a response.
“I beg your pardon, Your Excellency, I didn’t mean to mischaracterize our engineers’ efforts,” Roknick explained. “It was in regard to security and any future interactions with the humans that I deem our experience wholly unsatisfactory. The humans attacked Drigtik and their own citizens with a hallucinogenic gas.”
“This is distressing to hear,” Rictook commented. “And how are you feeling now, Drigtik?” the ruler asked.
“Wonderful, Your Excellency,” Drigtik replied, nearly bouncing out of his chair to answer.
“I can see that,” Rictook said, the slightest hint of teeth showing before he eased the curl in his lips. “Have you been seen by our medical services?”
“It was absolutely unnecessary, Your Excellency. The empaths cured me,” Drigtik enthused. “They possess a fascinating capability.”
“And this is the danger I speak of, Your Excellency,” Roknick insisted. “The human empaths have the ability to control Jatouche minds with their emanations. They can’t be allowed to visit this world.”
“Who, of our citizens, was hurt by these empaths?” Rictook asked. His eyes roamed over the audience. When no one spoke, he continued, “I see. Th
is is a potential threat that you speak of, Master Roknick, which despite the length of time in the empaths’ presence didn’t materialize.”
Roknick drew breath to speak, but a subtle motion from Rictook’s hand bade him take a seat.
“Master Tiknock,” Rictook said, recognizing the elderly scientist, who sat next to the engineers, Gatnack and Drigtik.
“Yes, Your Excellency, the intravertor was successfully deployed, as Gatnack reported,” Tiknock said. “I’d like to report some encouraging news about the Pyreans’ technological capabilities, but I can’t. They’re woefully behind even the poorest of alliance races.”
“Master Pickcit,” Rictook said, inviting the senior economist.
“With regret, Your Excellency, after interviewing the team’s members, I can perceive of no trade advantage in a liaison with the Pyreans,” Pickcit replied and then reclaimed his seat.
Rictook’s gaze swung to his daughter, but Tacticnok cut her eyes to the right to indicate Jaktook, who Tacticnok had requested catch a transport from the dome to attend the meeting.
“Dome Administrator Jaktook,” Rictook said.
Had this been Jaktook’s first meeting with royal family members, his tongue might have failed to work. Instead, his time in Tacticnok’s presence had created a familiarity with royalty that allowed him to speak his mind.
“Your Excellency,” Jaktook began, after rising and tipping his head courteously. “I can’t disagree with Masters Tiknock or Pickcit, but I wonder if trade and technology are the only means by which we can measure the value of an alliance with humans.”
Jaktook turned to the economist and asked, “Master Pickcit, when you interviewed the team members, how did they seem to you?”
The slightest hint of teeth accompanied the master advisor’s nod, as he rose to reply. “While I’m not truly qualified to summarize a citizen’s mental and emotional health, I was struck by the overwhelmingly positive attitudes displayed by each individual. Of course, that excludes Jittak, who appeared quite despondent.”
“And how do you account for Jittak’s reaction, Pickcit?” Rictook asked.
“Again, I’m not a medical expert, Your Excellency, but I would hazard to say that our medical teams wouldn’t be able to explain it either,” Pickcit replied, spreading his hands in apology. “I can only rely on the reports of certain individuals who have confided in me their experiences with the female empaths.”
“Continue, Jaktook,” Rictook requested.
“I’ll speak of Jittak’s exception to the team’s general mood later, Your Excellency,” Jaktook said. “We were asked to offer reasons to start negotiations with the Pyreans that would benefit the Jatouche. We’re known throughout the alliance for our medical services, although we’re not necessarily highly prized as a member. What I envision is an adoption of human empaths by our medical services. We repair bodies, but they repair minds. I ask you to consider how the Jatouche might be elevated within the alliance if we were able to offer this unique service. And while you dwell on that thought, I would point out something that occurred at the dome, which every citizen is aware of, and yet Master Roknick failed to mention in his opening remarks.”
Jaktook felt the brief touch of Tacticnok’s hand on his forearm, and he temporized, “I think my second point might be better expressed by Her Highness,” he said, taking his seat.
“The point that Jaktook was about to make concerns the encounter of our three human guests with a Crocian for the first time,” Tacticnok began.
“I’ve heard this story,” Rictook noted. “Its nature has grown with every telling.”
“One had to be standing there, Your Excellency, as I was, to know that no retelling could capture the incredulity of the moment,” Tacticnok said. “As expected, every sentient on the deck gave way to Mangoth of the Logar but the three humans. These four individuals engaged in the oddest of conversations, while they wrangled over who would give way to whom. By the end of the exchange, the Crocian was laughing and telling the humans that he looked forward to viewing their application to join the alliance, if and when it was put forward by us. After that, the engineers politely made way for him, but not without informing Mangoth that he was to stop frightening their friends … by which the humans meant us.”
Roknick motioned to be heard, and Rictook accepted his request.
“I think this underscores my argument, Your Excellency,” Roknick said. “This proves that humans are an aggressive race, if they could encounter a Crocian for the first time and confront him so casually.”
“I can agree with you, Master Roknick,” Rictook replied, which did much to buoy the advisor’s confidence that his argument would prevail. “Their actions do demonstrate contentious tendencies, although I note that it was offered in defense of individuals who they perceive as friends.”
Roknick deflated and reclaimed his seat.
Tacticnok stood without being recognized. Despite being the ruler’s daughter, it was still an inexcusable breach in protocol. However, Tacticnok did wait for a motion from her father’s hand. When she received it, she said, “At issue is the question as to the degree of human combativeness. Did the engineers confront the Crocian? Yes, they did. And what weapons did they wield? The answer is none. And I would point out that the only time a truly aggressive nature was demonstrated at Pyre, besides the gas attack, was when Jittak ordered his soldiers to deploy their weapons against the Pyrean leaders.”
“I deemed it necessary, Your Excellency,” Jittak said vigorously, jumping out of his chair.
The audience was aghast at the odious breach. Rictook said nothing, while Roknick whispered fervently to Jittak. Evidencing chagrin, Jittak sat down.
Rictook was surprised by the news, but he reserved his comments for a private meeting with his daughter. He motioned to Tacticnok to continue.
“I’ve nothing more to say about the incident with Jittak,” Tacticnok said tersely, “except to state that the captains didn’t ascribe any blame to our team. They viewed it as the foolishness of a single individual, which it was. Suffice it to say, aggressive actions can be evidenced in both our societies. We must ask ourselves which of these incidents are to be embraced and which are to be shunned.”
Roknick indicated he wished to be heard, and Rictook knew the advisor wanted to repudiate Tacticnok’s comments, but he refused to recognize the master.
Jaktook signaled politely that he would like to be heard, and Rictook beckoned with a single digit.
“Your Excellency, I enjoyed an evening’s conversation with the human engineers the first night they arrived. I would welcome the opportunity to share our discussion with you in private, at some future time. Her Highness is aware of the details.”
Jaktook sat down before his knees gave out. He’d just requested an audience with his world’s ruler. A glance toward Master Tiknock, with whom he’d developed a friendship, revealed the elder’s eyes dancing with mirth.
“Perhaps, daughter, you’d like to accompany your … advisor. We’ll speak immediately after this meeting,” Rictook said, and Tacticnok tipped her head in acknowledgment of the request.
Rictook gazed across the attendees and opened the subject, which was to be the heart of the meeting. “We’ve three guests. I would hear more about why they’re here.”
Tiknock surreptitiously pointed at Drigtik, and Rictook took the hint and requested the engineer speak.
Drigtik rose and said, “Your Excellency, these three humans have been excellent companions in work and at play.”
On hearing the word play, Rictook minutely cocked his head. It was an unusual term to hear from the mouth of a Jatouche concerning members of another race.
“They’ve suffered for years with their injuries, and it seemed a fitting gesture to return the favors they granted our team,” Drigtik continued. “For those kindnesses alone, I would have requested Her Highness to extend the invitations. However, in my case, I can never repay the immediate and unstinting loyalty paid to me. W
hen I inhaled the powerful hallucinogenic, the two station crew members who approached us turned into nightmarish monsters. I was frozen in place and felt sure that I would die on the spot. Instead, I was whisked away by one of the engineers, Pete Jennings. He cradled me as we ran in absolute fear, and he never let go of me.”
“Remarkable,” Rictook whispered. The thought that an alien, who had so briefly encountered his race, should treat one of his citizens as if they were one of their own deeply moved him.
When Drigtik took a seat, Tiknock gestured toward Gatnack, and Rictook invited him to speak.
The aging metallurgist stood and said, “Your Excellency, I’ve met many races in the course of my life. I’ve found many of them interesting and some of them technologically inventive, but I’ve never found one as intriguing as the humans. I don’t care if they aren’t advanced or if they don’t offer valuable trades. Before I pass, I would like to visit with them again and take some of my family with me. I echo Drigtik’s sentiments. These three engineers deserve whatever medical services we can offer.”
Rictook needed no more time to deliberate. There were too many factors that recommended the Jatouche investigate the Pyreans further.
“Tacticnok, you have my approval to allow our guests to receive the attentions of our medical services,” Rictook pronounced. With that announcement, the ruler sealed the wedge that Roknick and Jittak had been hoping to drive between the Jatouche and the Pyreans.
“Attend me, daughter, and bring your advisor,” Rictook said, rising slowly from his throne. He was headed for his private lift, which would return him to the uppermost apartment, where he resided.
The audience quietly departed after Rictook left the throne room. Gatnack and Drigtik briefly gripped forearms, celebrating the ruler’s decision.
The open doors of the lift beckoned Tacticnok and Jaktook, and they hurried to catch up and prevent Rictook from waiting. At the ruler’s advanced age, standing for any length of time was a challenge.