by S. H. Jucha
“How did they clean up the place, for instance, the pallets?” Idrian asked.
“You close them into the wall. When you open them hours later, they’re clean,” Jessie replied.
Afterwards, the Pyreans trooped to the deck level. Jessie walked through the basic comm operation of the console. Nate and a few others studiously captured images and recorded lengthy notes by voice to ensure they understood the routine.
While Jessie trained individuals, the rover returned to the shuttle and offloaded the duffels that would accompany the envoy team to Rissness. The gear was deposited in the third level’s dorm room. When Jessie finished his lessons, Nate and Belinda wished the envoy party good luck and, in the company of the Spryte’s crew, departed.
Jessie, Aurelia, and the delegates were arrayed around Harbour on the dome’s deck.
“Is it appropriate to ask, what now?” Dottie inquired.
“Now we say hello,” Harbour replied. She held up a cube that she’d taken from the stack on the counter where the engineers had stayed. She opened her comm unit and played the sequence that the engineers had broadcasted to the Belle and Birdie had recorded for her.
Jessie assisted Harbour in the setup of the cube to prepare it for recording. When all was ready, Harbour asked Jessie to stand beside her, and the delegates and Aurelia to stand in a ring behind her. Jessie touched off the final submenu icon and stepped back. When the cube lit, Harbour recorded a brief message to Tacticnok, saying that she was formally announcing acceptance of the envoy position and that her team waited at the dome for transport.
Harbour handed the cube to Aurelia, who ran to place it in the center of the platform. Then, Jessie and Harbour worked through the instructions to send the recording. The delegates watched in awe as the platform’s blue light speared the dome and the cube disappeared.
“It’s one thing to watch that happen on a monitor,” Devon said in awe, “but it’s another to stand here and witness it.”
“I wonder if they’ve ever had an accident,” Dottie said softly. When she became the center of attention, she added, “With the sending of individuals back and forth, I mean.”
“If you can get fresh paste out of a dome that was shut down for centuries and beds cleaned by sliding them into a wall, then the aliens can certainly handle something as simple as quantum-coupled gates,” Devon said offhand, which elicited strained chuckles from most of the party.
“Now we wait,” Harbour said, leading the party to the dorm room.
Dottie looked around at the gear piled in a corner and the duffels arranged in pairs. “We’re all staying here? There aren’t separate rooms or cabins?” she asked.
Dottie had been shocked by the sharing of a cabin aboard the Spryte, but she’d assumed that was a temporary inconvenience due to the constraints of a mining ship. Now, the accommodations seemed determined to get worse.
“I know the glyph sign for a dorm room on the second level,” Jessie offered. “Its appointments are simple though.”
“The offer is appreciated,” Dottie replied pleasantly. “I suggest the women take this room, and the men take the alternate one.”
Harbour smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “If you wish more privacy, Dottie, I’m willing to accommodate that request. We’ll install you in the second level room with whoever wishes to accompany you. Meanwhile, I’ll stay here and discuss with whoever remains some of the strategies that we can employ in our negotiations with the Jatouche.”
Dottie looked around for support, focusing lastly at Idrian, who looked away from her, as had the others.
“Pick up your duffels, Dottie. Jessie will lead you to your private room,” Harbour said. She was staring evenly at the woman, but inside, she was working hard to control her anger and keep her gates tightly shut.
“I rescind my suggestion,” Dottie said, a bit miffed, but Harbour could sense the woman’s rush of fear and guessed it emerged from the prospect of sleeping alone in a room built by aliens.
The Pyreans shucked their vac suits, displaying various qualities of skins, and Jessie showed them how to access the lockers to store their suits. He couldn’t resist a glance or two at Harbour in her exquisitely decorated skins.
Aurelia picked up on the subtle surge in Jessie’s emotions, checked where he was looking, and hid her smile. When the suits were stored, Aurelia set about serving paste and water, while Harbour gathered the others at a table.
“I’m setting some more rules,” Harbour said bluntly. “We must be compliant with whatever the Jatouche offer us, regarding accommodations or practices that are their social norms. Under no circumstances must we argue with them on these types of subjects. Understand that Tacticnok is a royal family member and, at some point, we’ll be meeting His Excellency Rictook.”
Harbour’s point didn’t seem to penetrate, and Jessie chose to elaborate. “There is no equivalent to a royal person in Pyrean society,” he said. “And I get that to many of us it sounds like a nice title, like commandant or governor. But imagine an individual who can look at us and say, ‘Leave,’ and his security will whisk us aboard the next shuttle, ship us to their dome, and send us home without question.”
“In other words, his power is absolute,” Henry paraphrased, and Jessie nodded his agreement.
“The good news is that we’ll be dealing with Tacticnok, the daughter, but she’ll be listening to her father’s advice,” Harbour noted. “What I’m trying to stress is that we’re guests, who are invited to communicate with representatives of an alien nation, which is incredibly more advanced than us.”
“Then why the invitation?” Devon asked.
“Excellent question, Devon. I’m glad you’re joining the delegate side of the party,” Harbour quipped. “I’ve had various hints from Tacticnok, and most of them have to do with the Jatouche place in the alliance. Keep your ears tuned for comments, no matter how subtle, about the alliance. A final thought on this subject. When we arrive, and I understand the sight will be unnerving, scan for an odd platform with an emplacement around it.”
“An emplacement?” Henry echoed.
“According to our engineers, on the other side of that gate is a dome, which is held by a vicious species of sentients, referred to as the Colony,” Harbour explained. “That might be another subject to explore.”
“Any other ground rules?” asked Idrian, his pique in evidence.
“Tacticnok requested that Jessie be my advisor,” Harbour replied. “That’s a royal daughter’s way of politely expressing her demand. In Jessie’s role, there might be times when he and I are meeting privately with Jatouche. In our absence, Devon will act as lead delegate. However, in any matter that pertains to your physical safety, during operating conditions, Devon will take Aurelia’s advice.”
“Acceptable,” Henry said before anyone could object, which left Dottie and Idrian, one by one, acquiescing to the arrangement.
The small company chatted for a while longer, while they consumed their paste and water. Then beds were extended and facilities visited. When the team lay down, they either slept or used their comm units for entertainment.
Over the following days, Harbour was pleased to see the delegates fall into an easy arrangement. Even Dottie came to accept their circumstances, although she noted the men were careful to allow her a little more accommodation.
In contrast, Aurelia’s experience as a mining ship’s spacer was in evidence. She demonstrated an unflappable demeanor in the presence of mixed company and was equally comfortable conversing and teasing every team member.
Harbour sensed Devon’s heightened reactions to Aurelia’s interactions with him. She was certain that Aurelia had noticed too, but the young empath didn’t appear to treat him any different than the other men. But Harbour carefully tucked away those observations.
* * * *
Tacticnok, Jaktook, and Kractik exited the shuttle from Na-Tikkook and made their way to the tunnel’s conveyor system. Jaktook and Kractik exchanged glanc
es, having noted Tacticnok’s subtle indications of impatience.
“Your Highness, I believe the Pyreans won’t leave before you arrive,” Jaktook said.
Kractik held her breath. Jaktook’s statement boarded on the edge of criticism.
Tacticnok eyed Jaktook. It was a mark of the development of their relationship that she took no umbrage from Jaktook’s comment. “Anxiousness is a royal prerogative,” Tacticnok riposted, flashing her teeth.
When Tacticnok caught Kractik’s release of breath, she commented, “I allow Jaktook the occasional impertinent comment for his value, but he knows better than to take advantage of my patience.”
Kractik glanced at Jaktook, whose expression indicated his amusement at Tacticnok’s flippant bluff, and Kractik blinked twice. The shift in the manner in which a royal daughter was being treated was disconcerting.
Jaktook quietly bantered with Tacticnok until they reached the dome’s platforms. It occurred to Kractik that Jaktook’s irreverence was successful at distracting Tacticnok. It made her wonder if she had value in this manner, but years of training kept her quiet.
The bored Rissness console operator of gate two was alerted that Her Highness was on her way to his gate. When he abruptly straightened, the other console operators immediately assumed more officious stances, as their eyes furtively searched for the reason.
Tacticnok maintained a measured step, as she walked through the dome’s lower corridor, climbed the ramp, crossed the deck, and mounted the platform. Jaktook and Kractik assumed positions slightly behind her. At a nod from Tacticnok, the console operator energized the platform and sent the threesome to Triton.
The operator remained much more erect, having had the honor of sending a royal member on a journey. It was a rare occasion, and one he would celebrate with his mate.
Tacticnok was ready to jubilantly greet Harbour on her arrival at Triton. Instead, the threesome was presented with an empty deck. Belatedly, she realized that in her rush to get here, she’d forgotten to check the Pyrean’s cycle.
“One moment, Your Highness,” Kractik said, hopping down from the platform and rushing to the console. She accessed a panel and queried it for the locations of sentients within the dome. The console displayed a map of the accessible levels. On the platform deck, three icons were evident. In a room on the third level, there were seven more.
“The Pyreans are here, Your Highness,” Kractik said triumphantly.
“Lead us, Kractik,” Tacticnok instructed.
Kractik hesitated and said, “Your Highness, the icons are in parallel lines. I believe the Pyreans are asleep.”
“It would be a most auspicious moment for Jatouche history,” Jaktook said. “Our historians will relate the momentous event when Her Highness greeted the Pyrean envoy by disturbing her sleep.”
“When I return to Na-Tikkook, I must find myself a suitable advisor,” Tacticnok grumbled.
Jaktook had the good sense to maintain a neutral expression.
“We wait,” Tacticnok said, acquiescing to circumstances.
The Jatouche sat or sprawled on the platform, watching the stars twinkling overhead. During a quiet moment, Tacticnok slid a hand over Jaktook’s forearm, patting it twice before she retrieved her hand.
Down below, Harbour woke. She glanced at Aurelia, who had the pallet next to her. She was awake too. Harbour opened her mental gates wide and concentrated on the extremely weak sensation she was receiving. When she glanced at Aurelia, the young empath signed that she didn’t know the source. For a brief moment, Harbour wondered if Dottie was a latent empath, but the direction was wrong.
Suddenly, Harbour sat upright, smiling. “Everyone up,” she said loudly, clapping her hands repeatedly. To the confused faces, she announced, “We have visitors on the deck.”
Aurelia broke into a smile. She had sensed the faint emanations, but lacked the experience to identify the direction of such a weak signal. She focused her power in the direction of the dome’s deck, locking in the sensation.
“Do we have time to use the facilities?” Jessie asked. He wore a wry smile.
“Apologies, yes,” Harbour replied. “We eat, prepare for the day, and then greet Her Highness.”
“If Her Highness is among those who came,” Idrian remarked.
“She’s here,” Harbour said definitively.
Kractik occasionally visited the console’s display to check on the Pyreans’ disposition. In time, she announced, “The Pyreans are moving around.”
Jaktook checked his chronometer, which he’d set to the Pyrean cycle, using data from the console. “They’ve risen early,” he commented.
Tacticnok eyed him for a moment, and then she touched her temple.
“You think the envoy sensed us?” Jaktook whispered. “They’re on the third level.”
“Perhaps, the envoy didn’t sense all of us. I was the agitated one,” Tacticnok admitted with chagrin.
“Unimaginable,” Jaktook muttered quietly.
It wasn’t long before Kractik said excitedly, “The Pyreans are ascending the levels.”
Tacticnok placed herself well back from the ramp, and Jaktook and Kractik stood beside her.
“Greetings, Envoy Harbour,” Tacticnok announced formally when Harbour gained the top of the ramp.
“I’m happy to see you, Your Highness,” Harbour replied.
“I believe we’ll do great things for our cultures, Envoy,” Tacticnok said, clasping Harbour’s hand.
“That’s my hope too, Your Highness,” Harbour replied.
“This will announce you as an alliance envoy,” Tacticnok said, offering Harbour an ornate, crescent-shaped medallion on a delicate silvered chain. “May I?” she asked, holding it up, and Harbour bent on one knee to allow Tacticnok to place it over her head.
“It’s beautiful work,” Harbour said, admiring the craftsmanship.
“Jaktook will escort you to Rissness when your party is ready,” Tacticnok said. “I look forward to working with all of you,” she added, acknowledging the others. Then she quickly mounted the platform, and Kractik hurried to the console to send the royal daughter home.
-14-
Medallions
“Under the circumstances, I expected a little more pomp for the occasion,” Idrian commented, when Tacticnok left. He adjusted his ear wig, and said, “I must have missed some of the dialog.”
“Afraid not,” Devon commented. “I found it a little disappointing too.”
The envoy party looked at Jaktook, who seemed to be as confused as they were.
Indeed, Jaktook had been caught off guard. It was unlike Tacticnok not to personally escort someone as important as the envoy. However, Tacticnok and he had been in lockstep about their plans for their citizens’ future. In that regard, Jaktook was confident that Tacticnok had her reason for what she did, even if he didn’t know the specifics.
“Yes, well,” Jaktook said temporizing, “Let’s gather your personal belongings.”
“None of you are wearing vac suits,” Jessie noted.
“Completely unnecessary,” Jaktook replied. “There’s never been an accident while journeying through a dome.”
“From your dome or from this one?” Henry asked.
“Via any Messinants dome,” Jaktook replied, “unless you consider the firing of weapons within a dome an accident. You may wear your suits if your rules require it, although they do appear archaic. If, for some reason, you require suits during your stay in our system, we’ll fit you with our equipment.”
“An alien vac suit,” Aurelia enthused, and a small amount of her power escaped.
Jaktook blinked and swayed.
“Apologies, Jaktook, that one got away from me,” Aurelia said.
“A youth’s enthusiasm is understood,” Jaktook replied. “But you must be careful to control your abilities on the other side of this gate.”
Aurelia felt truly admonished, and she hung her head in embarrassment.
“We’ll leave our v
ac suits behind,” Jessie said, and looked at Henry for agreement, which he received. “It’s duffels and a crate topside,” he ordered, and led the team down the ramp.
When the duffels were collected and deposited on the platform, Jessie tapped Devon’s shoulder, and the two men retrieved Harbour’s crate from below.
“What’s in the crate?” Devon inquired.
“The makings of greens for Aurelia and me, and some gifts for the royal family,” Harbour replied.
The envoy team and Jaktook took up positions on the platform. Kractik set the console for a delayed transport. Dottie slipped her hand into Aurelia’s, and the young spacer gripped the delegate’s hand firmly. Kractik hurried to join the group, and the Pyreans took their first journey between the stars.
Having experienced the engineers’ reactions, Jaktook and Kractik were content to stand on the platform and wait for their guests to absorb the scene.
“This is beyond what I imagined,” Devon whispered to Henry, who was unable to reply.
“Who would have guessed that aliens came in all these shapes?” Aurelia marveled.
“All sentient too,” Jessie added.
Harbour’s attention was quickly usurped by the passing of three aliens in front of their platform. They paused, turned toward her, and briefly bowed their blunt-horned heads before continuing on their way.
When the envoy’s party appeared settled, Jaktook led them off the platform toward the ramp.
The Pyreans noted the similarity between the domes. Except for the number of platforms, they were identical. Eyes swung toward the enclosed gate. This was the subject the Pyrean engineers had hinted could be an opening in negotiations with the Jatouche.
Along the now familiar path across the deck toward the ramp, every alien, except those accompanied by Jatouche medical services, paused to pay homage to Harbour. She realized that the medallion, which she thought to be a static symbol, was broadcasting her status. As proof of her thought, individuals, whose backs were to her, stopped, turned, and paid their respects.
What gave Harbour pause was that while she was mesmerized by the incredible diversity of alien shapes, her appearance made no difference to them. She was an envoy, an individual with a lofty purpose within the alliance. Suddenly Harbour felt totally unprepared for the position. She clamped her gates shut, lest her fear leak out and broadcast to the host around her.