by S. H. Jucha
“You have it in one,” Jessie agreed.
“So where’s the weak link?” Harbour asked.
Jessie considered Harbour’s question. Political maneuvering wasn’t his forte. However, finance and contract negotiations were his strengths, which caused him to consider the problem from that point of view.
“I think all things center on the commandant,” Jessie said. “We won’t be able to negotiate with Dorelyn and the domes’ council. They’ll be adamant about what they want, and we won’t be able to accept their terms. The question is: How much coin is the commandant controlling? He’s not released that information in years.”
“Isn’t he required to do that?” Harbour asked.
“The previous commandant did that as a matter of course on an annual basis,” Jessie said. “Emerson continued that policy for a few years. Then it became once every two or three years. Finally, it stopped. The problem is there’s no requirement to disclose the station’s finances.”
Harbour thought for a moment and then snatched up her comm unit.
“Captain Tulafono, when is the next commandant’s meeting?” Harbour asked.
“The commandant has moved his monthly meeting, Envoy,” Ituau replied. “It now falls on the start of the third week of the month.”
“Interesting,” Harbour commented. “Any reason given why he changed the timing of the meeting?”
“None, Envoy, and he didn’t make a general announcement about the change,” Ituau replied.
“Will we arrive at the JOS in time to attend the meeting?” Harbour asked. She could hear Ituau questioning her navigator, Jeremy Kinsman.
“Affirmative, Envoy, you should have two days to spare,” Ituau replied.
“And the status of the Belle, Captain?” Jessie asked.
“According to Captain Bassiter, the ship emptied her tanks at the YIPS and is making for the JOS to procure supplies,” Ituau said.
Harbour muted the comm unit and glanced at Jessie.
“What are you thinking?” Jessie asked.
“I’m thinking we should attend the meeting and ask some direct questions of Emerson,” Harbour replied.
“We’ll need the audience to support us,” Jessie cautioned.
Harbour nodded, took the comm unit off mute, and said, “Captain, request Captain Bassiter hold the Belle at the JOS for our arrival. Communicate to him that we intend to join the commandant’s party.”
“Certainly, Envoy,” Ituau replied, a wide grin spreading across her face. “Do I understand that I should be encouraged to mention your attendance at the meeting to others … purely in passing, of course?”
“A subject like that is sure to come up in passing, Captain,” Harbour replied, in a conspiratorial tone.
“It stands to reason,” Ituau replied, and Harbour ended the comm.
“It’s a shame that first mates aren’t welcome at the meeting,” Nate commented. “I’d love to attend this one.”
“Me too,” Jeremy added.
“You going, Captain?” Nate asked.
“You’d better believe I’ll be there. I’d give up my share of this slush haul if that’s what it took to attend,” Ituau remarked.
-32-
Emerson’s Meeting
The Spryte made the JOS but halted a few hundred kilometers out. It took up station close to the Belle.
Harbour and her fellow explorers took a shuttle to the colony ship. She’d asked the team to accompany her and stay aboard the Belle until she attended the commandant’s meeting. There were a few questions, but everyone agreed to cooperate.
Dingles and a large contingent of the ship waited outside the Belle’s bay for Harbour and her people to disembark. In the corridor, there was a concerted effort to swiftly free the shuttle’s passengers from their vac suits. As soon as the suits were doffed, Harbour, Aurelia, and the nearby empaths lit like beacons, spreading their joy. The Pyreans were doused in waves of celebratory emotions. It was a dizzying moment for all.
Slowly, Harbour and her explorers extricated themselves and followed Dingles to the ship’s bow. The cabins of the ship’s officer row were refurbished in anticipation of the team’s return. Each person was allotted an individual cabin, and they marveled at the accommodations.
“If I knew I was risking my neck for something like this,” Jacob said, admiring the spaciousness and rich appointments, “I might not have griped so much.”
“Wait until you get a look at the cantina,” Pete said, bumping Jacob’s arm with an elbow.
While the team members waited in their cabins to receive their gear and unpack, Harbour and Jessie accompanied Dingles to the captain’s quarters.
Harbour was delighted to see Nadine, who was standing next to a prepared dining table and holding forth a tall green. Harbour accepted the green, set it on the table, and hugged her friend.
“Enjoying your new quarters?” Harbour asked.
“They’re wonderful, but I feel like I don’t belong,” Nadine whispered.
“You keep our captain in line,” Harbour replied, holding Nadine’s hands, “and you’ll have more than earned these quarters.” She threw a quick grin Dingles’ way, before she snatched up her green and downed half of it.
“I’d love to chat, but tomorrow is the commandant’s meeting,” Harbour said to Dingles.
“And there’s been some last-minute maneuvering, Harbour,” Dingles said.
“Like what?” Jessie asked, as Nadine guided him to a seat at the table.
“The commandant is holding the meeting in the auditorium again,” Dingles replied. He was self-conscious, as he sat at the head of the table, the captain’s rightful position, but a quick touch by Harbour calmed him. “This time, a table and some chairs will be on the stage.”
“He’s trying to control the meeting,” Jessie surmised. “Unless you arrive early, Harbour, there won’t be a seat at the table for you.”
“I intend to join the meeting after it’s in progress,” Harbour replied.
“There’s more,” Dingles added. “According to our security sources, the commandant will have officers posted around the stage, in the wings, and the steps. He’s chosen young ones who don’t have strong allegiances to senior staff.”
“Has the word been spread?” Harbour asked.
“Same as last time, Harbour,” Nadine replied. “The odd word here and there aboard the JOS. Every stationer and spacer probably knows by now that you’ll be attending the meeting.”
“Good,” Harbour replied.
Nadine cued the servers, and they entered and served dinner.
Harbour picked up the subtle transmissions of an untrained empath and focused on a young girl of about fourteen, who was helping Yasmin. When the servers exited, Harbour focused her gaze on Nadine, who said, “We picked her and three others off the JOS a few days ago.”
“Empaths,” Harbour explained to Jessie, when she saw his forehead furrow.
“Their power is nothing exceptional, like Aurelia’s and Sasha’s, but they’re strong, above average, I’d say,” Nadine explained.
After dinner, Harbour, Jessie, and Dingles retired to the study, and Dingles shared the Belle’s accounting with them.
“So, you haven’t distributed the funds from the general account?” Harbour asked, examining the monitor over Dingles’ shoulder.
“Actually, we have,” Dingles replied.
“How many tanks did you fill compared to the last haul?” Jessie asked.
Dingles grinned at Jessie. “Thirty percent,” he said. He regarded Harbour and Jessie for a moment, his face quiet and serious. “When you left, the other captains and I felt we were handed a great responsibility, and we were determined to not let you down.”
Jessie smiled, and Harbour said to him, “I think we should get our rear ends back to Na-Tikkook. They do better without us.”
“Any accidents?” Jessie asked.
“A few minor ones,” Dingles admitted. “We were pushing the limits, but it’s
not like we had to force the crews. More than once, a captain had to restrict a crew member to quarters for staying on duty past the safety limit.”
“Slow it up,” Harbour said to Dingles. “Do you hear me?”
“Aye, Envoy,” Dingles replied.
“May I?” Jessie asked, pointing to the monitor.
When Dingles slipped his comm unit out, Jessie plugged his device into the dock, and he accessed his company accounts.
Harbour and Dingles retired to the couch to chat.
“Where’s the cap?” Harbour asked, pointing to Dingles’ head.
“In the sleeping quarters, waiting for my retirement or demotion,” Dingles replied with a sad face. “Nadine has declared it undignified for a captain to wear.”
Harbour smiled and patted his knee in commiseration.
“What’s the plan?” Dingles asked.
“Short term, get the intravertors planted; long term, use the alliance to help Pyre,” Harbour said simply.
Dingles mouth fell open. “What happened to my newbie captain?” he said in astonishment.
“Much more than I could ever explain, Dingles,” Harbour replied.
While Harbour and Dingles conversed, Jessie found the YIPS deposit to his company. As expected, it was a significant increase over the last haul. He managed the distributions to captains and crew, including bonuses for the captains. Completing his accounting requirements, he pulled his comm unit free and joined the others.
“What about you —” Dingles started to ask Jessie.
“Advisor Cinders,” Jessie replied, “as if you hadn’t already heard.”
Dingles grinned. “Not all rumors are true. Just checking, Advisor Cinders.” He released a sigh and took a sip of his after-dinner drink.
“You seem rather self-satisfied,” Harbour remarked to Dingles.
“It’s strange, isn’t it?” Dingles mused. “I thought my life was over when I contracted space dementia, and a few years later, I’m cured of it, have a wonderful empath for a woman, and I’m the captain of the Belle. But that’s not the best part,” he added, sitting upright. “You two are back, and you’re keeping your new titles. That means there’s much more to come, and I can’t wait.” He raised his glass to them, and toasted, “To tomorrow.”
“To tomorrow,” Harbour and Jessie echoed, as they hoisted their glasses.
* * * *
Harbour spent the evening collecting the latest information on the commandant and the council’s positions. Early the next morning, she rose, donned her best set of skins and deck shoes. She joined Dingles, Nadine, and Jessie for morning meal. There was little conversation, and the food was consumed quickly. At the end of the meal, they waited while Harbour finished a second tall glass of greens, and they exchanged concerned glances.
“Ready,” Harbour announced, her glass clinking, as she set it on the table.
In the bay, Harbour greeted Claudia Manning, the Belle’s shuttle copilot, and hugged Danny Thompson, the pilot. She led the delegates, Jessie, Aurelia and Devon, plus Dingles aboard the shuttle.
Devon eyed the comfortable seating, and remarked, “This reminds me of Tacticnok’s shuttle … after they replaced the seats for us.”
“Yes, and if we had a couple of hundred more years, we might even be able to build shuttles that could sail like the Jatouche,” Jessie remarked. He didn’t mean it to sound as disheartening as it came out, and he signed an apology to Harbour.
“Stick with me, Advisor, the envoy will make it all better,” Harbour teased, and she heard soft laughter from the others.
As the group disembarked onto the JOS terminal arm, Harbour tarried at the shuttle’s hatch and waited for Danny to join Claudia and her.
“Say goodbye to those prosthetics, Danny,” Harbour said quietly, when it was just the three of them. “You’re among the next twenty to journey to Rissness.”
Danny frowned and started to object, but Claudia said forcefully, “Thank you, Envoy. I’ll make sure he’s ready.”
Harbour smiled at Claudia, and then she eased her gates open and sent her power over both pilots.
“Oh, for the love of Pyre,” Claudia said, in a slow exhale, as she watched Harbour disappear down the arm’s ramp. “I can’t believe that’s what you’ve been getting all this time.”
“Afraid so,” Danny replied, a smile plastered on his face.
“I knew there was a reason to hang with you besides your charming personality,” Claudia replied. She gave Danny a quick kiss on the cheek. They both knew that Danny displayed his gruff side, more times than either cared to admit.
After catching the ring’s cap to transition to the station, Harbour discovered a group of individuals waiting for her. They were composed of well-to-do stationers and captains. In front of the group stood Dottie.
“Thought you might need some moral support, Envoy,” Dottie announced proudly.
Harbour could sense the enthusiasm issuing from Dottie. “Thank you, Delegate Franks. Your courtesy is much appreciated.”
Harbour led the way to the auditorium. Along her route, she collected more of the station’s investors and many more captains, including Henry Stamerson. She would have thought these individuals would have been seated in the auditorium already. Then it occurred to her that they were demonstrating their support by entering with her.
At the twin doors to the auditorium, two security officers stood with shock sticks in their hands.
“Sorry, we’ve orders to not admit anyone after the meeting has started,” one of the officers said.
Devon, who had donned his lieutenant’s uniform, closed on the officer until he was nose to nose with him.
“I can appreciate that you’re following orders,” Devon said to the youthful officer, “but the envoy has business in there.”
Faster than the eye could follow, Devon snatched the officer’s shock stick.
“Do I need to take yours?” he asked the other officer, who timidly extended his stick toward Devon.
“Put these away,” Devon said, returning the weapon, “and step aside.”
As soon as a path was cleared, Devon hit the access plate, the doors slid aside, and Harbour marched through.
On stage, Emerson spotted Harbour and her entourage. Blood colored his neck at the failure of his officers to keep them out. Then he saw Devon next to Harbour, and realized how they’d gained entry. He stood up, intending to stop them from hijacking his agenda.
“This meeting is in progress, Captain,” Emerson announced, his voice rising. “Please take seats, while this table conducts its business.”
“It’s Envoy Harbour to you, Commandant,” Harbour replied forcefully.
Dorelyn touched Emerson’s hand and he sat down. “Your trip is over,” Dorelyn said to Harbour. “The title no longer applies.”
“Is that what you heard from your representative?” Harbour asked, indicating Idrian, who sat next to Dorelyn. “Oh … but your delegate didn’t stick around for the hard part, did he? So he wouldn’t have the latest information, would he?”
The audience tittered and chuckled at the insinuation.
“Two others returned with me,” Idrian complained.
“Yes, that would be these two delegates,” Harbour said, looking around to locate Henry and Dottie and then placing her hands on their shoulders. “A mature woman and a retired captain, and a captain, I might add, who did volunteer to explore with us. However, the team judged him unable to take on the challenges we faced. As it was, we lost one of our youngest and strongest, Dillon Shaver. He died defending his sister.”
Harbour signed to Jessie to hold back the group, and she stepped down the center aisle toward the stage.
“Through my teams’ efforts, we’ve secured rewards from the Jatouche and the Tsargit, the alliance governing body,” she announced loudly.
There were audible gasps from the audience, and conversations erupted. Emerson called for order, but his efforts were largely ineffective.
Ha
rbour partially raised her arms, and the audience immediately quieted.
“In what form are these rewards?” Rufus, who sat next to Idrian, asked.
“Some of these you know,” Harbour replied. “The repair of our injured and the supply of intravertor parts, which were promised by Her Highness Tacticnok. In addition, His Excellency offered us rewards for discovering details about the unexplored domes, details which would elevate the Jatouche in the eyes of the alliance.”
“And did you?” Emerson asked.
“You’ve no idea what we discovered,” Jessie shouted from the back of the auditorium. “Let me say simply that the Jatouche couldn’t be happier.”
“In what form are these rewards?” Dorelyn asked. She hoped to hear that they might be of little value. In which case, she could undermine Harbour’s credibility with the audience.
“In whatever form we’d like,” Harbour replied.
“We get to choose?” Dorelyn asked, indicating those at the table.
“We?” Harbour asked. “I don’t remember seeing you fighting beside us to repel the Colony sentients, five-meter-long, squirming insectoids with deadly pincers.”
The audience was aghast at the thought that such aliens existed. Again Harbour quickly silenced them.
“The Jatouche and the Tsargit reward those who accepted the risks,” Harbour added. “That would be the explorers, eleven Pyreans, two Jatouche, and one magnificent Crocian.”
Jessie, Aurelia, and Devon exchanged smiles at the reference to Mangoth.
“And what do you intend to ask the Jatouche and the Tsargit for in regard to these rewards?” Emerson asked.
“I’m glad you asked that question, Commandant,” Harbour replied. “I must admit that my team and I were surprised to learn that so little progress had been made on the intravertors and a launch platform. Furthermore, we’ve discovered the station isn’t funding a long-range passenger shuttle to reach Triton, the council is underwriting it.”
The captains rose out of their seats and shouted their indignation at Emerson. Owning and crewing Pyre’s ships were the exclusive business of spacers. It was the means by which the topsiders kept the balance of power with the downsiders. Allowing the council to build the first JOS to Triton passenger shuttle was a betrayal by the commandant, who had to know this was underway.