by S. H. Jucha
The Crocians intimidated her, as they waddled toward her. Yet, they were exceptionally polite. The Méridien Leader called Teressi looked and acted as if he’d swallowed something bitter.
The Pims were charming. However, Oforum’s dominant personality was evident.
Nikki expected the birds, as she thought of the Veklocks, would be the most docile of races.
After beaks were perfunctorily clacked at her and her greeting dismissed, she thought, Dump every preconception you have, Nikki. Meet and learn about all individuals, as if they were human.
The Packeo delegate wore a uniform, and Nikki reviewed the male’s highlights, as he approached the doors.
“Senior Captain Gregich and Leader Bartosz Rolek, welcome to Earth and the conclave,” Nikki said, repeating her traditional greeting.
“You’re staring at Captain Gregich’s uniform, Madam President,” Bartosz noted. “No doubt you’re reviewing data that places the captain from an alliance world, Quall, to be exact. Yet, the symbols on his uniform clearly identify him as commanding a starship.”
“Why, yes,” Nikki replied, marking Leader Rolek as an astute individual.
“I was fascinated by the captain’s stories about the history of federacy races, the captains’ wayward wedge of battleships, and the intervention of our inimitable Alex Racine,” Bartosz replied. “When you’ve time, the captain and I would love to share it with you.”
“I look forward to it,” Nikki said, allowing the pair and their SADEs to move on.
Nikki was prepared for the Omnian delegates. Ellie and Hector had briefed her thoroughly on them. She was shocked to learn that Wave Skimmer was a delegate, but the Swei Swee probably wouldn’t be participating in the conclave. He and his companions had come to experience Earth’s waters and its creatures.
When Nyslara and Emilio Torres entered the rotunda, Nikki briefly dipped her head to Nyslara. “Welcome to Earth and the conclave, Queen Nyslara and Leader Torres,” she said.
Nyslara rose slightly on her hocked legs at the reception. “Your courtesy is appreciated, President Fowler.”
“Did your mate, Pussiro, accompany you?” Nikki asked. The gleam in Nyslara’s eyes told her that she’d asked the right question.
“You’re well informed,” Nyslara replied, glancing quickly at Ellie and Hector. “He did come, but the conclave’s events aren’t to his taste. However, as a wasat, his advice will be invaluable.”
“A wasat?” Nikki queried.
“Our race, the Dischnya, constantly warred, and each queen had a wasat, a warrior commander, who led the attacks and defended the tunnels,” Nyslara explained. “These were dark times, and we were a ruthless race, trying desperately to survive. Dassata changed that.”
“That’s another Dischnya word I don’t know,” Nikki admitted.
Nyslara chortled. “The largest Omnian, Alex Racine, is Dassata. He carries the Dischnya title of peacemaker.”
After Nyslara and Emilio Torres passed, Nikki turned to Ellie. “The queen called Alex, Dassata.”
“Most Dischnya call Alex by that name,” Ellie replied.
“Often other Omnians do too,” Hector added.
Nikki had a few minutes to ruminate on that before the next group arrived.
Small tables of various heights decorated the rotunda floor and allowed the delegates to congregate.
Unfortunately, Nikki realized that this was a mistake. It grouped humans and aliens by size.
Ellie smiled.
Nikki stood by the entrance doors, awaiting the final landing. She could hear the roar and applause from the crowd, as the Omnia Ships’ leaders made their way toward the hall.
What a trio, Nikki thought begrudgingly.
When Alex, Renée, and Julien greeted Nikki, she sought to announce their entry, but a hand on her arm from Ellie stilled the words.
Nikki accepted that admonishment as the nature of the role that Omnia Ships’ leaders would continue to play in the conclave. It did occur to her that the leaders had arrived last. They hadn’t opted to make a grand entrance by being first to land.
While Nikki hadn’t expected the Omnian leaders to receive a generous ovation by the reps, she did spot more than a few unfavorable glances. Well, we can’t be liked by everyone, can we? she thought.
Shrugging off the moment, Nikki circulated through the room to converse with the delegates and try to move them between the tables.
It wasn’t long before Nikki recognized that there were more effective individuals managing to comingle with the delegates, and it wasn’t limited to humans. As expected from Ellie and Hector’s updates, Maria Gonzalez and Terese Lechaux were the most active. Then there were several Confederation Leaders, Myseth mya Jaknas, Talsoma, Tockitak, and, of all members, the Crocians.
Bortoth and Daktora were of particular interest to the Confederation Leaders. The Crocians were guided by Dieter to every Méridien at the conclave.
Nikki checked the Crocians’ profiles, which Hector was allowing her to do at her own pace.
* * * * *
The conclave was arranged around a schedule of a morning general conference, a meal break, and then smaller group meetings to discuss mutual interests.
Nikki had offered Alex an opportunity to seat the Omnia Ships’ leaders on the beautifully appointed dais, but he’d refused, which she’d expected.
However, a gallery was constructed to each side of the stage, allowing seating for Sol Enclave reps, selected media, and guests.
None of those in the galleries missed who occupied the front rows — Alex, Renée, Julien, their close associates, and the fleets’ admirals. Many individuals wore their uniforms and were present merely as observers of the discussions.
When the delegates and their SADEs had been seated, Nikki took the podium, cleared her throat, and said, “Welcome to the first galactic conclave. Sol is pleased to host this conference, and it’s our sincere hope that this will become a permanent event. As you’ve learned, I’m the Sol Enclave president, Nikki Fowler.”
Then Nikki paused and sipped on a glass of water to wet her suddenly dry throat. She couldn’t believe what she’d been told earlier this morning. The announcement she was requested to make wasn’t the way she wanted to start the conference, but she admitted that it was necessary.
“I’ve learned much about your reasons for attending this conclave,” Nikki continued. “It’s about trade, economic opportunities, and keeping worlds safe from interlopers. Recognizing those desires, I’ve something important to impart to the delegates.”
Nikki sipped on water again.
By now, the delegates were eyeing one another to see who might know the nature of what the president was about to say. Those individuals searching the faces of the others were severely disappointed.
“Not too long ago, Outpost One successfully moved a dome,” Nikki stated. That was as far as she got. Her next words were drowned out by the questions shouted at her by the delegates and media.
When Nikki was challenged to restore order, twin roars cut through the noise, frightening many in the audience and the entire media. Most had never heard Crocians bellow.
/>
Those near the Omnians noticed the subtle smiles on their faces.
“I’d like to invite Bortoth, a Crocian delegate, to the podium to provide more details and answer your questions,” Nikki said gratefully.
Bortoth rumbled his approval of the invitation. He levered his bulk out of his comfortable nanites chair, with its rear slot for his tail. Then he waddled to the dais.
Aware that moving a dome without Tsargit permission was a contentious subject, Bortoth chose not to start with his first thought, which was to tell the members that their noise was louder than the squeals of a clutch of newly hatched Crocians.
Several audience members and reporters thought to call out their questions, but the SADEs intercepted them, either through their implants or ear comms. Their advice was simple,
“President Fowler’s opening remarks are astute,” Bortoth began. “The fundamental purpose of the conclave is to prompt trade. The domes have always facilitated the movement of alliance citizens and small amounts of goods. But how would you service trade between an alliance world and Toral?” He’d indicated Suntred with a meaty claw, when he mentioned her world.
Having invited comments with a question, Bortoth felt compelled to allow responses. Braving the potential storm, he recognized the Veklock triumvirate.
“By what right do the outpost and Crocians interfere with the Tsargit?” the female Veklock demanded to know.
Myseth was incensed by the question. She urgently tapped her SADE’s arm and pointed to her chest.
Bortoth received the message and was intrigued by the idea of recognizing her. “Myseth mya Jaknas, the Lemgart delegate, wishes to respond,” he said.
The Veklock female’s sharp beak clack elicited deep and ominous rumbles from Bortoth and Daktora.
The triumvirate recognized the Crocians’ warnings.
Myseth stood and tossed her head to sweep the cascades of fur to the rear. “Bortoth, I would ask in what system the dome was moved?”
Bortoth’s jaw opened, displaying his rows of conical teeth. He was amused by Myseth’s opening, and he had an inkling of where she was headed.
“We called the system Re-Gen,” Bortoth replied. “It was part of the original experiment that proved the outpost and its affiliates could successfully initiate new gates.”
“Status of the system, Bortoth, please,” Myseth requested.
“The developing world hasn’t a sentient species,” Bortoth replied, “and the dome exists in a Messinant end-of-line sequence.”
“Then I presume that the creatures that roam this planet aren’t members of the Tsargit,” Myseth suggested.
Bortoth rumbled his pleasure at the line of questioning. “If some species did apply, I’m sure the Tsargit, in its infinite wisdom, would not have approved the application,” the Crocian replied.
Myseth turned toward the Veklocks, and there was no mistaking the heat in her voice. “I would ask the elder alliance race if it’s their contention that all systems in alliance space fall under the Tsargit’s purview. Certainly, the Lemgarts don’t believe they do.”
The media, human colony reps, and Suntred noted the enthusiastic applause and noises issuing from some alliance delegates. Those individuals were identified as members of the Resistance.
“I thank Myseth mya Jaknas for her clarifying comments,” Bortoth said. “I believe this subject will be thoroughly discussed in the afternoon meetings.” He had a twinkle in his eyes at the thought of the coming heated exchanges.
When Talsoma was recognized, she asked, “What exactly was moved and what was learned?”
“Astute questions,” Bortoth commented, which earned him a flash of canines. “We moved the dome and the levels directly beneath the dome, which support its operations. We left the corridors, the dorm rooms, and the tunnel system behind.”
A holo-vid near the edge of the dais lit, and Bortoth sent a three-dimensional wire model of an entire dome to it. Then the dome moved, leaving the auxiliary structures behind.
“We relocated the dome about three hundred meters along a ridge,” Bortoth continued. “The indomitable Kasie Cinders, three other humans, and two SADEs were instrumental in locating the means by which to power down and restart a dome via the console. In addition, we learned how to dismantle and reassemble a dome.”
“Can the dome be returned to its original state?” a male Veklock called out.
“I’ll allow this one impertinent interruption to decorum,” Bortoth replied, and Alex was seen to place a hand over his mouth. “The disposition of the Re-Gen dome should be discussed. It can certainly be returned from where it was moved, or it can be relocated to another system.”
When Tockitak was recognized, she asked, “Could the dome be moved beyond alliance space and linked to new or existing gates?”
“Unknown, Your Excellency,” Bortoth admitted. “This would be part of the ongoing experiment. I believe the essence of the conclave is to build consensus about the nature of our galaxy’s civilizations. How do we wish to shape them?”
With Bortoth’s permission, Nemanous rose. “I direct my question to Admiral Tachenko,” he said.
In reply, Tatia, who was seated in a gallery, stood. Her heavy-worlder body displayed an expanse of Omnian dark blue.
“The combined warships of Omnia Ships and Sol surveyed alliance space to identify the extent of the Colony’s expanse,” Nemanous continued. “What number of domes would you consider are available to be relocated?”
“Minister Nemanous, allow to me to consult my data repository,” Tatia replied politely. Then she offered the Norsitchian a small smile.
Omnian heads turned toward Julien, and the media followed their eyes.
A trademark fedora projected above Julien’s head, while he sought the information requested. Then he transferred it to Tatia.
Tatia reviewed the data and chuckled. “Ask a simple question, and you get all the data that you could possibly imagine,” she said, which had most of the audience laughing, chittering, barking, and making all manner of sounds.
“To put it simply, Minister,” Tatia explained. “Domes outside of alliance worlds that aren’t developing sentient races number in the low hundreds. Some are occupied by the Colony, and they’ll have to be cleaned out by Resistance forces. Some worlds have succumbed to climate degradation. Others are habitable and have varying environments. A significant percentage of these systems occur on dome terminal lines.”
“What percent?” Nemanous asked.
“Twenty one point four,” Julien announced.
Nemanous tipped his head to Tatia and Julien. Then he resumed his seat.
Bartosz Rolek raised his hand. His question was, “Could we have clarification on the concept of dome terminal lines?”
Suddenly the holo-vid lit. “Thank you, SADEs,” Bortoth said, gazing around the conference room. He approached the display of stars. “These are alliance systems that possess domes,” Bortoth explained. “The Messinants did not construct the gates in a simple matrix. We don’t know why.”
The Crocian expanded the display to focus on a star, which had been highlighted by Hector. It was the Re-Gen system.
“You can see that this star lies along a short line with these other systems,” Bortoth continued. “The final dome in the line has one gate. The others have only two gates. This is a terminal line, and domes in these types of arrangements would be the desirable ones to move.”
When Hardomia spoke, the Tsargit members, who were present, knew he spoke for his world and Lead Councilor Jarmonin. “Alliance space has grown in small increments for centuries,” he said. “Despite our economic power, we failed to sufficiently advance our technology to be able to deter the advance of a heinous menace. It took the help of outsiders to support the Resistance and contain the Colony. We’ve an opportunity to seriously expand our commerce. Offering th
e domes in exchange for technical expertise and trade in new territories seems to be a fair exchange.”
Terese followed Hardomia. She said, “I sailed with Alex Racine for annuals. Haraken is a single world. Yet, our citizens have witnessed multiple galactic dangers. You might think that peace has been brought to our societies by the defeat of the Nua’ll ships, the deposing of Artifice in federacy space, and the increasingly successful fight against the Colony. But what makes you believe those are the only menaces this galaxy has to offer. Do you wish to remain fractionalized by your failure to come together? If so, what will you do when a greater danger sweeps over your worlds, and the fleets are insufficient to thwart the attacks?”
However, the triumvirate, who spoke for the alliance’s elder races, wasn’t deterred by the positive mood that was growing.
“We’re aware that alliance races took part in this venture without Tsargit approval,” a male Veklock said, “but their participation offers an opportunity for alliance races.”
Bortoth knew that the Tsargit had been informed of the Crocians, but his response was hindered by his contract, as was any Crocian. The Norloth had agreed to maintain the agreement until the outpost released them.
Bortoth was relieved to receive a signal from Leslie, and he gestured toward her.
Leslie turned toward the Veklocks. “Two alliance races worked on the projects,” she said. “As Pyre’s president, I approved the hiring of spacer crews to excavate the new site. They were hired by the outpost, and they ended up staying to assist in the deconstruction and assembly of the dome’s parts. As you know, Crocians were the second race. They were the engineers who assisted in the technical aspects of the dome analysis and relocation.”
“Then the Crocians and the Pyreans could replicate the process for alliance worlds, moving domes as requested,” the male Veklock insisted.
“Negative,” Bortoth replied, his deep booming voice carrying his dissent. “The races mentioned supplied the labor, and we were given the opportunity to learn,” he said. “But we didn’t uncover the domes’ new mysteries. That respect belongs to a Pyrean and five Omnians. Furthermore, I warn you that it took the SADEs’ support to track the domes’ immense number of parts, their specific locations, and their assembly order and positions.”