by S. H. Jucha
Momentarily, the Deloy was speechless, and when she did speak, she sputtered.
“Gather yourself, citizen,” Trobath instructed. “I can’t answer a question that I can’t understand.”
The elites who’d stayed with the Deloy until the bitter end recognized the extent of the undesirable circumstances. Their lives of leisure and opulent surroundings had come to an abrupt and ignominious ending.
Slowly and quietly, the sycophants slipped past Trobath and disappeared from sight. They asked core citizens for directions to find the accommodations listed on their slates.
The Deloy stared at Trobath. She was furious and thought about striking the impudent female but was afraid of retaliation. With nothing left to say, the Deloy succumbed to the anguish of her new conditions, and she broke down.
Trobath quietly made a bed from the Deloy’s supplies, which had accompanied her. When finished, Trobath instructed the Deloy to lie down.
“When you’ve recovered, citizen, you’ll find my contact information on your slate. Request me, and we’ll speak at length,” Trobath said.
Before the domes’ completion, Trobath had consulted Alex on a subject dear to her. He’d loved Trobath’s concept and connected her to Renée and Cordelia, who discovered they had a willing accomplice to throw a fête.
The trio chose to hold the event while the Light shone, and young Ollassa traveled early in the cycle to reach the domes. While the Ollassa weren’t adventurous enough to enter the domes, much less participate, they were entertained by either direct viewing or by observing the holo-vids of the many SADEs who ringed the domes.
Vyztram followed Cordelia’s instructions on how to provide a mix of music for the fêtes, which were held in the center of each dome.
SADEs had observed the Elvians’ courtesies, and they’d downloaded the AI’s music repertoire.
Every Elvian citizen who wanted to participate had donned their best costume.
When the event arrived, Trobath was invited to occupy center stage in the enormous central dome. She was recognized by many as the event’s instigator and the ambassador who’d influenced the Ollassa. Critically, she was the Elvian who’d stood by Alex with the oxygen bot while the security bots had attacked.
Trobath turned in a slow circle, surveying the numerous onlookers, and her gaze settled on Alex. Her luminous eyes gleamed, and she performed an intricate maneuver designed to entice him forward.
Alex smiled at his partner and kissed her forehead. Knowing that this might happen, he’d prepared with help from the SADEs. They’d chosen Vyztram’s first music selection. Then they’d designed Alex’s motions.
When Alex had downloaded the music and the movements, he’d spent days training his muscle groups. His mass prevented him from being a graceful dancer, but he was intent on not embarrassing Trobath. He saw a bright future for her in the Elvian-Ollassa alliance.
Cordelia cued Vyztram. The AI started the music selection, and Alex initiated his program. While his body was driven by his implants, the smile that he wore on his face was genuine.
When Trobath saw Alex glide forward, using his arms and hands in welcoming gestures, her smile grew wide, and she reciprocated.
Immediately, Trobath realized that Alex had presumed the lead in their dance, and she was happy to respond. It allowed her to improvise responses to his movements. The heightened level of oxygen allowed Trobath to exert herself, and she let Alex be the center of their performance, while she arced around him.
Originally, Trobath thought to perform a simple introduction with Alex, but he’d turned it into a full-fledged performance. She couldn’t have been more delighted, and she danced with her whole heart.
When the music faded, Alex and Trobath finished with gentle courtesies to each other. On the last note, Trobath rushed forward, and Alex swept her up in his arms.
Trobath whispered into Alex’s ear before he set her down, and they accepted the audience’s applause.
As the next music selection filled the space, Alex retreated to join Renée, and Elvians crowded the floor.
Alex translated Trobath’s whisper. She’d said, “For an ugly alien, you’re extremely lovely.”
Killian hadn’t wanted to miss out on the opportunity to enjoy a new dance form. Unfortunately, the SADE’s love of dance, especially his ability to improvise preceded him, and it led to a dearth of potential partners. But Killian persisted.
Cordelia had sent.
Killian’s comm contact had abruptly ended, and he’d grinned.
Cordelia smiled, as she observed Killian connect to Vyztram.
After letting the Elvians occupy the central dome’s floor for many selections, Killian left the scouts, with which he’d stood, and crossed toward Cordelia.
Detecting Killian turning toward her, Cordelia cued Vyztram to hold the next selection.
The Elvians watched a SADE walk across the dance floor. The cheering, clapping, and foot stomping of the Omnians alerted them to something unique, and they deserted the floor.
Killian stopped in front of Cordelia, bowed, and executed an intricate courtesy with one hand. She returned it, imitating his gesture, and added a twist of her own.
The pair took the floor in sliding motions that resembled entities floating on air. Then they performed a dance that only SADEs could execute. It was delicate; it was energetic. It was slow; it moved. They spun, twirled, and orbited each other. In sum, it mesmerized the biologicals.
When the pair finished, Omnian roars and sound blasts rocked the dome. Momentarily stunned, the Elvians, who were prepared to gesture courtesies, chose to join the noise and clap their hands.
Thereafter, Elvians, humans, and SADEs filled the floor.
Alex seemed content to sit the next dance out, but Renée had other thoughts.
Before the Light dimmed, the Ollassa signaled stalks to carry them to the tram line, and the SADEs ensured that they safely reached cars, which had waited for the returnees.
Within days after the fête, Alex and the Omnians said goodbye to the Elvians and the Ollassa. They left presents. A new comm station held stationary orbit above the World of Light. It could transmit to the Arcus, which could employ the ship’s powerful antennas, and it could connect to two new comm substations. Vyztram and Scarlet Mandator each possessed one. For the mandator’s use, a holo-vid connected to the substation.
Then the Omnian fleets set sail for home.
As Alex and Renée relaxed in their suite, Renée regarded the interior.
“What?” Alex asked.
“I was thinking that while the Freedom is being repaired, we should redecorate the suite,” Renée replied.
“It wasn’t damaged,” Alex pointed out.
“So?” Renée inquired with a smile.
After the Omnian fleets sailed, Vyztram set a shuttle schedule that enabled engineers and techs to visit the Arcus for a few cycles at a time. Oxygen levels within the ship would slowly rise without the population aboard. It was Vyztram’s intention to repair the Arcus and make it capable of extended sailing when the Ollassa were ready to join other races.
Young Ollassa were anxious to help and learn about Elvian technology, but the Arcus wouldn’t support their presence until many changes were made.
For many annuals, Vyztram would inhabit the Omnian avatar. The AI accepted Alex’s apology that there wasn’t time for the Omnians to build the two requested avatars. In compensation, Z left plans and many critical internal parts, such as power cells, grav devices, and kernels. Over time, the AI would build other avatars
in new forms, but the Julien-like avatar would always be the AI’s favorite.
— The Silver Ships series continues in Q-Gates. —
Glossary
Dischnya – Sentient species in Omnian system
Neffess – Lieutenant, Omnian pilot, heir to Nyslara and Pussiro
Nyslara – Queen, mate to Pussiro, matriarch of Nyslara
Pussiro – Ex-wasat, mate to Nyslara, patriarch of Neffess
Elvians – Interlopers in the Ollassa system
Dafine – Core’s rep leader
Deloy – Appointed decision-maker of the Arcus
Famgore – Core’s rep
Gedram – Offspring of Kofroos
Jerfem – Engineer
Kofroos – Senior attendant to the Deloy, matriarch of Gedram
Trobath – Alex’s guide, unofficial ambassador to the Ollassa
Vyztram – Elvian AI
Yemerth – Core’s rep
Ollassa/Vinians – Sentient lifeform comprising symbiotic flora parts
Citron Mandator – Governing individual
Flame Mandator – Governing individual
Golden Mandator – Governing individual
Life Giver – A progenitor of the Ollassa
Mist Monitor – Mesa Control crew
Olive Tasker – Tasker serving Scarlet Mandator
Plum Mandator – Governing individual
Scarlet Mandator – Ollassa leader who wears the Life Givers’ crescents
Tasker – Working Ollassa
Umber Interpreter – Communicates with a Life Giver
Omnians – Humans/SADEs
Adrianna Plummer – Rear admiral
Alain de Long – Senior captain, twin of Étienne, partner of Tatia Tachenko
Alex Racine – Omnian co-leader, partner of Renée de Guirnon
Alphons Jagielski – Rear admiral
Beryl – Lead scout SADE
Bethley – Scout SADE aboard the Vivian’s Mirror
Cordelia – SADE, rear admiral, captain of the Freedom, partner of Julien
Darius Gaumata – Rear admiral
Deirdre Canaan – Rear admiral
Descartes – SADE, commodore
Ellie Thompson – Vice admiral, partner of Étienne de Long
Étienne de Long – Senior captain, twin of Alain, partner of Ellie Thompson
Figaro – SADE
Franz Cohen – Fighter command rear admiral, partner of Reiko Shimada
Genoa – Lead scout SADE
Hector – SADE, fleet admiral, captain of the Our People
Jackie Olmand – First mate aboard Transit Tripper
Julien – SADE leader, Alex’s close friend, partner of Cordelia
Kara Walton – Captain, Transit Tripper, New Terran, partner of Oscar Tellings
Killian – Lead scout SADE aboard the Vivian’s Mirror
Linn – Lead scout SADE
Lydia – SADE, advisor to Hector
Mickey Brandon – Chief engineer for Alex Racine, partner of Pia Sabine
Miranda – SADE, partner of Z
Nata – Lieutenant, pilot, eldest of the wild ones on Omnia
Oscar Tellings – Deceased partner of Kara Walton
Othello – SADE working with Z
Petra Havard – Shuttle pilot, transferred to Alain de Long’s Trident
Pettifleur “Petite” Draken – Captain, OS Intrepid
Reiko Shimada – Vice admiral, partner of Franz Cohen
Renée de Guirnon – Omnian co-leader, partner of Alex Racine
Svetlana Valenko – Revered, deceased Trident admiral
Tatia Tachenko – Fleet admiral, partner of Alain de Long
Teddy Lassiter – Crew chief aboard OS Intrepid
Trium – Scout SADE aboard the Vivian’s Mirror
Z – SADE, partner of Miranda
Pyreans – Human descendants of the Honora Belle colonists, now in alliance territory
Jess Cinders – Commander of Outpost One: Resistance, peacekeeping station located in the Pyrean system
Talusians – Race comprised of Toralians and Omnian Sisters
Hermione – Constructionist sister who accompanies Ude
Miriamal – Displaced leader of militarists
Miriamelle – Advisor to Sargut
Sargut – President
Sisterhood – Collection of cloned SADEs who protected the Omnian fleet
Ude – Human clone who chose to live on Toral
Other Individuals or Items
Allora – SADE who donated kernel to Miranda
Artifice – AI resident on Toral, previous ruler of alliance
Boobaffles – Aliens visiting Talus system
Colony – Insectoid race in alliance space
Crescents – Blooms on Scarlet Mandator’s body stalk
Dampeth – Elvian psychedelic drug
Dassata – Alex Racine’s Dischnya title, peacemaker
Earther – Citizen of Sol
Foothreens – Aliens visiting Talus system
House Brixton – Méridien organization that creates SADEs
Jatouche – Pyreans’ closest allies in alliance space, medical practitioners
Méridiens – Humans and SADEs of the Confederation
Mesa Control – Ollassa central command
NNEMP – Nonnuclear electromagnetic pulse
Nua’ll – Collective race that live aboard massive sphere-shaped ships
Omnia Ships – OS, business owned by Alex Racine and others
Podarlas – Aliens visiting Talus system
Q-gates – Instantaneous transport between worlds built by an ancient race
Rayland – SADE exiled to Libre for causing human deaths
SADE – Self-aware digital entity, artificial intelligence being
Swei Swee – Sentient alien lifeform inhabiting the oceans of several worlds
Syslerians – Aliens visiting Talus system
Planets, Colonies, Moons, and Stars
Confederation – Collection of Méridien worlds
Federacy – Races previously ruled by Artifice
Libre – Penal colony for Independents set up by the Confederation
Méridien – Primary world of the Confederation
New Terra – New Terrans’ home world
Omnia – World settled by the Dischnya, Swei Swee, SADEs, and humans
Pyre – Pyreans’ home world
Sol – Earth’s star
Talus – Talusian system
Toral – Talusian home world
World of Light – Ollassa home world
Worlds of Light – Ollassa system, previously called the Vinium system
Ships and Stations
Arcus – Elvian ship
Freedom – Omnian city-ship
Honora Belle – Colony ship that left Earth, transport of the Pyreans
OS Intrepid – Captain Draken’s Trident
Our People – Omnian city-ship
Outpost One: Resistance – First peacekeeping station, located in the Pyrean system
Rêveur – Alex Racine’s Méridien passenger liner
Sardi-Tallen Orbital Platform – Ship construction station at Omnia
Transit Tripper – Aging Omnian freighter
Travelers – Beam-armed shuttles and fighters
Tridents – Omnian tri-hulled, beam-armed warships
Vivian’s Mirror – Scout ship of Killian, Bethley, and Trium
My Books
Elvians is the twenty-second novel in the interwoven series of The Silver Ships and Pyreans, which tell the stories of Earth colonists and the spread of humankind throughout a galaxy filled with alien races.
The novel is available in e-book, softcover, and audiobook versions. Please visit my website, http://scottjucha.com, for publication dates and purchase locations. You may register at my website to receive e-mail updates on the progress of my upcoming novels.
The Silver Ships Series
The Silver Ships
Méridien
Haraken
Sol
Espero
Allora
Celus-5
Omnia
Vinium
Nua’ll
Artifice
Sojourn
Alliance
SADEs
Earthers
Talus
Elvians
Q-Gates (forthcoming)
Pyreans Series
Empaths
Messinants
Jatouche
Veklocks
The Author
From my early years to the present, books have been a refuge. They’ve fueled my imagination. I’ve traveled to faraway places and met aliens with Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke, Herbert, and Le Guin. I’ve explored historical events with Michener and Clavell, and I played spy with Ludlum and Fleming.
There’s no doubt that the early sci-fi masters influenced the writing of my first two series, The Silver Ships and Pyreans. I crafted my stories to give readers intimate views of my characters, who wrestle with the challenges of living in space and inhabiting alien worlds.
Life is rarely easy for these characters, who encounter aliens and calamities, but they persist and flourish. I revel in examining humankind’s will to survive. Not everyone plays fair or exhibits concern for other beings, but that’s another aspect of humans and aliens that I investigate.
My stories offer hope for humans today about what they might accomplish tomorrow far from our home world. Throughout my books, humans exhibit a will to persevere, without detriment to the vast majority of others.
Readers have been generous with their comments, which they’ve left on Amazon and Goodreads for others to review. I truly enjoy what I do, and I’m pleased to read how my stories have positively affected many readers’ lives.
If you’ve read my books, please consider posting a review on Amazon and Goodreads for every book, even a short one. Reviews attract other readers and are a great help to indie authors, such as me.