Salvage Fleet

by Kevin Steverson

  Everyone burst out laughing.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  That evening, there was an emergence. It was a ship nearly as large as Cube. Harmon had never seen one before, but Rick assured him it was, indeed, a Bith ship. A message came from the system president’s office shortly after it arrived and headed in system. The Bith had asked some questions of President Benter and wanted to meet. They had insisted on Harmon Tomeral being present.

  The meeting was to take place in the new Government Center built to replace the one destroyed months ago. The Bith were due to arrive the same day as the awards ceremony and had agreed to attend. Harmon wondered why they had asked for him by name.

  On the day of the awards ceremony, the entire crew of Salvage Title was in attendance. A skeleton crew from Basher was minding the ship. Cameron had volunteered several of his crew, but Harmon wouldn’t have it. Both Jayneen and Kyla had threatened him with mutiny if he allowed those mess makers unsupervised on board. Some battles you just don’t fight.

  General Wilton had several different ribbons made for everyone involved with defending the system, and orders were issued enabling the pins to be worn on uniforms regardless of the fleet the bearer was in. Harmon and his officers were all wearing their newly-designed dress uniforms, and the ribbons looked good pinned on their chests.

  The president awarded Harmon with the system’s highest award, the Tretrayon Star, for going beyond the call of duty and ensuring the system gate would not be closed due to a misunderstanding about nuclear weapons used in combat. Apparently the Bith had been informed of it and said they would have had no choice but to shut it down if a nuclear weapon had destroyed the Squilla dreadnought.

  They had asked for proof of where it came from, which General Wilton was able to provide from various sources, both electronic and by witness. The Bith were satisfied, and said they would deal with the Squilla system accordingly. They still attended the ceremony.

  “So that’s what they look like,” Clip said, looking back over his shoulder at the large turtle-like Bith representatives.

  “Yeah,” Harmon said. “They’re bigger than Yalteens.”

  “Here they come,” Zerith said.

  The Bith ambled over to where Harmon, his officers, Captain Rogers, Rick Kashka, the Nilta queen, and several others were waiting after the ceremony. Harmon was curious what they wanted.

  “I’m nervous,” Jayneen announced from Clip’s slate. “I don’t know why, but I am.” Her computer was hooked to the power cell and a slate and was still sitting in the chair on the front row. Several ribbons were affixed to it.

  When the Bith arrived, President Benter introduced everyone. The head of the representatives was Garlog, an obviously older being. With him were Worung and Carptol.

  “Harmon Tomeral,” Representative Garlog said slowly. “We have come to this system because of you…and your ship. We did not come because of the nuclear device, though we would have, once the gate detected the radiation. We would have come to investigate, and it would have been bad for this system, let me assure you.”

  “Well,” Harmon said, “I’m glad I was able to prevent the gate closure.”

  “Gate closure is why we are here,” Representative Garlog said. “Are you familiar with the Grithelaon system?”

  “I am,” Harmon answered. “It’s where Salvage Title and several other ships my company owns were built over twenty-two hundred years ago.”

  “We are aware,” the older Bith said. “Did you know the Bith closed that gate over twenty-five hundred years ago because of the use of biological warfare?”

  “I…I did not,” Harmon answered. “Jayneen? Did you know that?”

  “I didn’t,” Jayneen answered. “But now, several files I wasn’t aware of have become available to me. One moment, please.”

  “Is that an…AI?” Garlog asked. “Real artificial intelligence?” The three Bith looked at each other for a long moment.

  “Sorry,” Jayneen said. “I was going over the files…and thinking.”

  “Well?” Harmon asked.

  “Twenty-five hundred years ago, the Grithelaons used biological warfare on the system and killed all sentient life. It was the system where Salvage Title was docked at the spaceport, the resupply depot. As a result, the Bith came and shut down the gate. Three hundred years later, a program was created to determine and enter the unlocking code and allow the gate to be used once again.”

  “That was why you were created,” Clip said. “To navigate the gates.”

  “Yes,” Jayneen agreed. “The first time I traveled through alter reality, I became self-aware. The destination was the supply depot. From there, you know I was taken from the ship and ordered into dormant mode. My next memory is Clip waking me.”

  “This is the first time a locking code has been broken,” Garlog said. “It should have been impossible. The odds are one in one trillion. The gates are not combination locks. To guess it would mean putting in the twelve-digit code at the end of a destination code and attempting to use the gate. A ship could circle around and back through the gate for so long the entire crew would perish, if the ship did not suffer a malfunction first, before the right combination was found.”

  “I was created to navigate the gate,” Jayneen said. “I don’t have any information about my initial programmer, nor why I am now self-aware after the first trip through the gate. Perhaps it is because the Creator wished it so.”

  At this, all three Bith whipped their heads around to look at the AI sitting in the chair. They looked at each other for a moment, then Garlog said, “What is done is done. The gate has been reopened, but we will close it again. The inhabitants of that system broke Gate Law and it cannot stand.”

  “Hold on, now,” Harmon said. “The inhabitants that did that are long gone. Extinct. Tomeral and Associates has claimed that system as salvage.”

  “You can’t just close it like that,” Clip argued. “Harmon, I need to get back to that system.”

  “We can, and we will,” Garlog said with finality.

  “If you do, I’ll just open the gate again,” Jayneen said. “It’ll be easy.”

  “Will it?” Garlog asked. “Tell me, how many digits are there to the Belvakett system?”

  Harmon remembered the name of that system. It had been closed off almost thirty years ago because nuclear weapons had been used within it. They had studied a section on gate closures at the Academy. It was a death sentence for systems.

  “There are fifty digits,” Jayneen answered.

  “Tell me the last three,” Garlog asked slowly.

  “Seven Nine Two,” Jayneen said. “Do not ask me how I know. I just know.”

  Garlog looked at his two companions, and one of them slowly nodded. She was correct. This was something the Bith race had never encountered in all their years of maintaining the gates. When Gate Law was broken, the punishment was delivered, and that was always the end of it. They could not allow a closed system to be reopened.

  “We are at an impasse,” Garlog said. “We will remove the gate.”

  “No, no we’re not!” Clip exclaimed. “Gate Law also has a clause about reopening a gate. It’s right here.” Clip said, reading from a slate where he had pulled up the obscure law nobody ever read.

  “You are referring to the Five Systems Petition?” Garlog asked.

  “That’s the one,” Clip said smugly. “And it says if five system leaders petition for it, it cannot be denied.”

  “Well, there you go,” Harmon said. “We can find five system rulers to agree to the petition. It may take a little time, but we can do it.”

  “I agree,” President Benter volunteered.

  “Keep reading,” Garlog said. “There is more.”

  “It says the five leaders must be present at the time of the decision to request the Five Systems Petition,” Clip read, his voice dejected. “Frost! That means right now, because you just made the decision.”

  �
��You are correct,” Garlog said. “The gate must remain locked. It is the Law. If it cannot be locked, it will be removed.”

  “I agree, also,” Queen of Queens Vellerith stated. “That makes two of us.”

  “I nominate Harmon Tomeral for pressident of the Ssalvage ssysstem,” Zerith said suddenly.

  “Yeah!” Clip said. “I second the nomination, and I call for a vote. All in favor, raise your hand.”

  Hank, Stan, Vera, and Kyla raised their hands with Clip and Zerith. Harmon looked around and slowly raised his. He guessed he could vote for himself; he wasn’t sure. There were no election laws in the Salvage system; that was for sure.

  “All opposed can go take a leap in a sand pit,” Clip said officially. “The election is closed. Harmon Tomeral is the president of the Salvage system. Thank you for participating. Better luck next time.”

  The Bith looked at one another. “We acknowledge President Benter as the leader of the Tretrayon system,” Garlog said. “We acknowledge Queen Vellerith as the leader of the Nilta system. We…will acknowledge Harmon Tomeral as the newly elected leader of the system in question. That is three. The law states that there must be five system leaders present to petition. The gate will be removed.”

  “Wait,” Rick Kashka said, stepping forward. “Representative Garlog. Do you know me?”

  “I do,” Garlog said. “You are the kashka, leader of the Kashkal, a race of nomad warriors. You have been to Bith itself, which is a rarity among races other than Bith.”

  “Yes,” Rick said. “I have. I ask you, does the gate still stand in the Kashkal system?”

  “The star Kashkal has grown cold,” Representative Carptol interrupted.

  “I did not ask that,” the kashka said, standing tall. “Does the gate still stand?”

  Once again, slowly, Garlog answered, “Yes, the gate in the Kashkal system still stands.”

  “I, Rick, the kashka of the Kashkal system, petition for the gate in the Salvage system to be unlocked,” Rick said.

  “We acknowledge that the rightful leader of the Kashkal system has agreed,” Garlog said, frustrated. “Still, that is but four. The law is clear. There must be five. The decision was made here and now, and there are not five system rulers present to petition otherwise. The gate must remain locked. We are at an impasse. It will be removed.”

  “No, we are not.” Every head turned to find Kyla had spoken. “Jayneen, will you make a direct connect call for me?”

  “Yes, yes I will,” the AI said. There was something in her voice that was…triumphant. “Wait one moment, please.”

  Hank, Stan, and Vera looked at one another and stepped away from Kyla. Kyla reached down into the inside pocket of her dress uniform. Whatever was in there, Harmon was not surprised her coat had an inner pocket. Kyla always had pockets full of things. Small tools, sensor equipment—things a chief engineer might need during the course of the day. He was, however, surprised at what she removed from the inside of her coat.

  Chief Warrant Officer Kylatilaarnot pulled out a tiara with three thumbnail-sized stones set on the front. It was beautiful. The metal work was precious metal of four different shades, woven like a thin rope. The three stones were a deep red with flakes of gold embedded in them. They seemed to sparkle with the light, even though Kyla held it steady in her small hands. Whatever type of stones they were, they were clearly worth more credit than Harmon could imagine. There was a collective gasp from all the Leethog present. Big Jon stepped away from Harmon, walked over, and stood slightly behind Kyla.

  Just then, the large screen in the front of the room lit up. Moments later, the blank screen switched to what could only be described as a throne room. Sitting on the throne was a small Leethog, similar in size to Kyla. Beside her on a lower level in a smaller chair sat another Leethog. She was a little larger than Kyla, but her coloring and features were very similar. They were both wearing beautiful dresses.

  The older female Leethog sitting on the throne smiled. She was wearing a tiara similar to Kyla’s, except that it had just one large stone set in the center. The stone was three times the size of one of the stones on the tiara Kyla was still holding. The Leethog seated in the lower chair wore a tiara as well. It contained two stones, each larger that the stones in Kyla’s.

  “Kylatilaarnot, what a pleasant surprise,” the queen of Leethog said. “We just spoke two days ago. Not that I mind when my youngest decides to call her mother.” Again, that smile. “I see you are there with a roomful of beings.”

  “Yes, Mother,” Kyla said, smiling herself. “Hi, Juliatilaarnot!” Kyla greeted her older sister.

  “Well, don’t be rude, Dear,” the queen said. “Introduce me to your friends.”

  “I am so sorry,” Kyla said. “May I present my mother, Queen Layelltilaarnot, queen of Leethog.” Kyla went on to introduce everyone. Queen Layelltilaarnot had a kind word for everyone. Clearly, she was skilled in polite protocol. She was especially thrilled to meet another queen and promised to send an ambassador to Nilta.

  “Queen Layelltilaarnot,” Representative Garlog said. “Though it has been a pleasure making your acquaintance, I am afraid this call has been for naught. An attempt has been made for a Five Systems Petition, and it has failed.”

  “I see,” the Queen of Leethog said. “Because I am not present?”

  “Yes,” Garlog said. “It is the law.”

  “Kylatilaarnot?” her mother implored.

  “I, Princess Kylatilaarnot, invoke the Stones of Leethog,” Kyla said reverently, and she placed the tiara on her head.

  There was another collective gasp among the Leethog in the hall with Kyla, and those within hearing distance in the throne room on Leethog. Princess Juliatilaarnot looked at her mother and smiled. She slowly reached up and took her own tiara off.

  “I, Princess Juliatilaarnot, Heir to the Throne of Leethog, acknowledge the right of Princess Kylatilaarnot to invoke the Stones of Leethog,” she said reverently.

  Queen Layelltilaarnot smiled at her youngest child and said, “I, Queen Layelltilaarnot, Queen of Leethog, acknowledge the right of Princess Kylatilaarnot to invoke the Stones of Leethog.” She slowly reached up, removed her tiara, and held it in her lap.

  After a moment, she said, “Hold one moment please.”

  There was silence in the hall, and Harmon watched the screen with everyone as it went blank for about thirty seconds, and then came back up. The queen and princess were still sitting in the throne room, but there were now three small screens imbedded in the direct call across the bottom. Harmon recognized one of the Leethog now in on the call.

  “Prime Minister, Keeper of Law, and Admiral of the Fleet,” the queen said. “Princess Kylatilaarnot has invoked the Stones of Leethog.” There was silence for several moments. This had not been done for hundreds of years.

  “I, Fleet Admiral Lucytileerlot, acknowledge the right of Princess Kylatilaarnot to invoke the Stones of Leethog,” said the admiral.

  “I, Prime Minister of Leethog Stevetiliptol, acknowledge the right of Princess Kylatilaarnot to invoke the Stones of Leethog,” added the prime minister.

  “I, Keeper of Law Milestilnorbot, acknowledge the right of Princess Kylatilaarnot to invoke the Stones of Leethog,” said the keeper of law.

  After a moment’s hesitation, he continued, “Princess Kylatilaarnot has invoked the Stones of Leethog. According to the Ancient Laws of Leethog, it has been acknowledged by the Queen of Leethog, the Royal Lineage of Leethog, the Defender of Leethog, the Choice of Leethog, and the Keeper of Leethog Law. It is so invoked. Long live the Queen.”

  At hearing the final phrase, all the Leethog, both in the room with Queen Kylatilaarnot and back on Leethog within hearing distance of the call, repeated the phrase. Those present with her dropped to one knee. Kyla quickly told them to rise.

  “My Queen,” Milestilnorbot asked, “how long will you reign?”

  The queen of Leethog looked at her mother on screen and saw her discreetly holding up two fi
ngers. Her sister looked at her mother’s hand, grinned and nodded. She then mimicked swimming motions.

  “I will reign for two weeks,” Queen Kylatilaarnot stated. “At which time, I will relinquish the Stones to my mother, Duchess Layelltilaarnot, a member of the Royal Family.”

  “Duly noted, my Queen,” said the keeper of law.

  “My Queen,” the Leethog Fleet admiral said. “I cannot protect you at this distance, therefore I am left with no choice. Staff Sergeant Jontilictick, you are hereby promoted to the rank of sergeant major. Given this level of field promotion, you will become my liaison and protect the queen. Have I made myself clear?”

  Sergeant Major Jontilictick snapped to attention, saluted, and shouted, “Ma’am, yes ma’am!”

  The admiral winked at her niece just before all three of the smaller screens disappeared. On screen, Duchess Layelltilaarnot and Lady Juliatilaarnot stood and stretched. Kyla’s sister still had her grin. They left their tiaras on the seat cushions.

  “Well, this has been an eventful day,” Kyla’s mother said, smiling again. “It was good seeing you today, dear, but your sister and I have to go pack. We’re going to the family island for two weeks on vacation. I believe you have things to attend to concerning the system. Bye!” She waved at the screen as she stepped down and walked out of view.

  Kyla’s older sister stepped toward the screen. Harmon noticed she had on the same shade of lipstick her sister wore. “Oooo, I love your eyes! Can you bring me some of that eye lipstick next time you visit? I’m going to the beach! Bye!” She waved, and the screen went blank.

  “Representative Garlog,” the young queen turned and said, “I agree to the petition to unlock the gate in the Salvage system. I believe that makes five.”

  The three Bith representatives looked at each other for a long moment, and then Garlog turned to Harmon. “We acknowledge Queen Kylatilaarnot as the leader of the Leethog system. For the first time in history, five system leaders have petitioned to have the lock removed from a closed system gate. According to Gate Law, the Salvage system gate shall remain unlocked and afforded proper maintenance. Once maintenance is current, the coordinates of the gate will be available to all. Our business is concluded here.” The three of them turned and slowly walked away.