by S. H. Jucha
Z resisted releasing the horn blast that Jess’s quip had initiated.
Before the group’s traveler made the Freedom, Miriam and Luther completed their calculations on the complex processes of the outpost’s construction schedule, the sailing and loading-offloading times of the freighters and carriers, and the quantity of goods expected from the alliance races.
When Mickey told Jess of the length of time the carriers would be unavailable, he was sure the commander would halt the use of them to haul freight.
Instead, Jess replied, “Understood, Mickey. Keep me apprised of their schedules.”
“Commander,” Alex said, “it looks like we’ve time for our visit to the Tsargit. I’d like to present the six of you to the alliance representatives.”
Jess smiled. The Tsargit body would see the outpost’s first leaders — three humans, two of them Pyreans, a Jatouche, a Sylian, and a Dischnya queen. It would be a small sample of the galactic collection of races.
* * * * *
Jess considered the critical tasks that faced him. The outpost was an alliance-Omnian-Earther project, but the station existed in Pyrean space. He spoke to Alex and informed him that Lucia and he would meet with President Finian before sailing for Hyronzy Station.
Sharon waited for her passengers in a bay. She devoted the time to work on her decision. Fighting the Colony enabled her to apply her piloting skills. It was the pure joy of executing impossible maneuvers in a traveler. In addition, she appreciated the privilege of transporting Jess. Although, if she was honest, she considered he was safer with her linked to the controller than anyone else, except for the SADEs.
The two conditions had been in sync for Sharon, while Jess was the assault commander. Jess accepting the position of outpost commander meant they’d separated, and she would have to decide which was more important to her.
When Jess stepped from the airlock into Sharon’s bay, she put her ruminations aside.
“Where to, Commander?” Sharon asked.
“Pyrean Hall of Representatives first, Sharon,” Jess replied. “Afterward, we’ll need to locate Commandant Tuttle and my sister. Both of them have dropped planetside.”
Sharon stepped aside to let Lucia and Jess board first. “Nice uniforms,” she commented quietly, as the admiral passed.
Lucia stopped with one foot on the traveler’s hatch, and she regarded Sharon. “Would you like one, Lieutenant?” she asked.
Sharon glanced from Lucia to Jess and back.
“I see the problem,” Lucia said. “You need to make a decision, Lieutenant. Unfortunately, we can’t help you with that. However, I’m sure I speak for the commander when I say that either of us would be pleased to accept your service.”
“Thank you, Admiral,” Sharon replied.
Lucia climbed the steps into the ship’s interior, but Jess paused, placed a hand on Sharon’s shoulder, gave it a squeeze, and then boarded.
Sharon shook her head, as if it would clear the confusion of her internal discussion. Then she focused on the task at hand and followed Jess.
As the traveler dropped through Pyre’s atmosphere, Lucia took pleasure in gazing at the planet’s verdant colors. “Hard to believe the stories about the Pyre of old,” she commented. “Have Pyreans thought of changing the planet’s name? It doesn’t suit it anymore.”
“According to Ophelia, the subject has recently come up more often, but it gets shouted down,” Jess replied. “People say the name reminds them that they must take care of their planet.”
Jess glanced over his shoulder, and Lucia said, “You keep looking behind you. Who or what are you expecting to see?”
“Veterans, shadows ... anyone, anything,” Jess replied.
Lucia laughed sympathetically. “Jess, time to accept your elevated status. It will mean lots of traveler flights with minimum company. By the way, this meeting with President Finian will be a test of your position.”
“I know. I’ve been thinking about it,” Jess replied. “Unfortunately, there isn’t a precedence to rely on. This outpost is the first of its kind for Omnians, Earthers, Pyreans, and the alliance. Exactly, what are we?”
“What did Alex tell you?” Lucia asked. She knew Jess and Alex had spoken privately a few times.
“He made it clear that the Omnians support this venture,” Jess replied.
“And?” Lucia pressed.
“He talked about how they could help with personnel, ships, materials, and credits, and that’s pretty much it,” Jess said, lifting his hands to indicate nothing more was said.
“Alex said nothing about who you could look to for guidance?” Lucia asked.
“No,” Jess replied, “and I know we can’t expect to get any support from the Tsargit council.”
“Does criticism count as support?” Lucia asked, snorting in derision.
“I think we’re on our own,” Jess said in a desultory fashion.
“We’re not on our own,” Lucia replied firmly. “Alex won’t let us fail. We’ve support from the Omnians, from Sol, and from the alliance races. But you’re right about one thing. We have to make our own decisions. That’s because we’re an independent organization. Someday, I expect outpost commanders will report to a governing organization.”
“I don’t look forward to the day I report to a bureaucracy,” Jess said, dismayed by the thought.
Lucia laughed, leaned over, and kissed Jess’s cheek. “You’ll probably be the head of the bureaucracy by then,” she said.
Jess was disgusted by the idea, and Lucia laughed even harder. He turned his head and regarded her.
“What?” Lucia asked.
“You seem to be in a good mood regardless of the obstacles we’re facing,” Jess replied.
Lucia considered Jess’s question. Then she smiled. “I suppose I am,” she said, “but then I’ve a lot of time to make up.”
The cabin lights brightened, as Sharon landed the traveler outside Pyre’s primary government building. It housed the president, her staff, the advisors, and the representatives.
Jess had contacted Leslie Finian’s office and made an appointment to see the president, which meant he was surprised to be greeted by Ophelia and Kasie. Nonetheless, Lucia and he were happy to see the women.
“I love the uniforms,” Kasie gushed, sending waves of calming warmth.
“Good to see you, sister,” Jess said, “but why are you broadcasting so strongly? What aren’t you telling us?”
“Jess, we’re meeting you out here to warn you,” Ophelia replied. “You’re not meeting with Leslie.”
“She canceled?” Lucia asked.
“No,” Ophelia replied. “She moved the meeting. You’re speaking before the representative body, and Leslie and her advisors are sitting in the box.”
Jess frowned and thought for a moment. His discussion with Lucia came back to him. They represented the first outpost, something unformed, and he perceived that President Finian hoped to gain influence over the nascent station. Her strategy was to use the representatives to pressure him.
Jess looked at Lucia, and he grinned.
“Yes,” Kasie said triumphantly, feeling the determination emanating from her brother. She stepped between the couple, linked arms with them, and marched toward the building’s long cascade of steps that led to the entrance.
33: Independence
Jess and
Lucia were led to the hall, where the representatives had assembled.
“Good fortune,” Ophelia wished the couple at the entrance to the hall, and Kasie and she handed them off to the door attendant.
Jess and Lucia glanced toward each other after taking a look at the stage where the attendant was headed. Two chairs sat forlornly on the stage beside a thin clear podium.
President Finian and her advisors waited in the gallery, referred to by Pyreans as the box. The gallery had a beautifully carved wood face and was adjacent to the stage.
The attendant paused at the base of the steps that reached the stage, and he motioned the pair upward.
Instead, Jess gently steered Lucia away. They crossed the width of the hall to reach the president’s box.
Leslie Finian recognized Jess’s ploy. She’d hoped to keep their meeting at arm’s length — to let the representatives press Jess for control of aspects of the outpost’s operations. But he intended to blunt her tactic.
“President Finian, good to see you again,” Jess announced in a full voice. He’d stepped to the gallery face and reached a hand up to her.
Leslie had no choice but to graciously smile and shake Jess’s hand.
“Congratulations on your promotion, Commander. I’m sure you’ll serve the Omnians well.”
“May I present Fleet Admiral Lucia Bellardo, Madam President?” Jess requested. “She’ll command the outpost’s ships.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Admiral,” Leslie said perfunctorily.
Like Jess, Lucia had caught onto Leslie’s game, which she had no intention of playing. She held out her hand to Leslie, forcing the president to respond.
As the women shook hands, Lucia complimented the Pyreans on maintaining the beauty of their planet. It created appreciative murmurs from those nearby. Again, Leslie was required to respond cordially. Too many advisors and representatives were within earshot.
Jess and Lucia could have accessed the stage steps near the gallery, but Lucia signaled Jess to reverse course.
Lucia disliked the president’s machinations, but she was truly angered by anyone treating Jess with less than the respect he’d earned.
Scanning the front row of representatives, Lucia caught the eye of an elderly man. He nodded at her, and she returned a brilliant smile. She approached him, and the elder statesman politely rose and greeted her.
Throughout her life, Lucia had taken her genetically sculpted beauty for granted. One of the few times that she’d personally reacted to its impact on others was when Jess had stared at her. Now, she thought if her appearance could help Jess and her in the outpost’s politics, she intended to use it.
Several other representatives stood and took advantage of the opportunity to greet the alluring admiral.
In the visitors’ gallery, Kasie nudged Ophelia’s arm and grinned. The women were enjoying watching Jess and Lucia disrupt Leslie’s plans.
“Thank you, Sers, for your warm reception,” Lucia said. Then Jess and she made for the far steps and mounted them to the stage.
Lucia sent.
As Lucia approached the slender podium, Leslie frowned. She’d prepped several representatives to fire questions at Jess the moment he stepped forward to speak. She hadn’t expected the admiral to address the audience first.
“Except for the few kind individuals in the front row,” Lucia began, smiling down at the representatives who she’d greeted, “we haven’t been introduced. I’m Fleet Admiral Lucia Bellardo. I’m Méridien by birth, and I’ve been with Alex Racine’s fleet since my rescue from Libre. But I’m not standing in front of you to tell my story. We’ve been invited by your president to speak to you about the outpost in Pyrean space.”
Jess kept a smile from crossing his face. Lucia was brilliantly turning the tables on Leslie.
Lucia paused. Then she turned and indicated Jess. “You might think you know this man because he’s Pyrean. Trust me, you don’t. Why not? The only way that you could know him was if you too had faced a five-meter red insectoid rearing in front of you, giving you less than a split second to react or die. And you would have to do this over and over again, day in and day out, until you were bone weary.”
Lucia paused again to let her words sink into the minds of her audience. She could see that she had their attention. It made her wonder if images of the fight against the Colony hadn’t been widely available.
“This man knows what it’s like to do that,” Lucia continued. “He’s led more than a thousand troops from multiple races, using Omnian shadows, to clear the Colony from planets and domes. The outpost that’s being established will continue that effort, and it’ll be led by Commander Jess Cinders in the tradition of the resistance.”
Lucia stepped aside and indicated Jess with an outstretched hand.
Jess had barely stepped in front of the podium, when a representative rose and asked, “Will the Omnians control this outpost?”
“Thank you for your generous greeting,” Jess said, ignoring the speaker, who was unsure whether to remain standing or sit down. “To paraphrase my admiral, I’m Pyrean by birth, but the outpost isn’t. It isn’t Omnian, or Earther, or alliance.”
“Then who is in authority over you?” the speaker, who’d remained standing, called out.
“Who would you like us to report to?” Jess asked the speaker. “Your president, Sol’s president, the Tsargit, Alex Racine ... who would you like?”
The representative was speechless, and the confounded stares from those around him made him wilt into his seat.
“You see the challenge, don’t you?” Jess asked the audience. “Every race inside and outside of alliance space wants the Colony removed. You do, don’t you?”
Shouts of affirmation issued from the representatives.
Jess let the noise end. Then he said, “The admiral and I do too,” which caused a lot of laughter. “But here’s the problem,” he continued. “If you accept control of the outpost, you accept responsibility for its success. The outpost needs individuals to serve its purpose. It requires ships and weapons, and a huge station is being built to manage its operations. Is Pyre willing to accept responsibility for the outpost and, therefore, be willing to pay for it?”
Jess turned to regard Leslie. He knew the president hadn’t an answer to his question, but he continued to look toward her until she fidgeted and looked away from him.
“And therein lies the problem,” Jess said to the audience. “The requirements of this outpost are too great for any one race to implement and maintain. It must be a cooperative venture. We’re in this together to defeat the Colony and keep alliance space safe from invaders.”
Jess received a resounding applause, and he waited for it to die down.
“Pyre is doing its part,” Jess said, “and I thank you for that. To Commandant Tuttle, I apologize.”
Jess indicated the visitors’ gallery, and Kasie urged Ophelia to stand. The audience craned their necks to see her.
“Commandant, my apologies, I co-opted Major Tulafono from your security organization,” Jess said. “He now reports to me as one of our assault leaders, who’ll command two hundred troops and two thousand shadows to fight the Colony.”
“Major Tulafono submitted his resignation, Commander. I’m sure he’ll serve the outpost well,” Ophelia called out in a commanding voice. She added her considerable empathic power to the sentiment, and more than a third of the representative body felt the wave sweep through their minds.
“I’m sure he will. The major has proven to be a valuable
fighter and leader,” Jess said. “In addition, President Finian has graciously accepted the responsibility of installing and maintaining the outpost’s hydroponic gardens.”
With a hand, Jess allowed the applause to be directed to Leslie, who stood and accepted it.
“By the way,” Jess said in a conspiratorial tone to his audience, “without the hydroponics, I probably couldn’t have recruited another assault leader.”
While the audience mulled the hint, Lucia caught the eye of the first individual she’d greeted, and she mouthed the answer.
The elder representative laughed and called out, “Jatouche.”
Then another member yelled, “Fruit juices,” and the audience laughed jovially.
“Tacnock is Jatouche,” Jess said, “and he’s been my friend for nearly nine annuals. Together, we’ve fought the insectoids across alliance space. Tacnock will sail on his carrier with troops and shadows, as will the other assault leaders, and they’ll risk their lives for the sake of every race.”
A representative stood and asked respectfully, “Commander Cinders, can you tell us if you’ve recruited other assault leaders?”
“Yes,” Jess replied. “We’ve four carriers, which require four assault teams. I’ve brought on a Sylian troop commander, Sastisona. The other individual is a Dischnya, Queen Homsaff. She’s perhaps the fiercest fighter I’ve ever known. She leads two squads of Dischnya warriors. You’ll have the opportunity to meet them when they visit Pyre.”
Jess turned toward Leslie, and he said, “I thank you, Madam President, for the opportunity to address the assembly today.” Then he signaled Lucia that they were leaving.
The couple descended the stage steps. Jess headed for the exit, but Lucia steered him toward the representatives. Most had stood, applauded, and appeared anxious to speak to the outpost leaders.
Some of the younger representatives gravitated around Lucia. She did her best to charm them, although it wasn’t her forte.
Those surrounding Jess were anxious to hear stories of the Colony encounters. After several minutes of bombarding questions, Jess held up his hands to still his audience. “I tell you what,” he said. “When the outpost is finished, I invite you to visit. Just don’t bring the entire assembly at the same time.”