“I not say yes, I not say no. Elders say,” Tei’Varyk said finally making a decision.
“You go back Chakra. Talk elders ### come back and say. We ### here,” Brenda said.
Tei’Varyk flicked his ears in agreement, but then bobbed his head for good measure. He offered her the pictures back, but she said they were a gift. He bowed as best he could and she did the same before giving him a container to safeguard the talking devices and gifts.
Brenda knew she’d gone wrong, but for the life of her she couldn’t see how she could’ve done differently. She’d slipped by telling Tei’Varyk that Canada wasn’t a warship, but he would get a surprise if he fired on her. Canada wasn’t a warship any longer, but she had been one once. She could still defend herself long enough to escape into fold space.
Brenda watched Tei’Varyk fit the compads and other things neatly into the container and seal it. They would be quite safe from the cold and vacuum of space. When they were ready, she escorted them to the airlock, all the time looking worriedly at James. Shouldn’t he have awoken by now? Surely the bots had made an impression on the wound after all this time, but if they had, she saw no sign.
The Shan sealed their helmets and stepped into the airlock.
Tei turned to face her. He raised a paw and Brenda did the same before closing the inner door to start the exit cycle. She watched in silence as the outer door opened and her guests left.
“Brenda?” James croaked. “Did I miss anything?”
Brenda gasped and spun to see James looking at her with a grey and sweating face. She was by his side and kissing him before she’d thought to move.
“Are you in pain? Of course you are. I’ll get you something my love; you’ll be all right. I injected the bots, and Fleet has good ones and—”
“Shush, I’m not in pain,” James said then grimaced. “Not much. I missed the whole thing didn’t I? Some hero I turned out to be…” he said as his eyes slipped slowly shut.
“You sleep now. Tomorrow you’ll be well again,” Brenda said and sat next to him holding his hand with tears of joy in her eyes.
Aboard Chakra, Inner Belt, Shan System
Tei’Varyk stormed onto the command deck in a state of high excitement and agitation. The Humans could be the saviours of his people, but like all good things, there was another side to the story. What if the Humans came here, but did not allow Shan to learn their technology? What then? His people would be like cubs to them. His people needed friends and partners, equal partners, not some kind of master or parent.
“Kon’stanji, you are claw of Chakra,” he said as he took his station from Tei’Unwin.
“I hear but…” Kon’stanji hesitated to ask.
“Kajika has shamed me. His punishment is reduction to alternate claw.”
There was some little shock at that, but relief as well. For all they knew, the aliens might have killed Kajika. Only Tei’Varyk knew that if anyone had killed Kajika it would have been him, and it would remain that way.
Tei’Unwin had not yet left the command deck. Tei’Varyk wondered how much he should divulge. He had yet to speak to the elders about his meeting with the aliens. Would they expect him to keep the meeting secret? Keeping it secret might make it easier for them to ignore the aliens. That was something he would not allow if he had his way, but it was not his place to make such decisions. He chewed his whiskers and decided to risk their displeasure.
“We have a great opportunity before us,” he began. “There are two aliens aboard the cub, and they are friendly.”
Gasps and yips of shock surrounded him. Tei’Varyk dropped his jaw and waved his ears in amusement. What did Humans do when they were amused? He glanced at Tarjei and saw worry mixed with relief at his return. The worry was the same as on all the other’s faces, but the rest was for him alone.
“You are certain, Tei?” Tei’Unwin asked. “Really certain they mean us no harm?”
“I’m certain of nothing. Never am I certain beyond some small doubt. You are the same or you would still be Kon’Unwin, but I feel they are not an immediate threat to us. I’ve been given gifts, and I have spoken with the female whose name is,” Tei’Varyk paused and tried to sound the alien name. “Brenda. Her mate is James. I have been gifted with a device that turns my words into Human speech. They have the same devices to turn their speech into ours. It’s not a perfect translation, but the errors are small enough for understanding.”
“Humanssss?” Tei’Unwin sounded the strange name, but he garbled the last syllable. “They are not like the Murderers?”
“No, they’re very different. They’re much smaller and carry no weapons on their persons. They have no fangs or claws.” He hesitated. “They say they came to save us from the Murderers, and I believe them.”
The command deck went silent. Tei’Varyk looked around and saw complete disbelief on every face except Tarjei. She looked afraid for him, and worse, of him also.
“Tei,” Tei’Unwin began uncertainly. “May I have leave to speak with Kajika?”
Tei’Varyk flicked his ears. “You have my leave.”
Tei’Unwin bowed and left in a scrabble of claws. He was in a hurry to verify Tei’Varyk’s words, or refute them.
Tei’Varyk looked around at his crew’s worried faces. They deserved more from him. “I know you doubt me. I have given the Humans nothing but my word that I will speak to the elders about our meeting. The Tei of the ship we have been chasing will not allow us to capture him; he will destroy him first. I would do the same if I were he. That ship has FTL capability beyond any doubt. The Human Tei will never allow us to take him.”
“Then we should destroy him,” Kon’stanji said. “Surely?” he added with his ears at half-mast.
“So, to, does Kajika advise me. I see…” Tei’Varyk said quietly and his crew leaned forward with baited breath. “I see perhaps too much in these Humans. They were attacked by the Merkiaari. Eighty Human worlds were devastated. Eighty. Do you see what that means? I see a chance for our people to go out into the void and begin rebuilding the Harmony of Shan bigger and stronger than ever. I see Humans tracking down the Murderers with us and destroying them utterly. That’s what I see.”
“And what do the Humans see, Tei?” Tarjei asked.
“They see strength in numbers, I would judge. They came to warn and protect us, but I would have them help us learn, so that we might protect ourselves. We are not cubs. I would see us out there among the stars as equals.”
16 ~ Contact
Aboard Chakra, at station keeping, Shan Inner Belt
Tei’Varyk chose his personal chambers to discuss the situation with the Humans. Besides James and Brenda, Tarjei and Tei’Unwin were also present. Strictly speaking, Tarjei should not have been invited. She had neither the rank nor the experience to warrant her inclusion, but he valued her insights.
She was here because he wanted her close, and he was Tei for Chakra. If Tei’Unwin didn’t like it, he would keep silent if he knew what was good for him. Tei’Varyk had put up with more than enough questioning of his authority. He would allow no more of it.
“Your people would accept this?” Tarjei said.
“They would ### it,” James said excitedly.
Tarjei flicked her ears in annoyance at the garbled translation. The Humans did not understand her signal of displeasure of course.
“Say again.”
Brenda tried first. “They happy if Shan do this thing.”
Tei’Varyk winced at the static coming from his earpiece. Brenda had spoken the name of the race in Shan, and the translator had not understood her mangled attempt.
“How many Humanssss…” Tei’Unwin said trying to think of a simple way to ask his question.
“How many against it?” James offered and Tei’Unwin gratefully accepted that. “We have two hundred and thirty-four worlds, Tei. ### one ### billions of Humans. I ### tell you ### ### figure.”
Brenda added her thoughts. “Only fifty-eight worlds ### agai
nst coming here.”
“Only fifty-eight?” Tei’Varyk said slowly. Did he have that right? “Only?” he said exchanging a concerned look with Tarjei. “These fifty-eight would stop us?”
“No,” James and Brenda said together, but James went on. “One hundred and seventy-six in favour of us coming here, Tei. It is enough.”
“Your elders allow this?” Tarjei said in dismay. “You do not care about the fifty-eight worlds against us?”
“We care, but the Alliance is ### by ### vote. All worlds agree to ### by a ### vote. You see?”
Tei’Varyk believed he understood. Two-hundred-and-thirty-four elders led the Alliance, but as with everyone, they did not always agree. The Shan system was better. Kajetan always spoke the final word of decision. The other elders helped her to decide, but she, and only she, decided what was to be done.
“I understand,” Tei’Varyk said. “We have two worlds. We have two votes?”
“Ah… no, Tei. The twin worlds of the Shan are…” James looked flustered and Brenda spoke up.
“All Alliance systems have one vote. Your system is the only one with two ### worlds that we ### ever discovered, but the pattern is set. One system, one vote.”
Tei’Varyk thought that was probably best. Two votes might mean Child of Harmony voting against Harmony at some future time. He could not conceive of a situation that might warrant it, but best to rule it out now.
“What of our fleet?” Tei’Unwin said. “We will not give up our ships.”
Tei’Varyk couldn’t prevent his shock from betraying itself at the thought. His ears plastered themselves against his head, and his nostrils flared as if facing into a strong wind. He was embarrassed when his lack of control allowed his tail to wind itself around his leg. A cub of two orbits could control himself better.
He took a deep breath and forced himself to relax. His tail uncurled slowly. Thankfully, Tei’Unwin was too intent on the Humans to notice his immature reaction.
“All our worlds ### their own soldiers, but there is only one Alliance navy—” James began.
“We will not give up our ships,” Tei’Varyk snapped.
James raised a hand. “You won’t have to, Tei. Your fleet is yours to do with as you wish, but I hope ### ### will join it to ours to protect us all. We will help you build bigger and better ships; ships with FTL capability. Do you want this?”
“Very much,” Tei’Varyk said and the others agreed. “Very much, but we will not give up what we have without a fight.”
“Nor should you,” James said but Brenda did not look happy.
“Brenda does not agree?” Tarjei said picking up the Human’s scent. She was not in harmony.
“I agree you should not give up your weapons, but why ### we ### talk of war and hurting? Why not talk about nice things?”
“Such as?” Tarjei encouraged.
“### for instance.”
“What is nanotech?” Tei’Varyk asked sounding the Human word carefully.
“What is the average lifespan of your people, Tei?”
What did that have to do with anything? “Fifty orbits,” he said and wondered at the shock on their faces. “Kajetan is very old. She is sixty-one orbits, but that is very rare.”
Brenda nodded. “Through the use of ###, James and I ### live one-hundred and fifty years, and ### even more. ### is ### ### ### improved all the time. A standard year is equal to one point three Harmony orbits, Tei. That means we should live, barring accidents, to the age of one-hundred and ninety-five orbits.”
“One-hundred and ninety-five orbits!” Tei’Varyk gasped. How was it possible? “You will give us this nanotech?”
“We will. All ### citizens receive ### treatments as children. I hope it can be adapted for your people.”
One-hundred and ninety-five orbits with Tarjei. He had to make Kajetan agree. Tei’Varyk glanced at Tei’Unwin, and saw the same kinds of thoughts in the slant of his ears and twitching whiskers. Tei’Unwin went still and his ears twitched upright.
It was time.
“You must speak to Kajetan,” Tei’Varyk said.
“Your elder?” James said.
“She is eldest,” he agreed. “You ### speak with her and make her see.”
“Don’t you think it ### be better if you—” James began.
“No,” Tarjei blurted in her agitation. “No. You ### do it, James. Tei’Varyk isn’t an elder.”
“Neither am I.”
“But you are alien. Varyk is one Tei among many; you are something other. She will hear you.”
James glanced at Brenda uneasily. “All right. When?”
“Now,” Tei’Varyk said instantly and was echoed by the others.
James was nervous as hell. Thank God Brenda was with him. He stood before the blank screen with Brenda on one side and Tei’Varyk on the other. The other Tei, Tei’Unwin, was standing with Tarjei in the background. They had wanted to be present and Tei’Varyk had thought it a good idea. The more the merrier as far as James was concerned.
“I don’t know what to say,” he whispered. “I wish Bindar was here.”
Brenda squeezed his hand reassuringly. “Just introduce us and be polite.”
“Oh thank you. I had that part figured out.”
“You’ll be fine,” Brenda said. “Just listen to what she says and wing it. She’s an elder, she must be a reasonable person.”
“Why?” James hissed as the screen flickered on.
Tei’Varyk stepped forward and bowed quickly. James stayed where he was hoping Kajetan and the other elders would not notice him. No such luck. He watched with a sinking feeling as Kajetan’s ears lay back in shock. The other elders stared with white-rimmed eyes at the first alien face they had ever seen. James hoped he and Brenda wouldn’t be the last.
“Honoured Kajetan, honoured elders, I have disobeyed you. I could not follow your orders.” Tei’Varyk bowed twice in apology. “I could not destroy our chance, perhaps our last chance to become what we are meant to be. The Humans offer us a way to make the Great Harmony greater than ever.”
There was silence from the elders. They were still in shock at Tei’Varyk’s betrayal. James thought now would be a good time to take charge and stepped forward. He tried to imitate Tei’Varyk’s bow, but then turned to him in confusion when the screen darkened.
“What has happened?”
“I don’t know,” Tei’Varyk said and spoke in rapid Shan to Tei’Unwin.
James could not follow what was said, but whatever it was had Tei’Unwin racing out the door in a scrabble of claws.
“I think we’re in trouble,” Brenda hissed and nodded at the stricken look on Tarjei’s face. “She’s afraid. Tei’Varyk disobeyed—” she broke off as the screen re-activated. “James…” she hissed.
“Tei’Varyk, attend,” Kajetan said imperiously. She was alone now and by the tone of her voice, she was not pleased.
Tei’Varyk bowed. “I hear, Eldest.”
“By what right do you choose what is best for our people?”
“By clan right and my authority as Tei, Eldest.”
Kajetan’s eyes blazed. “You dare. You dare use clan right for this!”
“I dare, Eldest. For this nothing else will suffice.”
James had no idea what clan right was, but by Kajetan’s reaction, he knew Tei’Varyk was on thin ice. He was about to introduce himself to take Kajetan’s attention away from Tei’Varyk, when she turned to him.
“Speak.”
James raised an eyebrow at that. Who was she to order him? Brenda shoved him forward, and he swallowed his protest. He stepped forward and performed his bow, but made it less than before. Kajetan would have to earn more from him. So far she had failed to do that.
“Eldest, I am called James Wilder. This is my mate, Brenda Lane,” he said and pause to allow Tei’Varyk to interpret. “We were sent here by the Alliance to contact you in hope of making new friends.”
Kajetan listened to Tei’Varyk’s tr
anslation with ears and whiskers twitching. “What is this Alliance?”
“The Alliance is comprised of two hundred and thirty-four Human populated worlds living in harmony,” James said not wincing at the exaggeration. “We are governed by the Council, which is like yet unlike a Council of elders. Our elders wish to extend the hand of friendship to all Shan.”
“Friends do not invade our space. Friends do not skulk about and spy.”
James winced at Kajetan’s vitriol. “We have learned to be cautious, Eldest. Two hundred years ago, my people met a race that tried to kill us all. You know them as the Murderers of Harmony. They are Murderers in truth. We call them Merkiaari.”
Kajetan hissed and spoke with Tei’Varyk. “You believe this—why?”
“I have spoken with James and Brenda for many cycles, Eldest. I have seen what they brought with them. They would offer us a place in their Alliance, but more than this, they offer FTL for our ships and something called nanotech. Eldest I… the Great Harmony can be built anew, built among the stars.”
“This is true?” Kajetan said.
James nodded. “I give you my word that what I say is true. I would not lie to you. FTL is one of many things we offer, and nanotech is available providing it can be adapted to work for you. I have been assured by people I trust, that it will simply be a matter of research and reprogramming. Biologically, our two peoples are fundamentally the same. I do not foresee a problem.”
Kajetan listened to the translation. “What is nanotech?”
Oh yes!
James felt like dancing with excitement. He had her, he was sure he had her. Kajetan was no longer belligerent; she was curious. Brenda seemed to agree, she was fidgeting as if she couldn’t keep her feet from dancing.
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