Future in the Stars

by D Patrick Wagner

Analyn looked in the same direction as her brother just had.

  “Who?”

  “You’ve met him before. The wise and just Senator Sanjinan.” Analyn pointed the Elonian out as she sarcastically spoke his title.

  “You think he planned it?”

  “You have no proof!” the Senator, pulling together whatever courage he still retained, jumped to his feet as he shouted his retort.

  “Two of the assassins lived, Senator. One confessed. He described a go-between, a member of Clan Chikuno. You control every person in your clan. Nothing is done without your approval. I have all the proof I need.”

  “That will never hold up in a court of law!”

  “Who said anything about a court of law? You tried to harm me and my family. You used your clan to try to harm mine. You are manipulating my brother and the Senate to harm our clan. You’ve hurt me. Now, it’s my turn.”

  “What are you going to do, Mistress?”

  The throng of Elonians confusedly watched this Human and Elonian carry on a conversation as though the two were standing in an empty room discussing the plans of the day. Daruke just stood and fumed as they acted as if he wasn’t even in the room. Senator Sanjinan kept clinching and unclenching his hand-paws as he glared death at these two inferiors.

  “Tell me, how good is Gopai with his guns?”

  “On Griffin, very. On Enduring Spirit, I’m not so sure.”

  “He seemed very proficient.” Analyn raised her wrist. “Preceptor Igaklay, what is your progress in retrieving our lost Defensemen?”

  “A few of the Guardsmen firmly declined to allow their prisoners to be released. I guess that they did not want to listen to a small person such as me.”

  “Oh, Gods. Did any die?”

  “No, Mistress. Sergeant Sanchez and a few of her men changed their minds. They will heal.”

  “That is good. We do not want to escalate the situation.”

  “The situation required nothing else, Mistress. After Sergeant Sanchez had a discussion with the dungeon leader, he kindly agreed to open the cells. He also indicated where our Defensemen’s equipment is being stored.”

  “How is Lieutenant Negiani?”

  “I will just say that I have never seen an Elonian bare as many teeth as your Lieutenant. And, he has some really long claws. We have needed to keep a few of your Defensemen between him and the Guardsmen.”

  “After they are rearmed, please bring everyone back to the throne room.”

  “As you wish, Mistress. We should be returning shortly.”

  “Now that all our people are safe, Preceptor, do you have access to a map of Elonia?”

  “Ah, well, I may have accessed Elonia’s world network when Griffin first arrived.”

  “Then you have accessed all of Elonia’s networked data?”

  “Elonia’s systems are fairly slow. I was able to link in. I have been uploading since I arrived, and I should be done by the time we leave.”

  “Excellent.”

  “This is preposterous! You have no right!”

  “Quiet, Senator. Do not make your position worse.”

  “A cub-bearer does not speak to me that way!”

  “You are making it worse. You require enlightenment on the way things truly are. Igaklay, do you have the coordinates of all the holdings of Clan Chikuno?”

  “Yes, Mistress.”

  “Good. Krag, Clan Chikuno controls all textile manufacturing on Elonia. This clan has succeeded in destroying all competition and has put itself in a position to dictate market prices and distribution.”

  “That sounds like a monopoly, Mistress.”

  “It is. But, under current law, it isn’t illegal. Igaklay, based upon the analysis of financials which you have collected, do you have the coordinates for the second-most profitable textile plant owned by Clan Chikuno?”

  “Yes, Mistress. May I say that you have a very devious mind?”

  “Thank you. I take after my mother, Preceptor.”

  Krag stayed quiet. He understood Mistress Analyn’s planned enlightenment. Senator Sanjinan’s eyes kept getting wider as he tried to guess where she headed.”

  “Preceptor Igaklay, please transfer those coordinates to Gunner Gopai.”

  “Done.”

  A new voice entered the discussion.

  “Mistress Analyn, I have received these coordinates. What do you want done?”

  “One moment, please, Gunner Gopai.” Analyn turned and faced Sanjinan.

  “You actively attempted to destroy my family. You actively attempted to cause deep harm to Clan Kaporine. That will not go unpunished.”

  “You can’t do this! It is against the law!” King Daruke’s outburst refocused the room’s attention.

  “Dear brother, you have decided that I am a criminal. You have stated, multiple times, that I am to be executed. Just this day, you tried to execute me without a trial. Since I have the force of might, as an Elonian criminal, I can do anything I want. And, I want justice.”

  “But,” Sanjinan sputtered.

  “Preceptor Igaklay, will you please seize control of the communications of that facility and announce that they have one-tenth of a loct to vacate the premises?”

  “As you wish, Mistress.”

  The entire room listened to the announcement over the throne room’s speakers as Igaklay made the announcement and kept repeating it. Everyone waited the full twelve minutes. Sanjinan uselessly panicked. Daruke fumed at his helplessness, constantly staring at the ceiling, trying to see the HEBA Defensemen floating invisibly above his head.

  As they waited, sixteen Defensemen, fully visible, floated into the throne room. Igaklay, still as a young boy dressed in his battle armor, strolled in, a wide grin and bright eyes lighting his face.

  “My, what a charming avatar, Preceptor.”

  “I am a Genie, Mistress Analyn.”

  “A mythical being who grants wishes.”

  “Yes! Do you like it?”

  “I do. Very much. Thank you for returning my Defenders, Preceptor. This was a fine granting of my wish.”

  “Of course, Mistress. I am the HEB Alliance Protector. No one hurts our people.”

  “You are just in time.”

  “Would you like me to put it on my hologram projector?”

  “Yes, please. That would be very educational.”

  Suddenly, the hologram which had been focused on Griffin and the four killer-bees flashed to an aerial view of a large, ice-covered building.

  “No! You can’t!”

  With rage in her heart and anger on her face, Mistress Analyn, lease holder of the Mortek frigate, Enduring Spirit, locked eyes with the Senator.

  “Gunner Gopai, one gravity rocket in the center of those coordinates, please.”

  “Aye, aye, Mistress.”

  Within seconds, a quick flame flashed across the screen and a hole magically appeared in the very center of the building.

  “You failed!” Sanjinan clapped his paws in victory.

  “Keep watching, you vile creature.”

  Analyn kept her focus on Sanjinan, the Elonian who had tried to kill her family. In triumph, he stared at his highly profitable textile plant. She watched as his face changed from triumph to confusion to horror.

  She didn’t need to watch the building. She knew what one of Sir Mack’s gravity rockets could do.

  The roof and walls imploded. The massive structure contracted. It kept imploding and contracting until nothing but a hard, massive ball of concrete, steel, glass, and ice remained.

  “Building destroyed, Mistress.”

  Analyn’s fury and eyes never left Sanjinan’s face.

  “From this day forward, if you ever, even so much as think about hurting anyone of or related to Clan Kaporine, I will return. When I leave, Clan Chikuno will no longer exist. Do I make myself clear?”

  “As crystal ice.” Sanjinan seethed in his answer.

  “And, dear brother, that includes your executive order preventing any c
lansmen from leaving.”

  Daruke just stared at his baby sister. He had never seen her be this violent, this destructive. His focus shifted to the armored cat as it gave an affirmative growl.

  “You saw the stick. Now the carrot.”

  “What, Commander?”

  “Ambassador Suzume and I had a discussion with Elder Anupi before we came down. And, I had a discussion with King Daruke before your release, Mistress. We talked about a very stubborn Earth animal. We talked about punishment and reward.”

  “Ah. Stick and carrot. We discussed this when talked of the Mortek. The carrot is the reward. I was the stick.”

  “Very much so, Mistress. As I was saying, King Daruke, here is the carrot. Elder Anupi wishes to open negotiations between Elonia and the H.E.B. Alliance. To continue this discussion, I will turn you over to Elder Anupi.”

  “Hello? Can you hear me?”

  Everyone heard the new voice over the speakers.

  “Yes, Elder Anupi. We can hear you. I have told King Daruke that you wish to open negotiations concerning trade agreements with Elonia. Go ahead.”

  Thank you, Commander. To begin, let me state that there are more than a billion Humans scattered across eleven star systems. Elonia has trees, plants and skins which are unique to Elonia. From my research, there is nothing like them in the Human civilization. This means that any textile products produced on Elonia are unique to Elonia. Think of the market. Think of the profits. With HEBA ships, you can get your products to market within five cycles. Think on this. I will contact you in three cycles to see if you wish to continue this conversation.”

  Igaklay broke the link.

  “Nice Carrot, Commander Marston.”

  “I try, Mistress Analyn. You liked it?”

  “Very much.”

  “Good. Because Elder Anupi was adamant that you be in charge. He is just the mouthpiece.”

  “Great. More snow on my mountain.”

  “It’s a big mountain. You can handle it.”

  “There is one rule, starting now. neither Sanjinan nor Clan Chikuno will be in charge of this. Nor will they enjoy the profits of these dealings. I am sure that Clan Popalya would be a good replacement.”

  “You can’t do this!”

  “Yes I can, Senator. Sit back down. Dear Brother, this is world to world. You and me. My negotiator will be Elder Anupi. You find one. Not anyone linked to Clan Chikuno. Clan Popalya. They have always been loyal to Clan Kaporine. As Elder Anupi said, think on it. Three days.”

  “I think we’re done here, Mistress. Shall we leave?”

  In answer, Analyn approached her brother. As she did, she removed her quant-com. Once she reached Daruke, she held it out.

  “Take this. You can talk to anyone anywhere in the galaxy. Just talk into it. Preceptor Igaklay is always listening.”

  “What? This? Him?” Daruke pointed to each as he spoke.

  “Yes, this. It is science that we can’t even imagine.”

  Analyn pointed at the human boy.

  “And he is an avatar. Preceptor Igaklay is an artificial intelligence thousands of years old and as large our moon. This avatar is how he communicates with us lowly biological beings.”

  Daruke’s ears rose as he stared at Igaklay. He looked at the wrist device then at the human cub.

  “Elder Anupi said that he was talking to the most powerful and intelligent being in the galaxy. Are you saying that this is the avatar of that being?”

  “Yes, brother. Now, Commander, we are ready to leave.

  “Would you mind if I retrieved Gopai? The Mortek need a visit to set them back on the right path.”

  “Not at all, Commander. Now, we are done here. Brother, as Humans say, ‘have a nice day’.”

  Chapter 15

  Federacy Orbiting Shipyard

  Still fuming at his father abandoning him and the Federacy, Vice-Admiral Weiskoff waited for his shuttle to land on Cencore’s largest orbiting shipyard. Once down, secured and surrounded by atmosphere, the shuttle’s ramp dropped and Weiskoff, along with his adjunct and Vengeance’s chief engineer, purposely strode onto the shipyard’s landing dock. There he was met by the yard’s current Commander.

  “Captain Dixon, sir.”

  The shipyard’s chief administrator came to attention and smartly saluted as he welcomed the Vice-Admiral aboard the Federacy’s primary, and largest, shipyard.

  Weiskoff returned the salute.

  “Where do we stand?”

  “I have refreshments and a presentation set up in the main conference room, Vice-Admiral.”

  “Skip the dog and pony. take me on a tour of the facilities. Start with the ship most ready for launching.”

  This brought a nervous tenseness to the shipyard captain.

  “Yes, sir. This way, sir.”

  Weiskoff didn’t need to gesture for his subordinates to follow. He knew that they would. The three, led by Dixon, crossed to a floater and climbed in. With the electric turbine sucking air, the eight-seat transport lifted. Using the vehicle’s ailerons, the pilot followed Captain Dixon’s directions. After a short trip down multiple paths and byways, the pilot brought the floater to a stop within a large service bay.

  Weiskoff climbed out first. Looking up, he saw a scout ship sitting on struts.

  “A scout ship? You’ve had three months to get production back up and running.”

  “Yes, Vice-Admiral.” Dixon cringed as he responded.

  “Getting qualified personnel up to speed completely destroyed our timeline, sir. The Mortek killed or enslaved everyone. So, we had to retrain a whole new labor force, sir.”

  “That is not acceptable, Captain. You will get more ships into the dark. Is that understood, Captain?”

  “Five by five, sir. As we finished this ship, I have determined that the skill level is adequate to begin on frigates, sir.”

  “Frigates? I need dreadnaughts. And cruisers. I need them now, Captain.”

  “I understand, sir. I already have my people working twelve-hour shifts, around the clock. We need another three months before I would be confident enough in them being able to work in EVA suits.”

  “Make it a month, Captain. When I return, I want to see the hull of a cruiser being constructed. Is that clear?”

  “Sir, yes, sir.”

  “Good. When will this scout ship be ready to sail?”

  “We just finished dock-testing it, sir. It is scheduled for a flight test tomorrow.”

  “Get it done. When it passes, get it over to the research center on Calius. I want it there within two days.”

  “Yes, Vice-Admiral.”

  “And I’m no longer the Vice-Admiral, Captain. It seems that the previous Fleet-Admiral has decided to resign his commission and retire to Old Earth. I will be taking over that position.”

  “I understand, um, Fleet-Admiral, sir. I will focus on delivering the scout ship ASAP, sir.”

  “Once you have finished the flight test, go completely dark. I want the scout ship in stealth mode when you deliver it to Calius.”

  “I don’t understand, sir.”

  “You don’t need to understand, Captain. There will be no communications with that ship while it is being delivered to Calius. That voyage is top secret. Anyone mentioning it will be summarily court-martialed. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, sir,, Fleet-Admiral.”

  “That is all. I don’t need to see anything more. Make sure, in thirty days, I see a cruiser hull being worked on.”

  “I will do my best, sir.”

  “Get it done. Take us back to the shuttle, Captain.”

  “Sir, yes, sir.”

  Both Lieutenants Clarke and Harman saw the relief in Captain Dixon’s eyes as he saw his time under Weiskoff’s scrutiny coming to an end.

  Aboard Griffin – Dorogon

  Although he didn’t show it, Krag had his nerves on edge. Sitting in Griffin’s command chair, Krag fidgeted around. There he sat, planning on what to wear, on what to say,
how to convince Keiko’s father that he and Keiko should marry.

  Just as he rose to prepare, Keiko also stood.

  “Krag, I don’t think that you should be the one to approach my father about us.”

  “Why not? I’m the one who is going to ask him for his permission to marry his daughter.”

  “True. But, he doesn’t know you. He will just see a hakujin. You won’t get past the bow.”

  “But I, we, saved Dorogon’s collective ass from the Mortek. That has to count for something.”

  “I’m sure it does. However, you are an obstacle to his plans for me, his only child. The last time we talked, he still pushed me to marry into a powerful family.”

  “That’s really archaic.”

  “It may be. Listen. I’m walking on the edge here, Big Guy. Let me talk to him and Mother first. Let me see if I can soften them up before they meet you.”

  “I am not real happy about this.”

  Keiko saw the resignation in Krag’s posture and heard the acceptance in his voice.

  “Neither am I. Now, I need to put on my dutiful daughter clothes and get into the mood.”

  “I think that you need to take an escort.”

  “Good idea. Tribune Ambakai, are you there?”

  “Yes, Ambassador. What may I do for you?”

  “I am going down to Nyu-Nippon, and I would like a two-being escort.”

  “Are you expecting trouble, Ambassador?”

  “No. it’s just for show. I’m going to meet my parents.”

  “I see. This is about you and Commander Marston becoming Bond-Mates?”

  Keiko gave Krag a wink.

  “Something like that.”

  “I shall be accompanying you, Ambassador. My second will be Medical Specialist Suraya, in case any blood is spilled.”

  “It won’t come to that, Tribune. Would you please dress in full Royal Guardsmen clothing?”

  “Of course, Ambassador. I have already notified Suraya to prepare. We shall be waiting at the shuttle.”

  “Thank you, Tribune.”

  Just as Keiko headed for hers and Krag’s quarters, Isaac reacted to his monitor.

  “Um, Captain, Wisdom Seeker just dropped in.”

  “Wisdom Seeker? Are you sure?”

  “Yes, Captain.”