Diverse Demands

by Sharon Rose

  “No, not at first. Just a safe course to get out of slip and slow down.”

  “Naturally.” Antony nodded. “And yet, here we are, at two sources. Kena is the only one of us who didn’t mention hindsight. That’s because she doesn’t need it. She has a source of information no one else on this ship possesses. Did you notice that she didn’t say she designed the course? She said the course came to her. It comes through her spirit into her mind. I don’t expect you to understand that, but…I…do.”

  He looked around to each officer again. “Yes, I will follow orders from the command officer. But please, in the future, please don’t ask me to deviate from Kena’s course plan unless your reason is critical and necessary.”

  Antony leaned back, and silence stretched.

  “Are you angry with me, Antony?” Netlyn asked.

  “No. You had authority, and I’m certain you care as much for the safety of the crew as I do.”

  “It is a pity, Kena,” Ghent said, “that you can’t show us how you design courses. It’s impossible to excuse insubordination because you have an inexplicable technique.”

  “It wouldn’t be an excuse, even if you did understand my technique.”

  “True.” Ghent sighed. “We have to ensure the message is clear to all navigators. Insubordination is not tolerated.”

  Kena’s face tingled as the blood drained. Demotion…She couldn’t imagine facing it.

  Ghent swept his long fingers in a slow arc on the table. She felt the intensity of his gaze even though she couldn’t meet it.

  “Please understand,” Ghent said, “that we greatly value your course design abilities.”

  Kena fought the urge to roll her eyes.

  Hrndl’s hands slid back along the armrests of her chair. “We do. You know that, don’t you?”

  What did they think she could say?

  Netlyn leaned forward. “I value it, too. No one here approaches what you can accomplish.”

  Kena’s breath huffed out. “I know. So, I did exactly what you all value so much. And now, I will be demoted for it. Because you don’t trust what you don’t understand. So, even if I succeed in the most crucial moment…I will still fail.”

  Their silence was really quite deafening.

  “Don’t think I blame you,” Kena said. “It’s not the first time I’ve had to choose between two forms of failure. I understand the position you’re in. I agree that command authority must be maintained, so you must act. But it’s all rather frustrating, so if you could just get on with it and—uh, I mean, if you could tell me what you’ve decided, I’d appreciate it.”

  Ghent replied, “Demoting you is problematic. I cannot risk letting the PitKreelaundun learn of any reduction in your status. I’ll publish a reprimand instead, but I do need to be sure.” He glanced from Netlyn to Kena. “This must never happen between the two of you again.”

  Kena murmured, “It won’t.” She breathed again—shallow though it was.

  Ghent softened his voice. “Kena, a few minutes ago, when you described your thoughts in nav command, you went into your peaceful state. I saw it in your face. Go there again.”

  Surprise pushed her back in her chair. She blinked.

  Ghent tilted his head. “Or find some humor or irony to laugh at.”

  She could only stare, but Antony murmured, “A Plynteth just told you to draw into the Spirit.”

  Kena quirked her lips “There is a wee bit of irony in that.”

  “It’s also good advice.”

  Did Antony realize what he had just endorsed? Later, for that. She closed her eyes and inhaled. Faster than she could ask, her beloved answered her.

  I am here. I sustain you.

  In the passage of a heartbeat, she settled into his love. She exhaled and opened her eyes to meet Ghent’s gaze.

  “The PitKreelaundun,” he said. “How important is rank to them?”

  Kena stared at the rock wall behind him for several seconds. “Very. You can see it in everything from Pernanyen’s humiliation over her lost position, to the way TarKeen provided me ‘honorable escort,’ to use his words.

  “Ah,” Antony murmured. “Is that why you had your hand on his arm when he escorted you through the crowd?”

  “Yes.”

  “Should I learn this?” Ghent asked.

  “Not necessary,” she said. “I’d never done it with another race until TarKeen asked. Even among Humans, it’s mostly just for formal events.”

  Hrndl seemed to notice the mischief pulling at Antony’s lips. “You once escorted her in that manner.”

  He nodded, his smile growing as his eyes rested on Kena’s. “I think I should do it more often, so it comes naturally when the PitKreelaundun see us together.”

  Kena let out a breath of a laugh.

  “Here is your first opportunity,” Ghent said. “You are dismissed.”

  Antony and Kena stood, and she looked down at Ghent. “Whatever you’re going to do, please do it quickly.”

  He nodded. “We will.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Kena woke the next morning with burning eyes. Ghent and Hrndl had entered their reprimand in her record the evening before, and Kena’s tears had flowed into her pillow. It could have been worse, but the blemish on her record, with its strange mixture of deserved and unfair…Her breath hitched.

  Better get up before she melted down again. She staggered to the sink and splashed cold water over her face.

  Just when everything was coming together. Plans set for her return to Pernanyen. Her peace and confidence restored. Now, their trip was delayed—who knew how long—and…this!

  Ghent. He’d done so much for her. And Hrndl. Her dear friend. Netlyn, who had comforted her, months ago. Betrayal writhed afresh in Kena’s heart, yet a corner of her mind refused to blame them. She felt like her relationships had been pulled out, twisted all cockeyed, and shoved back in. They were all still there, but the pieces didn’t align. They didn’t make sense anymore.

  Kena sighed and mixed a protein drink. At least she was past the worst of it. She sat at her table to read messages as she drank. A general order summoned all navigators for a general session at the beginning of first shift. Another message from Hrndl told Kena not to attend that session. Ghent’s message specified a meeting time for PitKreelaundun communications.

  What was that about? Kena opened a message from Travannesal. A bare statement that the representative from Shennasee had arrived. Still no name. She drafted a response about her return to the Epri7, making every word reassuring and hopeful. Writing it took a great deal more time—and coffee—than it should have. She barely reached Ghent’s consult room as scheduled.

  He arrived at the same moment, coming from the direction of nav section. Hrndl’s session, no doubt, the subject obvious. At least they’d spared her that. Much like pulling a punch.

  “Good morning, Kena. Come in.” Ghent touched a hand to her back. Not the sort of gesture that came naturally to him, but the sight of her mask-like face…He had to offer reassurance. “Have you seen the latest PitKreelaundun messages?”

  “Yes. I drafted my response and sent it to you, just a moment ago.”

  He lowered himself into his broad, Plynteth chair, then extended a screen from the computer embedded in his table. Kena perched on the edge of a chair opposite him while he read. “Relax, Kena.”

  She shifted more fully onto the chair but didn’t touch the backrest.

  “This will work.” He entered his own reply, giving an update on their recovery plans, followed by assurance that the delay would not be long. “I just sent a joint message to the triad,” he said. “You can go ahead with yours.”

  Kena pulled her computer from her belt and tapped it a few times. “Done.”

  He pushed his screen down and rested his forearms on the table. “That should take care of the PitKreelaundun for now. Is there anything you want to talk to me about?”

  “No.”

  She’d wasted no time a
nswering that. How long would it be before he could draw her out again? He leaned back in his chair. “Then, I will update you on events. The primary drive will take at least a few days to repair. We’ll need a complete refuel, rather than a standard partial. That will get us all the way home before the next partial is needed. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough benzlium for a full reload.”

  Kena nodded.

  “You look unperturbed,” he said.

  “We still have plenty of momentum and should arrive at whichever of the two sources we choose sometime tomorrow. Jorlit and Netlyn must’ve had everyone scanning during their shifts. How do the prospects look?”

  “Both have viable possibilities and drawbacks,” he said. “Netlyn remains on duty in astro for additional scanning. Hrndl wants you there for course design. We’ll be sending out two craft shortly to detach an external portion of the dimensional drive and bring it in for repair. Antony and Quon are navigating in one of them, Delf and Theshain in the other. Plus some additional navs to operate their robotics.”

  She nodded again.

  He waited several seconds, watching her face. Not a flicker of emotion. “Carry on as usual, Kena.”

  Kena strode from Ghent’s consult room. Carry on as usual? Yeah, sure.

  She arrived in the crowded astro section, where most of the first shift navigators clustered around Netlyn. Piert and several scientists from his team scrutinized scan results.

  A half-dozen other navigators stood around, apparently waiting. Kena headed in their direction. As she drew near, she could make out Giddech’s voice.

  “…should have had that position, anyway. You’d have it now, if she got what she deserved, but instead—”

  “You grow tiresome,” Elna said, keeping her shoulder turned to him.

  He scowled. “Just because you don’t—”

  “Giddech,” Tevd said, straightening from the console he’d been leaning against, “may you soon be forced to choose between a cliff and a precipice.”

  The acid in his tone drew Netlyn’s gaze.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Giddech snapped.

  “It’s a Veet idiom. If you can’t figure it out, look it up.” Tevd turned to Kena. “Have you heard that we have a couple craft going out?”

  “Yes, Ghent told me.”

  Netlyn approached. “Kena, are you finished with PitKreelaundun communication?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good. Hrndl is in ex op, at the moment, but she should be here later.” Netlyn motioned the group nearer to the main 3-D display as she spoke. “We hope to have enough data for a decision in a couple hours. We’ll alter course as soon after that as possible, so we want course plans completed now, one heading for the planet and one for the debris clusters.”

  Kena stared at the display while listening, taking in the large-scale structure of the area. This would be easy, since they wouldn’t be going into slip. Just normal space. A glowing thread appeared in her mind’s eye, following their current course for a while. Then, it darted off for a fly-by of the planet before snaking away toward the debris, where it spread into a fading cone.

  That glow…like yesterday. So different from the broad structure she usually perceived. She backtracked along the thread, and realization formed. They could visit the planet and the debris.

  “Kena,” Netlyn said, “I see you’ve already started, but you’re looking the wrong way.” She motioned with her outstretched arm. “The debris. That’s the harder area, and that’s where we want you focused.”

  “Why not plot a course to both,” Kena asked.

  “They’re diverging. We won’t have time to do both.” A hint of steel rang in Netlyn’s voice. “It has to be one or the other. Tevd, lead the team plotting a course to the planet. Kena, you lead the team for the debris field.” She rattled off names of navigators for each team, then turned away.

  There would be no discussion. Kena sighed. Sure, carry on as usual. She looked over the debris. Three general routes struck her as a little clearer than others. Obvious really. She assigned one to each of the three navigators in her team, then let them get on with it. A junior nav could’ve picked those routes. Her very presence was pointless. She stared at the cluttered void, trying not to let her frustration get in the way. Would any of the clusters strike her as significant? Not a one.

  Hrndl arrived, linked with Netlyn, then went to check on Tevd’s work. She approached Kena last. “How are the course proposals coming?”

  What a carefully pleasant tone of voice. “There will be three,” Kena said. “They will all be clear—well within safety margins. For getting there, at least.”

  Hrndl cast a glance over the nearby consoles. “Where’s yours?”

  “Netlyn declined my idea and ordered me to direct this team. They are producing efficient routes to the clusters.”

  “Kena, I will not forego your expertise. Plot a course.” Hrndl turned and walked away.

  So much for carefully pleasant. Kena stared into the 3-D display for long minutes, her jaw clenched. So—what should she plot? Oh, what difference does it make?

  She swung around to a console and pulled up an input display, intending to pick a cluster at random and calculate the quickest route. Glowing lines interfered, arcing through a void from a single point. All lay within the cone she’d seen earlier.

  She felt rather inclined to yell at her beloved but settled for silent grumping. They’re not going to like it, you know.

  The lines refused to leave her vision, preventing her from seeing any other options.

  Her beloved’s voice spoke within her. This has nothing to do with you. Dwell within my love, and their reaction will not sting.

  Kena sighed again and traced out the courses within the pale cone. As the computer churned through calculations, she tried to push other options out of mind. Impossible. Despite Netlyn’s order, Kena extended a course back from the cone’s apex, following the glowing thread to a future position of the planet. Except…not quite. Why didn’t the puzzle pieces match up?

  She considered asking a few questions, but Netlyn was deep into something with the other team. Wouldn’t she love being interrupted about a course she’d told Kena to stay out of?

  Kena strolled back to get some water as Piert wandered in the same direction. He frowned so deeply, he seemed lost in another dimension.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “Oh, the scans…” he said as they returned to the main display. “Still so hard to know what we’re looking at.”

  “Hm. Can you tell me about that planet? Its orbit seems off, somehow.”

  They passed Thrayl as she spoke. He twisted around to look at Kena, then strode to a console.

  “It’s elliptical,” Piert said. “Not much of the orbit is tracked yet. I know it looks like a habitable-zone planet right now, but it was farther out. The atmosphere is unstable from rapid heating, which interferes with scanning.”

  Behind Hrndl, the display showed courses tracing from the Ontrevay’s current route to the planet’s future position.

  “Kena,” Hrndl said, “your options, please.”

  Kena returned to her console as Ghent and the other navigators entered. Finished with their jaunt outside. “We have two different types of proposals. This first set fulfills Netlyn’s request for debris courses.” She let the group look for several seconds. “This next set could be viewed as…sort of a disaster plan…just in case we opt for the planet and are disappointed with what we find.”

  An active sort of quiet ensued—navigators studying courses. Footsteps approach behind her chair, then Antony rested a hand on her shoulder. “How was your morning?”

  She shook her head.

  Antony moved behind her and began massaging her tight muscles.

  Hrndl broke the hush. “We have viable course options to either source, so only one question remains. We must decide whether to head for the planet or the clusters.

  The debate fired up so quick,
that it must have been going on before Kena arrived. Another dilemma! She’d had her fill of those. The planet rotated on a side screen, with surface deposits of benzlium marked. Did they run deep, or were they merely scattered space-fall? She looked at the debris clusters in the 3-D display. Plenty of benzlium. Trazine flowed in a wide arm beside it, but at differing speeds. Impossible to tell whether it was also embedded in the benzlium.

  As Antony kneaded her muscles, Kena listened for the building of consensus. Opinions veered the wrong direction. She should have plotted the first leg of that course. She traced it out and started calculations, while the others debated with increasing heat.

  Hrndl looked her way several times. At last, she said, “Kena, I’m waiting for your opinion.”

  “We should go to the planet.”

  Hrndl quieted the instant objections from the group. “Your reasons, please.”

  “Collection flights will be dangerous among the debris. Mining on a planet is safer.”

  “Yeah, if there’s anything to mine,” one of the navigators said. “If there’s not, we end up stranded. How safe is that?”

  Kena nodded. “Valid point. I recommend that we design the course so we can check the planet en route to the clusters.”

  Netlyn gestured over her shoulder. “Can’t you see the time issue?”

  “Hang on a minute,” Piert said. “If there’s any possible course that would get us close to both, why wouldn’t we at least consider it?” He flung a hand toward the screen. “Kena’s got half of it up there, already.”

  “It’s not a vetted course yet,” Tevd said. “I checked while we were talking, and the speed is overstated. We would need to slow down at the planet, but that course shows a speed increase.”

  “I assumed a fly-by of the planet,” Kena said. “There’s no reason to slow down if we don’t like what we see during our approach. We’ll even get a touch of gravity assist.”