by D. R. Rosier
Vik took a breath, “I also believe by signed treaty, we are all three of us ambassadors with diplomatic immunity. Will that be ignored as well, will you follow through on this idiot’s threats, or will sanity prevail. The empire wants to be close friends and allies with Earth, and that will not change, but perhaps we need to back off and try again, in a hundred years or so.”
I seriously hoped they backed off at this point. Any satisfaction at punching Stanton in the face would be short lived, and there was too much to lose.
Dana’s face drained of blood, and she stood up and walked out, quickly followed by Terry.
Jonas shook his head, “You are, but she’s a United States citizen and subject to our laws.”
Vik snorted, “So you refuse to acknowledge her rights under Isyth citizenship?”
“Technically, I’m not a citizen. I believe I was classified as an experiment, and never had a valid birth certificate. For that matter, so were my daughters. You disgust me.”
Jonas frowned, “General, you have your orders. Place…”
I never found out what Mr. Stanton was going to say, but I imagine it was something like place her under arrest. The reason for that was he was laying out cold on the floor, and Vik hadn’t used a stun setting to do it, he’d cold-cocked the bastard right in the face with his fist.
Is it wrong, that it made me a little moist? He’d totally earned the blow job I was fantasizing about giving him right then.
Telidur told the general as we stood up, “We’re leaving now.”
The general cleared his throat, “There’s fifty soldiers out there, let me order them to stand down first?”
Vik nodded, “That would be wise.”
The general stood and left the room with as much dignity as he could gather. I felt sorry for him, but at the general level ranks, soldiers had to suck up the politics. Despite the circumstances, I had a good feeling about him, he’d just been handed a shitty assignment.
“Future mate?”
Vik shrugged, “Cyn told us she told you last night.”
I frowned, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
He blushed, “We were afraid you’d run for it. You’re an incredible woman, but slow to trust in the good things. I knew I’d never let you go after the first month.”
I blushed, and decided despite that he’d still get a blow job, just as soon as I could arrange thirty minutes in private. My mouth was watering.
No one stopped us when we left, and we encountered no air traffic on the way back to the ship.
I didn’t tell the girls that day, but I decided I’d never set foot on Earth again, and I’d tell them the truth once they were older. I’d tried to remove the threat against me to make it safe for me to visit, and I had removed that threat, but along the way other greedy men took up that torch. I wondered what plans they’d had for those girls, but was also glad I’d never find out.
The rest of the negotiations took five more days, so we wound up spending almost the full ten days originally allotted for the mission. I didn’t mind, the Earth would be a good ally, and most humans were good. I believed that despite what had happened. I had no doubt they’d be a positive influence out in space, once they grew up a bit. For the moment though, there were too many evil men in positions of power.
Change was coming though, it would be an unstoppable tide. Once hunger and disease were eradicated, and they didn’t need to fight over resources, evil men and women with ambition would have nowhere to hide. A.I. would be a big part of that as well. I just worried that the journey would be bumpy, they could still destroy themselves as they fought to advance.
Earth may have been an ally, but we preserved the secrets of the true power of our new ships, and left the Sol system the regular way. Then we opened a wormhole to just one light second from Isyth orbit. It was good to be home, and the girls were excited as well.
I was happy, but still shocked at Cyntariel’s revelation. I knew I’d believe it one day, maybe in a century or two. Oh, for those that care, I did eventually give Vik that blowjob later the same day, and it was delicious.
Chapter Thirty
Solyra took a deep breath as we sat down, she didn’t look angry anymore, but I could tell she was already disturbed by the subject of the meeting.
“The Suaterans. They want to meet with us face to face, sort of.”
Vik frowned, “Sort of?”
She nodded, “They sent coordinates in the void between our stars. They claimed their leader would be there in person, and they want me there as well. Our ships would be a mere two miles apart while negotiations take place.”
Vik shook his head, “That sounds like a trap.”
I snorted, “Of course it’s a trap, but why?”
Myra said, “We haven’t been able to determine why. The truth is we just don’t know enough about their culture and traditions. They’re paranoid and xenophobic, but they aren’t stupid. I fear there’s a reason beyond that paranoia.”
“Hmm, maybe they have some kind of sixth sense, maybe they’ll be able to judge better in person? I still think it’s a trap though.”
Solyra nodded, “It’s an obvious and clumsy one though, which makes me doubt it. What would be the point? They also insist on Vik being there as well.”
Vik shook his head, “We could take them in a fight now, easily, but up close they’d have a chance to do us serious harm. Our advantage is one that depends on distance.”
I nodded, “That’s true, but one on one we should still win close up. Our new DE shields are far more effective, though still not perfect, but our plasma weapons should destroy their shields in a second or two if we cut loose on them. What are the rules, did they specify on how many ships?”
Myra said, “A three ship escort, plus the ship that we’ll be on.”
Solyra nodded, “Before we even think about this, or plan, should we even go? They’re hypocritical actions are disturbing. I’m inclined not to, but if there’s a chance we can avoid a battle every few months we should take it?”
“Was that a question?”
Solyra blushed.
“I don’t trust them. I fear they’re just once again trying to play us for fools, but isn’t it worth the risk?”
I replied, “Perhaps, but if they do deal falsely with us again, it will be time to take the offensive. Denik’s actions may have started this, but it only buys them so much leeway. In my opinion, they’ve run out at this point.”
Solyra nodded reluctantly, “Let’s talk about that, what steps should be taken? We should decide now, when we aren’t angry, and before they stab us in the back.”
We spoke about it for almost a whole hour, the suggestions ranged greatly, from simply giving them a bloody nose, to completely conquering them, annexing their system into the empire, and severely limiting their access to space. Both of those options were rejected as not strong enough or too severe, respectively, but we eventually settled on something that we felt would both work, and at the same time not betray our consciences or morality.
Of course, I was human, I wasn’t sure Solyra was thrilled with the end result. But then, neither was I, war was a wasteful pursuit I didn’t want either. Vik seemed satisfied with the result as well, and Dessia wasn’t against it either. I didn’t know if that last was a good thing or not.
Hopefully, it wouldn’t become necessary.
Solyra sighed, “So we go, and keep an eye out for treachery.”
No one looked happy about that, I knew I didn’t want Solyra anywhere near a Suateran ship, no matter how powerful our new scout-destroyers were.
Dessia frowned, “The two of us, and Myra, should be on another vessel. Vik’s ship can be one of our three escorts.”
It was a good idea, but I hated the reason for it. If they somehow took out Solyra’s ship, the royal family would still have one left. Those two really needed to start pumping out the babies. I smirked at the thought, but kept it to myself.
“Good idea.”
> Jillintara said, “Four ships are headed out-system from Suatera. They have not cloaked. Maybe they at least intend to honor the ship numbers…” she trailed off as her face fell.
Myra gasped, “Forty vessels in their build system fleet just cloaked.”
I shook my head, “Well, we already thought it was probably a trap, what now?”
Solyra said, “We need better proof than that. We’re going, and we’re taking forty cloaked ships of our own. They’ll position themselves sixteen light minutes away, and stay cloaked unless we’re attacked.”
Vik snorted, “You’re hoping that they only intend to use them defensively, if we betray them?”
Solyra shrugged, “That seems unlikely given their track record, but yes.”
Dessia said, “I don’t like it, it’s far too risky for the empress to risk herself against such poor odds of a good turnout.”
Solyra sighed, “At the first sign of trouble, Myra will evacuate us through the emergency person sized wormhole system with the orbs. I have faith in Lori’s ships, they won’t be able to kill us quickly enough. That’s as far as I’m willing to go, we won’t stay for the battle if there is one.”
Solyra grinned, “Besides, I’ve been dying to try it since I found out about it.”
Telidur snickered, “Any other rules?”
Solyra shook her head.
So… one rule. Four ships with both leaders present, and both sides had already broken it. Not a good or promising start.
Solyra asked, “Anything else?”
I nodded, “We should take wormholes five light years away from the meeting place, and then use subspace to approach. I can’t say why, just a hunch.”
Dessia said, “It makes sense, they’re rather paranoid, and they’d deal with it better if they could see us coming, rather than us popping up out of nowhere.”
“I think that’s what my subconscious mind was thinking, thanks Dessia.”
I wasn’t sure what was more shocking, her agreeing with me, her knowing what my instincts were saying, or me thanking her.
Solyra nodded, “Alright, send the orders out, and make sure everyone understands the plan. Then rest, we leave in fourteen hours?”
Myra nodded, “That would get us there right on time.”
The meeting broke up.
I checked up on the girls, they’d been given a suite with four bedrooms, which they were sharing between the six of them. They’d also gotten the nanites and personal assistants, and were in heaven. Their learning might be limited to Earth knowledge until they were of age and could decide, but that still left a whole lot to learn and do.
I still worried for them and their future, but a lot less than I had been a few days ago.
After that, I headed to my quarters, and smiled at finding Telidur in my bed.
Maybe there was no happily ever after, but I was loved and loved in return. It would take effort and work, but it would be worth every drop of sweat. What came next, wasn’t work at all…
Chapter Thirty-One
“Report,” Vik ordered.
Jillintara said, “We’ll be there in two minutes, the Suateran’s four vessels are waiting for us. There’s no sign of their forty ships.”
I frowned, “Maybe they’re cloaked and in subspace. The DE sensors don’t work in subspace. They could literally be all around us right now.”
Something else was nagging at me. Could they attack us from subspace? Bypass our shields, if there was someone in normal space to provide targeting? We didn’t use subspace offensively, but I knew the Kruterran empire did, which meant it was possible. Was that their plan, or was I being paranoid?
DE didn’t work in subspace, because it was ejected into normal space too quickly. What if they fired their beams in subspace, right over where our ships were in normal space. It would be ejected into normal space, and appear within our shielding.
“Vik, we need to launch orbs to spoof our ships, and then cloak. Then we’ll separate a quarter mile from the images. Even if they are psychic in some way, they’d still feel that you and Solyra are nearby. I doubt they’d be able to tell the difference.”
Maybe I was crazy, it would be virtually impossible to do. Subspace was compacted in relation to normal space, which is what made relative faster than light possible. A small scout destroyer was the equivalent size of an electron in subspace, how could they possibly target that?
I shrugged, “Even if I’m crazy thinking they have some subspace to normal space weapon capability, it wouldn’t hurt to add one more layer of surprise to our plans if they betray us.”
Vik grunted, “Jill, make it so, and instruct the other three ships to do it as well.”
The more I thought about it, and the math involved, the more positive I was that it wasn’t possible. Maybe some type of weapon, but not DE, it would be too unpredictable of a reaction to accurately target a ship in normal space. So, either they had a different weapon, or… they somehow knew we could see their cloaked ships in normal space.
That second one sounded far more likely. They could have easily come to that conclusion based on the last battle, or perhaps they noticed the active scan itself with all those DE emitters on their hull.
Still, even if they just dropped out of subspace, de-cloaked, and fired, the orb deception will give Myra an extra second or two to evacuate Solyra.
Jillintara said, “Dropping out of subspace. We’re three miles from their ship, moving in.”
We just stared at the ships in front of us, the lead ships just a mile apart.
Solyra said, “What are we waiting for?”
We had our bridges connected, a hologram of their bridge was small and on ours, and vice versa.
Myra sounded amused, “The meeting time isn’t for another four minutes and a handful of seconds. Perhaps they’re waiting for that.”
I snorted, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
The four minutes went by slowly, and exactly on schedule they hailed us. My crazy switch still hadn’t flipped, so maybe they weren’t going to betray us? If not, where the hell were those forty ships?
Solyra said, “Open a channel.”
We were suddenly looking at another Suateran, identical to the rest save elaborate robes.
“I am leader Danish.”
I bit my lip… hard. He wasn’t the tasty kind, but I really wanted to laugh.
Solyra said, “I am Empress Solyra. I am here in the hopes we can come to a peaceful and lasting accommodation of some kind.”
Danish replied with a head nod, “As am I. I was fascinated by your offer of knowledge regarding the empires that surround us, but in good conscience I cannot accept it, despite our thirst to expand our knowledge. You cannot be trusted, and we do not know why you haven’t done the honorable thing.”
Confusion crossed Solyra’s face.
“What are you talking about? We have undone Denik’s treachery, and created new laws to prevent a similar occurrence. No longer can an emperor or empress of the empire hold the empire hostage, or create unjust laws on a whim.”
Danish said, “Do you not understand why we can’t trust you? Your line is tainted, to regain our trust you must purge it, before history repeats itself. Only then can trust be restored, when a pure line takes over.”
Purge it? Oh hell no.
Solyra looked confused, she still hadn’t caught on to what he was saying, sins of the father and all that.
I said, “I think he’s saying your lineage. He expects you and Vik to suicide, and turn over the empire to a family without a fatal flaw in their DNA. Denik has proven those of your lineage can’t be trusted. I wonder if that’s what they do to their own criminals, kill whole families and multiple generations.”
Hell, maybe that’s why they all looked the same too. It was barbaric by our standards. I wondered if it was a social thing, or if the Suaterans really needed to have that crazy law in place. It was impossible to say.
Solyra looked horrified, and took a moment to recov
er her wits. She’d heard my explanation, and everyone else on our side, but not the Suaterans.
It was insane of course, and completely different from what we’d expected to happen. We expected betrayal or ridiculous demands, but not that ridiculous.
Solyra said, “We are not you. We don’t hold people responsible for the sins of others, not even those of similar DNA in the same line. Not even twins. We have laws, even the leader of our people cannot defy, we call that balance of power. Even if Denik’s flaw showed itself again, in a hundred or a thousand years from now, they wouldn’t be able to repeat the same offense.”
Danish replied, “Let me be blunt, lest there be further misunderstandings between us. If your line is not purged, we will never be able to trust you. Your empire is far too strong to ignore the problem, surely you see the wisdom in it. Just two lives, measured against the damage your line will do in the future, and the lives lost in conflict with us.”
Solyra’s face hardened.
“We do not accept your judgement. Your laws and traditions have no standing in our empire. I warn you, another attempt to force your will upon us will be met with harsh sanctions for your actions. We feel guilt for our brother’s actions, but the hand we have extended to you in understanding has been withdrawn. We will no longer turn the other cheek.”
She raised her head, and stood up straighter, “You have two choices, stay out of our empire and its business, or we’ll force you to. I won’t throw away my life, nor my brother’s. We aren’t the same, perhaps in your race such horrifying actions are required to keep the peace, but I assure you that is not the case for Isythians.
“Your military ships are not welcome in empire controlled systems, and from here on they will be destroyed without warning. This is your only warning. In return, we will never darken your systems with our ships either.