Norris looked down.
“That and the 690 shuttle I slammed into a desert a zillion kilometers from here…”
“After everything you’ve told me, I don’t think anyone is going to worry about that shuttle, Darrien.”
“I gather by your big-shot status as Administrator, it didn’t hurt your career?”
“I was forced to send the survey team instead to another site we’d been looking at on a little planet near the Cinnamon Nebula. Our primary survey crews called it ‘Peach Tree,’ do you remember?”
Norris smiled and said, “Yes, but I never understood why they named it that.”
Izabel grinned, basking in the sudden delight of an ordinary recollection, now a profound source of relief and comfort that everything was going to be all right again.
“It’s named for an expensive brandy; one of the geo-techs had a bottle of it on their survey ship. When they discovered the planet hadn’t been named, these guys called it in to the Registry Office when they filed the claim papers and nobody noticed!”
Norris shook his head with a smile and said, “Drunk bastards!”
“By all accounts, it’s worse than this place,” she continued, “but anyway, it turned out to be loaded with several high-grade ore and gas deposits so vast, we’ll be thirty years just putting a dent. They appreciated my direction at corporate, even if it was accidental, and now I’m in charge here.”
He winked at her and smiled.
“Maybe you can help me get my back-pay, once this is all over.”
“I think we can make that happen,” she replied with a relieved grin. In his words, she heard the old Darrien.
A chime called out from Izabel’s communicator; the final clearances had been approved. He gave her a last hug.
“Thank you for helping me out with this, Izabel.”
She smiled and took his hand.
“This was all a bit much to take in, but I trust you. Just knowing you’re back again…”
When they reached the portal, Norris saw four maintenance workers gathered around the scout ship, looking at a machine they were sure had been rolled out as a prototype—nothing in their experience matched it. He shook his head and frowned.
“Make those guys clear the pad, Izabel; we can’t let them see Onallin.”
She went quickly toward them, waving the four onlookers away. Whatever she said, Norris thought silently, carried weight; the workers disappeared, leaving the pad vacant once more. He hurried Rantara to the scout ship where she thumbed in the hatch code and moments later, the engines buzzed to life. Before he climbed aboard, he took Izabel’s hand.
“Thank you,” he said; “I won’t forget this.”
“I’m going to hold you to that promise, Darrien; come back when you’re finished with this thing you have to do.”
As the little ship lifted into the wind, steadying itself toward the south, Norris looked again at Station 8. He felt the nostalgic tug, but a more urgent compulsion drove him like never before. Twenty minutes later, they were on the outbound track for the Hyperthread gate and another tunnel that would carry them to Tanus.
AS STARS GO, Norris’ astronomy professor once said, Flamsteed 57991 was ‘a little gem in precisely the right place at precisely the right moment.’ Five fully inhabited planets won notoriety as the most populous system in the Outer Rim Colonies and with it, enough status to warrant its place as the regional seat of government. Tanus, the region’s first M-Class world to be colonized, moved on a lazy orbit at the near-side border of the ‘Goldilocks Zone.’ Its polar orientation was uniformly vertical and with little off-axis tilt, the effect made for endless summers.
It was well into the night cycle when Rantara aimed the scout ship toward New Cambria, the big planet’s capitol city, and approach clearances ordered by the Governor brought a swift landing high atop the elegant Colonial Affairs Center. Border lights, blinking like an old theater marquee near the edge of the upper level, showed the way as they descended quietly over the sleeping city to an eventless, gentle touch-down.
In a conspicuous contrast to SLC-28, warm, humid air enveloped them as the hatch disengaged and fell open on the rain-dampened roof. Surrounded only by environmental and ventilation systems, Norris breathed in the smells of a big city, reminded at once of Tevem and the bustle of well-lit streets and chattering crowds. Nearby, the doors of an elevator portal separated, bathing the scout ship in its harsh light and from it, a lone figure walked quickly toward them.
“Good evening, Mister Norris; I am Huan Li.”
“Thank you for meeting us, Governor,” Norris answered.
Li looked past Norris to where Rantara stood in the scout ship’s hatchway.
“Our distinguished guest?” she asked.
“Governor Li, this is Lieutenant Onallin Rantara, representing the Prime Assembly of the Khorra Nu.”
Li moved immediately to her with a palm extended, clearly unfazed by the strange, new alien girl who towered over her.
“I am delighted to meet you, Lieutenant. On behalf of the Terran people, allow me to extend our warmest welcome.”
Rantara took the Governor’s tiny hand, surprised by its firm grip.
“Thank you for receiving me, Governor.”
Li smiled broadly.
“I can’t describe how delighted I am to have this honor; to welcome the first representative from an extra-Terran world…this is truly an exciting and special gift.”
Norris was more than a little surprised at Li’s words; her manner and ease were a stark contrast to the confusion and worry that held Izabel on the landing pad at Station 8. Li continued without a pause.
“Administrator Vieira’s description of your mission was quite a surprise, but I can certainly understand the grave importance of your task and we will do all that we can to help.”
She turned to Norris.
“I read the brief on your disappearance, and I must say, it is a great relief to see you survived, Darrien, even if the circumstances of this historic event have compelled us to such covert measures.”
Norris nodded.
“It’s been a strange journey, Governor, but there’s still a long way to go.”
“Indeed,” Li replied, “but I must tell you, none of my ministers would agree with your plan to make the transit to Earth in this interesting ship of yours; they are bound to protocols that demand the security of my own shuttle.”
“I understand, Governor, but we can’t afford the delay; our ship can make the transit in a small fraction of the time it would take a Colonial shuttle, and time is working against us.”
“You’re referring to these mysterious companions to the Plexus that Vieira mentioned?”
“The other races in the sector call them ‘Hyperthreads,’ Governor; they function on a similar principle, but they seem to defeat the normal limitations of time and space. I don’t pretend to understand the physics, but I’ve seen for myself and there’s no comparison. This scout ship is fitted with different harmonics drive engines needed to access the Hyperthreads; your shuttle is not equipped for that purpose.”
“I remember hearing friends at college discuss the theory, and now it would seem they were right after all! I look forward to experiencing Hypervelocity travel, but tell me; how long to reach Earth?”
“Four days, Governor.”
Li shook her head in wonder.
“I see. And there are accommodations onboard?”
“How many are you bringing?”
“Only me and my aide—in accordance with Izabel Vieira’s request, no others have been told of this meeting.”
“Our ship was designed for a crew of three, plus eight soldiers. As you can see, most Khorrans are taller than humans, so you’ll have plenty of room.”
Li looked again at Rantara, shaking her head slowly in wonder.
“I can’t imagine how strange all this must seem to you, Lieutenant, but your presence here is a profound moment in human history; you will be the first from
another civilization to visit Earth. I am envious of the time Darrien gets to spend with you, learning about faraway places and wondrous things from your culture.”
Rantara smiled and said, “Perhaps there will be time for us to meet again one day, if we’re successful in ending this threat to both our people.”
“I look forward to that moment,” Li replied.
Lena Woll stepped from the elevators, moving slowly as she looked at the sleek, black vessel and when she stopped suddenly, the Governor went to her.
“It’s all right, Lena; they’re friends.”
Woll eyed Rantara cautiously through the introductions, saying nothing until Li nudged her gently and said, “You cleared the floors?”
“Yes, Governor; I instructed the guard to lock the elevators below the conference levels. I think it made Minister Anders suspicious because he asked me why you ordered the extra security measures.”
“What did you say?”
“I told him you wanted to conduct security tests prior to next month’s meetings with the Regional Senators, but I don’t think he believed me.”
“Don’t worry about him,” said Li. “Daniel has convinced himself I favor the opposition leader for the next election cycle; anything we do is bound to make him nervous.”
Li turned again to Norris.
“I must tell you the President and our most senior Ministers remain a bit skeptical of this, Darrien. I hope you will understand, but they have insisted you provide some measure of proof to validate what you claim before they will allow us to bring the Lieutenant to Earth.”
“I figured as much,” he replied. “This isn’t an ordinary introduction we’re talking about.”
Li motioned them toward the elevators and continued as they walked.
“They have asked for a sample of the Lieutenant’s blood, but also something in the way of an excerpt or summary from the information device Izabel Vieira described; would that be acceptable?”
Norris looked first to Rantara.
“I guess it’s a reasonable request, but it’s up to you.”
She nodded her agreement and Li showed them inside. They went two levels below, making their way along a deserted corridor to a room Norris guessed was used for visiting dignitaries from other Colony worlds. It wasn’t so different from a high-end hotel suite in one of the big resorts at Demaeus, he noted, and certainly comfortable enough to wait out the verification process that would soon follow when the heads of Earth’s government received the information from Li’s computer.
“I hope these accommodations are suitable?”
“We’ll be fine, Governor, thank you.”
“I understand the Lieutenant’s physiology is compatible enough with humans that she can manage our food, so I have ordered a selection she might find pleasing; it should arrive any moment now.”
Norris frowned a bit and Li saw it.
“Were we misinformed, Darrien? I’m sure we can find something else that…”
“No, Governor; that’s not a problem. I’m concerned about others seeing Onallin; we have to keep this quiet, at least for now.”
“Lena will bring anything you need from the lower levels personally. We won’t allow anyone else up here, I assure you.”
“Thank you, Governor.”
“Not at all. Oh, and I should also mention Lena was once a medical technician in her previous life, so she will be able to draw a small sample of the Lieutenant’s blood without difficulty.”
Lena smiled and said, “There’s a triage kit in the bathroom, if you’ll follow me, Lieutenant?”
When they disappeared, Li sat beside Norris.
“She’s certainly an impressive figure, Darrien.”
“In more ways than I can describe,” he replied.
“I read the brief Vieira sent, but among the details, she tells us you and the Lieutenant are much more than traveling companions?”
“Yes.”
“I would be very interested to hear at some point how you met and fell in love with an alien girl from the other side of the galaxy!”
Norris tried not to show it, but the question carried meaning Li could not have known. He wondered what she would think when she saw at last the images from Bera Nima.
“It wasn’t exactly a college mixer.”
“No doubt!” Li replied. “I hope you can excuse my enthusiasm, but all this stirs the imagination; no one in history has been as far, or done so extraordinary a thing as you.”
“It wasn’t my idea, Governor; I just tried to survive an accidental malfunction in a Plexus thread and find a way home. I’m certainly no hero.”
“Don’t underestimate yourself, Darrien; I don’t think many could’ve come through this alive. The President will be astonished when he hears about your adventure in detail.”
“Thank you, Governor, but it’s not over yet.”
Norris looked at Li for a moment, measuring her by all she had said and done. There was more to her than a simple, diplomatic imperative.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course!”
“I understand why the President and his people find all this a little hard to swallow, but you don’t seem the slightest bit surprised.”
Li smiled and stood at the window, looking upward into the night sky.
“I’m not surprised at all. Many of us came out here—to the Outer Rim—with a deep and fundamental hope we might experience this very moment. We all dreamed that living in the Colonies would one day allow us a chance to be there when another intelligent race finally made contact. The Sansesh are so frightened and elusive, but these Khorrans have sought us out. It is an extraordinary thing, and it’s happening in my own back yard. It doesn’t matter that we must keep your visit a closely guarded secret, at least for the moment. This is history, Darrien, and we get to live it as it unfolds! How many others have dreamt of such a thing?”
Norris joined her, sweeping a hand before him and aimed at the vast field of stars above in the clear, night sky.
“The place where I was marooned is so far away, you can’t see any of its stars from here without a really good telescope. I used to look up at them, like we’re doing now, and wonder if I’d ever get home again. Now, I can’t wait to go back and finish this job. I know that sounds crazy, but so much has happened since I left…”
“You became an explorer, Darrien! I know you were trying to live an ordinary life out on SLC, but now…” She took his hand and smiled again. “You are representing all of humanity at the most important moment in our history. How lucky you are and my envy is obvious, but the future of our people will be a better place because of this mission. I am very proud of you!”
“Thank you, Governor—that’s good of you to say.”
She walked to where the reader had been placed on a low table and next to it, the information orb, still wrapped carefully in its cradle.
“This device you brought for us, it must contain wondrous things.”
“Yes, it does. Onallin’s people, and the Anash, too, have given us a fast path to the future. The technology they take for granted…it’s beyond my ability to describe, let alone understand. The President’s people will never be the same after they see this.”
“What needs to be done, so they can read and understand all that it holds?”
Rantara appeared from the bathroom and walked slowly to them.
“The reader is an intuitive system, Governor; it should be able to search for your computer’s underlying root construct and establish the pathways without difficulty. I can open it for you now, if you like.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant, I am eager to see how it works.”
Rantara pulled the orb from its cradle and placed it into the reader’s conical depression. At once, it began to swirl in shades of purple and aqua, searching automatically for a recipient system. In seconds, Lena’s infopad came to life, scrolling menu selections as if manipulated by a remote user. They smiled and watched as the pathways were
established, receiving the data feed at an incredible rate and only minutes later it was done. Lena waited until the orb went dark once more and with a nod from Governor Li, she turned quickly for the communications center to begin the transmission to Earth.
Rantara refused to complain, but Norris could see she was tiring. They had not revealed the desperate fight to save her, or the terrible effects on her body the Kez’Erel weapon had made. He paused to rub her shoulder blades softly, seeing at once the fatigue in her eyes.
“You need to get some sleep now,” he said softly. “Doctor Veers was very specific about this.”
“I know.”
“Go lay down; I’ll be there in a few minutes, okay?”
She smiled and nodded.
“Don’t take too long; you need the rest as much as I do.”
Norris waited a while, hoping an answer would come through from the comm center below. Li saw it and went to him.
“It will be a day or two, Darrien; they have a lot to digest.”
“I suppose so.”
“Can you stay for a moment? I’d like to speak with you a while longer, if you’re up to it.”
“Sure.”
Li waited until the bedroom door closed gently behind Rantara before turning again to Norris.
“The ship you piloted here; it was given to you by the Lieutenant’s people?”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t say they gave it to me; I think they’ll want it back, at some point.”
The notion made Li chuckle, but there was more she wanted to know.
“I can’t imagine how, but it carried you across distances most of us can barely fathom, and it did so in only days?”
“It’s incredible, I know. The races on the other side discovered the Hyperthreads several decades ago, but now, they’re common as dirt. I have to remind myself sometimes, Governor, just how far it is between things in the galaxy. You and I were born and raised in the Plexus age; we routinely use a physics anomaly even the best theorists on Earth could not have envisioned a century ago.”
“Yet it is only another moment in time, isn’t it?” Li said. “Ancient mariners explored the oceans of Earth on wooden vessels powered only by the wind and centuries before we even learned about flight. Now, we’ve conquered the stars.”
Echoes of Esharam Page 27