by Bob Blanton
“They’re on now.”
“Hello, this is Captain Payne of the Dutchman. We have a load of colonists for you guys.”
“We’re waiting on them. We assume you will be unloading them first.”
“Yes, we’re going to see if we can keep them under gravity while we unload them. Some of them have expressed a distinct dislike of microgravity.”
“Let me guess, they express that dislike by hurling their last meal all over your clean deck.”
“Yes, they do. Anyway, Catie came up with a concept of a stationary orbit over the pole while loading and unloading to keep them under gravity. We’re going to give it a try. Will you please instruct your Skylifters to meet us there?”
“We’re on the channel, we’ll see you there. Sounds like fun.”
Derek had the helm steer them in a looping orbit so they were backing down toward the North Pole on their final approach to Artemis. At four hundred kilometers, they halted their descent. Hovering at that altitude gave them a gravity of 99% standard, hardly a noticeable difference.
Now they had to slide the cabin pods out of the Dutchman without banging them up. Derek had them put two grav lifters on each pod as they slid it out. Once there was room for the Skylifter to attach to the pod, they were able to slide it free of the Dutchman and start the descent to Artemis, releasing the grav drives to go deal with the next pod. Derek had been shocked when he’d calculated the time to land the pods. It only took 14 minutes at 0.1G of acceleration and deceleration to get each pod down to ten thousand meters. Of course then it took five hours to fly the thing from the North Pole to Artemis, supersonic speeds were not an option for the bulky cargo pods.
So with only three Skylifters, it took thirty hours to move all the colonists down. They couldn’t unload the other pods, since with the Dutchman sitting on its tail in a stationary orbit, those pods would start falling as soon as they were free of the ship.
Most of the colonists in the inside cabins found space in a cabin aboard the pods so that they would be able to make an under-gravity transition to the planet’s surface. That meant that there wouldn’t be too much effort to finish unloading the Dutchman once the cabin pods were down. A couple of Oryx trips would handle all the colonists' luggage.
Once the last cabin pod was released, Derek had the helm ease the Dutchman into an orbit at 400 kilometers. They had to be extra careful since without half her pods the Dutchman was structurally weak. Thinking about it afterward, Derek decided that it might have been just as fast to unload the cargo pods the same way. The slow transition to a normal orbit had taken eight hours. It would be interesting to go over the whole thing with Liz and Catie.
Finally, after three days to unload the Dutchman, Derek was able to declare shore leave for the crew. Half would remain on the Dutchman and secure the outbound cargo, switching with their mates after two days.
Chapter 15
Some Help Please?
“Kasper, would you join me in my office,” Catie messaged.
“I’ll be right there, Captain.”
It was only a minute before Kasper knocked.
“Enter.”
“Captain, what can I do for you?”
“We’re alone, call me Catie.”
“Okay. So what do you need?”
“As you know, we’re going to Paraxea to ask them to send a couple of space carriers to Onisiwo. And as part of that, Sam has changed my status to Princess of Delphi to make it a state visit.”
“Yeah, I know that.”
“Well, anyway, besides designing a fancy uniform for me to wear, she wants me to have an aide de camp. I was wondering whether you would be willing to play that role.”
“Why me?”
“Because I know you. And I’m embarrassed by this whole princess thing and I’m hoping you won’t use it against me later.”
“Why? You didn’t have a problem embarrassing me back when I was in flight school,” Kasper said. He was referring to the time that Blake had Catie go against Kasper in a mock dogfight in order to develop a little humility in him. Catie had killed Kasper three times. She thought they’d become friends afterward.
“You can’t be holding that against me. You even used it in your speech to the new pilots.”
“So . . .”
“Sorry I asked,” Catie said.
Kasper laughed. “I’ll do it. I just wanted to make you sweat. Since I can’t do it in a jet, I couldn’t resist this opportunity.”
“I should get even for that . . . but I won’t. You’ll have to wear a fancy uniform too. It’s mostly the same as your regular one, just a sash and some extra stuff. The quartermaster has the design.”
“I’ll go get fitted then,” Kasper said. “When is our first performance?”
“We are supposed to join a video meeting tomorrow. Then we’ll have a big welcome to Paraxea ceremony when we make orbit in four days.”
“Okay. Should we practice?”
“I’m sure Sam will want us to. I’ll ask her.”
“Let me know,” Kasper said as he exited Catie's office.
◆ ◆ ◆
That night when they practiced, Samantha simply pointed out that Catie needed to make Kasper do all the work. He should be the one to look things up, even if Catie could do it faster. She made the point with Kasper that he had to act solicitously toward Catie at all times.
“Like a toady?” Kasper had asked.
“Exactly,” Samantha had replied.
The next day, they convened in Catie’s office for the video meeting. Morgan joined them acting as Catie’s squire. Catie was wearing the standard dress uniform, black tunic over dark grey slacks. She had her medals pinned and her beret tucked under the epaulet on her left shoulder. Kasper’s uniform was the same except he had a thick gold braid on his right shoulder, indicating he was the aide de camp.
Once the Paraxean minister joined the meeting, Morgan made a show of serving tea to everyone.
“Minister Malashka, I understand that you and Ambassador Newman have made a lot of progress,” Catie said after the introductions were over.
“Yes, Princess, we have,” Minister Malashka said. “We hope you and your father approve of our efforts.”
“I’m sure we will,” Catie said. She smiled at the thought of Marc disapproving of Samantha’s efforts.
“It is awkward talking about an alliance without having your homeworld directly involved,” Minister Malashka said.
“I’m sure that Ambassador Newman has explained the urgency of the situation. We have been working with the governments of Earth to formalize an interstellar alliance, but the impending invasion of Onisiwo makes it urgent that we reach out to you now. Waiting for the completion of the discussion on Earth is not possible,” Catie said.
Kasper made a show of providing Catie some information before she continued.
“Our latest estimate is that there are forty-two combat starships preparing to enter the Onisiwo system. We have to act now before they come to the realization that the wormhole is fully established in Onisiwo.”
“Yes, I see. And we appreciate the fact that you’re willing to make a personal visit to appeal to us,” Minister Malashka said. “Our government has been meeting nonstop to forge an agreement. It is just so outside our experience that we are struggling to come up with the right format.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“Ambassadors!” Admiral Michaels said, almost shouting. “We do not have time for petty politics. Princess Catherine and Ambassador Newman are meeting with the Paraxean government as we speak.”
“Under what authority do they propose to form an alliance?” demanded the Chinese ambassador.
“Under the authority of the Colony of Artemis and the Colony of Mangkatar,” Admiral Michaels replied. “We have also aligned with the Aperanjens who we will be helping to establish another colony. And of course, we will be talking with the Onisiwoens as soon as we establish contact.”
“You are exceeding your posit
ion!”
“We are responding to the situation we have. If Earth wants to continue to argue among ourselves, then we will form an interstellar alliance without her. But if you want to step forward and lead, then do so. Now, we were discussing the terms on page thirty-two.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“Sam, why do you need me to attend these conferences?” Catie whined.
“Because we need to build up pressure on the Paraxeans. You will be the first alien to set foot on their planet, and it will be a state visit. They’re going to want to make that special. So hopefully they’ll agree to the treaty to commemorate your visit.”
“But Liz was there before and the Dutchman was there just three weeks ago.”
“But nobody visited the planet. It’s not the same.”
“How do you stay awake while they drone on and on about such little things?”
“Hey, at least they’re not crying,” Samantha said.
“Are you hinting that my niece cries too much?”
“Wait until you come visit and get to babysit for a few hours. You’ll be desperate for adult conversation.”
“But you can talk to Daddy anytime you want.”
“He seems to be very busy, especially when Allie is fussy.”
“And you let him get away with that?”
“I’m breastfeeding, there’s not much he can do.”
“You know they invented these things called bottles and breast pumps.”
“She’s too young. I’ll start her on a bottle next month. Don’t worry, I won’t let him hide for long. Now study the treaty so you’re ready for the next meeting.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“Hi, Uncle Blake,” Catie said as she and her uncle connected.
“Hey, squirt. How are you doing?”
“I’m bored.”
“Negotiating treaties doesn’t excite you?”
“No!”
“Well, you would be bored here. The Fazullans haven’t sent a probe through yet.”
“They will. Have you contacted the Onisiwoens yet?”
“Not yet. The probe you launched will be in place tomorrow. We’re going to wait until it’s in a solar orbit before we send the first message.”
“Ping me before you signal them. I want to listen in.”
“You sure you’ll have time?”
“Uncle Blake!”
“Okay, I’ll work it around your schedule. Bye.”
“Bye.”
“Do you want to play a game?” ADI asked Catie after the call closed.
“Oh, hi, ADI. Do you have an escape room set up?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t tell Sam. Now, what’s the first clue?”
◆ ◆ ◆
“Why do I have to wear a skirt?” Catie whined.
“Because we want to remind them that you’re a princess,” Samantha said. “Now quit acting like one and finish dressing.”
“Okay, is this good enough?” Catie asked once she finished dressing.
“Put on the sash.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Prince William wears one.”
“Who cares what he wears.”
“You realize the British Royalty must have a hundred rules about how to dress. You don’t have much to complain about. Now put on the sash.”
Catie finally made it to the flight bay, fully dressed. Kasper and Morgan were waiting for her along with the two biggest Marines they had on board the Roebuck.
“After you,” Kasper said, pointing to the Lynx.
“Nope, last on, first off,” Catie said, quoting the rules about captains boarding boats.
“Yes, ma’am.”
They took the Hover Lynx. Although the Paraxeans had Lynxes, they’d invented them after all, they hadn’t invented a Hover Lynx. Samantha was hoping to further impress them. It was a short flight to the Paraxean surface. Marta, their pilot, made a point of bringing the Lynx into a hover at the end of the runway, then floating it over to the waiting grandstand area the Paraxeans had set up.
As Catie exited the Lynx, the Paraxean band started playing the Delphi National Anthem. There were banners welcoming her to Paraxea and the troops in front of the grandstand stood in ranks ready for inspection.
“They’re worse than the French,” Catie whispered under her breath.
“I’m telling Yvette you said that,” ADI said.
“She’ll probably agree with me,” Catie messaged.
“We’ll see.”
Catie walked up to Paraxean President Plaxmar, “Mr. President, thank you for welcoming me to Paraxea.”
“Princess Catherine, it is our pleasure. Would you do the honor of inspecting our troops with me?”
“Of course.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“Nice digs,” Morgan said as she placed Catie’s now-empty bags in the closet.
“Well, it is the presidential palace. You would expect it to be nice.”
“You guys might need to upgrade the palace in Delphi City.”
“What palace?”
“That’s my point. How can you host these alien dignitaries if you don’t have a palace?”
“I think the French will let us use theirs.”
“Won’t that piss the Americans off?”
“Probably. But what wouldn’t?”
“Holding it at the White House.”
“Hmm, that’d piss off the French.”
“And Germans, British, Chinese, and Russians.”
“Everything pisses the Russians off.”
“So you guys need a palace.”
“I’ll mention it to Sam.”
“Sure, you do that. Now, you’ve got two hours before the state dinner. Will you need help getting dressed?”
“I might. You’ve seen that dress Sam is making me wear.”
“I’ve never known anyone who complained so much about being treated so well.”
“I’m not into dressing up,” Catie said.
“Hey, I remember that red dress.”
“So do I, and so does Daddy,” Catie laughed. They were referring to the first sexy dress Catie had ever worn. Blake had goaded her into wearing it to an event her father was hosting. He’d sprayed his drink all over the table.
◆ ◆ ◆
“So that’s what was in that bag Sam had sent from Earth,” Morgan said, motioning to the tiara and jewels that Catie was wearing.
“Yes. Can you believe she thought of it in time? Then had ADI fly a Fox out here with it.” The Fox, without a human passenger, was able to accelerate at a high enough G force to catch up with the Roebuck.
“I have to say it was worth it. You sure have grown into a beautiful woman,” Morgan said. She stood back admiring Catie in the gown. It was midnight blue, highlighting Catie’s blue eyes and tan skin tone. At five-eight, Catie had lots of leg for the gown to flare down around. “When did your boobs get bigger than Liz’s?”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“About six months ago,” Catie said. “Liz was not happy.”
“Yeah, I’d guess not. She had this gangly teenage friend to look after, then all of a sudden, her friend is better looking than she is.”
“I am not.”
“You are too. Not that Liz is bad looking, mind you. But you’re more elegant.”
“I think it’s the tiara,” Catie said.
“Keep telling yourself that. It’s why we all love you.”
“Well, is everything on straight?”
“It is, now put on the sash,” Morgan said as she handed Catie the red sash.
Catie stared at Morgan.
“I brought an extra one,” Morgan said, explaining how the sash was clean and dry after Catie had stuffed it in the toilet tank.
“Damn you!”
“Just put it on, and we can go. Kasper is waiting in the hallway.”
“Wow!” Kasper said when Catie exited the room. “I mean. You look exquisite Your Highness.”
“Su
ck-up,” Morgan whispered.
Kasper extended his arm for Catie. She took it and they made their way down the stairs to the reception.
At the dinner, Catie was seated next to the president while Kasper was seated next to the president’s daughter. Catie frowned at the idea, but cross-species relationships didn’t seem likely so she assumed the president was just trying to give Kasper someone younger to chat with. By the end of the dinner, Catie was jealous, Kasper probably got to talk about something besides government policy.
◆ ◆ ◆
Admiral Michaels showed the video of the state dinner to the ambassadors of the UN Security Council. “That is President Plaxmar of Paraxea sitting next to Princess Catherine. The president of the entire planet, not of one country.”
“How can you have this if Paraxea is so far away?”
“We have a ship at the fringe. It jumps back and forth delivering a data dump each way. It then takes eight hours for the data to reach us here.”
“So, what does it mean?” the Russian ambassador asked.
“It means that by tomorrow the Paraxeans will have signed the alliance treaty and Earth will get to be a late signatory.”
“We can’t have that,” the American ambassador said.
“Well, that’s what will happen. You’ve been stalling, complaining about minor details while the Paraxeans have been negotiating in good faith.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“Princess, I hope you will share the design of this Hover Lynx as you call it,” the Paraxean President said. “It is so much more versatile than our FX9. I’m amazed we never thought of it.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged,” Catie said. She thought that Marc would be okay with just giving them the design. It wasn’t that much more complex when compared to a regular Lynx and would obviously delight the president. She messaged her idea to Samantha.
“As you know, most of our population is now concentrated in the cities due to the constraints of power distribution and our eco-conscious laws. But with the solar panel design we got from you, we’re able to build communities off the grid, as you say. That’s where we’re going, to see one of our new communities.”
“That sounds like what we’ve done on Artemis,” Catie said.
“Yes, we’re modeling these new communities on the design that your father showed us. It’s quite ingenious. And I understand that that design is based on your Delphi City. A floating city, what an amazing concept. We might have to build one of those. Paraxeans love to be close to one another, but lately, people are wanting to have more space around them.”