Broken Glass (Glass Complex Book 1)

by John Hindmarsh

  While visitors were discouraged, neither Cat nor Long John Silver, the Green’s captain, took notice and his daily tedium was relieved by their visits. They were unaffected by the presence of the guard or by the disapproval of senior officers. They had recognized Steg’s support against the Xesset and realized his contribution to the success of that engagement. They too had attempted to contact the missing Specials major, with an equal lack of success.

  “I doubt he’s on board, now,” commented Cat. He responded to Steg’s expression of disbelief. “Oh, it’s happened often enough. One moment he’s here, the next he’s gone. Then he turns up somewhere else in the Fleet. I know, I’ve compared notes with other pilots. Either he belongs to a set of identical clones, or he has his own star ship and it uses a well-hidden docking bay somewhere on this ship.”

  “How serious are you?” inquired Long John, intrigued by the possibility of numerous Denke clones.

  “As to the clones—not at all,” corrected Cat. “There has to be a straightforward explanation and a small star ship is the only one I can think of. It leaves more questions unanswered, I admit—that’s the best I can do, though.”

  “What if the other pilots are mistaken? Cutter pilots are not renowned for their sobriety,” Steg challenged, hiding his smile.

  “Vile rumors. You shouldn’t listen to corrupting stories of that nature. Which reminds me—here.” He passed a bottle to Steg. “I liberated this from the Xesset ship, part of a cargo they had looted. Vintage.” He stayed to drink most of the contents.

  Steg later pondered the half-serious contention of the cutter pilot that the Specials had some secret docking bay and small star ship. Perhaps the contention was just ship’s gossip, he mused. It would be interesting to explore the truth with Denke whenever he caught up with him. At last, reluctantly, he decided to use the system in a final attempt to solve the problem.

  *Steg de Coeur to Module Ziangka.*

  *Module Ziangka.*

  *Shipsearch program. Subject is Major Denke. Implement now.*

  *Shipsearch running.*

  Steg waited patiently as the system used its files of tapes from video monitors and lock access records to search for the missing major. Eventually the system reported.

  *Module Ziangka to Steg de Coeur.*

  *Steg de Coeur.*

  *Shipsearch Major Denke. Results follow. Last recorded presence was minus five days three hours. Currently Major Denke is not on board ss Ziangka.”

  Steg calculated; the major had disappeared a day before the court-martial. He shook his head in silent disbelief. It seemed as though Denke had achieved the impossible. Somehow he had departed—disembarked—while the star ship was in full flight towards the pirate base. Steg checked the timing—it had been between needle jumps. He decided to probe further.

  *Module Ziangka, confirm no trace of Shipsearch subject after minus five days, three hours.*

  *Shipsearch result confirmed.*

  *Were any star ships located within one light year of Ziangka at time of last trace?*

  *Negative.*

  *Report significant events ten minutes before and ten minutes after minus five days, three hours.*

  *Logs contain no significant events. Only routine events recorded.*

  *Could events be off-log—not recorded?*

  *Negative.*

  *Is data on file or data missing from file that does not match log records?*

  The wait was long.

  *Data analysis indicates a substantial use of power at minus five days two hours fifty-three minutes. Power records are inconsistent with logs. No log record exists for this event.*

  *Report power used.*

  The result was staggering. Almost all power units on the star ship had been diverted to whatever purpose Denke had needed. Ziangka had used standby facilities for its routine activities, which is why the power diversion had been unobserved.

  Steg withdrew from the system. The mystery had deepened. Major Denke was able to control Ziangka, using it as a source of power that somehow enabled him to leave the star ship. If Steg had time, perhaps weeks, perhaps months, and the freedom to do so, he might solve the problem. Unfortunately he didn’t have the freedom or time. For the moment he couldn’t mount more than a token search. He shrugged to himself, unwilling to admit defeat but unable to determine how he could overcome the present barriers.

  The sudden arrival of his excited servant shattered his reverie. Steg waited patiently for the alien to regain his coherence.

  “Oh youthful master, sir. Wondrous news is, wonderful news.”

  “Well, Tziksis, out with it.”

  “Ship vid-system showed details of planet where pirate based are. Tziksis is. Planet is. Home is.”

  “What, it’s your home planet?”

  “Yes, oh master youngling. Tziksis home is. Invaded by pirates who base use. Tziksis planet from vid details recognized. Home. After many years Tziksis going home is. Oh master, please confirm, please give your permission for Tziksis to be free.”

  “Why, Tziksis, of course you can go home, you are always free. My permission is not necessary. I’m certain Fleet will land either Ziangka or some cutters, and it should be a simple matter for you to get passage to the planet. Why, you’d be able to act as an interpreter—the xenos will enlist your assistance very quickly once you let them know. Now, are you certain this is your home planet?”

  “Certainty absolute is. Tziksis planet no other is.”

  “OK. The first step may be to contact one of the xenos. They’ill closely examine your claim.” Steg wondered why the little alien was suddenly subdued.

  “Tziksis for xeno ready is. For three years Tziksis try to gain attention of xeno authorities, without success. Now instant fame will be.”

  “I can guess how you feel. Perhaps I can arrange one of the xenos to visit us, here. Although they may be reluctant since I caused them to be thrown off the Xesset ship. However, professional curiosity should overcome injured pride. We need to plan this carefully so you don’t end up in a xeno lab.” He was only partially joking.

  Tziksis bristled. “Tziksis for lab not volunteer. Silent will be.”

  “So tell me all—why were you on Althere?”

  “Xesset pirates planet Djii attacked, home of Tziksis. Djiis no star ships has. Small army, small weapons, Djiis has. Pirate foothold and possession established without difficulty, for my people peaceful are. Pirates easy victory had.”

  Tziksis continued his history as Steg struggled to re-arrange his tangled syntax.

  Xesset forces had quickly overwhelmed primitive Djiis defenses and then used the planet’s inhabitants as slave labor, not only to build the Xesset base but also to produce and supply food and other items required to support the pirate fleet. While Djiis had reached a sophisticated technology level, they had neither means nor experience to combat the invaders. Xesset depredations had cruel and lasting impacts on Djiis. Their most able workers were recruited into labor gangs and gradually food harvests declined in both quality and quantity as they struggled to meet Xesset demands. The pirates ignored the pending deprivation and starvation of their captives and continued to demand their supplies. The food surplus available on the planet declined each year while failure to provide food to the Xesset was met with a ruthless reaction, the pirates killing more and more Djiis in retaliation. The people starved where once they had plenty; oppression burdened them when once they had been free. In reaction, a small rebellious underground flourished, but the rebellious Djiis were impotent in the face of the military and technical strengths of the Xesset invaders.

  Eventually Djiis authorities decided to contact the Empire, the unknown strangers who generated an intense and frightening hatred in their Xesset occupiers. But with no star ships and no facilities capable of s-t communication, they devised an extreme and highly dangerous plan. They smuggled small teams each of two or three Djiis, onto Xesset star ships, the pirates’ raiding craft. The stowaways would remain undetected while
the Xesset ships were in flight, and then when opportunity was presented, they would escape using Xesset lifeboats. Their plan was borne in desperation.

  Tziksis was the leader of one of the stowaway teams. They had successfully hidden until the pirates attacked a star freighter, and then while the Xesset were preoccupied, they made their getaway in a small lifeboat which they launched into the unknown.

  Fortunately their departure from the Xesset star ship had gone undetected. However Djiis planners had underestimated the difficulties of supplying and navigating a lifeboat. Their small amount of fuel was quickly exhausted and as they drifted along a shipping lane their supplies ran very low. A curious freighter captain rescued them, taking the lifeboat in exchange for their passage to the nearest planet on his route. The planet was Althere.

  Disappointment continued to pursue the small team of Tziksis and his two companions. They had no funds and were unable to interest Imperial officials in their plight. They were treated as refugees and begrudgingly permitted to remain on Althere. Again and again, they tried to contact senior xeno officials but always lacked the funds to bribe the uninterested junior officials. They had been on Althere for three years and had almost given up hope when Steg had offered to take Tziksis back into space. The alien had grasped the opportunity, hardly daring to hope that somehow he eventually would return to his home planet.

  “Accredited official envoy for Djii, Tziksis is. All documents held. Authority complete is.” Tziksis ended his story.

  Steg sat back in silence. After a few moments he spoke. “Do you still have your documents?”

  “All document held,” Tziksis confirmed as he withdrew a small pouch from a hidden recess under his carapace. “Formally signed and sealed by all senior families on Djii.”

  “This alters your position, entirely. The xenos will have to take a back seat; an envoy from an alien planet is totally outside their jurisdiction. Do not release those documents under any circumstances to anyone other than the Ziangka captain. A Fleet captain has authority to accept envoys and diplomatic missions. He must recognize your diplomatic status. The first thing you should do is copy your documents for xeno validation. Also I can make sure your details and status are registered in the ship’s system. That way no one can deny your status.”

  “To copy no problem for Tziksis is. To register them, Tziksis directions will follow.”

  “Good. While you arrange a copy, I’ll see how we can arrange a meeting with the captain. I need to do some research. This will create a ripple or two, I suspect.”

  “Ripples Tziksis will enjoy,” confirmed the alien as he knocked on the heavy door to attract the attention of the guard.

  Steg needed to protect his small friend. He realized he had multiple problems to solve before the alien would be recognized as his planet’s envoy. The first was to arrange a meeting with the captain which was going to be very difficult. Most of all he needed to ensure Djiis were protected from the more rapacious elements of the Empire. By the time the star ship arrived at Djii, the pirate base needed to be under Djiis control. This was the only way to prove to the Empire that Djiis could manage their own planetary affairs. Otherwise they would become a vassal state, totally under Imperial control.

  His mind churning, Steg contacted the system.

  *Steg de Coeur to Module Ziangka.*

  *Module Ziangka.*

  *Advise arrival schedule for Xesset base.*

  *Orbit Xesset base plus two days seven hours.*

  *Prepare for transmission to Glass Complex.*

  Steg dictated a long message for the Acolytes requesting their assistance. He included very detailed instructions. In response, he hoped, orders would be transmitted to the captain as though sourced from Fleet Admiralty. One of these orders would instruct the captain to accept Tziksis as a duly authorized envoy, and for ss Ziangka to render full aid and assistance to the planet and its people. A separate order would instruct the xeno team to authenticate Tziksis’ status. Steg hoped that by the time anyone on the star ship thought to verify Admiralty instructions, all formalities would have been concluded, with the planet back in control of its people. Faced with such a fait accompli it would be extremely difficult for the Empire to withdraw the recorded recognition of independent status of Djii.

  Tziksis was re-admitted by the bored guard and showed the copied documents to Steg.

  “Good, Tziksis. Now listen. We do not have very much time. First the xenos need to validate these documents. They will forward their validation to the captain. He will also receive orders from Fleet Admiralty to accept your diplomatic status.”

  “Oh master youth, Tziksis forever in your debt is. All Djiis will be in your debt if success we have.”

  “I’ll do what I can. What communication arrangements do you have with your Djiis underground?”

  “Coded communication is possible. Djiis technology improved with equipment from Xesset trash stolen. Careless disposal process helped Djiis.”

  “We need to contact your underground as soon as possible. Their challenge will be to take back control from Xesset forces before we arrive.” He explained his reasoning.

  “Very major task that is. Twenty small star ships and two large star ships Xesset have. Xesset on planet well armed, base heavily defended is.”

  “What if I can cancel the advantages held by Xesset forces? If I cut their communications links, and make sure their ships cannot fight? I may even be able to control their entire network, so that they become isolated units. Would your people be prepared to act?”

  “Oh master, sir, any reward Tziksis can grant, yours is. Freedom of the planet would be wondrous, a dream of all Djiis.”

  “Let us see what happens. And in return, perhaps Djiis can assist me and my people, if ever that is needed?”

  Tziksis delivered his reply with care; for once, his syntax was not mangled. “Our debt to you is already high and will be substantial if you succeed in this plan, Steg de Coeur. My duty and pleasure, is to formally commit my people and their resources, to aid you and your people if ever the need arises. I, Tziksis, Ambassador for the people of Djii, make this promise and pledge my house and my life to its redemption.”

  Steg bowed his head in formal acceptance of the pledge, recognizing the extent of the burden that his alien friend had imposed on himself and his people. “Thank you, Tziksis. And please, from now on—my name is Steg.”

  “Oh master youth. Steg. Overjoyed, Tziksis is.”

  The alien had learned to survive in the rough alleyways of Althere yet had maintained his innate dignity. His survival under dangerous and challenging circumstances justified the faith placed in him by his people on Djii.

  “Now we have work to do,” Steg reminded Tziksis. “You need to deliver the copy of your credentials to the xenos. Simply leave them with the duty officer, and if questioned, simply state you have been instructed to make the delivery. They’ll also receive a message ordering them to examine the copy and authenticate your status to the captain. Do not surrender the originals. Return here at shift changeover and we’ll await developments.”

  “Yes, my friend. Influence the ship system now you plan?”

  “Er—yes. Now go, while I organize the next step. Please make sure I am not disturbed. Check with me in the morning.”

  Steg waited for the guard to let Tziksis out of the cabin.

  *Steg de Coeur to Module Ziangka.*

  *Module Ziangka.*

  *Monitor and advise status of communications from Fleet Admiralty on Althere to Captain Gallos. Subjects are planet Djii and envoy Tziksis. Advise when received. Also monitor for communication to xeno team lead, same subjects. Advise when received.*

  He released his contact with the system, confident that he would be advised when the messages were received. Now he would test his abilities to the utmost. His success or failure would influence the future of Djii. He sat back and relaxed, closing his mind to the cabin, to the ship and to the system. He concentrated, listening, searchin
g, extending his reach. He could detect sprinkles of light scattered across the vast expanse that surrounded him as though he were searching a star-filled sky on an exceptionally dark night. He reached out along the path the star ship was heading, stretching his mind, seeking any and every faint murmur. Nothing. Nothing at all.

  Steg was only marginally dismayed. The star ship would take another two days to reach the Djiis system. He realized the timing would be exceptionally tight. He lay on the bunk, and closed his eyes, and relaxed, purposefully moving to a deep relaxed state. Deeper. Deeper. The stars returned. He watched them, felt for their source, listened to their messages. He moved deeper, further into a relaxed state until he slept soundly.

  *Ziangka Module to Steg de Coeur.*

  *Steg de Coeur.*

  *Communications received from Admiralty both for xeno team lead and for Captain Gallos. Message contents follow.*

  Steg sat up and reviewed the contents of the two messages. The Glass Complex Acolytes had implemented his instructions. Steg suspected the Complex also had added records to the Admiralty system on Althere that would confuse any validation process. Pleased with completion of the first step in his plans, he lay back and closed his eyes, hoping for at least another hour of sleep.

  He was in a nightmare, struggling to survive. Cold tendrils sought him and filled his mind, clawed at his will. He fought back, struggling to breathe in the black airless void of his imagination. He wrestled with the tendrils, trying to grip them, forcing them to turn back, to leave him alone. As soon as he succeeded with one tendril, another moved in and attacked him. He continued his battle, alone, fighting against the dread that filled his mind. He recognized the touch of Xesset systems. He drew on all his strength and lashed out at the threatening collection of evil. It retreated, tendrils lashing futilely. The nightmare ceased and Steg resumed a restful sleep.