by Chris Hechtl
The rest of the convoy had received permission to mine and had swung into action. Within hours of Mahoney's arrival in orbit, tugs began to arrive with shipments of material from the factory ships as well as chemical soups to manufacture more cure. Shelby was less concerned with her own command's needs than the needs of the planets, but she was gratified to see Lieutenant Talon and Cynthia hadn't neglected them totally. The fuel situation was quickly topped off to 100 percent or near enough for her not to have to worry about it.
A week after their arrival, the plague was under control and all who would survive it were on the road to recovery. Few new cases were reported as volunteers from the convoy went out with their native counterparts to set up vaccination clinics in remote areas.
Some communities went door to door. Where they found only death, they marked the home with a flag or mark on the door.
Shelby heard about how bad it was. The most vulnerable had gone first, the elderly, the young, and the sick, and from there, it had hit those who were constantly bombarded by exposure in their efforts to help the ill. Weakened by overextending themselves, they'd fallen ill and in most cases had succumbed to the diseases.
Unfortunately, many would have permanent brain damage she knew, especially the Taurens who had been exposed. The various plagues would haunt the planet for some time before running out of hosts. Bodies would need to be dealt with too, plus a restoration of government, civil liberties, utilities, food production, and the works.
Samos had a smaller more distributed population so had fared better. Her recovery was slower since they didn't have the hospital ship in orbit. Eventually Shelby broke down to Doctor Taylor's pleas and allowed him and a selection of medical volunteers to ship over to the Captain Zlanka to help manufacture the cure and treat the sick. When Doctor Gusterson reported that Mahoney had created enough of the cures to inoculate the remaining people on the planet as well as a healthy reserve, the commodore ordered Mahoney to transfer to Samos orbit.
She had thought the medics would have gotten some downtime in the five days it had taken to cross the binary star system. She found out later she'd been wrong. Oh, they'd taken some time to get six hours of rest, but the medics had kept up production of the various cures and vaccines as well as a running commentary with the local surviving medics on Samos. They'd hit the planet with the cure fast and gratifyingly hard.
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Doctor Gusterson couldn't help but be impressed with the native's use of living trees as architectural elements. Normally he wouldn't have time for such things, but he had been taken aback when they'd first seen the massive trees on the ground. The trees were a genetically engineered form of Terran Banyan tree, something the natives called an Avatar tree for some strange reason. But the sizes they grew to!
The first “tree town” he'd visited had been built out of a hollow in the massive woven tree. The core was hollow. The vine trunks that made up the tree had a base of over a kilometer in diameter. That changed to a trunk of only a hundred meters fifty meters up, but that stretched a good hundred meters higher before the branches spread out into a two-kilometer flat top of foliage. It was an ecosystem all unto itself.
There had been over four hundred people of all species living in each of the trees. Homes had been made in the voids, each crafted by training the trees to grow in a certain way. The waste from the occupants helped to fertilize the tree. In return the tree provided fruit and shelter.
Taurens favored the lower, more open levels of the tree. Smaller species took up residence in some of the smaller niches in the tree. A spiral ramp had been woven out of the branches that allowed someone to get from the bottom to the top. The top was strong enough to support a small glider runway on some of the biggest trees.
The bridges leading to the trees were made out of living vines, branches, and roots that were teased and woven to form a bridge. The natives had an impressive gift for botany that rivaled some of the Federation's top botanists in his estimation. He was glad they had the materials to save them.
He just wished that somewhere along the way one of the natives would have reinvented the elevator, he thought as he carried his bags up another set of stairs.
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Two weeks into their temporary stay and it seemed like the plague's worst effects were behind them. Some of the people the convoy had picked up in Tau-X3301 asked to remain to help rebuild and to take care of the brain-damaged victims. “We're not lubbers, but we can help. I know how to work a power plant, how to rebuild it … I can help,” Los, a young bull said.
Shelby had merely nodded and let them go.
She wasn't at all surprised when, after the planet's populations were declared clean and safe and she'd opened up the planets to liberty, few if any of her crews had asked for liberty. Even Mrs. Muggs had asked to move on.
The few who did ask for and were granted liberty went down, looked around, but then found themselves trying to help rebuild or bury the dead. They returned to their ships quiet and somber.
Los took temporary charge of Delos until elections could be held. He promised that when the Federation was ready, the two planets would happily join up.
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To Shelby's dismay, Governor-elect Shro Farnsworth on Samos had other ideas about the future of his planet and star system and made them known a few days later. Shelby wanted something central to the sector so her ships could get to all corners of the sector quickly and efficiently. Samos and Delos almost fit the bill. It was tempting to give in to Mister Mugg's pressure to stay and start building. However, the survivors on Samos were not happy about being a target for the pirates despite what the Federation had just done for them.
The human governor called her to discuss the situation once he had sustained control of his population. “Look, we don't want any trouble. We mind our business, give them the credits and stuff they want as tribute, and they leave us alone.”
“Blood money. Tribute,” Shelby practically spat in disgust. “An extortion tithe to the pirates to get them to leave you alone. But they don't anyway.”
The governor flinched, then shrugged such considerations aside. “We consider it taxes actually.”
“We have a different method. And we don't bomb you if you can't pay up. In fact, we are here to help you. To establish ties with the Federation once more. To provide help to update your education, industry, and medical …”
Governor Farnsworth raised a hand to stop her. “Save the sales pitch, we're not buying, lady.”
“Okay, if that's how you wish it. I think you'll regret this decision.”
The governor stared at her warily. “Why? You said you don't threaten …”
“And I'm not going to do so,” the human commodore said firmly. “But when your neighbors start getting this, they'll upgrade and you'll be left behind.”
“We like how we are. We live a simple life,” the governor replied with as much dignity as he could muster. “Having too much only invites misery and for the pirates to come and take what we have. No thank you.”
“Okay. I hope you change your mind in the future, if only for some of the basic things like better medical care,” Shelby said. “The pirates were the ones who infected you. Remember that. They'll be back, and when they see that you are still alive, they won't be happy,” Shelby warned. “Honestly, I hope for your population's sake you change your mind. Delos is willing to join up.”
“I won't. We're standing firm and neutral. Delos will come around to our way of thinking despite your transplants you put in to take over there,” The governor stated as he shut the circuit off.
When he did, Shelby shook her head. “Or I hope you leave office soon. Bugger!” she sighed, running a frustrated hand through her hair. “That could have gone better,” she said as Lieutenant Black her flag lieutenant came into the room.
“Struck out, ma'am?” Sadie asked sympathetically.
“Looks that way. Again. So, we keep looking,” Sh
elby said. “The good news is, the next star system we're going to is our first candidate system.”
“Right.”
Act III
Chapter 32
Rachel Trejo had been glad when they'd put the miserable battered planets behind them. She'd covered a lot of the plague on the three planets as well as many human interest stories. Many of the sights she'd seen had been etched into her memory and haunted her at night.
Things were looking up however. Their next stop was close; a 7-light-year jump that would shortly be ending she knew. She checked the clock. Another hour and they'd be out into Tau-1252 space. From conversations with the commodore, she knew that the star system was a space colony system like Pyrax … and also her first candidate for the sector capital and primary naval base.
If it worked out, she might be finally off the ship and in an office with a proper studio within a month or so she promised herself as she went to the wardroom to cover the breakout party.
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“If we're going to do this, and we are, we're going to do it right,” Shelby said firmly. “We're on our best behavior. We're setting the tone and the example. We're going to keep this on the level from the beginning. Start with a good foundation and build on it,” she announced.
“You're nervous,” Cynthia murmured to her.
“How can you tell?” Shelby asked, quirking an eyebrow upward.
“You don't repeat stuff like that unless you are,” her XO said. Shelby gave her an old-fashioned look then turned away with a sniff as if she had dismissed the observation. Cynthia smiled briefly, knowing she'd scored.
“Are we ready for this?” a familiar voice asked from the open hatch. The two females turned to see Mister Muggs standing there anxiously in the doorway.
“I guess so,” Shelby said. “Did they elect a spokesperson?” she asked.
The Neochimp nodded. “It took a bit to get through to them, but they decided to settle on an older cow named Ariadne. She's coming aboard shortly. They sent a shuttle.”
“Wow. They didn't ask for us to chauffeur them, impressive,” Cynthia drawled.
“I'm impressed by it,” Shelby said as she rose behind her desk. Cynthia turned to her. “It means they are willing to trust, to take a risk, and that they are willing to expend fuel and clock time on their shuttle. That says a lot. Now we need to build off of it,” she said firmly.
“Yes, ma’am,” Fred said with a nod. The star system was one of the best candidates since it was a crossroads. There were four jump points in the system: three of them regularly used, and one of them suspected to be used only by the pirates. The star system had four gas giants, three thick asteroid belts, one from a destroyed planet in the inner system, three Mercury class planets in the inner star system, and one with its own moon in the outer star system outside the outer most rubble belt.
There were only space colonies in the star system, some on the moons orbiting the gas giants, in the asteroids large and small, but a few were also in old re-purposed ships and one in an actual proper space station … even if it didn't look like it had when it had first been built. That didn't matter, the population was educated on space, were eager to deal with them, and weren't afraid of them. Their population estimates had gone up by a factor of ten once they'd arrived and picked up all the signs of habitation across the star system.
It reminded Shelby a lot of Pyrax, just without Anvil and a lot more colonies. It would do … if the population wasn't as cutthroat, corrupt, dirty, and stupid as some of her home star system had turned out to be.
“I'll go make sure a side party is arranged and that we've got the right set up in the mess,” Cynthia said.
“You do that. I hate wearing my formal uniform but I better go change. What is their ETA Prometheus?” she asked, pitching her voice to the overhead.
“Seven hours fourteen minutes. The shuttle is slow.”
“Ah, well, we've got time then,” Shelby said with a shrug. “Remind me to have the boat bay officer take a look at her. Maybe get the pilots to allow us to run a maintenance cycle?” she asked.
“Considering I don't want the rat trap in my guts where she could blow up, I suppose that is a good thing,” the A.I. replied.
Shelby pursed her lips as Cynthia rolled her eyes and left the compartment.
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Shelby shook hands with the Tauren and her two supporters when they arrived on board. To her surprise the Tauren was a female, a cow named Ariadne. She was also older; she could tell from the wrinkles and from the way she moved.
The Veraxin and T'clock didn't say much. They indicated the Tauren spoke for them. Shelby motioned for them to have a seat. “This is a nice ship you've got,” the Tauren said, looking around the compartment.
“Thank you. She's a factory ship. I can arrange a tour for you folks when we've finished the initial negotiations. That will give you some time to let your people think about our offer,” Shelby said.
Fred nodded silently in support.
“I'd like that, though I do need to get back to my colony. But …,” the Tauren seemed torn.
“Hopefully, they can spare you for a day or so,” Fred said. “Prometheus is a special ship,” he said.
“I see. Well, I'll consider it after I hear this offer. I'm assuming you wish to trade?” the Tauren asked.
“Yes, but we've got something more in mind,” Shelby said. “With your permission we'd like to set anchor here and build a base,” she said.
The Tauren blinked, then looked at her two supporters. Both signaled reluctant agreement. She turned back to the human and Neochimp. “Sure, fine, whatever, it's a big solar system,” Ariadne said. “Was that it? We could have done that over the radio. Why are you even asking?”
“We're asking your permission since you are here. According to the Constitution, you are the legal owners of the solar system. We'll pay you for the leasing rights to mine materials including fuel. We will pay for basing rights here,” Fred said as he passed over a tablet with the proposal loaded and open for her to see.
The Tauren looked down at it and then up to the duo. “Wait, pay?” the Tauren demanded, staring at the duo. “You are not serious.” One massive three-fingered hand covered the tablet.
“Of course,” Fred said, indicating the tablet.
“As in with what?” the female Tauren demanded suspiciously.
“We can pay in material, parts, medical care, or other trade if you prefer. We can set up a temporary lease if you do not wish to rejoin the Federation at this time,” Fred said smoothly. “This ship is a factory ship. There is also a hospital ship and other support vessels with us.”
“Rejoin …?” Ariadne said, confused but voice rising in surprise and delight. “Are you serious? The Federation? It's back?” The T'clock and Veraxin buzzed in agitation beside her.
“That is correct,” Fred said with a nod. “Admiral Irons was put in charge of rebuilding the Federation. He has established a capital in the Antigua star system, my home star system,” he said with one brief hand over his heart. “From there and in places like Pyrax, we've been fighting the pirates while also growing the Federation. Currently, the reborn Federation is just starting out, but we've managed to assemble twenty-nine star systems, twenty-four of them inhabited in less than twenty years.”
“How long are you planning to stay?” Ariadne demanded, sitting back and picking up the tablet.
“That is up to you in some ways. If you wish to rejoin the Federation and if we get the deal acceptable to both sides, it could be a while as long as we don't find a better site. We usually go with a decade or more lease. If you aren't interested in joining the Federation at this time, I'd go with a three- to five-year lease. If you are interested and do join, I'd prefer a century lease myself,” Shelby explained.
“You won't find a better site in the sector. We are at the center, the best crossroads. Everything that goes from one side to the other passes through us if they want to go t
he shortest route. The same from up and down,” the Tauren said, looking very thoughtful. It was why their community had prospered despite the regular run-ins by the pirates she thought. They paid their dues regularly, but they'd struggled when they were hit with an unexpected rise in the rates. Now, if the Federation was returning, if they stayed …
They wouldn't have that problem anymore she thought. They'd still have to worry about being a target, especially with the Feds there, but …. She glanced at her fellows. The Veraxin and T'clock just looked at her, not willing to commit either way.
“I see. Which is why we're so interested in building a base here,” the Neochimp stated smoothly. “Your star system could be the new sector capital. Of course, you'll be the likely spot for an ansible too. We have them shipping in on a separate convoy now.”
The Tauren blinked at him. A few days ago she had been the leader of her small colony of 428 souls, all trying to survive the next day. Then everything had changed when the newcomers had arrived. She'd gone from trying to juggle watch bills and arguing to get people out to do maintenance work outside right up until the newcomers had requested a spokesperson to negotiate with. She'd been chosen by the others primarily since she was the closest colony and was running the largest one. “A sector capital as I live and breathe. You really are serious. The ships you've got …”
“Yes?” Shelby asked.
“Will they be staying on?” the Tauren asked, suddenly envisioning the warships protecting the star system.
Mister Muggs turned to Shelby. She nodded once. “Some yes.” The Tauren's expression stilled. “Some of the warships will remain to protect the star system from the pirates,” Shelby stated. “Eventually we'll detach ships to go to nearby star systems to scout and protect them as well. Other ships will go out to hunt the pirates down.”
“You really are serious … you people are insane, you know that, right?” Ariadne demanded in an incredulous voice.