As the outer ‘lock irised open, bright lights nearly blinded us – the glare of news cameras and lighting. We stepped onto the gangway to thunderous applause. They even had a grand musical score playing as we walked onto the station’s dock.
A whole flock of Admirals and politicians received us onto the station, shaking our hands and patting our backs. We were told to wave for the cameras, then ushered into a waiting inter-station shuttle. I had to insist that Tac join us, as he was almost pushed aside to allow non-synthetics to leave the ship.
As the shuttle pulled away from the docking platform, the din quietened and I was able to gather my thoughts. In the shuttle with us were some of the officers who had met us on the docks, they were adjusting their uniforms and stowing their hats.
“So, what’s next?” I asked no one in particular.
“Now you get debriefed,” said an Admiral. I didn’t catch his name.
“I mean regarding the Ghantri threat?”
“We’ve shut down the Gate. There is no more threat,” he said, giving me a tight smile.
“With all due respect, sir…”
“We’ve been briefed on the rumours about these mythical Jump Drives, this intangible connection with the Destroyers. Even if it were true, the Ghantri have disappeared. For all we know, they are lost in that nebula, or their Drives failed and they’re simply gone.”
I stared open mouthed. I heard a growling beside me – Kekkin was about to launch into a career-ending rant. I headed him off.
“How can you just ignore all the evidence?” I said, “All the intel we’ve gathered? If even half of what we’ve said were true, don’t you think there needs to be some response? Contingencies?”
“I don’t need to be lectured in military policies by a half-timer who thinks the smartest move is to militarise a star system already beset by hotheads and warmongers!”
I stared hard at the Admiral. I started to recognise him.
“You’re Frederick Stirges?” I said after a moment, “The Commodore who debriefed me after I got back from the Push?”
“That’s Admiral Stirges, Lieutenant. Remember that.”
“Fred,” said one of the other Admirals, an older Orlii who until now had simply sat back and observed, “You forget that Lt. Donovan has not been updated on the situation here in Eridani, nor Harakiwa.”
Stirges looked at the Orlii with distaste. I remembered Stirges, he was a man I had grown to dislike immensely. He had taken my refusal of being paraded around the Network as the hero of the Push rather poorly. I had apparently ruined his plans for political advancement in the wake of the Push fall out, a time when many high ranking officials had faced the proverbial chopping block. I pegged him as an opportunist, a ruthless one at that. I could see his dislike for me had not abated. Last time we had met, he had been a Commodore – more a politician than a tactician.
I looked to the Orlii Admiral. “Can you tell me what’s happened, sir?”
“Irib’en Jalabir.” He offered his hand, I shook it. “The Protectorate has been weakened in the Votus-Eridani Network. As you know, most of the forces that make up the Protectorate Fleet are pulled from local governments as part of the Treaties. With imminent war brewing in Eridani and Harakiwa, many factions have recalled their fleets from Protectorate command. What you saw here today is most of what we have left under our dispensation.”
“Surely, you can see the threat the Ghantri still pose?”
“The Great Web of Ar’od Dar is lightyears from Eridani. A threat coming from that region of space is a long way coming. We have to worry about threats to peace a lot closer to home. With resources stretched thin, we have to focus on keeping the peace in this star system before we go looking for war in other parts of the galaxy.”
“You mentioned Harakiwa, sir?”
“The Kanto Primacy and the Demarchy of Vengnashi are butting heads. The Primacy supports the Esper Monarchy, but the Veng want to enforce a policy of isolation from Eridani politics. They think Kanto putting their foot in the door will invite war from the other factions to spill into Harakiwa. As a result, the Veng Fleet has blockaded the Jump Gate to Eridani. The Kanto Primacy made an attempt to regain control of the Gate and now those two planets are growling at each other from across the star system. The planets will reach a point in their orbits soon that will make fielding attacks against each other feasible. We have to consider the possibility that this may be the outcome.”
I shook my head in wonder. Had the galaxy gone mad while I was away?
“So you see,” said Stirges, “We are not at all worried about some fanciful threat these primitive aliens may pose. We have our hands full as it is.”
“So that’s it then? You just wash your hands of it and turn away?”
“I don’t like your tone, Lieutenant,” growled the surly human, “It’s only because of your recent achievements that I’m allowing you some latitude but make no mistake – if you continue with this tirade you will be dealt with.”
“Fred. Please,” warned Jalabir, “Don’t let your personal opinions cloud an otherwise momentous occasion.” He turned to me, “Lieutenant, your efforts have not gone unnoticed, nor unrewarded. You have all done a great thing. These people you have pulled from Ambrose represent a great failure of the Protectorate in the past. A failure you have corrected. For that, we are grateful. I apologise for my colleague’s briskness. We’re under tremendous stress, given our current situation.”
Stirges had resorted to pouting towards a window, choosing to ignore me.
I sighed. I suppose I should have expected this kind of response from the brass. I put my disappointment down to the anti-climatic return to modern space. The normality of just living, instead of fighting for survival.
“What do you require of me, sir?” I asked Jalabir.
“For now, nothing. You have first class accommodation reserved and paid for by the Protectorate awaiting you. Relax, clean, unwind for a few days. I expect you’ll be keen to reconnect with your former shipmates on the Dreaming of Atmosphere.”
“What about Captain Garner of the Astral Spider? I’d like to thank him for holding the Gate open for us.”
“He’ll be on-station for the foreseeable future, repairs to his ship are extensive.”
“Thank you.”
“In a few days, delegates from the various factions are due to arrive for a peace talk. We hope to talk some sense into them, but your arrival, the hope that you brought to the Network, would greatly improve our chances of getting a message of peace through to them. I, we, would be honoured if you would make a speech during the talks.”
“I, ah…I’m not so good at speeches or crowds. Why me?”
“You represent the best of us. What the Protectorate stands for. I can have a team of speech writers assist you, but I’d prefer if the body of the speech came from your hand, from your heart.”
I looked out the window, watching the station speed past it. I said nothing for a long time.
“Do you think it will help?” I asked, at last.
“We have to try. War here, now? It would be catastrophic to peace across the Network. Since the Push, the people of Votus-Eridani have stopped listening to the Protectorate. They see us as an outdated, irrelevant institution. We need someone to prove to them that we’re still necessary. We need someone to make them listen.”
“And you think I can do that?”
“Why not? Your friends think you’re an exceptional person. Captain Garner has nothing but praise for you. I’m sure if I asked anyone on that Cruiser out there that they would say the same thing. What about you, Sergeant?”
Kekkin looked at me for a moment before answering. “Naga-zak has taught even an old bird such as myself many things. Naga-zak can do anything he sets his mind and heart to.”
“There’s a promotion in it for you. For all of you.”
“I don’t speak for Naga Team,” I said, “but I wasn’t planning on sticking around. My days of jumping out of starships are behind m
e.”
“How about command of your own starship?”
“Didn’t think you had the resources to hand them out anymore.”
“We don’t. But then you brought us that Danghar Cruiser.”
I laughed drily. “It’s a piece of shit. A junker.”
“It would cost a lot less to refit and repair than it would to build a new one. She’d be yours.”
“You mean the Protectorate’s?”
He smiled. “No. The Protectorate doesn’t own starships. They’re drawn from factions across the galaxy. Except for a few specialised entries, such as the Astral Spider, we mostly own and operate the Jump Stations.”
“You’d give me a capital ship?”
“And the rank to command it. We need inspirational leaders in the Network, you have a vested interest in Votus-Eridani. It’s a win-win.”
“All I have to do is give a speech to a room full of politicians?”
“And take a more active role in Protectorate operations across the galaxy.”
The shuttle began to pull into the station. It slowed down and approached a landing platform adjoining a fancy looking hotel.
“Think about it, but don’t think too long. The galaxy needs you, Mr Donovan. I hope you take us up on the offer.”
I shook his hand once more and alighted from the shuttle. As it sped away, a concierge approached us on the platform. He was dressed in fine livery, formally inviting us inside the ostentatious apartments before us.
19.
We were led into the apartments and to a waiting elevator. The concierge took us down a long hallway adorned with gold trappings and crimson carpets. Artwork festooned the walls. It was all very grand, I had a suspicion it was all intended to impress me and make me more agreeable to the offer.
We were shown to our apartment and left with assurances that our every whim would be catered for. I opened the door and stepped inside. A loud whoop! warned me of an impending attack, as someone threw themselves upon me.
I barely stopped myself from dropping into a combat stance as I realised I was being showered with kisses all over my face and neck. Laughter erupted from the room, and several other arms were thrown around me.
Eventually, I disentangled myself from the group hug I was ensconced within and looked around at my family. Zoe, of course, was practically hanging off me, Maxine had joined her soon after. Fel’negr and Crege both stood a respectable distance apart, grinning like idiots. Hergo and Denno were clapping happily beside the tall Votus, Melafenaseance. Cuts sat on a couch, drink in hand, smiling as well.
“What’s the galaxy coming to, when even Malcolm Cutler is happy to see me?” I said, smiling.
“It’s been getting boring without having you around,” he said, “No one to argue with.”
Kekkin and the others filed in, Maxine giving each a hug in turn, while Crege and Fel shook their hands. Geko went straight to the bar, over by one wall.
“By the galaxy! Look at this bar!” he said, grabbing several glasses. Renthal dashed over and joined him.
“What are we drinking?” he said, holding up two bottles of liquor.
Kekkin sat down on a stool in front, Crege joined him. I noticed his limp had gone. Harris helped Rego to the couch, and Tac was given an awkward hug by Max. He didn’t quite know how to take it, having never been hugged before.
“I assure you, Captain, that physical contact is wasted on me, I have no tactile sensors beyond those needed to grip objects…”
“Nonsense, Tac,” she said, “Physical contact is as necessary as breathing for people. It goes both ways.”
“Very well, Captain. If embracing my chassis gives you comfort, I am more than willing to acquiesce.”
I retired to a plush armchair, adorned with tassels and lace. I sat down, and Zoe jumped straight into my lap, arm around my neck and legs over the armrest. I leant back and relaxed, a cold glass of amber liquid placed in my hand by Fel. It was good to be back.
Maxine sat opposite me in another armchair.
“So…” she began, “I have some news.”
“I do too, but you first,” I said.
“You remember our negotiations with Benedict Jenner on the Corus Cluster?”
“The ones that ended up in a firefight?”
She nodded. “Do you remember the terms that Jenner offered when he first put the job to us?”
“Vaguely,” I struggled to remember. It seemed like a lifetime ago. “He said he had some pull with the Corporations. Claimed he could help us pay off the Dreaming.”
She nodded, a cheeky grin on her face.
“You don’t mean…he actually followed through with it?”
“The Dreaming is ours, Donny.”
I was absolutely speechless. My mouth gaped like a fish for a few seconds.
“I had this message waiting for me when we shifted back into Eridani. A letter notifying us of the Corporate financial interest in the ship being resolved. Some fluff about responsible business practices and invitations to mortgage the ship in exchange for credit loans.”
“That’s…that’s incredible. You’re a sovereign nation, now. What will you do with yourselves?”
“Pay my bloody crew, for one.”
“Amen to that,” said Cuts, sipping his drink.
“It’s high time we made some upgrades to the ship, such as a Class 1 weapon.”
The Votus chuckled. “The good Captain was most insistent that a Class 1 weapon make the top of the upgrade list.”
“You know how many times in the last year that having point defences would have made life so much easier?” said Max.
“No kidding. I’m happy for you, Max,” I said, and I meant it.
“What about you? You said you had news?” she said.
“I’ve been made an offer. By the Admiralty.”
“What kind of offer?”
“Same as last time I came out of that bloody system. Be their poster boy. They want me to stand up in front of the Network’s leaders in a few days and give a speech. They want me to sign on to the Protectorate permanently and in return, they’ll clean up and refit that Cruiser I brought in.”
She whistled, and Zoe looked at me funny. “What did you say?” she said.
“I haven’t given them an answer, yet.”
“Are you going to say yes?” asked Max.
“I don’t know. Should I?”
“Yes!” said Max and Zoe at the same time.
“Really? You two are okay with this?”
“Why wouldn’t we be?” asked Max.
“Well…I would have thought…I mean…”
Zoe grabbed my chin and turned my face to hers. “You’re exactly what this insane galaxy needs, right now. Someone who doesn’t want power, but is given it anyway. Someone who cares about people, about the galaxy, not someone who is using their authority to further their careers. Do you understand me?”
“Yeah, but I thought…that you would want to…”
“Oh, don’t you worry about me. Where you go, I go. You’ll need a medical officer and someone to fix your cybernetics when they break. Not to mention a therapist.”
“Well, okay then. What about you, Max? Don’t you need me as your First Mate?”
“That position was recently filled.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “That didn’t take long.”
“We had a good probation period, and we’ve decided that Melafenaseance would make an excellent addition to the crew.”
The Votus simply bowed. I looked him over and had to admit I was surprised.
“I thought you had an important mission to undertake, perfecting the stealth system on the Astral Spider?”
“Dr Montannis and Ms Ward finished what I had started, working from the shipyards near Ambrose. I added their recommendations to the system while it was installed in the Dreaming of Atmosphere.”
“We had to give it back,” said Max, “A shame, it was very handy.”
“No doubt,” I sa
id, “I didn’t think a life of adventure was the Votus way?”
“It isn’t,” he explained, “I’m not the average Votus, however. I do not want you to think I am replacing you. Max has assured me you will always have a place on the Dreaming, and one day its Captaincy.”
“I’m glad, actually. The ship has always been a haven for the weird and exceptional. You’ll fit right in.”
“I’m not sure why, but I find your approval in this matter to be most important.”
“For what it’s worth, you have it,” I nodded to him. He returned the nod and excused himself, leaving through another door in the apartment.
“How big is this place?” I said, looking around.
“We have the whole floor,” said Max, “Several rooms joined to make one big set of apartments. This is the main suite.”
“And the fanciest,” said Cuts, “I decided to let you have it. Your head wouldn’t fit in the others, anyway.”
“Thanks, Mal. I appreciate it,” I said, smiling.
“Garner and Ormund said they’d be around to visit in a few hours. Something about a debrief?” said Max.
“Oh, shit, were we supposed to be there?” I said.
“If it were so, they’d have sent a shuttle for you. Don’t sweat it, you just got back. Relax.”
“A few hours, you said?” I turned to Zoe, “How big are the showers here?”
Her eyes were wide and mischievous, “Big enough for two.”
She giggled, I lifted her from my lap and carried her to one of the doors.
“Excuse me, gentlemen, Max. Duty calls,” I said as I walked through the door backwards.
20.
The next few days were spent in opulent splendour. We had been too long on the frontier, too long without the trappings of modern society. I’ll admit, I enjoyed the days of peace and happiness that our stay in Fleet Headquarters afforded us. The station itself was called Collumus Station – a large, circular hub with five connected spokes ending in giant domed platforms. The ends of each spoke were called the Spars and housed different artificial environments built to represent popular tourist locations across the Votus-Eridani Network. The majority of the station’s population lived in these comfortable living spaces. Each was designed to capture a natural aesthetic, mimicking real environments and all were the equivalent of a small city in their own right. Although no rival for the super massive Acheras Orbital, deeper in the system, the average population of Collumus numbered in the millions.
Frontier's End: A Seth Donovan Novel Page 11