by Wilson Harp
Kyle blinked. He understood.
“It was you. You discovered the increase in mosar in their plants. You were the one to make the connection.”
“Yes. I collected the samples because the flowers were beautiful. I analyzed them to see if they would grow in the same conditions as pinomas, because they would complement each other wonderfully. That data was the hard evidence which proved mosar was not native to the Esura home system.”
“What happened when the Otina finally accepted the truth?”
“We made the second worst mistake of our race. We told the Esura everything.”
A’nacal stopped and looked down.
“It broke them. They didn’t know what to think or how to deal with it. We had introduced an alien disease into not only their population, but into their planets, their home, itself. We corrupted them. They went insane with rage. They killed thousands of Otina, they killed their own leaders. Suicidal attacks followed and we were forced to flee the system. We tried to reason with them, to give them a view beyond their current situation, but they were mad, driven to insanity over what had been done to them.
“We watched from a distance as they destroyed themselves. Within eighty years, all of the Esura were dead. Their culture, their civilization, was destroyed.”
Kyle sighed. “That’s why the secrecy around mosar. If everybody knew of the threat, the galaxy would panic.”
“Some would. Some wouldn’t. Those we have determined can handle the truth sit on the Higher Council. Most of them had uncovered much of the truth before I invited them.”
“Humans?”
“A special case. As with every facet of your race, each individual must be judged, well, individually. There are millions of humans who would take the news as information to be used, to make thoughtful decisions.”
“And hundreds of millions who would panic and cause wanton destruction because they didn’t know how to process the information.”
“Correct. Except we may have another way out.”
“Your plan?”
“Think on it, Ambassador. I believe it is the best option.”
A’nacal disappeared. Kyle stepped over to the disc and picked it up. He looked around the little prayer room and decided he would take a few minutes to use it for its named purpose.
Chapter 15
Kyle looked at the phone in his hand. He didn’t want to make this call. He knew this call would be a fruitless endeavor. But he had to make the call.
He dialed the number and the phone on the other end rang.
“Hello,” said Franklin Smith.
“Mister Smith, this is Ambassador Martin.”
“Hello, Mister Ambassador. This is an odd occurrence. I trust everything is fine.”
“It isn’t,” Kyle said. “I need your assistance?”
“Oh? Assistance from me or assistance from the Pelod.”
“Whichever can get me in touch with the Inado?”
“The Inado? The Guardians? We don’t deal with them very often. And even then… it’s generally not pleasant.”
Kyle was shocked at this. “I thought Pelod were the best engineers in the galaxy and the arms dealer to all other races.”
“We are. With a few exceptions. But “Arms Dealer to the Galaxy” is a catchier moniker than “Arms Dealer to Most of the Galaxy”, don’t you think?”
“So these Inado are one of your exceptions.”
“What do you know about them, Ambassador?”
“Curious? Or do you just want to use this knowledge for your own benefit?”
“Both.”
“I know they patrol around the quarantine zones. I know they sit on the Higher Council, although I have never seen one present. And I know I need to contact them.”
“You know about as much as most races. I wish I could help, but I really don’t have a way to arrange a contact for you. I wish I could say I was sorry, but I’m glad. I think Earth would find dealing with the Inado very different than dealing with any race which is more… social.”
“How?” asked Kyle. “I still intend to find a way to contact them and any information you can give me would be helpful.”
Smith was silent. Kyle wasn’t sure if the Pelod would respond to this kind of pressure.
“Please, Mister Smith. It’s important.”
“Very well, I will tell you some things which may help you understand what you’ll be dealing with. The Inado can only be found in one of their vast fleets around the quarantine zones. Since you know about them, you also know the Higher Council refuses to give any information about what is inside these systems.
“The Pelod are positive there must be remnants of ancient civilizations. Ancient, advanced civilizations. Perhaps technologies the Higher Council does not want available. Of course, we would be very interested in merely looking at advanced technology from a long lost civilization, so there have been several attempts to go into these zones over the years.”
“And the Inado prevent you from entering?” Kyle asked.
“No. They will allow us to go in. But they are very adamant nothing will be allowed to leave. And so far, none of the Pelod have been able to even transmit what they find.”
“No transmissions?”
“No. We believe the Inado are able to block all transmissions from these systems.”
“How?”
“Only speculation. But all of it points to the Inado being in possession of technologies we can only dream of.”
“And that is why the Pelod don’t like them,” Kyle said.
“I don’t know what you mean, Mister Ambassador.”
“The Inado don’t need your technology. They are way more advanced than anything you can offer.”
“That’s true,” Smith admitted. “But it’s more.”
“I’d have thought that would be enough.”
“We do pride ourselves on our technology, but as any successful enterprise will show, you must sometimes borrow ideas and theories and attempt to improve on them. The Inado are dismissive of any attempt to even look at their technology.”
“So they won’t even talk to you?”
“That’s the kernel of the issue. We have sent envoys and they are ignored.”
“And you don’t think humans will have a chance at speaking with them.”
“It is unlikely.”
“The Pelod were the only ones I knew who might know how to reach them. Is there anyone else? The Hedali?”
“Not, not the Hedali. I doubt they would know any more of the Inado than you do.”
Kyle frowned. “Anyone else? Any single hint of a chance another race can reach them?”
“Maybe.”
“Who, Mister Smith?”
“I’m going to do this as a favor from the Pelod for you. Maybe not for you, but for the unknown assailant who ended the threat to our treaty with Earth.”
“I don’t know that’s something I would say, Mister Smith. A lot of humans still hold the views of the late Chancellor, and to see an alien cheer on his death might cause sympathy for their point of view.”
“Then I won’t express those sentiments in public. That being said, there is one person who might be able to connect you with the Inado. King Drosphi of the Otina.”
“We just fought a war with an Otina Warlord, captured him, and drove his forces from the system and now you’re suggesting we contact an Otina King?”
“No. I wasn’t suggesting it, Ambassador. You asked if I knew anyone who might know how to reach the Inado. I would guess if anyone does, it would be King Drosphi. His territory includes several quarantined systems, so the Inado have some of their fleet near his operations.”
“You’re right, Mister Smith. I apologize for my outburst. I asked you for a name and you’ve given me one.”
“I doubt it will do you much good, Ambassador. But I like you. Personal preference can interfere in business sometimes. It happens to the best of us.”
“I’ll start looking for a way to
communicate with him,” Kyle said.
“Do you have your Communicator?”
Kyle instinctively reached in his pocket and rolled the smooth disc in his hand.
“Of course. I never go without it.”
“I’ll send you the settings to contact him directly.”
“Why would an Otina King have a Communicator?” Kyle asked.
“It’s odd. The Council is very particular about who they assign them to, and yet, Drosphi has one.”
“I appreciate this, Mister Smith. Even if the Otina won’t speak with me, this gives me a direction to go in.”
“You’re welcome, Ambassador. Our people have had a good start and I would like to see our relationship grow. Goodbye.”
Kyle checked his messages and found the settings for the disc. He entered the information and set the disc on the table. He went to his closet and pulled out his official robes. The Otina were not members of the Council, but he thought it wouldn’t hurt to address them in uniform.
When he had dressed, he activated the disc and sat in his customary seat. He worried it might look too casual, but he was in a hurry. It normally took other members of the Council a few minutes to answer the summons, so Kyle was patient.
Ten minutes passed and Kyle became impatient. He really wanted to go get something to drink from the kitchen, but he was afraid as soon as he did, the Otina would answer. So he waited.
After another five minutes, Kyle started to stand. The image popped up just as he stood, so he dropped back down.
“What are— You are not a Pelod,” the small gray figure said. He had large eyes and a small body. Kyle recognized him as a Fendra. Almost everyone else in the galaxy thought this alien was an Otina.
“No. I am not a Pelod. I wish to speak to King Drosphi.”
“What are you?” the Fendra asked. He turned and angled his head as if getting a good look. “I think you are one of those humans we have heard about. Why do you contact me?”
“I wish to speak to King Drosphi,” Kyle repeated.
“You are speaking to the majestic King Drosphi. Now state your cause before I grow tired of your nattering.”
“I’m speaking to a Fendra. A cloned descendant of a race subjugated, enslaved, and destroyed by the Otina. Now I wish to speak to King Drosphi. I wish to see his face when I bring my request before him.”
The alien stopped speaking and leaned back in his chair. Kyle thought he may have been too aggressive, too forward.
“You will be granted a rare honor, human.”
The image collapsed. Kyle wasn’t sure if he should try to contact them again or not. The final statement promised the opportunity to speak with the Otina king, but the alien’s tone was menacing. Kyle wondered if the translator on the disc had malfunctioned. He decided he would grab a quick glass of sweet tea and then try to contact King again.
He stood and the disc signaled an incoming message. Kyle started to step toward the table, when the image of an Otina sprang up in front of him.
“So, Earthman,” the Otina said. “You know the truth. Not only know it, but know about the Fendra. Very well, I will humor you. Speak your piece.”
“Warlord Jii is on a mission of importance and his safety may have been compromised.”
“I’m impressed. You are direct and to the point. Not a lot of groveling and supplication. I happen to like groveling and supplication, but the news you bring is of some interest to me. How do you know Jii?”
“He waged war against us and we defeated and captured him.”
“Unlikely. If he had contact with you, it was on his own terms,” the Otina said. “But I can see you are wise. More wise than I would have anticipated. Tell me why you are so direct with the message and so vague with the details?”
“I know mosar can communicate vast distances immediately. Anything I tell you could further endanger Jii.”
“Ah, he goes to defeat mosar. Has the time really come for his nonsense to bear the fruit of his own destruction? Very well. We will lose one of the rebels. At least he has not been taken by mosar. But I am surprised he would have sent you to me.”
“He didn’t. I learned of this danger after he left.”
Drosphi sat back in his throne. “Go on, human. You have kept my attention so far. Don’t bore me now.”
“I called you for assistance in contacting the Inado.”
“The Inado? They cannot help you any more than I can. Why would you want to use me as a messenger boy?”
“My intent is merely to save my, that is to say Jii and his mission.”
“Your what? Your people? Your friends?”
“Yes, my people and my friends.”
“Do you really believe Jii can succeed in his mission?”
“No, but I think mosar might believe he will succeed.”
“How do you explain that?”
“I understand mosar is not bound by distance or time. Therefore, it would know what is and is not a danger to it. If it attempts to stop Jii on his mission, then what he is doing must pose a danger to its survival.”
Drosphi laughed. “You are one of A’nacal’s pets. Yes, I see now. You even wear the fancy robes he thinks looks so distinguished.”
“I do know A’nacal, yes.”
“Only A’nacal believes mosar sees the future. Both he and Jii hold unusual views. They are disturbed in their own ways, I believe. But both are relatively harmless. So Jii wants to make an attempt to destroy mosar. What makes him think he can do so at this time?”
“He’s discovered there’s something in our star system which inhibits, and indeed can reverse, the growth of mosar.”
“That is intriguing. Not enough of an advantage to defeat mosar, I think, but I can see where it would inflame his hopes at redemption. And your people, your friends, they are with Jii?”
Kyle hesitated. He didn’t know how much he could trust Drosphi. “Yes. They are with him. He said they would be essential in his mission.”
“And you are wanting to contact the Inado to help them?”
“No,” Kyle said. “I’m not. I simply want the Inado to give them passage and permission to break the quarantine.”
Drosphi frowned. “Unexpected. And unlikely. Have you thought this through, Earthman? Have you considered what would happen if you did contact the Inado?”
Kyle nodded. “I’ve given it much thought.”
“Mosar knows where Jii is heading. There’s only one place he can go. If mosar discovers when they left, it will be able to set an ambush along the way. You would probably inadvertently endanger their mission more by contacting the Inado.”
Kyle felt his chest tighten. He knew an attempt to contact the Inado would be futile, but he never anticipated success in his goal would cause more danger to the mission.
“I fear mosar may already know,” Kyle said. “The mission was compromised by others. They went to King Heban and told him of the mission.”
Drosphi shook his head. “This is a mournful day for you, human. All hope is gone for the mission. Heban is the most savvy and clever of the Otina taken. He will find and destroy Jii.”
“Is there anything that may save them?”
“I will personally attempt to help. I owe Jii that much. I will see if we can discover where Heban has sent ships. If I find an unexpected gathering of his forces, it will give me Jii’s likely location. If possible, I will discover if Jii is still alive. But do not hold hope. I can promise you nothing.”
“I understand, King Drosphi. Thank you for this information and your effort.”
“Is there any other request you would have of me? I am feeling generous due to your courage and desperation.”
“If you do manage to find them, let the crew know about the Inado. I want them to know what they face and I’m positive Jii is holding back that information.”
Drosphi nodded. “Yes, it is our way. And Jii seems driven enough to fail in explaining the danger they are in. If I find them, I will tell them your message
. Goodbye, Earthman.”
The image disappeared and Kyle collapsed back into the chair. He had done all he could. He rose and went to the kitchen to get a glass of sweet tea.
Chapter 16
Alex sat at his station and listened to the command comm channel.
“Are we ready, Jii?” Daack asked.
“Yes. Engage thrusters.”
Alex watched his automated targeting system. The ships’ scanners would identify any power fluctuations in range and translate them into potential threats.
The sound of the thrusters filled the ship. Alex knew he couldn’t actually feel the ship moving because of the gravitational field generator, but he still experienced the sensation as he looked around with his HUD.
No energy signatures appeared. That meant there were no Otina ships in the vicinity. Or possibly, there were Otina ships but they hadn’t detected the movement and energy spike of the Earth ship. Or, and this was the worst case scenario, there were Otina ships and they had detected the Earth ship but were lying in wait for the best opportunity to attack.
“How are we, Ramirez?” Daack asked.
“Nothing’s popping up,” Alex said.
“Any transmissions, Greenaway?” Cowboy asked. He sat in the command room and watched the monitors as Daack piloted the ship out of the asteroid field. Cowboy was the Captain, but he didn’t have an ego about him. He knew Daack was the best man for the job.
“No transmissions at this point, Captain,” Greenaway answered. “Low level frequency interference. But nothing discernable.”
Alex watched as the images of the dense asteroid field gave way to open space. They needed to clear the field by a good amount to establish the right trajectory for Jii’s new navigational course.