by F Stephan
“Our first stop is in Wepol. Since you’re the first of your planet to visit us, our farmer in chief—our president, if you wish—will have a welcome party for you at the Mansion.”
Mathias blurted, “But, I am not a representative of my planet, I don’t have any authority and I’ve got nothing to wear for a formal party!”
Waren doubled over in laughter. “We’re a small farming planet, don’t expect anything formal. We’re talking a good dinner together, probably some of our locally brewed and renowned beverages. Do you know that we boast more than a thousand varieties? Alcoholic or not, depending on your wish. This is one of our rare exports! Be warned. Your worst risk on our planet is to taste all of them! Come, my friend, we need to catch our train. Maybe we can try the first drink on our way there.”
Mathias followed. I’m going to enjoy it here.
The following days in Wepol went too fast and Mathias discovered he really felt better on this planet. At first, few inhabitants spoke to him, isolation weighing on him despite Warren’s effort. But this changed after he had met with the farmer in chief, Puylian Nertre, a small man with violet eyes and ebony skin. They had met in the Mansion, the official center of power on the planet, a moderate house in the center of the city. To Mathias’s surprise, they gathered around a large wooden table, a dozen or so representative from different sectors, interested in off-planet activities. Different flacons were spread on the table, samples of local production.
“You may find our planet strange.” Their leader quickly abandoned small talk to get into the real discussion. “We are organized in independent and self-managed communities.” He looked at the others around the table and named a few places and groups on the planet. “In truth, men are not threatened on the planet by any predators, but the soil is poor and cannot support large communities. We don’t have a lot of metals that can be reached even with mining. It seems the Ancients used up all the resources in our solar system. So, we don’t have many choices. Every member has to be responsible for his own future.”
“But in which direction are you developing the planet?” Mathias was intrigued by the lack of purpose he detected.
“No direction. We live a happy life, we meet our obligations to the community, and for the rest of our time, we do as we wish. Well, we try to improve our medical facilities and agricultural methods.”
“If you are self-sufficient and self-organized, why join the Federation? Why submit your people to their screening and their pilot training?”
Mathias saw a flicker of hurt in his host’s eyes. “Some of us aren’t happy with the way we live. They find it dull and ask for an out. The Federation provides them with such an opportunity. It helps regulate our groups. My daughter was one of those. She’s on Alkath right now.”
“Sorry,” blurted Mathias, unsettled by the shadow he had called over the other man.
“Don’t be. She’s old enough to make her own choices, and she’ll live by them. It’s just, we didn’t part on good terms.” From the downcast looks around him, Mathias surmised it had been worse than that. “But, there are other reasons as well. We are better linked with the other human worlds, sharing what little we can and learning from others. For example, the weather on your planet is similar to ours, and we believe we can learn some agricultural techniques from you. Potentially teach you a thing or two as well.”
“I’d be delighted to work on this. Whatever I can do while I’m here. And to pay for your work on the bees.”
Puylian toasted Mathias. “I hear you’re a console specialist?”
Mathias answered the toast and savored the liquor. “Yes, I’ve some proficiency in that area.”
Puylian held his palm out. “Then it’s settled. The Honored Waren will bring you with him on the next train to Nozap, where you’ll work on your bees. And he’ll also work with us on cross-knowledge and data analysis. He’s quite good at this but I’m sure he can learn even more techniques from you. Our thanks.” Mathias held his own palm out, sealing the deal as he had been taught to do.
Their discussion lasted that day until late into the night and the next.
Brian
Blanel system, 2141 AD, February
A week after his audience, Brian and his crew were again in space in their small scout. This time, the competition was fierce, and five ships had followed Brian when he had decided to go a riskier route. They knew his abilities now.
“What’s the situation?” Brian pulsed through his bracelet to Liliana by his side.
“Mind your piloting, and I’ll mind the ship.” A bright smile softened her harsh words. Since the elevator incident, they had come to an agreement. She ran the day-to-day operations of the ship while he piloted. It suited both perfectly and their crew had begun to rise again in the competition.
“Sunray, can we fly faster? We’ve got three ships in front of us.” His voice showed his concern.
“No,” she interrupted before he could coax what he wanted from the engineer. “We are pushing the singularity as much as we dare and it’s fluctuating now. More is pointless.” He knew better than to argue with her about that type of statement by now.
“Why are they faster than us?” He projected a 3-D in the middle of the bridge highlighting three faster ships.
“Because they know things we don’t! What else?” Sunray was annoyed, Brian could tell.
“Boys, don’t be Dupner oafs, both of you.” Any mention of Dupner informed them that Liliana was getting fed up and would flare in an instant.
“Okay. Understood. We’re going to lose this competition.” Brian’s spirits dropped. With their team working better, he had hoped for a renewed victory that would have consolidated his position.
“Incoming message,” Sunray informed him in a quieter voice.
Brian opened a large 3-D facing all of them. Emily appeared with a thin smile. “Hello, backandthere, how’s life?”
“Same as yours.” Brian was slightly bitter, and it showed. He was comforted by the fact that Emily was also distanced by the others.
“You’re a sore loser, aren’t you?” Her eyes glinted mischievously.
“Why are you contacting us? What’s on your mind?” He hated it when she was brighter than he was. Especially when he found her so lovely and ached to hold her.
“Because neither of us can win. At least not alone.” Looking at the different ships, this was a certainty. “Yet, we have one last jump before the arrival. During that time, we can perform a Calouli.” They had named the maneuver for their teacher.
“This means one of us will arrive last, after all the others.”
“But the other will be first. No one will be able to beat him.”
“Or her? Who should accelerate, according to you?”
“It doesn’t matter, don’t you see? If we execute it right, the teachers will reward the maneuver for the losers as well. With so many points, it’s equivalent to winning.” She grinned impudently at a bewildered Brian. “This way, we both win.”
Brian began to see it. It was a bold move, which Mistress Nisar'al'Latol would reward. He nodded in understanding, and in the following minutes, they agreed on their course of action.
Sonter
Alkath system, 2141 AD, February
Sonter exulted as his pursuer left the jump point behind. Good on you, Poulem, but not enough! His crew had handled the flight remarkably well, and he was going to win the race. He may not be the most imaginative of pilots, but his father had taught him all his tricks from early on. This was what he lived for.
“Okay, everyone, let’s stay focused until the finish line. I don’t want any surprises. You’ve done very well until now. Just a bit more and we win!” Around him, the crew hurrahed and set about completing their responsibilities.
“Emergence,” repeated his engineer every minute. Sonter monitored their course and speed to confirm they were still leading. In half an hour, they would reach the finish line on the edge of the system. Then, they would make a few
last jumps to curb their velocity enough to match the station’s speed. He could already see the welcome party. He had purchased custom-tailored uniforms for his whole crew to make a lasting impression on everyone. This would be truly memorable, and his father would be proud of him. That hasn’t always been true, he thought grimly.
“Warning. Multiple emergences. Warning.” The panicked voice brought him back to reality. What was happening? He activated his nanites and focused the outer observation system toward the jump point. He quickly confirmed that two ships were exiting the jump point. One is slowing by the minute . . . which means . . . that the other . . . Even with the nanites, his thoughts were slow in disbelief. Is accelerating all he can. He quickly ran the numbers with the console. All joy left him as the results fell upon him. He would arrive second after Brian. Now a second thought occurred to him, and he knew who the other ship was and why she had played that trick on him. Sweet revenge for tricking her all those years ago. Damn that girl!
He pulled his wits together, looking at the distraught faces around him and salvaging what he could. “Okay, we’ve been had. Now, do we give up? Do you want to give up?” The answer came in murmurs and then shouts. His crew followed him.
“Let’s turn this around. How fast can we catch that ship? I want us to be at its side before it reaches the station. Are you with me?” The ship echoed his words in a reassuring cheer.
Why did I ever bother to help him? He knew the answer already. Life would be dull otherwise. Illoma would laugh her heart out at the situation.
Brian
Alkath, 2141 AD, February
To celebrate their victory and to close out a new series of exams, the backandthere crew threw a party. Liliana organized everything, and she was buzzing happily everywhere. She had found an old abandoned amphitheater in a far cove, and it provided a perfect location for the festivities. They had begun with plenty of games, real and virtual. Then, they continued with a well-known Federation movie, about a star trader that jumped by accident into an uncharted jump point and discovered a new human planet. And now, music filled the place. Emily was dancing madly, her hair loose.
He was looking at her when he heard someone behind him. “Do you like it?” Liliana was luminous in a red sparkling gown that contrasted with her ebony skin.
“That’s awesome. You’ve done a fantastic job.” Brian hugged her briefly, taking her by surprise and then releasing her. He was happy and wanted to let her know. “How did you manage it with your other job?”
“The quarantine station? It’s currently empty. No work there, and we prefer it that way. We run exercises and I learn a lot but I’ve still got plenty of time. I was happy to organize this for our victory. Now, if you’d excuse me.” She turned and blew him a kiss, smiling. A minute later, she was dancing with Sunray, who had been watching her from the shadows.
The night advanced, and something stirred within him. Now that he was more secure in the academy, an old question had resurfaced. What do I want to become? Trader? Scout?
Soon, he found Shanak and took him aside. Their friendship had renewed in the last month since the discovery of Brian’s poisoning.
“Can I ask you something?”
Shanak laughed. “A rather dubious question, my friend. You’ve just done so. Ask, and if I don’t like the question, I won’t answer.”
“Did you choose this path? I mean, becoming a star pilot? Why are you here?”
Shanak didn’t pause before answering. “Yes. This is a great honor among our clans, to be chosen. I will receive the praise of all when I come back. The Ken Ilmar clan will gain more leverage in the affairs of our planet. More than that, I have dreamed about this for a long time. I feel blessed to be allowed to go through it. It is well worth the discomfort.” He paused, then continued in a dubious voice. “You did not choose this path?”
“No. I wanted to be an engineer. Then, I succeeded in the test from the Federation, and suddenly, two weeks after my graduation, I found himself in the star pilot program. For what? To support my planet and my family. That’s great, and I don’t want to sound selfish, but there’s nothing for me in this. Only duty.”
Shanak looked at him for a long time. Then, he slapped him hard on the shoulder and laughed, the eternal optimist. “What a strange idea! You were not meant to be an engineer. Maybe you will cross space and discover new stars while I command one of the few warships we have. You’ll find something better.” Shanak left him, still chuckling.
Brian was dubious about this. Both careers were so difficult to attain. Very few warships had survived the collapse of the Ancients. Shanak would face one of the fiercest possible competition just to be allowed to serve. To discover new stars as Calouli did, one needed special permission from the Federation. There were so many risks of losing a precious ship, very few were allowed to go outside the standard trade routes. And to be accepted into this, he would still need to face the labyrinth of fire. And I’m not ready for that, not yet.
Brian interrogated the other pilots for the rest of the evening. Some, like Illoma and Emily, had doubts already. Some, like Sonter or Poulem, were deeply set in their convictions. None gave him a satisfactory answer.
At sunrise, Emily joined him to sit at the cliff’s edge and watch the morning sun cast emerald shadows over the seas. They had come to wave at the gulzaris launching out to the sea above their heads.
“What do I really want?” he wondered aloud, his hand in Emily’s.
Sensing his discomfort, one of the giant birds, the one he had so often gone to talk to, let out a loud call and flew above him in a circle before heading back out to sea.
Brian laughed, startling Emily. “You’re right, my friend. Be free. I just want to be free. Free of Chicago’s suburbs, free of Earth, free of gravity . . .”
Emily kissed him. “We’ll find a solution for you. We’ll find one . . .”
Part III
DUPNER
Decision
Imperial research center Crimson, 9667 Standard Calendar
She was jolted awake from deep sleep. She had always dreamed she would wake slowly and drowsily. Instead, the IA used an electromagnet to reenergize her body with a sudden influx of energy. As a result, the longer she had been unconscious, the faster everything would come back to her. The sensations were not welcome at all, and her body ached intensely every time.
Training took over. She coughed a couple of times before saying aloud in slow and precise words, “Lexia, maintenance status?”
“Everything is green, Mistress Even. The station is running perfectly. It’s 9667 standard.”
Still shaken by the brutal process, she didn’t understand. “Then why are you waking me up? This is way too early.” She began to stretch, the exercise rebalancing her body.
“Ullemar shows space activity again.” The quiet voice of the artificial intelligence had become very reassuring over time, but her words were not. “This is one of the conditions you set up,” the IA apologized.
She had been waiting for this for millennia and couldn’t really grasp the notion. “What?”
“The satellite is transmitting us a spaceships signature in Ullemar. They’re moving out toward the jump point.”
“Other data?”
“I’ve deployed our satellite network to listen for signals in Ullemar. I’m beginning to build a picture of the situation.” They had kept the precious satellites stored for such an event. In space, there were too many random incidents over time to risk it.
She felt elated by the news. At last, my brother has succeeded. He’s coming back here.
After her stretching, she went to the main cafeteria and grabbed lunch while talking with Lexia about the latest news. She didn’t go to her main bridge where she had spent so many hours during the fall. Nearly all lights were cold now with so few planets still transmitting. The place was haunted with the deaths of so many people. She couldn’t bear it anymore.
Instead, she transferred all controls around her ta
ble and spent the next hours carefully checking the station’s position. She had not been idle all those years, moving it closer to Ullemar and Alkar and building a few shuttles to reach her brother. She’d notify him now on what she had done. She smiled. He would be glad.
Over the next hours and days, news trickled in from Ullemar, decrypted after light years of travel. She sat, grim faced, while Lexia questioned her about it. They had rebuilt a newscast, which slowly frightened her.
“The prophet is showing us the light of the new world.” Her brother was at the entrance of the star elevator. A wide pan showed the plaza around it. In her time, there had been parks all around it. Now, she counted five charcoal plants pouring power into the elevator, a large railway station with steam engines moving in and out. He’s forcing the technological evolution too fast. What’s he thinking? “Some of our critics have spread rumors about the climate. All evidence from our work in orbit shows that the weather is improving day by day, notably with the new inventions from our august leader. He’s releasing minuscule robots daily to control the weather.” Steam engines and nanites. Better and better. “During this time, he’s justly punishing the rebels who’ve doubted the true path. Let them hear his words of wisdom and peace and come freely, for them, and their families, to be pardoned.” A new camera showed a court of justice and a guillotine beheading rebels. She was ashamed of her brother as she had never been. Even when he had transgressed the law of the Builders and they had been exiled, she had supported him. When he had built the empire to allow for their return, she had been at his side. But this, she just couldn’t stand.
Lexia began questioning her for the first time.
“Lady, I do not understand. What’s happening?”
“My brother’s rushing them through the technologies and they cannot adapt to it. Their civilizations, their planet is falling apart. He’s gone mad.” It was hard for her to say it aloud, but she needed to if she wanted to accept the fact.