by Ed Charlton
“Oh yes, I have been asked to oversee all arrangements in this matter. On behalf of myself, and my team, may I say we look forward to meeting you in person very shortly. Welcome again.”
The communication ended. Jim looked over to Tella, who silently pointed to the alarm lights that indicated the continuing threat from the accompanying gunships.
Jim and Tella were towed to the fourth planet of the Beta Oraga system. The drone left them and moved off toward one of the planet’s many moons. As they descended and approached their destination, they watched a varied landscape rolling beneath them: patchwork farms, concentrations of industry, long roadways.
“Do you know much about the operation here?” asked Jim.
“Officially or unofficially?”
Jim made a balancing motion and imitated the helmeted alien. “Yes.”
Tella laughed and said, “Not much, no. Their construction work is manually intensive. This is only one of many bases for that, though this planet—called Rap—is the original one. Their delivery and distribution organization is highly decentralized. We don’t really know where the central control and management are based.”
“So this might—or might not—be where the plans were stolen from?”
“Correct.”
***
The flier was brought to a halt at the door of a bare hangar.
Daum Robertus’s voice sounded over the communications unit. “Please do not open your doors yet. Please disengage any braking systems.”
The flier shuddered as something caught hold of it and began to push or drag it along farther into the building.
“Please wait while we bring the disembarkation corridor.”
They waited several minutes before they heard someone moving outside the flier’s door.
“Follow the green line into the waiting area.”
They opened the door into a narrow tube that had somehow been attached to the flier’s hull. A green line was visible along the floor of the tube.
“Here we go!” said Jim.
“After you,” said Tella, hanging back to glance at the seal of the tube against the hull.
The tube led them to a door that opened onto a narrow passage, down which they walked directly into a large room.
Daum Robertus stood with his arms outstretched in greeting. “Welcome, Jim. Welcome, Tella. Welcome to the home of the Praestans Rapax.”
Chapter Three
Beside Daum Robertus stood several others, all dressed in identical tan robes. The black hood folded back on his shoulders, Jim guessed, was the Daum’s mark of rank. Five of the seven figures before them seemed human or close to human. The other two, though primates, were a species Jim had never seen. Their eyes were wide-set and large; their ears were higher-set and mobile. Their faces had an elongation that reminded Jim uncomfortably of rodents.
“There is one formality to perform before we begin. My Brothers who guard us have asked that you wear these identity bracelets while you are with us.”
The two rodent types held up thick silver bands and brought them forward to Jim and Tella.
Jim held up his left wrist. The bracelet was plain silver, with nothing to show that it contained any electronics. He could see no catch or clip, or even a join where it sealed.
Tella’s band was slightly different. It was also silver, but a circle of white lights shone as soon as it was attached. They were small but intensely bright. Tella’s chameleon skin instantly tried to mimic them. A metallic cast spread across its hand and up its arm.
“Ugh!” muttered Tella, clearly displeased by the appearance.
Jim challenged Daum Robertus, pointing to Tella and saying, “This is unnecessary.”
“That a Neraffan-jong is allowed beyond this point is solely out of respect for you. It is here as your adjunct. It will be visible at all times. Please understand the effort required for us to be able to proceed with these minimal arrangements.”
In the silence that followed Daum Robertus’s quiet words, Jim was aware their visit could end there and then. Turning to Tella he said, “Are you okay with this?”
Tella smiled inscrutably and said, “I will follow your decision, of course.”
Jim felt a little queasy with the difficulty of keeping up the pretense that Tella worked for him while he still expected to rely on the Neraffan for instructions.
Jim nodded, but with no enthusiasm said to his host, “Very well.”
Daum Robertus nodded repeatedly and said, “Excellent. Come through to the meeting room, and I’ll introduce you to the team.”
The meeting room was a comfortable, carpeted area with a large round conference table. There was precisely the correct number of seats.
Daum Robertus put Jim and Tella together and sat himself opposite. The others silently filled in the gaps.
“To my right is Brother Amalis.”
Immediately Brother Amalis spoke. “My tasks in this matter have been to discern how our design materials were stolen and to recommend any necessary changes to procedures internally.”
Jim thought Amalis too young for such a responsibility. Perhaps he is on a fast track to promotion.
Daum Robertus said, “To his right is Brother Natran-Tur.”
“My task was to select an independent investigator. It was my recommendation that you be asked to aid us in this matter.”
Jim said, “Thank you.” So, you are the one we really need to befriend to find out how you did your research.
Tella leaned toward Jim and asked quietly, “If I may ask a question?”
Jim said, “Sure.”
Tella spoke up and asked Natran-Tur, “Why was it important to have an independent investigation?”
Natran-Tur looked to Daum Robertus for permission to reply.
“In this matter, we are in dispute with a customer. In all such cases, if no independent arbitration is agreed upon, we feel it best to seek an external view. Our relations with our customers are of the highest importance to us. ‘Fairness in our dealings with all’ is one of our tenets.”
Daum Robertus held up one hand and said, “More of this later. To my left is Brother Tamric.”
Tamric, Jim assessed, was even younger than Amalis. He kept his eyes steady on Jim’s while he said, “My task is to ensure either the return or destruction of any of the design materials that still exist. I will accompany you to Tanna Gul.”
Jim frowned and spoke before he thought. “What if we’d gone straight there?”
“You would have found me waiting for you.”
Jim found the easy smile a little unsettling. It reinforced the feeling that the Praestans Rapax were completely in control of this affair and he and Tella were just along for the ride.
“To Brother Tamric’s left is Brother Huh-Llahn.”
“My tasks are logistical: to ensure your safe passage wherever you need to travel, to arrange such facilities as you will need, and to take care of any other such matters that might arise.”
Jim nodded and asked, “So you’re responsible for the imprisonment of Ernot Dirl Marhan?”
Huh-Llahn frowned and replied, “The Gul’s role in this matter has yet to be verified. Meanwhile, he enjoys a level of safety afforded only to a few.”
Jim smiled. “Of course.” And he can keep enjoying it until he dies in there.
Daum Robertus then introduced the remaining two Brothers.
“On either side of you are your chaperones. They will be with you during your entire visit.”
Jim looked from one to the other. “You haven’t introduced them.”
“That is correct. You will not need to address them. All your interaction will be with us. They are part of our security organization. The small pleasantries of social interaction can be a distraction from their work. Even I do not know their names.”
A bell tolled outside the room, and Jim and Tella both noticed a sudden tension inside. Daum Robertus held up a hand once more and said, “This briefing has been given a dispensation. We may continue without attending our regular offices.”
The tension immediately eased.
Jim said, “What? I don’t understand.”
Daum Robertus shrugged and said, “We are a religious community. At regular intervals during our days and nights, we turn our hearts and minds to prayer. Such a time is upon us.” He paused and smiled at Jim and Tella. “But while we deal with those from outside, who tend to follow different rhythms and perhaps chafe at ‘interruptions’ to their work, we extend the courtesy of continuing until they wish to break.”
“I see,” said Jim, not quite taking it all in. “Thank you.”
“Be sure to let us know when you require rest or refreshment.”
“Thank you, we will. Are the robes just a cultural coincidence? On Earth, we have a monastic religious tradition that calls for similar dress. Do you have Earth connections in your past?”
Daum Robertus shook his head and laughed. “Perhaps that is a topic for you to pursue during your travels with Brother Tamric. We aim for simplicity in all we do. Our robes are functional. What more do we need? Now, with your permission, we will tell you what we know and then present some questions to which you will, perhaps, find the answers.”
“Sure, go right ahead.”
Daum Robertus moved his fingers lightly over a panel at the edge of the table. Immediately the tabletop disappeared, and Jim was looking down into a black chasm. It brought back memories of the stomach-churning days of flight training. Suddenly, in the blackness below, stars were moving quickly toward him.
“The star Tanna is midrange, tending to middle age, a comfortable home for two inhabited planets.”
The stars steadied, and the one in the center grew to a fist-sized ball of fire. Near the edge of the tabletop, two small pebbles swiftly moved around the display.
The Daum continued. “Tanna Jorr—the inner sibling, warm and hospitable—much like our planet here or Sol Earth, Jim—birthplace of a spacefaring, though conservative, canid race. And here, Tanna Gul—the outer of the pair and root of our present predicament.”
The display slowed, enlarged, and centered on the planet revolving slowly. Jim noticed the three continents that Marhan had spoken of. He could even see the snowcapped mountains, at the southern end of which he and Tella, and now apparently Brother Tamric, were to travel.
I need to talk to Tella about having this kid along with us.
“Tanna Gul is a troubled world. It is populated by canids also, but of a thoroughly different character than their neighbors. Brought out into space too early by the more advanced Jorrs, the cultural shock has had deep repercussions in its inhabitants’ present-day attitude. In part, the wars that have been fought across its continents for multiple generations have, at their heart, that original tragic mistake. Of more immediate concern to us is the effect of those wars upon the flora and fauna of their world. A global catastrophe is underway that will destroy all the major orders of life on Tanna Gul. The canids have already, in large part, moved below ground as the farming and water production facilities have been taken into protected caverns and constructed tunnels.”
Daum Robertus paused before continuing.
“They first approached us with a wild, but bold, suggestion. Their biologists, foreseeing the disaster and knowing their various governments’ inability to prevent it, approached us to build what you would term, Jim, an ark.”
“An ark? You mean, like from way back...to put the animals in?” Jim forgot to close his mouth.
“Indeed! Massive containers to reproduce the climatic conditions to allow the survival of selected ecosystems, or simply to store seeds and samples. Rarely do we get such an ambitious and challenging proposal.”
“But...that’s not possible. Even if technically...”
“Technically? It is done.”
The display reacted to a subtle movement of his finger. Four massive ships appeared in orbit around the planet.
“Everything was ready. After we had arranged for certain celebrations to take place here, our customers underwent a transformation. The wars ended abruptly. One country, Muthlec, spanning the northernmost continent, declared itself victorious. We had dealt with scientists, mainly, and had avoided political entanglements. We knew too little of this Gul-Raeff who had swept to power, first in his own country and, then, his world. We now realize our mistake. The party that came to accept the ships, and to thank us for our work, was not made up of the guests we were expecting.”
Brother Amalis took up the story.
“They made some changes in the personnel they sent. We thought little of it since those who did not attend remained at home to make arrangements for each ark’s final configuration. The spies they sent were far more capable than we had imagined. Their operation was carefully planned and seamlessly executed. One, for instance, made general inquiries about our designs for the arks. Another made inquiries about our quality control at the design stage. Other inquiries—and perhaps some intuitive guesswork—gave them enough information to target our design library. It was months before we found what was missing. They did not take documents for an existing production model. They selected the design from a canceled order, one they guessed was unlikely to be monitored.”
“This design is for a warship?” asked Jim, knowing the discomfort the question would cause.
“We do not build warships here,” corrected Daum Robertus. “Our customers, however, insist on having the option of placing armament modules on their craft. This is something we neither encourage nor condemn.”
“Being someone who has looked the wrong way down some of your own weapons, pardon me if I say that’s of little comfort.”
Daum Robertus smiled and said, “Did we shoot you?”
“I guess not...”
Daum Robertus shrugged and smiled again.
Brother Amalis continued, “The first we knew of our loss was the approach of a working prototype of the canceled craft. Its pilot was Ernot Dirl Marhan.”
Daum Robertus said, “Our first question to you, Jim, is, how credible is this Gul?”
Jim was dimly aware of the layers of meaning hidden under the question. “Did you talk to him?”
“I did,” replied Amalis.
Not giving anything away, are you?
Jim held Amalis’s gaze for several moments before replying. “Marhan has resourcefulness and skills beyond his station. That he could leave his world with a working craft says a lot for him. Is he credible? About what? Leading a revolution? I doubt it. About the fleet? Sure.”
“It is your assessment that the ship he brought here was one of many?”
“Yes. His account of his role is consistent with a large organization building on a large scale. That he could ‘borrow’ one craft, and have parts specially made, and get away with it speaks to both his skills and the size of the operation.”
“Please go on,” said Daum Robertus quietly.
Jim was alarmed by the way the whole room was hanging on every word he was saying. “I...was thinking that it shows the kind of organization that is top-heavy—a centralized command and control. If the responsibility is placed too high, the lower levels allow things to happen simply because no one has specifically told them not to. I can imagine Marhan manipulating underlings to get what he needed, and each of them thinking that it was not his or her place to stop him. His account, to me, rings true.”
Daum Robertus sat back in his chair, glanced at Amalis, and said only, “Interesting.”
Jim waited, wondering if he had just made a fool of himself.
Tella leaned forward and asked, “May I?”
Jim was glad of the distraction. “Sure.”
“Brother
Tamric, why do you wish to regain possession of the original plans? We learned from Marhan that many copies have already been made. Is it not too late?”
Tamric waited for a nod from Daum Robertus before answering.
“There is...information...that can only be gleaned from a detailed examination of our original works but not copies. Insights might be deduced about our methods that we would prefer not to have disclosed to...to outsiders.”
A thought occurred to Jim. “Do you think the Guls are aware of this?”
The question caused some visible discomfort around the table. Tamric looked to Daum Robertus again, who made an open-handed gesture toward Jim.
Tamric coughed and said, “We think there is a thirty percent chance that they know this. Within that, we estimate a ten percent chance that they have the resources to examine the plans closely enough.”
“Is that all?” said Jim, more bluntly than he intended. “All this for so slim a chance?”
“Jim,” countered Daum Robertus, “rest assured that the resources we are putting into dealing with this matter are commensurate with its significance.”
Jim sighed and bit back a comment about remembering who was in control.
“And so,” continued Daum Robertus, “we come to the next question for you to pursue. Have they examined the original plans in detail enough to concern us, or did they merely copy them and secure the originals?”
“That’s a tough one to find out,” muttered Jim.
“We have not embarked upon this task and engaged your services because we thought it easy.”
Jim sighed again. “Okay, what else?”
Daum Robertus smiled and said, “Then, there is, if you are correct in your analysis, the small matter of an unknown number of craft built from those plans.”
“The fleet,” agreed Jim. “You want it destroyed.”
Huh-Llahn spoke. “We would prefer it did not take off.”
Daum Robertus continued, “Our concerns are several. We would prefer the crews of these craft not to be placed at unnecessary risk. The informant, Marhan, will have already briefed you on the fate that awaits them in open space. Of course, we know Marhan had a working ship. We estimate a sixty-six percent chance that his modifications have become known and incorporated into the fleet. In either case, we would prefer that the fleet not launch against Tanna Jorr. They can defend themselves to an extent, but the prospect of a vigorous battle in space alarms us all. None of us needs reminding of the horrors that could be visited upon space travelers by stray armaments and the debris of war. We would also prefer that the Gul-Raeff have his political wings trimmed. If, as we suspect, his prestige rests in large measure upon his fleet, removing it should sufficiently reduce his influence. So, as Huh-Llahn has said, we would prefer it to be quietly disposed of on the ground.”