The Alembic Plot: A Terran Empire novel

by Ann Wilson

  26. Imperial Contact

  St. Thomas, Monday, 27 July 2572 CE

  A soft knock on the door and a barely-audible "Excellency?" fromoutside it woke her. It was Matthew's voice, so she let the gun stayunder her pillow and got up, grumbling to herself as she put on abathrobe and went to open the door. "What is it, Matthew?"

  "A call from His Majesty, Excellency. He apologizes for waking you,but we've just captured an Imperial scoutship, and he would like you tobe ready to interrogate the prisoners as soon as they're brought in.That should be about two hours."

  "So they finally got this far out. Damn. Is His Majesty still on thephone?"

  "No, Excellency; he was confident of your response." Matthew smiled."Breakfast will be ready as soon as you finish Mass--shall I wakeCaptain Odeon to assist?"

  "What time is it?"

  "Five o'clock, Excellency."

  "Late enough he'd be upset if I didn't--go ahead." As her butler left,Cortin scowled. The Kingdom Systems couldn't avoid Imperial noticeforever--they'd been lucky to get the roughly four hundred years they'dhad--but she wasn't at all sure she cared to live under the TerranEmpire's rule.

  Not, she thought as she showered and got into uniform, that they'dprobably have much choice in the matter. The Empire claimed to be abenevolent umbrella government, that it didn't interfere in localaffairs unless absolutely necessary, which Mike's studies of commintercepts tended to confirm--but it was hard to believe that theirnon-interference policy could stretch to include the Kingdoms. Well,she'd find out--at least she'd find out whatever the scoutship's crewknew or believed about it.

  She got her usual deep pleasure out of saying Mass, assisted by bothMike Odeon and Dave Bain, who claimed he'd been awake anyway. Cortinhad her suspicions of the reason, with Sis at the unusually early Mass,and approved heartily. Sis was five months pregnant, but that was noreason to deny herself the pleasures of any of the Family's husbands,and Cortin was of the opinion that Dave was good for her.

  After Mass, the clean-up that had recently become necessary afterward,and breakfast, Cortin, Odeon, Chang, and Bain went to her ground-flooroffice to wait for the prisoner. They were silent at first, but atlast Bain said, "Joanie?"

  "Hmm?"

  "We're in trouble, aren't we?"

  Cortin sighed. "I can't be sure, but I think so. That's because theyscare me for some reason--even though there's no evidence I can pointto that'll justify that fear. But I'm the wrong person to ask aboutthe Empire; Mike's the one who's been studying them."

  Bain turned to his co-husband. "Mike?"

  "I can't agree with Joanie on that issue," Odeon said. "As I told hera few months ago, I'm only able to scratch the surface--comm interceptsand the little bit of the Founders' records that survived the Final Wardon't give you much. Still, what I've seen in those don't scare me atall--truth to tell, I think it's reassuring. You know they ended aten-year-long war about three years ago?"

  "Vaguely. Some sort of non-humans surrendered, didn't they?"

  "Not exactly. The Traiti were losing badly, but if I'm reading theintercepts right, they have a psychological block against surrender.Instead, they took a Ranger prisoner, and a couple of months later,their leaders petitioned for membership in the Empire."

  "Huh?" Cortin looked at him in astonishment. "They petitioned to jointheir enemy?"

  "That's how I read it," Odeon confirmed. "My point, though, is thatthe Empire accepted them and is in the process of integrating theirworlds and military--to the point where the Traiti leaders are nowImperial nobles, and quite a few of their fighters have transferred tothe Navy and Marines. They kept their previous ranks--hard to believe,but since a couple are now in command of Imperial warships, that parthas to be true."

  "One of them's the non-human Ranger I heard about?" Cortin asked.

  Odeon shook his head. "No. You're thinking of the felinoid--I can'tremember the race's name, though hers is Losinj--who reported arebellion and was found to have the abilities one of those needs. Ican't tell you what the abilities are, unfortunately; I'm not surethey've ever been mentioned."

  Cortin started to say something, but the familiar sounds of aprisoner-escort team interrupted; seconds later, the team brought halfa dozen handcuffed men and women in Imperial Navy working khaki intoher office. "The first group of prisoners, Excellency," the officer incharge said. "Would you like us to stay?"

  "That's not necessary," Cortin told him. "Just ask Matthew to have therest of my team report, and wait till they arrive. In the meantime, Iassume the one with what looks like major's leaves is in charge?"

  "Yes, Excellency. He says his rank is Lieutenant Commander, but sincehis position is Captain of the IAS Columbus, he goes by that rank aswell."

  "Odd." Cortin turned her attention to the Lieutenant Commander/Captainwhile the trooper left to speak to her butler. "Which should I callyou, Imperial?"

  The man shrugged. "Whichever you want, Colonel. Either one's correct."

  "And your name?"

  "Ivan DeLayne, Lieutenant Commander, Imperial Terran Navy, ident codeHERIE-1935-8586. Your Excellency."

  Cortin chuckled, amused at the man's insolent tone.

  "Excellency--" Odeon said behind her, sounding angry.

  "Take it easy, Captain," Cortin said, smiling. "He doesn't know anybetter." She studied the Imperials for a moment, then said, "But Ishould caution you that my team is more protective of my position thanI am myself, Captain DeLayne. It would be wise not to agitate themunnecessarily."

  DeLayne stood silent, and Cortin nodded. He wasn't going to carry on aconversation, lest he inadvertently give her some information he didn'twant to--but he wasn't reckoning with her truthsense. She didn't wantto go to extreme measures with him unless she had no other choice--hewasn't a criminal, after all--but she did need some basic information,and yes-or-no questions would give her that whether he cooperated ornot. "Were you looking for our worlds in particular?"

  No answer, of course, but his reactions were clearly negative.

  "No. All right." She turned to the troopers guarding the Imperials."How far into our space did they get?"

  "We caught them a parsec from St. Michael, Excellency. They sent off amessage shortly after we came into sensor range, before we coulddestroy their transmitting antennas."

  "Damn. So the Empire knows we exist." Cortin sighed, not bothering tohide it.

  "What's so bad about that?" a young Imperial asked. "There's no reasonto be afraid of the Empire!"

  "Shut up, Conley!" DeLayne ordered.

  "I don't think she ought to," Cortin said quietly. The other membersof her team were entering by then, replacing the regular troopers."Miss Conley--I can't read your rank insigne, to use your propertitle--although my second in command disagrees, I believe we have everyreason to fear an Empire we fled from some four centuries ago becauseour religious views were condemned. A number of conditions we'veencountered since, causing changes in our way of life, can only makethat condemnation worse, possibly--even probably--causing persecutionthat would wipe out the Kingdom Systems. Three ships held us then;now, we don't have enough to carry a tenth of our population to safety."

  "Should you be telling them that, Excellency?" Odeon asked.

  Cortin shrugged. "What can it hurt, Captain? They weren't looking forus in particular--but they did send off a message, so more Imperialships will be coming. Which could doom most of our people, whether Italk to these honestly or not."

  "NO!" Conley burst out. "The Empire's not like that, truly it's not!"

  "Whether that statement's true or not, you believe it," Cortin saiddryly. "Would you mind talking to me in more relaxed surroundings?"

  The young Imperial didn't notice DeLayne's beginning objection or TinyPritchett's silencing of him. "Yes, sir, if you think it would help."

  "At worst, it can't hurt." Cortin stood, addressing her team. "Takethe rest to . . . hmm. The small guest suite, I think. Captain Odeon,Lieutena
nt Chang--let's talk to Miss Conley in the common-room of ourfloor."

  As soon as the team and other prisoners left, Cortin signalled Odeon toremove Conley's handcuffs. When that was done, she smiled at theyounger woman. "Since you're willing to cooperate, I see no reason totreat you as other than a guest. Would you care for anything to eat ordrink?"

  "Uh . . . do you have coffee?"

  "Certainly. Sis, would you ask Matthew to serve us coffee in thecommon-room?"

  "Of course. I'll meet you there."

  "Thanks. Mike, Miss Conley--shall we go?"

  As they left the office and went upstairs, the young Imperial said,"Excuse me, Excellency . . . may I ask you something?"

  Cortin was amused at the not-quite-apprehension in her voice. "Goahead."

  "The ones who captured us called you the High King's Inquisitor. Whatdoes that mean?"

  Cortin chuckled. "Exactly what it says. St. Thomas--this world--isthe foremost planet of the Kingdom Systems, ruled by High King Mark.I'm the best Inquisitor in the Systems, so when the Sovereign'sInquisitor positions were established, I was persuaded--" bribed, shethought, would have been more accurate, "to take the position. So I'mthe Systems' chief Inquisitor, though we all hold the same rank ofColonel. That's why the first captured Imperials were brought to mefor questioning."

  "Do you . . . hurt people?"

  "If necessary, but you don't have to worry; I don't even make faces atpeople who cooperate with me."

  Odeon chuckled at that; after a second, Conley joined in, and by thattime they were at the head of the stairs, entering the common-room.The young Imperial caught her breath, looking around. "It's beautiful!"

  "Yes, it is," Cortin agreed. "I don't really need this kind ofluxury--at times I still feel guilty wearing boots on the carpet--butHis Majesty says my position is such that I have to make a propershowing. Not that the High King's Inquisitor gets many casual guests;usually the only ones here are family and Enforcement Service friends."

  "Uh-oh." Odeon made a quick grab, intercepting an orange streakheading for the guest. "Forgot to warn you about Tangerine," heapologized, stroking his prey's soft fur. To his combined relief anddisappointment, Tanj was no longer fixated on him, though he toldhimself she did still like him best. "She's not called the attackkitten for nothing--she'll go after whoever's closest, just to getattention, though I'm her favorite target. And she likes to land aboutrump-high, with all claws out."

  "Thanks for the rescue, then--I like cats, but that sounds painful."

  "It is," Cortin assured her. "Worse now than when we first got her,since she's bigger, but even at six weeks old, she made herself felt."She gestured to the couch in front of the fireplace. "Have a seat.Matthew should be here soon with the coffee."

  "Thank you." Conley sat down, Odeon joining her, while Cortin pulledup a nearby chair. "Will the others be okay?"

  "Unless they do something stupid," Odeon said. "Like attack someonewho's armed when they aren't."

  Conley chuckled. "None of our crew is Sandeman--for one of them, itmight work."

  "The genetic warriors." Cortin frowned. "The ones you forced into theEmpire--what, about thirty years ago?"

  "That's when, yes, but we didn't force them," Conley objected. "We hadto stop their invasion of Sector Five, of course--we couldn't let themjust take over! I've talked to some, though. They weren't happy to bestopped, but when Ranger Medart showed them our weaponry and told themthat if they joined the Empire they'd be able to use it, well, theyjumped at the opportunity."

  "I was impressed by how quickly and completely that war ended," Cortinadmitted. "I'd like to meet one of your Rangers, especially Medart, ifit weren't for the consequences--" Forget that caveat, she toldherself. The Columbus had gotten a message out; the consequences wouldhappen whether she met a Ranger or not. Though--she felt a sudden liftof hope--maybe a Ranger could mitigate the damage to the Systems. "Isthere any way you could get him to intervene on our behalf?"

  "Huh?" Conley gaped for a moment. "Sure, but you can do it yourself,and it'd mean a lot more coming from a Colonel than from a SpacerThird. Since you're obviously of Terran origin, you're legallyImperial citizens; you have the right of direct appeal to the Sovereignif you don't think there's any other solution."

  Cortin stared at her, bemused. "It can't be that simple!"

  They were interrupted by Sis and Matthew entering with the coffeeservice. Sis pulled up a chair opposite Cortin while Matthew served;when he left, Sis asked, "What can't be how simple?"

  Cortin recapped the conversation, seeing Sis' growing hope. "What doyou think?" she asked at last.

  "The same thing I believe you do," the nun replied. "Either you orKing Mark should call the Emperor and request Ranger Medart'sassistance in determining our position in regard to the Empire."

  "Mike?" Cortin asked.

  "Agreed. Though His Majesty's not likely to either do it or be willingfor you to, despite--" He broke off, glancing at the Imperial, andfinished, "the regard he holds you in personally."

  Cortin grimaced. "True; His Majesty's even more apprehensive about theEmpire than I am. That means it's up to me."

  Odeon nodded. "I agree."

  "Good." Cortin turned her attention to the Imperial. "Now, MissConley, how do I go about contacting your Emperor?"

  "You call the Palace--you must have ultrawave?"

  "Yes. We avoid transmitting on your frequencies, of course, but we canuse them; we do monitor. I believe your contact channel is One?"

  "Yes, sir. Do you know the access codes?"

  "No; do you?"

  "Of course. I can punch them in for you, if you'd like."

  "I'd appreciate that." Cortin led the younger woman to a small tablebeside the door; it held both a telephone and one of the rare privateultrawave terminals. "Go ahead."

  Conley did so, rapidly going through a number of screens till she gotone that seemed to read "Palace" in the odd Imperial English letters."Okay, Colonel. When Palace Comm answers, explain to them; they'llprobably transfer you to someone in the Admin Service, but if EmperorDavis was given our message, he may want to speak to you directly."

  "Thank you, Miss Conley." It was only a few seconds before the screencleared, to show a human operator.

  "Palace Comm," the man said. "How can I help you?"

  "I am Colonel Joan Cortin, High King's Inquisitor for the KingdomSystems. The crew of your scoutship Columbus is in my custody--"

  "One moment, please, Colonel," the operator interrupted. "His Majestyleft orders that any communications about the Columbus be transferreddirectly to him."

  The screen blanked for several seconds, then cleared to show a lean,gray-haired man Cortin recognized from intercepts as Emperor CharlesDavis. "I understand you have information about one of my ships," hesaid calmly.

  Cortin repeated her introduction, then went on. "I don't intend themany harm, Your Majesty, in spite of the fact that they intruded in ourspace and I fear what their arrival means for our Systems. Since wecannot resist you, I ask that you send Ranger Medart to ease yourannexation of the Kingdom Systems; he seems to have done that quitewell for the Sandemans."

  "It isn't as inevitable or as horrible as you seem to think," theEmperor said mildly, "but if you have that kind of misapprehensionsabout us, I agree that sending a Ranger in would be a good idea. AndJames Medart is our cultural specialist, so he's the logical one; he'llbe on his way within the hour. Should he talk to you, or one of yourKings?"

  "That is something I cannot answer at the moment, Your Majesty. Thatis up to High King Mark; I do not know who he will choose to handleit." Probably her, she thought, considering she was acting Protector aswell as High King's Inquisitor and Archduchess of High Teton--but shecouldn't be certain.

  "You're doing this without his knowledge?"

  "Yes, because I believe it to be the least bad of the options open tous, now that contact has been made."

  To her amusement, t
he Emperor looked dismayed. "I . . . see," he saidslowly. "I hope Ranger Medart will be able to improve your opinion ofus, Colonel. If your Systems should choose to become part of theEmpire, I'd like you to be my guest in the Palace for a month or so."

  Cortin inclined her head. "That is most gracious of Your Majesty. Inthat event, I would be honored."

  "Until that time, then, Colonel."

  The ultrawave screen went blank, and Cortin picked up the telephonehandset, dialing High King Mark's private number. When that screenlit, she said, "Is Your Majesty aware that the Imperial scouts got amessage out before they were captured?"

  "I was not, Colonel. I assume that means we can expect more of themsoon."

  "I can guarantee it, sire." Cortin took a deep breath, released itslowly. "Rather than risk an automatic military response that coulddestroy the Systems, I took advantage of information one of myprisoners gave me. I appealed to the Emperor, based on their lawsgranting citizenship to anyone of Terran origin, and direct access tothe Sovereign if necessary; at my request, he is sending one of hispersonal representatives to ease our inevitable absorption into theEmpire."

  There was a long silence, then the High King sighed. "If you thinkthat best, Protector, I can hardly argue. I assume you'll takecomplete charge of the negotiations?"

  "If that is Your Majesty's wish."

  "You have resources I do not, and at least as much devotion to ourmutual home; yes, it is my wish. I'll make the necessary announcementimmediately."

  "I feel inadequate, Your Majesty, but I will carry on as well as Ican." Cortin stood silent for a moment, then returned to her seat.She'd hoped King Mark would take over, and was disappointed he hadn't.She had no diplomatic experience, and, she suspected, no skill in thatfield; how could she possibly bring about the sort of non-destructiveImperial takeover that would save the Systems and her Family?

  "Joanie?" A voice finally broke into her abstraction.

  "What is it, Mike?"

  "Is there anything we can do to help?"

  "I can't-- Yes." Cortin straightened. "If I'm in total charge of ourrelations with the Empire, I'm going to work on the assumption that wecan become a fully functional part of it, with as much independence asit allows--as much as I understand the Sandemans and now, according toyou, the Traiti, have. Tell Dave to release the rest of the prisonersand ask Captain DeLayne to join us, then have Matthew assign them allguest quarters. Find out if their ship will fit into the Lodge'sgrounds, and if so have it brought here; otherwise, they're to havefree access, including transportation, while it's at the spaceport.Miss Conley?"

  "Yes, Colonel?"

  "Do you have any idea how long it'll take Ranger Medart to get here?"

  Conley shook her head regretfully. "I'm afraid not, sir. I don't knowwhere he is, and I'm not even too sure where we were when your warshipcaptured us. Captain DeLayne might know."

  "Thank you." Cortin wasn't sure whether to hope for no delay or a longone. The first would get the suspense over with; the second would meana longer true freedom for the Systems. "Will you be subject to anydiscipline for cooperating with me?"

  Conley grinned. "Since it worked out, no--I might even get acommendation. If it hadn't, well . . . but I had a hunch I could trustyou."

  "I'm the last one to argue against following hunches," Cortin said,"but I should point out that doing so can sometimes get you in trouble."

  "I know, sir. Uh . . . your King called you 'Protector'. What's that?"

  Cortin studied her guest. "I'm not sure I ought to go into thatparticular subject, Miss Conley. It's a religious title, and since itwas our beliefs that caused our Founders to flee the Empire, I think itwise to avoid religious discussion as much as possible."

  "Yes, sir--though it may relieve you to know that religion's not a verybig deal in the Empire, most places, and the Empire itself is strictlyneutral." She paused. "I'm sorry, Colonel, but I have a bit of apersonal problem. Is there a 'fresher anywhere around?"

  "A what?"

  "A 'fresher. Let me think--restroom? Bathroom?"

  "That we have, yes," Cortin said with a chuckle. "We call thembathrooms. Sis, would you show Miss Conley the nearest one, then herguest room?"

  "Gladly." Chang put her arm around the Imperial, smiling. "This way,Miss Conley--may I use your first name?"

  "Please--it's Gwen."

  The two had barely gone out a side door when Odeon led the rest of theteam and their former prisoners through the main entrance. Since theywere guests now, Cortin gave them a courteous bow before asking, "Howmuch did you tell them, Mike?"

  "Only that they're free; I thought you'd want to tell them the rest."

  "Where's Conley?" DeLayne asked, his voice concerned. "Is she allright?"

  "She's fine," Cortin assured him. "She asked for a bathroom, thenLieutenant Chang's taking her for a brief tour. They should be back ina few minutes. It's thanks to Miss Conley's cooperation that you'refree and Ranger Medart will soon be on his way to the Kingdom Systems."

  "Huh?" DeLayne, Cortin thought, looked like he'd been hit with asledge-hammer.

  "You heard me correctly," Cortin said. She explained briefly, amusedby the changes in his expression from disbelief to comprehension, thento determination.

  "For someone who's afraid of the Empire," he said when she was done,"you're making one hell of an effort to bring it in. If you'd likesome help, I'll ask for a temporary assignment here when I report we'vebeen released."

  Cortin considered that briefly, then nodded. "Any preliminarygroundwork we can lay should help reduce transitional problems. Thankyou for your offer, Captain." She paused, then said, "The troopers whobrought you in mentioned you were the first group. How many of you arethere in all?"

  "Four hundred ninety-eight. Except for me, they decided to bring you arandom sample; the only Navy ship class that has this small a crew is acourier."

  "I can't offer all of you rooms here, then. Is your ship small enoughto fit on a ten-acre estate?"

  "Yes--equatorial diameter's two hundred meters--but since you can'thave a dock, we'd leave a rather large hole. Just how big depends onhow solid the ground is."

  "Fairly solid, and if the Kingdoms survive this, filling a hole will beno problem. As soon as King Mark makes his announcement, then, itmight be a good idea to bring your ship here."

  "Agreed, Excellency. My Marines can supplement your troops if youthink there's a chance of attack, that way."

  "Very little," Cortin said. "Being prepared is never a bad idea,though." She turned to Odeon. "Mike, would you call Brad, brief him,and ask him for the loan of any Strike Force troops not onanti-Brotherhood operations?" She grimaced. "Not that I like askingthem to camp out this time of year!"

  Odeon grinned. "Be glad to, Joanie--and I don't think they'll mind,for you." He went to the phone to call Colonel David Bradford,Commander and Bishop of the St. Thomas RES Strike Force.

  DeLayne shook his head. "I don't know what you've been taught aboutus, but it must've been fierce. And you're on our side!"

  "I am not on your side," Cortin said. "If I didn't believe aiding apeaceful transition to be the Kingdom Systems' only chance to surviveas a society, I would be fighting you to the best of my ability. Youmay be able to change my mind--under the circumstances, I'd likenothing better than to believe the best of you and your Empire--butright now, I'm no more than a reluctant ally."

  "A reluctant ally's better than an active enemy, Excellency." DeLaynegrinned. "You must have an ultrawave, to've spoken to His Majesty; mayI use it to report in and request assignment here?"

  "Yes--it's beside the phone Captain Odeon is using. If you can, pleasealso find out how soon Ranger Medart will be arriving, and ask that hebe informed I have been named sole negotiator for the Kingdom Systems."