Mutiny on Outstation Zori

by John Hegenberger

  Jamie barked, "What difference does that make? Whether they're wrong or right isn't the issue here. They obviously believe they're in the right and they're threatening to attack. You're a military authority; do something to stop them."

  Long glanced at the Messiah, who shook her head and remained peaceful to a fault. There was a brassy odor in the air.

  "You people are insane!" Jamie blurted. "Someone has to do something or we're all going to die!"

  Ben Zurek's eyes widened as he spoke glumly. "The Edorrians are a fiercely independent people, who stubbornly refuse to align themselves with any of the major galactic civilizations."

  "That's not what I heard," Jamie replied without hesitation. "Let me talk to them."

  Studying the unwinking star field, he watched the Edorrian ship approach. The alien vessel resembled a cross between an armored tank and a shelled marine creature. Its plates were modeled and greenish. Cryptic hieroglyphics were inscribed on the rounded contours of its bulbous shape, while gunports bristled. Jamie thought he discerned a name emblazoned on the ship's beak-like prow. He was pretty sure it translated to Forsaken.

  Throwing caution to the fates, he desperately tried to bluff the Zori leaders into believing he could control the situation. "Very well, then. Your hesitancy has forced my hand. I didn't want to disclose this before, but the Edorrians are secretly allies of my people, the Qestans, understand? We are the only people who have an alliance with them, so you'd better let me take over negotiation here."

  If there was one thing that Jamie excelled at, it was running a bluff. He had conned opponents both real and virtual in life and in the games. He could fool the best of them and lie with a straight face like a professional gambler, which was what he'd always imagined himself to be.

  Nothing exhilarated him more than to claim that something was true when it was in fact not true. He totally enjoyed convincing others that whatever he claimed… was sound reasoning, the right approach, and an unquestionable reality.

  Now, he stood tensely waiting as his latest fabrication was weighed and considered. He hoped he hadn't lost his knack for the con, or they were all going to be enslaved or killed.

  Behind the cluster of Messiah worshipers, some piece of damaged equipment faintly hummed. Clamber caught a hint of smoke and the smell of burnt electricity. His audience appeared unmoved by his bold claim.

  Jamie's mouth had grown dry. "It's a closely-guarded secret that the Edorrians' homeworld lies hidden somewhere near FZ13." He hoped his voice wouldn't crack. "The Ironfist must have inadvertently come too close to that world as it maneuvered toward Zori and unknowingly led them here."

  "But, our defenses are now completely inoperative," complained Admiral Long. "The Edorrians undoubtedly will press their attack and not hesitate to destroy the station; just as they did to the Ironfist!"

  "Maybe not. Don't be so sure that it's your destiny. If I can communicate with them, maybe I can convince them of our… peaceful nature." Jamie saw his choice of words made the Messiah smile. They didn't want to be involved in an aggression, but they also didn't really want to be martyrs, did they? If there was another, non-violent way….

  Clamber straightened his shoulders, took a deep breath, and mumbled to himself, "Here goes nothing… or everything," before he faced the commscreen and doubled or tripled his bluff, extending it almost to infinity. "Hail, Edorria! We've received your transmission. Please state again your intentions."

  Over the vid display, a reptilian face ruffled its scales and spoke in the glaringly base voice, "I am Edorrian Commander TTakak and we are indeed intent on attacking and destroying Zori as a means of defending the hidden position of our sacred homeworld."

  "But we are a harmless assemblage of Questan pilgrims. I'm sure that if you check with your homeworld's records, you'll find that we have filed all the proper and necessary permits and remunerations." Jamie almost felt the perspiration collecting on his forehead and palms. He wished intently that they would buy his claims and take as long as possible to verify them.

  On the screen, Commander TTakak appeared to be consulting with someone.

  Decades crawled past.

  The Edorrians may have been savage in their firm and decisive actions, but first they were known as thoughtful chess players, calculating each move before committing to sudden attack.

  Jamie watched the Commander patiently consider the options. At last, a blunt statement came back. "We will check your claims and get back to you." The screen went pale blue.

  Jamie sighed and swung around tasting triumph and bile at the same time. He addressed the crowd. "I want that little embattled ship rescued, towed, and docked at the station. And I want to see Aura Devor, who came aboard earlier as my herald."

  Ben Zurek grunted surprise. The Messiah nodded assent. Admiral Long barked orders.

  Now, Jamie thought, I hope that Aura's a quick study and goes along with my bluff.

  CHAPTER 14

  Aura caught on quickly. Jamie explained the circumstance they were all facing, emphasizing to everyone that he was the best person to deal with the Edorrians. She understood his bold intent, but couldn't keep an emerald-eyed glare from her eyes that said, "This had better work." Tossing her glossy violet hair, she advised the crowd, "Indeed, many sects of the Qestans have secretly associated with the Edorrians for decades, aligning themselves secretly against the Imperial forces."

  Jamie nodded, noting the collar around Aura's neck. He pressed his newly-acquired authority and ordered it removed… for the sake of efficiency and protocol.

  Both the Admiral and Admin Exec didn't like the idea, but the Messiah accented to Jamie's wish. Once the restraint was removed, the worshipped leader took a stance in front of Aura, staring into her eyes. It was as if the two women formed a bond, each associating with the other, as strong leaders often do who make determined decisions.

  Jamie waited, and then finally said, "This is going to sound weird… but I swear I smell fresh bread baking." His mouth was watering. "I'm starved."

  Several of the group found his sudden comment mildly humorous, but Aura remained all business. "Where's Kleg and the others?"

  Clamber turned his gaze on the Messiah. The elder woman immediately asked Ben Zurek to direct the visitors to the station's infirmary.

  Following the tall, waxy-skinned EO, Aura and Jamie soon found Kleg in an artificial deep-wave sleep. The other Dagger passengers were cradled in hammock-like slings, awake but disoriented. Zaxt stood by, seeming more frustrated than any bot should be, Jamie thought. The diplobot quickly described recent events aboard the Dagger.

  As Aura listened, she watched Kleg's slumbering form. "He took a hell of a chance out there for us."

  "Did he?" Clamber mused. "I wonder."

  She turned to face him. "What do you mean?"

  Mentally kicking himself, Jamie answered. "Just that from some of the things he told me, I got the idea that he had advance knowledge of the mutiny here and came along to get easy pickings among the expected internal chaos."

  "Well, there's no sign of internal chaos here, now, is there?" Aura mentally probed the mind of the man who lay before them. "You're wrong," she said after a moment's concentration. "He had no idea what to expect here. And his actions were true heroics."

  Jamie shrugged his eyebrows. "Huh…."

  Aura fixed her gaze on him.

  He immediately raised his hands as if to ward off her telepathic search. "Hold it right there. The same is true for me. I didn't know anything ahead of time either."

  "Too late," she responded with a crafty smile. Aura glanced back at Kleg's reclining body. "No, it seems that you're as innocent as he looks."

  "Unquestionably," Jamie said. "It's like I said: I've got nothing in… mind."

  The woman snickered and as they walked back into the long passageway, Jamie called over his shoulder: "Zaxt, stay here with him and let us know if his condition changes."

  "Aye, aye," the bot sang out.

  When they
turned a corner and came out to an open compartment, they could once again glimpse a wide view of the stars. The Edorrian warship hung before them, seeming to emanate quiet menace.

  "When your bluff doesn't work, we could all be destroyed," she said with genuine concern.

  Jamie came to stand next to her. "You mean, if the bluff doesn't work," he corrected. "Have a little faith, okay?"

  She uttered a quiet laugh. "Always the optimist. Jestering at scars, but without any wounds."

  The phrase sounded oddly familiar to. "Something like that," Jamie admitted. "I guess I have this thing for rescuing. I'm beginning to think that—like Kleg back there—I have a heroic complex."

  "Sounds like 'A Catcher in the Rye.'"

  "A what?"

  Aura ran the tips of her fingers along her eyebrows, remembering. "It's an old Earth story about a boy who wants to save others from falling off a cliff, I think. One of my followers once told me about it."

  "So… what happened?"

  Aura continued to watch the starscape before them. "Not much, actually. What the boy really wanted was for someone to save him."

  "Oh? Interesting thought." Jamie followed her gaze into the dark abyss. "So… you think I want to be rescued?"

  Aura came around and smiled at him. "It's just a story. Relax, Mr. Clamber."

  They noticed a soft chime that had begun to sound through the station's commsystem. It wasn't an alarm; more of a gentle reminder.

  Aura touched her temples as if to focus. "Come on," she said, taking Jamie's elbow. "I don't think we'll want to miss this."

  Clamber had no idea what to expect, but he found that he'd follow this woman almost anywhere now.

  * * *

  "Ah, there you are," Dr. Bauer seemed to glide forward in her flowing aqua-marine robe.

  Jamie had the impression that the large woman moved silently without effort, like a ghost. Maybe she just was quiet by nature and didn't wish to disturb. The woman smiled and gestured with an open palm, sweeping her arm over a railing that projected out above an expanse within the center of the station.

  Aura had told Jamie, while they'd walked along a corridor and up a staircase, of her earlier encounter with Dr. Bauer. "The funny thing was," she concluded, "I found her to be assuring and open to my thoughts. She didn't appear to have any hidden agenda."

  Clamber was skeptical. "That's because it's hidden. We still have no idea what the aims of these people are. They're not like us, so they could be planning anything and not want us to know."

  "I'm not so sure…." Aura had said. And now that she'd said it, Jamie wasn't either.

  Dr. Bauer waited on the metal grating that overlooked Zori's main mess area and holo-lounge several decks below.

  It was like looking down on a theatre or a parliamentary meeting. Members of the crew and faithful worshipers stood in rows facing a small dais where the Messiah positioned herself before the crowd.

  Jamie felt confused and wary. It struck him that Aura was taken by the religious-type service occurring below. He found he was breathing slowly, as if the event would somehow drift up on the air and filter over him like a mist.

  He didn't want to be here. For one thing, there was no time for this nonsense—and yet he found enjoyment in the calm atmosphere conveyed by the assemblage and its solemn service.

  Jamie noticed Cast standing off to one side of the main congregation. His old partner listened and then joined in when the gathering began to sing and hum. As the music rose to fill the chamber, it sparked a chord in Jamie's memory; something familiar that he might have once heard when he was a child.

  He resisted the urge to join the tune, but noticed Aura swaying slightly to the soothing rhythm. He stretched a hand out to steady her.

  Dr. Bauer leaned toward them and whispered. "This may well be our final service." She watched the expression on their faces as she offered an explanation to each event taking place below their feet. "First, there's a welcoming and then a quiet proclamation for all to be assured that they belong here. Then the joining of voices that you've just witnessed."

  "They're wasting their breath and time," Jamie interrupted, "if they expect this will somehow stop the Edorrians."

  "Shh…" Aura urged.

  Dr. Bauer laughed beneath her breath. "There are so many mysteries in time and the universe; this is a proven way to cope with the unknown. The Messiah will make her pronouncement now and the recognition of members."

  Several worshipers below stepped forward to receive a long hug and handclasp from their leader and Ben Zurek.

  Dr. Bauer went on. "Now comes the time for quiet reflection. We'll all wait while they meditate together."

  Wait! Jamie thought. With a warship waiting, intent on attacking? He felt a chill in his soul and gripped the railing so tightly while peering over the edge that his palms began to ache.

  Aura spoke in a hushed tone. "This is nice. How much longer does it go on?"

  At last! A reasonable question from her.

  The doctor moved to stand between them. Jamie's senses went on alert, but the heavy, elderly woman simply continued to provide insights into the service beneath them. "They will join voices again and the Messiah will give them a testimony of assurance. Later, there will be a sharing of bread and a final blessing."

  "That's all very nice—as Aura says—but can we move things along more now?"

  "In just a moment," Dr. Bauer intoned. "I want you to understand."

  Jamie took a calming breath. "Understand what?"

  "Why we took the twelve Esper Shadow ships."

  Aura was interested. "That would be good to hear."

  The old woman raised and lowered her shoulders. "We hope to find the remains of the Serrantics, of course."

  "The who?" Jamie glanced at Aura, who seemed to know what this meant.

  "They are the Old Ones, the Ancients, said to be the forerunners of humanoid life."

  "You're kidding." It was not a question.

  Dr. Bauer beamed. "I assure you, we are thoroughly serious about our quest. The Espers will allow us to move the station, gradually gaining acceleration, so that en masse we will be able to extend our search—even into the Great Unknown."

  Jamie was certain that his mouth was hanging open. Then: "You've got to be kidding, right? You're kidding." He appealed to Aura. "This is a joke, right?"

  Her eyes were intent on something far distant. "No. It's an honorable goal. I can sense that my Qestan followers are finding it worthwhile. Even now, I see that…"

  Jamie clutched her shoulder as her robe and hair and perfume waved toward him. "How can you possibly buy into this… this stuff? Especially now, Aura, that we're under approaching attack? How can you believe these people; these women; these…" He couldn't find the proper word.

  Aura locked her green eyes on him, giving a small grin from the left side of her beautiful mouth.

  He hadn't noticed her dimples until that moment.

  "Jamie Clamber," she said. "I wish you could see it their way. Your friend Cast has. It's very simple. All you need is a little faith."

  His own words back at him. Jamie let her go. His mind troubled, he looked back at Dr. Bauer, whose eyes were closed with lips slightly moving. In rapture?

  He peered down again at the congregation driven by their cause, but unmoved by the impending Edorrian threat.

  Finally, he stepped back, clearing his throat. "I—I need a drink," he admitted and began tromping down the stairs two at a time.

  "I'll join you," Aura called from behind him.

  "Make it three," he heard Dr. Bauer whisper harshly. "My throat is parched."

  Jamie put a palm to his face in utter resignation and almost ran into a bulkhead.

  * * *

  Jamie had to keep from smiling. Gradually, he accepted the hope of finding the Serrantic Harbingers was a looney, yet honorable goal, even though, logically, it made no sense. He accepted it mostly because of his trust and respect for Cast. Aura accepted it because of he
r renewed inner spirit, learned oddly enough during the short time she has been aboard the station and near the Messiah.

  But Ben surprised them by seeming to be doubtful. The Admin Exec tapped his fingers lightly at his side, saying, "Your acceptance to the fold can only be temporary."

  Meaning what? Jamie wondered. Something about Ben struck Jamie as odd. There was a feeling, an itch, whenever the bearded man was near. Could Ben be some sort of traitor, watching with eyes that were almost black?

  Jamie felt a nagging tightness in his shoulders around Zurek; a faint buzzing.

  CHAPTER 15

  Clamber suddenly realized that the crystal pendant has been humming quietly every time Ben Zurek has been near.

  It doesn't respond to the Messiah, as Cast thought, it responds to Ben. But what does that mean?

  The pendant was all Jamie had of his distant Cavonian family; an inherited heirloom in the shape of a milky tear-drop, believed to be hundreds of years old.

  Jamie watched Zurek closely, trying to guess the truth. The salt-and-pepper hair; the veined eyes that never seemed to blink; odd complexion. Finally, Clamber confronted him, exposing the crystal pendant for all to see its emanations.

  Ben denied everything on principal, appearing embarrassed more than insulted.

  That was enough to convince Jamie. "Aura, scan this man with your mental powers," he ordered. "Tell us what you find."

  The teeth of the Admin flashed through his grey beard. Was that a smile, or…?

  "Mental probing is illegal," Admiral Long protested.

  But Aura concentrated, as Zurek backed away.

  The Messiah watched carefully, silently.

  Admiral Long continued to quietly grouse.

  The pendant vibrated at Jamie's chest, and Ben Zurek winced, shrugged, and dissolved into a cloud of blue smoke.

  The fuming vapor did not dissipate; rather, it held a cylindrical shape, roughly the volume occupied previously by Ben's body.

  "I never meant any harm," the cloud spoke in a calming voice within everyone's mind. "It is true. I am one of the Sire-Koval." The air around them all felt ten degrees warmer.