by T. R. Harris
“This is crazy,” Sherri observed, looking out the forward viewport. “There must be ten thousand of them out there. There’s no way I’m stepping out into that.”
“Get on the horn to Andy,” Adam said. “See if he can get us an escort.”
Benefis was fidgeting near the window. “Yes, an escort. I do not wish to come into physical contact with so many aliens. There is no telling what diseases they carry.”
A moment later Sherri was off the comm. “They’re way ahead of us. Already have a series of transports lined up. However, they’re having trouble getting through the crowd too.”
“Perhaps I should say a few words,” Riyad said, actually looking animated at the prospect of all those adoring fans.
“Keep the door shut, Riyad,” Adam ordered. “We don’t want to risk a full scale riot.”
********
An hour later the transport caravan finally arrived, and after a somewhat violent show of force, security personnel managed to clear a path from the exit hatch of the starship to the main transport vehicle. The team scurried across the short distance, overcome by the sheer cacophony of the adoring mass.
The transports traveled down once-deserted and derelict highways, part of the ruse the Hal’ic pulled on the Sol-Kor to make them believe J’nae was a dead world. The streets lined with thousands of cheering natives as word spread quickly about Adam’s path to the underground entrance to the government facilities.
The caravan stopped in a large parking garage with an overabundance of security and the team was directed into a large elevator to complete their journey. The elevator deposited them in a more tranquil environment populated by staid and respectful bureaucrats.
Andy and his team were there waiting. Hugs, handshakes, and slaps to the back were the order of the day, until Adam and Andy squared off.
“You are the most insubordinate swamp rat I have ever had to the displeasure to lead,” Andy began in a loud, booming voice. “But you sure as hell know how to get the job done! Way to go, Mister Cain.” The two men embraced.
“I had a lot of help,” Adam said, breaking away from the admiral.
Andy looked at the rest of the faces. “Most are familiar, and well-proven. That is a fact. Benefis…what the hell happened to you?” He approached the Juirean, craning his neck to look up at the seven-foot-tall creature. He smiled at the bright red bandana the alien wore around his smallish head.
“I had an accident with my majesty.”
“Majesty…we call it a mane.”
“I am quite aware of the misclassification.”
“I’ll call it your majesty if that is what you wish. You are part of the team that pulled off an incredible series of feats. Whatever you want, you’ve got it.” Then Andy frowned and wrinkled his nose. “First of all, it would seem you all need to take long showers and get cleaned up. Y’all smell like a herd of yaks.”
“That would be me,” Benefis volunteered. “I suffer from a digestive condition.”
“All of this is coming from you?”
“Yes…I have a condition.”
“I heard you.”
“It’s okay, Andy,” Adam said. “You’ll get used to it.”
“I’ve been through a lot of shit in my day. This will be just one more challenge.”
“Forgive me from pressing the issue,” Riyad said, “but when are we going home? It looks like the Sol-Kor are on the run, so the Hal’ic can take it from here. No more excuses why you and your men can’t leave.”
“I’m with you this time, Tarazi. Give us an hour to pack our duffle bags and we’ll be ready to go.”
“Pardon the intrusion, Veritis Tobias, but you and your party have been requested to join the Scribes in their chambers.”
Andy nodded to the First Tier officer. “All of us?”
“They did not limit the invitation.”
“Not to worry, I will stay here,” said Benefis.
“That’s not what I meant. It’s just as far as I know, only Adam and I have met the Scribes. For the rest of you, it could be a little unsettling.”
“The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can head home,” Riyad said. “I’m in.”
********
Everyone except Benefis boarded the long electric transport for the short journey to the entrance of the Convening Center, where the Scribes lived, the spotless and functional edifice carved into the face of a cavern.
Adam had been to the chamber only once before, when he was first brought to J’nae and introduced to the centuries-old leaders of the Hal’ic. There were ninety Scribes in all, yet the main three ran the show. They were kept alive by artificial means, the title of Scribe given to them because of their long and proficient memories of past events in the history of the Hal’ic. None of the current Scribes had been alive when the Sol-Kor had first harvested the planet. Yet the oldest—Gan Doli—was two thousand years old and had the stories passed down to him by the second generation Scribes. Their stories had come from those who had actually lived through the tragic times, the same leaders who’d set the Hal’ic on the course of hiding underground, rebuilding their society and biding their time for the opportunity to strike back at their mortal enemy.
For the last two months, that war had raged. Now it looked as though it could be coming to a close, and much sooner than anyone had imagined.
The Scribes rested in half-shell shaped hospital beds, hooked up to a myriad of fluid tubes and monitoring equipment. Although none of them was less than fifteen hundred years old, they each maintained somewhat vigorous looking bodies with bronze, glowing skin. Their faces were emaciated, yet their eyes were bright and active.
“Adam Cain, we once again welcome you back to J’nae.”
“Thank you, Gan. I have to say, it’s a relief to be here, and all in one piece.”
“Yes, we have been following your exploits, especially those of the past day and a half. Quite remarkable, and fortuitous for us. And the rest of your noble adventurers, welcome…and thank you for all you have done.”
Sherri blushed. “It was nothing, really,” she replied.
“No need for modesty, Ms. Valentine. As I said, we have been monitoring your exploits.” Gan Doli, the tacit head of the Scribes, focused his attention on Lila. “And this must be the remarkable mutant female who has been so beneficial in overcoming the technological hurdles you have encountered—and her mother. Our gratitude knows no bounds.”
Gan looked to the other two Scribes in the room. Adam remembered their names to be Vaz Nha and Kaos Luz.
“There is another matter for which the Hal’ic seek your assistance.”
“What’s that?” Admiral Tobias asked. His tone was suspicious. He had finally bought into the idea that he was going home. He didn’t need another assignment thrust on him by the Hal’ic.
“The leader of the Sol-Kor—and I find this quite amusing to say—a male named Edei Fran—has requested a communication with us. This has happened only within the past hour, so we have been contemplating our response. Since Humans have vastly more experience in matters of war, we ask what might we do?”
Andy smiled, relieved by the innocuous nature of the request. “By all means, speak with him. After the debacle with his fleet, and the possibility that the Hal’ic possess a secret weapon of devastating effectiveness, he may be offering to surrender or at least negotiate a peace.”
“Peace…with the Sol-Kor? Do you not find that…unusual?”
Adam stepped forward. “They’re only doing this because you’ve kicked their butts. I’m sorry, did that translate correctly?”
“Quite so, Mr. Cain. Continue.”
“They may ask for peace, but it’s only a way of saving their Colony from further destruction. With J’nae—their Queen—gone, there’s no way for them to quickly repopulate, especially in the face of a deadly war. But as the admiral says, do open a dialogue with them. Just keep in mind that they’re only doing this because they have to, not because they want t
o.”
“Isn’t that the same in most negotiations? But we will heed your advice and open the link.”
“Now…here?”
Gan smiled. “I know what you are thinking. If the Sol-Kor saw our fragile bodies, they may be more apt to discount our worth and lose respect for the leadership of the Hal’ic. Be assured, the image Edei Fran will see will be of a vibrant, healthy Hal’ic warrior. Please remain. The conversation will commence in a few moments. A screen will light when the connection is complete.”
On a wall of the cavern to the right of the Scribes’ containers, a near-life-size screen suddenly came to life. Displayed on it was the face and upper torso of a Sol-Kor male, aged yet still with healthy scales on his face. He peered straight ahead, nodding at the image he was seeing on his end.
“I am Council Member Edei Fran. I hold the position of Callos, the leader of the Applying Council, having been placed here because of my superior abilities within the Colony. In the absence of the Queen, I speak for the Sol-Kor.”
“I am Gan Doli, acknowledged leader of the Hal’ic Scribes. I hold a position similar to yours, yet without a Queen.”
All in the room saw Edei bristle at the comment, the implication of which being that Edei Fran was merely a subordinate, whereas Gan was subordinate to no one.
After a moment, Edei continued. “I have sought this communication to discuss two topics. First: is my Queen in your custody? If so, return her.”
“She is not in our custody, as you call it. It is our understanding she is with the mutant Panur, having departed this universe for places unknown.”
Adam studied Edei’s reaction to the news. It wasn’t well-hidden. He was pained and concerned. Then his expression turned hard, even as he appeared to shrug. “The second item is to discuss peace terms with the Hal’ic.”
“Are you surrendering?”
“Surrendering! There was no mention of surrendering! We seek a cessation of hostilities between our two races, not a surrender.”
“And why do you ask for this now?”
For all his supposed intelligence and ability, Edei Fran displayed the look of a deer in the headlights. “Why? Because we seek peace. Is that not what you desire as well?”
“Yes, of course. We seek peace, and will do all it takes to achieve that peace.”
“Then it is settled. We shall have peace.”
“There will be peace.”
Adam could see Andy chomping at the bit to say something, as was Adam. But this was not the time.
“How do you propose we proceed, Edei Fran?”
“There should be a conference to settle out the terms.”
“Where?”
“Since we are being generous in offering this peace, we shall let you select the location. It should be some place neutral.”
“Even though the Hal’ic have remained hidden from the Sol-Kor for thousands of years, we have established a few distant outposts on barren worlds to act as lookouts and monitoring stations. I have one of these sites in mind. It shall take us two weeks to prepare the site, seeing that it has not been occupied in quite some time. Is that acceptable?”
“Perfectly acceptable. It will also take us time to assemble the delegation. Make arrangements to accommodate approximately five hundred Sol-Kor.”
“So many?”
“Yes. Attending will be the leaders of the Sol-Kor, our Council Members, along with our most senior High Nosleads. This will be an important event. We must make sure it is accomplished adequately.”
“I fully understand. I will make the arrangements and be in communication with the Sol-Kor as to the details.”
Edei nodded, and cut the link without so much as a thank you.
Adam and Andy—along with Sherri and Riyad—were all talking at once.
“Don’t do it!”
“What an arrogant bastard.”
“They act like they just kicked your ass!”
“Be careful, it could be a trap.”
“Please calm yourself, my friends,” said Gan with a lilt in his voice.
“You don’t intend to go through with the meeting, do you? Andy asked, finally gaining control of the chattering Humans.
“Yes we do, and with enthusiasm.”
“You could be making a big mistake. From what we know of the Sol-Kor, they don’t negotiate, they don’t affiliate, and they don’t accept neighbors as friends—just food, as you well know. They may also use this peace agreement to give them time to rebuild their fleet and then attack when you’re not looking. Surely you didn’t mean you would do anything to assure peace? Forgive my bluntness, but being blind to the truth is not the smartest move.”
“I said I would do all it takes to have peace.”
“Semantics, Gan.”
The senior Scribe smiled. “Veritis Tobias—and the others—we appreciate your input. It is as we expected. Your advice has been noted and will be acted upon.”
“So you’re not going to meet with the Sol-Kor?” Sherri asked.
“On the contrary, we will now hasten the meeting.” Gan raised his feeble hand to quell the continued protests. “Please have trust in me and my fellow Scribes. We know what we are doing.”
Riyad took hold of Andy’s thin arm. “C’mon, Admiral. We did our part, but the Hal’ic have made their decision. It’s time for us to go.”
“Yes, it is time,” said Gan Doli. “You have provided an invaluable service to the Hal’ic, but now it is time for you to return to your own universe and to your own lives, again with our thanks.”
Andy nodded. “Take care of yourself,” he said. “I hope everything works out the way you hope.”
“It will, my friend. It will.”
Chapter 22
Four hours later, the Najmah Fayd, with Riyad in the pilot seat, lifted off the surface of the planet J’nae and raced into space. Lila informed them that a personal transit portal could be formed even within close proximity of a star system, so with little fanfare she opened the rip in space, and a blink of an eye later, they were back in the Milky Way.
Relief came to the weary travelers only when the portal was closed behind them.
They were home.
********
Well, not exactly.
They were back in the system where Panur and Lila maintained a hidden settlement, on a planet of natives who worshipped them as gods. As Benefis was quick to remind everyone, it was also where Panur’s palace of gold was located.
Seeking room to stretch their legs, the ship set down in the small spaceport adjacent to the palace, and Lila set everyone up in spacious accommodations, along with a full staff of eager native attendants.
Tobias and Adam remained in the Najmah Fayd after landing, communicating with Earth for two hours, filling them in on all that had taken place over the past two months. The people back on the homeworld were jubilant. The Sol-Kor were defeated, at least to the point where they would no longer be a threat to the Milky Way. Even before the debrief was over, CW broadcasts were being sent across the galaxy, letting all who could hear know of the good news.
After Tobias and Adam were done with the report, it was their turn to get all the latest news from the Milky Way. Most of it was disturbing.
“Why would they want to annex the Kidis Frontier?” Andy asked Admiral Hollingsworth, the acting supreme leader of the Orion-Cygnus Union military forces. “Don’t they know we have agreements with some of the local systems for mutual protection and benefit?”
“We’ve explained that to the Juireans until we’re blue in the face. They don’t care. They’ve got a wild hair up their asses and are bound and determined to go through with it. It’s almost as if they’re trying to provoke us into another war.”
“Didn’t we just leave this party?” Adam asked the room.
“So where does that leave us?”
“If I were you I’d sit tight. Don’t risk taking the Najmah Fayd across the Frontier. The Juireans are aware of the ship. After all, they were
in the neighborhood when you made your little hop over to Sol-Kor-Land. Most of their forces are staged at the entrance to the Frontier, still in Expansion space, but I wouldn’t put it past them to do something provocative if the ship came anywhere near them. I’ll send out an escort squadron—a battleship and a couple of cruisers, plus support vessels—just to let the green bastards know we mean business. Wait until it arrives before you make any moves.”
“How long until the escorts arrive?”
“It will take us a couple of weeks to get there.” Hollingsworth raised his hand. “I know, the Naj-whatchamacallit could make it back here a lot faster, probably even by TD jumps. The Juireans know this too. But still, let us play it our way, Andy. It’s time we showed the Juireans we’re not intimidated by them.”
“If you say so,” Andy agreed reluctantly. “We’ll chill our heels here for a couple weeks. The natives—from what they tell me—are friendly and incredible cooks. Frankly, we could use a little vacation.”
“That’s the right attitude to take, Admiral. And Captain Cain, well done. You’ve been through a lot over the past six months, ever since your strike team first entered Sol-Kor space. I’m sure it must feel great to be home.”
“It does feel great, but I’m not home, not yet. Get the escorts to us ASAP, Admiral. Can’t wait to sleep in my own bed, and on a planet with normal gravity!”
********
It took three days for a somewhat normal routine to be established in the huge, gold-plated palace. By then, huge swaths of the walls, ceilings, bannisters and more were turning up stripped of their precious metal coatings. Benefis adamantly denied any knowledge of the thefts, even as the Humans gave him a pass.
On the fourth day, Arieel received a link from Formil. Afterwards, she sprang into the center of the meeting room where the team hung out, a smile decorating her gorgeous face.