Changing of the Guard (A Galaxy Unknown - Book 11)

by Thomas DePrima

  "Ah, that's where the difficulty in fully understanding the premise lies. Cayla, Tayna, their mates, and their children are not pets. That's the whole purpose of this discussion. I want everyone to understand that Jumakas are not pets or domesticated creatures and shouldn't be treated that way. They are entitled to their freedom just as much as you and I are. They don't need us to care for them throughout their lives, as is normally required with pets. Everyone has to stop seeing them as either wild or domesticated animals that don't have a capacity for intelligent reasoning and thought. When someone sees a Pledgian or a Milora, they don't see a wild animal. They see an intelligent individual who simply has a distinctive appearance that is unique from that of Terrans and other species. That's all they should see when they see a Jumaka."

  "Excuse me, Admiral," another newsie said. "The voices we're hearing are coming over the speakers in the ceiling. How do we even know that what we're hearing is what the Jumakas are saying? There could be someone responding from a back room."

  "A fair question, Mr.—?"

  "Petraro Visconta of the Galactic News Service."

  "What you've asked is a fair question, Mr. Visconta. Tell me, when you attend a press briefing where the speaker is talking into a microphone on a lectern in a language unknown to you, how do you know you're hearing the right message over the loudspeakers or even through your personal translator?"

  "Uh, I guess we— take it on faith."

  "But you don't have such faith in me that I'm telling you the truth?"

  "Admiral, I didn't mean to imply that you would lie to us. Perhaps you're not getting the correct translation as well. You said the translation database was developed by an M.A. Wilkerson."

  "I trust that every word I hear from the translator is accurate, although you're correct that Mr. Wilkerson alone developed the vocabulary database used by the new translation collar while in my employ. I trust the translation is accurate because, as Cayla said, they understand Amer and have verified that the Amer they hear played through speakers is exactly the message they were attempting to communicate. The Jumakas all understand how very important this issue is to their species, and they're anxious to cooperate in whatever tests the appropriate government agency devises to assess their intelligence and sentience as long as the tests are non-invasive and are the same tests used to attribute sentiency to other species."

  "And Cayla and Tayna have verified the accuracy of every single Amer word Mr. Wilkerson associated with a Jumaka word or phrase?"

  "This was not an overnight project. My friends worked with Mr. Wilkerson for many months in developing the translation database. Where Amer words had no equivalent meaning in the Jumaka language, they adopted one. It's entirely possible that a Jumaka on Taurentlus-Thur may not understand what a particular Amer word means, but that's true in any meeting with other species. I have stated that the translation is one-hundred-percent accurate, and I accept that without question or reservation."

  As Visconta retook his seat, Jenetta asked, "Are there any other questions?"

  "I have another, Admiral," Leslie Hearst said. "How long do you believe it will take for sentience verification?"

  "I really don't know, but I can say there's no question in my mind of their sentiency, and I intend to keep pressing for that status under G.A. law. I also appeal to planetary governments to individually recognize the rights of Jumakas as sentient beings because new regulations can sometimes move slowly here at the Senate level. As representatives of their worlds, senators must often communicate with their home world politicians and citizens to determine how they should vote on different issues."

  "Have the officials of your birth planet, Earth, agreed to this?"

  "I haven't been in touch with anyone on Earth, but I can assure you that on my home world of Obotymot and also on Nordakia, Jumaka sentiency is already law. The people on my planet know that Jumakas aren't dangerous unless dramatically provoked, and treat them just as they would any other resident of the planet. No one runs away in fear or cowers when they see a Jumaka walking down a village street. In fact, the children on my planet love to come over and walk alongside the Jumakas and play with the cubs. They know my friends don't pose a threat to anyone. This is the first time I've presented the sentiency request outside of the Nordakian sphere of influence. I wanted to wait until the original translation database was refined to a point where normal conversation was possible. I believe we've reached that point, but Dr. Wilkerson continues to work on improving it and expanding the dictionary."

  "How can he do that with Cayla and Tayna here with you?"

  "Nicky and Thor are on Obotymot, as are most of their cubs. Dr. Wilkerson recently completed a translation database that converts the Jumaka language into Nordakian, and begun work on a database that will convert Amer into the Jumaka language. When the cubs were born, their parents had to translate Amer for them because they had all they could do to learn their own native language. We knew that Amer would come later."

  "How many cubs do you have?"

  "Cayla gave birth to four. Their names are Orlando, Cheri, Kera, and Ruby. Their father is Nicky, the Jumaka Dr. Wilkerson brought from Taurentlus-Thur. Tayna gave birth to four as well. They are named Jake, Alex, Autumn, and Chelsea. Their father is Thor, the Jumaka presented to me by the King of the Hudeerac Order."

  "Why didn't you bring any of them today?"

  "Six of them are back on Obotymot with their fathers, who have responsibility for their education. Ruby and Jake are here, and their mothers will educate them. I didn't bring them today because they're still quite young and can be a little rambunctious at times, like Terran infants that have reached their fifth birthday. During the work day they stay at my residence with my children, Kaycee and Kyle. The cubs have bonded with my children and want to remain with them, just as Cayla and Tayna stay by my side most of the day."

  "So your children have their own protectors?"

  "It's by choice. All of the cubs wanted to come, but if you could see the way they race around the house and grounds all day, you'd understand why I had to limit it to the two who made the first request."

  "So you can't control them?" Visconta asked.

  "They're like Terran children— full of energy and always looking for fun and games. When it's necessary to tone down their enthusiasm, their parents speak to them, although sometimes they must be reminded several times, just as Terran children must be reminded sometimes. But when they're around my babies, as they often are, they are as gentle as Terran kittens, although they're quite a bit larger."

  "So you're not afraid they'll injure your babies?"

  "Of course not. But if anyone else tries to harm my babies, Ruby and Jake will ensure the assailant certainly regrets it, if he or she lives."

  "So you do use the Jumakas as protectors."

  "Use? No. The Jumakas are our friends— our family— not pets, protectors, or security animals. But— they have a sixth sense for danger, and they will protect us if necessary, as Cayla and Tayna have already done for me and as most family members would do for another member of their family.

  "We seem to have reached a plateau in the questioning," Jenetta announced, "so I suppose it's time to adjourn this discussion for today and allow everyone to think about the information that's been provided. Thank you."

  As Jenetta turned and walked back to her seat, Cayla and Tayna followed and took their usual places at her side.

  Jenetta pounded the gavel once and said, "We'll now continue with regular business, beginning with a reading of the minutes from the last general session."

  After the old business had been discussed, new business of a general nature was discussed. With the completion of that, the day's open session was ended.

  "I thank everyone for their attendance today and for the welcome I've received," Jenetta said. "The board will now take a brief break before convening in executive session. Thank you."

  With that, the admirals rose and filed out through the rear door
that led to their office areas. A lunchroom reserved exclusively for the admirals and their aides was the destination of most, while the clerks headed for the A.B. staff dining hall on the opposite side of the kitchen.

  As Jenetta sat down at an oval table large enough to accommodate all of the admirals, she looked down at the two Jumakas and asked, "What'll it be, girls? Milk?"

  "Yes, please," Tayna said.

  "Me too," Cayla said. "And perhaps a few biscuits with peanut butter."

  Admiral Plimley, looking on, asked, "Did they answer?"

  "Yes. I received the signal via my CT. Both said they would like some milk, and Cayla said to include some biscuits with peanut butter. Girls," Jenetta said, addressing the Jumakas, "Why don't you activate the speakers on your collars so the other admirals can hear you when you speak."

  "Okay, Jenetta," Cayla said, the words coming from her collar this time.

  "That is just so amazing," Admiral Hillaire said. "I never would have suspected she was speaking a language because the vocal sound she was making seemed, to my ears, to be a low growl. My little terrier makes a great deal of noise, but I know of no translator that could convey what he might be saying, if anything."

  "I don't mean to offend you or demean your terrier, Arnold," Jenetta said, "but the intelligence level of Jumakas is far superior to the reputed levels of most Terran canine species. Canines do make wonderful companions because they're loyal, loving, and protective, but I don't believe they can communicate with each other except on very basic levels using vocal loudness and frequency, as well as through body movements and positions. Dolphins, whales, and other marine life do verbally communicate with each other, but even they fall far short of how we define sentient life. The Jumaka body is ideally suited for life in the jungles and forests of Taurentlus-Thur, but the lack of a hand with opposable digits for gripping imposes severe limitations in a world designed to suit hominoids. However, that shouldn't exempt them from being declared sentient."

  "I believe you have the support of everyone on the Board," Admiral Platt said. "I witnessed the Jumakas interacting with you, your family, and the staff at your estate on Obotymot. There's no question in my mind that they're highly intelligent and sentient. However, the G.A. Senate will probably require extensive testing by anthropological, ethological, zoological, and biological scientists. Then the cognition scientists will seek to determine their intelligence levels while the behaviorism psychologists will seek to establish their ability to fit in with hominoid society."

  "I think hominoid society will have more difficulty fitting in with Jumakas than the other way around."

  "They're afraid of us," Tayna said. All eyes at the table immediately looked down to where the two Jumakas were seated next to Jenetta. Only their heads and necks were visible above the edge of the table.

  "On Dakistee, they ran when they saw us coming," Cayla said.

  "That'll change once they understand you won't hurt them unless you're attacked first," Jenetta said. "Once the G.A. Senate confirms sentience, I believe attitudes will change almost overnight as the press spreads the word throughout G.A. space."

  "I hope so," Tayna said. "We only want to live in peace and raise our families."

  "We know, Tayna," Admiral Ressler said, "and I have no doubt that Jumakas will be accorded sentience status in G.A. space with all the rights and privileges that entails. But democratic governments work ponderously slow at times so it may take awhile."

  "We understand, Admiral Ressler," Cayla said. "Jenetta has explained the process to us. We will be patient because for the first time since hominoids began capturing or killing our people, we can see a day coming when we will be free everywhere in G.A. space."

  "Jen, if I might be permitted to change the topic of conversation," Admiral Holt said after a few seconds of silence at the table. "While on leave, you were receiving summarized reports, but now you need to delve into the full text. You have an enormous amount of catching up to do."

  "I realize that, Brian. And I've been spending every minute possible reviewing past sessions of the Board, both general and executive, and reading all filed reports."

  "Yes, but the reason I bring it up is because of the situation with the Denubbewa."

  "They've come back? After that last drubbing we gave them?"

  "We don't think they ever left!"

  * * *

  Chapter Two

  ~ March 11th, 2290 ~

  "I haven't come across any reports on that topic in my reading. I thought the Denubbewa were gone after the last encounter that found them building motherships much closer to this base than we ever anticipated."

  "Our fleet stung them hard, really hard, on that occasion," Admiral Bradlee said, "but the latest intel is very eye-opening. Most of my people believe the Denubbewa are on the verge of making an all-out push to arrogate much of Region Three. We don't think those walking computers would attempt that unless they believed they had a good chance of accomplishing it."

  "Do you suspect they've developed a new defensive strategy against our weapons and tactics?"

  "We don't know. But we do know they're very quick studies. And the information we've collected indicates they may have already assembled a vast armada in Region Three. It's even possible they've been reinforced by motherships from their home territory. My best people fear that the new war about to descend on us will make the deadly war with the Uthlaro seem like a practice drill on a target range."

  "That's extremely troubling, Roger," Jenetta said. "Why do you suspect they're after Region Three? It's true our presence in that region has been very limited during the past decade given the size of the territory we've been forced to annex and our limited military resources, but what makes your people believe the Denubbewa have established it as an arrogation objective?"

  "Reports from freight-haulers have been increasing at an alarming rate."

  "Have the Denubbewa been hijacking cargo ships and killing the crews again?"

  "No. They've not attacked any shipping lately— as far as we know. My people suspect they're presently avoiding all contact with shipping because of what we managed to do to them here in Region Two in retaliation for their attacks on our military vessels and again after we learned they were hijacking freighters for their ore cargos. But we believe the Denubbewa are out there in considerable numbers— and growing."

  "If they fear us and our weapons," Admiral Burke said, "what would persuade them to remain in G.A. space? It seems any sensible enemy would flee once they understood we can destroy them at will, wherever and whenever we encounter them."

  "I can only report that the sightings of Denubbewa warships have increased to an enormous and unprecedented level, and it has my best people worried. We've spread the word to every freight hauler in Region Three that we need them to report any and all sightings and estimated courses of Denubbewa ships, and the reports have been flooding in. The locations of the reported sightings are too far apart to represent the same Denubbewa ships, so it appears we're talking about an enormous fleet. Those vicious cyborgs must be up to something big."

  "There's only one reason I can imagine for why they haven't turned and run," Jenetta said.

  "I'd love to hear your theory," Admiral Plimley said.

  "They've logically concluded that our technology in certain scientific fields is far more advanced than their own. They have to know by now that our ship speed is significantly greater, so they would naturally want to add our capability to their own ships. Also, with our double-envelope technology, they're unable to see us coming or going when we attack. For a war-centric civilization apparently intent on conquering the galaxy, if not the universe, that has to be the driving motivation. I wager they want our speed technology so badly they're willing to sacrifice innumerous ships and cyborgs to secure it. Our ability to attack them while never being observed has to be driving them crazy. I know that in their place I would give almost anything to learn how an enemy is able to attack and destroy my vessels witho
ut alerting my forces to an imminent attack or even their presence."

  "They could have gotten the double-envelope FTL technology when they destroyed the Yenisei or the Salado," Admiral Hillaire said. "They had plenty of time to study the ships."

  "I'm assuming they were unaware of our speed advances back then," Jenetta said. "Believing themselves to be far superior to the biologically developed life they'd encountered in this galaxy, they obviously failed to study the ship's propulsion capability from the perspective that it might be superior to their own."

  "It's sort of comforting to know they're not perfect," Admiral Woo said. "But if they're not hijacking cargo freighters, where are they getting the raw materials they need to build new ships and cyborgs?"

  "We suspect they're doing what we do and everyone else does," Admiral Bradlee said. "They've probably established mining operations on remote planets, moons, and asteroids to collect their own ore because it's far safer than tangling with us."

  "They might even have entered into pacts with our enemies," Jenetta said.

  "Which enemies?" Admiral Burke asked.

  "Pick one. The Raiders, the Uthlaro, the Tsgardi— no, scratch the Tsgardi. We have them pretty well bottled up in their own solar system, and we've been keeping a close watch on their activities since they breached their containment that one time. But the Gondusans are also a possibility. When they later became a signatory to the THUG pact, we took back the territory we had allowed them to recover with the fall of the Milori government. That certainly didn't endear us to them."

  "Why not the Milori?" Admiral Hillaire asked. "We took control of their entire empire after they surrendered and then we appended it to G.A. space."

  "I don't think they'd participate in this. They have the best of all worlds now. They're legally able to exploit the wealth of all previously unclaimed resources in G.A. space without fear of reprisal. I honestly believe most Milori are tired of war and only want peace. But it could be someone we haven't fought yet, such as one of the numerous crime syndicates in Region Three. Perhaps all of them. They may have merged into another Raider-like force while I was on leave. I'm sure you remember that the Raider organization was created when all of the small and independent crime groups in Region One and the surrounding territories were united into one criminal force."