by K R Sanford
“If that would make a difference, I don’t know,” said Marco. “Since you brought up my cat, I’ll give you the clearest definition of what I’ve come up with.”
“Okay,” said Vito stepping into the shuttle.
Marco followed. Chief Spierd and Herald of Arms in Ordinary sat in their body harness in the rear seat. They engaged themselves in discussing the clearance of the dome over the Shrine.
“What are you two talking about back there?” asked Marco.
“We were considering the proximity of the dome to the top of the Shrine.” said John.
“Oh,” replied Marco rolling his eyes. He closed the hatch doors and lifted off the pad. The shuttle turned one eighty then tilted thirty degrees. It hovered for a moment then blasted out the borehole to Emerald Sea.
Vito checked the blue nav display. “We are ‘All Clear’ through the tube.”
Marco reclined in his seat and continued. “So, this executive flies work to conduct a meeting. In the middle of the meeting he remembers he’s forgotten to feed his cat. He tells the members in the meeting he needs to step out for a few hours. He ignores the pleas of the members for him to stay so they can get their work done. But, he leaves the meeting anyway. He goes back home to feed his cat. This is the sociopath. Sociopaths are not interested in how their actions may disrupt those around them.
The psychopath is different. The high functioning psychopath would finish the meeting. He would smile at those around him then go home. Once home, he would put his cat in the oven. After the cat finished cooking, he would take it out, sit down and eat the cat.”
Vito raised his hand. “Let us suppose this example could compare Lao with the high functioning psychopath. How is this thought intended to make me feel? The example is interesting. If I was looking at Lao as my subject of inquiry, what would I learn about his thinking? You brought up a good observation when you said, new money. In other words he hasn’t settled into his power yet.
Here is where I would ask a question. Where is his support team? Asher is on his team, but he became pushy with Cybil and his face gets scratched for his intrusion. So, my second question is with his lack of thinking. Who has given Lao and Asher permission to be rude? For a type three civilization this is not allowed. I’m going to ask Pawdell, our Herald of Arms. What message he would like to take back to King Devin, since Devin was the party offended?”
Pawdell’s face went from, a knowing awareness of Vito’s powers to, feeling sidelined by his service to the King. “I’ll talk it over with Devin,” said Pawdell.
Vito offered an open hand back to Pawdell. “It is not an easy question, Paw. Please reassure Devin we intend to find him the intelligence and the information he needs to sustain his kingdom.”
The Eagle II went quiet. The wind whistled against the granite walls of the tunnel. Marco sucked a tooth. The Chief pondered the vibration on the ceiling of the shuttle. Pawdell noticed a faint light up head. He pointed his chin at the forward viewer.
“I see it,” said Vito. “That’s the Emerald Sea.”
Marco raised the back of his chair. “We have a few minutes yet. We are going south ten miles to Sandy Dune Beach. Computer, lock-in coordinates.”
“Coordinates locked in,” said a female voice.”
“Take us out to sea five miles then execute. At five miles, change destination to Sandy Dune Beach.”
“Affirmative,” said the computer.
“A few things are clear, if I may,” said Vito. The new comers will see the dome settle over the Village. They will also see our civilizations working together. Second, Lao is out of the way, for now. He will not shape policy without a multi-testing from the quorum. And, he will not demand policy become Rule of Law. And, he will not enforce the Rule of Law. The natural order will ensure that local members have the protection needed to serve the colony.
I have another concern about Lao and the Amedans. Something we have not discussed, but of natural occurrence in this universe. I am going to suggest a split within the Amedans to form another colony under the leadership of Lao. This is common when many different life-forms are present in the same territory. The Amedans are not threatened by developing species. It’s the territory that becomes threatened.”
The shuttle bolted out the tunnel. The turquoise waters of Emerald Sea flared under her belly. They skimmed over the sea throwing a sheet of water vertical for a hundred feet.
The computer sounded a single C# note. They started a slow-bank to starboard. They came round ninety degrees. The shuttle accelerated rising off the surface of the sea. The massive Amedan starship was hovering over the dome.
“They weren’t kidding,” said Marco. “One day we will have that kind of technology.”
“It takes a while to put in place,” said Vito. “Your people will get there.”
“You see, Vito. There it is again, in the things you say,” said Marco. “Have you been a type four since before Emperor Legion?”
Vito smiled. “No,” he said. “The Emperor devolved for a time to work with the Amedans in crystalline form. This was to inspire motivation. To make changes was a slow process. To desire life in the vulnerable flesh of humans is a hard lesson.
Realizing a passionate desire to evolve is a hard fought and personal battle. Yet, a certain amount of travail is good to make that evolutionary change come to fruition. The effort is multi-pronged. This is what they face now in their culture. They want to be confident in their leadership. Some will want to push the boundaries. You are a leader, Marco. You understand this.”
“And to watch Lao test those boundaries with the Vallians?” asked Marco.
“Certain types of compassion need pain before one can feel the struggle of others. Then to let others continue in their suffering is a level of wisdom that comes only to a few. This process gives an individual the option of choice.”
“This is free will. I understand this struggle,” said Marco. “Does it give you pain to watch others suffer?” asked Marco.
“No,” said Vito. “It does not give me pain. I see the pain in others but I maintain an infinite perspective. I see the value of refinement. I am confident in my leadership, so I keep leading. And, I keep learning.”
“The value is in the details,” said Marco.
“You can say that.” Vito replied. “But the value is also in the intelligence to use energy. This is why we continue to subject our values to the process of refinement. We learn how to use our energy with the richer value of silence.”
“Computer,” said Marco. “All stop. Hover in place. The Amedans have engaged the tractor beam. This is a good example of utilizing energy.”
“What’s the value here, Marco?” said Vito watching the dome lift off the three starships.
“Team work makes the dream work,” said Marco shaking his head, “Like I’m in some kind of dream. I’m seeing things that should not happen except in the perfect dream like state.”
When the dome was clear, the Amedans carried the half round sphere over the Mountains.
“This is not a dream. This is real.” Vito stared at Marco’s face transfixed on the cigar shaped starship. The dome descended like a leaf over the Mountains. An infectious smile broke over Vito’s face.
Pawdell imitated one of Vito’s theatrical hand gestures. “Now you see it, now you don’t.”
“If I knew it was this easy we could have done this long ago,” said John.
“We still have to start up the three ships and run ‘em over,” replied Marco.
The Chief craned his neck. “I’m looking at two cargo ships and a battle cruiser. I thought you said there were three cargo ships.”
“Oops,” said Marco. “I couldn’t say anything about the battle cruiser. Interstellar forces would have been all over us.”
“That’s okay,” said Vito. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. Ameda is home to the Riddle. This star system is home to the Emperor, and the Amedan Civilization. Ameda is home to the Vallians and the
great Marillians. Not to mention the base headquarters for the Battleship Mastodon.”
“And the Festival,” said Pawdell. “This is home to the greatest annual Festival and tournament in the western quadrant.”
“That’s a very fine speech, Paw,” said John. “Go make us proud, Herald of Arms in Ordinary.”
The Eagle II set down in the sand. When the door lifted, they stepped onto the beach.
Marco spoke. “I’ll check this one. John, you take the other cargo ship. That leaves you two on the battle cruiser.”
Vito eyeballed Pawdell up and down. A grin formed on his face. “You there,” he said. “Harold, come hither.” Vito, posing for dramatic effect, pranced over to the battle cruiser like a would-be thief.
Pawdell, curious, sauntered over. “You know something about this ship?”
“Oh yes,” said Vito. “This is a breeder ship. The ship takes high-energy particles and fabricates nano ordinance. The ordinance is ugly and destructive. It’s used in cannons, high-speed machine guns and rapid-fire torpedoes. It’s like having an endless supply of exploding ammunition for high-rate cyclical machine canons.”
Pawdell was looking weak. “How did they get hold of something like this?”
“This stuff was Bradley’s. This is what they do. No doubt this is a prototype. And, for its intended use, Paw: It’s made to use against our own people.”
Pawdell’s eyes turned flaming red. “This ship might be the one that attacked our village and killed my father,” he said trembling.
“Steady, Paw,” said Vito. “We are going to put it to good use. This is another state secret to keep quiet about.”
“Marco has known about this, all this time, and didn’t say
“Take it easy, Paw.” Vito put his hand on Pawdell’s shoulder. “The time wasn’t right until now. We weren’t a high profile target back then. We kept this quiet so when we do need it we have the element of surprise.”
“Where are we going to keep this thing?” asked Pawdell. “Now that the dome is gone, it’s exposed.”
“That’s true. We’ll take it someplace.” Vito held up his hand. “But first, this thing needs a name. Or, I should say, she needs a name.”
“Like what?” Pawdell looking over the scalloped sides and the tucked-in wings said, “She’s a bird. But not an eagle,” he said shaking his head.
“No,” said Vito. “She’s a bird of prey. She’s a raptor.
“Then we call her, Raptor,” said Pawdell. He took a few steps back to get a better view. He nodded, “Yes, Raptor,” he said again.
“So be it, Raptor” said Vito as a matter of fact. “Now, let’s see what we bought. Is that all right with you, Herald of Arms? Follow me, this way.”
“What’s this way?” said Pawdell.
“The door,” replied Vito. “May I make a personal comment, Paw?”
“Is it something about my promotion?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, by all means.”
“Good,” smiled Vito. “Someone has put a lot of time and thought in making your clothes. This is real craftsmanship.”
“It feels like I’m wearing armor but it moves well,” replied Pawdell.
“I would bet,” said Vito. “We are here.” He reached over and pulled his medallion from around his neck. He placed it into a pocket in the side of the ship. He tapped the center several times. The medallion began to spin. Tiny lights flickered. When the lights came to a stop the side of the ship hissed. A ratcheting sound clicked. An indentation of a door appeared then slid to one side. Vito took a step back. “You have a light Paw?”
“Yes,” he replied handing him his pen light.
“Do you always have a pen light ready like that,” asked Vito.
Pawdell snickered, “Of course, this is Ameda. A body doesn’t know where he’ll be from morning till night. You have to be ready for the caves or the cellars at the pub.”
“That’s right,” said Vito. “A year ago you were waiting on tables.”
Pawdell looked over Vito’s shoulder. “Are you doing alright there?”
“Humm, that’s funny,” said Vito. “I can’t seem to find how to turn it on.”
“Oh,” whispered Pawdell. “You twist the top until it lights. Then if you turn it more it will focus the beam in the shape of a point.”
“That’s right,” said Vito. “There we are. I’ve used these before.”
He pointed the light inside the ship. A gray bulkhead was set behind a passage blocking the view. The passage went both ways. Vito considered then stepped inside. He headed up the passage toward the front of the ship.
“Come on, Paw,” called Vito.
Pawdell followed by the shadows on the deck. He could see Vito’s feet pointing at the interior partition.
“I’ve got it,” said Vito. “It’s usually on the first partition.”
“What’s that?” He heard a click. The whirling of a motor started.
“That’s the air scrubbers,” said Vito. “The power strip is usually on the first partition, Paw. It’s at the level of the human heart. That way if something is wrong the interrupter will break power before the heart has a chance to beat. You know, Paw, so you can’t get cardiac arrest.”
“Oh, good thinking.” said Pawdell, “Safety first.”
The ship jolted, a buzzing sounded. The lights came on.
Vito nodded. “Let’s take a look around. Here’s your flash light back, Paw, thanks.”
They looked through the compartments one by one.
“Do you smell that, Paw?”
“Smells like salt sea air and pine trees,” replied Pawdell.
“That’s fresh air. This is good. The ventilators and air filters are working, Paw.”
“It feels invigorating, Sir. That didn’t take long. I mean to blow out the stale air,” said Pawdell.
“She’s a prize ship,” said Vito. “Finally, we are at the spine of the ship.”
“How do you know where that is?” asked Pawdell.
“The hallway widens,” replied Vito. “Do you see? The hallway needs to be wider to move supplies. This way leads to the bridge. Come on Paw, time we power up the engines.”
“Boss,” inquired Pawdell. “What are we going to do with the Eagle II outside? I mean, once we power up the Raptor who will drive the shuttle back to the Village.”
“Never mind the shuttle, Paw. She can go back on her own. What’s wrong? Don’t you want to test this war-bird?”
“I got promoted by the King. Now, I’m in the ship that may have slaughtered our people. Some of those people were hundreds of years old.”
Vito, taken aback, closed his eyes. “I got carried away with a new toy, Pawdell. And, this is a bit much, I agree. What say, we both take a moment to recognize where we are, and who we are. This is the time of your home planet, Ameda. With the beautiful seas and the beautiful mountains, who could ask for more? What are your thoughts, Paw?”
Pawdell was quiet. They walked up the main corridor in silence like two prisoners sentenced to death.
Vito passed his hand over the sensor on the wall. Green pin striping lit the door frame. The door hissed. Three layers of armor plate moved. They drew into the bulkheads. One layer went into the portside bulkhead. The other went starboard, the third plate lifted up into the ceiling. The passage through to the bridge was now as wide as the corridor.
The bridge was raised on a circular turret with ramparts round about. They stepped inside. The lights were dim but the vision was clear and void of glare. The spectrum filtration left indirect lighting easy and pleasant to the eye. The bridge was dominated by an omni-viewer with visuals above and below the cockpit. The cockpit cage was fastened on a gimbal rail. The gimbal rail floated above a force field around an antigravity gyro ring. The ring gave pilots the ability to navigate and maintain defenses with a one man crew.
Vito leaned over the gimbal rail and wiped his hand over an air vent. The vent produced a low humming sound and
the cockpit row came alive. In the middle of the control panel was a green light that read HOME. Next to the HOME button was a white light displaying MODE.
Vito, with a look of satisfaction, turned to Pawdell. “Take the pilot’s seat on the right, Paw.”
Vito grabbed the handle on the gimbal and swung himself onto the seat. He strapped himself in. Pawdell did the same.
“Look here, Paw,” he said while tapping the mode light.
A holograph projected above the control display. A scroll rolled down a new window. The window listed five functions and a sixth that read, MORE.
Vito touched the function reading: FLIGHT.
Raptor came alive. The instruments activated like an orchestra playing all at once. A fine violin sang a soft note as if it breezed by one’s ear then stopped.
“Ooh,” said Vito. “That’s the sound we want to hear.” He placed his fingertips under the T-bar flight stick and lifted up. The T-bar lifted and so did Raptor.
Looking out the omni-viewer, Pawdell could see the beach beneath the warbird fall away. The surf pounding up the coastline got smaller and smaller. The two cargo ships remained as they were. Marco, standing on the sand gave thumbs up and a wave goodbye.
“He’s okay, Paw,” said Vito. “How about we give them some room? Do you know what a shakedown run is?”
“You’re going put her through some trials to see how she handles,” said Pawdell studying the holograph.
Vito laughed. “That was good Paw, only you take her first. Put your hand on the T and take her up to seven thousand feet. Ease the T-bar forward and follow the coastline.
Pawdell did as Vito said. They were flying down the coastline of Emerald Sea at seven thousand feet. They flew for several minutes. Pawdell turned Raptor with the contour of the coastline.
“You’re doing very well, Paw. You will be an expert in no time. But, now let’s see who’s in the area before we try anything stupid.” Pawdell nodded. Vito pointed at the spiral icon with the crosshairs in the center. “Tap that icon, Paw.”
Pawdell tapped the crosshairs. A 3D holograph appeared next to the scroll.
“Now, take your finger, stick it in the mode window then toss it aside. You can bring it up later. For now, we’re going to do some maneuvers.”