by Jeff Sims
Carank crawled halfway into the room and used his communication pad to take pictures of the interior room from as many different angles as he could. Carank saw that the stone was not smooth. An energy pyramid typically had perfectly smooth interior stones to guide the soundwaves. The tiny holes would make it nearly impossible to conduct sound.
Carank kicked his legs and Lorano grabbed them and pulled him back out of the pyramid. Carank sat down on the rock next to Lorano and they began scrolling through the pictures.
Carank said, “Do you see all of the tiny holes?”
Lorano replied, “Yes. It looks like they were drilling into the sides of the stone.”
Carank said, “Perhaps someone came along later and was looking for something?”
Lorano shook his head negatively and said, “No, it appears more like something was attached to the stone and was violently removed.”
Carank closed his communication and replaced the stone. The two scientists carefully crawled back down to the base of the pyramid.
Once down, Lorano summarized, “This isn’t an Altian energy pyramid. This pyramid must have been built by the settlers from the leftover stones from the two pyramids in Solar City.”
Carank replied, “A tribute to the Altians perhaps?”
The question was rhetorical, but Lorano answered, “I doubt we will ever know.”
Carank couldn’t resist. He pulled the label maker out of his pocket and wrote ‘Not an Altian energy pyramid’ in Alliance basic.
Lorano inspected the label and remarked, “Well, that certainly could have saved us some time.”
Carank said, “When we leave, we should circle the planet and have the Buzzkill scan this pyramid. I am curious to know whether there are any hidden chambers.”
The scientists returned to Solar City and began searching for a lab to process the dirt samples they had collected from the new planet – tentatively named Lorank or possibly Carano.
……………………..
Jack Dogbarks spent the day waiting at the spaceport and was eventually rewarded for his patience when Ambassador Bline’s diplomatic corvette landed at the spaceport. Jack watched the ambassador disembark and the customs official clear him after a minimal check.
Jack approached him immediately afterward and said, “Ambassador Bline, welcome to Solaria. I have your ground car waiting. Please follow me.”
If Bline was at all surprised to see Jack, he didn’t show it. He simply pointed to suitcases and said, “Lead the way.”
Jack loaded the bags onto his electro cart and led ambassador Bline through the spaceport. Solaria’s spaceport was miniature version of the one Advranki Prime. They were on one of upper levels, so they rode an electro lift down to the surface. Jack then led Bline to his rented ground car. Bline didn’t acknowledge him further or say a single word during this time.
Once seated in the back of the vehicle, Bline pulled out a listening device and scanned for bugs. Satisfied, he activated a personal privacy field that encompassed the inside of the ground car. Bline settled into the seat and said, “Take me to the embassy. Use a circuitous route.”
Jack started driving. It was less than two kilometers from the spaceport rental vehicle area to the Hiriculan embassy. Jack anticipated the conversation should take 15 minutes and chose a route to accommodate.
The ambassador stayed silent, so Jack said, “I have new information that I know you will find very interesting. I would like to discuss a new contract.”
Bline replied, “Jack, I believe that we trust each other now. I am prepared to offer you a contract similar to the one you just completed if your information is worthwhile.” Bline opened his communication pad and forwarded Jack a new shipping contract.
Jack stopped at a traffic light and briefly reviewed the contract. It was for two trips to Hiricula, but the value of the contract was exactly the same as the previous one.
Jack said, “There are Humans in the Alliance Navy.”
Bline laughed and said, “That is old news. The Alliance Senate just had a press conference and announced the fact. I am not paying for information that you could have obtained by reading an article on the websphere or watching the news.
Jack was simultaneously shocked that the Alliance had publically divulged the information and angry that they had done so before he could sell it to the Hiriculans. He doubted it was a coincidence. He whispered under his breath, ‘The Alliance government has robbed me again’.
Jack’s mind started racing. He reasoned that if he didn’t get this new contract he would have to sell his mini-freighter and beg for handouts on the street. He would soon starve to death. No wait, he still had nearly two full pallets of Advranki sea moss; he wouldn’t starve. Double correction, he couldn’t stand the stuff so he would indeed starve.
Jack forced himself to calm down. He realized that the conversation had lapsed, so he offered his next piece of information. He said, “Did you know that they are assigned to the Sunflower?”
Bline replied, “Yes. That was also in the press release. The Sunflower was heavily damaged during the rescue mission to Influenla and cannot be repaired. So, instead of decommissioning it, the Alliance navy is going to use it to house the Humans during their evaluation.”
Bline paused for a moment and said, “Jack, I think you need to catch up on current affairs.”
The comment was meant to admonish him, but Jack realized something during the ambassador’s speech. Bline clearly didn’t know how long the humans have been in active service. Further, he didn’t know they were aboard the Sunflower during all of its recent battles.
Jack tried a new approach. He asked, “Did the press release say whether the Humans arrived before or after the hyperspace lane to Earth was accidentally closed?”
Bline: “The Humans returned with Lorano and the investigative team. That was the real reason he was on the Vista, to evaluate the humans that had volunteered to return with scouting team.”
Bline continued, “I personally investigated the Vista and wondered why their holds looked strange. Now I know. They had been modified to hold passengers. Victor and Crista were able to fool me, or technically they were able to withhold the truth.”
Jack replied, “I see.”
Bline responded, “Unless there is anything else, I see the embassy up ahead.”
Jack said, “There are two groups of approximately 20 - 25 Humans. One group returned with Victor as you stated, but Lorano went to Earth several months later and returned with a second group. In other words, Lorano knows a secret route to Earth. The one he published is a falsehood.”
Jack finished the sentence just as he reached the embassy.
Bline replied, “Impressive. You should have started with that.”
Jack said, “So, this means the contract is valid then.”
Bline: “Yes. The contract is valid. Again, thank you. I look forward to our next conversation.” Bline deactivated the privacy screen and exited the vehicle.
Jack was thrilled with the result of the meeting. He obtained a new contract and didn’t have to reveal the existence of human marines or fighter pilots. He knew that he could sell that information later and probably at a much higher price
Jack hurried back to the spaceport because he was renting the vehicle by the hour. He returned the ground car just in time to avoid paying for the next hour. He decided to stay on Solaria and spend the celebration with his parents and sister. The shipping contract could wait a couple of weeks.
Chapter 10
Ambassador Bline exited Jack’s ground car and strolled into the Hiriculan consulate building. He scanned the foyer. During his last visit, all of the workers had been Solarians. Now, exactly half of the staff was Hiriculan. He didn’t know exactly how many Hiriculans were on Solaria, but he knew the number had increased dramatically since they started the new office project.
He turned to one of the Solarians and said in Alliance basic, “Excuse me miss, is Ambassador Lone available?”
The Solarian checked and waved him forward. She said, “He is expecting you. I assume you know the way to his office?”
Bline smiled and indicated that he did. He stepped through the scanner, received an acknowledging beep and a purple light, and walked to Lone’s office. Bline entered and performed the traditional Hiriculan greeting.
He sat down and said, “What’s new and exciting?”
Lone pretended to think for a moment and replied, “Nothing really.”
Bline smiled and said, “Okay, how about old and boring?”
Lone replied, “The building is on schedule. Ponwe is doing an excellent job managing the project.”
Bline asked, “What does he know?”
Lone answered, “Only what he should.”
That was a relief, Bline thought. He really didn’t want to replace Ponwe so late in the project. He really was a good project manager.
Bline asked, “What do you know?”
Lone answered, “Only what I should.”
Bline projected an aura of control and gave an appearance that he possessed detailed information about the project that he not authorized to share. However, the reality was that he only knew the operational details of the project and the key next steps. In essence, he knew little more than Lone or even Ponwe.
He did know that the High Council had really wanted to win the building contract. He suspected that something was happening somewhere soon. He smiled inwardly; perhaps he was just being paranoid.
Bline noticed that his com pad was nearly out of power. He asked Lone for an adapter and plugged it into a power outlet. He saw that the light on the outlet turned red. His com pad was not compatible with Solaria electronics. If the planet’s government decided to activate the system-wide electromagnetic pulse (EMP) bomb, his com pad would be destroyed.
Bline’s options were limited. He could turn it off, buy a new compatible one, or risk it. Bline decided he was willing to take that risk. He sincerely doubted that the Solarians would EMP the system with this many foreign dignitaries on the planet.
Bline said, “I gave Jack Dogbarks another shipping contract, this time to Hiricula.”
Lone replied, “Good, I was wondering how we would get the key ‘building supplies’ past security.” Lone raised his ear stalks and made air quotes when he spoke the words building supplies.
Bline laughed at the implied joke. He said, “It will somehow be fitting that a Solarian delivered them.”
Lone said, “Do you have any news?”
Bline nodded and replied, “Oddly enough, I do. Jack Dogbarks is becoming quite the asset. He told me that the Alliance has already established a new, secret route to Earth. Jack also implied that there are twice as many Humans in Conron than the Alliance announced.”
Lone answered, “Senator Korno’s answer was rather indirect when he was asked the question. If they brought them back on a mini-freighter, they probably only have 15 – 20.”
Bline, “Jack implied that they have closer to 50.”
Lone shook his hand dismissively and said, “Why do we care whether the Alliance has 10 or 50 Humans. You saw the interview; the species is definitely not worth the trouble.”
“At this point.” Bline said.
Lone raised his voice a little and said, “Do you really think we can conquer the planet and genetically engineer the violent traits out of the species. I doubt they will accept selective breeding or their old being euthanized like the Netos…”
Lone saw Bline’s reaction and stopped talking. Discussing what the Hiriculans had done to the Neto was a taboo subject. Therefore, discussing what the Hiriculans might do to humans was apparently also restricted.
Lone lowered his voice back to a normal tone. “So, what do you intend to do with your new information?”
Bline said, “I don’t know. Jack said that Lorano must have memorized the route and is somehow manually programming the navigation system. Do you think that is possible?”
Lone: “I am not really sure. Isn’t he supposed to be a genius?”
Bline replied, “Yes. I understand he is one of the smartest beings in the Alliance. The Altian is here on Solaria. Maybe we could secretly question him?”
Lone waved his hand dismissively and responded, “What is the point? The High Council has no plans for Earth.”
Bline completed the other being’s sentence with “Today.” He continued, “Just think; the High Council may want the route to Earth at a later date. By acting now, we would be able to give it to them immediately after they request it. Besides, we may never get another chance to question Lorano.”
Visions of a grateful High Council giving a handsome reward danced through Ambassador Lone’s mind. He replied, “I do have a couple of local assets. They could grab him, question him, and then return him before anyone noticed.”
Bline: “Can they be traced back to you if they are caught?”
Lone: “No, not a chance.”
Bline: “Also, he has an Advranki assistant named Carank. I suggest you grab both of them. Carank will notice that Lorano is missing and raise an alarm.”
Lone: “Okay, I will have both of them taken. I suggest we do it after the celebration.”
Bline: “I disagree. Let’s do it the before the party ends. We may lose track of them after the celebration.”
Lone: “Okay. But how exactly do you plan to question him that quickly? It could take two or three days to break him via sensory deprivation.”
Ambassador Bline opened his briefcase and took out a small box. He carefully opened the box and revealed 3 vials inside. Lone bent down across his desk .and carefully inspected the vials. Each one was filled with a beautiful, orange liquid.
Lone whistled softly and said, “Is that ethyl butanoate?”
Bline didn’t feel the need to answer.
……………….
Frank’s communication pad buzzed. He looked around for a moment and realized that he must have fallen asleep. He reached over and manually pressed the button to answer the incoming call.
“Ambassador, we have exited hyperspace in Solaria. We have clearance from traffic control and will be landing on the planet within the hour.” said the corvette’s pilot.
Frank replied, “And the other ambassadors?”
The pilot replied, “All are present, including Admiral Solear.”
Frank’s pad updated with the time and date. It was only an 8 hour jump from Conron to Solaria, but 3 days had passed in real time. Frank checked his calendar. Perfect. The two week celebration officially started tomorrow afternoon.
……………….
“Gentle Beings, the people of Solaria are thrilled to have finally found the location of their lost home world. Please join me in jubilation.”
A cheer roared through the crowd at Settler’s Monument and presumably the entire planet.
The president of Solaria continued, “It is with great pleasure that I introduce the 5 beings responsible for discovering the planet.”
Solear, Carank, Lorano, Clowy, and Lexxi were introduced one at a time. Each took a step forward and waved to the crowd. They were photographed individually and then as a group.
At some point they were asked to stand next to their corresponding statue and were photographed again. Solear felt rather foolish standing next to himself, but he gladly obliged the crowd. It was actually fun to do something completely different for a change.
Lorano gave a (severely) edited version of the process he used to find the planet. Hiriculans were in easy listening range and the Alliance Senate felt it prudent to tell as few details about the actual technology used as absolutely necessary.
Lexxi then recounted their trip to Old Solaria and discussed their harrowing journey through the severe radiation to obtain scans and images of the planet.
The president presented each of intrepid adventurers with a Solarian Cylinder of Accomplishment, the highest award the Solarian government can give to civilians and beings not of Solari
an descent. The president waved to the crowd and ordered the celebration to officially begin.
Frank was standing on a raised platform located between the two monuments. The platform provided an easy viewing area of the award ceremony and also created a secure area for dignitaries and important beings.
Frank moved through the crowd like the seasoned politician that he was. He had a smile and a kind word for every being that he encountered. He introduced himself to as many new beings as possible, but also stopped and talked to those he already knew. In short, he was enjoying the moment and owning the platform.
He maneuvered his way through the throng of people and made sure that he was standing next to Colok just as the medals were being awarded.
Frank said, “Colok, it is a pleasure to see you again. Your daughter Lexxi has certainly done some great things in the past few months. She is a decorated war hero and a renowned, intergalactic explorer.”
Colok didn’t turn or acknowledge the statement. He watched as Lexxi received her cylinder. After she received the award, Colok turned and said, “Thank you for the compliment. She has done very well.”
Frank felt the sentence needed more words; or at a minimum it needed the word ‘considering’. He mentally completed it like this: considering that we spoiled her rotten. No, that wasn’t correct. He started again: considering our poor parenting skills.
Frank said, “In such a short period of time. You mean that she has done very well for herself in such a short period of time.”
Colok looked back at Lexxi. Then he turned back to Frank and said, “Lexxi will need a new assignment in a few weeks. Can you think of anything that she could do? Are there any deep space missions available? Anything?”
Frank thought that he seemed distracted or perhaps upset or something. The being certainly wasn’t at his social best. Frank assured him that he would pass along any opportunities for his daughter and moved to the next VIP.
The next being happened to be Ambassador Bline. Frank smiled and performed a truncated version of the traditional Hiriculan greeting. Basically, Frank gave a half-hearted wave. Bline responded in kind.