"Are you thinking of asking them for help?" Calthran looked Tam up and down. "Things may be desperate, but not desperate enough to turn the Imperium over to a Tarith Fleet Marshal."
"No sir," Tam stared back at the Admiral. "Under Directive 207 we have to inform them the Enemy has been found." Tam squared his shoulders. "The Guard may have different regulations, but my orders are clear. I must prevent the extinction of any sentient race. The Tarith are sentient, I don't have a choice sir."
"Then you can tell them." Calthran's smile reminded Tam of a very hungry animal.
"Aye sir," Tam said. "When do I leave?"
"Not so fast, Commander; I'm not going to send the one ship I know is loyal on a hundred light-year voyage just so you can appease your sense of duty. I'll arrange a meeting with the Tarith Ambassador and you can tell him here."
Tam nodded, "aye sir."
"Good, now back to work."
Chapter 6
Jayne waited at the curb; Bill Hanson was supposed to be picking her up for dinner tonight. The cold wind whipped her skirt against her legs while she looked for his car. A group of young men stood on the corner passing a joint. The shelter wasn't in the best part of town, it couldn't be, so she kept her eyes open.
A man walked past and she blinked, seeing John's expression when she stopped the fight. He hadn't looked angry, even after the fight he stayed calm. Jayne had seen a lot of fights since she came to work at the shelter, and everyone had always been mad. She shook her head; her thoughts kept going back to John Doe, if that was his real name. Not likely. He didn't act like most homeless people; sure he was confused, but when he did make up his mind he was decisive. Even in the fight he had been in control. Angry violence was common enough down here, but not reasoned violence.
If his violence had a reason, maybe signing the release did too Jayne grumbled. The producers of that show were nothing but users, taking other people's suffering and turning it to their own profit. John didn't seem to care if they were using him; he was using them too.
Maybe she'd been doing this too long, giving credence to the clients' delusions. Her boss kept saying Jayne wasn't cut out for this kind of work. A horn honked beside her as Bill pulled up in his Mustang. She grinned, his always wore a rumpled uniform, yet his car was spotless. At least he knew how to clean something; that put him ahead of most of the men she knew.
He didn't drive fast, staying with traffic, but he drove aggressively. There wasn't a single opening he didn't take; or if there was Jayne didn't see it.
He chose a better restaurant than she expected, complete with a menu and table service. Wonder of wonders they were even seated at a table and not a booth. He did everything except order wine.
"So what do I owe this to?" she asked him after the waiter had taken their orders. "I know I said no buffet, but I wasn't expecting this."
"Your friend ended up doing me a good turn." He took a sip of his water, and grinned like a kid.
"Doing you a good turn?" She raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean."
"Well," he paused, "remember the task force I applied to? For the Queen Anne Hill rapist."
Jayne nodded. "How many victims is he up to now?" She shivered, working at the shelter made it hard to hide from things like serial killers. You couldn't pretend the world was all safe and nice.
"At least six," he said. "But there won't be any more. Your friend put him in hospital, and I don't think he'll be back on the streets for a very long time."
"My friend?"
"That John Doe character," Bill replied as he reached for a breadstick, snapping the end off before popping it in his mouth. "The man who attacked you the other day was the rapist," he said around it. "Because I picked him up, I'm getting fast tracked out of patrol and into homicide."
She reached for her water and took a big swallow, hoping it would dislodge the lump that had just appeared in her throat. "That was the rapist?"
"Yes ma'am," Bill said. Jayne was too stunned to even bother to correct him. "He had a knife in his pocket too. You're lucky he didn't stab you, and with the amount of junk in his system your friend was lucky he wasn't ripped limb from limb."
"Limb from limb? Isn't that a bit melodramatic?" She jabbed a finger at Bill. "I was there, and it's not as if I was in any real danger. The guard was there in less than a minute."
"I saw the crime scene photos." Bill's voice was quiet, but something about it that made her pause. "That man was vicious, if he'd touched you, you'd be in the hospital."
The food arrived and Jayne took the opportunity to change the subject. "So how's your sister these days?"
"She's fine," Bill replied around a forkful of salad. "Got a new job, and a new girlfriend, that's about it."
"Good to hear," she said; probing her salad with her fork. "I like your sister."
As the conversation turned to small talk, her mind drifted back to John Doe. He saved her life and all he'd got for it was a plate of spaghetti and her grudging thanks. Now he was back on the street with nothing in his pocket but fifty dollars she'd tried to convince him not to take. It wasn't fair, and the thought made her own food taste like ash.
He's out there and it's my fault. If I hadn't been there he wouldn't have had to fight that man, and he could have stayed in the shelter. She took another sip of water to wash her food down, and missed what Bill was saying. "I'm sorry, what was that again?"
"I was asking how things were going with your job the last few days," he said. "Are you still thinking of quitting?" He speared a piece of meat with his fork, waving it in the air as he talked. "Something about how your boss doesn't understand and is always bound by stupid rules."
"Well, I wouldn't say all the rules are stupid," Jayne smiled. "Just the way she follows them." She took another forkful of salad. "Sometimes you have to just accept the world doesn't follow the rules you want it to." Taking the bite, she paused a moment, "We all have to live in the real world-- Are you finished already?"
"Uh huh." He nodded, "Some of us were eating not lost in la-la land. Don't forget your steak; good thing we're going to a late showing."
"Okay, okay, I'll hurry up."
Even after the meal she couldn't stop thinking about him. She sat silent in the car, her eyes scanning the side streets as she looked for the man she knew as John Doe. She saw dozens of people walking the streets. Some striding briskly, others trudging aimlessly, but none carrying themselves the way he had. A glance to her left told her Bill was intent on his driving, so she turned her attention back to the sidewalks and the shadowy mouths of alleys.
"I have to find him." She spoke too quietly for Bill to hear, but as the words left her lips she wondered why this man was so important to her.
Chapter 7
When an admiral tells you to put up or shut up, you don't really have much choice. The thought echoed in Tam's brain as the aircab took him out of the city. Tarith were hunters, and far less comfortable in cities than any human.
Tam had never fought the Tarith, though there had been a few minor skirmishes since he joined the Fleet. Most had been single ship actions that could later be disavowed by both sides and usually were. There was still tension between both Imperia, claims over minor worlds and strategic resources, but for the most part there had been peace between the two for over a century. The Tarith hadn't adapted to a multitude of planets as well as humanity, so the Concord contained more species than the Imperium. Where humanity would normally leave other species alone to find their own destiny, the Tarith actively sought to bring them under their control. Part of it may have been to protect them, but another part was definitely to ensure that the Concord would not be totally outstripped by the Imperium.
Still the two powers friendly enough that they maintained embassies as a matter of course. Given their nature, the Tarith spent as little time as possible actually in their embassy, located in the middle of the capital, preferring to roam in small groups in the countryside, often staying at wilderness lodges. Wilderness lodges
like the one Tam was bound for.
It had taken a few days for Admiral Calthran to set up the meeting with the Tarith. Tam thought he might have called in favors, but he had been too busy to really follow all the details. He had just done his work until the admiral had handed him an itinerary and told the Commander to leave the city and get some fresh air. That had been two hours ago.
The 'cab landed and Tam passed over a tip before stepping onto the landing stage. What he saw took his breath away. The lodge was built against the side of a mountain, with a waterfall beside it. His eyes followed the water as it fell, bouncing off rocks and vanishing into a cloud of mist with the bluest pool he had ever seen just peeking out from the edge. Trees lined the slopes, old growth like mountains in themselves. Years in space had never prepared him for a sight like this, and the breath he drew was laden with the scents of nature. Then Kendrade hit him like a hammerbeam. If they weren't able to stop the Enemy this would die like Kendrade, ripped to nothingness with no one left to mourn.
His nails dug sharply into his palms and he unclenched his fists to pick up his bag and walk to the desk. Even the lobby was beautiful, bright and open with windows showing the vista beyond.
"Can I help you sir?" The young woman behind the counter interrupted his thoughts.
"Yes, I have a reservation," Tam heard himself reply, still lost in the view.
"Don't worry, it affects a lot of people that way," she said. "Are you a spaceman?"
He nodded. "Commander Tam Holron, Imperial Navy, I should have a reservation." Now that he had a chance to notice her, the clerk was quite attractive, but the look in her eye showed that her remark was the kind of professional politeness that was the hallmark of service industries everywhere.
"Yes Commander," she smiled as if to belie the look. "I have it right here, room 211. Two floors up and to your left. You have a waterfall view." She passed over the room key and pointed to the elevator. "Enjoy your stay and if you have any questions don't hesitate to call."
"Thank you," he picked up his bag and followed the directions. Even the elevator had a view, being a simple grav plate in a glass tube. Following the code in his key it let him off at the proper floor and the follow-me lights directed him to the room.
As the room door shut behind him he tossed his bag on the bed and loosened his collar, looking around the room. The view was just as spectacular as the outside, and the room felt twice the size of Talon's entire crew quarters. Pouring a glass of water Tam stood for a while just revelling in the sight. Standing by the window he could even hear the faint roar of the water below, whether carried up by the wind or relayed by the lodge he didn't know.
You're here on duty, Commander, the little voice inside his head reminded him, and he drained the water and moved to unpack his bag. There was a set of plain hiking gear, in addition to a spare uniform and he changed into it gladly. The roughness of the pants on his leg, and the civilian cut of the clothing was enough to lift the weight of the last month from his shoulders. He might be on duty, but at least he could breathe natural air.
The briefing he had been given had told him that he would be meeting the ambassador on one of the trails that afternoon. When he had asked which one, he had been told to take any one he wished, the Tarith were hunters and the ambassador would be more than happy to find him. Taking the admiral at his word, Tam went downstairs, picked up a small hiker's pack and the obligatory water-bottle, and asked at the desk for the best trail to take.
"I'd recommend the Skyfall Trail myself," the young woman said. "It winds up behind the waterfall and comes out right on top. It's a bit of a stretch but the view is fantastic. I like to go hang gliding from the top sometimes."
"That sounds good," Tam replied. "I could use the exercise."
"And don't worry if you get too tired to make it back. We have support lifters that can get you back here in minutes." She smiled, "There's full ISM coverage so don't worry about that."
Tam just nodded and hung the pack on his back. "I should be back before dark," he smiled. "But thanks for the rescue offer."
Once outside the lodge, the trails were clearly marked, with names like Leaflord and Riversong as well as Skyfall. The trail was just wide enough for one person to pass another, but not really comfortable for two to walk side by side. The rich color of the chips underfoot contrasted with the green foliage above and Tam began to relax as the sounds of nature crept into his consciousness, with the steadily rising roar of the waterfall always in his ear.
He was feeling the exertion by the time he saw the falls come into view. The trail had almost sneaked up on the waterfall, running a series of switchbacks up the slope. Ahead, the trail disappeared into the mist as he approached. From what he could see, it passed between the falls and the rock before continuing up the other side to the summit. He took a few deep breaths, enjoying the coolness of the air as he passed under the waterfall. Once behind the curtain he was amazed. He was in a small chamber, running the width of the falls, dimly lit by light passing through the water. Spray glistened on the walls beside him, bringing out the color of the ores that laced the stone.
"It is pretty, is it not, Commander Holron?" The speaker was behind him, polite and cultured but with an undertone that said other. He turned as a Tarith stepped into view. "You were a good hunt," the alien continued, "bearing that richest of quarries, information."
This was the first time Tam had ever seen a Tarith close up and even his recent exposure to the Kendradi hadn't prepared him for the sight. The Tarith's head was a good two feet above his own, waving on its tentacular neck which rose beside the arms from the upper torso. The word arm was a courtesy, they were really extensions of the Tarith's twin secondary spinal columns, waving almost like very thick prehensile tails that split into four-fingered hands with heavy clawed fingers. Its three tails, each one growing out above one of the three legs, were wound in close.
Reaching into a pocket, Tam pulled out a 'pad. "Yes, I have information for you Ambassador: the Imperium is at State Omega. The Enemy is on course for Belkrath and will probably be there within two of our years." He gestured towards the alien with the 'pad. "This contains all the information we currently have on this incursion, including the testimony of survivors."
One of the Tarith's tails reached out and took the 'pad. "Thank you for this, Commander, but if I may ask, why are you sharing this? We Tarith have not always acted with your species' best interest at heart."
"I'm not doing it for the Tarith, if that's your question," Tam replied. "Directive 207 states that it is the primary duty of the Fleet and the Imperium to prevent the extinction of any sentient species." He took a deep breath of the humid air. "The Tarith are a sentient species. The Enemy won't distinguish between the Imperium and the Concord, so the least we can do is not let you be blind-sided."
"Blind-sided," the Tarith said, "interesting term that. One that could only have been created by a species such as yours, which can only see in one direction." It placed the 'pad in a pocket Tam had not seen. "The Concord has many eyes, and we already had this information. However, as you offered in good faith, I will give payment for it."
Tam looked at the alien, trying to read its expression. "You already knew?"
"Still, the offer itself has value and so I will give you a piece of information that you may use as you wish." It handed him a disk that glowed with an image as soon as he touched it. A small figure in Fleet blue with the four bars of a captain picked out on his wrists appeared above the disk.
"State your name for the record," an obviously Tarith voice came from the disk.
"Medrut Tarlan," the human spoke slowly. "Former captain of the heavy cruiser ISS Lancer, Altiarn Imperium Navy."
"You are no longer with the AIN, is that correct Captain?" The Tarith interrogator continued. "Please tell us the circumstances that led to your request for asylum within the bounds of the Concord."
"I was the Captain of the Lancer when the secondary heir to the Imperial throne
was assigned to the ship. I received secret instructions from those who had guided my career to have the prince driven to the ragged edge with overwork, and then throw him into space in a lifepod."
"Those orders were not from the Tarith, were they Captain?" The Tarith spoke the words in such a way that even Tam could hear the dangerous undertone.
"No, they were not, they came from humans within the Imperium." Captain Tarlan continued. "However, instead of killing the prince, I took the ship to a planet known as Earth, our original home planet, and had him doped with amnesiacs and dropped there. I could not keep faith with the Imperium, but I could not leave even the secondary heir to die."
"And when you returned..." The Tarith's voice was softer.
"When I returned I discovered he was the sole surviving heir to the Imperium. As I had betrayed both sides, I had nowhere to turn but the Concord."
The recording stopped, leaving a plain disk in Tam's hand.
"It will play again," the Ambassador said. "Just press the button on the side. It will play twice more and then self-destruct. Use it wisely."
Tam closed his hand over the disk. "Thank you."
"You are welcome," the Tarith's voice carried undertones Tam could not quite follow. "The Concord will neither aid nor oppose you, but I myself will wish you luck in finding what you seek."
The Tarith turned and left, leaving Tam alone with the disk and his thoughts. A confirmed heir, someone who could release the planet-busters. Maybe the Enemy could be stopped
"Did you have a good walk, sir?" The woman was still at the desk as he returned.
"Yes, thank you, I did," he said, his mind still on the disk in his pocket.
"I hope you don't mind, Commander, but we do have some Tarith guests as well." Her brow wrinkled, "I know a lot of people don't like them, but they pay their bills and that's what keeps us going. The lodge would have to charge a lot more if we excluded them."
"No, no, it's fine," Tam said. "I wasn't even thinking about them."
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