Voice of the Chosen (Spirit of Empire, Book Three)

by Lawrence White

  “Why not lock the door?”

  “You’re a guest here, my friend. There are no doors locked to you. I just don’t want you frightened by my crew. You will meet all of them in good time, I promise.”

  * * * * *

  M’Sada brought Resolve to a hover beside a lake two miles outside of town. Washburn and Sir Galborae walked down the ramp, and Sir Galborae got his first look at the ship. The immense burnished disc hovered motionless a few inches above the ground.

  George had not completed his first translators yet, so the two of them could not converse outside the net, but Washburn was pretty sure he knew what was going through Sir Galborae’s mind. He definitely knew what would have been going through his own mind in a similar situation.

  They stopped a hundred meters from the ship and waited. The wait was not long. A woman on a horse appeared from over a rise, and running beside the horse was a meld, likely Miman. Sir Galborae greeted the meld first. Standing as high as his waist, light brown fur speckled with dark spots covered the cat-like creature. Large brown eyes stared into Sir Galborae’s eyes, then a tongue came out to lick his face. He brushed the fur on her head, and her eyes closed in pleasure.

  The woman climbed down from the horse, and she and her husband embraced. They walked away for privacy and talked at great length. She examined the wounds of her husband and turned to Washburn, looking long at him. She was the village healer, and he suspected she fully comprehended the extent of those injuries. More important, she likely appreciated the extent of repairs done to her husband.

  Sir Galborae brought her to Washburn and introduced her as Milae. She stared up into Washburn’s eyes, then said something in her own language.

  He smiled. “You’re welcome, Milae.”

  She stared longer into his eyes, then wrapped her arms around him in a hug. He returned the hug, then stepped away with a tight smile. Now came the hard part. She could not go with them - the village needed their healer more now than ever. Gleasons had been cleansed from the local area, but they would surely return while Resolve was gone. She curtsied, then she and Sir Galborae went to her horse.

  When she mounted, she turned the horse away and did not look back. Sir Galborae watched her leave until she was out of sight, then the three of them turned back to the ship and walked up the ramp. Limam’s nose tested all the new smells. Her hackles rose and she seemed uncertain until Sir Galborae placed his hand on her neck. She calmed instantly, though Washburn could tell she remained alert.

  Resolve lifted and departed at low altitude for a few miles, then angled up and headed for space. Aldebaran I would be the next stop.

  * * * * *

  Limam grew more and more agitated in her strange surroundings. George finally produced his first version of a translator device, allowing Washburn and Sir Galborae to truly converse outside the net for the first time.

  “She smells the others,” Sir Galborae said. “It’s time we met them.”

  Washburn knelt down in front of Limam and ruffled the fur around her neck. “You’re right. We’re going to challenge both of you. I wish there was another way, but there’s not. I had hoped to do this in dreams, but I don’t think that will work for Limam.”

  He spoke into the room. “George, ask Doctor Natai to come in please.”

  George knew better than to respond.

  “You’re going to meet the healer,” Washburn said.

  “She’s a priestess?”

  “No. Definitely not. You’ll meet another later who might fit that description, but our healer is not a priestess. As I’m sure you appreciate, she’s very good at what she does.”

  Doctor Natai appeared in the door, the first new person of the crew Sir Galborae had met. She took one step into the room and stopped, giving him time to adjust.

  He stood up and stared at her, then bowed, wincing only a little. “Thank you,” he said, peering deeply into her eyes.

  Her cheeks dimpled. “Those are the best words a healer ever hears. You are welcome, and welcome to our home.”

  Sir Galborae sensed no threat, and through him Limam sensed no threat. “My wife told me to thank you when I met you. She would like to meet you and perhaps learn from you.”

  Natai nodded. “All things are possible, or at least we like to think they are. Right now, you are our focus. I’m the easy one to meet. Some of the others will require as much fortitude from you as you needed when we showed you your world. Are you up to it?”

  “I’m up to whatever it takes to free my world from the demons. Get on with it.”

  Doctor Natai nodded. “It’s best for you to meet them in a dream. You’ll know their emotions, know they mean you no harm.”

  “No dreams,” Sir Galborae said firmly. “If they are warriors as you say, I will meet them man to man.”

  Natai exchanged glances with Washburn who’s forehead had suddenly creased in worry. “It might work for you, but Limam is a problem,” he said. “Some of our warriors resemble ferocious beasts, and to their enemies they are ferocious.”

  “Then I will meet them first, without Limam by my side. She will sense any uneasiness on my part, but I will gentle her.”

  * * * * *

  The crew gathered in the lounge. Tables were pushed to the side to create a large open space. When Sir Galborae entered, flanked by Washburn and Dr. Natai, he instantly understood that no amount of preparation would have helped prepare him. On the right side of the room, five Great Cats sat or lay on the floor. The sixth, Borg, prowled the room, his gaze locked on Sir Galborae.

  Stven stood next to the Great Cats, his head brushing the ceiling on his long neck, his purple scales flashing in the light as he moved.

  Eight Terran Protectors stood to Stven’s right side, and beside them stood Gordi’i and Kali’i, the gunners with four arms.

  Tarn and Krys stood in the front center with M’Sada laying on the floor in front of them. The only absent crewmembers were Tom O’Brien on the bridge and Gortlan in the engineering area.

  The Great Cats, Stven, and M’Sada were by far the hardest for Sir Galborae to accept. Borg gave him a minute to collect his wits, then sauntered over to him.

  “I greet you as one warrior to another,” he said. “Welcome to our home. I am called Borg.”

  Sir Galborae had no idea what the proper form of greeting should be. He looked to Washburn for guidance.

  “He and his brothers are known as Great Cats. They are possibly the most lethal warriors ever, but their purpose is to protect. They have killed a number of beasts on your world.”

  “You can defeat the demons?” Sir Galborae asked. “You are lethal indeed.” He bowed, but only a little, as yet unwilling to place himself in an indefensible position before this creature. “I would ask that you kill more of them.”

  Borg nodded his great head. “We will, but not today or tomorrow. We are far from your home now. When you return, it will be with a great army. With their help your people will defeat the beasts.”

  Sir Galborae acknowledged his words, but his eyes strayed to the great dragon. He couldn’t help staring at the creature.

  Borg couldn’t help noticing. When he held out a hand to introduce Stven, Sir Galborae noticed the Great Cat’s hands for the first time. He sucked in a breath. “You truly are not a beast.”

  Borg’s lips lifted in a smile, and Sir Galborae took an unconscious step backwards. “But I can be beastly when I choose,” he said. “Come, meet my captain.”

  He led Sir Galborae closer to the group, but Sir Galborae stopped short when Stven’s head swung down to his own level, those purple eyes focused fully on him.

  “I introduce Captain Stven,” Borg growled. “Despite his looks, he is probably smarter than all of us. He comes from one of the most ancient people in the galaxy, and he is our captain.”

  Stven stepped forward, and Sir Galborae held his ground. “Welcome aboard, Sir Galborae,” Stven said. “I regret the presence of beasts on your world. We will help you defeat them. It w
ill be a long fight, and after that, it gets more difficult.”

  “How so?” Sir Galborae demanded.

  “Your people do not even comprehend the fullness of their own world, and now they have to deal with us, strangers from the stars. Our presence will change them, just as it has changed you. We will do what we can to limit that change, but the damage cannot be reversed.”

  “Just kill the demons. We’ll deal with the rest later.”

  Stven nodded. “We will kill the demons. More important, we will teach you and your people how to kill them.” He swung his head toward M’Sada. “May I introduce our pilot? He is a great warrior. In fact it was he who taught us how to kill the demons.”

  M’Sada stood to his full height, which wasn’t very high, his multifaceted eyes reflecting the lights and his upper hands busily preening his whiskers. “Greetings, Sir Galborae,” he said, “and welcome aboard this great ship. You have no need to fear me - humans are not my preferred food.”

  “You speak, and you have hands?”

  “I do, ten of them, the better for fighting, eh?” He clicked his mandibles together, his way of laughing. “As strange as I might seem to you, and I am not offended in the least, there are others among the stars who are even stranger than me. We’ll do our best to limit your exposure. You’ve seen enough already. We know it’s not easy for you.”

  “It’s . . . confusing. I’m not often confused.”

  “I believe you. Your adjustment to us is going much better than we thought it would. Be proud of yourself, sir. May I introduce our leaders?” He pointed to Krys and Tarn. “Meet Lady Krys and Sir Tarn, Knights of the Realm. They are truly great ones among our people.”

  Sir Galborae turned and bowed, this time more deeply. “It must have been your decision to stay and help us. You have my thanks.”

  Krys spoke. “Among our people, such a decision is not really a choice. We regret the need for our presence, but we will never abandon you. That’s our way. We are taking you to another world where you will meet more warriors. There, you will train with them to kill the beasts. When you are ready, you will lead them back to your world. It will be a long, hard fight against the beasts.”

  “I will do my part.”

  She cocked her head to the side. “And what exactly will your part be? You are a warrior, but what your people really need is someone to explain us to them, someone to lead them through the changes that will occur. Are you that person?”

  “Before you came, my kingdom was the only world I knew. I have seen with my own eyes that there are many kingdoms. They do not know me, and I do not know them.”

  “But you will know how to kill the beasts. They will listen to you.”

  “On killing beasts, yes. On anything else, maybe. We will fight that battle after we have dealt with the beasts.”

  She nodded. “Very well. We have prepared a meal. Will you join us?”

  “Not yet. Limam must meet each of you. I think one at a time will be best.”

  The process for Limam was much more difficult. Had Sir Galborae not been there to calm her, it might not have worked at all. As it was, she was never seen away from Sir Galborae’s side during the rest of the voyage.

  * * * * *

  Admiral Seeton came aboard as soon as they landed. He, Krys, Tarn, and Stven secluded themselves in a lengthy meeting, then Washburn and Sir Galborae were summoned. Washburn handed Seeton a translator which he pinned to his ear.

  Seeton faced the man from an emerging world. “It is my honor to meet you, Sir Galborae. I wish it was under better circumstances.”

  Sir Galborae bowed. “I am told you are a great leader who will send warriors to fight the demons.”

  “I will.” He turned to Washburn. “Korban’s going to help. He has a personal interest in the gleasons.”

  “I thought he was going to blockade their world?”

  “So did I, but we left him with a very limited supply of ships. I’ll see to the blockade myself until his forces are restored. That should stop any more deliveries.” He turned back to Sir Galborae. “There is concern about how we are going to do this without destroying your society.”

  “Sir, just kill the demons.”

  “We will, though they are fearsome creatures and the fighting will be ugly. That is not my principal concern. We will, in the process of dealing with the gleasons, have to show ourselves. What will happen to your people when they learn of our existence? Surely they will be frightened, perhaps more frightened of us than of the gleasons. They are not accustomed to seeing ships float through the air. Their beliefs will be sorely tested.”

  “Then test them. My advice to you, sir, is to kill the demons, then worry about the consequences to my people. Terry Washburn explained your concerns to me, and I understand why you call us emerging. When the killing is done, you might decide to leave and that might be for the best, but I hope you do not. We’ll adjust. We’re quite hardy.”

  “The reason we remain clear of emerging worlds is that we want those worlds to develop as they themselves choose, not the way we choose. Knowledge of our existence will change who and what you become. Worse, seeing our technology might lead your people to believe they are inferior, which is not the case. In time, most emerging worlds develop the ability to travel in space on their own, and they approach us with some level of equality. Your people probably would have, given enough time, but when we show ourselves to you now, that development will be denied them. Your people will believe they are inferior.”

  “Does a child feel inferior as it is taught the ways of the world?”

  Seeton stared back at him, then shook his head. “Your argument is sound, but our policies are there for good reason. Many of them have been learned the hard way.”

  “And if you don’t come, what then? My people will die. If they survive at all, there will certainly be no advancement. We did not ask for the demons, and I hope you feel some responsibility for helping us kill them. Whatever develops later will develop. My people deserve to survive. That’s the only issue for the moment.”

  Seeton nodded. “Very well. I’ll send warriors, but I’m also going to send diplomats that will discuss these very issues with your kings and knights and town councils. I hope we can make it work. The gleasons are a great tragedy for your world. We will do our best not to worsen the situation. Agreed?”

  “Agreed, sir.”

  Akurea

  Chapter 16

  Akurea Skvechavka’a, wearing a white cloak with the hood pulled up to hide her features, rode up from the surface of Rebak in a company shuttle. Governor Korban, Admiral Dgoffs, two Great Cats, and two Terran Protectors accompanied her. The station director and an associate, a female Llaska, met them as they disembarked from the shuttle.

  The Terran Protectors, dressed in standard business attire, exited the shuttle and stepped to the side. The Great Cats came next, followed by Akurea. She, too, stepped to the side, allowing Admiral Dgoffs to step out.

  “Director Kim, it’s good to see you again,” Dgoffs said with his hand outstretched. The two of them shook, and without pause Dgoffs turned back to the hatch, his hand inviting the next passenger to join them. “May I introduce Governor Korban?” he asked. “Governor, meet Director Kim, Chief Executive Officer of this rather amazing enterprise.”

  Director Kim bowed slightly to Korban. “We have met, though it was long ago. I’m sure you don’t recall. You were a fleet commander, and I was just a senior executive. Welcome, sir, and congratulations on your new position. To what do I owe the honor?”

  Korban reached out a hand, shook, and turned Director Kim toward the long corridor before them. “Actually, I do remember our meeting. May we have few words in private?”

  Kim nodded and led the way. Akurea and the Protectors followed, ignored by Director Kim but not by the Llaska. Some seven and one-half feet tall, the lithe Llaska female wore a skin-tight body suit that matched her ebony skin. A loose-fitting, silky black cape provided little camouflage for s
everal weapon belted to her waist. Bright yellow corneas gave the impression of glowing eyes, eyes which appraised Akurea and her Protectors. The Protectors returned the appraisal without hesitation, though Akurea sensed unease from the two Terrans. The Great Cats remained as unperturbed as always.

  Akurea stared about in unabashed wonder, just as she had during their approach aboard the shuttle. The station was formed by a hundred prickly arms protruding in all directions from a central hub. She’d overheard her Terran Protectors calling it a black sea urchin, whatever that was. Each arm was a half-mile long corridor ending in a bulbous enclosure.

  So far the insides of the station, in stark contrast to the comfortable, padded corridors of a ship, struck her as utilitarian, utterly immaculate, even sterile. The floor, walls, and ceiling of the long corridor before her reflected like mirrors.

  Before taking a dozen paces, the Llaska stopped them with an upraised hand. “I should introduce myself. I am Stor Kinash, chief of security. Do you wonder why the corridor is so long?”

  The senior Terran Protector, Captain James Harriman, answered, his Australian accent still continuing to muddy his Galactic High Standard pronunciation. “Lots of room for sensors - and maybe a few other things.”

  She nodded. “Just so. Our security procedures are mandated by Imperial decree. Reliability of the products we manufacture must be ensured, and we take our responsibilities seriously. I’ll have to collect your weapons.”

  Akurea intervened, tossing her hood back so the Llaska could see her face. “I’m sorry, but in this particular case you will have to make an exception, Ms. Kinash. Perhaps you’d like to discuss it with Director Kim?”

  Kinash turned and called to the director. He and the two Empire officers turned around, though all gave the impression she had interrupted important conversation.