by Jenn Nixon
“Allow me to introduce Major Keeta Torne, she has been going through the Trakers logs. Seems this craft was part of an escort troop that was heading back here several months ago. The occupants fled on another craft, and that’s been confirmed by our records.”
“However,” Torne took over with a slither of her tongue. “The flight path is inconsistent, how do you explain that?”
“I am not sure,” Tiva answered honestly. “I was unable to get the scanners and navigation system working before the rest of the ship was operational, would that have an affect?”
“Yes, that is possible,” she sneered. “And what of the other repairs, the General tells me you are not an engineer, yet you repaired several systems.”
“I have some skill with technology, we are a space capable race, ma’am.”
“Why are the weapons disengaged?”
“I do not know, perhaps I damaged them when trying to get the engines operational,” Tiva answered.
“Satisfied? Now go and finish your work,” Anann ordered then offered Tiva a seat. “I’m sorry. Some of my officers are paranoid. It’s not very often one of our vessels is returned to us. Most keep the technology and learn from it.”
“I can understand why. It took me quite some time to figure the controls, and still I am only a novice.”
“Well, as I said earlier…we’ve checked over the logs and information, and everything seems in order. I’ve also talked with our president; he’s allowed me to take charge of your case.” He grinned and leaned back in the seat slightly. “Now all you have to do is tell us what you need and what your planet has to offer and the negotiations can begin.”
Tiva got right down to business. “I require safe transport back to my home. As far as my planet’s natural resources, we have several with which I am familiar. The leaders of Abennelp would be able to add to the list…”
“And what position is it that you hold there?”
“I am a Royal Guardian, protector to the throne.”
Anann’s brown arched upward. “A monarch society? There hasn’t been a monarchy membership to our organization, yours would be the first.”
“I must inform you, General,” Tiva interrupted. “I have some sway with my king and queen, and when I tell them how hospitable you have been, I am sure they would be willing to negotiate.” She sensed within him some hesitation, assuming it was natural when an unknown alien appears at their doorstep; she acted as if she didn’t notice.
“That sounds reasonable enough. I’d like you to make me a list of your planet’s resources, technology, and government status. I assume that should be simple enough.” Anann rubbed his left horn.
“I can supply you with a comprehensive list later today if you wish,” Tiva offered with a dip of her head.
“That would be perfect,” he answered. “However, until our final decision, you’ll remain here under our protection and supervision.”
“I am most grateful, General Anann. My stay here thus far has been more comfortable than in the Traker.”
He gave a full-bellied laugh and grinned at her. “True enough. Most of our short distance vessels are not built for comfort. I have garnered you an access pass for the residential facility. You are free to move about as you please, this includes the common area. All other areas are, of course, off limits.”
“I understand.”
“Allow me to take you to dinner this evening so we may discuss your list,” he said his tone full and authoritative.
“I would be honored.”
“I shall send a seamstress to your room after lunch; she’s the best this side of Ulmeca Prime. Our gift for returning the Traker.”
“That is most kind, thank you.”
“The guards are waiting outside to escort you back. I look forward to seeing you this evening, Tiva Vren.”
By the time Anann’s seamstress arrived, Tiva had a full list of Abennelp’s offerings. Everything from their fossil fuels to hovercraft technology was on the list. The older Kihlmaro measured her for an outfit. Tiva gave her preference of style and colors, and the lady said the garment would be ready before dinner.
With Adam’s help, she had devised several options for her return to the Union. The plan was moving along, and she was secure in her choices thus far. She rubbed her shoulder praying the device under her skin was working and the Tolox knew her location. The key was getting information from the Syndicate’s database. That would prove the most difficult. Security on the station was tight.
Using the computer once again, she accessed the history files and began reading. She skipped lunch, and read until a young woman arrived with her new outfit. Resembling the casual clothing she’d seen around the station, Tiva donned the black and purple half shirt, sleeveless calf length vest, and wraparound ankle length skirt. Admittedly, she felt better in it than in her uniform. After adjusting the top of the skirt over her belly scar, she finished her reading and waited for Anann.
The general arrived just as he said, and without escort, took her to one of the space-view cafés in a quiet corner of the common area. Keeping up her guard, she talked with him for hours about her upbringing and fabricated a six-month long journey among the stars. Toward the end of the meal, he asked for the listing, and she happily handed it over. He read it, seemed unimpressed with most of it, but something eventually caught his attention.
“You say an alien vessel crashed on your planet over a hundred years ago?”
“That is correct. The vessel propelled us into our technological age. Had it never happened we would still be toiling the earth by hand or crude tools and riding around on Martols for transportation,” she responded with a sheepish smile.
“Martols?”
“A quadruped animal used long ago. Mostly they are kept as pets or used by farmers now.”
“Ah, I see.” He continued to read, so Tiva finished the last of her meal, drink, and waited patiently. “This all seems fine. I shall present it to my president and speak with you tomorrow or the next day with his recommendations.”
“Thank you, General Anann.”
“My pleasure, Tiva Vren.”
~*~
Three days passed. Tiva memorized every inch of the residential facility and common area. She was able to barter for another outfit with a piece of Uucorian jewelry. It was something she had liked at first, but with Aliri’s crystal and Litru’s newfound gift, she didn’t feel the need to keep it.
On the fourth day, Tiva fought her boredom with a visit to the residential training complex. There, she worked out and practiced her hand to hand combat with an interactive instructor and found she felt much better after a few hours of sweating.
As she exited the room, Anann and three other men were waiting for her. They seemed to know where she was any given minute and that was cause for caution. “Greetings, general.” She smiled then bowed. Her smile disappeared seeing his stern features harden.
“Follow me.”
She was lead into a smaller room in the control center and before she was comfortable in her chair, the interrogation began.
“Tell us why you are here, Tiva Vren.”
“I have already told you my story Gen—”
“Silence!” another voice called out from the back of the room. “We know people on your world have been in contact with the Bujeni Separatists. Three years ago they claimed sovereignty over your world.”
“I know not what you are speaking of, the king has always held power,” she retorted.
“We have records they supplied your people with Bujeni weapons and crafts in exchange for several of your natural resources.”
Tiva glared at the voice in the background. “That answers more questions for me than you, sir. Those trades occurred without the knowledge of the king.”
“And their claim of sovereignty?”
“Unknown. It was one of our assignments to uncover who supplied weapons to the king’s enemy. You have provided me with the answer. Who are these separatists you speak of?”
<
br /> “We ask the questions here!” He tossed a chair and moved out of the shadows. This Kihlmaro was even taller and wider then Anann. “Our intelligence on your world shows this enemy you speak of is in control of your planet now.”
Tiva was ready for this, thanks to Adam, and stared down the man before turning to Anann. “I wished to tell you the truth, but I feared for my life. You promised me protection. Do you hold true to that?”
“Yes, for now…”
“I am the heir to the throne of my planet….” Tiva exaggerated a truer version of the story with her as the newly found queen searching for help among the stars. Opening her senses slightly, she knew Anann believed her. The others were not convinced. “I have in my room a copy of my holy book. You can enter it into your database then use it to translate a letter from a member of the Loyalists. They are the true protectors of my world and wait for my return to claim the throne.”
“You have been in space for over a year and still have no friends?”
“I attempted to integrate myself in a few societies, but it is not an easy task when you have nothing. I have no means of support or goods to offer. My worth is my skill, not material possessions. With so much unrest among many planets, I cannot say I blame them.”
“Which races have you met?”
Tiva rattled off several non-Union planets she remembered from Ovvella’s database, and Uucor as well. She knew this would bring up the Vexillum, and when asked about them she lied and said she was not seeking asylum for herself rather an ally to help get back control of her planet and the Union had strict protocol for which she had no time. “Abennelp is in the hands of the Rebels. That is why I am still out here alone, trying to find a way. I cannot return unprotected, I will surely die…” Tiva hung her head and sighed. She hoped her performance was working. “I have supplied you with everything my planet has to offer from memory. I came here in good faith…”
“And what did the Union tell you about us?”
“Your organization never came into the conversation.”
“It makes sense, President Jukan, they aren’t known for their loose tongues,” Anann interjected.
“She has lied to us, misrepresented herself, and thanks to you has access to the majority of our facilities…she could be a spy.”
“A spy for who? We have enough data to verify who she is by her appearance. And we know her people haven’t mastered space flight. Your reports tell us as much, President Jukan. I believe her.”
“Then you shall bring her home where she can face her fate without our help or support.”
Tiva stood up, her markings dark. “I did what anyone in my position would do. At first glance would you believe I was royalty?”
The president moved toward her swinging his arm. “Learn your place female…”
She caught him by the wrist right before his hand met her cheek and bent it back using every bit of strength she possessed. The leather covering his arm began to smoke. Several of the men gasped slightly, Anann sat back with a smirk on his face. Tiva released him with a slight push. Something was different…she rubbed the tips of her thumb against her fingers. Despite the heat emanating from her hands, she was not in pain…the crystal’s side effect was not dissipating.
The general glanced at her aghast and took a step backwards. Anann stood up and whispered in the president’s ear. He grunted, turned, and stormed out of the room followed by his guards. When the doors closed, the general began laughing.
“I haven’t seen him that shocked in years,” he wiped his cheek. “I’m impressed, are all your people as strong as you?”
“If they train, they can be,” she answered and adjusted her clothing. “What did you say to him?”
“Well, I told him if you were strong enough to stop him mid swing, it might be worth getting the council involved for a reevaluation of your case. A race such as yours would be a fine addition to our fold. He didn’t like that very much…”
“I am grateful, general. I did not mean to mislead you. All of what I said was true, I just did not tell you the entire truth up front. My situation is delicate and complicated. Not many people would believe such a story.”
“You have an honest face,” he said and motioned for the door. “I will take you back to your room. I’m afraid you will be guarded from now on until the president is satisfied or his concerns allayed.”
“I do not mind, it was my own doing…” She paused at the exit. “If it is determined you will not help, what will happen to me?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. They’ll probably just drop you off on the nearest neutral planet or send you home.”
“If that is the worst case, then I supposed I am lucky. I have tried everything to find an alliance to help me…the universe is an unforgiving place,” she responded dejectedly.
“I’ll do my best to sway the council, you have my word.”
Chapter Eighteen
The general’s attraction to her was a saving grace. He was going to do all he could to help. She felt bad—for a moment—lying to him, for he seemed like a good man, but knowing his allegiance to the Triune Syndicate angered her. Whatever their true motive, they were the evil force perpetrating war. The meeting with the president, however, brought her a step closer to her goals. The Bujeni Separatists were responsible for the deaths of Harer, her family, and the other guardians.
On the eve of her twelfth day on Chomllie 5, two guards came to collect her. They ordered her to bring all her belongings, so she knew they had come to a decision. Entering a meeting room, one much more comfortable than the previous, she saw Anann waiting for her. His disposition was dour.
“I have good news and bad news, Tiva Vren,” he announced upon seeing her. “The council has agreed, we are not getting involved in your conflict. They feel your technology is of little use to us and your resources are easily found elsewhere.” Tiva nodded somberly. “However,” he continued. “They’ve agreed to return you home safely and remain in contact with you if you wish. When your internal strife is resolved, and if you claim rule over your land, we can renegotiate at that time.”
“I understand, General Anann. I thank you for trying on my behalf,” she answered, knowing it mattered little whether they agreed or not. “When will I be returning home?”
“In less than an hour, they are preparing a ship as we speak.”
“Are you my escort?”
“Sadly, no. I have other duties I am needed for here,” he said, moved closer, and took her hand in his. “I wish you the luck of my gods, Tiva. I hope one day we meet again.”
“As do I, Vekor,” Tiva squeezed his hand while meeting his gaze.
He pulled her Timbur out from behind his back and gave it to her. “Safe journeys.”
Maorist collected her an hour later and escorted her to a Pizilite scout ship and into the cockpit. In total ten men were on the ship with her.
Leaving Chomllie was a relief, however, being on an enemy vessel kept her sharp. Though they saw no threat in her, she was devising her plan to incapacitate them one by one.
Fourteen hours into the journey, she asked to stretch her legs. She toured the ship with three guards, locating all ten members of the crew. Returning to the cockpit, she asked for a place to rest and received a blanket and pillow. Obviously, they were not leaving her alone, and with good reason, for she was almost ready to begin her assault.
Feigning sleep for a few hours, she listened carefully to the navigator and heard the call for the first use of the wormhole. Her understanding was such that only certain points in space had the correct properties to create the jumper wormhole, and it only bridged a small gap in travel time. That explained why they had to use it often during battle.
After the third jump, she woke and asked what their location was. They only told her they were three days from Cobee space, so she bided her time for one more day before activating the second signal of the tracking device.
~*~
All but three of Maorist’s
crew was unconscious when she entered the cockpit after her walk. None of them turned upon hearing her. They were accustomed to her frequent need to move about the craft.
“Where is Jol?” the navigator asked her.
“Speaking with the engineer.”
He nodded and turned back to his duty. “Colonel, I’ve got a ship heading our way.”
“Identification?” Maorist leaned forward glancing at the display.
“It’s Union…and we can’t jump here.”
This was Tiva’s cue. She rose from her seat and neared the others. “Are they going to attack us?”
“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine. Take your seat.”
“I am sorry, Colonel, I cannot do that,” she said and with her confiscated guns at the ready, pulled the weapons officer out of his seat and held him in front of her as a shield.
“What the hell?” He turned and reached for his weapon.
Tiva pressed the gun to the man’s temple while keeping the other pointed directly at the colonel.
“Jol, Ruttan, get up here!”
Knowing no one would respond, she slammed the gun into the back of the weapons officer’s head blasted Maorist and the navigator, knocking all three unconscious.
Rushing to the controls, she sent out an encrypted message to the Tolox praying they were heading her way. She put the ship on auto navigation, dragged the last three men down to the bottom of the ship, and secured them with the others in a holding cell.
When she returned to the cockpit, a message came in from the Syndicate. She sent back a distress call citing the Union was tracking them, and increased her speed toward the incoming ship. The scout ship was almost in displayer range of the Union vessel when a message came through.
The Tolox had found her.
“Thank the spirits,” she sighed, adjusted her course accordingly, and went down to check on her captives. Luckily, they were still out cold.
The docking clamps latched onto the scout ship and when she opened the hatch, Maar, Aries, and the entire security and engineering teams were waiting for her. She informed them of her transmission to the Triune Syndicate. Having no other choice but to move quickly, Maar spat out orders to the crew and everyone went to work instantly.