The Slaver Wars: Alien Contact

by Raymond L. Weil

  “Inform the Hocklyns that the civilian negotiating team has arrived and is inbound, and they should be going into orbit shortly. We don’t want to make the Hocklyns nervous when they detect a second warship approaching.” Standel’s gaze moved to one of the large viewscreens on the front wall, which was displaying the alien spacecraft.

  “I wonder how far their sensors reach?” Major Winfred asked as he looked down at the plotting table that now showed the Vindication moving toward Stalor Four. He was glad it was the Vindication. He had gone to the academy with its commander and knew that Commander Wisthom was a very competent leader.

  “I don’t know,” replied Commander Standel glancing over at his executive officer. “Keep a watch on the Hocklyn vessel and see if it makes any adjustments in its orbit. That might indicate it has detected the Vindication.”

  “Why didn’t the admiral jump in with the StarStrike?” Major Winfred asked with some confusion showing on his face.

  Winfred would feel a lot more comfortable if the heavy battle cruiser were in the system. He had spent the last several days gazing at the numerous weapons the alien had pointed at the Avenger. While the Avenger had closed the majority of its weapon’s hatches, the alien had kept most of theirs open.

  “He’s nervous about this situation,” replied Commander Standel, folding his arms across his chest and thinking. “I bet he has the StarStrike and the rest of his fleet close by where he can call it in if need be. He doesn’t like the fact that a heavily armed alien warship is here at Stalor Four. He also doesn’t want to spook the aliens by showing up with too much firepower.”

  “If we run into trouble, that just leaves the Avenger and the Vindication to protect the miners if this becomes a shooting match. It will take time for the admiral’s fleet to jump in. We could be on our own for several hours before the StarStrike can reach us. I’m not sure we can last that long against that ship’s weapons.”

  “What other choice do we have Bob?” Commander Standel spoke in a lower voice. “We have to play the hand we’re dealt. We need to trust the admiral. I’m just glad he’s here.”

  “Vindication is inbound,” Ariel reported as she watched the sensors and calculated the Vindication’s arrival time. “There has been no further response from the Hocklyns.”

  “Thanks Ariel,” acknowledged Commander Standel glancing at the large screen on the front wall of the Command Center that Ariel was using to project her image.

  He still wondered why Fleet Command insisted on all the AI avatars being young good-looking women. He strongly suspected it was for morale purposes as well as to make them more acceptable. AIs had only been installed on a few of the fleet’s light cruisers. They were a recent development, and their usefulness was still being evaluated.

  “Now we wait,” stated Major Winfred, taking a deep breath and looking around the Command Center.

  “Now we wait for the admiral and Senator Jacksom,” agreed Commander Standel nodding his head. “This is in their hands now.”

  -

  The Vindication went into orbit twenty kilometers above the Hocklyn ship. Admiral Streth was looking at the main viewscreen on the front wall of the Command Center, which was showing a greatly expanded view of the alien vessel. The Hocklyn ship was obviously heavily armed. A number of its weapon’s ports were open, and he suspected that the Vindication was now the primary target. It was a clear statement from the Hocklyns that they would not be intimidated by the two Federation light cruisers.

  “Sensors are now blocked before reaching the actual hull of the Hocklyn ship,” Clarissa the Vindication’s AI reported. Her deep blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair made her extremely easy to look at. “I would guess we are looking at a low level energy screen specifically designed for preventing sensor scans. From what the Avenger reported earlier, that screen wasn’t present.”

  “I don’t like that,” commented Commander Wisthom frowning. “We don’t have that technology.”

  “I agree,” replied Admiral Streth, gazing speculatively at the Hocklyn ship on the main viewscreen. “This brings up another question. Our own energy screen can’t prevent sensor scans. We depend on the composite material in our hulls to do that. Just how powerful are their actual defensive screens?”

  “All unknown,” Clarissa responded her blue eyes narrowing slightly. “From what I can see of the Hocklyn ship and the number of hatches and unidentified indentations in the hull, I would estimate that the Hocklyn ship is forty to fifty percent more heavily armed than the Vindication. In addition, their level of technology from observation is slightly ahead of ours. That is conjecture also. In some areas, they could be far ahead. The weapon ports that are currently open seem to contain some type of heavy railgun. The weapons on the bow are unfamiliar and may be some type of energy weapon.”

  “Energy weapons,” spoke Major Garner frowning as he continued to gaze at the screen. “Those don’t look like lasers.”

  Admiral Streth turned to face Commander Wisthom. “I want both the Vindication and the Avenger at Condition Two during these negotiations. Clarissa, let us know immediately if you can determine what type of weapons those are on the Hocklyn’s bow.” If this was some type of energy weapon, other than a laser, it showed a considerable lead by the Hocklyns in weapons technology.

  “Understood, sir,” replied Commander Wisthom nodding his head in agreement. Then turning to Major Garner, “I want the crew on six-hour rotations until we can go to Condition Three.”

  “Yes, sir,” Major Garner replied. This would be stressful on the crew, but they could handle it.

  “Sir,” the communications officer interrupted in a strained voice. “The Hocklyns are requesting permission to send over a negotiating team. They say that our atmosphere is acceptable to them.”

  Admiral Streth looked over at Commander Wisthom before replying. He had assumed the negotiations would take place on the Hocklyn ship since it was larger. “Very well. Ask them how many will be in their party.”

  A few moments passed and then the communications officer replied. “There will be six, sir; two negotiators and four what they are calling protectors. There will also be two pilots and two other protectors staying with their shuttle.”

  “I assume their protectors are like our marines,” Admiral Streth commented with a frown.

  He didn’t like the idea of letting armed aliens on board the Vindication, but he didn’t see any way he could diplomatically refuse. It might be a direct insult to the Hocklyn’s culture if he did so. There were just too many unknowns.

  “We should have our own marines ready,” Commander Wisthom suggested with narrow eyes. He wasn’t pleased to hear the Hocklyns would be bringing an armed escort.

  “Give them permission to land in the flight bay,” Admiral Streth ordered and then looking over at Commander Wisthom, he added, “Tell the Hocklyns I will meet them there. Get the main conference room ready. I want two marine guards on the outside and two more on the inside. Have a group of six meet me in the flight bay to greet our guests. They will also escort us to the conference room. I want another squad of marines stationed in the corridor outside the flight bay. Once we have passed, they are to enter the flight bay and take up positions at the internal airlock. Make sure there are no incidents!”

  “Yes, sir,” Commander Wisthom replied as he activated his mini-com to pass on the orders. He was glad to hear that Admiral Streth felt the same way he did.

  “Major Garner, go to Senator Jacksom’s quarters and inform him of what is going on. Tell him we will meet him in the conference room in approximately thirty minutes.”

  -

  Admiral Streth and six marines awaited the Hocklyn shuttle in the flight bay. He watched as the bay’s twin doors slid open and the approaching shuttle appeared. It slowed down, passed through the atmospheric force field, and landed smoothly in the center of the bay. The shuttle was tear shaped, and there were no signs of any weapons. It was also extremely dark in color. The shuttle seemed out o
f place in the brightly lit bay.

  The marines lined up behind the admiral and stood at attention, waiting for the Hocklyns to make an appearance. They didn’t have long to wait. The shuttle door slid open and two heavily armed Hocklyns stepped outside, taking up a position at the foot of the shuttle’s ramp. Several of the marines drew in sharp breaths at seeing the aliens.

  Both Hocklyns were a little over two meters in height and very muscular. They wore some type of light body armor that was dark, almost black. They were a pale green in color, and their eyes were twice the size of a human's. A small crest on top of their head was a slightly darker green. The protectors carried some type of heavy assault rifle, but it was hard to tell whether it fired projectiles or was some type of beam weapon.

  Two more Hocklyns appeared in the door of the shuttle. Both of these were slightly smaller than the two protectors standing at the foot of the shuttle’s extended ramp. These two were also dressed in light body armor, but their armor was a much lighter color, almost a greenish-yellow. As they walked down the ramp, two more heavily armed protectors appeared. They stopped at the top of the ramp and, after looking around, proceeded to follow what were obviously the two negotiators. Once these four Hocklyns stepped off the ramp it folded back up and the door to the shuttle slid shut.

  The two Hocklyns in light colored body armor approached Admiral Streth. One of them was holding a small metal globe in his hand.

  “Greetings,” the nearest Hocklyn spoke. The voice seemed to come from the small metal globe the Hocklyn was holding. Pointing toward the globe the Hocklyn continued, “This device is a universal translator. It will translate your language into ours and our language into yours.”

  “Greetings,” Admiral Streth replied with a slight nod of acknowledgement. “Our civilian negotiator and his team are waiting for us in our main conference room. Is there anything your people will require while on board our ship?”

  “No Admiral, your atmosphere is very similar to our own. As far as refreshments, cold water will be fine.”

  “Very well, if you will follow me, we will go to the conference room, and I will introduce you to our civilian team of negotiators.”

  A few minutes later, they entered the main conference room. Admiral Streth had made sure the corridors they were walking through were empty of crewmembers, and all the adjoining hatches were closed. Once Hedon knew more about the Hocklyns, then perhaps a tour of the ship could be arranged. For now, he was going to be cautious.

  Senator Jacksom and his four aides were waiting in the conference room. Upon the Hocklyn’s entrance, Admiral Streth noticed the senator’s face turn pale. Several of his aides looked as if they were about to faint. The senator and his aides rose, and Senator Jacksom stepped around the table to greet the Hocklyns.

  “Greetings,” the nearest Hocklyn spoke. “I am Grethen, First Leader of our ship.” Then turning and indicating the other Hocklyn in light colored body armor, Grethen continued. “This is Rathan. He is our language specialist.”

  Senator Jacksom had already noticed that all the words in standard were coming out of the small metal globe that Rathan was holding. The Hocklyn’s own language was full of rasps and sharp inflections.

  “I am Senator Jacksom, and I am a government representative of the Human Federation of Worlds.”

  “Then you have more than one world you come from?” Grethen asked with obvious interest.

  “We will discuss that in another meeting,” Admiral Streth quickly interrupted with a warning glance at Senator Jacksom. “Once we know each other better, we can discuss our actual spheres of influence.”

  “That is wise,” Grethen responded with a slight nod of his head. “It is best that we learn to trust each other first. There is much benefit in our races learning to work together peacefully. We have much to offer, and I suspect your race does also.”

  “Let’s sit down and we can begin,” suggested Senator Jacksom indicating the waiting chairs around the conference table. “Let me say in advance that I apologize for any possible future misunderstandings due to our lack of knowledge of each other’s customs and language.”

  “That is not a problem,” Rathan responded his large dark eyes focusing on Senator Jacksom. “We have dealt with first contact situations before and are well aware that cultural differences can easily lead to misunderstandings.”

  As they all sat down, Admiral Streth wondered about Rathan’s words. It sounded as if they were used to first contact situations and this wasn’t their first one. Which once more brought up the issue as to why they would initiate a first contact situation with a warship? Admiral Streth noticed that the four heavily armed protectors had positioned themselves back behind their two leaders close to the wall where they could keep a watch on everything. The two marine guards at the door were doing the same thing.

  “Let me begin by apologizing if we frightened your miners on the moon below us,” Grethen spoke. “We were on an exploratory mission and were not expecting to find a mining operation in this system.”

  “Your apology is noted and appreciated,” Senator Jacksom replied. “I will inform the miners of this.”

  "You mentioned that you have had other first contact experiences?” asked Admiral Streth, looking over at Grethen.

  “Yes,” Grethen responded with a slight nod of his head. “I have been involved in two others previously. In each, we were able to establish new trade treaties beneficial to both the two new races and ourselves. In time, they joined our trade alliance as full members.”

  “Is that a requirement?” asked Senator Jacksom. “Do all races you sign trade treaties with have to join your trade alliance?”

  “No,” Grethen replied his eyes focusing on Senator Jacksom. “That is up to each individual race.”

  “How many races are in your trade alliance?” Admiral Streth asked. Perhaps he could find out just how large this Hocklyn Trade Alliance was.

  Grethen hesitated a moment before answering. “As you said earlier Admiral, once we get to know each other better we can discuss that information.”

  “Very well,” spoke Senator Jacksom deciding to take charge of the meeting. “Let’s discuss what we can do to help establish both diplomatic and possible future trade relations.”

  The first meeting lasted about an hour. The Hocklyns claimed that they were exploring far out away from their trade alliance, seeking new markets for their products and searching for trade items the numerous members of their alliance might be interested in. The Hocklyns mentioned several examples of trade items that they were willing to offer, including some highly advanced medical technology. They also claimed to have some very efficient automated mining equipment, which could drastically increase the productivity of almost every type of off planet mining operation.

  Senator Jacksom and his aides asked numerous questions about the medical equipment and its potential uses. They also requested additional information about the mining equipment. These sounded like items the Federation might be interested in.

  In return, the Hocklyns indicated that they would like to send trade delegations to each of the human worlds. This would allow them to see what unique items each world might have to offer in trade goods that the trade alliance might be interested in. These trade delegations would be in small unarmed merchant ships with no protectors aboard.

  It was at this point that Admiral Streth interrupted and suggested that the Hocklyns give examples of the types of trade items they were interested in. Admiral Streth went on to stress that he could arrange for several cargo ships to come out with examples of various possible trade goods from the human worlds. For the time being, he didn’t want any Hocklyn ships going anywhere close to the colony worlds or the home system.

  When the meeting was over, Admiral Streth escorted the Hocklyns back to their shuttle and watched as the shuttle departed and headed back toward their ship. The meeting had gone better than he had expected, but he still didn’t trust the Hocklyns. There was a feeling in the b
ack of his mind that everything had gone too smooth. Almost as if the two Hocklyns were following a script. He shook his head and started back toward his quarters after dismissing the marines. He needed to write up a report with his observations and get it sent off to Fleet Command.

  -

  After two days of intense negotiations, Admiral Streth was taking a brief break. Senator Jacksom and the two Hocklyn representatives were currently going over a list of potential trade goods that might be of interest to both parties. The lists were long and tedious, and Hedon had decided this was something that Senator Jacksom and his aides were better suited for. He had looked closely over the lists that Senator Jacksom had. He had wanted to ensure that there was no sensitive information or items on the lists that could give the Hocklyns a hint of where any of the human worlds were located. This was information he still didn’t feel comfortable in furnishing the aliens. For some reason, Hedon still felt uneasy about this entire situation. He had gotten these feelings in the past, and each time something bad had happened.

  Admiral Streth had been surprised at just how good a job Senator Jacksom was doing. Once he had gotten over the initial shock of dealing with actual aliens, the senator had done a remarkable job of negotiating. He had been a stickler for equivalency, insisting that trade for both sides should be of equal value. There would be no trade deficit between the two space faring cultures.

  Hedon was sitting in the officer’s mess drinking a hot cup of coffee when Commander Wisthom came in. Spotting the admiral, he walked over and took a seat across from him.

  “How are the negotiations going?” the commander asked as an ensign came over and placed a cup of steaming coffee down in front of him. He took a sip and smiled. “Nothing like a hot cup of coffee to get your mind going.”

  “Good so far,” replied Hedon leaning back and holding his cup in one hand. “So far the Hocklyns have given us no indications of being anything else other than what they claim to be. In another day or two, we should have the basics of a temporary trade agreement. I’m going to suggest to Senator Jacksom that both sides meet back here in the Stalor System to bring samples of potential trade items. If everything goes well with that meeting, then we might give them access to one of our colony worlds and see how that progresses.”