“I’m not at liberty so say.”
“Fine, whenever. I like this game. Another round?”
Kendall stirred his coffee for a moment, the spoon making a soft clinking sound against the cup. He put it on the saucer, and said, “The matter of the unprecedented arrival in New York City of the ambassadors to all the alien worlds, at one time, to visit, just before the, ah, low Earth station was attacked and destroyed, is also a matter of some concern.” He lifted his coffee cup. “In high places.”
Amanda shrugged. “My understanding is they arrived to confer with the mayor of the City of New York. Before that meeting, they were kind enough to make a courtesy call on my granddaughter, in the hospital. Visiting the sick. Quite neighborly of them, I thought.”
Man, she’s playing this game good, Lori thought. Obviously, Kendall didn’t think so. His eyes bored in on Amanda as he sipped the coffee, then he slowly replaced the cup.
“So that was it, then? My sources said they came to see,” and he looked at Lori, “Ms. Sloane, and had to be persuaded to see the Mayor.”
“Again, I defer to your superior intelligence,” Amanda said, her face a beatific mask of calmness. “Your point.”
“Nothing came of the meeting with the Mayor, some...”
“So far?” Amanda said, eyebrows rising.
“Perhaps. Some think it was more than a courtesy call on Ms. Sloane, however.”
Amanda shrugged. “She visited all of their planets, you know, and took some of their citizens with her to 47 Tucana. She is well known on all the other planets as a result. Indeed, she assisted most of them in one AG development project or another, they remember that, and hold her in high regard. I’d say that is reason enough to visit her in the hospital.” Amanda smiled sweetly. So did Lori. “But you know, had the government taken an interest in the welfare of one of its citizens...” She paused, raising her right hand, and slowly turning the palm upward, while lowering her head toward Kendall.
Now, Lori remembered his face as the one on the screen in Eagle One, as Amanda went to orbit to visit the Earth Only station.
“The country always does,” Kendall said, flatly.
“Yes, but in some more than others. And not necessarily the members of this family, no matter how well known, or what they have accomplished.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” Kendall said.
Yeah, I bet you are, Lori muttered to herself in her mind.
Amanda shrugged. “Comes with the territory. We’re used to it. So we travel now, much as you do. With armed bodyguards.” And she waved toward the door to her left.
“Times are unsettled.”
“Aren’t they always?”
“More so now.”
“Not to us, they aren’t. We’ve been here before.” The two looked at one another. “And so have you all, for a long time.”
Kendall sipped the coffee again. When the cup sat in the saucer again, he smiled, and said, “Time out. Who’s winning?”
Amanda nodded, a slight jog of her head to the right. “Draw?” she said.
“No winner, anyway,” Kendall agreed. He took another cookie. “These are quite good. I always enjoy your cookies, Amanda.”
“Thank you. I’ll pack up a plate of them when you go.”
Lori wondered if that was a hint. Kendall did not accept it. He kept nibbling on a cookie, took another, and drained the coffee.
“More?” Amanda asked, reaching for the pot nearby, on the hot pad.
“Well, half a cup, maybe.” He held the cup for her. Glancing with a questioning look at the two of his staff, he raised the cup, but they shook their heads.
“Time for another game, then?”Amanda said, leaning back. “Or is there another round to play in the first?”
“Sure,” Kendall said. “Try another.”
“Let’s play ‘Lay the cards on the table.’ I’ll go first, if you like.”
Kendall leaned back, in imitation of her gesture. “Go ahead.”
Amanda eased toward him and said, “This family is highly distressed by the incidents–all of them–over the past few weeks. My beloved,” and her voice cracked, “granddaughter, the love of my life, attacked, ambushed in high altitudes, shot down, hunted in the night, shot and nearly killed, not to mention the three distinguished guests from planet Uta placed in grave peril, along with a courageous gentleman, now courting Lorelei...”
John looked at Lori, his eyebrows raised. “I hadn’t heard. Congratulations. And my very best wishes,” he said, smiling at Lori.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
Amanda smiled at Lori, and went on. “All that,” and she waved a hand, “Everyone wounded, and the government that you say cares, did nothing, despite several requests. Meanwhile, I heard of great distress from the other worlds, no doubt you did too?” she said, head forward in curiosity. “Of the safety of near-side Earth. No one wants to drop into the gravity well and be attacked, have pot shots or missiles launched at them from a rogue station in low orbit. The Earth Only bunch threatened on numerous occasions to do just that. And so, apparently, they did. The aliens would not sit idly by, and allow a repetition. And, John, really, neither would we. On any of the worlds. Hell, the bigboys intervened repeatedly on other planets, when they felt their safety was compromised. You know that.”
Face serious, John just nodded.
“So they just did what we should have, long ago. We’ve been far too tolerant of these terrorists...”
“Well, that’s not the end of it. Reprisals, revenge, is likely, in the not too distant future.”
“You have put the other worlds on notice?”
“They know. But I fear for over-reaction.”
“Then, perhaps, we humans should clean up the mess ourselves?”
Looking very serious, he said, “We are working on that.”
Lori thought he’d given a key piece of information, and Amanda did too, from her expression, and nod. “That’s good.” After a moment of silence, she added, “How can we help? What do you need us to do?”
John took a breath. “Try to keep a low profile. Don’t...” he shook his head, “...antagonize the extremists. You know,” he said, with a wave of his hand.
“John, what may help, is that my air car, and granddaughter, will need to go off world to planet Florez sometime soon. That is not general knowledge, so far as we know.”
John smiled at her, said, “Great. I hope you have a good trip. You’ll be away for how long?”
“Well, as little time as possible. But probably two months, anyway,” Lori said.
As John smiled at her, Amanda said, “However, John, you should also know that the reason for the trip is to try to get Eagle One’s systems modernized, updated, and upgraded. It is our intention that the air car never be placed in such a position that it is vulnerable to any weapon system that Earth Only may come to possess.”
John sighed, and slumped back into his chair. Shaking his head, he said, “I wish you wouldn’t do that.”
“Yes, I know,” Amanda said.
“We will officially oppose that, you know. Diplomatically.” His eyes turned to Lori.
“I’m sure you will. Maybe we can, and maybe we can’t. But John, it is the intelligent air car. Unique in all the universe. It’s served my family for four generations, and saved all our lives on numerous occasions. We will do whatever we can to insure it will continue to do so for as long as it serves us.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Any indication it will stop doing that?”
“Fortunately, no. None.” Amanda frowned.“John, in Eagle One’s long association with us, how many years?” She shook her head. “Too many to count. It’s always been faithful, trustworthy, and utterly dependable. I know the powers-that-be fear it running amok. But it’s not the air car that runs amok, it’s people. Dastardly people. I don’t know why, I don’t care. If people would just leave us alone, there would be no more incidents with Eagle One. Is that likely?”
; “I don’t know.”
“Is that something you’re working on, too.”
“It is.”
“Good. Work a little harder. Keep an eye on the Earth Only ones. And who knows whoever else,” she said with a flip of her hand.
“You don’t want to know,” he said with a shake of his head.
“Now, there’s more,” Amanda said in the ensuing quiet. John looked at her. “This is not for general consumption, but you can pass it along upward,” she said, emphasizing the last word. “When Lori returns from Florez,” and she paused to smile at her granddaughter, “she will be organizing a return trip to 47 Tucana. A larger expedition, no doubt, a trading, as well as an exploration venture, three years or so in duration. Word will be out soon enough, work is already starting, we think each of the other worlds will send one or more ships along. Earth can, too.” She stopped, and added for emphasis, “Security will be extraordinary.” John nodded. “So, please, add this to your long list of things you keep an eye on. Do that for me, OK?”
“I will.”
“Good,” Amanda said, smiling. “Your turn. Anything you wish to say. To us?”
John sat a moment or two, looking down, mulling what to mention, perhaps. Looking up, he said, slowly, “Representatives from the other worlds,” and he waved his hand skyward, “have expressed thanks for the manner in which the, um, ‘Hostile’ is the term they used, low orbiter station was neutralized, another term they used. Had it not been, trade and more would have been impacted. Embargoes, were mentioned, sanctions, what not. A disaster for Earth.” He paused, looking at Amanda, face serious. “This is not general knowledge, but has been passed on to any entity making a fuss. They usually stop when given that information, hence the relative lack of, well, attention to the incident, from the UN, others...” He waved a hand. “I think that will remain the situation, despite the vehemence from the Earth Only crowd...”
“Now, really, how many, and how influential are they? A fringe group, really?” Amanda said.
“Yes, but with more influence in certain areas than you might expect. Difficult, for sure. And they delight in making mischief, and there’s always a group or many that like a chance to needle the developed world.” He took a deep breath, let it out. “So the bottom line is, many are pleased that one particular source of irritation is no more. But others remain. So be careful. Your government is concerned, and watchful, but can’t be everywhere, despite the beliefs of the truly paranoid, nor protective in every instance.” Eyes boring in on Amanda, he finished by saying. “The president is grateful for all you have done,” he looked at Lori, “both of you. But alas, cannot say so publicly.”
“John, I think you win.” Amanda smiled. “That quite tops anything I thought you might say. Tell the president, we appreciate his interest, and hope we will not be the cause of any undue concern, or embarrassment on his part again. And we will be careful. And watchful. Please keep us informed of anything you might think we need to know.”
“I will. On each account.”
“Good. Now what of this plan by Earth Only to rebuild that station of theirs.”
“It is being resisted at the highest levels, and the UN is on record of opposing it. I’d say it’s unlikely, now and for the foreseeable future.” He looked from one to the other. “Permits are being denied from a number of countries. Insurance claims, too. But others may still try, but at the threat of severe sanctions, seem to pull back.”
“Excellent,” Amanda said, smiling at Lori.
Both people seemed to lean back, and relax. Lori did too. John’s staff sat as stiff and rigid as ever, just watching what was going on.
“Now, no doubt you did not score all the points you wanted, nor can you take home the prize you no doubt sought, in coming here. But you scored some points, and can bring back some morsels of value, maybe?”
John smiled. “A few.”
“Any more games to play today?”
John shook his head.
The government group left soon afterward, with pleasant handshakes for the family, and a quick look at Eagle One, recently back from major repairs in Syracuse, its surface clean and unscarred, giving no evidence of the battle in near space not long ago. Ricky handed him a paper plate of oatmeal-raisin cookies, wrapped in plastic, before he left the house.
“Think they’ll be of any help, security wise?” Lori asked her, as they stood at the window watching the three air cars rise and fly south.
“Maybe a little. I’d not expect much. We remain, if not on their shit-list, not high on their protection priority list, either.”
“Yeah.” After a pause, Lori asked her, whispered, really into her ear, for whatever good that’d do, “Think they left behind a bug?”
Mandy looked at her, the sky now clear of the recent visitors, but several air cars wending their way through the valley below them, many higher above. “Doubt it. John and I go way back, he’s been pretty up front, reasonable, you know, but he follows orders, like them all. Not sure where his loyalty lies. We’ll run a scan tomorrow, or soon.” She looked back into the house. “Ask Eagle One if it’s noticing any transmissions.”
“It might not if they’re tight-beam microwave.” She turned and walked to Eagle One, and stood talking to it a moment, looking inside at the screen. Returning to join Amanda and Ricky in the kitchen, she said, “All’s clear, no bugs, in so far as Eagle One can tell.”
“Good. I’ll get in a security guy, anyway, just to make sure,” Ricky said.
“OK. Now, lunch is next. How about I take you all out somewhere. Where’d you like to go?” Lori asked.
“Oh, that’d be great. How about the Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck? Haven’t been there in a while, and I have a fancy to go again,” Amanda said.
“The Beekman Arms it is. OK with you Poppa?”
“One of my many favorites. You flying or us?”
“You have to ask?” Lori said, smiling, while Amanda chuckled.
“What was that all about?” Ricky asked as they flew along west toward Rhinebeck.
Amanda said, “Just the usual annoyance on Eagle One’s activities–and my actions at the attack on the low orbiter.”
“They know about that?”
“Oh, probably. Didn’t admit to it, but John seemed to be in the know.”
“Any repercussions likely?”
Amanda looked at Lori and shrugged. “Who knows? But it appears our influential trading partners might not appreciate retaliation on the official level. So we only have to worry about the unofficial...”
“Earth Only?”
“Yeah. Them, or others, maybe. So what’s new? Been there before, probably will again. But I hope not.”
“Any change in routine?” Lori asked. “Should we hire more bodyguards, or anything?”
“You have the best bodyguard around,” Amanda said, pointing at her. “And that’s not gonna change, hear?”
“But what about you?”
“We turned on the defensive array again, the bigboys checked it out, it’s all working. So don’t worry about us,” Ricky said.
Lori reached back and put her hands on their arms. “But I do. We all do. Maybe we should let you keep Eagle One here, at least till we go away again. And maybe while we’re gone. Nothing much to worry about on the planet Uta.”
Amanda snorted. “No to both suggestions. And as to Uta, you don’t know what you don’t know. You don’t go anywhere off system without that air car, hear? Or even around here, on this planet. That’s what it was made for, and that’s what it does best. So you keep that air car, and it will keep you.”
“OK, Grandma, thanks.” As they landed, she said, “At least we’ll be safe on Florez.”
Chapter 2 - Through The Storm
Lori, feeling a little cool, dressed in a sweatshirt, sweat pants, and her loafers. She rejoined the crowd on the deck of the catamaran. Her mother immediately asked her if she was cold, they could go into the cabin, if she wanted.
“No, I�
��m fine, I just don’t want to risk a chill, I’m comfortable here.”
Halina, the ship’s cook-first mate, offered her another drink, but she asked for hot tea instead.
As dusk settled around them Lori looked out at the small anchorage. Lights glowed on the two dozen-odd yachts scattered around, charcoal smoke drifted upward here and there, just the faintest tinkle of tinny music came to her ears, and a bit of low voice, or the call of excited kids. An occasional zodiac would run to shore, sending small wavelets to roll across the otherwise smooth, inky surface of the harbor, and give the boats a little rock. She relaxed, listening to the conversation, joining it, sipping her tea, at ease.
As the dark deepened, the kits grew uneasy and went inside to play computer games. Tarue, their mother, the alien Lori brought back from the planet Uta, sat with them a while longer, then went inside, too. These natives of the planet Uta, guests of Lori from her first expedition there, who called themselves “Damai,” could not see anything at night. Their planet, in the midst of six bright stars, never experienced a period of darkness. The Damai, four legs, two arms, furry, with small heads on stout necks, a stocky body with a short tail, stood just over a meter tall, the now half grown kits, Tarue’s children, half that.
Soon, Halina brought up dinner, fresh grilled local fish, seared potatoes, local vegetables and fruit, hot bread and jam, a salad, and a promise of baked Alaska for dessert. Hunter Lindbloom, Lori’s beau, who moments earlier proposed, set up a table for her, and everyone stayed on deck, enjoying the meal. More champagne appeared again, and Lori accepted a glass, along with another congratulatory toast.
Talk drifted to Eagle One, pinpoints of light reflecting off its surface up forward.
“Maybe the best thing of all this, is that at last people will see Eagle One as not invulnerable, and maybe start to leave it alone, a little,” Lori said, somewhat sadly.
“Oh, everyone knows that’s right,” Ricky said.
Lori shot a glance at him. “What do you mean? For years...” and she raised a hand, “I thought everyone was afraid it would go berserk, shoot up the place, create mayhem, and no one could do anything about it.”
T-47 Book II (Saxon Saga 6) Page 2