Princess Tarija came to Lori, and told her she very much enjoyed meeting her. She said she hadn’t seen her father so full of life in a long time, and asked if she might visit with Lori at length over lunch, at her estate, soon. She handed Lori a printed card, with what must be contact information, phone numbers, perhaps. Lori nodded, she liked the native, saying she’d enjoy that.
Morales strode in, bowing, and holding an arm out to Lori and her party. Together, they walked off, King V’ming floating along next to them, looking quite pleased. As they left the shade of the tent, the cannons began booming again.
Lori bowed to King V’ming, and offered her hand once more. This time, he shook it with his right hand, and waved as Lori and her group entered Eagle One. Lori waved back when she was seated, closed the canopy, and lifted away. She saw the king and the kits still waving, the cannons booming, as she climbed and, jamming the pedal down, left in a small sonic boom of her own, then numerous others, as her escorting air cars followed her upward.
“That went very well, Sky Lady,” Tarue said, as they punched through the clouds, and Lori relaxed and turned to face them.
“Yes, I’d say so,” Hunter said, echoing her. He held Eric tight, as the acceleration eased.
“Good, I’m glad. Glad it’s over.”
“You will return?”
“No, not soon. I think next the king will come to see us. Hope so, anyway.”
“Yeah, but that princess wants to see you again.”
“She was nice. I liked her,” Nif said. “Her kits were nice, too.”
“Yes, fun to play with,” Dayu added.
“May we visit with you when you see her again?”
“You want to do that?” Lori asked.
“Yes, yes,” the two kits said.
“Sounds like a good Idea, I’ll ask her.”
“So when will that be?” Tarue said.
“I don’t know, whenever,” Lori said, waving her hand.
“Perhaps tomorrow? Or after the king’s visit to the Koya? Shall I call her for you?” Tari asked.
Lori looked at her. Why not? “Sure, if you want.” She handed Tari the card the princess just gave her.
“Lorelei, the TV is showing your landing. Would you like to see it?” Eagle One announced.
The clamor all around her convinced her, and she said, “Yes, please.”
The small screen on the dash began to show clips from the several TV broadcasts, and repeats, of the landing, the first meeting, and especially King V’ming’s travels around on the AG sled.
“Now, that’s a hit, that’s for sure,” Hunter said.
“Yes,” Lori said, puzzling about a long shot of her, standing in the sun, which zoomed in and stopped on Mackanima’s knife.
As predicted, the com crew reported inquiries and requests for a visit from the Sky Lady flooding in, an unrelenting tide of electronic messages, to the compound on the planet. Soon, they began arriving attached to numerous gifts, or delivered in person by high ranking officials of a province, city, or territory. Lori sighed, deferred them all to Tari, and she directed a simple reply--“The Sky Lady regrets her schedule precludes acceptance of your kind invitation at this time.” That went out, along with the return of the gifts, but that hardly slowed either.
The other ships’ captains sent messages detailing the status of their meetings and negotiations on the planet. The Pokoniry reported receiving orders for well in excess of a million air cars the first week they were here. The illi-illi were already working on modernizing and modifying the lone space station, and were well on the way to completing a contract to build not one, but three new ones–one scientific, one for manufacturing, one for starships and tourists. The Anawoka began to suffer from fatigue in their endless translation duties, and the Kobi watched it all in amazement, taking orders, too, for their specialties. The humans worked on contracts for everything they could, machinery, electronics, computers, and AG devices, not conceding that concession to the Pokoniry. They were in bidding contests with the Pokoniry, too, for starships–six provinces wanted to order them, offering most of the payment in advance. Lori knew she’d get called into the middle of it all, if agreements couldn’t be reached, and passed the word they should consider dividing the work, each getting half.
Kayla and Rodrigo, dark-eyed from lack of sleep, tried to get Lori to commit to attending a half a dozen trade fairs in as many provinces, and a gigantic scientific conference two weeks away. She told them not until they caught up on their rest, and probably she wouldn’t be here that long, anyway. And to pick the one conference most appropriate for her to attend, that would be it.
“You’ve got to come to the Agreement Ceremony, at least,” Kayla said, somewhat subdued, from fatigue or what, Lori couldn’t tell.
“Why, you don’t need me for that, Captain George said you were signing for Earth.”
“Yeah, we are, or we thought we were,” Rodrigo said. “But it seems we can’t provide ‘Documentation’ of our authority. We’ve got no written proclamation, or certification, or whatever they take for authority on this planet, from the UN itself, and they won’t accept our travel documents alone.”
Lori frowned, nodding. “The starship captains will sign, won’t they?”
“Sure, same thing with them, but they at least are known to be mere reps of their planets, and will need to get it approved again when they get home.”
“So, why can’t you, too?”
“Because we, alone, are planetary reps...”
“Without portfolio, though, or at least, good enough to satisfy the locals.”
“Who’s signing for them, then? They have no planet wide....” Lori asked.
“Yeah, we know. Each of the provinces is sending the prime minister...”
“Or a prince, or a princess, or even the king or queen, themselves. Gads.”
“Will that satisfy you?”
“Sure, ideal. Just a few holdouts...”
“So I heard.”
“But overall, it’s way better than we expected. Except...”
“What?”
“Lori, we really need you there, and we need you to sign, too.”
“I don’t have any authority...”
“Yeah, you do. That contract, sending us along, satisfies their documentation requirements. And it names you as ‘Expedition Leader.’ If you don’t sign, none of the rest of us matter. You are, in fact, the ultimate authority.”
“Oh.” She looked at the video images. So what should I demand in exchange for my signature? What do I need to bargain for–unlimited power on return, become dictator of all Earth?
She must have smiled, because Kayla said, “You will, won’t you? Attend and sign? It was Stephanie’s idea, she drafted the first one, you know. OK?”
“Look, I’m just worried about being hauled up on charges of exceeding my authority, or something, upon return to Earth, you know? Got pretty well beat up last time, remember?”
“No, don’t worry. That’s what we’re here for, we’ll cover for you, you’ll be fine, promise.”
Your promise is worth shit, she thought. But the call was monitored, recorded, and she’d use it if she ever had to. Probably they were right, their credibility was on the line, too, they’d fight hard for whatever was agreed to here, and the Pleiades Agreement was universal now, and to be bringing a signed copy back from a new world–well, pretty impressive, that. Be great for them, personally and professionally, and for the UN, too.
“OK, let me look it over, see if anything’s changed, or special, or anything. But when’s the conference?”
“Two weeks, our time. Just under. Eight point three brights, planet time.”
Well, shit. She grimaced. “I’d hoped to get going back home in a few days.” She sighed, looked off camera, and back. “Well, OK, guess I’ll stick around for the good of ol’ Earth.”
The relief on the two faces was total. “Thanks. We appreciate that. And we’ll remember it,” Kayla said.
“OK, good. I’ll need some details on the ceremony, what to do and all.”
“We’ll get that to you soon as it’s decided.”
“Good. Now that that’s settled, how about you two getting some sleep?”
“Yeah, well, now, maybe we will.”
V’ming’s trip up to the Koyaanisqatsi was delayed a day, to both party’s benefits, Lori thought, waiting for him in a decorated, scrubbed and polished inner area of the main cargo bay.
TV cams hung here and there, relaying the arrival to the space station, and from there, to stations planet wide. King V’ming would be the first, and only, member of royalty to visit the starships, so far. And maybe ever, this time.
The lighter ferrying the king arrived, slowly settled next to the start of a red carpet runner, the outer bay doors closed, and the atmosphere built. When the lights flashed to green, a detachment of Morale’s troops double-timed out, and formed an honor guard. No cannons boomed, but military music played as V’ming, resplendent in royal robes, disembarked on his AG sled, and glided forward, followed by his small retinue. Lori was pleased to see Princess Tarija and her kits with him.
Captain George, as the ship’s captain, welcomed the king, and introduced his officers and staff, and last, Lori again. King V’ming stepped down and off his sled, to hold her hand.
“Amazing, I am amazed, at the effortless trip here, so very easy and comfortable, at the view, and to be able to stand and walk about in your gigantic and wonderful ship. My compliments to Captain George. And to the Sky Lady, for bringing the star people here, and this humble king to your abode in the sky.”
King V’ming immediately presented gifts to the captain and the ship, liquor, a large delicate china-type dining and beverage set, golden tableware, table cloths and wall hangings, and several unique rugs. Captain George wanted to discuss refueling for all the ships, but that would be later.
The king returned to his AG sled, and Lori and George led the way for a brief tour of the ship, the engine room, hydroponics, staterooms, the pool and exercise area, elevators, the dining areas, kitchen, and lounge, the com-room, bridge, and scientific arrays, and a very brief navigation lesson. Last, they stopped in the observation area, for a light meal.
“This is what I have waited for,” King V’ming said, “To see the planet from on high. Oh the beauty, the majesty of it. And to think how little we appreciate its fragile nature.” He stared at it a long time, pointing here and there, and he, the kits, and the rest of his party could hardly take themselves away from the windows. Captain George arranged for a few sleds and air cars to drift by from time to time, on maintenance and shuttle duties, he said, but the contrast between the tiny vessels and the gigantic globe of the planet below could hardly fail to impress. Add to that the glitter of the nearby space station, and the visitors understood the many minutes their guests remained silent and immobile, rooted to the view.
The king looked for a long time at the new arrivals, kneeling before him. Lori stood to the side, watching him, wondering if the lidless eyes moved from Borrelia to the members of his family, or not. The sudden tenseness in the room, immediately felt upon arrival of the latest party, was obvious. She watched as King V’ming let a hand drift to his dagger, ceremonial for sure, but lethal nevertheless, on his sash. She believed that he would never commit a crime of violence here on her ship, but knew Morales would intervene immediately should any move in that unlikely direction occur. Now, Borrelia knelt and bent before him, the vulnerable back of his neck exposed, there for the simple knife thrust that would be as fatal for his species as that of a human. Lori, her face frozen in attention, kept her eyes on the king’s.
King V’ming said, “So, Borrelia, we meet again, and at a most unusual place. Thankfully, well removed from the province.” He said nothing more for a few heartbeats, then moved forward, as everyone tensed. He dropped his hand from the knife. Borrelia looked up, but he and his family did nothing more. V’ming stopped in front of Umari, who bowed to him, and he said, very softly, almost too quietly for the translators to hear, and repeat, “Dame Umari, spouse of Borrelia, many reports reach me of your efforts on behalf of those most in need during the previous reign. Those spared are grateful for your assistance, as am I.”
Umari looked up, and said, “My king, it is my husband who inspired and guided me. And my family who took countless risks on my behalf. We all lived, or suffered, in equal peril. Those were dangerous days.”
“Indeed,” King V’ming said, a bit louder. “Uncommon courage saw many through such days, and you especially.”
He moved on to the son. “Alexi, I understand your unit fears for your safety, and awaits your return.”
“My Lord, I fear for my safety should I return.”
“You need not. Your service to the realm is steadfast, loyal, and commendable.”
“Always, I strived to serve with honor, on behalf of the kingdom.”
“You have. And I will vouch for you.”
He moved on to Kladar, then his wife, and the other daughter. To Tannika he said, “I see the charm and beauty of the mother, and grandmother, are much favored in you, young lady.”
“We are all in service to you, My Lord.”
King V’ming stepped back and said, “Arise,” and he motioned her, and the rest upward, and he stepped back a pace or two more.
“My Lord,” Borrelia said, “What is to become of us?”
Again a pause from the king. “It is too soon to say,” he said. “Give it a bright or two for me to sort out.” He turned his back, and returned to the viewing windows.
Lori ushered Borrelia and his family out of the room, out of sight. She went to stand next to V’ming.
“I am not so sure I wanted to see them up here, though I know here they resided. Is this of your doing, Sky Lady?”
“It is.”
He grumbled something, and said, “Forgive my questioning an honorable host, in their castle in the sky, for their hospitality to others, or for whom to invite where.” He said the words in an even voice, they sounding flat coming from the Anawoka.
“I find Borrelia to be a person of honor. And if he and his family aided others in times of difficulty...”
“His wife, you mean?” V’ming said, interrupting.
“No, I mean both. The wife could not have done what was done without the knowledge and assistance of the husband. And the rest of the family. At some danger to all, is that correct?”
V’ming turned away from the view, and faced Lori, looking up, her face a half meter above him.
“Yes, you are right. My...bitterness lingers. It is difficult to overcome, the...treason...of one held so close.” He turned back to the window. The planet, magnificent in blue and white and green, revolved below. “Forgiveness is difficult.”
After just a pause, Lori said, “Yes, but very noble, and worthy of a powerful monarch.”
“Is this your view, Sky Lady?” he said, turning his head to look at her again.
“Sparing the life of the husband, and the family, would be to me a good and noble thing. But it is not for me to say.”
“You have spared the lives once already,” V’ming said. “Life cannot be as before for them both.”
“No.”
They looked at the planet some more.
“From here, what does it matter, the petty interests of those of us who scurry about, on our errands of great importance, on four legs.” He nodded toward her, and said, “Or two.”
“One does feel quite small, that is true,” Lori said. “But lives are important. To those who possess them, and to others whom they affect.”
“Yes. Perhaps it is time to act in a big way. Sky Lady, you exhibit courage, in this difficult matter yourself, something many others would seek to avoid. And I note, with humble appreciation, your own forgiveness to a place and a people that caused you great harm. I will give the fate
of the family some thought, before I decide on what to do. Borrelia will remain here?”
The Anawoka seemed to say it as a question, though Lori wondered if it might be a statement instead. She said, “Yes.”
After another long pause, V’ming said, “I could stay here all the rest of my days, and never be bored. I will envy him his time here. How do you ever leave your planet, and go off somewhere else?”
“Ah, for the chance to meet interesting beings, like yourself.”
Shaking slightly in amusement, V’ming said. “And Borrelia, no doubt?”
“Some are more interesting than others, true,” Lori said, thinking of the bastards in the prison.
Perhaps V’ming thought of them, too, for he said, “You have survived much. Your life is an inspiration to us, an explorer, trader, mother, and statesman.” Again he looked away from the view. “I admire you very much, Sky Lady. And I am grateful for the great gift you give so freely to me, an old man who never dreamed to be where I am now, seeing what I see, in the company of strange and wonderful beings, who command space and time.”
“You are most welcome, King V’ming, for this is the reason we travel, to share with others our knowledge and science of the stars, and beyond. And to seek knowledge from those we meet.”
“I shall try to be worthy of such ambition, and generosity, and instruct my people to do so, as well. Tarija,” he said, turning to his daughter, “we need to meet first thing, next bright. Now, how much more time do we have to admire the beauty of our world?”
“As much as you desire, father,” she said, coming up next to him. “The sky people invite you to remain as long as you wish.”
“Yes, so they said, very noble of them, they do not know that I might never leave. Have we seen it all, yet, the whole of the world, has it all gone beneath us?”
Tarija looked at Lori, and she knew they had not been in the observation lounge long enough for that, so she said, “No.” She glanced at a tech, who held up four fingers, and dropped three. “We have gone three quarters around, and have one quarter to go.”
T-47 Book II (Saxon Saga 6) Page 53