Espero (The Silver Ships Book 6)
Page 36
“However,” Julien continued, cutting Drake off, “you must demonstrate territorial jurisdiction devoid of Haraken interference. To advance your position, I suggest the Rêveur make New Terra’s orbit, where the TSF authorities board and arrest Stratford. Then your office magnanimously orders the biochemist to work with the Harakens to create the antidote to eliminate the addiction. When the compound is ready, New Terra will be the first to receive it. Afterwards, your government will take possession of the chemists, the equipment, the evidence … as it had been arranged and announced previously, of course, and the Rêveur will depart with what we require. The cooperation between our peoples will be seen as evidence of our valuable ongoing relationship.”
“I can live with that,” Alex said, looking at Drake.
Drake spent the next several moments considering the offer. Jaya’s expression pleaded with him to accept it.
“I can too,” Drake agreed. “We will need to prepare a statement.”
“Have it,” Jaya said, holding up his reader as Alex said, “Approved.”
“Faster done than said,” Will quipped, relieved that a major clash with Alex and the Harakens had been averted. What held his attention though was that it was Julien who played the diplomat and successfully mediated the compromise.
-36-
Word of Toyo’s death spread quickly throughout the system. For the criminal enterprises, which admittedly were nascent on New Terra, it was an opportunity to fill the vacuum created by the leader’s demise. Most of the system’s citizens focused on the media reports of the attack on Kadmir’s establishment, the deaths of innocent civilians, the involvement of the Harakens, and the landing of TSF on charter-restricted domes.
Over the next several days, New Terran factions organized themselves. Kadmir and O’Brien, who had made heavy donations to various Assembly representatives and payments to CEOs, put pressure through them to lodge an objection against TSF interference in the domes, contrary to the mining charter. They carefully limited their accusations to the TSF, leaving the Harakens out of it. However, the murder of New Terran citizens by the use of illegal weapons had many of the Assembly up in arms.
Tessie Bernoulli, the government’s general counsel and senior legal administrator, was organizing investigations into what was a host of acts: illegal drug manufacturing, kidnapping of entire families, wholesale murder, and the manufacture of deadly stun guns along with anyone complicit in their sale and transport. Toward those ends, she wanted Toyo’s people, who were captured in the Udrides domes, and the evidence documenting the murders, to be delivered to Prima. And foremost, Tessie wanted the evidence and suspects from the Jolares drug lab in lockup on Prima.
“You can’t be serious, Will,” Tessie said to the president, as they sat in his office at Government House. “We’re sharing the evidence and the incarceration of suspects with the Harakens?”
Drake knew Tessie represented the growing number of influential New Terrans who saw a close relationship with the Harakens as dangerous. They craved a more independent stance for their system, and some of them even viewed the Harakens as magnets for trouble. Drake had released Julien’s carefully crafted message only hours before Tessie was comming him for an appointment when he returned to Government House.
“I’ve made this arrangement for the good of both people,” Drake said defensively.
“I hope you know, Will, you’re speaking for the minority. That’s not the mood of the people.”
* * *
Three days ago, the Rêveur and the Tanaka had made orbit around New Terra as agreed. Since it had become common knowledge that the Haraken president was aboard the Rêveur, Alex was besieged with interview requests, but he accepted none. Instead, the news media filled their time with vid from drones, focusing on President Drake, the Assembly, and outspoken critics of the mining charter breaches.
Soon after the Rêveur had made orbit, Alex received a request from the Assembly Speaker to present himself for questioning by the government’s representatives. On the appointed morning, Alex’s traveler landed where directed, 3 kilometers from Assembly Hall. The Harakens disembarked to find a single, common, aging transport waiting for them.
“No presidential entourage for us,” Tatia quipped.
“This is unforgivable,” said Ellie, her anger evident.
Renée took Alex’s arm in sympathy.
“New Terrans have a right to their opinions, people,” Alex announced. “We came to Oistos to find our girls and get a cure for the drug that damaged our young people. So far, so good. If we’ve lost some friends along the way, so be it.”
Before the group could reach the transport, a stream of four, modern, grav cars descended to their right. The twins’ hands went to their weapons, but they relaxed when Maria stepped out of the first car.
Renée called out Maria’s name and ran to hug her.
When Alex drew close, Maria said, “Apologies for the late arrival, Alex. I just received word from Darryl about the accommodations made for your transport.” Both Alex and she glanced over at the outmoded, hover transport, and Maria flicked her head toward the aging vehicle, which sent her assistant running to pay off the driver.
“We had to scramble to rent these beauties and get some drivers,” Maria continued. “Meet my drivers … also known as my lead investigators … Sarah Laurent, Fredericka Olsen, and Steve Ross.”
As introductions were made, Julien found himself the focus of Steve Ross, who was wondering about the body type, neither New Terran nor Méridien.
“Aha,” Steve exclaimed when a complex spiraling pattern, which resembled the one on his reader, covered Julien’s face. “My benefactor,” he added, throwing his arms around Julien.
“You’re quite welcome, Ser,” Julien said, smiling, “but my partner, Cordelia, was also instrumental in monitoring your safety.”
Steve extended his hand politely to Cordelia, who eyed it, and asked, “What? No hug for me?” Steve, a little embarrassed, delicately embraced Cordelia, which made her smile.
Fredericka and Sarah had no such reservations. They leaped as one to hug Cordelia and then mobbed Julien.
Maria noticed the tendency of the two SADEs to remain close to each other, and an entirely new aspect of the SADEs dawned on her. Just as Julien had bonded with Alex, so he now shared his life with another SADE. “Shall we go?” Maria asked, waving her hands toward the waiting grav cars.
The transports made the journey swiftly and landed at the side of the Assembly Hall. Two TSF sergeants stood outside and snapped to attention, saluting before opening the doors for the group.
Inside, Alex motioned everyone to the gallery, sending,
The Assembly Speaker announced Alex and asked if he had an opening statement, but Alex felt there was nothing to say. The SADEs had turned over the pertinent implant recordings to the Assembly — the jerking bodies of the young at the Espero club, the kidnapping and transporting of the girls to the domes, the stored drug-manufacturing chemicals at Jolares, the invitation from Kadmir, and the fights at both domes.
Without an opening statement from Alex, the Assembly Speaker opened the floor to questions. Alex’s supporters, who appeared to be the minority, remained silent, while the majority of the representatives challenged Alex on every decision he made and every step he took.
The critics saw the bringing of the Haraken sting ship to Oistos for the ruse it was and perceived the act as aggressive on the Harakens’ part. Failure to approach the TSF or government over the kidnapping was another subject that angered the majority. The list went on and on.
Alex stood alone on the dais, hands held in front of him, and answered as succinctly and calmly as he could. At one point, a particularly obnoxious individual, tapped by the Assembly Speaker, decided to make a personal comment that challenged Alex’s qualifications to be a world leader.
“Enough,” Alex said, his hands gesturing to the Assembly that he was done. “You have the right to think of me personally what you will. But I am the elected leader of Haraken, and you will treat me with the respect due my office. You may believe that everything I did in your system was without merit, but we’ve retrieved three citizens kidnapped by your people, and we’re producing a compound to counteract the addictive effects of a dangerous drug your people created. Know this … Harakens will not tolerate intrusion from undesirable elements into our society, regardless of where they come from.”
“That sounds like a threat,” the obnoxious representative challenged.
“Call it what you wish,” Alex replied. “But you should stop and think before you continue to act in the manner that I’ve heard today. New Terra has benefited tremendously from Méridien technology, but it’s not the Confederation that has been trading with you. It’s us … Harakens. You act as if the events that embroiled us … the kidnapping and the illegal drugs … are beside the point. They are the point, and I’m perplexed as to why you don’t want to work with us to curtail these elements that neither of our societies wish to see develop.”
The Assembly Speaker looked at Alex to see if he was ready for the next question, but Alex shook his head in negation. He looked down at Drake, and said, “You would never be treated in this manner if you were on Haraken.” Then Alex turned and strode across the dais, intending a swift exit from the hall.
Most Assembly representatives were quiet, but some took to booing and calling rudely after Alex. The loud voices were drowned out by the noise from the gallery, which was full of Haraken supporters, who broke out into raucous stomping and whistling. Their boots shook the gallery’s floor, and the representatives below were covered in a fine layer of dust that drifted down from the ancient ceiling.
Alex raised a hand to his supporters. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Darryl Jaya, standing, clapping, and stomping a foot. A smile broke across Alex’s face at the minister’s desertion from government ranks.
* * *
After Alex’s questioning before the Assembly, Maria and her people transported a quiet group of Harakens to her home. She bustled about, making her guests feel comfortable, but when the New Terrans in Alex’s group demurred from midday meal, it emphasized their somber mood.
Renée invited Maria to take a walk. The ex-president’s house was situated deep in the woods far outside Prima, and tall trees dominated the landscape. The little-used pathways, thickly covered with leaves, were soft under foot.
As the two women walked, Maria waited patiently for Renée to discuss what was bothering her. A casual observer, who might judge by appearances, could not help but see two more different women, but, at heart, they were as close as sisters.
Alain walked quietly near them.
“I was shocked by the Assembly’s treatment of Alex,” Renée said, when she had time to gather her thoughts. “Not more than fifteen years ago, the representatives were stamping and whistling their approval of him when he rescued us and brought Méridien technology to New Terra.”
“Some of what you witnessed today is driven by envy, fear, and disappointment,” Maria replied. When Renée’s face expressed her confusion, Maria continued, “Let’s take the last sentiment. Alex chose to start a new world rather than stay in Oistos and develop Méridien technology for New Terra.”
Renée stopped walking and fixed her eyes on Maria. “You and I both know that New Terra did not welcome the Librans with open arms.”
“No … no, they didn’t,” Maria agreed. “Most people in a society do not welcome major changes, and the influx of hundreds of thousands of strangers, especially those who are different from them, represented an unsettling change. It’s a sad truth about humankind.” Maria took Renée’s arm, patting it gently, and led her along the path. The thick canopy of leaves allowed a subtle dappling of light to reach the forest floor.
“And you know Alex, Maria,” Renée added as they walked. “He couldn’t abandon people in need. It’s not his way … thank the stars. So what’s really going on with the Assembly?”
“My sense of it, Renée,” Maria said, “is that your people, the Harakens, keep holding a mirror up to us, and many find the reflection uncomfortable. Those New Terrans, who prefer isolation, were shocked to discover the existence of an entire procession of others … Méridiens, Nua’ll, Librans, Swei Swee, and even hostile Earthers. Those people, who thought they were in control of their destiny, were taught an unwelcome lesson, and many of them blame your people. Then our criminal organizations exploited a loophole in our laws and got out of hand. But, it wasn’t TSF forces or our government that responded. It had to be the Harakens who were forced to come from a distant system and expose our problems … illegal weapons, drugs, and all.”
“But none of that’s our fault,” Renée objected.
“No, it’s not, Ser,” Maria said, putting an arm around Renée’s slender shoulders and pulling her close. “It’s not your fault; it’s just the way it is. The mood of New Terran decision makers is swinging toward a desire to keep the Harakens at arm’s length. Your technology is impressive and desirable, but it comes at a high price. Some New Terrans find your sense of morality daunting, and no one embodies that more than Alex and Julien. They’re making many powerful New Terrans uncomfortable.”
“If this is the trend, then it will probably not swing back the other way for a long time,” Renée lamented.
“Don’t worry, Renée,” Maria said, hugging her shoulders, “it will never change the way I and others feel about you and your people. We’ll be forever grateful for what you’ve done for New Terra.”
* * *
The representatives anxious to defend the mining charter were emboldened by the Assembly’s treatment of Alex, but they misread the general mood. The sentiments of the outspoken representatives did not represent the mood of the entire Assembly, which as a whole was horrified by the events that took place on Jolares and Udrides.
Pressure fell on the representatives from New Terran citizens, who demanded answers as to how the illegal stun guns could be manufactured and how the pleasure domes could be granted licenses under the mining charter. The undercurrent within their messages evidenced anger that it required the Harakens to fix what were seen as New Terra’s problems and were the government’s responsibility.
Several changes to the mining charter were proposed that would not only affect the domes, but all mining companies within the system. The far-reaching scope of the bills threw the Assembly into turmoil, with pressure coming at the representatives from all sides.
The debates raged for days, and the Assembly adjourned for a three-day recess before votes were to be taken on two diametrically opposed bills that had survived the committees and preliminary floor votes.
-37-
Since the biochemists were turned over to Terese’s care, the pressure on her to succeed had soared. It galled her that as Haraken’s medical expert she was relegated to an administrator’s role, no longer a hands-on participant.
Often, Terese’s role became that of referee. From day one, it was obvious to her that there was no love lost between the two scientists. Anger and disgust emanated frequently from Billings. He saw Stratford as responsible for everything ugly that had precipitated from his work, but Stratford merely shrugged off the accusations, believing science was a pure pursuit, independent of society, and all inventions had value.
“That’s completely unethical, Stratford,” Billings yelled, when Stratford had reiterated his philosophy one day. If Billings had expected a response or an argument, he was disappointed. Stratford merely returned to examining a holo-vid display.
In the early days
, Stratford tried to educate Terese and the SADEs, expounding on his steps to create the drug. “The difficult part was creating an entirely new approach to the hallucinogen and its delivery,” Stratford explained. “Typically a hallucinogenic drug changes thought, perception, and mood, with autonomic nervous system side effects at a minimum. But those effects wouldn’t create a recurring demand for the drug by the user. So I tinkered with my creation to make it addictive.”
Terese stepped close to Stratford, who halted his professorial lecture and stepped back, uncertainty crossing his face. “Perhaps, I wasn’t clear,” Terese said. “Tell us what you need to synthesize the blocking agent we’ve requested. Do not bother to educate us on your ingenuity. That may lead to a short walk to our hull’s airlock, and, in case you haven’t noticed, we’re still in orbit.>
At one point, Stratford explained that the symptoms the users developed were excessive. “I told Toyo I needed to moderate the effect, but Toyo said it was perfect. The only thing else he said on the subject was that it didn’t matter what happened elsewhere, so long as it didn’t happen in Oistos.”
Stratford’s comments drew angry faces his way. He put up his hands to ward off any physical confrontation, focusing his attention on Terese. “What I’m trying to tell you is that I know what I created, but I didn’t get an opportunity to study the effects. I’m not sure whether the drug and its delivery mechanism worked as designed.”
“Cordelia, the holo-vid, please,” Terese requested. “Start with the first patient, both comatose and alert.”
The biochemists were enthralled with the incredible detail of the brain displayed by Cordelia, crowding close to examine it.