by Tigertalez
Evernight Publishing ®
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2016 Tigertalez
ISBN: 978-1-77233-669-6
Photographer: John Poppleton
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Editor: Karyn White
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my mother. We had such a rough and challenging life, and she sacrificed so much for me. I can’t even express just how much she has sacrificed. I love you, mom. Thank you for all that you do for me.
WORTH FIGHTING FOR
Little Blue, 1
Tigertalez
Copyright © 2016
Chapter One
Tasid adjusted his wings closer to his back as he leaned over the console to take a closer look at the hologram display in front of him.
“Are you sure?” he asked as he narrowed his eyes when he read the display.
“I can only relay on what the readings indicate. Whether or not the information is correct rests entirely on the wellness of the equipment.”
Tasid glanced at the lower ranking officer. Qurriq may have kept his tone respectful, but Tasid could easily make out the signs, on the clear-blue skinned male, that he was irritated by his rhetorical question. Tasid kept his smile hidden as he turned back to face the surprising findings, then issued orders to his communications officer.
“Burren, get me someone from the United Planetary Alliance League Embassy,” he ordered as he made his way back to his captain’s station.
Tasid waved one of his four hands over the chair arm, opening a holographic window in the air before him. He tapped a finger on the com button to his second in command, and when he connected he didn’t wait for a greeting.
“Errim, report to the bridge at once.”
Pausing only long enough to hear the “Yes, sir,” Tasid closed the link, and brought up the information Qurriq had acquired. His golden yellow eyes studied the information that hovered on the lightly glowing screen.
“Sir.”
Tasid turned to acknowledge Errim as he entered. Errim stood beside him and studied the information.
“Fire-stars! Is this for real? Does UPALE know?”
“Not yet. I’m waiting for a representative to connect. When I decided to cut through this barren solar system, I have to admit that it never even crossed my mind that we would find any life worth taking notice of.”
Errim spoke as he continued to study the information. “It has been many generations since the last discovery of this kind. It won’t just be UPALE that will want to know, but the other three factions, as well. We better hope these people don’t have anything worth fighting over. We’re still recovering from that last war, and the plague.”
Tasid grunted affirmatively. “It’s such a lifeless solar system, and the planet is so small—it’s smaller than Zelex. I can’t imagine it having anything worth restarting the war over.”
Burren interrupted them. “Sir, Ambassador Jurresh is connecting.”
Tasid tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and groaned. “Why did it have to be him?”
Errim slapped him on his upper right shoulder and gripped lightly as if to comfort. “I’m sure your father just wanted to check in with his favorite son.”
Tasid rubbed his temples. “Not likely. Out of all the battles I fought in, none of them have caused me the amount of stress as the conversations with my father do. Fuck! I hate politics. The whole reason I took this assignment was to get as far away from my father, and his political agenda, as I politely could.”
Errim snorted. “Yes, politics. Where our own allies are more a threat to us than our enemies.”
Pressing a nearly invisible button, connecting the call, Tasid steadied himself for the unwanted interaction. The upper half of his formidable father filled the entire screen. Tall and muscular, his father could still best him in battle. However, Tasid knew no matter how strong or successful he himself might ever become, it would never be good enough for his father, unless he took a mate to continue their bloodline. And because of the current plague that was decimating the population, along with the losses from the recent wars, Tasid would need to give up his command and live planet-side for that, in a protected community. Neither of those appealed to him.
Tasid kept his voice professional. “Ambassador Jurresh.”
“Tasid.” Jurresh’s tone was derogatory. “What could you possibly have to report to any ambassadorial delegate? You shouldn’t be wasting any of their time with asteroid readings. I realize you don’t care for what we do here, but you shouldn’t bother them. Their work here is important.”
Tasid’s voice was tight with barely contained anger as he bit out his response. “Actually, Ambassador, it would be the other way around. You don’t have any respect for me, or my job. I have something serious to report. Now are you willing to hear it, or are you going to continue to waste both of our times?”
Talks with his father were always tense, as he often balanced on the fine line between respectful and disrespectful. To back down felt like a weak response, and being a warrior race, that was not acceptable.
Jurresh stiffened, his anger flashing in his similar golden yellow eyes. Tasid watched his father get control over himself before curtly nodding for him to continue.
“We are traveling through a very small, nondescript solar system. The third planet from the system’s only sun is showing signs of advancing educated life. There’s a small space station and many large devices orbiting the planet. We believe they may be worthy of first contact.”
Tasid saw his father go from simply Jurresh, to Ambassador. The news was significant and would be very important. Even though he and his father never got along, his father was a strong and reasonable leader.
“Their population?”
Tasid brought up a separate display and looked over the information. “We are currently right near the edge of the solar system, so we don’t have a lot of information, but there are indications of a large population. We wanted permission to approach and learn more.”
“I’d love to give you that permission, but with the peace so fresh and wounds still healing, I will have to take this to the other ambassadors for a vote. First contact is very dangerous. We know nothing of new races until first contact, so we could unwittingly cause a war with them, or with other aligned races who may wish for rights to any beneficial discoveries. I’ll send an emergency meeting notice. This truly is a worthy subject. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Continue trying to find out as much as you can, but don’t venture any closer.”
“Yes, sir.” Tasid kept formal until the link was disconnected, and then he blew out a relieved breath. Looking around the room, he could sense his officers’ excitement. Even though these males were under his command, they were also his closest friends. He had fought in the war beside each of them, so when he was given command of this ship, he’d hand-picked each one.
As they waited for an answer, the crew continued to scan and plan. When Qurriq motioned for him, Tasid’s clawed feet clicked on the metal flooring as he stepped towards the science specialist.
“What is it?” he eagerly asked.
“I’ve been running scans on the planet�
�s atmosphere. For all intents and purposes, they breathe the same mixture that we do. However, in many spots, there are higher levels of toxic gases. Also, a layer of their atmosphere is degrading.”
Tasid looked at the readings. “How can you be sure it isn’t a natural occurrence?”
“Because the levels of toxic chemicals drastically increase over the heavily populated areas. The bigger the population, the higher the toxins. Also, their space station doesn’t contain any of the toxins.”
Tasid gave him an apprehensive look. “So these are a people who are poisoning themselves with their own technology?”
“I believe so, yes. We have treatments for many of the toxins. They are a mixture of ancient remedies derived from both Malastants and Zori cultures, but I am most certain they will work.”
“Good, pile the data into organized folders. Are you able to scan any of the species?”
“Slightly. There are only six occupants in the space station. I was able to get some minor readings, but it’s not my area of expertise.”
“Right, have Yebiri join you. What can you tell me right now?” He looked directly into Qurriq’s pale blue eyes expectantly.
Qurriq returned his look with one of restrained irritation. “They have two arms, two legs, one head.”
Tasid waited for a moment, expecting the male to continue, but Qurriq continued to stare blankly back at him.
“That’s it?” he asked, with more than a bit of disappointment.
“I told you it isn’t my—”
“—area of expertise,” Tasid finished. “Get Yebiri up here.”
“Right away, sir.”
Tasid walked to his chair and sat down. Moments later, while he was reading over their continued findings, the ship’s head physician, Yebiri, stepped onto the bridge. Tasid admired the metallic iridescent colors that played across the Larent male’s shiny scales as he approached.
“Sir, I received a message you wanted to see me.”
Tasid responded simply by directing Yebiri’s attention to his floating screens, then leaned back to enjoy his reaction. He knew the physician comprehended the readings when he did a sharp intake of breath.
Chuckling, Tasid told the medical officer why he had been summoned. “I need you to scan these people and tell me more about their physiology. Qurriq can bring you up to speed.”
Yebiri didn’t waste a moment, swiftly making his way next to Qurriq. Chuckling again, Tasid turned his attentions back to the floating, glowing screen.
After a little bit, the call he was waiting for blinked on. Connecting the communication, his father’s unusually excited face appeared.
“With the knowledge that the planet has an orbiting space station, the ambassadors’ vote was unanimous to try to make first contact with this planet. A diplomatic fleet, equipped with an ambassadorial space station, is being organized, but it will take some little time to gather and travel such a great distance. The assembly is afraid another faction may try to stake claim to the planet before we arrive, so you and your crew are to make first contact. Congratulations, son,” his father said with some pride in his voice.
“However—”
And here we go, thought Tasid.
His father continued, “First contact is a delicate thing. You could unintentionally start a war, or destroy a race. You are also putting not only yourself, but your crew in serious harm’s way. If this race isn’t aware of other races outside their solar system, they could act out of fear, even panic. The entire embassy is watching, and news is spreading fast. This moment will define you throughout history. Make it a good one.”
Tasid refrained from rolling his eyes. He always endeavored to do his best at everything he did. “I will do my best.”
“Good, the embassy has made me responsible for you, and your crew’s actions. You will be answering to me on this. Send reports every cycle. I want to know everything you do about this race. As your specialists look over the readings, I’ll have my own doing the same.”
The link disconnected abruptly, and Tasid didn’t waste any time sending his father a copy of the data they had already compiled.
Tasid felt excitement about sharing the news as he pressed the link that allowed him to speak over the com to the entire ship. It sounded an alert to catch everyone’s attention. This was something that even woke the sleeping. He brought up a display that showed a live view in several places, which in turn also brought up a view of him on screens around the ship. His diverse crew stopped what they were doing and gave him their attention.
“Crew of the Sunderic Stardust, our mission in the solar system we have just arrived in, has changed. We have detected a planet with sentient, technologically advanced life, and UPALE has just issued orders for us to make first contact.” Tasid paused briefly to allow the shock of this news to sink in, then quickly continued. “We know very little about them at this time. I want all stations and resources dedicated to gaining knowledge on them and their culture, so we can make our presence a positive one.”
A loud cheer sounded all around the ship. It excited him to see their spirits so high. He secretly hoped for the best, as the weight of several worlds and solar systems was on his shoulders.
****
Juno brushed aside her dark red hair for the umpteenth time before returning to her disgruntled endeavors at her current task.
“I hate nylons!” she grunted loudly. “If I never have to wear them again, I would die happy!”
“You can join me at the daycare, and get puked on, or at my other job at the hotel where you can clean out toilets,” her best friend, Benny, chanted out down the hall.
“Eww,” Juno mumbled as she quickly finished getting dressed. She trotted out to the tiny kitchen where her three best friends, and roommates, were rushing about getting breakfast.
“Or I will trade you jobs,” Kaycee, another best friend and roommate, joined in, “and you can get your ass slapped all day,”
“Ok, I get it, my job isn’t so bad. Why do they want me to wear them anyway? I answer phones, for crying out loud, not greet superstars.” Juno looked over her shoulder and gave Kaycee a curious look as she poured herself a glass of orange juice. “Kay, why aren’t you at work?”
“They called early this morning. There was a fire, and the coffee shop will be closed for an undetermined amount of time.”
“Wow, that’s crazy. Do you know if anyone was hurt?” Juno asked.
Kaycee shrugged one shoulder. “Dunno. I know I should be looking for another job, but I thought I would take at least one day off, well, the morning anyway. I still have my waitressing job.”
The third best friend and roommate, Jeri, hummed doubtfully, “Uh-huh. You wanna tell me who keeps slapping your ass? I’ll take care of him for you.”
Kaycee laughed. “She’s a regular, and I can handle her. Thanks anyway, Jeri.”
Juno choked on her orange juice. “Girl? I didn’t know you were coming out,” she said teasingly.
The girls laughed at her quip, including Kaycee. “Ha ha, laugh it up, but at least I got an admirer.” She gave them a haughty look.
“I’ve got several admirers,” Benny pouted.
Jeri smirked at her. “Uh-huh, next you’ll be telling us they drool over you, too. FYI, sweetie, infants and toddlers don’t count.”
Juno checked her watch. “Crap, I’m going to miss the bus if I don’t rush.” She crammed toast in her mouth as she ran around gathering everything she needed to take to work with her. “See ya’ll later tonight. Have a good day everyone,” she called out over her shoulder as she exited the apartment.
Chapter Two
Tasid was looking over another report on the planet his officers were dubbing “Little Blue”. So far everything was just preliminary readings.
“Yebiri,” Tasid called out, “I haven’t seen any updates from you. Report.”
Yebiri looked up, his frustration apparent on his colorful face. “I’ve been running scans, but I’m unsatisfied
with how inadequate the readings are. So far, I can only determine two genders: male and female. The males are stout, and the females more delicate. That is all I can determine at this time.”
Tasid shared his frustration. Everyone was eager to learn more about this species, but he wasn’t about to rush things, for fear of causing harm to the inhabitants of Little Blue by abruptly showing up in orbit. “As we approach, the scans will improve, but I don’t want to suddenly appear in their skies. I know you are eager in your curiosity, as we all are, but I plan to approach slowly, and very visibly.”
“Understandable.” Yebiri turned his attention back to the monitors that displayed various readings in front of him, and tapped in commands.
“Captain,” Burren called out, “I’ve gained access to one of their orbiters. I’m receiving images and other information.”
Everyone on the bridge swarmed the communications officer’s station. Instead of fighting through the crowd, Tasid stayed in his seat and pushed the controls to bring up the feed from the orbiters, to be displayed on all of the windows monitors. Images flashing many different things, replaced the view of the black open space they were traveling through. Everyone went instantly silent as they watched the various actions flicker through the room. Tasid saw many different creatures and many beings doing different things that he had never seen before.
“Excellent work, Burren. Use this access to learn their language. Qurriq, keep scanning the physical planet. I want everyone else to view these images, and see what we can learn from them. Errim, link these images to monitors around the ship. Share it with the crew.”
Tasid tried to study just one flashing image but another equally curious image would catch his eye.
“Unbelievable.” Errim’s voice was awed. “This is the most diverse race I have ever seen. That image up there shows them in the frigid cold snow and ice. The other scene over there shows many people lying out in the sun. Up there, see that one, he’s sailing on the water on a board of some kind. And that one over there shows some extreme battle. Oh! Did you see that? Something just exploded into that building.”