Major Clark looked more confused than ever.
“I think you may have misunderstood my meaning,” she said finally.
“I meant that I was sent by the Human Empire to negotiate with you.”
The woman's face fell slightly.
“I apologize,” she said.
“Your customs and speech are very new to us.”
“I understand, there is no need to apologize,” Major Clark assured her.
The young woman regarded her intently for a moment, then spoke again.
“You say you wish to negotiate with us on the Human Empire's behalf?”
“Yes, I do,” replied Clark.
The young woman nodded.
“I alone do not have the authority to negotiate, however I can take you to those that do.”
“I would appreciate that,” said Clark.
“Very well, we will set off at once, please follow me.”
She turned and walked towards the wall behind her. As she approached it another faint outline of a door appeared there. The section of the wall it encompassed melted away to reveal another hallway that looked identical to the other one they had gone through. When they had reached the far end, another door appeared as they approached it. The woman disappeared through it and they followed her.
For the second time, they froze upon entering a room. This room appeared to be a perfect sphere. The door they had just walked through was halfway to room's ceiling and led onto a type of balcony that ran around its circumference. In the center of the spherical room was what looked like a bright glowing mass of energy. Hundreds of tendrils emanated from it to touch different parts of the room's walls.
The young woman turned to them as they stepped gingerly onto the balcony.
“Wait here please,” she instructed.
She turned and walked a ways along the balcony and stopped. Closing her eyes she reached out with her right hand, her palm open. One of the tendrils dislodged from the wall near her and made contact with her hand. After about twenty seconds the tendril broke the connection and returned to its place on the wall.
“I have instructed this ship to take us to those that have the authority to negotiate with you,” the young woman informed them.
Major Clark looked at the glowing mass of energy.
“Is this some sort of control mechanism for the ship?”
The young woman smiled and shook her head.
“No, this is the ship,” she explained.
“What do you mean?” Asked Anna.
The woman turned to face her.
“The rooms, hallways and the outer hull of this ship are like your bones,” she explained.
“They are merely part of your physical being.”
“Wait, you’re saying this ship is alive?” Asked John incredulously.
The young woman nodded.
“Yes, this ship is alive. It can think, grow, adapt, even feel.”
Andrew stared at the glowing energy, he didn't know whether he was imagining it, but the mass of energy seemed to respond to his gaze. Some of the energy tendrils moved closer towards where he stood. The same feeling of clam he had experienced after touching the wall earlier was starting to flow through him. He could hear Major Clark's voice, it sounded muffled and far away.
“You're saying this ship has emotions?”
“Yes,” came the woman's equally muffled answer.
One of the tendrils dislodged from the wall and drifted towards him. He slowly held out his hand and the tendril touched it.
Anna saw the young woman suddenly look up at something behind them. She and the rest of the crew turned. There stood Sergeant Williams, his right hand outstretched, touching one of the energy tendrils.
“Sergeant!” Exclaimed Major Clark.
“It's alright Major,” he replied calmly.
“We've met before.”
Then, seeing their confused looks he elaborated.
“Back in that other room when I touched the wall, the ship made contact with me.”
The young woman nodded.
“Yes, the ship sensed you when you touched the wall.”
She smiled.
“It seems to like you.”
Andrew slowly withdrew his arm from the energy tendril and it drifted back to its original position. The young woman turned back to face the group.
“The journey will take approximately two hours. I think it best if you return to your quarters, it would not be safe for you to be wandering the ship alone.”
“I was hoping to ask you a few questions,” began Major Clark.
“When we arrive at our destination your questions will be answered,” the young woman assured her.
Major Clark didn't look reassured, but didn't press the point.
They followed the young woman back through the shining white hallways and back to the room they had woken up in. Once they were all inside, the young woman smiled and left the room, the door disappearing behind her.
“All right, what the hell is going on here?!” Lieutenant Dolohov burst out.
“I wish I knew Lieutenant,” said Major Clark.
“Was that a human?” Dolohov wanted to know.
“It could have been an alien that can somehow take human form,” added Lieutenant Graham.
“Or it was manipulating us somehow, making us see what it wanted us to see.”
“Maybe she really was human, part of some secret Imperial project no one's ever heard of,” John offered.
“No,” said Major Clark shaking her head.
“If that were the case, Admiral Constantine would have known about it. There would have been no need to send anyone on this mission.”
“Besides, if they were humans they wouldn't have attacked the Dominance,” added Chief Nolan.
“Not to mention the fact their technology seems to be beyond that of the human Empire,” said Saskill.
Andrew sat down on one of the beds.
“Whatever they are, they really do look human, they're not manipulating us,” he said.
“And how exactly do you know that?” Asked Dolohov.
“When I was in contact with the ship, I got a sense of what it, what they want,” he explained.
“There was nothing precise, no real information. Just a feeling that the ship at least means us no harm. There was no sense of malice or deception.”
“Right, so you had a private little mind meld with the ship,” scoffed Dolohov.
“And it told you not to worry, just trust it.”
Andrew shrugged.
“I can't explain why, I just know.”
“Whatever is going on here,” Major Clark cut in.
“It makes no difference to our current situation, all we can do right now is wait until we get to wherever it is we're going.”
“And then what?” Dolohov demanded.
“Are you going to try and negotiate with them Major?”
Major Clark was silent for a moment.
“I'm not sure yet Lieutenant,” she said finally.
“Strictly speaking, I'm not authorized to negotiate on the Human Empire's behalf. Admiral Constantine just sent me to investigate the destruction of the Dominance, to find out who we're dealing with.”
Major Clark sighed.
“On the other hand, the Empire can't afford them as an enemy.”
They sat there in silence for a long time, each of them engrossed in their own thoughts. Finally Andrew spoke.
“Do you really think you can convince the Empire to make peace with them Major?” He asked.
Major Clark turned to look at him.
“I'm not sure Sergeant, I think Admiral Constantine would be open to the idea and a few others in the military.”
“What about the Senate?” Asked Graham.
Major Clark shrugged.
“I have no idea,” she admitted.
“I'm a soldier, I don't know much about politics.”
“So everything we've done so far and all we might
do, could be for nothing?” Asked John.
“If the Senate decides to go to war, then none of this means a damn,” Andrew agreed.
“So what if they do?” Asked Dolohov.
“Those aliens or humans or whatever the hell they are, destroyed a Frigate. They killed hundreds of humans, I say bring it on.”
Andrew shook his head.
“And what happens if we lose?” He asked.
Dolohov spun to face him.
“Lose?” She scoffed.
“Just because one of our ships was destroyed? We have a fleet of thousands and who knows how many ships like this they have? We could outnumber them a hundred to one.”
“Or they could outnumber us,” Andrew countered.
“Besides, numbers only mean a damn when you’re on even footing.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Andrew regarded Dolohov for a moment.
“How many battles have you been in Lieutenant?” He asked.
“I don't know, a few I guess.”
“I’ve been in more than I care to remember and I can tell you that just because you have the advantage, doesn’t mean you’ll win.”
Dolohov looked confused.
“Why wouldn’t you win if you had the advantage?”
“Because that advantage might only be temporary,” Andrew explained.
“Or it might turn out that what you thought was an advantage, actually ends up working against you. Only a fool acts on a perceived advantage without first verifying that it is indeed the case.”
Dolohov gave him a skeptical look, but apparently decided it wasn’t worth arguing the point any further.
An hour later and the soft rumbling of the ship's engines hadn't stopped or diminished. They must still be underway, thought Anna. To wherever it was they were headed. Clark, Williams and Graham were clustered around one of the bunks, talking softly. Nolan was talking to Dolohov in the far corner and Aziz just sat on a bunk, flicking a piece of metal between his fingers.
Saskill and John walked over to where Anna sat with her back resting against a bunk. They both sat down on either side of her, Saskill a little gingerly. Anna looked over at him.
“You all right?” She asked.
“Just a little stiffness,” he replied.
“This ship's medical facilities must be amazing, I feel almost like my old self again.”
Anna looked at Saskill, mock stern.
“That's right, if it wasn't for this ship you wouldn't be doing nearly as well, so if you ever do anything like that to me gain.”
Saskill chuckled.
“It is good to see you again Anna,” he said.
“Yeah even if you never write to us,” John chimed in nudging Anna in the side.
“Oh yes I'm sure none of my superiors would have objected,” replied Anna nudging him back.
Saskill turned to Anna, a serious expression on his face.
“So how have you been, did you find the answers you were looking for?”
Anna looked away, avoiding Saskill's gaze.
“I found answers, just not the ones I was hoping for,” she said.
Anna glanced at Saskill to find him still gazing intently at her.
“I,” she began.
Her eyes felt watery and there was a lump in her throat.
“I'm sorry,” she whispered.
Saskill gently put his arm around her shoulders.
“Sorry for what Anna?” He asked softly.
Anna stared at the floor, trying to fight back the tears welling in her eyes.
“I'm sorry I left, I'm sorry I couldn't just believe the others when they told me about my people.”
Saskill smiled gently at her.
“Listen to me Anna,” he said firmly.
“You have nothing to be sorry about. No one can blame you for the actions of others and I understand your need to find out more about your own people. Besides, if recent events have shown me anything, it is that there is more to humans than I thought.”
Anna looked at him in surprise.
“What do you mean?”
Saskill looked over at Clark, Williams and Graham.
“He tried to warn me.”
“Who, you mean Williams?”
Saskill nodded.
“He tried to warn me about the molten metal and when I failed to move in time he dove into harm's way to save me.”
Saskill turned to face her.
“If it were not for this ship I would most likely be dead now, but the same can be said for Sergeant Williams.”
Anna looked over at Williams, then turned back to Saskill.
“One act of kindness doesn't make up for years of cruelty and injustice,” she said stubbornly.
“No, it does not,” agreed Saskill.
“Nothing can restore our home world to what it once was, or bring back to life those that died needlessly. But actions like what Williams did for me, can be the start of something better.”
“Williams may have saved your life, but how many shengyet has he killed?” Anna countered.
“You’ve heard the stories about the Invictus Legion.”
“Yes I have,” replied Saskill.
“I have also heard the stories about ferocious and terrible shengyet pirate gangs.”
“Most of that’s just Imperial propaganda,” Anna countered.
“You’re certainly not like that.”
Saskill shifted himself into a more comfortable sitting position.
“That is true, however there are plenty of shengyet who are indeed that.”
“They’re just trying to survive,” said Anna.
Saskill shook his head.
“You’ve only ever spent time with our clan,” he said.
“Sure, we steal when we have to. But there are clans out there who do it simply to exact revenge on humans.”
“Why shouldn’t they?” Anna demanded.
“After everything humans have done to them.”
“Because most of those humans have never done anything to them.”
Anna snorted disbelievingly.
“Humans think all aliens are just vermin to be stepped on.”
“You don't,” Saskill countered.
“Well no, of course not,” Anna began.
“Apparently neither does Sergeant Williams,” Saskill cut her off.
“Nor does Major Clark,” he added before Anna could interrupt.
“If it wasn't for her, none of the clan would have made it out of the Eridanus Five system.”
Anna looked at Saskill in a resigned sort of way.
“You really are determined to make me feel better about myself aren't you?”
Saskill grinned at her.
John nudged her in the side again.
“There's no point resisting big sis, just accept that you've been defeated,” he said now also grinning.
Anna turned around to face him.
“Speaking of defeated,” she said accusingly.
“You mind telling me what the hell you were doing attacking a major bessra trading post?”
John's face reddened.
“How do you know about the trading post?” He asked.
“Never mind how I know,” said Anna.
“What happened?”
John shifted uncomfortably.
“I should have known it was a bad idea, but they were going on that raid and I thought-.”
“Who was going on a raid?” Anna interrupted.
“You remember Karss?” Asked Saskill.
“The shengyet that attacked you?”
Saskill nodded.
“Yes the one who attacked me, or I should say tired. He didn't get very far thanks to the Sergeant.”
Saskill scratched himself under his chin.
“Karss was the head of a pirate gang and by all accounts a particularly vicious one. Well, he and some of his warriors came to the Eridanus Five system several weeks ago. They didn't say why they were there, just that
they needed a place to hide for a while. I assumed they were being chased by the Empire so I agreed to let them stay at our base.”
He shook his head.
“I should have known there was something strange going on.”
“What do you mean?” Asked Anna.
“They had a young shengyet girl with them,” explained John.
“A young girl,” said Anna confused.
“Why would a pirate gang on the run from the Empire bring along a young girl?”
“I don't know,” admitted Saskill.
“I thought she was the daughter of Karss or one of his men, I thought that maybe their home had been destroyed and they had no choice but to bring her along.”
“So Karss and his gang launched the raid on the bessra trading post?” Asked Anna.
“Yes,” replied Saskill.
Anna looked confused.
“According to Major Clark, Imperial Intelligence captured you before the raid,” she said turning to John.
“They did,” said John.
“I wanted to warn the bessra.”
“Why?”
“Because the Chief Administrator of the outpost was a good friend of mine.”
Anna held up both hands.
“Okay, I've given up trying to make sense of this.”
“You say the Chief Administrator of a major bessra trading outpost was a friend of yours?” She asked incredulously.
John nodded, looking from Anna to Saskill.
“No one knew, but about a year ago I was on the edge of the Eridanus Five system, hauling cargo to our base. I was just passing the farthest planet from the systems sun, this massive gas giant, when I saw a transport in low orbit. I went in a bit closer to investigate and noticed that the transport's orbit was decaying. I tried hailing them but got no response, so I went in close and attached a grapple to it.”
John shook his head.
“I know it was stupid, I had no idea who or what was on board that thing, but I couldn't just let them crash into the planet. Once I had the transport at a safe distance, I attached a docking tube and went aboard. Inside I found six bessra, Administrator Suun, his family and the pilot. Their Transport was in no shape to go anywhere so I took them back to the outpost. Once we were there, the Administrator thanked me and said that if there was anything he could do for me he would.”
John shrugged.
“At first I told him there was nothing I could think of but he insisted on thanking me in some way.”
He rubbed the back of his neck.
Imperium: Contact Page 18