“Commander Marston, how long is this stay on Ballison?”
“Two, maybe three days.”
“Will you have any free time?”
“We will always make time for you, Lord Kaporine.”
“Remember our discussion concerning Sub-Captain Desinal?”
“Yes.”
“If you and Ambassador Suzume can convince the Sub-Captain to accept your proposal, we can have a half-day trial and resolve this issue.”
‘I am sure that Captain Kakkarna would be very grateful,” Keiko responded.
“Preceptor Igaklay, would you send a transport to Wisdom Seeker to retrieve Sub-Captain Desinal?”
“A transport just left the space port, Lord Kaporine.”
“Thank you, Preceptor.”
“We will speak to Sub-Captain Desinal tomorrow morning, your Lordship.”
“Now, Captain Marston, Ambassador, it is your turn.”
After taking a sip of his after-dinner drink, Krag started. “Okay. What we need to talk about is that we are in the process of finding fifty-one ships that are in various stages of disrepair.”
“We are bringing them here,” Igaklay interjected. “We are going to make them better than new!”
“We talked about this. And you are modifying these ships to become war ships.”
“Yes, Lord Kaporine. But only to fight the Mortek. Then they will be converted back to peacetime civilian ships.”
“It seems that Preceptor Igaklay has the means to repair and modify these ships. Wisdom Seeker has the printers to create your gravity rockets and launchers. Why are you including us in this discussion?”
“Lord Kaporine,” Keiko interrupted. “Humanity is at war with the Mortek. We know that this isn’t a Ballisonian or Elonian war. But we come to you in need.”
“No, Ambassador Suzume. This is a war on Ballison! I am the sole remainder of the Ballison people and I am a member of Den Griffin. If you are involved in a war, then I am involved in that war!”
“I stand corrected, Preceptor Igaklay. As the Den Griffin Protector, you are part of our defense of Humanity.”
“We Elonians?”
“Commander Marston requires crew beings for these ships.”
“We don’t have anyone trained in space flight, much less in war.”
Analyn, although the nominal head of all things Elonian on Ballison, watched, listened and evaluated as her father handled the conversation.
“We know. However, you do have space faring beings on Wisdom Seeker. We were hoping that you would lend us some experienced people to help man our ships.”
“Are you asking that Captain Kakkarna captain one of your war ships?” Analyn asked.
“No, Mistress. Other crew members of Wisdom Seeker. It has been my experience that there are always people who are being held back because of the position they are in. Moving to a new ship is the opportunity for advancement that is not currently available to them. Others on Wisdom Seeker will have the opportunity to refill the openings created.”
“Why would anyone leave Wisdom Seeker to fight in Humanity’s war?”
“Because, if they survive, they become profiteers, with complete control of the ship they serve aboard.”
“They don’t own it?”
“It is in the planning stages, but we are thinking of forming an alliance between Humanity, Elonia and Ballison. This alliance would be a quasi-ruling body motivated by interplanetary interaction and commerce.”
“A noble concept, Ambassador.”
“This HEB Alliance would continue to own the ship. However, that ship would be a member of the HEB Alliance Fleet. With a small percentage of any profits going to the HEB Alliance, all the rest of the profits are proportionately divided among the crew.”
“Who would command these ships?”
“The ship’s captain.”
“Who will determine the ship’s destinations? Its routes? The cargo it carries?”
“We haven’t thought that far ahead, Mistress.”
“Oy, Cap. I’m thinking, since the HEB Alliance is running the show, there should be some sort of committee to handle the fleet.”
“Ambassador, Mistress?”
Analyn sat up, ready to promote an idea. Keiko, seeing her body language, gave an affirmative nod.
“So far, everything we’ve talked about has been a joint venture between all three of our species. We do the same for the Alliance Fleet. A board of facilitators determines the ship utilization. Of course, this occurs after the Mortek-Human war.”
“I agree, Anyl. With one caveat. Since the majority of merchant activity concerns the well-being, profit and loss of the biological members of the HEB Alliance, the board should be made up of biologicals.”
“But, Ambassador, Ballison doesn’t have a population!”
“And that will be an intense focus of the HEB Alliance once the Mortek-Human war is over, Preceptor. By virtue of its extreme distance from Federacy space, Ballison is safe. Regardless of the outcome, we will make every effort to find the location of where the Ballisonians settled and bring them home.”
“Is that acceptable, Preceptor Igaklay?” Mistress Analyn asked.
“I suppose.”
“No hang dog, Iggy. We’re all together here. We wouldn’t even be here without your big brain. We’ll find your people. That’s a promise.”
“Okay. But, that means that there will be only two species on the Board of Merchant Facilitators.”
“Ya, Iggy. Until we bring home a bunch of your Ballisonian people.”
“Okay. You promised that you would look for my people. I agree.”
“Vidhee, Buster, I believe that Commander Marston and Ambassador Suzume have presented a proposal. Do you agree?”
Buster and Vidhee froze for a moment. Vidhee spoke for the two of them.
“We agree, Mistress. As does Preceptor Igaklay.”
“If I may?” Keiko interrupted.
“Yes?”
“Honorable Vidhee, are you still suspended from your duties on the Elonian Monarchal Legal Court?”
“Yes, Ambassador.”
“Do you ever foresee you returning to your previous position?”
“I do not.”
“May I recommend that we form a HEB Alliance Legal Court? One comprised of Honorable Vidhee, Legate Buster and Preceptor Igaklay?”
Everyone thought for a moment. Mistress Analyn was the first to speak.
“As the Elonian Mistress of Ballison, I approve.”
“Igaklay, as the sole representative of Ballison?”
“Yes! Absolutely!”
“Krag?”
“Buster?” Krag asked.
“I see no problem with this, Commander. Vidhee, Igaklay and I have been in constant communication, even when we have been within the Federacy system. With my expanded capabilities, I will have no problem performing multiple tasks simultaneously.”
“What I’m asking is, do you want to sit on the HEB Alliance Legal Court?”
“Of course, Commander. I thought I just said so.”
“Nah, Tinman. You just rambled for a while.”
“Then, Ambassador Suzume, Mistress Analyn, I approve of the formation of the HEB Alliance Legal Court.”
“Would the Court please draw up a binding contract covering all which has been discussed so that I may present it to the Elonian people?”
“And whoever from Humanity who decide to join the HEB Alliance Fleet.”
“Of course, Keiko. My oversight.”
The three Synthetics again quickly froze and unfroze.
“We will have something presentable by noon, tomorrow, Mistress, Ambassador, Commander.”
“Thank you, Honorable Vidhee.”
“Father, I have a thought.”
“Yes, Little Fire?”
“While working with Master Builder Embrani and his workers, I have spent time with our people.”
“And?”
“The younger population has bec
ome excited about living on this new world. They have become more curious. They have become more exploratory.”
“That is true, Anyl. I have seen this, also.”
“Thank you, Mother. If there are members of the crew of Wisdom Seeker who volunteer, we could have some of our younger people become space trained and fill those new openings.”
“This is war, Little Fire. People will be killed. They will kill other beings.”
“I understand, Father. But, our friends and their families are in trouble. We need to help them.”
“If I may interrupt, Captain?”
“Yes, Buster?”
“Honorable Vidhee and I have been talking.”
“About?”
“Even after we upgrade these ships, they will not be able to stand up to the Mortek ships. The reaction times of Humans and Elonians are too slow. Mistakes will be made. Ships will be destroyed.”
“We will not approve of Preceptor Igaklay controlling war ships and developing destructive algorithms.”
“Vidhee and I agree, Captain.”
“And, all of these ships do not use Federacy level A.I.’s.”
“That is also true.”
“Then what is your idea?”
“Commander Kelly indicated that there are forty-nine fighters still functioning. That means that there are forty-nine combat androids. Since, I assume, that those androids will never be used again for planetary crowd control, their full functionality will not be required. They can become available to control the ships in our fleet. The fighters can be fitted with onboard A.I.s.”
“You know that they do not have the programming to pilot a ship or handle a large ship’s armament.”
“Yes, but they can be upgraded.”
“What? You want to upgrade them to be like you?”
“No, Captain. Let Vidhee explain.”
“First, I want to say that I am in one hundred percent agreement that we should not, ever, develop destructive algorithms for any level one synthetic beings, especially Preceptor Igaklay. Further, it is against the Elonian Constitution to even create a level one synthetic being without the approval of the Counsel of Synthetic Administration.”
“You can bet your last credit the Senate would never allow that approval to happen.”
“That is true, Lord Kaporine. Buster and I have devised a solution.”
“Oy, Syn-Gal. you’re proposing that we upgrade these combat androids to be like your level three Synthetic that pilots Wisdom Seeker?”
‘No, Mack. She can only evaluate and process commands. For the needs of Humanity and the future of the HEB Alliance Fleet, independent decision-making is a requirement.”
“Ach. Doesn’t that mean a level one?”
“No. level two Synthetics are also decision makers.”
“What’s the difference?”
“There are two, Mz. Benton. The first, and most important one, is that a level two Synthetic is not self-aware. Therefore, it will not make decisions based upon its own requirements. It will never act in its own self-interests because it does not have any logic modules which define those self-interests.”
“Does that mean that a level two A.I. does not have any survival instincts?”
“That is true, Mz. Benton. Since a level two A.I. is not self-aware, it has no concept of mortality.”
“Oh. That’s sad. The second?”
“A second level Synthetic can only make decisions within its proscribed matrices boundaries. It self-learns only within a fixed set of applications.”
“Then, you and Buster are proposing that we program these combat androids for ship protection and weapons handling.”
“That is correct.”
“You are saying that, a level two A.I. will fight and keep fighting until it can fight no more.”
“Yes, Mack. A level two A.I., within its boundaries, will execute its programs as long as it is capable.”
“Honorable Vidhee, does this go counter to the Elonian Constitution and laws?”
“No, Ambassador. All that is required is that we apply for permits with our clan leaders. Each clan has its own control over its level two and below A.I.’s. Once those permits are approved, then we can begin the upgrades.”
“A moment, please.”
Lord Kaporine froze. Everyone waited while the Kaporine leader remained rigid. After a time, Lord Kaporine unfroze.
“The Kaporine elders approve. It just remains for Mistress Analyn to give her consent on behalf of Ballison.”
“I consent.”
“I will contact Commander Kelly and have him get the combat androids ready for transport. Igaklay, where is Fairstar?”
“She is still orbiting Tolimar, Captain.”
‘Perfect. I’ll contact her and get her ready for a pickup.”
“Back to the Elonians crewing warships.”
“Yes, Mistress. If everything works out, if the combat androids are modified to handle the defenses and the combat, then all that is needed is pilots and maintenance crews.”
“They still will be in danger, Ambassador.”
“Yes. But protected by the combat androids.”
“And, I will keep an eye on all of them! If I perceive that they are in mortal danger, I will jump the ships out. I will keep them safe!”
“Mistress, Preceptor Igaklay has proven, time and time again, that he is very capable of protecting those ships. He has saved Griffin and its crew many times over.”
“Father?”
“You must explain the situation, both opportunities and dangers. You must emphasize the danger aspect, not just the opportunities. And, it must be completely by volunteering.”
“Me? You are better at this than I am.”
“You are the Mistress of Ballison. It is on you.”
But I am not as good an orator as you, Father.”
“It is time that you learned, Anyl.”
“Heavy lies the crown, Little Fire.”
“You are such tyrants. Both of you.”
Ballison – Kaporine Courtroom
The icy-cold morning of Mount Rhetho glisten like a sheet of diamonds from Ballison’s star. The landing port, melted by the landing of the transport, quickly began to re-freeze, returning the water to its normal state of hard-packed, slippery ice.
With heaters on their arms, Krag and Keiko entered the courtroom, blowing clouds of vapor as they exhaled. Wearing the custom boots which Mack had invented for walking on the icy floors, the two made their way towards the raised docket, cutting cleat marks into the thick layer of ice.
Looking around, the two saw the familiar walls of ice glisten from the overhead lighting. To their right, they saw Sub-Captain Desinal sitting with Honorable Vidhee. Those two stared at a data pad, reviewing something.
After the two approached, Keiko set a carrying back on the icy, wooden table and spoke first.
“Honorable Vidhee, Sub-Captain Desinal.”
“Ambassador Suzume,” Desinal replied after looking up from the document
“I do not know why, but Vidhee brought me this document for review. What is it for?”
“Krag interrupted, “Sub-Captain, why did you betray The Crown?”
The fire in the Elonian’s eyes and the baring of her teeth spoke more than her words.
‘I did not betray the crown. I am no traitor.”
“Sub-Captain, if that is not betrayal and treason, then what is it?”
“It is loyalty to The Crown, Captain Marston. Then-King Kaporine indevoured to free you and your ship. He did this even after the Senate issued a warrant for your arrest and for your ship to be seized. He went against the Senate. He violated Elonian law. Captain Kakkarna supported him. It was my duty to report this unlawful behavior.”
Keiko took back the discussion.
“You did not know this when, against Captain Kakkarna’s direct orders, you recorded our meeting.”
“No. But the Captain was acting strangely.”
“So, by your
definition, the Captain was acting strangely. Because of this, you took it upon yourself to ignore your Captain’s command. You recorded our meeting.”
“For the security of Wisdom Seeker and Elonia.”
“Honorable Vidhee, I believe that you are correct in your judgement that Sub-Captain Desinal did not commit treason.”
“Thank you, Ambassador Suzume.”
“I also believe that you are correct in that Sub-Captain Desinal will be found guilty of the charge of criminal insubordination.”
“That is also my judgement.”
“We already know that this is what the trial is about. Why are you here?”
“To offer you a deal.”
“What deal can there be?”
“We want you to plead ‘guilty’ to the charge of criminal insubordination.”
“That will get me ostracized from Clan Kaporine.”
“Yes it will. That is going to happen anyway. And you will serve time in prison.”
“Why should I do this, Ambassador Suzume? Plead guilty.”
“For your future. After you spend your time in prison, say five years, what will you do? You are young. With Preceptor Igaklay’s nanite injections, you are looking forward to a long life. What will you do with that life?”
“I might not be found guilty.”
“The judges are Kaporine Elders. Captain Kakkarna is a nephew of Lord Kaporine. What evidence can you give that will sway the court in your favor?”
“Leniency? Because my intentions were to protect Elonia.”
Krag stepped in.
“Really, Sub-Captain? You know how this works in the military. Insubordination, of any kind, can not be tolerated. You know that. The chain of command must be followed, regardless of personal disagreement. What would happen if you ordered your pilot to sail Wisdom Seeker to a destination and he refused because he wanted to visit his family? What would you do?”
“He would no longer be a pilot,” Desinal responded, knowing where this conversation led to.
“That is the same for you, Sub-Captain. You should have allowed King Kaporine and Captain Kakkarna to commit the crime, if it was a crime. Then you should have allowed the Elonian legal system to decide. You know that.”
“I could not let you Humans escape.”
“Well, we did. And now, we are offering you a way out.”
Victory in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 6) Page 13