by S. H. Jucha
Alex paused, enjoying the moment. What he expected came within seconds.
“But why is that moon gone?” the Veklock female squawked.
“The investigation teams discovered that the domes have not one but two power sources,” Alex replied. “One drives the dome’s gate operations, and the other is a reserve source. Apparently, the secondary source spins up when the gate connection request is activated. However, if the procedure for connecting the gates isn’t followed exactly, then the impending power release lacks direction. In this case, it had nowhere to go and was released through the moon.”
Renée stepped beside Alex. “You might want to know some of the specifics,” she said. “None of our individuals was injured. SADEs carried the humans clear of the dome and escaped up lines dangled behind our travelers. Then the travelers fled the area. Only the primary moon detonated. Think about what your citizens would do in the event of an impending mishap. Would they recognize the dangers? Could they clear a dome at the speed of SADEs? Could their shuttles hover over a launch tube to enable a quick escape, and could those shuttles get far enough away in the short window of time allowed?”
“One more point,” Alex added. “The SADEs believe that both power sources are antimatter engines. That’s why the failure to properly direct the secondary power source eliminated the entire moon and everything on it. The blast became a horrendous wave of energy and space dust.”
“As you’ve heard,” Jess said, “we’re not coveting the technology. We’re trying to protect the races. One mistake during the installation and a race will lose a moon, its dome, its gates, and all citizens working on the project. You’ll be cut off from the Tsargit and every other member.”
Jess’s remarks chilled the audience. The gates were the beating heart of the alliance. All commerce and communications journeyed through the gates. The thought of losing the gates heralded a future that was impossible to consider.
In the stunned silence, Alex took the opportunity to signal the others, and the entire group left the dais.
Jarmonin eyed Jess as he passed, and Jess said, “I think the members need time to think. We’ll remain on station for another cycle or two.”
Jarmonin nodded. He had hoped the discussion could continue.
* * * * *
Later in the cycle, Jarmonin received a message from his staff. He read the translated communications. Then he reread it.
“He can’t be serious,” Jarmonin commented to his senior staff member, who’d delivered the demand and stood patiently waiting for the inevitable fallout.
Actually, a junior staffer had received the message, but he was loath to be the one to present it to the lead councilor. So, he’d handed it, with apologies, to the senior member of Jarmonin’s staff.
“I’ve confirmed it with the Usaanan’s staff,” the senior staff member replied. “The message is genuine, and the representative requests an emergency meeting of the council to hear his charges.”
Jarmonin hefted his slate toward his staff member and said, “There’s nothing in this message about the nature of the charges.”
“According to the Usaanan’s staff, the charges are of a sensitive nature, and the representative didn’t wish to expose the details unless in the confines of the council’s chambers.”
Jarmonin, a Norsitchian, growled, “More likely, the Usaanan doesn’t want to appear foolish if the charges appear to be unfounded, or worse, contrived.”
“What’s to be done about the defendants?” the staff member asked.
“Yes, the outpost,” Jarmonin mused. “If we delay the Usaanan’s request, then the outpost leaders will have left. In their absence, I fear these accusations will be leaked to the assembly. I must speak to the commander.”
“Here or in his accommodations?” the staffer asked.
“Come with me,” Jarmonin ordered.
When the senior member reached for Jarmonin’s robe, the councilor said, “No, not the robe. I don’t want to bring undue attention to our visit. This promises to be unpleasant.”
Jarmonin and the staff member took a brief ride in a nearby lift to reach the span of suites occupied by the station’s visitors from the outpost. Jarmonin entered an unoccupied suite, while the staff member gathered Jess, who requested Lucia’s presence, and Alex, who signaled Renée and Julien to accompany him.
Z and Miranda entered the suite first, found it unoccupied, except for Jarmonin, and exited the salon to stand in the corridor.
“Apologies for the impromptu visit,” Jarmonin said to his guests.
“Impromptu is often how we conduct our affairs,” Renée remarked. “We find it more efficient.”
“To each his own,” Jarmonin replied. While his reply was congenial, his expression indicated his distaste for the lack of structure that Omnian methods indicated.
“What brings you to our suites, Lead Councilor Jarmonin?” Jess inquired politely.
“I bring difficult tidings, Commander,” Jarmonin said. “I thought it best to immediately acquaint you with the delicate circumstances to give you a maximum amount of time to prepare.”
Jarmonin’s jaw fell open, and his furred head swung toward Julien.
“The SADEs haven’t intercepted any of the station’s comm traffic, Lead Councilor Jarmonin,” Julien said. “Based on recent events, the commander is making an educated guess. After regarding your expression, I would surmise that he’s hit the mark.”
Jarmonin gathered his wits and strove to come to the point. “The Usaanan member has demanded an emergency council meeting to press charges against the outpost.”
First, Jess and Lucia laughed. Then the others joined them. Even fairy dust cascaded down Julien’s head.
When the laughter died, Jess said, “Are you ready to convene the council now?”
“Of course not,” Jarmonin replied. He was shocked by the suggestion that the council could convene at a moment’s notice. “There are protocols to follow,” he continued. “The council must receive the charges in written form. Evidence must be exchanged between parties. The defendants must be allowed sufficient time to prepare a defense. Then a council hearing will be scheduled.”
Z sent.
Jarmonin had watched the humans and the SADEs engage in conversation through their unique technology. When his staff member had frowned at the seemingly statuette stances, Jarmonin had tapped his temple to indicate what was transpiring.
“We thank you, Lead Councilor, for informing us so expeditiously of this challenge,” Jess said. “We’ll remember your courtesy.”
Jarmonin tipped his head at the remark. He had severe apprehensions about announcing the Usaanan’s intentions. The commander was proving to be a respectable representative of the outpost.
“We’ll forgo the council hearing,” Jess continued. When Jarmonin attempted to respond, Jess raised a hand to forestall him. “Instead, Lead Councilor, the outpost opts for a trial by assembly. Please inform the Usaanan representative to prepare his evidence for submission to the membership at the meeting tomorrow. We request it be scheduled for the morning.”
“An assembly trial is your right, Commander,” Jarmonin replied, “but I must warn you that it possesses risks.”
“We understand those risks,” Jess replied, gesturing toward Julien.
“Ah, yes. You’ve investigated station records,” Jarmonin said. “I’ll inform the assembly. At least this time, it’s not present company who has initiated the assembly’s emergency meeting.”
25: Assembly Trial
As Jarmonin, in the company of his senior staff member, rode the lift to his suite, he quietly eyed his confidant.
“The commander and the admiral seem assured of the assembly trial’s outcome,” the councilor mused.
“Not only the pair but the entire collection of individuals in the room, including Julien,” the staff member noted.
“It makes me wonder about the Usaanan’s gambit,” Jarmonin said thoughtfully.
“Perhaps the Usaanan representative is being played,” the confidant suggested.
“Elaborate,” Jarmonin requested.
“The nefarious methods of the Usaanans are well known,” the confidant replied. “They’re careful to ensure that other races take the fall for their illegal activities.”
“True,” Jarmonin said. “But how does that relate to this Tsargit member?”
“What if Usaanan individuals have perpetrated crimes against the outpost?” the confidant proposed. “What if the outpost has caught them?”
“Then the perpetrators would be trying to use the commander’s visit to the Tsargit to smear him and make it seem the outpost is guilty of the crimes, or at least has been a willing participant,” Jarmonin replied, leaping to the obvious conclusion.
It was well known within the Tsargit that there was little love lost for the Usaanan race. A Usaanan, a member of that long-lived race, had harshly ruled the membership for more than two centuries from the lofty post of lead councilor.
With the possibility in mind of upending the Usaanan gambit, Jarmonin wondered how he might aid the outpost. Foremost in his mind was the news that the outpost had brought. The alliance domes and gates had remained as they’d been found by each race over millennia. For the first time since the Tsargit’s inception, there was an opportunity to expand the gate network. It would mean increased trade and an expanding economy for alliance space. The membership didn’t need to see the outpost denigrated.
“What are you thinking?” the confidant asked, as the lift arrived at their floor, and they walked the corridor.
“I’m wondering how to maximize the outpost’s opportunity,” Jarmonin whispered, glancing around to ensure that no ears were listening.
“I’m pleased to hear you say that,” the confidant said. “If I might suggest two small steps that would aid your goal and keep your exposure to a minimum?”
“That would be appreciated,” Jarmonin replied. He stopped to listen, leaning close to his senior staff member.
“The Usaanan needn’t be informed of the commandant’s challenge for a few hours yet,” the confidant said quietly.
Jarmonin nodded, absorbing the implications. “And the second?” he prompted.
“Announce the assembly convening immediately after informing the Usaanan rep of the commander’s request for a member trial,” the confidant said conspiratorially. When the councilor frowned, the staff member added, “And call for the membership to convene at the earliest hour, if not sooner.”
Jarmonin put the pieces together. If he and his staff member’s assumptions were correct, the Usaanan rep might be caught off guard by the commander’s swift response. There was the possibility that the Usaanan had no evidence, or that he would need to contact his conspirators to request advice. Either way, a message would need to be sent to the home world. The staff member’s suggestions amounted to dramatically shortening the window for the message to reach the conspirators and be returned.
Jarmonin grinned, displaying his broad flat teeth. “You’ll attend me after evening meal to call on the Usaanan member. Our presence in his suite will give him the impression that we’re proceeding with alacrity.”
* * * * *
“He’s here?” Umlass, the Tsargit representative, inquired of his staffer.
“Yes,” the staff member replied.
Umlass slipped from his warm sand shelter and hurriedly dressed. As the lead councilor and an associate were led into the salon, Umlass said, “Welcome, Councilor Jarmonin. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Your decision to prefer charges against the Pyrean outpost has created an unforeseen reaction,” Jarmonin replied.
Umlass indicated seats, but Jarmonin declined, saying, “I won’t be long. The speed with which events are moving required me to brief you immediately.”
“This sounds dire, Councilor Jarmonin,” Umlass replied. His attempt at humor was delivered via a burst of short, light hisses.
“I’ll let you be the judge of that, Umlass,” Jarmonin replied. “Commander Cinders has declined to defend the outpost in a council meeting.”
Jarmonin watched Umlass weave. It was a sign of Usaanan pleasure, and the councilor was happy to let the representative believe he’d made a strategically smart play before he experienced his downfall.
“A sure sign of guilt,” the Usaanan hissed.
“That might not be,” Jarmonin replied and saw the weaving halt. “The commander has opted for an assembly trial.”
“How did he know about this option?” Umlass hissed.
To Jarmonin, the Usaanan’s question betrayed the weakness of the representative’s position. If he’d had an implant, he’d have sent congratulations to his confidant on his acumen.
“I imagine that it was the work of the SADEs,” Jarmonin replied. “There are five aboard this station. I don’t think there are any Tsargit records beyond their reach.”
Jarmonin waited while Umlass digested the turn of events. The Usaanan’s length had sunk a half-meter shorter to the floor, obviously devastated by the news.
“How much time do I have to prepare?” Umlass hissed.
“The assembly meets tomorrow,” Jarmonin replied. “I hurried here to inform you before making the announcement.”
“Tomorrow?” Umlass hissed defiantly. “That’s impossible. I couldn’t possibly be ready in time.”
Jarmonin turned to his confidant. “Are you sure of the request?” he asked, as if this wasn’t pre-orchestrated.
“I checked the Tsargit requirements after we left the commander’s suite,” the confidant replied. “The commander was well informed. As the accused, he has the right to set the date and time of the assembly trial.”
“Ther
e you have it, Umlass. It’s out of my hands,” Jarmonin said, spreading his arms wide. “You’ve initiated the challenge, and the commander had the right to determine when the two of you should meet before the assembly.”
“When tomorrow?” Umlass inquired.
The Usaanan’s narrowing eyes told the Norsitchian that Umlass was calculating the time to send and receive a cube message.
“Immediately after morning meal,” Jarmonin replied. “That was how the commander phrased it.”
“But that’s fourteen Hyronzy time,” Umlass objected.
“That would be correct,” Jarmonin replied. “Well, we’ll leave you alone. I’m sure you have preparations to make before tomorrow morning.”
In the corridor, the confidant observed the councilor’s gait. Jarmonin exhibited a triumphant stride.
“You enjoyed that,” the confidant noted.
“Immeasurably,” Jarmonin replied, smiling widely. “Our sufferings from Omnian and outpost interruptions in our carefully crafted schedules have been balanced by this single opportunity. I’m looking forward to Umlass falling on his fangs.”
“What if the commander is able to do more than defend the outpost from the accusations?” the senior staff member asked, as they rode the lift.
“Elaborate,” Jarmonin requested.
“What if the commander possesses information that reverses conditions?” the confidant proposed.
Jarmonin’s jubilancy ended. He stared quietly at his staffer. “In that case, the council will have serious issues to consider, which may alter the nature of the Tsargit.”
“An elder race has never been censured or worse,” the confidant noted.
“There’s always the first time,” Jarmonin replied.
* * * * *
When the servers removed the meal carts from the suite shared by Alex and Renée, Alex eyed Jess and said, “Who do you want onstage with you?”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Jess replied. “I think it would make a better impression to the assembly if the view of the stage was as unintimidating as we can make it.”