by S. H. Jucha
“What?” Jess asked.
“We’re taking on the role of peacekeepers, as we did in the federacy,” Alain explained. “After we deposed Artifice, this became our primary duty. Initially, there were major engagements to keep the peace between the races. Afterward, it became lengthy negotiations to quell simmering angers about long-ago atrocities ordered by the AI.”
“Then it’s a good thing that alliance races don’t have warships,” Jess added. “But you’re right, Alain, that’s the intent of my message. Someone has to help the races through this rough patch of change, and that appears to fall to us.”
“We are the ones introducing the technological changes,” Lucia noted.
“True,” Jess agreed. “On the subject of change, Alain, what of your Trident?”
“It’ll be returning to Omnia to rejoin Alex’s fleet,” Alain replied. “My second-in-command has been promoted to captain. Why are you asking?”
“A few reasons,” Jess replied. “Let’s discuss personnel first. Ude has requested deployment as a trooper. With his newly developed skills, I’m assigning him a brassard of Norsitchians. He’ll be training with them before he boards one of the new carriers.”
“Black space,” Alain muttered. “That young man has a way of always attracting the galaxy’s troubles. You know that Ude is a rather special individual to Alex and Renée.”
“I’ve already discovered that,” Jess said.
“There are many clones at Omnia, and they want to see Ude and Nata succeed,” Alain continued. “The successes of their leaders would demonstrate to the rest of the clones that they too can live full lives, and that they aren’t limited copies of other human beings.”
“You sound as if you’re arguing that we should keep Ude safe,” Jess said.
“No, I know that Ude wouldn’t allow that,” Alain said. “He’s a determined young man. That’s what kept him and his band free from the minders aboard the derelict colony ship.”
“Then what are you suggesting?” Lucia asked.
“I guess nothing,” Alain replied, shrugging his shoulders. “From what I hear, the two of you take pains to protect your ships and your troops. That’s all anyone can ask of leaders, that they care for the lives under their commands.”
“Well, Ude has his protectors,” Jess noted, shifting the conversation.
“Nata and Petra,” Alain said, nodding his head in agreement. “They’re a fierce pair. What is it they want?”
“Petra wants a transfer from your Trident to whichever carrier Ude is assigned,” Jess replied.
“Consider it approved,” Alain said. “I’ll inform the new captain. What about Nata?”
“She’s headed back to Omnia,” Lucia said. “She wants to be in the action, which she believes is in Alex’s fleet.”
“What is the status of the Tripper’s crew?” Jess asked. “I don’t see them sailing the freighter around for Mickey.”
“They’ve a promise from Cordelia that when they return to Omnia, they’ll receive a new freighter,” Alain said, chuckling.
“What’s so funny?” Lucia asked.
“Captain Walton and her crew risked their lives to transport that alien drone out here in their dilapidated freighter,” Alain explained. He shuddered, recalling the Tripper’s conditions. “Cordelia told them that they would get extended stipends for the round trip, and Omnia Bank would replace their freighter with an upgrade ... at no cost.”
“That’s the funny part?” Lucia inquired quizzically.
“No, not at all,” Alain said, waving Lucia off, as he dampened his laughter. “The crew was offered berths on a Trident if they wanted to return to Omnia sooner. Instead, they settled into comfortable cabins aboard the city-ship, and Captain Walton has a suite. Apparently, they’re happy to take their time and enjoy the upgraded accommodations.”
“I would be too after surviving that journey,” Lucia said. “Imagine dropping out of transit with dead engines.”
* * * * *
Lucia ordered a Trident to Hyronzy Station. The warship would provide the immediate communications with the outpost that Alain would require. However, Alain opted to arrive quietly and earlier at the station via the gates.
A staff member aboard Hyronzy Station scanned her slate for arrivals from the local gates, as was her duty. Suddenly, her finger halted in the middle of a scroll, and she examined the name and the title.
“This might be someone of interest arriving,” the staff member said to Fistonia, the station director.
“Who?” Fistonia inquired.
“I don’t recognize the name, but he’s referred to as senior captain,” the staffer replied. “More important, his title is Envoy de Long, Outpost One: Resistance.”
Fistonia stopped what he was reading, and the staff member offered her slate, with its list of gate arrivals.
“Inbound? Not traveling through?” Fistonia queried.
The staffer retrieved her slate, checked for details, and replied, “En route to the station as we speak.”
Fistonia sighed. As was the custom of Omnian or outpost leaders, another day’s orderly schedule was about to be interrupted. He heaved his dark-furred bulk out of the chair, donned his cape, which identified his rank, and made his way to the station’s arm dedicated to gate shuttles.
Arriving at the station, Alain made his way down the gantry. He’d followed Julien’s gate map to navigate his journey. He’d used breathing techniques to calm his heart rate before the first instance of transfer. To his relief, there’d been no ill effects. Although there was that moment of in between, as he resolved on the next platform. The sensation was hard to describe. According to Julien, the SADEs’ realization of new spaces was instantaneous.
Alain’s monumental takeaway from his journey had been the numerous, diverse aliens he’d seen. Through his travels with the fleets, he’d encountered alien species usually one or two at a time. That was until the events at Talus. However, during this journey to Hyronzy Station, he’d stood shoulder to shoulder with any number of species who had scarcely given him a look. Most of them appeared bored with their journeys.
At the end of the gantry, a large burly individual, wearing an ornate cape, advanced to meet Alain.
“Welcome, Senior Captain Alain de Long. I’m Fistonia, Hyronzy Station director. You’ve an outpost title that we’ve not encountered heretofore.”
“Greetings, Station Director Fistonia,” Alain replied. “My post of envoy is newly created by Commander Cinders, who thought it would be advantageous to improve communications between the outpost and the Tsargit.”
“Indeed, orderly communications are always appreciated, Envoy de Long,” Fistonia intoned judiciously. “Might I inquire as to what brings you to our station, and how long you intend to stay?”
“As to the latter question, Director, the station will be my permanent post,” Alain replied. “My duties include reporting to the commander about my interactions with the members and relaying announcements from the council. At the moment, I’ve urgent business before the council.”
“Of course, you do,” Fistonia replied sourly. “I’ll inform Lead Councilor Jarmonin. May I relay the nature of your request?”
“Certainly,” Alain replied politely. “I carry an urgent recorded message from the commander.”
“Pertaining to what?” Fistonia inquired.
“The message is sensitive, Director,” Alain explained. “The councilors must hear it first.”
Fistonia released a long, sad sigh. To his regret, disruptions to Tsargit business continued. “If you’ll follow me, Envoy, I’ll take you to your quarters. Tomorrow, I’ll assign you a staff member who will facilitate your schedule. Do you have preferences?”
“Preferences?” Alain queried.
“Races? Gender? Age?” Fistonia enumerated.
“I’ve enjoyed the company of Jatouche, whom I’ve met,” Alain replied, “and any gender or age will do.”
“I’ll make it so,” Fistoni
a said. “Might I inquire as to your title of senior captain? What did that entail?”
Lucia had been specific about how Alain was to reply to this question. He’d preferred to underplay the role he had with the fleets, but she insisted that he do the opposite.
“Alain, understand that the alliance races, especially the elder ones, operate with a lot of hubris,” Lucia had said. “They heartily believe in their superiority. Your title of envoy will carry little weight with them, which means that you’ll be excluded from many of their conversations. You have one opportunity to awe them. That’s to emphasize your experiences with the fleets.”
Alain had regarded Jess, hoping that the commander would disagree.
Instead, Jess had said, “Alain, you have to use whatever advantages you have with the Tsargit membership.”
Although loath to do so, Alain said to Fistonia, “In my most recent position, Director, I commanded a squadron of warships.”
“Did you see any fighting?” Fistonia inquired.
Alain could tell from the tone of the translation that he received in his ear comm that the subject both fascinated and intimidated the Hyronzy. That’s when he understood Jess and Lucia’s urgings.
“My squadron and my ship were engaged in countless battles,” Alain explained. “Many times, we were up against federacy battleships and Nua’ll bullet ships. These vessels and their armament dwarfed our ships and weapons.”
“Then it’s likely that you were forced to kill your enemies,” Fistonia said. Despite his massive bulk, the Hyronzy sounded like a youngling inquiring of an adult.
“Most times,” Alain replied, “the number who died in the more extensive engagements of our fleets was hard to estimate.”
“And you did this in the pursuit of peace,” Fistonia both insisted and hoped.
“We never fired first. Always our leaders hoped to dissuade the other side to desist from its aggressive intentions,” Alain said.
The pair was aboard a lift surrounded by other passengers, who’d heard much of the exchange. Alain gazed around at the unique alien shapes. They had one thing in common, staring at him with amazed eyes and orbs.
The next morning, a Jatouche female requested entry into Alain’s salon. When she was admitted, she said, “Greetings, Envoy de Long. I’m pleased to be assigned to you as your senior staffer. My name is Krokticka.”
“Greetings, Krokticka, I look forward to working with you,” Alain replied. “Has a meeting with the council been scheduled?”
“It has, Envoy,” Krokticka replied. “Regrettably, it has been scheduled for late this evening. Shall I reply that you find that acceptable?”
“Certainly,” Alain said. “Then I’d like you to schedule appointments today with these individuals.” Pleased that Krokticka had an implant, he sent her the names of the consortium’s Tsargit members.
“Are these meetings urgent, Envoy, and can they be congregated?” Krokticka asked.
“Absolutely urgent, and the fewer meetings, the better,” Alain replied.
“What if their schedules are full today, Envoy?” Krokticka replied.
“Then inform them that they’d better be prepared for a huge surprise tomorrow,” Alain warned.
Krokticka’s slender lips pulled back from her muzzle, revealing small, sharp teeth. “I believe I’ll enjoy working with you, Envoy,” she said. Then she sat at a desk and busily tapped on her slate, while she chittered.
38: Tsargit Uproar
Krokticka chittered.
Alain opined.
Alain introduced himself to the audience and thanked them for interrupting their busy schedules, which earned him nods, grunts, and tweets of appreciation. Krokticka had warned him to include the latter statement.
“I’ve little to say to you. Although, you might have a great deal more to ask me,” Alain continued. “I’ve a meeting with the council this evening. My communications with them will be the same as it is to you. Please watch this message from the outpost commander to the council.”
Alain triggered the holo-vid and fed it Jess’s recording. When the playback finished, Alain shut down the holo-vid. The room was silent.
“What were your leaders’ orders if news of the consortium’s efforts became known?” Alain asked.
“We were not to respond,” the Jatouche member said.
“Then we were to tell the council that we would seek advice from our leaders,” the Sylian rep said.
“As a delay, it’s always worked in the past,” the Norsitchian member added.
“I think the commander’s message makes it obvious to the council that the consortium is well underway through the formation, planning, and execution of its goals,” Alain pointed out. “It makes your responses to the council appear weak. Is that the way your leaders would like you to speak?”
“What would you suggest, Envoy?” the Crocian rep rumbled.
Murmurs erupted throughout the audience about the Crocian’s proposal to deviate from his leader’s directives.
“I don’t intend to speak for your leaders,” Alain said to quiet the room. “But I can tell you how I intend to represent the outpost. Decades ago, my twin and I decided to support and protect the captain who rescued us. Since then, we’ve fought to free races from domination and bring peace to their areas of space. The outpost is the culmination of our efforts. The station exists, but it’s the ideal that I represent. You might consider what the consortium means to you when the council demands answers.”
The Crocian rep roared his approval. Others added their support. Still others were quiet, displaying knitted brows or narrowed eyes.
Alain waited for more questions, but the members rose, almost as one, and filed out.
“I guess the meeting is over,” Alain said in an aside to Krokticka after the room emptied.
Krokticka chittered. “I was wrong earlier, Envoy,” she said. “I said I believed I’ll enjoy working with you. Now, I know I will.”
“What are your thoughts about what was said in the meeting or the commander’s message?” Alain asked.
Krokticka’s eyes widened. When her patriarch had called her to his suite and informed her that she would be the envoy’s senior staffer, he told her to be prepared for the unorthodox ways of Omnians.
“There is probably no more critical job on Hyronzy Station than the position you’ll occupy,” the patriarch had told Krokticka.
The envoy’s question was an example of what her patriarch meant. She had just been asked for her opinion within the same cycle as their first meeting. Typically, a senior staffer worked for a representative for annuals before that courtesy was granted.
Recalling what her patriarch had told her, Krokticka carefully considered her response to the envoy. She was to be the voice of the consortium and help guide the Tsargit on a new path. However, she’d been raised to think critically, learn the facts, reason, and speak her mind. These aspects didn’t always allow her opinions to be in tune with her patriarch’s thinking.
“The commander’s message is politically explosive for several reasons,” Krokticka said. She meant to sit and discuss the issues, but the envoy had picked up the holo-vid, and he’d motioned her toward the door. Thinking their conversation would wait until they returned to the envoy’s suite, she remained quiet.
“You were saying,” Alain prompted, as they walked toward the corridor.
“We’ll be overheard,” Krokticka warned.
“Probably,” Alain said indifferently.
Krokticka’s head lifted. She was being accepted as a consultant. It gave her great pride. Then, in the manner of equals, she explained the reactions that she expected from the council and the fallout that was to
come.
“Any way to prevent some of the rending of the Tsargit membership because of the consortium’s actions?” Alain asked.
“That question is best asked of a senior member,” Krokticka replied.
“I’m asking you,” Alain returned.
Alain mused on the lengthy conversation that he eventually had with Krokticka. In one day, he’d received an intense introduction to the Tsargit’s challenges and the difficult role the outpost must play.
In late evening, Alain was ushered into the Tsargit council chambers. He made his introduction to the councilors and then took a seat.
“I’ve a message for the council from Commander Cinders,” Alain said, as he set up the holo-vid. Without introduction, he played the recording. When the holo-vid was shut down, Alain waited quietly.
“We thank the new envoy for his courtesy in meeting with the council as soon as he occupied his position and arrived on station,” Jarmonin, the lead councilor, said. “At this time, questions about the message or of you, Envoy, will not be entertained. We do have one subject that we’d like more data about.”
“I’m here to facilitate whatever information you require, Lead Councilor Jarmonin,” Alain said graciously.
Jarmonin nodded his appreciation of the envoy’s sentiment. Then he said, “The council came to an arrangement with the Usaanan directorate that it would relinquish the culprits who orchestrated the illegal contracts and attacked the outpost’s undercover agents. We’ve been told that the directorate sent them to your station. Could we have an update?”
“The outpost did receive ten Usaanans,” Alain replied. “They’ve never admitted guilt for evading the contractual arrangements or attacking the security agents. However, Major Fleetfoot and Lieutenant Weller have implant recordings of the three who attacked them. Those three have been positively identified as among the ten.”