by P F Walsh
Nazzdropa Paklar, Chief priest of the Shrine of First Faith, watched the service every bit as spellbound as all of Denknish, He too had tears in his eyes but joy in his heart. The prophecy defined in the scroll had been fulfilled. He recalled the scroll words he had read in such despair at the time. He had memorized it, word for word.
“In the deepness of your despair, the spirit of First Faith will awake and hear your distress. It will send a Majjoo. He will come from the dark with ghosts, for there is much that is unseen in the dark. He will know the ancient words and be admitted, and then he will speak for the dead. Prepare to be judged. Upon the body of peace shall the wounds be healed.”
The Majjoo had come. Peace may be at hand.
Chapter Seven
Book Two
Maja-Ben an enforcement Officer in the SIS, the State Investigative Service of Hhearn had been attacked by a bloodhunter some months back. He blocked its airborne strike with his metal file case, and then scooped it up, still buzzing, into the case. The device had been turned over to the SIS labs and was now determined to be of Zakar manufacture. This lethal aerial device was set into operation when the intended victim was within an Earth mile of its sensors. Using the geographic location of the victim’s pocketcomm, it flew to the victim and aimed for the center of their body mass. Once it struck, it instantly fired a long needle filled with poison to paralyze the victim. Within minutes it caused death. The victim could not even cry out since the surprise impact and the paralytic froze their actions, except to collapse.
Maja was meeting with Erkrut-Dom his supervisor and two other investigators to review the report from the lab. The lab report mentioned that this was the third one they had examined, and unlike the other two, this one was still functional and had some information in its data chip. That information was usually destroyed when the bloodhunter fired its needle. But in this case, the needle did not get to fire and some data was still in the chip.
“Maja, this is Investigator Malka-Dob, she has been working for a few annuals on investigating a suspected local assassin we believe has been responsible for several deaths. Some of these were reported in the media as natural causes or accidents, but we allowed that to assuage the killer into believing his actions were not being detected, but in every case, it was murder.” Said Erkrut-Dom. He continued,
“This time we have a kernel of data extracted from the bloodhunter chip. It contained the geo information of the launch location. Now, that would normally be useless since the assassin would be long gone, once he released his device. However, Malka-Dob had been watching a suspect based on a tip that he had deposited individual blocks of large funds immediately before some of these deaths. She tracked down his unregistered pocketcomm number from a single call he made to the bank to confirm receipt of a payment. He must have felt secure using an unregistered pocketcomm because no name or address is listed, but once she had the number, she was able to track his locations when he powered it up. On the night of your attack, that pocketcomm was at the launch location.” Said Erkrut-Dom
“Who is it Malka?” Maja asked.
“We believe it is a shadow fixer named Jess’m-Tak. It took us weeks to follow the false name ownerships of his accounts at the bank, but sooner or later, they need to get the money and need solid ID. We still don’t have an address, but we do have three images of persons from the security cameras at the bank the solar he set up the accounts four annuals ago. We’re not exactly sure which one he is, but we’re certain it is one of those three. Our guess is the slim one, he is the only one who has transferred funds to Zakar.” She said, as she handed Maja-Ben the three photos. One photo of a slim man had a red check mark on the top corner.
“I’ve never seen this man before.” Said Maja. Then, a thought occurred to him,
“I have been on assignment with the Director General’s Office of Interplanetary Affairs and the Director General has spoken about a prior new world application some twenty-something annuals ago where an applicant representative was murdered as he arrived on Hhearn. This caused that planet to be declared a vassal state. She was certain that it was all planned, but there was no proof, and the assassin was never apprehended. The Senior Councilor at the time, Tamn-Kar, quashed the investigation.” Recited Maja. “I wonder if the Seeker ship vid record would reveal this guy in the receiving group?”
“The Senior Councilor was murdered by the Zakar Ambassador, right?” Asked Arkrut-Dom
“Yes, and the Zakar Ambassador has been captured and about to arrive here on Hhearn to face that charge.” Said Maja-Ben.” This is beginning to look like it is all somehow hooked together.”
The second investigator named Trellm’n-Hof who up to now had not contributed anything to the recitations spoke up,
“I was assigned to the cleanup of the Senior Councilor’s murder and we soon discovered he was dirty. Lots of it I can’t discuss, but we found two things that might be related when we finally got the safe in the Senior Councilor’s office open. The first was his notes of a big shady event being planned using Zakar help, and funded by a large block of money from a local Hhearn business man who was listed under the code name “Big B.” One million kalt was the amount. Another one of the things we found was an unregistered pocketcomm. Guess whose number was in the memory chip?” He posed.
Sean was sitting in the Discovery’s dining area nursing a cooling cup of Zeng tea and reflecting on the events of the last few solars. He wondered how the fates had selected him for their latest stirring of events in the galaxy. He had never postured imaginatively, or actively, for a position of such pivotal influence. In one perspective, it frightened him to speculate on how many decisions he could have made incorrectly and the outcomes it might have had on so many people, “Millions actually.” he thought. But reflections of past possible failures displace preparations for upcoming demands. He refocused his thoughts on the upcoming transport of Admiral Andregga and her Denknish honor guard to a planet Discovery had not been too yet. In fact, it was likely that it had been decades or longer since a ship from Denknish had been allowed to land or enter Lotma solar space. He could imagine how many millions would be watching their arrival on the vids on both Denknish and Lotma since an emergency accord for cross broadcasting of the event was approved by both authorities.
His thoughts were interrupted by Doris and Rookt-Nab coming into the Dining area and sitting down at his table.
“Captain,” asked Rooky, “What will be our role in the ceremony tomorrow?”
“We will be the official representatives of Earth to attend both the Deliverance of Honor ceremony and then the funeral. I had Martin fabricate some more formal ship uniforms. They’re dark blue with white piping.” He continued,
“The funeral service will be held in the Lotma Main Shrine of the First Faith and will be broadcast to both Denknish and Lotma. The High Priest from Denknish will be coming with us and bringing the sacred scroll to read at the service. That scroll has never been out of the Denknish shrine in centuries, so this is a really big deal for Lotma and, of course, a security concern.”
“Will we have to go to the cemetery after the service?” Asked Doris always trying to assess dangerous exposure since this was a planet involved in a centuries long war up until yesterday.
“Surely,” she thought, “there would be those who were not willing to set down their arms despite the instruction from the Chairman and his agreement with the Speaker to suspend hostilities.”
“No, Doris, there will be no cemetery. I was told the Admiral will be interred in the floor of the Lotma Shrine in a crypt occupied by past leaders and some honored clerics. It is a high honor since I was told a burial had not been allowed there in over fifty years. We really have found ourselves involved in very historical, and hopefully, peace producing events.”
He looked at Doris, “Try not to shoot anybody.” He said with a weak smile.
“I am not sure yet what is the total makeup of the Hhearn contingent we will be bringing with us be
sides the High Priest, his aids, and the honor guard. We’ll find out when they board, I guess. Whatever they want is fine with me, we have plenty of shipboard room.” He said and continued,
“The Chief Priest did have a strange request, they want me to stand apart near an upper step at the front of the Shrine with the two Sisters, not sure what that is about, but I have to be careful not to offend any religious precepts. I am also not sure whether it is an honored inclusion or setting us apart as somehow not quite included but diplomatically sufferable. Once again, whatever they want is fine. I know it will make you nervous Doris being so far apart but it is what they want.” He described.
“The Sisters will keep me tuned into any hostile thought. I can relay a message through Martin from my implant communicator if there is any concern we pick up.” He said. Doris nodded her head, and reminded herself to check the battery level in her ear bud communicator
President Burke was reading the latest report from Earth Ambassador Henning based on Hhearn. The Secretary of State John Lewis was sitting across from the President. ‘Wally” Henning had decided that he would copy the latest messages to Secretary Lewis to keep him up to date as well as the President because he detected that diplomatic events were likely to transpire shortly one way or the other. He wasn’t sure what they might be since the two worlds were at war and Sean was now in the middle, but still neutral as far as Wally knew. The latest courier drone detailed the death of a highly paced Admiral in unsettling circumstances that were possible to inflame animosities to a fever pitch. But Wally knew events have turned on a dime many times in history and prediction of such outcomes was like reading tea leaves.
“What do you think John?” The President asked after he finished reading the report.
“I think that it will be likely you will have a mission for those three CW Freighters you bought.” He answered.
“To do what? He hasn’t asked for anything yet.” The President responded.
“Sir, any time there is a war, there will be combatants that will be short of food and medicines for the civilians. I would recommend we consider preparing for such a shipment under humanitarian reasons. That will give us first dibs on reconstruction material orders and establishing relations with a new entity on a friendly basis. You know my first position is always to make friends and not enemies. Let Sean parcel it out if he asks, he’s good at making smart decisions.” Said the Secretary.
“OK John, I’ll give FEMA a call tomorrow and see what our emergency inventory looks like. That will be a lot easier than going to Congress for an allocation.” Said the President watching the Secretary fixing himself another drink. “Fix me another will you?” He asked.
This was their bachelor’s ‘after five’ weekly get together. Not ‘after five PM,’ but after the President’s five reasons why he never should have taken his job.
“Wally also sent news on the Zakarian that was bagged here on Earth, and dragged back to Hhearn. He is now scheduled for execution for murder of the former Senior Councilor Tamn-Kar. The Zakarians negotiated to conduct the execution on Hhearn by the hands of Zakarians, thus avoiding any blood revenge and making a partial amends for the destruction of a Seeker ship before Earth was in play.” Said the Secretary sipping his drink.
“Boy, I’m glad we had no part in that mess.” said the President, “the Zakarians seem to be tribal, and given to blood revenge at any cost. The whole idea to travel all the way to Earth to kill Sean was unreal.”
“I agree,’ said the Secretary, I can’t see any opportunities for close relations with them, even though they are Council Members. Of course, the Russians seem to find them attractive and have been trying to establish diplomatic connections with them.”
“Birds of a feather.” said the President. “I’m more interested in the two new planets Sean has made contact with. I wonder what he is up to today?”
The Discovery ship slowly entered Lotma space unencumbered and set down on a spacious landing area at the foot of a large Lotma contingent waiting for its arrival. Sean had instructed Martin to refrain from opening the laser port with the cargo ramp for this trip. The ship powered down and became silent. After a minute or two, the cargo hatch opened, the ramp began to descend and settle onto the Lotma tarmac, the first Denknish manufactured ship to do so in over six decades. The retinue arrayed in front of the ship consisted of the Chairman of the Presidium, the First Chairs of each Presidium ring, a General and an Admiral, and finally the Lotma honor guard and staff.
Lining the back areas were military in full dress, neatly ordered in rows. A hearse idled in the background. The media cameras of Lotma were broadcasting this reception live and missed nothing.
After the ramp had been opened for a minute or two, three persons descended the ramp. The first one was Captain Sean Flynn, with him was Doris Lang, and Rookt-Nab. All three wore translators. Captain Flynn stopped at the end of the ramp and spoke.
“I am Captain Sean Flynn, Senior Field Officer of the Interplanetary Relations Office of the Planet Earth a diplomatic entity. I request permission for me and all of my party to step upon the soil of Lotma and to implement the proceedings of the Deliverance of Honor.”
The Chairman of the Presidium nodded and Mest-Drom Senior Diplomatic Officer of Lotma stepped forward and announced,
“You are officially granted permission to disembark with your party.”
Sean and his staff stepped off the ramp, struck hands with Mest-Drom and all stepped aside of the ramp.
There was an audible intake of breath as the next two persons stepped into view at the top of the ramp and proceeded to walk down it. The Speaker of the Assembly of Denknish and her personal security guard came down and moved directly to the Chairman where they struck hands and silently appraised each other. The Speaker nodded and stepped to his side. She was dressed in black with a transparent black veil over her head and face. The Chairman was speechless. The Speaker was glad he was so struck, and turned to face the ramp. This was not the place and time to discuss politics. The next figures to appear in the cargo entry were the High Priest and his aid bearing the sacred Scroll. They came down the ramp stopped in front of the Lotma contingent, bowed and moved to the side.
Next, the Senior Denknish honor guard, a decorated lieutenant, appeared in the cargo bay hatch. He faced the entourage on the ground, executed a salute, and turned to face the honor guard and the casket, still in the shadows of the cargo hold, and with his arms stretched out as though anticipating an embrace, moved backward to draw them in front of him. As he paced backward down the ramp, the honor guard which surrounded the casket of the Admiral rolling on a casket roller frame, followed slowly. They all wore white gloves. The casket was covered with the flag of Denknish.
When the honor guard and the casket had rolled onto the soil of Lotma and came to a stop. The lieutenant called his guard to attention and then issued his order to fold the flag of Denknish from the top of the casket. In military order the flag was respectfully removed and folded exactly as prescribed by military protocol. Then the lieutenant removed the sash around the head of the casket and folded it as well. He executed a solemn slow salute to the casket, turned and approached the Chairman who was standing alongside the Speaker, and said,
“Mr. Chairman, the leadership and the people of Denknish with the deepest regret give you this flag and sash which have protected the remains of an honored figure in Denknish history. We are prepared to deliver her to your honored care. The flag represents a universal Denknish acceptance of her service. The sash is your warrant to enter Denknish with full diplomatic accord anytime it is worn in peace.” When he finished, he handed the articles to the Chairman. The lieutenant then turned slightly and was handed a velvet box from one of the honor guards. He opened the box to display the gold Felicit Andregga Peace Medal with her likeness stamped on it. He said,
“Mr. Chairman, this is a duplicate of the medal awarded to Admiral Andregga by the Leadership and people of Denknish. We earnestly hope it
will not be the last one we can award to peacemakers and we respectfully request that you accept it.”
He held out the box, to the Chairman who had passed the flag and sash to an aid. The Chairman accepted the box and just stood there looking down at his daughter’s face in gold, and holding it with tears in his eyes. The lieutenant came to attention and saluted him, turned and stepped over to the lieutenant guard of Lotma, saluted him and waited for the return salute. After which, the Lotma lieutenant handed the Denknish Officer the flag of Lotma. The Denknish Officer held the folded flag between two open gloved palms and stepped to the Denknish honor guard at the casket with the flag. They respectfully spread the Lotma flag over the casket. The Denknish lieutenant returned to the Lotma senior honor guard, and said,
“I now deliver Admiral Felicit Andregga into your care.” Another salute and return. The Denknish honor guard on both sides stepped back allowing the Lotma honor guard to assume their places aside the casket. The Denknish honor guard assumed a salute as the casket passed between them and away. The whole retinue proceeded silently toward the hearse. The Lotma Media cameras missed nothing. The Denknish honor guard returned to the Discovery which withdrew the ramp, and closed up.
Inside the ship, the honor team had removed their covers and went to the dining area and sat down silently. No one was able to verbalize how they perceived the historic event they had just participated in. Finally, one of the guards said,
“Lieutenant, does this mean the Goddamn war is over?” The Lieutenant responded,
“I sure as Hell hope so crewman. I could see it in their eyes, they are as weary of it as we are. Maybe today, more so.” He sighed deeply, suddenly he was really, really tired and thinking “I can’t believe we killed an unarmed peace emissary. Just can’t believe it. What in God’s name were they thinking?
