by P F Walsh
“Not only that,” he thought, “they had defeated the infection scourge that killed so many of Trether’s finest technicians and researchers.” He made a mental note to ask for complete details on that accomplishment. He surmised that there were a lot of open files back on Trether regarding this.
The vehicle stopped in front of the Mausoleum and the party got out. The Sub-Commander stood there for a minute taking in the structure’s front facade, nodding in approval at its elegant design, fit for a Queen. His Queen.
There were two guards in full dress uniforms standing near the doors who came to attention. Sean said,
“These are honor guards. They are posted here to honor her resting place.”
The Sub-Commander nodded appreciatively. Sean then stood to the side and extended his arm out toward the building so that the Trether party could enter first. They climbed the steps and the heavy entrance doors swung silently open for them to enter the foyer. They entered and stood there as the Sub-Commander looked at the walls. The walls of the foyer were covered with engraved text in the language of Trether. Sean’s team had never had the time to translate what was written there. There were so many other things that needed doing. Sean waited a minute while the Sub-Commander read them and then asked respectfully,
“We have not translated these words. Can you tell me what they say?”
“Yes, they tell of the Queen’s reign, in quite a bit of detail. I have already read some things I did not know.” While he continued to read, he said to his science officer,
“Record all of our entry here and these walls carefully. There will be huge interest in this, huge!” He said. His science aid was already doing so, but the Sub-Commander was so enthralled he did not notice. It took several minutes for the Sub-Commander to finish reading. Tears were running down his face as he dropped his head to collect himself for what would come next, to look upon her face. He took a minute to compose himself, and then moved toward the inner doors which swung silently open upon his approach. He could see the lights slowly coming up, illuminating the large, inner rotunda and the raised dais in the center. He and his aids entered and moved toward the dais. Silently, as it had done before for Nasht-Mer, the glass case containing the body of Queen Mithren rose up from the dais and became illuminated. The Sub-Commander and his aids each dropped to one knee and bowed their head while holding out their right arm, with the palm up, and forward toward the glass case. Sean and his party stayed back, realizing what a very serious moment this was for Trether. All three men recited something in their language, but so softly Sean’s translator could not pick it up. He was sure it was a pledge of fealty, now delivered posthumously.
The Sub-Commander stood up and slowly went up the few steps to view the glass case and the Queen within. He stood there what seemed like a long time, and then motioned for his aids to come up as well. They all stood there silently looking upon a face they had not seen, other than photos, all their lives. It was taking them a long time to accept the reality before them. Finally, the Sub-Commander said,
“Central, has the body of our Queen been disturbed?” Central replied immediately,
“No, Sub-Commander, it has not.”
“Then, where is the Necklace of JihnBaar?” He asked with a troubled look upon his face. Central replied,
“It is on the Queen.”
“I am looking at the Queen and it is not there.” The Sub-Commander said with a trace of irritation. Central replied,
“You are looking at your former Queen Sub-Commander. The commands she left, as she faced death, were carried out exactly as she specified to create a successor. You have a new Queen, and she wears the necklace.” The Sub-Commander was shocked and for a minute didn’t know what to say as he looked at his aids. The science Officer spoke up,
“Sir, the name that mysteriously appeared on the great Column of Honors plinth!” The Science officer began to scroll through the reports on his tablet as the Sub-Commander looked on impatiently.
“Sir, here it is.” The Science officer turned the tablet over to the Sub-Commander who read the name. He turned and looked at the group, including Sean and his party, and said,
“Who is Nasht-Mer?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Book Three
The Earth Freighter carrying Svetlana Kuznetsov and the Russian Spetsnaz assault team was nearing Caerus. Major Verenich, Russian Spetsnaz team leader, had been riding in the co-pilot’s seat during the flight and had been impressed with Svetlana’s piloting of the complex cockpit controls similar, but in many ways quite different from an aircraft cockpit.
“There’s so damn many controls.” He thought. “I don’t know how she keeps track.” But then, he recalled her years as a fighter pilot. “Fighter pilots are all crazy smart.” He mused to himself with a slight smile, but did think about hitting on her after they secured Caerus, she was attractive. Svetlana spoke up,
“Major, you better get back with your men and make sure everything is ready to go. Strap yourself in, there will be some de-acceleration and reduction of gravity. I will signal you when docking is complete and you can get everyone ready to exit the freighter and begin your mission.” He nodded, got up from the seat and went through the heavy cockpit pressure door, and closed it behind him. Svetlana smiled and reached back to silently set the lock so the door could only be opened from her side. Caerus was just now beginning to come into sight as a point of light dead ahead.
“That will be the docking station navigation lights for docking. We’re close.” She thought, as she sat back for a minute. She contacted the Station for docking approach, and received instructions to dock in a cradle next to a shuttle from Trether.
“Trether?” She thought. “Who is that?” She wondered, and concluded it made little matter. She then reached for two large, red buttons with a hinged protector covers over them. She raised the protector covers, and thinking about her dead daughter, she said,
“Nadja, this is for you.” She pressed both buttons.
A week earlier on Hhearn, a visitor to the Senior Councilor of The Council of Worlds was ushered into the Senior Councilor’s office.
“Senior Councilor, you wished to see me?” Asked Nan-Cee, Duchess of Cee and Ambassador to Earth as she walked into his office.
“Yes, Duchess, please take a seat.” He had risen from his chair and pointed to a chair in front of his desk.
“First, I want to thank you for the work you did in your trip to Earth and the Earth Nation of China. I finally got some time last night to sit and watch the vid of your encounter. I am very impressed with how you handled that whole affair. A perfect balance of dignified representation, considerate, and benevolent contact with lesser Chinese staff, and a firm institution of instant reprimand. All of it was far more successfully executed than I get from the rest of the Ambassadors. They usually pursue weaker, less definitive outcomes that dilute rather than define what the rules really are in our signed charter of Membership. Splendid work! I have sent a note to The Council recommending a Distinguished Diplomatic Service medal.”
He reached across his desk to strike hands with a very big smile. She rose to do so, and was delighted. This meeting was entirely unexpected. She felt quite proud of herself, and now felt able to sweep aside any thoughts she harbored that she had been too harsh.
“I am very pleased I have an effective Ambassador I can rely on to settle matters that come up.” He went on, “The people from Earth constantly amaze me with their accomplishments and the influences they have had on changing things here on Hhearn. All for the better I may add. Their perspectives always bear consideration. I particularly am amused by one of their sayings. ‘tongue-in-cheek’ I believe they call it. They say, “No good deed goes unpunished.” The Ambassador’s eyelids popped up knowing something was coming.
“I am afraid I must send you back to Earth to settle another of the recalcitrant nation charter signers. It was not unexpected, and they seem to have many of the same behaviors that China d
oes. This one is a nation state called Russia, and I am informed that they have instituted a planned assault on Captain Flynn’s newly relocated planet called Caerus to wrench it away from his ownership using force. Since we have just granted Caerus Member status, I am sure you are fully acquainted with the section of our charter that forbids one nation state raising force against another.” He continued,
“As you know, Captain Flynn is highly regarded here on the Council, and has done good things for the Council of Worlds. he has projected an honest extension of our interests throughout the known galaxy, and we need to step in and ‘educate’ this nation state regarding its unwelcome behavior. I believe I have exactly the right Ambassador for the job.” The Senior Councilor said smiling.
The Duchess also smiled, another opportunity to shop in Earth’s women’s stores. She knew her Seeker ship would be filled with Ladies ready in an instant to go along. She also knew just exactly how to handle this nation state Russia, almost as well as she knew her shoe size. There would be stops at Caerus and Washington, of course, to learn what Russian office building this dark planning came from. The meeting concluded, and the Duchess left the Council Building with an extra bounce in her step, anxious to call her friends, and then pack for another quick trip to Earth. Her first call though, as she walked, would be to Martin, the Seeker Ship’s Artificial Intelligence, to let him know an immediate departure for Earth was planned. Next, she would need to contact Mother Primitia to request a Sister travel with her on this mission. She will be invaluable.
What was that Earth expression I heard from Captain Flynn? Ah, I recall, ‘Walk softly, but carry a big stick.’ How very apt these Earth people are. She thought as she dialed her pocketcom.
“Sister, I have bad news.” Said Kiz-bel as he came into the Earth’s Cultural Attaché office on Hhearn. He closed the door behind him. Today, he was not dressed in his warrior skins, and was only armed with a belt dagger. Maejel looked up from her computer screen and asked,
“What’s going on now?” She said. Kiz-bel paused, reluctant to proceed and then,
“I have been summoned to Zakar to stand judgement on my making you a clan sister without approval from the Thulk Gild. The procedure is used to bind Zakar clans together and has never been approved for a person who is not Zakarian. I was unaware of this restriction. There have been episodes lately where great harm has been done to the honor of Zakar by Zakarians who did not seek approval of the Gild for their plans. It appears they wish to make another example out of me. The last person was turned over to the knives of the Hunters, and executed in front of those he offended.” He said with his eyes downcast.
“Kiz-bel, this can’t be that serious, will there be a fine, or a jail term?” Maejel asked.
“No, if the judgement goes against me, I will be turned over to the Hunter’s knives. My blood will be spread on salted earth, and my family outcast. There is no appeal.” He replied, paused, and continued,
“There is more. You are called as a witness.” He said softly.
“If you fail to come, the judgement will almost certainly go against me. I’m sorry. I have caused this for you. You will have nothing to fear since you are the innocent party, and will be treated very well.” Maejel just sat there looking at him, her eyes wide open.
Much later, on Zakar, they both stood outside the doors to the Thulk Gild building. Maejel was wearing pants, dressed all in black, and wearing her translator. After a pause, Kiz-bel pushed the doors open and they went into the large anteroom outside the Thulk Gild Chamber. There was only one Zakarian there, a woman clerk who managed the flow into the Gild Chamber. She waited until they came to her standup desk and said,
“You are Kiz-bel the Younger?” She asked. Kiz-bel nodded affirmatively.
“Who is this with you? She is not Zakarian.” She said with a sneer.
“This is my blood sister. She has been called to witness.” Kiz-bel said leaning forward in a threatening fashion. The clerk eased back reflexively, and said,
“You are the only appearance before the Thulk Guild today. There are two Chiefs who will hear your issue. You may go in now. Leave her and your your weapons outside, and be respectful. They are not pleased with you.”
Kiz-bel handed his Katana sword and dagger belt to Maejel, nodded to her, and went through the door to the Chamber. Maejel looked about the anteroom for a chair. The clerk said,
“There is no place to sit here. All petitioners, and those called to appear, must stand at all times in respect.” She said harshly, as she stood in front of her desk, and then with another sneer,
“I don’t think you will be here long, puny human. They’re not likely to hear anything from you. There is only one guard with him in the chamber today. That usually means the decision has already been made to execute him. When they are done expressing their anger, the guard will swing his Kefma, a strong wooden shaft with a scimitar blade on the end, and cut him down.” She smiled as she described this.
“He is being given the benefit of a private death, though. That’s more than I would have expected.” She stood there in front of her desk in a taunting fashion. Maejel could hear the angry shouting of the chiefs as they berated him. All of this roiled in her mind as her anger at the injustice grew into a furious, dark storm. Suddenly, in an Arabesque move from her ballet training, she stood on one leg and snapped the other straight out into the center chest of the clerk who was knocked back, and down. The clerk’s head struck the corner of the desk, and she fell unconscious. Maejel moved to the doors to the Gild Chamber, and burst in, interrupting the tirade from the Chiefs. The doors slammed against their stops with a loud bang, and then closed. Maejel strode to a place alongside Kiz-bel and said in a loud voice,
“I stand with my brother.” As she slipped the scabbard off the Katana sword and let it fall to the floor, legs wide apart, an open challenge. She handed the dagger belt to Kiz-bel. For a moment the Chiefs were stunned. Never had they seen such an affrontery! The chief screamed,
“Kill them both!”
The guard braced his legs and began to swing the Kefma down and across to strike them both. As the blade came toward them, Maejel slipped into her Samurai training, and grasped the sword firmly in both hands. She ducked under the approaching Kefma, and executed a reverse ‘Kesi Giri,’ an upward stroke that cut the shaft away from the hands of the guard. The scimitar sword on its end, now free, fell to the floor and skittered away. The guard froze holding only a short stick in his hands. Maejel in a continuous move of power action, spun around fast and transitioned into ‘Yoko Giri’ to powerfully strike the guard’s mid-section, and cut him in half. The guard stood there for a moment with surprise on his face, then the top half of his body fell away to land on the floor. His lower section followed. The Chamber was totally silent.
Kiz-bel was stunned as were the chiefs. Maejel ripped the silk-like sash from the guard, threw it up in the air and allowed it to fall on her blade. It fell apart as the blade silently cut it in two. The eyes of the Chiefs widened even more. Maejel caught one half and stood there wiping the guard’s blood off the blade and calmly said,
“This blade has not tasted blood for over 500 annuals. It was time.” She then turned to an amazed Kiz-bel, pointed at the Chiefs, and said,
“Shall I kill them for you brother? This blade is thirsty.” Kiz-bel replied,
“No, sister this is the Thulk Gild.”
“True, but Zakar law says ‘The last one standing, rules.’ You would then be Chief.” Kiz-bel was now fully confused about what to do. Maejel began to look at the Chiefs, and made a small move to ascend the dais where they sat. The Chiefs had seen the ease with which this slip of an Earth female had cut a large guard in two. They both stood up and one of them said,
“We yield, what is it you want?” Kiz-bel still awestruck said nothing. Maejel said,
“We want nothing. All is as we want it. I am his blood sister and he is my blood brother; and you have not yet seen his skill with this sword. It i
s better than I. Do you honor this blood connection?” She asked. Each Chief looked at the other and they both said,
“We do.” One of them began to laugh and said,
“Kiz-bel, you have chosen wisely. We did not see the possibility of this. Go in peace and honor. Take your sister with you, she leaves here with the designation ‘Sister-Warrior.’ The guard’s weapons will be given to her. She took them in fair battle.”
Kiz-bel and Maejel bowed to the chiefs and left the Chamber. The clerk outside the Chamber was recovered and saw them leaving, she looked at Maejel and couldn’t resist saying,
“I see you saved your brother. Did you cry and plead?” Maejel, still holding the sword which had some blood on it, just glared at her and said,
“You will be required to go in the Chamber and clean up the guard I just killed in battle. The chiefs have given me his weapons. Make sure they come to me clean, or I shall come for you.” The confused clerk went to the doors and looked in the chamber at the bloody guard laying there in two pieces as Kiz-bel and Maejel left the Thulk Gild building. As they walked away from the building Kiz-bel could be heard saying,
“Sister-warrior, would you show me those moves that you made with the sword? And, when did you learn about our laws?”
The Earth Freighter, piloted by Svetlana Kuznetsov, docked in the last vacant ship cradle. During the contact for approach and docking instructions, she included the code word assuring the waiting assault intervention force that the Russians aboard were unaware their mission was compromised. She powered down the freighter, and waited for the boarding tube to seal against the crew portal in the cockpit. The green light went on next to the portal showing the boarding tube was properly pressurized. She opened the crew portal and was met by a tube full of heavily armed special forces in lightweight armor, aiming their weapons at her. She said quickly,
