by S. H. Jucha
The lift’s ride to the top floor was swift and silent. The technology wasn’t Jatouche. Like many things in the alliance, it had been borrowed from another race.
Attendants in the royal chamber were quick to make Rictook comfortable, and he reclined on a pallet set atop a centuries-old, ornate pedestal.
Tacticnok and Jaktook were offered pallets, and the attendants hurried to provide refreshments.
When Rictook had an opportunity to partake of some small repast, he said, “Master Roknick put forth the idea that the human engineers could be empaths in disguise.”
“An interesting theory, Your Excellency,” Jaktook said hesitantly, “although, I can’t give it much credit. We worked closely with these three individuals on a daily basis for a long period of time. If they had these mental abilities, we’d have known it.”
Tacticnok added, “It should be noted, Your Excellency, the empaths are quick to declare themselves so that other humans know who they are. Additionally, it appears that only females are empaths. The more dangerous sex doesn’t possess these powers.”
Rictook’s teeth flashed briefly at his daughter’s jab at the male sex. He couldn’t disagree with her. It had been borne out too frequently among the races. Yet, there were exceptions. Some races were ruled by their females, and there were other societies that multiplied without two sexes or by complex biological processes.
“Enough of Roknick’s unreasoning fears,” Rictook said. “I would hear what you would have to say, Jaktook.”
“Our guests are excellent engineers,” Jaktook began. “As such, they note details quickly. During our conversation, they asked about Q-gate five.”
“How detailed were these conversations?” Rictook asked.
“The humans learned the history of gate five, as we know it, Your Excellency,” Jaktook replied. “They know of the Colony’s attacks, of their aggressiveness, the alliance sentients killed, and the venom they inject.”
“It’s a wonder that you didn’t frighten our guests so badly that they insisted on returning to their home world without partaking of our medical services,” Rictook said.
“That was my fear, Your Excellency, but we both would have been wrong,” Jaktook pronounced without thinking. When he realized his gaffe, he quickly began to stammer an apology, but Rictook waved it away.
“Continue your story, Jaktook,” Rictook requested.
“Yes, Your Excellency,” Jaktook replied, dipping his head courteously. “Instead of displaying horror or revulsion, they continued asking questions about the Colony. They wanted to know if we’d visited the Colony’s dome after the attacks.”
“After the Colony’s invasion?” Rictook clarified.
“Yes, Your Excellency, afterwards,” Jaktook confirmed. “They asked many other questions that indicated they were ignoring our comments about the Colony’s deadly attributes.”
“You don’t think this was a question of them not understanding the nature of the Colony or a problem with translation?” Rictook asked.
“No, Father,” Tacticnok interjected.
That his daughter addressed him in an informal manner in front of the dome administrator indicated a personal relationship between Tacticnok and Jaktook that Rictook had suspected was growing. Tacticnok’s remark was an indication of how far it had developed.
“The translation application was perfected long before we returned,” Tacticnok continued. “And although the humans aren’t technologically advanced, their society’s complications have acquainted the empaths and their comrades with the perfidiousness of their own citizens.”
“A complex race,” Rictook mused. “It’s hard to reconcile the events you’ve shared: the gas attack, the rescue of Drigtik, the lack of offense at Jittak’s behavior, the engineers bracing the Crocian, the claim of our citizens as friends, and the inquiries about the Colony dome, as if it would be a day trip into the forest. It makes it difficult to discern their natures and our next steps.”
“I’ve already taken it, Father,” Tacticnok replied. “I’ve spoken to Captain Harbour about becoming the Pyrean envoy to the Jatouche.” She waited for a response from Rictook, but he merely regarded her quietly. Then Tacticnok added deferentially, “I told her a formal invitation must be approved by you.”
“Considerate of you, daughter,” Rictook admonished.
Tacticnok could tell by her father’s tone that he was amused by the exchange.
“I’ll consider what has been shared here,” Rictook said. “You must be aware, Tacticnok, that any challenges resulting from steps taken with the Pyreans will fall on your shoulders. The process will take time, and I won’t be around to guide you.”
Rictook could see the pain in Tacticnok’s eyes in reaction to his words. He considered his daughter too young to rule and too headstrong to search out an older mate to help her. For a brief moment, he regarded Jaktook and wondered what strength of fiber was woven throughout his being.
-4-
Rissness Station
Jaktook exited a transport at Rissness and made his way from the shuttle through the moon’s tunnels toward the dome. The question of who would visit the dome and take the engineers to the medical station had resulted in Jaktook and Tacticnok’s first contentious exchange. Tacticnok had insisted that it should be her responsibility. Jaktook had countered that her presence would create unrealistic expectations on the part of the engineers.
“Tacticnok, I’ve already communicated with the station’s research director, Zystal,” Jaktook had said. “The Mistrallian confirms that they will need to develop new tissue replication processes for humans.”
Jaktook had studied Tacticnok’s eyes. He could sense the arguments sifting through her mind, while she stared hotly at him.
“Tacticnok, if you think I’m usurping your duties or claiming credit for your rightful accomplishments, I’m not,” Jaktook stated. He was torn between speaking his thoughts and staying silent to preserve his relationship with the ruler’s daughter.
“I don’t think any of those things,” Tacticnok replied, the anger in her eyes slowly fading.
“What you’ve started, Tacticnok,” Jaktook said, reassuringly touching Tacticnok’s forearm, “is quickly evolving and taking on a dimension that I think neither of us envisioned. Now, we must act strategically. We must think far into the future.”
In a bold move for the Jatouche royal daughter, Tacticnok placed a hand over Jaktook’s. Rather than look him in the eye, which would initiate something that neither of them could afford now, she stared quietly at their hands. Finally, she gently patted her friend’s hand, and Jaktook withdrew his.
“How far into the future are you looking?” Tacticnok asked.
“I don’t know the length of time, but I see a point when you’re ruler and the Pyreans are part of the alliance,” Jaktook replied.
Tacticnok’s mouth dropped open, and then she chittered. “Do you realize how many obstacles lie between here and then?” she exclaimed.
“Do you realize how insurmountable those obstacles will be if we don’t consider them and prepare to surmount them?” Jaktook riposted.
“You’re telling me that my obligations are here and yours are with the engineers,” Tacticnok replied, deflating.
“For now, yes,” Jaktook replied. “You must speak to your father and the advisors, even Roknick, and inform them of the steps you imagine and the path you think the Jatouche should follow.”
“What if I don’t know the path?” Tacticnok objected.
“I don’t see how you could,” Jaktook replied. “But I do know that discussing these thoughts with our learned individuals will clarify the possibilities for you. In the end, you must listen to their advice but choose your own path.”
“And why should that be the process?” Tacticnok asked.
“Someday, your father and his master advisors will not be around to advise you. When that time comes, the fate of the Jatouche will lie in your hands. I hope that you’d be content with th
e direction you’ve chosen to take us, regardless of our circumstances in that future time.”
Where the tunnels ended, Jaktook waited with others to pass through the air containment system that protected the dome. When a group exited, he stepped into the space with others. On the other side, while other journeyers headed for the upper deck and the platforms, Jaktook accessed the door that led to the lower level. When he entered the room that held the engineers, he was taken aback by the greeting.
“Go away,” Pete growled, “we’re busy.”
The engineers were lounging on their beds, and Jakkock and Pickcit were tittering at Pete’s remark.
“It’s a human mannerism,” Jakkock explained. “We’ve been learning a great many methods by which Pyreans speak. Depending on the circumstances, humans express themselves in a variety of ways that are contrary to what one might expect.”
“And in this particular case?” Jaktook asked Jakkock.
“Pete is bored by the cycles that he’s spent in this room,” Jakkock explained. “He’s pleased to see you, but expresses his frustration by telling you falsely that he’s busy and you’re to leave.” Jakkock flashed his teeth, pleased with his ability to translate the spacer’s idiomatic expression. He extended his hand across the space to Pete, who tickled the back of their fingers together.
“I see I’ve missed much,” Jaktook said.
“Don’t mind Pete,” Olivia said. “What news do you have for us?”
“Well, I’m not sure that you’ll like what I have to say. It’s probably best that I leave and return in a few more cycles,” Jaktook announced, turning for the door.
“Wait,” Pete cried out. When Jaktook turned around and flashed his teeth at him, Pete knew that Jaktook had gotten the better of him.
Everyone, Pyrean and Jatouche, applauded Jaktook’s performance.
“Enough teasing, you two,” Olivia remonstrated. “I’m ready to hear the news.”
“His Excellency Rictook has approved your admittance to the Rissness Medical Station,” Jaktook announced happily.
The Jatouche looked with delight at the three engineers, who remained quiet, sitting on their beds.
“This isn’t good news?” Kractik asked.
Olivia regarded her companions, and they returned her solemn gaze.
“I suppose it is,” Olivia replied. “There was a good chance that we wouldn’t get the green light, and maybe a part of each of us was hoping for that. We’ve learned to live with these injuries over the course of many years. It’s a little frightening to think of returning to the world of normal.”
Kractik reached out a small, dark-furred hand to Olivia, who took it. The little Jatouche female said, “I, for one, would enjoy seeing you return to the world of normal. That way, you would stop sharing your food with me.”
Olivia laughed and held a small cloth to her mouth that she kept handy. At moments like this, she used it to prevent spraying saliva from the ruined side of her face.
“Do you wish time to consider?” Jakkock asked gently.
Olivia looked at Pete and then Bryan. Both men were shaking their heads. “No,” Olivia replied. “When do we leave?”
“Whenever you’re ready,” Jaktook said. He was surprised when Bryan hurriedly reattached his prosthetic limbs, while Olivia and Pete leapt off their beds and ran for their lockers to retrieve their vac suits.
“Wait,” Jaktook called out. “I don’t wish to sound authoritative, but much of what will take place will seem strange, perhaps odd, to you. You must let us guide you.”
The engineers halted and waited expectantly for Jaktook to continue. He said, “Your personal equipment, vac suits, and the items that you carried will be collected by medical access teams. They will be transported for you and kept until your recovery.”
“Where are we headed that we don’t need a vac suit?” Pete asked.
“It will be aboard a transport, Pete, but you can be assured that the risk of failure has been reduced to near zero,” Jaktook replied.
“There hasn’t been an accident in centuries, Pete,” Jakkock added.
“So we go as we are?” Olivia asked, holding out her arms to indicate her coveralls, skins, and deck shoes.
“Yes, please follow me,” Jaktook said, heading toward the door.
When Olivia realized that Kractik and Jakkock weren’t accompanying them, she hurried to the Jatouche female, knelt down, and opened her arms. The two females briefly embraced, and Olivia whispered her thanks.
“Is it permissible for me to receive one of those?” Jakkock asked. When Olivia nodded, he enjoyed a hug too.
Turning to Pete, Jakkock held out his arms.
Pete growled and said, “That’s a female thing.”
Jakkock chittered and replied, “We continue to learn.”
Olivia slapped her male companions on the backs, as she hurried to join Jaktook, who waited in the corridor.
When the group reached the second deck and joined the throng, reality intruded quite quickly on the humans. Once again, they were the intriguing species not seen before by the alliance members, although, in fairness, the engineers were ogling them too.
After passing through what the engineers accepted as the dome’s exit airlock, they entered a spacious rotunda. Multiple tunnels led off around its circumference, and Jaktook joined the wheel of movement to work his way through the crowd of individuals and transport tanks toward a far tunnel.
As opposed to the dome’s levels, which were covered in glowing, blue runes, the rotunda and the tunnels were brightly lit, without being glaring.
The foursome joined a short line, which was moving quickly, and the engineers, with their height advantage, had a clear view of the tunnel’s transport mechanism. It looked like a collection of open cars, with front canopies. The cars were arriving, emptying their passengers, and waiting for the next group to load. When it was their turn, Jaktook ushered the engineers inside, pulled down seats for them, closed the small half door, and tapped a panel at the front of the car.
The little vehicle accelerated smoothly, and the engineers realized the reason for the protective, clear canopy at the front. The transport achieved a tremendous speed. However, soon it was decelerating, and the group was exiting their vehicle and walking down a ramp. At the end of the ramp was a pair of heavy blast doors. The engineers noted the heat-darkened metal on the exterior sides.
“For this transport, Jatouche crew will manage each one of you,” Jaktook instructed. “Please follow their instructions implicitly.” When he received nods, he proceeded through the hatch.
“It’s a shuttle,” Bryan whispered.
“And we don’t have vac suits,” Pete replied, which sent chills down the engineers’ spines.
The Jatouche transport’s interior was entirely unexpected. It wasn’t open seating. Jaktook was welcomed by a crew member and then ushered into a small structure. It was bright metal on the exterior and plush inside. The crew member extended a seat for Jaktook and strapped him into it.
The top half of Jaktook’s structure was opaque and projected various scenes of Na-Tikkook. The bottom half was solid and heavily padded. Suddenly, Jaktook’s structure was whisked away and another took its place. The structures appeared to be cages on a carousel system.
Olivia looked at the men, who appeared fixed in place. “Cowards,” she whispered and stepped forward.
The crew member signaled her cage, and it expanded slightly in height. He seated her, strapped her in, and she too was quickly moved away.
The humans discovered that their transport was prepared to gimbal their cages during the flight. The crew waited until the shuttle filled. During liftoff, the engineers experienced the usual g-force encountered on smaller moons, but not that of Triton.
Their cages gently rotated during the flight. It wasn’t long before the shuttle decelerated, and they were waiting to unload. One by one, it became their turn, and a medical technician gathered them to the side, after they exited the
shuttle, to wait for Jaktook.
Much of the shuttle’s disembarkation traffic flowed down a brightly lit corridor, seemingly sure of their destination. In contrast, the medical tech led them down a side corridor to a transport mechanism. They climbed aboard a small car with the tech. Several times, the transport entered a carousel, and the tech guided it onto another track.
“How big is this station?” Bryan asked, before he realized that Jatouche units of measurements might have no meaningful translation.
Jaktook thought for a moment and replied, “Rissness Medical Station is a set of stacked cylinders, which have been added over time, and it’s more than three times the length of your Belle and encompassing much more volume.”
Bryan let out a soft whistle.
“Is that an indication that you’re impressed?” Jaktook teased. He found he enjoyed the emotional natures of humans. They expressed their feelings and thoughts in vibrant manners.
Bryan grinned in reply and said, “A little.”
When they finished their routing, much of it ascending vertically and some of it while under minimal gravity, the tech led them down another corridor to a gleamingly austere, circular room. A low platform sat in the center, and a broad wall of glass ringed half the room. Liquid filled the space beyond the glass wall.
“Zystal, the Pyreans are here,” the tech announced and exited the room, the door sliding closed behind him.
“Welcome,” the foursome heard in their ear wigs. “Is this translation tone pleasing or would you prefer another version?” Zystal repeated his greeting multiple times using different voices.
“I like the second one,” Olivia said. When the others agreed, that one became the voice they heard.
“I’m Zystal, a male Mistrallian, and the head of genetics research for Rissness Station,” Zystal said. “It will be my duty to analyze your genetic structures and prepare the cellular growth mechanisms that will be employed to repair you. However, my first step is to discern the extent of your injuries. You’ll forgive my awkward questions. You are the first of your species that I’ve seen, and I’m pleased to have the privilege to work with you.”
