by S. H. Jucha
“Yes, Envoy, we don’t expect you to provide the number of individuals necessary to assemble this many intravertors. It’s recognized that Pyreans must work daily to earn their coin,” Drigtik said. He appeared pleased that he’d adopted a human expression.
“When the equipment transfers are complete and your ship is near, we’ll transfer through the gate a number of engineers and techs, who are most eager to assist in the assembly,” Drigtik continued. “It’s hoped that they can stay aboard the Belle. I’m afraid stories of the cantina, fruit juices, and empaths have circulated far and wide across Jatouche space.”
Harbour had to chuckle at that one. Empaths had been isolated for more than the past century and the Belle for much longer. Then Aurelia Garmenti’s troubles had opened the hearts and minds of spacers to their plight. Now it seemed that the spacers and empaths were the preferred company of aliens.
“As to your engineer friends, Drigtik, they’ll be delighted to see you,” Harbour replied, “although, I must warn you that they’re deeply involved in another project, at this time.”
“What would that be?” Drigtik asked, his eyes lighting with curiosity.
“They’re designing a launch platform,” Harbour replied. “Delivering the first intravertor by shuttle proved to be much too dangerous.”
“We thought as much, at the time,” Jaktook interjected. “But it was not our place to advise you differently.”
“We would like to offer our help with this project,” Drigtik said. “Please tell us in which aspects of its production you’d like us to participate.”
Jessie reflected on the enormous cost of the platform and the shortage of Pyrean Green funds. In jest, he replied, “It would be wonderful if the Jatouche could design it, fabricate the parts, ship them through the gate, and help us assemble it.” His grin was exaggerated to imitate the Jatouche display of humor.
“Done,” Jaktook said. “If Olivia could bring us her concept, we could send it to Gatnack. He would love to work on this.”
“My apologies, Jaktook, I was teasing,” Jessie said. “That was an unfair request.”
“Then you don’t want our help?” Jaktook replied. He appeared crestfallen.
“We do,” Harbour interceded, “but to us, it sounded unreasonable to ask for so much.”
Jaktook’s lips curled away to reveal his teeth down to the gums, and the three Jatouche chittered loudly.
“We were employing a human manner of communicating, Advisor,” Jaktook replied, enjoying his joke. “We’d be honored to build your launch platform. It is His Excellency’s wish that you be rewarded in whatever manner you need to regain your planet’s surface.”
Harbour was stunned. She couldn’t believe their good fortune. Her concept of reward and the Jatouche concept were worlds apart. As that thought crossed her mind, she chuckled. Worlds apart, she repeated in her mind.
“Jaktook, you said that much has transpired. Can you share some of that with us?” Jessie asked.
Jaktook stood proudly erect and said, “Through the efforts of the exploration team and the evidence collected in the alpha and beta domes, the Tsargit has elevated the Jatouche. We’re to have a representative in the assembly.”
“Congratulations,” Harbour and Jessie called out together.
“Have you chosen your representative?” Harbour asked.
“His Excellency has recommended Tiknock, our master scientist, and Her Highness has approved.”
That Rictook had recommended and waited for his daughter’s acceptance indicated to Harbour and Jessie how critical the ruler’s health had turned. At a youthful age, Tacticnok was about to assume the Jatouche throne.
“What else has happened?” Jessie asked.
“We’ve received word of Mangoth’s elevation in the Logar clan,” Jaktook said.
“That’s well deserved,” Jessie replied.
Jaktook and Kractik flashed their teeth, which seemed an odd response to Jessie. “What?” he asked.
“Mangoth accepted the elevation and the accompanying rewards, except for one,” Jaktook replied. “He was offered his choice of mates, and he refused.”
“Refused?” Harbour queried. “I thought that was Mangoth’s prime reason for joining our team.”
“It was in the beginning,” Jaktook acknowledged.
“And I’m sure that there were many Crocian females who were disappointed by Mangoth’s decision,” Kractik added, chittering her amusement.
“According to the messages we received,” Jaktook continued, “Mangoth told the Logar clan leader that he had no intention of settling down on Crocia and raising a brood. He was reserving his life to be available to explore the galaxy’s domes with the most magnificent Advisor Cinders and his future mate.”
While Jessie laughed outright at Mangoth’s characterization of him, Birdie, several crew members, and Dingles, who’d just arrived, stared in surprise at Harbour, who signed to them, “Alien speak. Ignore it.”
Jessie caught his breath. He’d been observing the lighting of the platform. The significant team of techs had cleared two loads of crates from the platform, while they had been in conversation.
“Drigtik, exactly how many crates are required to construct twenty-seven intravertors?” Jessie asked. In his mind, he was visualizing the first enormous device attached to the underside of the Belle’s shuttle.
“The equipment for the first eighteen intravertors will fill the second level corridor and the deck, Advisor,” Drigtik responded. “We’ll need your assistance in moving this material before we can bring the rest of the crates through the gate.”
Jessie and Harbour regarded each other. The Jatouche intended to introduce a tremendous mound of equipment and numerous personnel to the YIPS, and the station wasn’t prepared to store that much material and host the engineers and techs for free.
“The Belle,” Jessie signed, and Harbour signaled in the affirmative.
“We’ll send our ships your way,” Harbour announced.
“How many cycles are they out from Triton?” Jaktook asked.
“They’re at the JOS,” Harbour explained, “but we can have them underway within a day.”
“There’s no hurry, Envoy,” Jaktook replied. “Drigtik and Kractik calculate that it will take seven to eight days to fill the second level corridor and deck.”
“Understood, Jaktook, we’ll send you the appropriate workforce and vehicles to move your equipment,” Harbour said. “Home for your engineers and techs will be the Belle,” she added, with a smile.
“Fruit juices,” the Jatouche threesome crowed, and Harbour and Jessie laughed.
“We’ll be in touch,” Harbour said, and Kractik ended the comm.
* * * *
Harbour turned to Jessie. Her face was a study in surprise, hope, and realization. “Twenty-seven complete intravertors,” she whispered, as if saying it too loudly would dispel reality.
“And shells for another four,” Jessie said in amazement.
Then Harbour let loose a quiet yip of pleasure and threw her arms around Jessie’s neck. The bridge crew broke out in celebration, slapping one another on the back or hugging. Harbour let loose of Jessie and grabbed Dingles.
After a few moments, the joyous moment eased.
“Navigation,” Dingles ordered. “Plot Pyre, Emperion, and Triton, and estimate the movement of the moons for the travel time of the Belle to Triton and back.”
When the navigation officer was ready, his central monitor displayed the celestial bodies and the orbits of the moons during the time it would take the colony ship to make a roundtrip.
“Timing’s everything,” Jessie muttered, regarding the display, “and it’s not with us today.”
“Captain Bassiter, would you be so kind as to locate my captains, and could we borrow you and your quarters?” Jessie requested.
“Certainly, Advisor,” Dingles replied. He pulled out his comm unit and made calls to Ituau Tulafono, Yohlin Erring, and Leonard Hastings, who were all aboard th
e ship.
“Coming?” asked Jessie, when he made for the bridge hatch, but Harbour didn’t follow.
“You go ahead,” Harbour replied. She turned to Birdie and said, “I need Olivia Harden. She’s aboard the YIPS.”
“Aye, aye, Envoy,” Birdie remarked. She called the YIPS and got a comm operator. “This is the Belle. I’ve a priority request from Envoy Harbour to speak to Olivia Harden.”
“Wait one,” the comm operator replied.
It was a wait of several minutes before a voice said over the bridge speakers, “This is Olivia.”
In reply to Birdie’s questioning glance, which wanted to know if Harbour needed privacy, she signed, “all good.”
“Olivia, I need you to locate Bryan and Pete, pack your personal things, and make for the Belle,” Harbour said.
Dingles glanced away from his comm unit. The tone in Harbour’s voice reminded him of a captain operating under emergency conditions. She sounded cool, calm, and authoritative, and he was grinning with pride.
“Problems, Envoy?” Olivia asked.
“Negative, Olivia, opportunity. The Jatouche have returned to Triton, and they’re bearing gifts,” Harbour replied.
“Wonderful,” Olivia cried out excitedly. “I’ll gather the men, and check the shuttle schedule.”
“Negative on that last item, Olivia,” Harbour interrupted. “Captain Bassiter, I need one of Advisor Cinders’ shuttles to make a run to the YIPS to pick up our engineers.”
“Aye, aye, Envoy,” Dingles replied.
Harbour could detect Dingles’ emotional elevation, and now that she had, she realized the entire bridge crew was broadcasting like starlight. It occurred to her that they were proud to have played a large part in resurrecting the colony ship, which had played a critical role in the encounter with the Jatouche. And it was the alien contact, which would help them regain the planet’s surface.
“One more thing, Olivia, Drigtik wants whatever information you have on the launch platform,” Harbour stated.
“But we’ve only begun to outline the requirements and sketch some concepts,” Olivia objected.
“Then you’ll have some time to perfect your ideas before you make Triton,” Harbour replied. “If, however, you feel that you need to continue consultation, you can sit with Gatnack, while he completes the design.”
“Gatnack came too?” Olivia asked. She was shocked the elderly Jatouche would make the journey.
“No, Gatnack is still on Na-Tikkook, Olivia, where you’ll be going, if necessary. Now get your rear ends in gear. You’re holding up the launch of our ship,” Harbour shot back.
“Yes, Envoy,” Olivia replied crisply.
Harbour made a slashing motion, and Birdie ended the connection. “Are you ready, Captain?” she asked Dingles.
“Yes,” Dingles replied, adding, “Advisor Cinders’ captains are on the way to my quarters, Envoy.”
Walking the short distance to their meeting but in the corridor’s privacy, Dingles asked, “Does this change your plans?”
“I wouldn’t think so, Dingles,” Harbour replied. “This operation is best left in the hands of capable captains and experienced engineers. There are conditions aboard the JOS that require my touch.” She smiled at Dingles, and he touched two fingers to his brow in acknowledgment.
Harbour and Jessie sat at opposite ends of Dingles’ salon table, while the captains arranged themselves in between.
“The Jatouche have returned with the parts for twenty-seven complete intravertors,” Harbour began without preamble. “In addition, they intend to bring through the gate a multitude of engineers and techs to help with the assembly.”
“Complete intravertors, not the bits and pieces like the first ones?” Yohlin asked.
“Complete,” Jessie affirmed.
“What does this do to our sailing orders?” Ituau asked.
“Before someone responds to that question,” Leonard Hastings, Jessie’s most senior captain, said, “allow me to congratulate the two of you.” He glanced toward Harbour and then Jessie. “Obviously, these are the rewards that you indicated you earned for your exploration. I hope our Pyrean citizens give you proper credit for your efforts.”
“Thank you, Leonard,” Harbour replied. “But whether we ever receive credit or not, I’m thankful that the possibility of reclaiming the planet’s surface is becoming a reality instead of a distant wish.”
“Harbour, I’ve dispatched a shuttle to the YIPS, as Dingles requested,” Yohlin interjected.
“Thank you,” Harbour replied. “Is everyone ready to sail now?”
The answers were negative, but they could launch within five to six hours after issuing crew recalls.
“Let’s discuss the strategy here,” Jessie said, bringing a focus to the discussion. “The Jatouche are filling the exit corridor and the deck with piles of crates, and that’s only two-thirds of the intravertors.” His statements generated surprise from his captains.
“And Harbour and I are in agreement that it will be necessary to host the Jatouche on the Belle,” Jessie continued,
“There goes the coin for our slush hauls,” Yohlin lamented.
Jessie stared sternly at Yohlin, as he said, “Everyone here has earned a huge amount of coin over the past several years, and it has been largely due to the Belle, which, mind you, was put into action through no effort of my people. If the colony ship needs to sit out a rotation or three of the Pearl’s hauls, then so be it.”
“The purpose of dedicating the Belle to the Jatouche is by necessity, Captains,” Harbour added. “The YIPS can’t accommodate the number of Jatouche engineers and techs that we anticipate, and we don’t want them to host the Jatouche, even if they could. In addition, the YIPS will charge to store the crates until the assemblies are completed.”
“And don’t forget, the YIPS would end up storing thirty-three intravertors until we can complete a launch platform,” Jessie explained. “Those would be additional fees.”
“I wonder what we can charge the JOS to rent the Belle for hosting the Jatouche, storing the crates, and then the intravertors,” Harbour mused.
A grin spread across Jessie’s face, which surprised Harbour. She meant her statement in jest, but obviously he had a different idea.
“Let’s focus on sailing orders,” Jessie gently urged. He glanced at Harbour, who nodded her assent.
“The Belle will be the host for the Jatouche who arrive. However, we don’t want to use the Belle’s shuttle for the workloads. That will be reserved for our mining shuttles,” Jessie proposed.
“What about to transfer the Jatouche engineers and techs from the surface?” Dingles asked, and Jessie indicated Harbour with a tip of his head.
“That decision is yours, Dingles, in concert with your pilots,” Harbour said. “I’m sure the Jatouche would appreciate a ride in our new shuttle, but that moon landing should only be allowed if you and the pilots feel it’s safe to do so.”
“Now, as for orders for my captains,” Jessie said, “Leonard, you’ll sail for Emperion. Ituau and Yohlin, take the Spryte and Annie to Triton. You’ll load as many of the crates as you can to facilitate transfer to the YIPS. What you can’t take on, store onboard the colony ship.”
“Thank you,” Ituau said earnestly.
Jessie frowned and replied, “You’re welcome.”
“What?” Harbour asked Ituau.
“Yohlin told me that if I was tapped to make the next run to Triton that I should recommend her,” Ituau explained. “Said if I didn’t, she wouldn’t speak to me for a month.”
The table eyed Yohlin, who shrugged and said, “It was our ship and personnel who discovered the dome, and I’ve never had a chance to set foot on it.”
The group chuckled, and Jessie ended his assignments. “The Spryte and the Annie return to the YIPS, drop their loads, and head to Emperion to help Leonard’s crew load slush.”
“It’s going to be like the old days, Captains,” Leonard announced
. “Tight quarters, reheated meals, and no cantina.” His remarks generated groans from Ituau and Yohlin, and Leonard grinned.
-44-
Favors
“I have an important favor to ask of you three,” Harbour began. In front of her sat Lindsey Jabrook, Sasha Garmenti, and Tracy Shaver. “The Jatouche ruler, Rictook is dying, and I want to help him.”
“How can we do that?” Tracy asked.
“Let me explain,” Harbour replied. “Some important alliance decisions have been handed out after we left. They’ve been extremely positive for the Jatouche, due to our exploration. Rictook is resisting medical services that would dull his mind, while he’s able to speak to his daughter, Tacticnok. I can think of only one thing that might be of value to him, at the present time.”
“Us,” Sasha declared, pointing to Lindsey and herself.
“Yes, empaths,” Harbour replied.
“I can do this myself,” Sasha offered.
“And we’ll depend on your stamina and mental strength, Sasha,” Harbour allowed, “but you’ll need to be spelled, and Lindsey and you work well together.”
Lindsey translated Harbour’s words to be that her primary purpose would be to supervise Sasha.
“Why do you need me to go?” Tracy asked.
This was the tricky part of Harbour’s request, and she was saddened that she wouldn’t be telling Tracy the truth. However, her years of empath training from the likes of Lindsey and other senior empaths was that sometimes the manner in which you helped clients wasn’t always by giving them what they thought they needed.
“You’ve been to Rissness, Tracy. You know what to expect, and Lindsey and Sasha could use your guidance,” Harbour said.
“And if I don’t wish to go?” Tracy asked.
This was what Harbour feared — that Tracy’s experience in the domes and the loss of her brother had soured her on any further contact with aliens.
“Then I’d be reticent to send Lindsey and Sasha by themselves,” Harbour replied. She felt a little stab in her heart at her duplicity. With or without Tracy, she would send empaths to help Rictook. She would have to choose another guide.
