by S. H. Jucha
“Is that a formal request, Madam President?” Terese asked.
“See! That’s just the type of personality Haraken needs,” Christie teased. Then the animation left her face, and she said, “You’ve every right to refuse the request, Terese, but I’m formally asking.”
“Just wanted to hear you say it, Madam President,” Terese replied. “I would be proud to represent Haraken at the first galactic conclave.”
Terese’s face said the exchange had been about teaching Christie the use of her position’s power, and Christie’s expression said she’d understood the lesson.
“Are guests allowed?” Terese asked Alex, and her eyes indicated Tomas.
“With certainty,” Alex replied. “He and I can sit in the gallery and cheer and boo to our hearts’ content.”
“You boo me, Alex, and you’ll regret it,” Terese shot back.
Alex’s grin couldn’t have been greater, and Terese returned one of her own.
Julien linked to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth thought through the reasons why Alex would wish this, and she chose to test an idea.
Elizabeth shared Julien’s message with the Haraken SADEs. She’d meant to prod Julien to determine Alex’s frame of mind, and she knew Julien wasn’t fooled by her supposed misstep. However, his final statement said he hadn’t appreciated the machination. In response to her sharing, Elizabeth was flooded with comments about her unfortunate technique.
At this point, Alex mentioned his requirement to the Haraken humans that a delegate be accompanied by a SADE.
Haraken eyes turned toward Elizabeth, who briefly ducked her head.
“As Julien is the SADEs’ leader, I believe he should choose the SADE to accompany Terese,” Elizabeth said.
The SADE’s statement was utterly unexpected, and it produced frowns from Christie, Terese, and Tomas. To add to their concerns, they saw relaxed expressions on Alex and Renée’s faces.
Alex didn’t know what had happened, but it was obvious to him that an exchange had taken place between Julien and Elizabeth. In addition, it hadn’t gone well, and now Elizabeth was deferring to Julien in a form of apology.
It didn’t matter to Alex what the discussion had been about or what had become the problem. The SADEs would have to work it out.
Julien queried the Haraken SADEs and pointedly asked if they had confidence in Elizabeth to act as support for ex-President Terese Lechaux at the conclave. Elizabeth received overwhelming support. Many SADEs asked for his forbearance concerning her unfortunate question about Alex.
“I believe that Elizabeth would be the right choice for the conclave,” Julien pronounced.
When Elizabeth tipped her head deeply to Julien, the Harakens were more than curious as to what had taken place. However, they were also certain that they’d never find out.
“How many delegates will be attending the conclave?” Terese asked, interrupting the uncomfortable silence.
“Unknown,” Alex replied. “I’ve yet to speak to the Confederation Council, and I’ve left the Tsargit, the alliance governing body, in the hands of Jess Cinders, Lucia Bellardo, and Alain de Long.”
“Alain?” Terese queried in surprise.
“As my partner said, it’s a long story,” Alex replied. “The short answer is that Alain is the outpost’s envoy to the Tsargit.”
“Why that position?” Tomas asked.
“Alain says he’s in training,” Renée replied, chuckling. “He’s preparing to be the commander of the next outpost.”
“Where is that one going to be?” Christie asked.
Alex shrugged and said, “Haven’t figured that out yet. I think the conclave will answer many of my questions about the future.”
Alex’s eyes took on a faraway look, and those around him wondered who or what was speaking to him.
When Alex focused on present company, Terese said, “I need much more information about these other worlds, who might be attending, and what their concerns might be.”
“You’ll be sailing aboard the Freedom with us, Terese,” Renée replied. “There’ll be plenty of time to talk.” She winked, which hinted at the many other subjects they might share, and Terese smirked.
“When are you planning to sail?” Tomas inquired.
“What about tomorrow morning?” Renée replied, with a grin.
“Then it’s time to call it a night,” Terese remarked.
Terese, Tomas, and Elizabeth left immediately.
On Christie’s signal, the Omnians remained. When they had the salon to themselves, Christie asked, “Is Omnia Ships taking part in the conclave, Alex?” From the brief flicker in her brother’s eyes, she knew he hadn’t considered the idea. “It’s something to think about,” she said.
“I know the three of us can’t,” Alex replied.
Christie tilted her head to the side, which Alex and Renée knew was her manner of querying a response with which she didn’t agree.
“We’ve been too great an influence throughout all of these areas of space,” Renée explained. “I could imagine the audience turning toward us to view our reactions every time a question was asked or a comment was made.”
“Still the idea has merit,” Julien commented. “As Ser said, Omnia Ships is an influence in all regions of space. Doesn’t our voice deserve to be heard?”
“Maybe not the three of you, but what about representatives of the fleets?” Christie queried.
“That’s a possibility,” Alex allowed.
After the trio exchanged hugs and goodbyes, they exited Christie’s beautifully decorated salon, with its view across Espero.
“Thinking about Christie’s suggestion?” Renée asked, as their traveler shot through the atmosphere headed for the Freedom.
“Thinking about a few things,” Alex replied.
“The domes and the rings,” Julien interjected.
“Those were my first thoughts,” Alex replied. “If Mickey can recreate a dome, we’re halfway there. It would mean we can build domes and couple gates anywhere.”
“If he can’t, then much of our influence at the conclave will wane,” Renée opined.
“I’ve been receiving a lengthy message from Miriam,” Julien said. “She’s sharing details, but I can share the gist of her comments. Jess, Lucia, and Mickey have applied considerable resources to your request, Alex.”
Renée glanced briefly at Alex. It was a sufficient gesture to convey to Alex that she wasn’t happy about the pressure he’d placed on outpost individuals to succeed with a nearly impossible task.
“To borrow a phrase from Franz, they’ve been experiencing two steps forward and one step back,” Julien continued. “They came to the conclusion that it’s impossible to learn how to recreate a dome in the time you requested.”
This time, Renée refrained from regarding Alex.
“It’s been decided to attempt to relocate a dome,” Julien said, and he waited for the reactions.
“And this would be easier than reverse engineering a dome?” Alex inquired, with incredulity.
“Apparently, they’ve had some success already,” Julien replied. “Our investigators learned how to power down a dome and restart a dome. In addition, a particularly observant Crocian located tiny marks on connecting parts. The SADEs located tools that fit t
he marks. Inserting the tool disconnects the components.”
Renée’s eyes had opened wide at the strides the teams were making, and Alex asked, “How far are they?”
“With Hermione’s help, five spacer crews were hired to dig a pit to move the dome a few hundred meters along a ridge,” Julien replied. “That job was completed. Then the teams discovered that the lowest deck has deep posts that are part of the deck sections. A problem was encountered when they found the regolith was crystallized around the posts.”
“Melted?” Alex queried.
“That was the SADEs’ consensus,” Julien replied.
“Then they’re stuck,” Renée said unhappily.
“Two steps forward and one step back,” Alex reminded her. “Go on, Julien.”
“The teams used plasma weapons to melt the crystallized minerals,” Julien said, and fairy dust sprouted and cascaded down his head. “They’ve transferred the six deck sections with connecting posts to the new site. When Miriam’s message was sent, the teams were busy assembling the dome’s thousands of pieces.”
“If they’re successful at restarting the dome and reconnecting the gates, what does this mean?” Renée asked.
Alex and Julien knew that she didn’t mean the question in the mechanical sense. All three of them were wondering how the success of the venture would affect the conclave and future negotiations.
“Julien, how many domes exist around planets that have either failed climates or haven’t developed a sentient race?” Alex asked.
“I’m assuming that you’re referring to domes that are along trailing lines of the network,” Julien queried, and he received Alex’s nod.
Julien connected to the Freedom to access the extensive amount of data collected by the commands. The information had been recorded while warships employed efforts to truncate the Colony’s travel through the dome network and the race’s access to the planets.
“There are thirty-eight end-of-the-line locations that qualify,” Julien said, when he finished his review. “In addition, there are nearly one hundred domes that are upline from those thirty-eight locations that could be considered.”
“More than enough for the near future,” Alex said. “If we use them, it will buy us time to learn how to build the domes ourselves.”
“And then we have the Tsargit,” Renée pointed out.
“If the outpost is successful with the dome, your sister’s recommendation has even greater value,” Julien said.
“True,” Alex replied. “Harakens need two domes with rings to expand their economy, and the Tsargit will want something in return for its domes.”
“And that something better be substantial,” Renée warned.
Alex nodded thoughtfully. Then an idea occurred to him. “I think I might know just the sort of inducement that will appeal to the races,” he said and grinned broadly.
19: Who Will Attend?
When Alain returned to Hyronzy Station, he was met by an anxious Krokticka. It reminded him of his last landing aboard the station.
“We’ve missed you, Envoy,” Krokticka said, by way of greeting, “and your counsel has been needed.” The latter was a bit of remonstration.
“Educate me,” Alain requested.
“After your presentation, the membership groups reorganized their slates, and they submitted the numbers of candidates who matched their ratios within the Tsargit,” Krokticka explained.
“As hoped,” Alain replied.
“The process completely changed the council’s makeup,” Krokticka said. She’d made her announcement in a hushed voice, as if it was a secret or, at least, something not to be discussed out loud.
“Did it change for better or worse?” Alain asked.
“I would imagine that depends on your point of view,” Krokticka replied.
“Is Jarmonin still lead councilor?” Alain inquired.
“Yes,” Krokticka replied. “Councilor Jarmonin is a centrist. It was expected that he would be reelected to the council. As the centrists hold the greater number of council seats, it was anticipated that he would be chosen to occupy that seat. As it was, most of the consortium members voted with the centrists.”
“What else?” Alain asked.
“Her Excellency Talsoma is sending another representative,” Krokticka said.
“What happened to Jorjatok, your patriarch?” Alain asked. Then a thought crossed his mind. “Don’t tell me. Jorjatok is on the council.”
“That would be correct,” Krokticka replied. “I believe I’ve been manipulated by my patriarch for his advantage.”
“I would agree with you,” Alain remarked. “This time, we were fortunate. The results are to our advantage.”
“Yet, I’ve a bad taste in my mouth,” Krokticka muttered.
“In time, that will pass,” Alain said sympathetically. “However, it pays to be on guard. Always ask yourself: What’s the advantage to the speaker for every suggestion you hear? And remember, not all ideas are bad. You have to pick and choose.”
“Does that go for your ideas, Envoy?” Krokticka inquired slyly.
“Absolutely,” Alain retorted. While he laughed, Krokticka chittered.
“What else is happening within the membership?” Alain asked.
“The representatives are proposing and voting on which subjects the committees are to take up,” Krokticka replied. “To date, they’ve eliminated more than sixty percent of the present subjects that were being reviewed by the committees.”
“Why?” Alain inquired, as they climbed into a lift.
“Priorities,” Krokticka replied succinctly. “The membership didn’t deem those subjects worthy of the committees’ time.”
“In essence, you might say the Tsargit has been streamlined,” Alain surmised.
“But so much tradition has been lost,” Krokticka moaned.
“Does the Tsargit perform more efficiently and more fairly now?” Alain asked.
After a moment of consideration, Krokticka replied, “I would say affirmative to both qualifications.”
“Then I would say to you that the traditions were blockades to the organization’s operations,” Alain said, “and the Tsargit can do without those types of traditions.”
“You’ve returned to Hyronzy Station without announcement,” Krokticka pointed out. “Does this mean that you propose to disrupt the membership again?”
“Krokticka, I’m hurt by the thought that you believe that’s the only purpose for my position,” Alain replied, feigning chagrin.
Krokticka stared at Alain. Her furred forehead wore a deep frown, and her eyes squinted at him.
“I think of my next presentation as an opportunity,” Alain protested.
As they entered Alain’s suite, Krokticka said, “Perhaps, it might be. Nonetheless, will it cause disruption among the representatives?”
“Probably,” Alain said with a sigh.
“My patriarch will be anxious to know what I’ve learned,” Krokticka said.
“I thought you made it clear that you wouldn’t share information with him,” Alain said, dropping his duffel and facing Krokticka.
“He would be testing my resolve,” Krokticka replied. “I could use your advice, Envoy. My patriarch is a shrewd individual.”
“You could always mislead him and teach him a lesson,” Alain offered, testing Krokticka.
“Unacceptable,” Krokticka replied.
“Good to hear,” Alain replied. “I propose you challenge him.”
“How?”
“Request he share the opinions of the council on a major subject before them,” Alain said. “Tell him that if he does that, you’ll share something about what I’m planning to do.”
“He could call my bluff,” Krokticka said uncertainly.
“I often played a game of chance with many of the leaders of the fleet,” Alain explained. “One individual frequently won the bigger bets. He did this against a SADE, who could calculate the odds better than any human. He did i
t by bluffing. The trick is to act sure of yourself ... be confident.”
“Easier spoken than accomplished,” Krokticka muttered.
“I can tell you that Jorjatok will see through your bluff if you go in there with that attitude,” Alain warned.
“I must practice,” Krokticka said. “Do you require my services?”
“Yes, but I will eat first. I’m starving,” Alain replied.
To which, Krokticka connected to station services and ordered food for Alain.
“Sit, please,” Alain urged, while they waited. “Alex is planning a major event called a conclave. He’s attempting to bring representatives from various areas of space to meet and discuss working together for future enterprise and cooperation.”
Alain continued to talk until his food arrived. He wasn’t more than halfway through his meal when he continued to explain his proposed announcement to the Tsargit. The more he spoke, the farther Krokticka’s jaw dropped.
“And you think this might disrupt the membership?” Krokticka asked in disbelief when Alain finished.
“I was hoping the recent changes might facilitate the selection process,” Alain said.
“Apologies, Envoy, but then you’d be wrong,” Krokticka replied firmly.
“Why?” Alain inquired, as he finished the last of his food and sat back to enjoy a drink.
“Your offer presents an entirely new opportunity. The membership will compete to be part of your conclave,” Krokticka replied.
“For a moment, Krokticka, you had me worried,” Alain said, with relief. “I thought you were going to tell me that the representatives would decline to participate.”
“Some might,” Krokticka allowed. “Most will be anxious for the opportunity to acquire new trading partners and open new markets.”
“I was counting on that,” Alex said, motioning Krokticka toward the salon.
“You’d best be prepared for what the members will ask in return,” Krokticka warned.
“Starships,” Alain offered.
“And your communication systems,” Krokticka added.
“Not mine to give, but I’ll take their requests to the commander,” Alain said. “You heard me announce about Mickey’s attempt to move a dome.”
