by S. H. Jucha
Veklock beaks clacked. The Hyronzy growled. The Sylian hissed. The Norsitchian barked. The Crocians rumbled. The other voices were lost in the noise. Only Gregich was silent.
The empaths strained to ease the alliance delegates’ angst, but they were only partially successful. It would take time to calm them.
“This conclave is fit for discussions only,” the female Veklock squawked stridently. “Nothing can be decided. We can make no commitments.”
“Explain that,” Talsoma demanded.
“What agreement would you have us sign?” a male Veklock shot back. “The humans want our domes, but they don’t know if they can operate them outside of alliance space. Should we give them up without proof?”
“There is logic there,” Hardomia regretfully admitted. “Suppose we agree that humans can have our domes, and they’re transported from alliance space. However, they fail to connect gates. Would the humans expend the credits and the effort to return them?”
“Doubtful,” the female Veklock retorted. “What of our agreements then? If you were a human leader, would you honor it?”
“What is your suggestion?” Tockitak, the Jatouche monarch, inquired, focusing on the female Veklock.
A beak opened and then closed. Nothing had come out, and Tockitak chittered.
“Objections galore, but no constructive suggestions,” Tockitak commented.
The triumvirate sought to object, but Tockitak raised a delicate, dark-nailed hand. “Let’s consider conditions that will support definitive agreements. What do we want from the outpost, Omnians, or humans, in general?”
“Starships of all types,” Hardomia quickly announced.
“You know Trident warships won’t be offered,” Nemanous admonished. “But I agree with you about starships. Travelers would be economical and ease pollution on our home worlds.”
“We’re shipping large quantities of shadow-like equipment,” Oforum pointed out. “Intersystem freighters like the kind produced in the Confederation, class one and two, would be advantageous to us.”
“Excellent for engineering projects,” Daktora added.
“The Omnian comm systems,” the female Veklock stated definitively. “Financial transactions could be greatly accelerated.”
Had the female Veklock been any other species, except Usaanan, she might have been chagrined to admit that her earlier arguments were bluster to force considerations in exchange for the domes. Instead, her orbs stared hostilely at Tockitak, who ignored her.
“Is that it?” Nemanous inquired.
“You must request implants,” Bortoth said. “Nothing improves communications and data recall as efficiently as the Omnian devices.”
The Crocians watched the various reactions appear on the faces of their companions. They rumbled their amusement at those who displayed distaste.
“You can request implant technology and allow each race or each citizen to choose,” Daktora suggested.
“We would need the services of the individual who adapts the implants,” Talsoma pointed out.
“He’s a New Terran by the name of Emile Billings and is employed by Omnia Ships,” a SADE explained.
“Can the Tsargit hire him?” Hardomia inquired.
“You would have to send your request to Ser Billings and inform Alex Racine of your intended offer,” the SADE replied. “I’m sure that your desires would be well received.”
“What about you?” Hardomia asked, indicating the SADE who’d spoken.
“Are you asking, Ser, if I’m available to be employed by the Tsargit or some other Hyronzy entity?” the SADE asked.
“I am,” Hardomia replied, and the delegates focused intently on the SADE.
“What do you think of me?” the SADE riposted, which caught the Hyronzy off guard.
The Resistance members, who had extensive time with SADEs, managed to control their reactions. They were anxious to see how Hardomia handled the question.
“As a potential contractor,” Hardomia replied.
“That would be our financial condition, Ser,” the SADE pointed out. “I’m asking how you view me and my kind.”
“You ... you would be an asset,” Hardomia managed to stutter.
“Again that’s a financial assessment,” the SADE said. “Do you see me as your equal?”
“But I’m a biological entity,” the Hyronzy protested.
“And are biologicals superior to digital sentients?” the SADE asked.
“Absolutely,” a male Veklock squawked.
Hardomia was at a loss as how to respond.
“Your pardon,” the SADE said. “It’s the consensus of the SADEs in this room that the Veklocks, the Hyronzy, and, most likely, the Tsargit aren’t compatible with us.”
“But we’re speaking of employment and nothing more,” the female Veklock objected strenuously.
“Allow me to demonstrate the problem,” Tockitak offered. Turning to the SADE who’d spoken, the monarch asked, “Would you be willing to be employed by the Jatouche.”
“The consensus is affirmative,” the SADE replied.
Tockitak smiled politely at the Veklocks and the Hyronzy.
“What you don’t understand,” Talsoma explained to the four delegates, “is that the SADEs don’t wish to insult you. They’re indicating that they’ve a preference for working with races who see them as equal to their citizens.”
“You’d forgo the credits?” a male Veklock asked incredulously.
“You’ve one length of lifetime, Ser. We’ve another. For us, there’s always time,” the SADE replied.
Then the crux of the matter hit the Hyronzy and the Veklocks. The SADEs had the luxury of choice.
36: Kasie’s Faux Pas
The morning conferences and the afternoon meetings continued for fifteen days. The mix of delegates within the smaller meetings changed frequently, as various delegates negotiated with other worlds or territories.
The negotiations were held in earnest. The delegates knew what they wanted, and the bargaining sought advantages in the potential exchanges.
The Omnian leaders became aware that the conclave could potentially end in success, but a sticking point was growing. To prevent the negotiations failing or being delayed until the next conclave, if there would be one, Alex sent an urgent message to the outpost.
From the conclave’s first day, SADEs reported the delegates’ moods, which appeared to be moderated. Hector had accepted the empaths aboard at Pyre, and the SADE had informed Alex of their presence. In turn, Alex had heartily approved their participation and mentally complimented Jess.
It was Kasie who gave away the empaths’ presence to the delegates.
The error occurred in a moment of distraction for Kasie. In a corridor, a crowd of Confederation and alliance reps were in a heated conversation. They filled the corridor, and Kasie made the mistake of trying to soothe their anger, as she squeezed past.
At close range, Kasie’s power was too great, and her movement gave the delegates a sense of the source’s direction.
The delegates felt the calming sensation sweep through their minds, and they turned to locate the origination point.
“You,” Teressi called out, pointing an accusing finger at Kasie. “What are you?”
“An empath,” a male Veklock pronounced with a clack of the beak. “A Pyrean manipulator of emotions.”
“Why are you here?” Teressi demanded. He thought of the times in afternoon meetings when he couldn’t generate his usual argumentative fire, and he felt abused.
Alex and Renée received a warning from Winston, who stood beside Gino. Alex wasn’t nearby, but Renée was just around the corner, speaking with Terese and Elizabeth.
“Uh oh,” Renée muttered, and took off running. Terese and Elizabeth quickly followed.
As Renée approached the group of delegates, she took in the scene. The Veklocks and Teressi had cornered Kasie against a wall and were interrogating her. To her disgust, some delegates stood back in seemin
g horror at the overt actions of the aggressive delegates.
“Back off,” Renée demanded.
The Veklocks and Teressi turned their heads to stare at Renée, but they didn’t bother to heed her demand.
Instead, Teressi accused angrily, “Did you have something to do with this intrigue?”
“I said step away from her,” Renée repeated, inserting herself between Kasie and Teressi. She was nose to nose with the Méridien Leader, who refused to retreat.
Terese played the same role as Renée. She faced the female Veklock. “Nice beak,” she commented sweetly. “Be a shame to get it bent.”
Teressi drew breath to challenge Renée. Suddenly, he was a meter away from her.
“Greetings, Leader Teressi,” Tatia said, as she set the Méridien’s feet on the ground. “You’ll forgive my intrusion, but Alex doesn’t like individuals too close to his partner without her permission, and I clearly heard her request you to step away.”
Teressi rounded on the individual who had bodily handled him, and he came face to face with a heavy-worlder admiral. His head swiveled, seeking support for his rightful indignation. But the Veklocks had retreated from Terese, and the other delegates stared at him in shock.
“She was foisted on us without our knowledge,” Teressi sputtered, pointing at Kasie.
“That’s true,” Renée said, regaining her composure. She could feel Kasie standing close behind her.
As Kasie eased from behind Renée, Franz Cohen, several more admirals, and Julien rounded the corner from the other direction.
Julien connected to the SADEs in the corridor and sent,
“You’ve perpetrated a conspiracy against us,” Teressi shouted, taking in Renée and Kasie. He could feel the old emotional fire returning, and he luxuriated in venting it. “And you,” he said, poking Tatia’s shoulder with a finger. “You laid your hands on me. In the Confederation, that’s an offense.”
“If we weren’t at the conclave, I’d have bounced you off that far wall,” Tatia calmly replied, but her expression held a deadly grin. “Omnians don’t take kindly to unruly childish males bullying females. Now, if you’d like to keep that finger, take it away or lose it. Your choice.”
As Franz’s group approached, the delegates, who’d been bystanders, and every SADE cleared the way for them, which isolated the Veklocks and Teressi.
Teressi recovered his hand and took a step away from Tatia.
“We apologize,” Renée said in her best conciliatory manner. “We only meant to keep tempers from flaring.”
“So you say,” the female Veklock retorted. She felt safe from the fiery-haired human and the admirals with her mates pressing close.
Talsoma arrived from the direction Renée had come. She glided swiftly down the corridor, as only a Sylian or a SADE could manage.
“Problems?” Talsoma inquired congenially.
“Empaths,” a male Veklock squawked, indicating Kasie with a feathered arm.
“Of course, they’re here,” Talsoma replied, as if talking to a simpleton. “Anyone who has used their services is familiar with the sensations. They’ve been calming the rooms.”
“Then you admit to knowing of their manipulation, and you said nothing,” Teressi accused.
“How was I or any enlightened individual to know that you would be incensed by the ministrations of a trained empath?” Talsoma inquired.
“I’m registering my objections with the Sol president. There’ll be repercussions for this outrage,” Teressi promised, before he stalked away.
Immediately, the Veklocks deserted the corridor in Teressi’s direction.
“I’m so sorry,” Kasie said to Renée. “I’ve ruined everything.”
Tears streamed down Kasie’s face, and Renée enfolded the young woman in her arms.
Over Kasie’s shoulder, Renée stared coldly at Gino and the other Confederation Leaders.
Gino ducked his head. He was shamed for not defending Kasie. It struck him that this was the fundamental difference between Omnians and Méridiens. One group stood by and observed, and the others intervened when they saw injustice.
At the following morning’s conference, Nikki reluctantly approached the podium.
Arrayed on the stage with Nikki were nine empaths, including Kasie. Per Renée’s instructions to the empaths, heads were held high, and faces projected calm. Naturally, all gates were tightly closed.
“A complaint has been registered,” Nikki began.
There was absolute silence at Nikki’s announcement. Every delegate was aware of the incident. They had only to request the imagery from their SADE, but the media were taken aback and swiftly added conjectures to their vid streams.
“Empaths have been employed during the conclave without it being made clear to those unfamiliar with their services,” Nikki continued. “While I’ve been assured of their peaceful intent, it represents a breach of trust that must be addressed. As the host of the conclave, I’m placed in the unenviable position of requesting the delegates discuss this matter in open conference.”
The media had trained their vid cams on the empaths. Now, they quickly swung them to cover the audience.
Before anyone could speak, Alex stood, and Nikki recognized him. “Yesterday, my partner, Renée de Guirnon, apologized to the complainants,” he said. “She told them that no harm was intended. I take full responsibility for the failure to inform our hosts, representatives, and media of their presence. That would have allowed individuals to object. Had that happened, I’d have withdrawn their services.”
Alex tipped his head in apology to Nikki, and then he sat down.
Renée gripped Alex’s hand. She approved of him taking responsibility for the empaths rather than pointing to the outpost, especially since Jess wasn’t here to defend his decision.
Teressi had his opportunity, and he came prepared to vent. He did that for nearly a quarter hour. The gist of his tirade was that the empaths muted his ability to fully engage in the disagreements. As such, he was placed at a disadvantage.
More than one delegate quietly covered their mouth or muzzle. Teressi was making the point that his bellicose style of speaking had been curtailed, and yet, everyone had been happy with that.
When Teressi wound down, he finally found his seat.
Leslie stood to be recognized. When Nikki indicated her, she turned to gaze at the audience.
“I’m here because our Pyrean ancestors had the courage to investigate a strange monolith on Triton, our third moon,” Leslie began. “It was a Messinant dome. By accident, they restored the dome’s power. That led to a visit from the Jatouche. Centuries later, Pyreans and Jatouche continue to celebrate our powerful bond of friendship.”
Leslie turned to locate Tockitak, and she honored the monarch with a solemn drop of her head. The Jatouche rose and returned the gesture.
“Only months ago, I was diagnosed with a severe medical condition,” Leslie continued, “and I was repaired at the Jatouche medical station, which is stationed off Triton. I experienced fears, while undergoing the restorative process. Every cycle, an empath visited me. Many of them sit on this dais. My fears were constantly eased by them. I can’t tell you how wonderful the relief was that I felt, and I looked forward to their visits. Empaths developed soon after the Honora Belle, our colony ship, made Pyre. In the history of adult empaths, they’ve never harmed anyone unless in self-defense, and those cases have been extremely rare.”
Leslie took a few seconds to turn and stare at Teressi, who glowered back, and the Veklocks, whose beaks opened and closed without making a sound.
“If any condemnation is registered against these women, these empaths, then Pyre withdraws from this conclave,” Leslie announced.
The silence in the room was deadly.
Talsoma raised a snow-white furred arm, and Nikki nodded
to the ruler.
“I’m in sympathy with the Pyrean president,” Talsoma said. “The empaths have offered their powerful emotional relief to anyone who requested their services. Few individuals know that their ministrations cost them energy. They’re drained by their services, and they take specially prepared drinks to restore their bodies and minds. Sylians find them to be selfless humans.”
Talsoma also turned to Teressi and the Veklocks to deliver her final words.
“I disagree with the final statement of President Finian,” Talsoma continued. “She shouldn’t abandon the conclave because of the whines and clacks of a few disgruntled individuals. Instead, I say those delegates who object to the presence of empaths should return to whichever city-ship will deliver them to their territory. Then the remainder of us can continue our valuable work.”
As Talsoma sat down, Nikki realized she had the perfect opportunity. “I’d like to request a vote of confidence,” she said. “Please raise your hand if you’ve no objection to the presence of these women and the use of their services.”
Immediately, rather than raise a hand, Leslie Finian stood.
The delegates from the Resistance races stood in solidarity with her.
Gino, who had already left his seat, hid his smile.
Except for Teressi, every Méridien Leader stood. Although, Dieter was slow to join them.
Alex saw the vast majority of delegates rising in support of the empaths.
Vid cams captured the perfect unison of the Omnians rising.
Then several media personalities chose to be part of the vote. Most reporters joined the movement.
Nikki gazed across the audience. Only a handful of individuals remained seated. While she considered her next words, a wave of appreciation swept through her mind.
The wave moved like an ocean’s swell across the room. It affected supporters and dissenters alike. No one was excused from the empaths’ energy.
“Mmm, delightful,” Renée murmured, when the warm feeling passed through her mind. “How can anyone hate this sort of treatment?” she whispered to Alex.
