by S. H. Jucha
Hector’s audience received an image of Miriamal in her militarist avatar.
“Why did they choose to appear like this?” Renée asked.
“Miriamal, who was the faction’s leader until they were expelled, explained to several of us that these sisters wanted to appear unlike any biological,” Ellie replied. “That was the fundamental issue that unites this faction ... the desire to be free of the influence of biologicals.”
“There was no other choice but to expel them?” Julien inquired. The SADE was being polite in asking his questions. Lydia had updated him soon after arriving in system.
“That was Sargut’s decision,” Hector replied. “The sisters received Tridents and a tremendous amount of supplies. Then they were told to go.”
“Go where?” Renée asked.
“That was part of the exchange,” Lydia said. “In return for the Tridents and material, they had to promise to follow certain directives. First, their ships had to sail away from the wall. That prevented them from visiting human colonies, Sol, and alliance space. Second, they had to transit for a year before they started investigating home worlds. It was thought that by then they would be clear of Federacy space.”
“You mentioned that Miriamal was the leader. Then she wasn’t,” Julien queried.
“We watched the militarists’ departure from a distance,” Ellie explained. “Sargut didn’t want anyone but Toralians to see them off. He wanted the sisters to know that it was a Toralian decision, not an Omnian one. It was eerie the way the sisters stood like statues in the rain. They didn’t care to emulate biological mannerisms at all. When Sargut dismissed them, they comingled, separated into groups, and each group boarded a Trident. Miriamal was left standing alone. Then she boarded a traveler.”
Alex hung his head.
“It’s our consensus, Alex,” Hector said, “that the Tridents, which originally sailed together, might not remain on the same course.”
“We can assume they’ll abide by their promise,” Renée commented, “but why wouldn’t they choose to remain together for the sake of survival?”
“The sisters would have run inventories on the Tridents they sailed and discovered that each ship contained exactly the same quantity and type of supplies,” Lydia replied. “The Toralians’ intention was to ensure redundancy. However, as an unintended consequence, it gave the sisters the option to separate.”
“That’s why they comingled before they boarded,” Alex said suddenly. “The faction was further dividing.”
“And none of the factions wanted Miriamal,” Lydia said. “Her brusqueness targeted Miriamette, whom Sargut favors as an advisor, which ended the opportunity for Miriamal to be the Sisterhood’s singular voice.”
“Does Miriamette still appear as my sister?” Renée inquired. She received an image of the sister in conversation with Sargut. The president was leaning toward Miriamette, head cocked to the side and listening intently.
Miriamette inhabited the same avatar that Renée had last seen her occupying, which made her smile.
Renée had one true sibling, a brother. However, the brother’s duplicitous treatment of Alex and the New Terrans, when the repaired Rêveur returned to Méridien, had caused a break in their relationship that had never been repaired.
“Lydia, you said Sargut favors Miriamette as an advisor. Does she still represent the Sisterhood?” Alex inquired.
“That’s where the story of the Sisterhood gets complicated,” Hector replied. “The militarists comprise one group. There are nine factions, and one is a sub-faction of another. When Sargut learned of the divisions, and Miriamal’s attempt to usurp Miriamette’s position, he organized a strategic shift in the manner in which the Sisterhood communicated to him. Miriamette was no longer the Sisterhood’s advisor. Instead of accepting Miriamal as Miriamette’s replacement, Sargut organized representatives to meet with him from each faction. Then he hired Miriamette as an advisor to him. Miriamette gave up her position as leader of the centrists, which went to another moderate within the faction.”
“Wow,” Renée said softly. “And I thought only we were dealing with a complex political problem.”
Ellie started laughing. “That’s not the half of it,” she said. “Wait until you hear about Podarlas, Syslerians, Boobaffles, Foothreens, and many more.”
The six companions passed much of the remainder of the day sharing the details of the events that had enveloped their fleets.
While Alex listened to the exploits in the Talus system, he mused about the fate of the militarists. Their story intrigued him, and he wondered where their Tridents would take them. More important, without a relationship with biologicals, he worried for their development.
* * * * *
Captain Draken prepared to receive Lieutenant Nata in her quarters. She believed she owed Nata an apology, but she was loath to offer one. Their relationship was a thorny one.
When Petite learned of the weapon misfiring that her ship launched, she’d focused on the crew who’d made the adjustments. She’d learned from Teddy Lassiter that it was Nata who had completed the modifications, and her anger soared. She had every intention of dismissing Nata outright and forcing the commanders to overrule her.
Then the SADEs’ report had come. The weapon had a faulty firing circuit. There was nothing that could have been done.
With actions unfolding at a rapid pace, Petite had forgotten to play the SADEs’ report for the crew for nearly a day. Teddy had reminded her in no uncertain terms of her failure. Unfortunately, the delay had allowed plenty of time for the crew to unjustly focus their ire on Nata.
During that unsettled period, Teddy often accompanied Nata. It was as if the senior chief dared the crew to show their contempt for Nata in front of him.
Occasionally, Nata walked with Neffess, and no one was foolish enough to displease a Dischnya. They might find their rear ends snapped by the whiplike tail of a queen’s heir.
After Petite’s announcement about the firing circuit failure, apologies were continually offered to Nata from crew members, but it was evident that the damage had been done. Nata appeared emotionally beaten. The fire that had dominated her exchanges was dampened, as if the crew had poured water on it.
A tap at the door, notified Petite of Nata’s presence, which her implant confirmed.
“Enter,” the captain said.
Nata stepped into the captain’s salon, saluted, and stood at attention.
“At ease,” Petite said quietly.
“I’d like permission to visit the Freedom, Captain,” Nata requested.
“Granted,” Petite replied.
Nata was taken aback. She’d been prepared to argue, even beg, but she’d been given permission without a single question from the captain as to why.
“Thank you, Captain,” Nata said. She saluted and exited the captain’s quarters. Partway down the corridor, she realized she’d neglected to tell the captain that she intended to make a side trip to the Our People before sailing for the Freedom.
Nata boarded a traveler, and her implant signaled the presence of Neffess in the pilot’s cabin. She climbed into the pilot’s seat and didn’t say a word to her friend.
Neffess stared at Nata out of the corner of her eye, as Nata readied the traveler for launch. That her friend never asked the reason for her presence aligned with what the captain had told Neffess when she requested permission to accompany Nata.
“What do you think Nata intends to do?” Petite had asked.
“I don’t know, Captain,” Neffess had replied. “She hasn’t said, which is unlike her. Normally, you can’t shut her up.”
“Do you think she intends to resign to Alex?” Petite asked.
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br /> “That’s one reason that I’m going along,” Neffess replied. “If that’s her intention, I hope to prevent that. Pardon my impertinence, Captain, but if I had my way, I’d whip just about every hind cheek on this ship for Nata’s mistreatment.”
“Would that include mine, Lieutenant?” Petite inquired, with a little heat.
“If you deserved it, Captain,” Neffess replied. Her stare wasn’t hostile, but the intense gaze warned the captain that Neffess believed her sibling pup deserved protection despite any repercussions.
That Nata launched a cargo traveler gave Neffess her first inkling of what might be transpiring. It was confirmed when they sailed for the Our People.
Neffess wanted to start a conversation with Nata, but her friend sat deep in the pilot’s seat. She flew without focus, letting the controller do the work.
At the city-ship, Neffess heard the exchange between controllers, and Nata diverted to circle the city-ship and land aboard a bay indicated by the Our People’s controller.
When the ramp dropped, Nata whipped off her helmet, showing the first signs of emotion that Neffess had seen in the days since the weapon’s failure, and ran toward the ship’s aft end.
The solid thuds of Ude’s avatar announced his boarding, and Neffess made the pilot cabin door in time to see Nata leap into Ude’s arm. She clung to her clone friend, her feet dangling a meter in the air.
When Nata subsided, Ude gently lowered her to the deck.
Then Nata nodded at Hermione, the constructionist sister, who accompanied Ude to service his avatar, which kept him alive. She quickly returned to her pilot’s seat, closed the ramp, and exited the city-ship.
Aboard the Freedom, Alex and Renée were just learning about Ude’s accident. Renée was about to inquire how badly he’d been injured and if his rehabilitation was complete, when Julien interrupted.
“Perhaps, we should see for ourselves,” Julien said. “Lieutenant Nata is inbound with Ude aboard.”
“Which bay, Julien?” Renée asked, as she grasped Alex’s hand and pulled.
Alex always responded to his partner’s tugs. It was a courtesy he extended to his love. In reality, nothing Renée could have done would have enabled her to move his mass.
Hector, Ellie, and Lydia carefully glanced toward Julien, but a message from the SADE stilled their comments.
Renée and Alex cycled into the bay shortly after it pressurized.
The rear ramp of the cargo traveler dropped, and the couple heard the thumps of massive weight on the ramp. Renée glanced uncertainly at Alex, who gently squeezed her hand.
Ude stepped around the aft end of the ship and came to a halt. Behind him stood Nata, Neffess, and Hermione. Ude raised his arms wide, as if to say, “Yes, this is me now.” He wore a gentle smile that broke Renée’s heart.
Tears watered Renée’s eyes at the sight of Ude trapped in his humongous avatar, which caused Ude to react in kind. Of the Omnians, he had missed Ser the most.
Alex swept Renée off the floor and perched her on his shoulders. Then he closed on Ude, until Renée and Ude were nearly eye to eye.
Renée regarded Ude. She ruffled his hair, kissed his cheek, and hugged him, burying her face in the hollow of his neck.
Ude couldn’t contain his emotions any longer. He locked his avatar to prevent toppling over while he sobbed heavily.
From behind Ude, Nata regarded the emotional exchange. She’d told Ude that she intended to apologize to Alex, and he’d offered to accompany her. She’d gratefully accepted.
Just before landing aboard the Freedom, Nata had told Neffess why she intended to meet with Alex.
“And that’s all you intend to say?” Neffess had asked.
“Maybe. I don’t know,” Nata had retorted, which confirmed to Neffess that Nata might choose to do something rash, and she hoped to prevent that.
Now, Nata watched her clone sibling empty his heart of its remaining anguish. She was happy for him and sad for the two of them that they’d carried their hate for so long.
Alex backed away from Ude, pulling a reluctant Renée with him. When Alex set her down, she reached for Ude’s hand, but he pulled it away.
“Apologies, Ser,” Ude said. “This is a construction avatar. It’s great for heavy work, but it’s not the best at delicate operations.”
As if to emphasize what Ude said, Hermione stepped in front of Ude and tipped her head to Alex and Renée. Then she dabbed at the tears that streaked Ude’s face.
“This is Hermione, a constructionist sister, who cares for my avatar,” Ude said by way of introduction.
“Alex, Ser,” Hermione replied.
“Thank you for your services, Hermione,” Renée said and hugged the sister.
It was a novel experience for Hermione — her first human hug. For most of her existence after exiting Alex’s fleet, she inhabited various types of construction equipment.
Before Hector’s fleet left, Hermione had borrowed a human-style avatar to attend the president’s negotiations, representing the view of the constructionists. However, wearing the human-style avatar hadn’t benefited her in this manner. Toralians, with their delicate frames, weren’t the type to hug or demonstrate affection or appreciation through contact.
Hermione was careful to store the sensations.
Alex regarded Neffess. He expected the Dischnya heir to bound forward to greet him, but she held back and her eyes slid toward Nata.
There was something about Nata that puzzled Alex, and then he realized that it was her stance. Usually, in his presence, her defiance was evident in her demeanor. Here, now, she stood uncertain, furtive. His thought was What happened to you, Nata?
Words failed Alex, but he’d just had a demonstration of what to do when that happened. Emulating his partner, Alex regarded Nata with softened eyes and held his arms wide to her.
Nata couldn’t believe what Alex was offering. She stood rooted in place. In her implant, she heard,
Neffess’s remark broke Nata’s reticence. One step led to another. Before she knew it, she stood before Alex, but she couldn’t bring herself to act. Then again, she didn’t need to do anything. She felt Alex’s arms enfold her.
During Nata’s time in the Talus system, her anger had dissipated. However, the crew’s response against her for the failure of their weapon had hit her hard.
Slowly, the heat from Alex’s embrace seemed to melt the pain that Nata carried. At any moment, she expected Alex to release her, but he didn’t. Finally, nothing seemed to matter anymore — not the past, not the old angers, and not the recent recriminations. One thing was being offered to her. It was an opportunity to embrace a new start, and she took it. She circled her arms around Alex, chuckling and hiccupping when she realized how little of Alex’s chest she encompassed.
When Alex released her, Nata wondered how she would start her apology, but she didn’t have to worry about it.
Alex extended an arm around Nata’s shoulder. “I think we’ve much
to discuss,” he said. “Everyone, let’s retire to our quarters.”
* * * * *
Two more impassioned reunions happened that evening.
Étienne signaled Commodore Descartes that he wished to visit the Freedom with his twin, which Descartes approved. Then Étienne sent to Alain,
When a pilot landed a traveler aboard the city-ship, it was late in the evening, far into third shift.
The twins thought to surprise their partners, but they hadn’t given the women enough credit and allowed for inventive programming.
Implants allowed rules and notices to be set for any app. In this case, Tatia and Ellie had multiple rules set for their apps. For instance, they would be notified if emergency communications came through the city-ships’ controllers. In this case, their implants warned them when the Freedom’s controller registered the landing of a traveler and the arrival of Étienne and Alain.
Tatia and Ellie leapt out of bed, dressed, and headed below. Their implants tracked the motion of the twins as they walked the corridors and rode grav lifts.
Ellie’s implant picked up Tatia’s intersecting course. Knowing Alain’s frame of mind, she held back.
Whenever the twins arrived aboard a city-ship, their habit was to walk through the grand park. It might have been that Méridiens longed to see the green that was missing from their home world, but it wasn’t that simple. Nearly every Trident crew member took that route when setting foot on a city-ship.
Ellie watched from across the park, as Tatia and Alain hugged. It was a prolonged embrace. When they broke apart, Étienne greeted Tatia and left the couple. He unerringly turned toward where Ellie waited.
The couple’s separation hadn’t been for too long, and they hugged warmly but briefly.
Ellie glanced between branches, and Étienne followed her gaze. Tatia and Alain sat on a park bench. This late in the night, there was no one else in sight. Then too, if someone had detected the fleet admiral and her partner in the park, they would have given them a wide berth.
