Future in the Stars

by D Patrick Wagner

  “Well, that does it for me, Commander.”

  “Um, Captain, what about medical staff?”

  “You’re right, Sub-Captain. How about it, Commander? Could we pry loose some medical staff?”

  “That, I cannot supply, Captain. The civilian population we brought is undernourished, physically abused and mentally broken. Every one of my staff is working around the clock to get our people back on their feet. Sorry.”

  “I understand, Commander. They are where they belong. It sounds like my next stop is Latinia. Have your people at the shuttle by oh-eight hundred tomorrow, Commander. We plan on setting sail within an hour after that.”

  “Will do, Captain. Good hunting.”

  Aboard UMCR Hightower One

  In anticipation of furthering this new UMCR venture, the six heads of the six colonies arrived early. Like all state dinners, servers patrolled the crowd, handing out expensive drinks in sealed containers and specially prepared appetizers in lidded containers. Servants bussed the crowd, removing drained glasses and empty containers.

  Overwatching the leaders of the Mars world, Lord Cedric, Sir Reginald and Ward Victoria waited patiently for the arrival of the purpose of this soiree. The main door to Hightower One’s formal dining room swung open. A crowd of Federacy officers, in their formal blacks, almost marched as they entered. Once stopped, they fidgeted.

  Victoria focused on Vice-Admiral Weiskoff.

  “Junior is very angry, Lord Cedric.”

  “Daddy must have given him a talk. What about Senior?”

  “Nervous. Worried.”

  “Well, Reggie, Victoria, let’s get our guests settled and relaxed.”

  “Certainly, Lord Cedric.”

  As Cedric moved through the crowd, George saw the motion and angled towards the Federacy group. Burgess, the consummate Major Domo, signaled to the staff. Multiple servers rushed to refresh the new guests. Everyone arrived at the same time.

  The Mars people waited until the Federacy contingent all held drinks.

  “Welcome, Fleet-Admiral Weiskoff. And you, Vice-Admiral.”

  “Thank you for inviting us, Lord Cedric. Needless to say, we haven’t had a formal night out for more than a year.”

  “Well, I hope that you enjoy the evening. Please, mingle. Get to know the people of our colonies.”

  “You heard the man. Go mingle. Theodore, stay.”

  Eight uniformed Federacy officers moved into the crowd of exquisitely dressed power brokers. After they left, the Fleet-Admiral turned to the four people before him.

  “Lord, Cedric. Let’s get this off the table so that we all can enjoy the evening.”

  “Shooting right at the target. I like this man, Cedric.”

  “Your opinion is always welcome, George. Fleet-Admiral, please continue.”

  “Me and the Vice-Admiral, we have been discussing our situation and your offer. We accept.”

  “You all know that this is contingent on us getting some alien tech, right?”

  “Yes, Chairman. We have decided that Vice-Admiral Weiskoff will return to the Federacy and retrieve the plans for the gravity generator. About the jump drive, we need to talk to the Ballisonian A.I.”

  “Well, damn. That was easy. We planned on wrangling those plans out of you for my land on Earth. For me, you’ve got a deal, Vice-Admiral.”

  “Is that suitable for you, Lord Cedric?”

  “Yes, Fleet-Admiral. I concur. The other five Chairpersons have also signed off on this very scope. It seems that we have all been thinking the same thing. I, we do have a question, well, a requirement.”

  Concern flashed across Fleet-Admiral Weiskoff’s face.

  “That would be?”

  “We, the UMCR Board, add the stipulation that Launch Town becomes the eighth Mars colony, as a member of the UMCR.”

  “Oh. Easily. If we are to survive, we need to be allied with a powerful ally. Done.”

  “You don’t need to consult with anyone? No vote?”

  “No. When we formed the flotilla, I was put in charge. I have final say. I will convene a meeting with the other leaders, but that will be to hash out the details. The decision has been made.”

  “Then, we’re still on track. Timeframe? How soon will we get the gravity generator specifications?”

  “Within two weeks, Sire. The Vice-Admiral is leaving first thing in the morning.”

  “Well, shoot. I need to have my people go and get started on firing Launch Town back up. Two weeks, huh? You get the tech, we all hammer out an agreement and you got a new home.”

  “I think that we have talked enough. Let’s enjoy the evening, knowing that we are on the road to a successful business arrangement.”

  Elonia – Royal Palace

  When King Daruke received the message that his sister had arrived at the throne room entranceway, he held his hand up for silence. The current petitioner immediately stopped speaking. With a shooing wave of his hand, the current king dismissed the subject and watched as he bowed and backed out of the pleading docket.

  King Daruke rose from his throne and scanned the throng of people sitting in the stands on each sidewall of the throne room. After straightening the sleeves of his tunica, smoothing the stola and fastidiously draping the palla over his left arm, he gestured to the attendant to open the double doors.

  With a majestic pull, Daruke’s servant pulled open the doors and stepped aside. Six Royal Guardsmen bracketed his sister, followed by his clan’s Senior Elder and the Monarchical Court’s suspended judge. Sir Mahajani, now weaponless, trailed the three. The ten came forward. The rage on Analyn’s face burned hot as she approached her brother.

  Once the group came to a stop, Analyn looked Daruke up and down.

  “Quite a pose, Brother.”

  “What is that you are wearing? Why aren’t you wearing your royal robes?”

  Analyn looked down at her dark-red, nanite-configured tunic with the control belt.

  “This is a formal uniform of the Human-Elonian-Ballisonian Alliance. It is also the uniform of the Mistress of Ballison.”

  “Mistress of Ballison? You? Do you consider yourself some sort of ruler?”

  “As much as you are, Brother.”

  That received a glare and an angry tail flick from Daruke.

  “Address your King in the proper manner!”

  Analyn ignored his command. “How dare you send assassins to kill your parents and sister! What kind of a minvern are you?”

  “What? You accuse me?” Daruke dropped his pose and glanced at the gallery.

  “You heard me! Assassins attacked us. Don’t act like you didn’t know that. I was wounded. Sir Mahajani, grievously.”

  “I heard. We are currently searching for the conspirators.”

  “Luckily for you, no harm came to our parents!”

  “It wasn’t me! I had no knowledge of this!”

  “Uh-huh. Sure.”

  “How dare you accuse the crown of this despicable act!”

  “I am not accusing the crown, Brother. I am accusing you!”

  This time, Daruke focused his look on Senator Sanjinan.

  “We are looking into this. We will find the culprits.” The current King looked back at his sister. “I am not responsible for this, this assassination!”

  Analyn saw the confusion and anger in her brother.

  “Give me permission to search your mind, find the truth, Brother.”

  “Never! I am the King of Elonia. My word is law.”

  Analyn had grown up following in her brother’s footsteps. They had fought as cubs, argued as teens. She knew her brother. She believed him. She also gave a look to Senator Sanjinan.”

  “Now, back to the situation at hand. You have no right to retain me or my people. We are a diplomatic delegation from the planet Ballison. We have come to negotiate a treaty between our two worlds.”

  “You are nothing but a criminal. I do not recognize your standing on this planet millions of locts away.”

/>   “Well, you better!”

  “Why? Before your arrival, the Senate had decreed that you are not protected as a diplomat under our laws. This world, this Ballison, has not established diplomatic ties with Elonia.”

  Knowing the answer, King Daruke asked, “Chief Justice Agidan, how has the Monarchal Court ruled?”

  The highest-ranking Synthetic in Elonia stepped forward.

  “We have determined that there is no precedence in the Elonian Constitution which stipulated the granting of diplomatic immunity to anyone other than Elonian government or Clan officials. Therefore, a new precedent must be defined by the Senate.”

  “Minvern words, Brother.”

  “Now that you have your own little kingdom, you obviously have a low opinion of Elonian law and our courts.”

  “No. I have the highest respect for the Elonian Constitution and of our laws. I have a low opinion of you and the current leaders of the Senate. And, make no mistake, Brother. The Senate is in charge. You are not. You have become nothing but a puppet of Senator Sanjinan and his lick-paws.”

  By this time, Daruke’s jaw had clinched tightly, his ears had bent forward, and his brows had tightened to a hunter’s stare looking at prey.”

  “Do you disrespect the throne? You disrespect your King? How dare you?”

  Daruke visibly pulled in his anger.

  “You have been charged with crimes against the crown. You are not protected by this alien diplomatic immunity you wave around like a shield. You will be tried. If found guilty, you will be sentenced to death.”

  “You can’t do this!”

  “I can and I will. Enough! Guards, take my dear sister and her bodyguard to the tower. She will be confined until a verdict is reached. What is that animal accompanying you, Diplomat Analyn?” Daruke filled his voice with contempt at the title he spit out.

  “This is my companion, my pet, Daruke.” Analyn softened her tone, hoping to avoid any conflict over her guard cat.

  “A pet.”

  “Yes. It is an animal from one of the human planets. It is called a snow leopard.”

  “Guards, put that animal in a cage.”

  “Please, brother. Let me have my pet. If you do, I promise that I will be no trouble.”

  “Guards?”

  Analyn knew that nothing in this room could harm Rikka. She also knew that, if Rikka went into defense mode, many Elonians would die today. If the guards attempted to separate her from her guard cat, that would happen.”

  “Brother, I beseech you. Let me keep Rikka with me. She is a great comfort.”

  “You always were a whiner and a cry-cub. Oh, well. You may keep your pet.”

  Daruke acted as though he had just bestowed a great blessing. The HEBA delegation visibly relaxed. They all knew what could have happened.

  “Vidhee, Anupi, you have committed no crimes. You are free to go.”

  As two guardsmen reached for Analyn, she mindspoke to her guard cat.

  “At ease, Rikka. Heel.”

  Rikka remained in pet form and dutifully pressed a shoulder against her owner as the Royal Guardsmen marched Analyn and Mahajani from the throne room. Everyone waited for the group to leave. As the great doors closed, Elder Anupi sighed a sigh of relief as Vidhee stepped forward.

  “King Daruke, Chief Justice Agidan, I formally renounce my position on the Monarchal Legal Court. Further, I formally reaffirm that I retain my Elonian citizenship. Further, I am announcing that I currently have been awarded citizenship on planet Ballison. Therefore, I hold dual citizenship from both planets.”

  “Accepted. However, you cannot have it both ways. I revoke your Elonian citizenship. You are not welcome here. Go back to this Ballison.”

  “You do not have that power, King Daruke. Honorable Agidan, please inform the King that the crown does not have the right of citizen revocation.”

  The room focused on the Chief Judge of the Monarchal Legal Court.

  “Firstly, I accept your renouncement of your position on the Monarchal Legal Court. Secondly, King Daruke, Citizen Vidhee is correct. Elonian citizenship is bestowed at birth. It is a right protected by an Elonian’s very existence. No laws or decrees may alter that endowment.”

  “Thank you, Honorable Agidan. As a citizen of Elonia, I formally request the formation of a court of inquiry into the restriction of freedoms of the Elonian citizenry and, more specifically, the restrictions of travel to and from the planet Ballison.”

  Senator Sanjinan rose from his private box in the stands.

  “We will take your request into advisement.”

  “I may have been misunderstood, Senator. I directed my formal request at the Monarchal Legal Court. As an Elonian citizen, I have that right.”

  “Vidhee speaks correctly, Senator Sanjinan. The court will take her request and review whatever evidence she presents.”

  “Thank you Honorable Agidan. Enduring Spirit will transfer my prepared brief at your convenience.”

  Having accomplished her goals, Vidhee stepped back and allowed Anupi to take her place.

  “As a citizen of Elonia and the Senior Elder of Clan Kaporine, I am announcing that I also retain dual citizenship with Elonia and the planet Ballison. And, as a citizen of Elonia, I announce that I am a signatory of the travel ban inquiry request. Further, as the Senior Elder of Clan Kaporine, I place an objection to the throne for its suppression of travel freedoms for my clansmen. Injustices have occurred which have caused serious economic hardships for, and deprivation of, constitutional rights for Clan Kaporine.”

  “I stopped the migration from Elonia through an executive order. I did this as this mass migration has caused extensive economic harm to all the Elonian people. Not just a single clan. Your objection is not recognized.”

  “Thank you for that clarification, King Daruke. Honorable Agidan, since King Daruke has clearly stated that his execute order is the foundation for the deprivation of a citizen’s rights, I formally request a review of the legality of King Daruke’s executive order and firmly request that it be struck down, freeing our citizenry from this oppressive governmental overreach.”

  “The Court will review Elder Anupi’s request and, if accepted, will review the legality of King Daruke’s executive order.”

  “I will prepare the required documents, Honorable Agidan.”

  “That is preposterous!”

  Senator Sanjinan’s outburst froze everyone. They all focused on the Senator as he continued.

  “That executive order is only temporary. We in the Senate are currently writing a law restricting travel between Elonia and Ballison. It will become law within sixteen rotations.”

  “And I will challenge that law, Senator.”

  “And you will lose, Elder.”

  “We shall see.”

  “Enough! Vidhee, Anupi, leave us. We have more important things to discuss.”

  “What about the Enduring Spirit Defenders?”

  “They have been supporting the criminal, Analyn Kaporine. They also possessed illegal weaponry. As threats to the crown, they will remain in custody, pending their day in court.”

  “We shall see about that.”

  Elder Anupi hadn’t backed down. He raised his hand-paw and spoke into his quant-com. Preceptor Igaklay, have you been listening?”

  “Every word, Elder Anupi.”

  “Please contact Enduring Spirit and have the shuttle pick us up. Vidhee and I are returning.”

  “It has reversed course and is returning to its original landing pad, Elder Anupi.”

  “Notify Commander Marston and Ambassador Suzume of our situation.”

  “Immediately, Elder Anupi.”

  “Who are you talking to?”

  “The most intelligent and most powerful being in the known galaxy, Your Highness.” Elder Anupi said the title without hiding his disdain or sarcasm.

  Ballison – H.E.B. Alliance Pyramid

  Even though Mack and Sue no longer worked on Griffin, they still remained members of
the crew. The horseshoe-shaped seating arrangement allowed all five members of Griffin’s original crew to sit comfortably and just enjoy each other’s company.

  “Mack, dear, could you get me some tea?”

  “Of course, Love,” Mack replied as he rubbed his wife’s rounded belly and stood. “Chamomile? With honey? Nice and soothing.”

  “You know me so well, Wrenchy.”

  Krag, Keiko and Buster watched the interplay.

  “So, you two, when are you going to settle down? Or do you plan on staying in the pyramid?”

  “We haven’t gotten that far, Sue. Krag still has this fantasy that my father will give his permission for us to marry.”

  “Well, you could do what Mack did. You know, kind of force the issue.”

  “That will never happen.”

  As the conversation continued, Mack returned with a cup and a mug.

  “What will never happen?”

  “Getting pregnant.”

  “Wat? You dinna want any kids?”

  Keiko took Krag’s hand.

  “I didn’t mean that. I meant, I didn’t want to get pregnant before we get married.”

  “So, we’re getting married?”

  “I didn’t say that either, Krag. You know what I mean.”

  As the banter continued, Igaklay nervously approached.

  “Oy, Iggy. You are looking right antsy. What’s biting you?”

  “Um, I’ve been listening in on Mistress Analyn’s meeting with her brother.”

  “And? Spit it out.”

  “Well, Commander, it didn’t go well. Everyone, except for Vidhee and elder Anupi, have been imprisoned. King Daruke is going to put Mistress Analyn on trial.”

  “We’ll see about that. Where are Dean and Isaac?”

  “They are currently onboard Griffin, Commander. They appear to be studying her operations and mechanics.”

  “Good. Notify them to put together a checklist. Keiko, you up for a quick jump to Elonia?”

  “Of course.”

  “Buster?”

  “Need you ask, oh captain?”

  “Igaklay, please link me to Captain Jewels.”

  “Captain Jewels speaking.”

  “Hey, Captain, Marston here. It sounds like you’ve had some excitement on Elonia.”