“I read all the reports from your team about the Cresorians,” John started. “Seems they’ve all decided to fall in line.”
Ben emerged from the kitchen. “Any concerns?”
“I really don’t have anything.”
“Some of them are still grumbling about being monitored,” Ben admitted. “Grovenix and Jumix have been the most vocal about their unhappiness. Limex seems to keep them in line.”
“You’ve been working closely with them, so I need your opinion,” John said. “I’m considering allowing them to attend the grand opening celebration tomorrow night.”
The news surprised Ben. He just assumed they wouldn’t be allowed to go. “Really? The last time we met you weren’t ready to ease up on their restrictions.”
“They’ve been good. Letting them attend the grand opening would be a good gesture towards them,” John explained.
“How would that work logistically with security?” Ben asked.
“They wouldn’t have any escort,” John replied. Ben felt uneasy hearing this. John could see his apprehension. “I’d have security beefed up down in Central. I won’t have attention drawn to the Cresorians by having them tailed by escorts.”
“That’s a lot of trust you’re giving them.”
“You don’t think they’re ready? I want to extend some goodwill towards them, but I need you to tell me it’s okay. If you have doubts, tell me. I’ll keep them confined during the celebration.”
Ben had no doubts about the Cresorians until the captain wanted his input about whether they should attend the ceremony. The attorney didn’t want to be put on the spot. If anything happened, he’d feel responsible. But he couldn’t let his apprehension keep them locked up. They had been cooperating and done everything Ben and his legal team had asked.
“They’ve done everything we’ve asked of them. I think they deserve a chance to prove themselves.” Ben tried to sound convincing but felt he wavered in his response.
If John picked up on Ben’s apprehension, he didn’t mention it. “I’ll let Chief Davers know that they can be released from their quarters tomorrow afternoon. I’ll also inform the senior staff. If things go all right, I’ll let them have access to the rest of the non-critical portions of the ship.”
“Sounds good, captain.” Ben was nervous. He had committed his reputation on the Cresorians’ behaviors. He hoped nothing would go wrong tomorrow.
********
On the other side of the planet from where PHOENIX was situated, the DUDOS was holding position. Although PHOENIX had not picked them up, the massive ship was monitoring the human starship as they had worked diligently on modifying their sensors to adapt to the planet’s atmosphere.
The captain, Buinox, was seated on the bridge. His government had sent a formal protest to the human government when Captain Roberts refused to transfer the Cresorians onto his ship. When the human diplomats brought up the videos showing the atrocities occurring on the Cresorian homeworld and refusal to send any Cresorian there until the situation could be ascertained, Buinox’s government recalled their representatives and cut off all communication with the alliance. The captain was ordered to pursue PHOENIX and take whatever means necessary to get the Cresorians back.
“Any indication they have changed their plans?” Buinox asked his communications officer. They were able to monitor internal communications on PHOENIX. It was a challenge, given the number of individuals on board. They had to filter through a lot of irrelevant discussions.
“They still intend to survey the planet. There has been talk of our people settling here.”
Buinox reclined in his seat. That was an option he could not permit. He could allow them to settle on the planet and then come in to take them once PHOENIX left the system. However, if these Cresorians were determined not to go back to homeworld, they might fight back. Buinox was under explicit orders to bring them back alive. He couldn’t risk a potentially lethal fight.
Luckily, they had the necessary equipment on board to ensure no one would occupy the planet. They would wait to see how the situation developed, then take the appropriate action. Buinox was determined not to fail in his mission.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Are you sure?” Shelly asked Bret as she looked at her blue dress in his living room mirror.
“Positive,” he replied from his bedroom. “He doesn’t want any of the senior staff in uniform. It’s a party, not a military function.”
“I know, but we represent the military,” Shelly said. “It seems strange not to wear a uniform.” She also was looking forward to wearing her ceremonial uniform and thought the grand opening was the perfect opportunity to put in on. But if none of the senior staff were going to wear theirs, neither would she.
Bret emerged from the bedroom. He was wearing a black collared shirt and casual blue pants. “You still need to get used to things here. Captain Roberts is trying to operate this ship differently from the other capital ships.”
“I suppose,” Shelly muttered. Maybe if she heard the captain’s announcement at this morning’s staff meeting that no one was to wear a uniform, she wouldn’t be worrying over it. But she was helping the hangar bay personnel with some logistics for the planned survey of the planet and missed it.
“I’m ready to go,” Bret smiled as he extended his arm. “Shall we?”
Shelly smiled and took his arm as they left his quarters. Bret had asked her to accompany him to the celebration. It wasn’t a date. Both were assigned to sit at the same table, and he thought it’d be fun if they showed up together. No doubt rumors would start about him and Shelly being a couple, but Bret was used to rumors on this ship.
********
Central was packed. Anyone who wasn’t on duty or tending to ship operations was down in the artificial city. The main square, which had been closed during the Screen mission, is where the tables were set up for the dinner and entertainment. They were situated around the large water fountain in the center square. A large stage was erected for the performances. Several crewmembers volunteered to showcase their musical or comedic talents. It was a chance to see some cultural aspects of the different aliens who lived on the ship. Rumor had it that a group of Senfo were planning to sing a song, something unheard of in their culture.
At a table near the stage sat John, Julie, her father David, Mitchell, Ben, Sally, Andre, and X. John made sure that Sally and Andre sat next to each other. From what he saw, they seemed to have hit it off. They were engrossed in their own conversations and barely paid attention to anyone else.
“I’m glad we got here early,” Mitchell remarked as they watched people pouring into the square. This place is a madhouse.”
A couple of service bots came by and delivered champagne to the table. “Any problems so far?” Julie asked John as she grabbed her champagne glass.
“Just got off the line with the chief,” John replied. “Except for a trio of drunk Senfo in front of Phoenix Grocers, no problems so far.” Julie chuckled imagining the diminutive Senfo carrying on inebriated. Hopefully, they weren’t the ones scheduled to perform later.
Ben was relieved to hear the captain’s words. He was trying to relax. It was hard with the Cresorians on his mind. A few hours ago, they were released from their quarters. Every single one of them elected to attend the celebration. Ben worried that there would be a disturbance involving one or more of them. He gave his assurances to Captain Roberts that they would behave. He didn’t want to be proven wrong.
As if destiny was determined to keep the thoughts of the Cresorians at the forefront of his mind, Ben spotted Limex in the distance approaching the table. She was with two other Cresorians, who looked around in wonderment at their environment. Limex’s eyes were focused on the table.
“John Captain, Julie Captain, Ben Attorney, it is pleasurable to see you,” she greeted.
John nodded to her. “It’s good to see you, too. I hope you’re enjoying the celebration.”
“We have never expe
rienced anything like this,” Limex admitted. “However, we are finding it quite enjoyable. May I inquire who these others are at your table?”
“Next to Julie is her husband, Mitchell, and next to him Julie’s father, David,” John explained.
Limex had become familiar with the proper designations of human relations to know Mitchell was Julie’s husband and Julie the suhokei of David. She nodded to them as John continued the introductions.
“Over here is Sally, our administrator. Then we have Andre, and finally my personal bot X.”
“It is nice to meet all of you,” Limex said as she and her associates put their wrists together in the standard Cresorian greeting.
Andre was transfixed. He had never been this close to a Cresorian and was mesmerized by how they looked. He was glad he got injected with a micron when he came on board so he could understand what they were saying. Sally was also elated by the experience of being near aliens.
“John Captain, I want to extend my appreciation to you for allowing us to partake in this celebration,” Limex said.
“You’re welcome,” John nodded. “There’s lots more to see and a full night ahead of us. Go out and enjoy yourselves.”
Limex smiled as she and her associates departed.
“They seemed very nice,” Andre remarked.
David leaned over to Julie. “Now they were the first aliens you encountered?”
Julie nodded. “We came across Drix’s ship at Alpha Centauri.”
“Amazing,” John muttered.
Julie turned to John. “That they seem to be behaving? Yes.”
“Not them, that.” John pointed.
In the distance, the group saw Vun and Mu walking along the perimeter of the main square. What caught everyone’s attention was Vun had an appendage wrapped around the Rifva’s waist.
“Is that green thing an alien?” Sally asked.
“Yes,” Julie confirmed. “It’s a Gercol and the only one living here.” Julie looked to John. “Are they…together?”
“I have no idea,” John smiled. If they were dating, it was validation that the various aliens here could co-exist together. PHOENIX was a unique ship in the alliance.
“How can they…?” Andre tried to ask. His mind couldn’t comprehend two aliens looking that different from being a couple.
“I have sufficient medical knowledge on Gercol and Rifva physiology to render a hypothesis on how they would mate,” X speculated.
John rolled his eyes. “No, that’s okay. We don’t need to know.”
Sally turned to Andre. “I’m still getting used to seeing all these different aliens.”
“Me too,” Andre admitted. “I’ve talked to some while working in the medical bay. It’s uncomfortable sometimes but I’m getting used to it.”
“I’m sure you’re doing fine,” Sally assured. “I try to think of it as visiting a different country on Earth.”
Andre never thought of it that way. “I’ll have to remember that.”
********
Grovenix was not having a good time. Despite being told they were free to participate in the celebration, he was certain they were being covertly monitored. How could he be enjoying himself? The aliens on this ship indulged in whatever they wanted. He found it repulsive. It was difficult to fathom that these creatures were strong enough to defeat the Screen. They all seemed weak.
Grovenix remembered when he was only a few cycles old, he had to learn to pilot his home ship during a crisis. The primary life support core had ruptured, and his iudomin had to fix it while they were navigating a dense asteroid field. He didn’t have time to consult the computer for guidance. All he could do was clench his hands on the two levers and dodge the asteroids flying around them. In the end, they survived the field, and his iuodomin repaired the core, but at a cost. She was exposed to the core’s radiation. Over the next cycle, Grovenix watched her wither away, helpless to do anything for her. She eventually died, and he was left alone. If it wasn’t for the Cresorian vessel he encountered shortly afterward, he would have perished in space.
As he looked around, he realized none of these aliens could appreciate the hard life of space. This ship protected them from that reality. The alliance could boast they defeated the Screen, but that paled in comparison to the hardships the Cresorian race endured these many cycles. How could Cresorians live side-by-side with creatures who had everything handed to them?
“They are kupalche!” Grovenix muttered angrily to the other four who were with him. “They know nothing!”
“Look at that one,” Orocix motioned to one of his companions. An intoxicated human male was stumbling along the wall. Grovenix noticed the bright metals hanging around his neck and wrists. They watched as the human made his way into one of the alleyways.
“Come,” Grovenix instructed his group as he followed the man. As they entered the alley, they found the man alone. He was hunched over and spitting some matter out of his mouth.
The man noticed that someone had entered the alley. He waved his hand. “Don’t worry ‘bout me. Just had a bit too much.”
“These humans have no humility,” Hiluxnix growled, another one of Grovenix’s companions. “They overindulge in their pleasures. They have no respect for the hardship of life.”
The man turned around, slumping to the ground as he faced five angry Cresorians. “Oh, you’re one them Cresori…things. Don’t want no trouble. I can find my way back,” he said as he struggled to stand up.
Grovenix grabbed the man’s wrist and examined his bracelet. “You adorn your body with shining metals. Why?”
“Uh...” the drunk man stammered, unsure how to respond. Was this some weird dream or hallucination?
Grovenix tightened his grip as the man winced in pain. “These metals should be used to create ship systems or weapons. Instead, you use them to decorate your bodies?”
“You’re hurting me,” the man sputtered. He felt nauseous from the pain.
“He is an affront to our species,” Orocix said. “He is not worthy of life.”
Grovenix bent down and stared at the man. “It is difficult to conceive that your species were instrumental in defeating the Screen. I am curious how resilient you are.”
Before he could exercise his point, a loud voice shouted from behind. “Grovenix! What are you doing?”
The group turned to see Jumix approaching them. “What are your intentions towards this human?”
“Look!” Grovenix hissed as he shoved the man’s wrist up for Jumix to see, almost pulling the man’s arm out of his shoulder socket. “They waste precious resources by using them for frivolous display on their bodies.”
Jumix got angry as he saw the shiny bracelet. “You humans do not deserve to be among the stars. You take and waste while others suffer. Someday, you will get what you deserve.” He looked back at Grovenix. “Let him go.”
Grovenix was stunned by the order. “What? He has offended our kind. He should be punished.”
“Agreed,” Jumix replied. “However, we gave our word we would not disrupt the human celebration. Holding to our word is more honorable than teaching this creature the error of his existence.”
“I will not partake in these festivities alongside these humans,” an angry Grovenix stated.
Jumix stepped up and bumped his chest against Grovenix. “Then go back to your quarters. You will not sully our honor by going back on the promise you and the rest of us made.” Grovenix clenched his fists, which only emboldened Jumix. “If I must subdue you, I will do so.”
Grovenix could see the others were not ready to fight one of their own as they all slowly stepped away. He wasn’t afraid of a fight, but he didn’t want to give the human on the ground the satisfaction of watching two Cresorians fighting.
“You are no better than Limex,” Grovenix said. “The longer we remain on this vessel, the more we become weak and feeble.”
Jumix wasn’t interested in getting into an argument. “Leave here, now!”
********
John was called up to the stage after the band finished their set to give his speech. There was roaring applause as he came up. It took a couple of minutes of patient waiting for the cheers to die down. John never got around to writing a speech. He was going to say what felt right.
“First off, I hope everyone’s having a good time.” People erupted into cheers of affirmation that they were enjoying themselves. “The celebration will go throughout the night, so please make the most of it.” People clapped again. “For those of us who served here during the Screen mission, it’s a milestone to see all of Central open for business. I’m sure I speak for many of those who never thought we would defeat the Screen. But we did it. As I look around, I see the rewards of our efforts. Our races are now free, and PHOENIX can explore space. The ship is now thriving, with thousands living aboard in harmony. The alliance we made is represented on this ship, with Cresorian, Onixin, Senfo, and Quix living and working together side-by-side. But let us never forget those who are no longer with us, the brave souls who sacrificed themselves so this ship, and the alliance could survive. This celebration is as much about them as it is about us.
“As we embark upon our travels, let’s not forget that we’re all in this together. We need to depend on one another if we’re to succeed. To all of you, I say welcome aboard the PHOENIX!”
John received a standing ovation. He stood, waved, and smiled for a few moments before leaving the stage and returning to his table.
Fractured Alliance Page 12
