She waved an airy hand. “No need any more. We will pass an amendment to the Savior Protocol, annulling it. She can stay here, with us.”
An extremely stubborn look had landed on Zenzie’s face. Her eyes flashed. “I will not!”
Oznard examined her dispassionately. “You are unwell, my child. The process of becoming a Chyzar has affected your judgement. I will forgive your speaking to a Supreme like that.” Her attitude clearly added for the time being.
Zenzie stamped her foot. “It has not!”
Oznard rolled her eyes a little. “Quite a normal effect, I assure you.”
I bit my lip. This wasn’t a good start.
However, I had not counted on Neema. Both she and Anzany stepped forwards to confront Oznard, though it was Anzany who spoke.
“Supreme. I am Anzany Enordizan, from the Sezzerezz region. May I address you?”
Oznard’s expression was anything but welcoming. She paused, but finally gave her consent. “Go ahead.”
“Thank you, Supreme.” Anzany steadied herself for a couple of seconds, before going on. “I have been assigned to the Sezzerezz think tank for the last two years. We were required by the justice department of the main Supreme to investigate the legal boundaries of the Savior Protocols.”
“Yes. And?”
“There are none.”
Oznard’s eyes snapped together. “What do you mean, there are none?”
“There are no boundaries. The Savior protocols do not allow for any changes to be made, nor are legal interpretations possible.”
“According to the Sezzerezz think tank, I believe you mean.” Oznard’s tone made it fairly clear what she thought of the Sezzerezz think tank.
“No, Supreme. According to law.”
“And just what are you doing here, if one may ask?”
Anzany’s chin came up. “I was asked to attend by Mr. Mallivan. I am the appointed legal advisor to the new Chyzar.”
This was news to me. And to the new Chyzar. Zenzara turned to the Tyzaran girl in some surprise.
“Your own … client … appears to be unaware of this.”
Anzany smiled slowly. “As you yourself, said, Supreme, the process of becoming a Chyzar can be confusing.”
We all gasped at that, I think. But it was a master stroke. It left Oznard’s mouth flapping in the breeze. I stepped forwards. “Our legal advisor has made it clear to us that even the Supreme Council may not alter the terms of the Savior Protocol. Most unfortunate, but don’t you feel that it would be wise to make the best of a bad situation?”
“I fail to understand you.”
“Oh, I think you understand me all right, Supreme Oznard. I am hoping we can come to some sort of agreement between all parties, here. I quite understand the importance of a new Chyzar to the Tyzaran people, but it seems that Zenzara’s obligations under the Savior Protocols must take precedence. Are you certain that you and the rest of the Supreme Council wish to alienate her even further?”
Oznard’s face took on a vacant expression. I felt sure that she was communicating with the rest of the Supreme Council. I wished I knew how they were doing that.
Then her face snapped back to its previous tautness. “We will discuss this amongst members of the Supreme Council. Please wait here.”
“I would like to ask that Anzany Enordizan be attached to us for the duration of our stay. And that Neema Agazed – the liaison between our people here on Tyzar – also be allowed to remain with us.”
She breathed in and then out through her nose, considering. “Very well.”
Her garments rustled as she strode back through the doors. They closed after her with a slight noise of relief. At least, that is what it seemed like to me.
I smiled at Anzany. “Thank you. That was very helpful.”
To my surprise, Anzany blushed. “That’s all right. I wanted to help. Neema has told me all about you, you see.”
“I hope you don’t mind my asking for you to stay here with us. We need all the help we can get.”
“I don’t mind.” She looked shyly over her shoulder and extended one hand to take Neema’s. “We don’t mind.”
It was clearly a declaration; Neema’s expression told us that much. We applauded and they looked even more bashful. I wondered if it was the very first time that they had admitted to having a relationship. If so, it said a great deal for the repressive atmosphere in Tyzar. Not the great liberals I had taken them for, then. I was learning quite a lot this trip.
Sammy was pumping Neema’s hand and making rude comments in the way good friends always have and always will. Mel was shaking her head and rolling her eyes at Sammy’s comments in the way other good friends always have and always will.
I left them to it. I needed to think. It was my responsibility to get my group safely off the planet, safely out of the Bifold Shell. It wasn’t going to be easy. We were still being bandied from one side to another like a football, according to the whims of each race. I had to find a way to get us out of play long enough for a strategic retreat.
Chapter 10
The next morning found us still waiting. Tensions inside the room had been rising and we were irritable, to say the least. We had only had a couple of hours sleep each. I had been in a portable Zeroth tank overnight because of my arm injury. We had been kept incommunicado from everybody else, so none of us had any way of knowing what had been going on with the rescue attempt. It was an unpleasant, dragging time. The two Enif were the only ones able to confront the situation with some equanimity. Didjal had dismounted a large table top from its supports and Eshaan had settled in front of it and begun to create art on the surface.
Seyal finally came over to me. She was uncomfortable; her hands were gently massaging her baby bump.
I tried to smile. “Are you all right, Seyal?”
Her features seemed to blur more. “I am within acceptable limits, thank you, Mallivan Bell. But I wish to say something.”
“I am listening.”
“You must leave me here.” She went red-faced at her own temerity, but still held up a hand to stop me speaking. I closed my mouth again. This must be most important to her.
She closed her eyes for a moment. “I wish not to be the reason for any trouble. Please leave me here. My son will be born and then I can find you.”
“You might want to stay on Tyzar.”
She frowned. “Why? What is there for us on Tyzar?”
“What is there for you with us?”
Seyal went even redder, her features almost disappearing into the smoothness of the rest of her face. “You do not wish me to join you?”
“No! I mean, of course we do! I was simply saying that things might be safer for you and your son here.”
She looked doubtful, and I had to agree with her. The Tyzarans hadn’t shown themselves in a great light. Blowing up your own space station was hardly an endearing trait.
I felt myself getting nervous again. I hadn’t asked for all this responsibility! Now it seemed I had a whole group dependent on me!
I glared at her. Not that it was her fault, but I wasn’t entirely rational. “You can’t expect me to keep you safe!”
She took a small step back, intimidated by my tone. “I wish only to stay with the rest.”
Mel stepped in, putting a comforting arm around her. “Rye, you have to stop snapping at people when you get stressed.”
“Me? I don’t!”
“Says the guy who threatened to shoot me.”
I shuffled a little. “I expect you deserved it.”
“I know it is a lot to take on, but you did step up. You can’t reject us all now. You know you can’t.”
“I don’t want to!”
&nbs
p; “Then stop trying to wriggle out of it all!”
“Stop telling me what to do!”
“See? Your hands are shaking again. Just like in all the fights. You become a … a different person when you are fighting.”
“It is just an adrenaline spike. Everybody gets them.”
“Not everybody gets so crotchety.”
I made a low noise in my throat and turned away. Nobody likes being criticized. Though it is true that I do get very angry when I am stressed. I guess. Don’t know what she expects me to do about it though. It’s not as if I can choose how my body reacts.
Mel hadn’t finished. “We are not leaving Seyal on Tyzar!”
I spun around. “I am the one in charge here!”
Her lip curled. “Then act like it!”
I felt like putting my hands around her neck and throttling her. Didn’t she realize that I had been trying to act like it all this time?
She pulled Seyal another step back. She must have read my mind. “See?” she said. “You are doing it again. You get scary when you look like that.”
Seyal did seem terrified.
I sighed. “I am sorry. You … you may be right. I … I will try to be better. And I will try not to snap at people.”
Sammy gave a snort, as if to say ‘good luck with that’. I couldn’t help glaring at him, which for some reason made them all laugh.
I held up my hands. “Stop it! All of you! I am only doing the best I can!”
Mel pursed her lips. “We know that, Rye. And we trust you. You have kept us all alive so far. Even that is a miracle, considering everything. Just … just try to relax a bit, will you? You are wound up so tight … I am scared you will burst.”
“I’ll try.”
Her gaze softened. “It is hard for you, I know. You weren’t expecting to have any of this thrust on you. But you have it now, and that isn’t going to change. You have to stop feeling cross about it.”
I did feel cross. She was right. I was furious at just about every stupid government in the Major Shells. You would think that the politicians could organize things better. That, after all, is what they are paid to do. Look at how many had died, just because of some idiot’s expansionist tendencies. It did make me angry. Of course it did. Lives cut short, others completely changed, just for more galactic real estate. It sucked.
At that moment the door slid open and Oznard came back in, accompanied by three other Tyzarans. Denaraz was not with them; he had been ordered by the Supreme to spend at least one night in the Zeroth chamber. He had sent a message that he would join us shortly.
We all stiffened. I stepped forward.
I was still feeling annoyed. My chin came up. “Well, Supreme?”
She looked far haughtier than me. “We have examined the original protocols. They do seem inflexible on some points.”
“You mean that they cannot be broken?”
“It is debatable whether or not they can.”
“Then Zenzara Zylarian can stay with me?”
“Yes. However …”
Why did I know that was coming?
“.. You will be required to provide for her in a way which is suitable for a future Chyzar.”
“Which is …?”
“Any ship she travels in must be equipped with only the best technology. The Chyzar must be protected.”
“And how am I supposed to afford this?” It seemed to me that they were taking my largesse a bit too far. I had lost my only ship, and although I had been very fond of it, it could hardly have been called cutting edge in the first place.
Her head ratcheted back one notch. I wondered whether it hurt her neck. “You will be supplied with a ZEPH prototype.”
“Excuse me?” That was about the last thing I had expected to hear. When Zenzara had suggested it I had taken the whole idea as a joke.
“The Tyzar government will loan you a small Myndraka-class patrol ship equipped with ZEPH drive - for your use. We will provide the crew of twelve.”
“You will not.”
It was her turn to look taken aback. I felt a certain amount of satisfaction to see I could shake her that much.
I went on, “I will not have my life dictated to by Tyzar. If you want to settle a ship on us, or loan one to us, fine. But there are enough of us to crew it ourselves. I will not have any further Tyzaran presence. We already have bridge and engineering crew. New personnel would be unnecessary.”
“Unacceptable!”
“Non-negotiable!”
That had gone well. She was staring at me as if I had just grown a pair of antennae. I was just plain angry. I had decided that I was just about as fed up as I could be of us all being mere pawns in somebody else’s chess game.
Oznard seemed unaware of my new determination. “The Chyzar cannot be left unattended. She must have Tyzarans with her.”
I glanced at Zenzie. Her crest was vertical and she was giving me don’t-agree-to-that signals with her eyes.
“She can have one other Tyzaran aboard,” I conceded, earning myself a flash of disapproval from Zenzie herself. I held up my hand, so that the girl wouldn’t interrupt. From the corner of my eye I saw Mel bend down and whisper something to her.
“… But that person must be acceptable to the rest of the crew,” I finished.
Oznard didn’t like it. Well, neither did I. But I could see I was going to have to cede in some way in this negotiation. I wasn’t exactly negotiating from a position of strength here. They could simply throw all of us in prison and leave us there. I didn’t want to tempt them.
Oznard considered. “And acceptable to me,” she said finally. “With that proviso, I will agree. It will also be necessary for you to bring the ship to Tyzar itself once a year for a service. If you and the Chyzar agree to come too, we can have an agreement drawn up.”
“For how long? The yearly service?” I didn’t need Zenzara’s start of disagreement to tell me how unwelcome that was.
“Hmm. Let’s say … three of your standard weeks?”
“Three space weeks? Each year? Very well.”
“During which time the Chyzar will submit to our medical staff to ensure her continued health?”
I swear Zenzara hissed at Oznard. The Supreme looked shocked. Mel took hold of Zenzie’s thin arm, to prevent her from moving forward.
“I won’t!” the girl railed, trying to break free from the grasp.
“The Supreme is merely trying to ensure your continued health.” I tried to keep my tone even, though she wasn’t helping things.
Zenzie’s eyes narrowed as she turned on me. “Who got us out of the Avarak ship?”
“You did.”
“Then why are you negotiating on my behalf now? It is my life.”
I nodded. “Then negotiate.”
Zenzara gave a bit of a gulp, then settled herself. She stepped forward and met Oznard’s gaze. “I will come. I will let your doctors check me over. But I want final approval on any test or procedure or medicine I am given.”
“In writing,” I said hastily.
Zenzie first glared at me and then tipped her head to one side. “In writing,” she repeated.
The Supreme looked away for a few moments, presumably discussing mentally with her fellow members of the Supreme Council. “Very well. You will have to stay here for several weeks longer until we can organize a suitable vessel and get it fully equipped.”
“The need for Miss Zylarian’s permission for all and any medical process to begin straight away.” I suggested.
“Immediately.” Zenzara’s tone was flat, brooking no opposition.
Oznard’s nostrils dilated as she breathed in then out. “Acceptable,” she said, wit
h some reluctance.
Zenzara danced on the spot. “Great!” Then she hugged first Mel, and then me. “Freedom!”
Mel looked across at me. It would be freedom of a sort, certainly. But a very different life for all of us than the one we had planned.
I checked around the room. Only Seyal seemed unequivocal about the decision. She was chittering to herself, clearly well-pleased. The rest of us were quiet. We knew we had committed to something none of us had ever considered. It felt very strange. None of us had taken a decision to go in this direction; it had simply been thrust upon us.
I sighed. There was no going back now. The Avarak attack on Commorancy had put paid to the safe timeline we had been living before. There was no way backward. We had to keep on walking. One step in front of the other.
Sammy was the one to put it into words. “What shall we be?” he asked, staring around at us one by one. “What is our purpose?”
Good question. One I could see mirrored in every single face staring back at him. Who were we going to be, and what were we going to do?
The ever practical Didjal was the one to break the spell. “It is unclear what the future holds for us,” it said firmly. “But we can help those injured by the explosions here.”
Oznard opened her mouth to tell us it would be too dangerous.
Zenzara stepped in front of the rest of us. “I am the Chyzar. At least, I will be soon. We will not sit back while others die. That explosion was meant for me … for us. We must help. We cannot sit penned in here for the next few weeks. Impossible!”
The nostrils flared again. “Very well. You may help in the rescue work. But I will assign Tyzaran Supreme guards around you. I will not risk a similar attack on any of you.”
Zenzie looked at me. I gave the smallest of nods. She turned back to the Supreme. “That will be acceptable. Thank you.”
Oznard gave a thin smile. “In that case, my work is done. You will see me again when the ship is transferred to you. Please be extremely circumspect as you move through the space station. Emotions are high, and we would wish to avoid any further problems.”
Termination Shock Page 16
