Termination Shock

by Gillian Andrews

  We were taken along interminable corridors only just wide enough to admit an Avarak. That meant that Denaraz and I could very comfortably walk side by side.

  In comparison to the Tyzaran space station, this looked like a child’s building block monstrosity. It consisted of large modules, shaped like food containers. Each module had been manhandled into place and welded tight. There was little order and no aesthetic.

  But it was functional. However, getting from A to B took an eternity. Our legs, somewhat shorter than the Avaraks’, were struggling. Akhetor laughed at our pathetic attempts to keep up. He thought both Denaraz and I were weaklings. I clamped my jaw shut to avoid panting and tried to look as tough as I could.

  In fact, there was little to see on our way to this meeting. As far as I could make out, the bulk of the space station was laid out to living quarters. We only caught sight of two technologically advanced computer stations, and neither had any particularly high standard of security. It left me to conclude that the Avaraks were still very much miners, more given to shove than strategy.

  Eventually we were shown into a large container given over only to plush seating and a large oval table. We were shown to seats well down one side; the Avarak leaders sat at the other end.

  “You will now tell Grand Leader Kelkator about this new alliance.”

  I bowed. “Certainly.” For fifteen minutes I described the basic tenets that had been discussed on Ulon Prime. I made sure I did not mention that equality of the sexes was an integral part of the deal. I was pretty sure the Avaraks would reject such a thing out of hand. And I liked the idea of setting female Avaraks on a level with the males. I thought they deserved it. Seyal certainly did. It was time that the hidebound and rigidly prejudiced society changed. More than time, in fact. But they could find out that small detail if and when they signed. That would be fun. I would love to be a fly on the wall for that news.

  “So, the idea is an alliance where decisions are taken mutually and a common policy is decided on disputes.”

  Kelkator lifted his enormous head. “All would fight together?”

  “On the same side. Exactly.”

  “Against the Terrans?”

  “That would have to be decided, but I do not anticipate the Tyzarans fighting on the same side as the Terran Omnistate. After all, the Terrans have just stolen their ZEPH drive technology.”

  “And there would be provision to share such technology?”

  “I think there would have to be.”

  Kelkator’s eyes looked into the distance, unfocussed. “Why are the monkeys so important?”

  “The monkeys? Oh, you mean the Macers.” The only real resemblance to monkeys was their long tail. If I were a Macer I would have been extremely offended. However, it was not my place to comment. “They are not …” I bit my lip. “Sorry. The Macers are known for their inability to lie or deceive. They may be trusted where other races could be seeking self advancement. It is a way to promote trust between all the participants.”

  “And the Vaers?”

  “Will not be invited to join. At least, not in phase one of the Interstellar Alliance. It is possible that they could become members in the future. Members will have to adhere to certain standards of integrity which the Vaers may not currently reach.”

  Kelkator’s belly quivered with laughter. “You understate it. They are like savages. The Vaers want only money and more money.” His tone became scornful. “They will not change. They are without integrity, for sure.”

  I couldn’t help looking sideways at him. His own idea of integrity was not mine. Though he was an ancient specimen, as indicated by his name. Seyal had explained to me that one generation had the suffix ton while the next had the suffix tor. Then back to ton again. And so on.

  That was why Seyal’s father had been Hegaton, her husband Solutor and her son Segaton. If this venerable male was called Kelkator, he must be of the generation of Seyal’s grandfather. Which would probably make him in his eighties or nineties. He had lived a very long time for an Avarak. Perhaps that made him more tolerant. Perhaps less.

  “Are you interested in joining?”

  “We might be.”

  I turned to Denaraz. He would be the one to contact the Tyzaran fleet and tell them the good news. At least, I hoped that they would consider it good news.

  “Do you wish me to contact the Supreme Council?” he asked Kelkator in a quiet voice.

  “I must meet with the Grand Senate to debate this further,” the old male told us in his deep voice. “I will have an answer for you within the day. Please to return to your ship.”

  We withdrew. There was no chance for any further exploration. We were marched straight back to Nivala. There we were left, with our Avarak friends still on board. I sighed. I had been hoping to see Zenzara. I was beginning to get really worried about her. Knowing her, she was probably worrying about me, too. Her need to fulfil the Savior Protocols was very strong.

  Mel and the others clustered around as we filled them in on the information.

  “Will they let us go?” asked Sammy.

  “I think so. It would hardly be a nice way to present your integrity if you annexed the ship that brought you the good news. It all depends if they decide to join or not, I believe.”

  Denaraz was pleased. “The Supreme Council will be most surprised.”

  “Another promotion?”

  His face froze. “Certainly not. I hadn’t even thought of it!”

  I continued to stare at him until he dropped his eyes. “I suppose it is possible,” he admitted.

  I gave him a thump to his upper arm. “And I hope they do, Denaraz. You deserve to be part of the Supreme Council.”

  He reddened. “I am not sure that I want to be.”

  “Come on! If I know our Supreme Oznard, she already gave you embedded ansible communication to the Supreme Council. After all, you are their one link to the prospective Chyzar.”

  He went white. “How did you …? No. No! Of course she didn’t!” His crest wobbled and then stood out.

  I laughed and punched him again. “Whatever. You know, we really don’t care. That is up to you. But if she did, now is probably a good time to get in touch with them. Once the Avaraks decide, you will be expected to tell them if their membership is likely to be accepted. And, Denaraz…?”

  “What?”

  “Don’t tell them females are equal. It might put them off.”

  He grinned. “I won’t. I will leave that to the Supremes … once they have signed.”

  “Good man!”

  “You can call me by my first name,” he told me, much to my surprise.

  “I didn’t know you had one.”

  “We all have one. We just don’t let many people use them.”

  “Then I am flattered to be counted amongst them. What is it?”

  “Izan.”

  “Nice name. Shorter than Denaraz!”

  He smiled. “Much.”

  I thrust forward my hand. “Nice to meet you, Izan!”

  He shook mine. “What should I call you?”

  I shrugged. “Take your pick. Ryler, Rye, Mallivan, Mall … I answer to all and any of them.”

  “I shall rotate them. It sounds more interesting.”

  “You do that. I hope we will be friends.”

  “So do I. I have never had an alien friend before.”

  “Yes. Our governments should have been doing more of this. We Spacelanders really only mix with the Enif.” As soon as I said it, I realized that it wasn’t true, either. We worked with them. We didn’t mix with them. At least we hadn’t, until now.

  The second time we met Kelkator he seemed more friendly. He was not the sort to beat about the bush. />
  “The Avarak Grand Senate has decided to apply for membership of this Alliance you speak about, providing there is a free exchange of technology,” he told us.

  Izan stepped to the fore. “My government is happy to share the new ZEPH drive technology with you.”

  “When?”

  It was a little direct for my liking, but he did have troops that were being decimated every day by the Terrans. I could sympathize with the need for speed.

  “I have been authorized to take four Avarak ships to a location near Tyzar. They can be fitted with the ZEPH drive while you and their captains sign the Alliance deeds of constitution. It has been decided that five beings from each shell race shall sign. One, at least, must represent the ruling body of the moment.”

  “Only four ZEPH drives?”

  “You may bring ten engineers on those ships, and these ten engineers will be given details on the function and maintenance of the new drives. They will then be able to install any further drives your government may wish to buy.”

  “Buy?”

  “You cannot expect us to provide them free, surely? Such drives are most costly to make.”

  Kelkator looked underwhelmed. He had expected something for nothing. At least, that is the way it looked like to me. He wasn’t going to admit it, however. “We Avaraks pay our way!” he proclaimed. “We are not like the Terrans, sneaking about stealing technology!”

  Izan Denaraz managed not to smile. “Quite.”

  “Those terms are acceptable. We shall leave tomorrow. I shall travel in your ship.”

  It was my turn. “I regret, that will be impossible. Our governments will be most upset that our ship has been taken over by Avarak troops. I’m sure they will expect you to stand down, now that agreement has been reached.”

  The large Avarak shuffled his feet. “It was necessary,” he blustered.

  “If so, it is no longer necessary.”

  There was no denying that. He had to back down. “I suppose you are right.”

  “I am glad you see our point of view.”

  Izan cleared his throat. “I am also instructed to tell you that this technology is subject to a legal signing of the accords.”

  “And you will all fight with the Avaraks?”

  “Signatories may decide to fight and may decide to remain on the sidelines. However, no Signatory may fight with another signatory. There is to be a new policing service to ensure compliance of all the accords.”

  “Who may that be?”

  “To begin with, it will be Nivala and her crew.”

  The heavy jowls shook from side to side as he digested this. “Well,” he said in his deep rumble. “At least your crew is multistellar. That is sensible.”

  I wanted to point out that we even had a resident Avarak. It didn’t seem like the right time to do that, though. It might remind someone that she hadn’t been seen for some time.

  “Oznard is on board with all this?” I whispered to Denaraz. “She doesn’t mind giving them the tech?”

  He shook his head. “The Supreme Council was going to do that anyway. But she and the others are pleased. This way Tyzar will get something in return. The Avaraks broke the Raksora Accords. They will find it harder to break the Alliance statutes. Each signatory will have to undertake to uphold all statutes at all times. It is part of the conditions of membership.”

  “Where are we to take them?”

  “To the Kallima Space Station. It is about a hundred light years north of Tyzar, and forms an equilateral triangle with Rhyveka. I guess it must be around thirty light years from here.”

  I whistled. “How long will it take us to get there?

  He pulled a face. “We will have to go at their speed. With the current Avarak drives, around two weeks.”

  “At least we seem to have got Nivala back!”

  “Yes. I wonder how Zenzara has been getting on with the baby!”

  We soon found out. As the Avarak shuttle left, a very disheveled Zenzie emerged from the crawl space. She wasn’t happy.

  “Do you know how long I have been down there?” she demanded.

  “We know exactly how long you have been down there. I’m sorry, Zenzara, but there was absolutely nothing we could do about it. Well done! You have saved little Segaton.”

  “That baby is not so little. You should try holding him in your arms all day! He weighs a ton!”

  “Avarak males are densely packed.”

  “And he cries all the time. I thought I was going to go crazy!”

  “Never mind, it is over now. You can have two weeks of complete rest.”

  She thrust a damp and bawling bundle into my arms. “I shall be in the Spa,” she snapped, sounding a lot older than her eight years. “I need a sauna, a shower and two hours under the sun lamp. Please don’t speak to me again until I have done that!” She stalked off. Her crest had little indignant kinks all along it.

  I held Segaton gingerly. He smelt terrible. “Mel!” I looked all around. “Mel!”

  Anzany came up behind me and started to laugh. “Can’t find anybody to fob him off on, Mallivan?”

  I straightened. “Certainly not. I … I just know that he would be … happier in a female’s arms. Babies are, aren’t they?”

  She gave me a wicked grin. “Are they? I wouldn’t know.”

  I held the baby out towards her. “I don’t suppose you …?”

  “Nope.” She grinned again. “Perhaps you should practice those skills, Mallivan? In case you ever become a father.”

  “I already am a father! I have six children! Like Neema! Like all of us!”

  Then I saw the look on her face and wished I had kept my tongue. Damn it!

  “You didn’t know Neema had children?”

  She shook her head. “I didn’t, no.”

  “Look, we all have to donate gametes when we are eighteen. It’s not as if she actually carried any of the children. We go to the Genetic Institute on Zenubi. It has been like that for generations. They make sure that a suitable match is made, one that will avoid any genetic similarities. Six children are born to each of us. Three are eventually returned to the father’s family shipstation and three to the mother’s. It is possible that Neema has never even met her children. The Prime of the family shipstation has the responsibility for their upbringing.”

  Anzany shook her head, as if to clear it. “You are telling me that Neema has six children, and she forgot to tell me about them?”

  I put the baby on the deck for a moment and tried to give Anzany a hug. She held up her hands as if I was going to attack her.

  I stepped back pretty smartly. “I should not have said anything. I am truly sorry.”

  “No! No, you were right. It is something I should know about. Of course I should. Six children. Six children!” She wandered off rather aimlessly. I thought I could hear her repeating those two words as she vanished.

  The baby shuffled at my feet and began to cry. I picked him up again. “Mel! Seyal! Anyone!”

  “What?” Mel appeared from the kitchen, looking anything but willing. “What is it now?”

  I put on a hurt expression, but she was having none of it.

  “Forget it, Rye. You can look after Segaton yourself. It won’t kill you. I need to give Sammy his massage. That leg of his still gives him trouble.”

  “But the baby!”

  “He won’t eat you. Just change his nappy and find him some food.”

  I looked at the damp bundle. I would rather have faced Supreme Oznard and Kelkator at the same time. He was still crying.

  There was nothing for it; I would have to find Seyal. She would know what to do. I expect she was longing to be reunited with her son. The more I th
ought about it, the more it seemed the right thing to do.

  Chapter 14

  The Kallima Space Station hove into view only ten days later. It seemed that the Avaraks had greatly increased their cruising speed recently by somehow boosting their standard drives. We had been joined by other Avarak cruisers on the way. We ushered their four ships into the correct docking facilities and then clamped up ourselves.

  Kelkator was thumping at the airlock before we had even thought about disembarking. I rolled my eyes and signaled to Zenzie and Seyal to stay behind. Zenzara would join us for the talks; I just didn’t particularly want the Avaraks to realize that she had been on board the Nivala all the time. As far as they were concerned, she would be a new addition to the crew, someone from Kallima.

  We escorted the Avaraks to one of the conference rooms on the space station. They stumped stiffly behind us, grumbling in their low voices about the tight dimensions. They seemed to feel that it was beneath their dignity to have to bend to get through the hatchways. I couldn’t help reflecting on the future of the burgeoning Interstellar Alliance if such things were of prime importance. I was grateful it would not be my job to sit in agonizingly long meetings discussing details like that. I was definitely not a diplomat and had no wish to become one.

  However, once we reached the conference room we found that five plus sized chairs, almost resembling thrones, had been carefully placed around the head of the oval table. The Avaraks looked mollified, and went unhesitatingly to these seats.

  Spokesdesignate Xynia was there, much to my unease. I still wasn’t convinced of her loyalty to the Tyzaran people. So was Supreme Oznard, looking as chilly as usual. At the last minute, Zenzara slipped in through the door and took her place behind Didjal and Eshaan.