by Jerry Boyd
“The folks Captain Dressi trained have cleared another ship, and they hope to be able to send all the Marines back late today, or early tomorrow.”
“That’s good news. I don’t like being in possession of their fleet, while we’re trying to negotiate with them. Makes it harder to convince them we mean them no harm. Anything else?”
Sue spoke up. “Boss, I’ve used every trick I can think of, and then made some stuff up. If they have any stealthed ships out there, they’re way better than anything we’ve seen before.”
Topper said, “It seems to be as calm as we could hope for, Boss. Does that scare you as much as it does me?”
“It certainly does, Topper. Murphy will be along shortly, I have no doubt. Until he gets here, I’m going to get out of your way. Your ship, Topper.”
“My ship, Boss. I’ll call you when Murphy gets here.”
“Thanks.” I headed out. As soon as I was off the bridge, I asked Gene, “Where could I find Mrs. Wilson, Gene?”
“She’s in the ready room, taking a course, Boss.”
“How long till she finishes?”
“Three minutes.” I went in the ready room, and waited for Nikki to come out of her course. When she woke up, she asked, “Hey, Caveman, whatcha doing?”
“Waiting on my favorite lady.”
“Need something?”
“Some advice, I guess. I’m not sure I handled things right this morning.”
“What did you do that you’re not sure about?”
“I sent Lakki to the Imperial yacht, to give the Emperor the cold-reading course.”
“I thought she had already proved it was safe, with Snappi?”
“She did, but this way, I got her a pardon from the Emperor, so she can go see her friends and family, and I found out whether I could trust the Emperor.”
“It’s the last part that has you wondering?”
“Yep. I sent her into a potentially dangerous situation, just to gather intel, without asking her first. Am I becoming one of those guys who thinks that whatever he wants is the right thing, without thinking about how it affects other people?”
“Nope. If you were, you wouldn’t be here asking me about it. You’d be celebrating how well your plan worked, don’t you think?”
“I guess so. I just want to be careful that I don’t go off the rails. I have a lot of people depending on me.”
“Would you feel better, if you apologized to Lakki, for sending her in without letting her know everything beforehand?”
“Maybe.”
“You know that it’s a part of the job, don’t you?”
“What’s that?”
“Sending people to do jobs, without explaining why. Sometimes even sending people to do jobs they won’t come back from.”
“I know it in my head, yes. My gut is yet to come to terms with it.”
“It shouldn’t be easy, Caveman. If it ever gets easy, you need to walk away.”
“So, I’m doing okay, so far?”
“You’re doing fine, Caveman. Look how far you’ve come, and how quickly. Think how good you’ll be at this after you’ve been at it for awhile.”
“You’re right, I just worry I’m going to screw up, and get someone hurt.”
“That’s understandable. You have serious responsibilities. But I think you need to take a break. Let’s find our daughter, and my dog, and play some Frisbee.”
“Best offer I’ve had all day.”
“Just wait, I can do better.”
“Really?”
“Time and place for everything, Horndog!”
“Yes, Ma’am.” I asked Gene, “Where could we find Janet?”
“I could ask her to join you for Frisbee, if you like.”
“It would be better if we were to ask her if she wants to, I think.”
“I can take you to her, if you want to catch the transit.”
We got aboard, and Gene took care of it. I asked, “Gene, is something bothering you?”
“No, Boss. I’m just trying to figure out how your interactions with Janet are supposed to work.”
“Likewise, I’m sure. She’s old enough to have her own goals, and things she needs to do. We have to respect that, while at the same time letting her know we care about her, and we’ll be there if she needs help. Mrs. Wilson probably has a better idea than me of how to make that work, but I’m wandering around in the dark.”
Nikki said, “Just because of Jimmis, you think I know something about taking care of a teenager? If I see him twice a month, that’s a good month. I haven’t made it back to see him in quite a while, now. Maybe we should ask my Mom, she might know something that would help.”
“Feel free. I don’t think she would be liable to tell me anything that would help.”
“I will, the next time I talk to her. I’m curious what Gene was worried about, though.”
Gene said, “You two are responsible for her care now, correct?”
Nikki replied, “Yes, Gene, we are. Is there something we should know?”
“That is what I’m trying to figure out, Ma’am.”
I asked, “You don’t know whether you should say something, or let her have her privacy?”
“Exactly, Boss.”
“Is she in physical danger?”
“No, Boss.”
“Why would you think we needed to know about something, then.”
“She is engaging in behavior I’m not sure is age-appropriate, Boss.”
“By herself, or with someone else?”
“With someone, Boss.”
I asked Nikki, “You did make sure she had a contraceptive implant, didn’t you?”
She replied, “Yes, I did.”
“Gene, is what she is doing consensual?”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Divert us to the bay where we play Frisbee, and whistle up Snitz.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Nikki asked, “Why did you do that, Bob?”
“It’s bad enough that we know she is doing something we might not approve of. No need to make it worse by catching her at it.”
“You’re willing to let it slide?”
“She’s not going to be perfect. She needs enough privacy to figure out who she is. The best we’re going to be able to do, is be there to help her pick up the pieces when she makes mistakes.”
“Every time I think I have you figured out, Caveman, you go and act all grown-up.”
“Sorry to be a problem, Ma’am.”
“No, you’re not. Not even a little bit.”
“You could be right.” We got to the bay, and Snitz was waiting. We found a Frisbee, and had a good time. Gene came over the speaker. “Boss, Janet wants to know where you are. Should I tell her?”
“Of course, Gene. You should always tell her where we are, when she asks.”
“Still learning, Boss.”
“Keep at it, Gene. You’ll get it.”
Janet came into the bay and said, “Playing Frisbee without me, huh? I see how you guys are.”
I replied, “We were going to ask you to join us, but Gene said you were busy.”
She turned red. “Oh, that. Milly and I were just discussing what to do when we see Charlie again.”
I asked, “Why, did he do something he shouldn’t have?”
“No, Dad. We just can’t seem to get his attention.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He hasn’t asked either one of us to make out, yet.”
“Charlie is kinda old-fashioned. You may have to give him a little more time. He comes around to talk to you when he’s aboard, doesn’t he?”
“Well, yes.”
“Do you think he would go to the trouble, if he wasn’t interested?”
“I suppose not.”
“You just need to have a little patience, Janet. Charlie is trying to figure out how to do all this too, you know.”
“Okay, Dad. Throw me that Frisbee, and quit trying to make me think so much.” We
played awhile, and Nikki got tired. Janet put the Frisbee away, and we went to the galley to get a cool drink. On the way, my comm rang. “Commodore Wilson.”
“Commodore, it’s Ambassador Dressi. His Imperial Majesty is ready to sign the agreements we worked out. Would it be possible for you to come to His Majesty’s yacht?”
“Would I be permitted an escort?”
“His Majesty said you could have as many Marines as it takes to make you feel comfortable.”
“I’ll be over shortly, then. Give His Majesty my regards, and thank him for his kind invitation.”
“I’ll do that, Commodore. See you soon.”
“See you.”
As soon as the connection dropped, I commed Scotti. “Yes, Boss?”
“Is there any way for the Squirrels to override the Marines programming?”
“Boss, I’ve been through their systems three times, I can’t find any way for them to be turned against you. Pete has had me working on it.”
“What you’re saying is that Pete is convinced it exists, but you have yet to find it?”
“That seems to be the state of things, yes, Boss.”
“Do you think that the early bots might have been produced before the plant was infiltrated?”
“That’s a possibility. We know the Squirrels didn’t infiltrate all at once, and that probably wasn’t a priority for them.”
“Right now, it’s all I’ve got to work with. The Emperor invited me to sign treaties, and I want to make sure I get home.”
“Good luck, Boss. Talk to you later.”
“Fly safe, Scotti.”
I commed Topper. “Yes, Boss?”
“The Emperor wants me to come over and sign some treaties. Put someone else on Saucy’s console, and send him to the landing bay. Tell him to arm himself.”
“Got it, Boss. Anybody else you want me to send that way?”
“Bone, and anybody the two of them trust. Pete and Scotti are still not sure if you newer models have some kind of programming loophole, that would let the Squirrels tell you what to do. Scotti says she can’t find it, but Pete is convinced it must be there.”
“Are you sure the older bots are safe, Boss?”
“Nope, but it’s the best play I have. I figured to take some humans along as well, just in case.”
“Do you need me to get some people headed this way, Boss?”
“Yes, if it isn’t too much trouble. Dee, Beatriz, and Jane, if you would.”
“Don’t you want Captain Sloan backing you up?”
“More than you could ever know, Topper, but I need him in charge of the fleet, if this goes sideways.”
“Understood. The personnel you requested are all in route. Do you need anything else?”
“Murphy to look the other way for an hour or two?”
“Above my pay grade, Boss. I did tell Jeeves to get your dress uniform ready.”
“Thanks, Topper. Talk to you after.”
“Fly safe, Boss.” Gene’s voice came out of the speaker. “Diverting the transit to your cabin, Boss.”
“Thanks, Gene.” Nikki asked, “What’s up, Caveman?”
“I need to go to the Imperial yacht to sign those treaties we worked on. Before you ask, neither one of you is going with me. I do need you to back Topper up on the bridge again, if you don’t mind?”
“I can do that. Are you sure it’s safe to go over there?”
“No, I am not. I’m taking all the precautions I can think of, and taking Dee with me, so that Dingus will be motivated to solve the problem if something doesn’t go like it should.”
Janet said, “You play dirty, Dad.”
I replied, “I suppose I do. You knew that before you said you wanted to be my daughter, though, so you shouldn’t act like it’s a big surprise.”
“Busted!”
“Not yet, give it a couple of years.” She looked at me, and tipped her head, trying to figure out what I said. Then it hit her, and she said, “Aww, Dad!”
Nikki laughed. She said, “Mean old Caveman, why do you have to be like that?”
“The world is going to treat her worse than that, she might as well get used to it, when it’s just for fun.”
The door opened, and saved me from having to explain myself any further. Nikki and Janet stayed aboard, headed for the bridge, I assumed. Jeeves had everything laid out. He said, “Boss, if I would have known, I could have come up with a more impressive uniform for you.”
“I only found out myself a minute or two before you. This will be fine.” I got dressed, and headed back out to the transit. It was standing open, waiting for me. I stepped in, and said, “Thanks, Gene.”
“No problem, Boss.” The doors opened, showing the launch bay, with a gleaming freighter, and the people I had asked to be there. Saucy said, “Boss, we got all the first generation bots we could find. I hope we’re safe from whatever you think the Squirrels have.”
“Saucy, I’m not even positive the Squirrels have anything, but I’d rather be sure.”
“Either way, thanks for thinking of us, Boss.”
“Any time, Saucy.” Dee squared up on me. “Bob Wilson, what are you getting us into?”
“I don’t know, could be nothing. The Emperor asked me to come over and sign those treaties Natti and I have been busting our buns on. Given how trustworthy our friends the Squirrels have been so far, I thought it might be wise to take a few people along who know how to get out of a mess, once we get into it.”
“Why not just take a bunch of Marines, and call it good?”
“Pete and Scotti are yet to be convinced there isn’t a backdoor into the Marines programming that would let the Squirrels turn them against us. These fellas are old enough that they were built before the Squirrels had a chance to put a plan like that in place. Even so, I wanted some human shooters to back me up, just in case.”
She studied my face. “You didn’t want Dingus here, because you wanted him in charge of the fleet, if it turned out the Emperor was up to something. With me here, he’s going to be motivated to get us out. Same deal with John, coming after Jane, and Diego, coming after his Grandma. I’m surprised you didn’t ask Bucky to come along, but I suppose if that many ships attack, Steve will be right in there with them. Sally wouldn’t need any extra motivation, if you were in danger. You’re a sneaky booger, Bob Wilson.”
“Have to be, to stay ahead of all of you.”
Beatriz said, “And now with the compliments. Does he really think we will fall for that, Dee?”
“I doubt it, but you know how he is. If a thing might work, he’ll try it, just so he didn’t miss a trick.”
Jane said, “Sounds like they’ve got your number, Boss.”
“I suppose they do. Guess I’m going to have to up my game, if I want to fool them. Is everybody ready? We don’t want to keep his Highness waiting.”
Dee asked, “What are we supposed to call him, anyway?”
“Danged if I know. I just figured as long as I treated him as an equal, he wouldn’t decide he was the big dog. Hadn’t thought it through farther than that.”
Jane said, “That’s our Bob. Let’s get it done, we’ll figure out the details when they come up.”
We boarded the ship we were going over on, and the ramp came up. Ace came over the speaker. “Thank you for flying Ace Air. We won’t be long, so don’t get too comfortable.” Soon enough, the ramp came down, showing us our welcome. There was an honor guard, and Natti was waiting at the bottom of the ramp. I strode down, with my entourage following. It felt silly, but I tried to maintain an air of competence. Natti said, “Commodore Wilson, I’m here to escort you to the throne room. Please follow me.” As he turned, I leaned in close and asked, “Where do they have the ambush set up?” I didn’t expect an answer, but his reaction told me what I needed to know. If there was an ambush, he hadn’t been told about it. Of course, it might be more convenient for the Emperor if we were both dead, so that didn’t necessarily mean we were safe. T
he head of the honor guard stepped up. He said, through a translator badge, “Your people will have to surrender your weapons before you are allowed into the presence of the Emperor.”
I replied, “Oh, I was mistaken. I thought he was serious about signing these documents. Sorry to waste your time.” I turned to get back aboard our ship. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Natti whispering excitedly into his comm. He turned to the guard and said, “The Emperor would like a word with you.” He handed the comm to the guard, who suddenly looked very chagrined. He handed Natti his comm, and said, “My mistake. Sorry to have bothered you.” I checked his rank tab, and said, “No problem, Lieutenant. I understand completely.”
I was surprised when he saluted me, but I managed to return it before he realized. He went back to his troops, and they escorted us to the throne room. The door guards swung the doors open, and snapped to as we approached. I nodded to them as we passed, and they seemed amazed that I would notice them. There was a table set up, with documents on it, in front of the throne. We walked up to the table, and Natti stepped around to the other side. He said, “Commodore, honored guests, it is my profound honor to present His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Oak.” He knelt, and made motions for us to follow suit. I remained standing, and my people did likewise. The Emperor strode in, looking at me oddly. He asked, “You do not kneel?”
“I come here as an equal, your Highness, not a subject.”
The honor guard was highly disciplined, but a gasp was still audible. The Emperor saved the moment by saying, “As it should be. I’m surprised to find you so well versed in our ways.”
“Our people are not that different when it comes to things like this, Majesty.”
“Shall we sign?”
“No offense, Majesty, but I would like to look at these documents, and make sure they contain the same agreement I worked out with your Ambassador.”
“That is wise. You haven’t dealt with me before, so how do you know you can trust me?”
“Exactly. I’m sure I’m just being overly cautious, but it’s easier to find out about it now, than have to renegotiate something later.”
“Be my guest.” Luckily, the comm training course I had taken covered scanning documents, and comparing them to stored copies. Otherwise, I would have been there awhile. My comm couldn’t find any problems, so I signed them, and handed them to the Emperor. He signed as well, and said, “I have heard of a custom among your people. ‘Handshake’, I believe it is called?”
