* * * *
The Folasi Gate was barely detectable against the carbon black of space behind its immense frame. Only the faint glimmer of reflected starlight hinted at its presence. The journey through to the Helius Gate in the system beyond would take several hours as the ancient machine tunneled an impossible path through the surface of Antares.
Nacen had learned to turn over control of the ship to the unknown technology of the gates and simply try to enjoy the ride, observing in silent awe the senseless vectors that carried them through the interdimensional tunnels of the star Antares. After several hours of travel, light from a brilliant amber star shone across their stern as the Carmine Canotila emerged at Folasi. Nacen sat at the helm with Linasette, with Camlo standing behind them.
To their relief, the ship was not greeted by the sharp searing of plasma beams, nor the soundless salvo of missiles, but by a simple communications request by an Algoryn outpost. A warm male voice resonated across the bridge. “You have been identified as a neutral craft. Welcome, Captain Yoska. Please transmit your trade authorization. Remain inside Helius proximity until access is granted or you risk annihilation.”
Nacen remained calm at the threat of his ship’s destruction. It had not been the first, nor would it likely be the last. He did, however, suppress a violent urge to correct the speaker on the name of the current captain. His father, Yoska, had long ago been elected Vard. His ascent had been the result of a lifetime of loyalty, hard work, and cunning diplomacy. Nacen’s brothers and sisters had benefited greatly from their father’s rise. Practically overnight they became governors of colonial planets, admirals of the homefleet, and diplomats of the highest standing. Nacen, on the other hand, had received command of his father’s old ship, the Carmine Canotila, and the obligation to continue its archaic trade routes.
“Send them our authorization, Lina,” Nacen said through clenched teeth. “Their records will be updated to show the change in command, along with a detailed list of our cargo.”
“Of course.”
“More importantly, we need to bring that destroyed fleet to the attention of the authorities of Folasi if they don’t know already,” Nacen declared. “Send them the data we collected outside the Folasi Gate.”
The voice replied with calculated concern. “Your authorization is approved. We will direct all potential threats to the appropriate channels.”
“I don’t think you understand. We discovered a destroyed Algoryn fleet at your doorstep. Whoever did thi–”
“Your authorization has been approved. We will direct all potential threats to the appropriate channels. Please take the designated vectors to avoid cloaked mines.”
Camlo shifted nervously in his reflex armor. “I get the feeling they don’t want people visiting here.”
“Please enjoy your stay on Folasi, and enjoy the annual Harvest Crossing,” the affable voice continued. “Accept our complimentary transferal of two thousand drachem as a token of the rich abundance of Folasi and an invitation to partake in the festivities.”
“Well, you know, I’ve been wrong before.”
“You’re not wrong about that,” Nacen replied wryly. “But don’t get too excited. The drachom isn’t particularly strong right now.”
“You also haven’t seen Folasi yet,” Linasette added as she plotted a stringent course through the inner system’s defenses.
“True, but I’ve been to plenty of festivals on the homefleet. Just imagine... a planet-wide festival,” Camlo’s eyes glazed over.
Linasette let loose a wistful sigh. “Folasi is tidally locked with its star. The planetary body always shows the same face.”
“Oh, I’ll show it a new body.”
Linasette ignored his disconcerting lack of humor. “The result is a perpetual, scorching day on one side with unrelenting radiation and a surface that never has the chance to cool. On the opposite is an endless night devoid of warmth and inhospitable to most life.”
“Well now you’re just trying to depress me.”
“Cheer up and consider the fact that we haven’t hit any cloaked mines yet.”
“Okay, quiet. We still need to get this planet’s shard to listen up,” Nacen said, switching the audio link back on. He tried some different phrasing. “I repeat, we have information that may prove vital to security forces. Before we entered the system through the Helius Gate, we encountered a previously unmarked cloud of debris. On closer inspection of the debris field, we found it was the remnants of an Algoryn fleet. It appeared to number around forty vessels.”
“Thank you for your concern. We will look into your data as soon as possible, and value the–”
“Yoska, you bastard. It’s been too long!” A voice boomed over the bridge. Nacen bristled at the mention of his father’s name. Linasette muted the link.
“Nace,” she breathed, “our link to the planet’s shard has been cut.”
“So, who are we talking to now?”
“No idea, but whoever’s link it is, it’s heavily encrypted. I can’t get a read on its origin.”
“I heard that, you know,” the raucous voice said again.
The pilot furrowed her brow in confusion. “He shouldn’t have been able to hear us.”
“Heard that too.”
“I apologize, sir. We were taken aback by the nature of your signal. I am Nacen Byzantia, Captain of the Carmine Canotila. We wanderers are proud to call your planet home.”
“Nacen?” The gruff voice sounded puzzled. “Yoska isn't the captain anymore? I never took you Vardosi for the type to mutiny.”
“I was appointed to the position when my father was elected Vard.”
“Father? I wasn’t aware Yoska had children.”
“You’re speaking with his youngest of eleven.”
“Well, then, allow me to congratulate both yourself and Yoska on your promotions. I am Mavro Kordata, humble merchant and harbor-master of Folasi.”
Nacen wasted no time. “I’m glad we got in touch. We’ve been trying to inform you of a destroyed Algoryn fleet through the Helius Gate. If you can give me your coordinates, I would be happy to provide you with details concerning the debris field.”
“I’m not concerned about any attacks, Captain. You think you’re the only one with eyes outside Folasi? Both we and the Concord go to great lengths to ensure peace. The fleet in question was lost nearly half a century ago, most certainly destroyed by C3 forces. Our conflict with the Concord reached a new height at that time, and unfortunately neighboring systems saw the destruction of more than one major fleet. Not all were Algoryn, of course. Hostilities with the C3 have ceased since then, however, owing in large part to increasing hostilities with the Ghar on both sides.”
Nacen frowned. “Then why did you contact our ship?”
“Well, I wanted to give congratulations of a different sort. The news of your victory at the Attisan Trade Hub, the err... Crab as it’s better known, is spreading through this side of the Prominar Rim like a supernova. I would like to extend an invitation to my estate at the Hemryx Gorge. You know, come celebrate the festivities in proper style, so to speak.”
With an audible metallic clink, Camlo made a fist with his right hand and gave a slight pump.
“My father taught me never to dine before business is done,” Nacen said.
“Well, old Yoska was a bit of a hypocrite then.”
Nacen tried to hide his bitterness. “I won’t argue you on that point.”
“I was quite close to him, you know, and the relationship between the Algoryn and the Byzantia house has always been a mutually beneficial one.”
“And the vardos looks forward to continuing our good relations,” Nacen said with finality.
“Hold on, I am not finished,” Kordata said, impatience slowly rising in the harbor-master’s voice like a surging tide. “Do you think it is coincidence that your carefully planned trade routes took you through Folasi at the time of the Harvest Crossing? Yoska himself took great pleasure in the fes
tivities. He grew very close with a great variety of the natives.”
Nacen was grateful for the lack of video in the communications link as he grimaced. “I am sorry, but I must refuse. Because of our victories, we have lost several good Vardosi. My ship is in a great hurry to return to the homefleet.”
“Very well. Let me extend my condolences to those you lost in the battle with the strike troops of Admiral Sorkitani.”
“Admiral who?” Nacen asked.
There was a long pause. A glance to the communication array ensured that the harbor-master was still in contact.
“I’m afraid I have said too much. Curious ears may listen to even the most secure channels. I am more comfortable speaking in the comforts of my own home. Call me a bit of a recluse. Another time, then.”
A second passed. Linasette glanced at Nacen, and he saw her hands were still rigidly poised above her virtual controls in anticipation. His suspicion made his own arm hair stand on end. What was the old merchant talking about? C3 strike troops, admirals?
Another second passed. “Wait. I cannot refuse a third invitation. My crew and I would be honored to be your guests during the festival.”
“Splendid,” Kordata said. He was clearly pleased now, and Nacen couldn't help but envision a predatory smile on the harbor-master’s face.
Nacen made a series of quick gestures with his hand to Linasette.
He can likely still hear us. Keep the ship running and the domari ready after we land. The vardanari and I will speak with the Algoryn. We go with hands open in reconciliation, not with tight fists. But be prepared to retrieve us with haste.
Linasette jammed her right thumb in the air. Nacen recognized the Concord’s ancient sign of approval.
* * * *
A vast desert dominated the view of the Carmine Canotila’s optical arrays as the ship descended into Folasi’s thin atmosphere. Huge canyons gouging the surface were the only visible landmarks in the barren wasteland. The Vardosi ship swept low over the terrain, flanked by two bulky Algoryn fighter craft. The planet’s eternal shadow stretched across the approaching horizon as the ships made their final descent into Hemryx Gorge. The enormous edifice wound itself around the canyon walls, hewn from the planet’s crust itself.
A shield of cerulean light splayed across the ship’s bow as they came within sight of a large landing pad. Below the protective shield, a large group of landing craft sat perched on the smooth surface like a flock of tropical birds in the shade. There were ships from luxury shipyards the galaxy over, their curving and exotic designs standing in stark contrast to many other mundane craft and hauler drones.
Nacen watched as the ships grew nearer. He grabbed another core for his plasma pistol and turned to face his vardanari in his reflex armor. Beskin had slung a plasma carbine on his back and was waiting patiently by the cargo hold entrance as Camlo rechecked his own supply of ion packs. The captain opened his shard with the ship’s four domari. “Jeta, Alifair, Shukernak. See to it that our scheduled delivery is made to the storage level. From there the supplies will be transported all over the planet. Merripen, stay on the Carmine with Linasette for the time being. Remember, if we take too long at this party, be sure to come and get us. And don’t forget to bring a present.”
Shukernak hummed as he sat in the ship’s armory, patting a massive plasma support gun. “I’ve got just the thing in mind.”
“Good. See you all soon.”
Using the ship’s onboard transmats, Nacen and his vardanari materialized on the stone landing pad outside. Staring up at them with a set of six fluorescent blue lenses was a drone hovering inches from Nacen’s face. He jumped a fraction of an inch in his reflex armor. The drone looked like it may have well been waiting there for eons, its once white exterior chipped and faded by the desert winds.
“Hello, you have been identified as one Nacen Byzantia, of the Freeborn house of the same name,” it spoke with programmed pleasantness.
“Greetings,” Nacen looked into the leftmost lens and forced a smile. Behind, the faint roaring of the engines of the Carmine Canotila could be heard as it descended to the lower levels of the canyon.
The drone performed a quick rotation to the left, then the right. Its luminous optics strobed. “Is this everyone?”
The landing pad was empty aside from the thirty-odd ships arrayed neatly around them.
“I could say the same.”
“Point taken. Please, let us proceed to the pinnacle level. The festivities have been underway for quite some time.”
As the three Vardosi wound through the vast staircases and hallways of Hemryx Gorge, the drone became more and more vibrant. Its enthusiasm seemed to rise with the proximity of their perceived destination, and it swayed from side to side.
“This is the only place on Folasi where one can experience a full sunset and sunrise. Because of the locked orbit with our star, the sun will never fully rise or set. We are currently nearly halfway through this sequence’s sunset.”
“It’s magnificent,” Nacen remarked.
“You’ve actually chosen an excellent year to attend. The festival will be marked by the Pythian comet, which passes overhead only once every eighty-one years.”
The stone walls began to reverberate with a low, distant rumble. At first the shaking seemed like a slight earthquake, but gradually Nacen detected an underlying rhythm.
The group passed over the threshold to a level open to the entirety of the night sky overlooking the canyon. The sunset of which the drone spoke cast long shadows over the low walls surrounding the open platform. The music was louder now, and dazzling lights cast away the shadows every few seconds as they pulsed against the beat. The first plants Nacen had seen on Folasi bloomed all around. Bundles of flowers and ivy sprouted from ornate urns, and thick vines curled over short walls. Other guests mingled about the opulent decor.
They did not all have the ridged foreheads and arms of the Algoryn. Mixed among the throng were traders and businessmen from the Concord dressed smartly in dull monochromes and buttoned up from head to toe. Dozens of other odd panhumans milled about, their origins Nacen could only guess at. He spotted two tall Algoryn clad in violet tunics over tight suits of ivory armor, appearing permanently discolored from dust. Their gray, ridged foreheads marked them as natives of the planet.
“Beskin, discretely circle this party and get me a count on how many guards there are here.”
The vardanari nodded and departed quickly. Camlo watched him leave. “I’ll grab a drink so he doesn’t look suspicious taking off.”
Nacen patted the vardanari’s shoulder hard, jostling Camlo in his armor. “Good thinking. Stay close.”
The drone swerved through the mingling masses. Nacen shouldered his way through, attempting to keep up. Suddenly the drone halted and rotated its lenses upward. “If you direct your attention to thirty-one degrees right ascension and ten degrees declination, you will see the Pythian comet making its way across the sky.”
Nacen glanced upward and scanned the pinpoints of stars. Sure enough, a brighter dot with a little pale blue tail hung serenely overhead.
“Ah, I have located our target.” With a close fly-by of a pair of dancing Algoryn, the drone resumed its flight.
Nacen made to follow him. As he did, Nacen heard Linasette speak. The pilot’s voice came in over the squad’s shard. “Nacen. Jeta and ‘Nak have completed the delivery.”
“Excellent, did you–”
“Yes, we’ve received payment. I suggest we now get the hell out of here.”
Nacen nearly ran into a large Boromite doing an odd shuffle in front of him. He couldn’t decide if the man was dancing or having some sort of epileptic fit. “I mean, I’ve seen better parties, but–”
“Have you seen this comet recently?”
“Yeah, it’s part of this festival these Algoryn have going on.”
“Well, I’ve been checking every satellite they have in the system.”
“Sounds like you’ve b
een having your own party without us.”
“Funny. Look, the comet’s tail is giving off an odd emission spectrum,” the pilot said.
“Wrong shade of blue, eh? Listen, I’ve got problems of my own down here,” Nacen stood on the tips of his toes in an attempt to find the excitable drone.
Linasette gave an exasperated sigh. “No, strange like emission lines of elements that should not be in a comet. We’re talking titanium, osmium, even some carbon.”
“What are you getting at? Did these people build their own comet to spice up this party?”
“No!” The pilot spoke frantically now. “There’s at least one ship hitching a ride on that comet, and they do not want anyone knowing they’re there. I was only able to detect it with the help of the advanced Vardosi sensors on the Carmine. With the majority of the system’s defenses clustered at the gate, who knows what could happen if that gets past the planet’s orbital weapons.”
“Alright, here’s what we’re going to do. Send me your data. I’m going to warn Kordata, forcefully this time, and you’re going to get here as fast as you can and pick us up. The pinnacle level is open at the top. Just swoop right down and get us.”
“Sure thing, we’ve got your coordinates. On our way.”
Nacen spotted the drone, which beckoned the captain over with a quick flash of its optics. Beneath stood an Algoryn in immaculate attire. Mavro Kordata wore a tunic with flaring sleeves, resplendent in emerald and cream patterning. Kordata met the captain’s look with sharp, intelligent eyes that hid behind a pointed nose. His jutting forehead ended in a series protruding spirals that swept across his scalp. Though the keratinous forehead and ridges were typical for the Algoryn, Nacen had never seen this pattern before. It looked like the shell of some ancient sea creature. He nodded cordially and gave a smile.
“Greetings, Harbor-master. It is good to meet you in person.”
“Likewise, Captain, though I could swear I was talking to my old friend Yoska. How is your father doing?”
Beyond Antares Dimensional Gates Page 11
