by David Buck
With further quiet assurances that he would also look into the ongoing delays, the dockyard supervisor then casually wandered back down the gangway and off to the storage sheds to one side of the main dockside fitting out shed. The Aurora Discovery had been recently been sea trialled and he was happy with the overall sea keeping performance. However the changes he was seeking to move the ship fully over to her new role was taking longer than expected. This was due to ongoing shortages of qualified boat builders and engineering specialists associated with making the refrigeration and plant changes. The key modification of installing a baffled cold seawater tank in the main hold was being postponed indefinitely, though he had managed to have most of the heavier oil rig support equipment placed in shore storage for the time being.
At considerable additional expense Steve had installed a temporary secondary fuel tank at one end of the unused hold that now contained an extra eighty tonnes of diesel fuel. Effectively this fuel tank increased the expedition ship’s already impressive range by another two thousand kilometres. The other end of the hold held two brine freezer tanks in reasonable condition that Steve had discovered in a fisheries support vessel that was being scrapped nearby.
Samantha was busy elsewhere on the Aurora Discovery overseeing the changes being made to crew quarters and to the already impressive sick bay. The two topside modules housing the oil rig crew quarters had also been removed and replaced by a single mounted administration module. Dan Edwards, Steve’s new brother in law, had come aboard and was busy arranging as his aquaculture research station in the module. The removal of the oil services equipment and the modules gave the ship a sleek purposeful look.
Steve was soon looking over other parts of the fit out, and he quickly realised he would also have to wait for his helicopter deck to be commissioned. He stifled his frustration as he evaluated further the multiple needs of his new ship, before again going dockside to chase down more urgently required equipment.
***
In her sheltered clearing surrounded by verdant green and orange foliage, the Deltas Vass matriarch considered the latest clandestine report that had found the path to her tentacles with real disquiet. Apparently a trial was being organised at Cephrit 31 for a Barus research crew that had been charged with violating Zronte edicts.
The matriarch sent out two messages via two of her male drones, as she needed to confirm either way one piece of information that would impact greatly the rest of her plans. The other drone was leaving for another Deltas Vass planet with verbatim verbal instructions regarding an unknowing ally.
The instructions were unimportant from a strategic sense in keeping her plans alive, but her efforts here would ensure that the wisdom and reputation of her race would be maintained. The matriarch had considered this trial as a necessary complication of sending one of her acolytes to turn the senior engineer, even if she always had kept soft sap for the Barus.
The puppet-master considered with quiet satisfaction that the instructions should cause a member of a despised fellow vassal race to experience an apoplectic fit of extreme range. The off duty male drones gathered around her static leafy base detected her quiet happy mood and now crooned softly for her enjoyment.
***
The ocean depths of the southern Indian Ocean hid the massive forms on the seafloor as nearby a massive suppression shield hid their electronic presence. The strange life forms again conferred quietly about the probes they had recovered earlier from around the world.
A sleek female considered what she had discovered and ventured her opinion. Nearby an ancient black cylindrical probe, quite different to the tiny dismantled probes, reflected in dim light a brown and white discoloration as it sat silently in a docking cradle with a modified power adaptor plugged into one side.
‘According to mother’s data files, these can only be Barus research probes. Fortunately we silenced them before they could transmit our presence. However there is a strong case that the Barus will send additional probes when the research ship returns to this planet.’
This observation caused the gathering of other young females, all sisters, to quietly chime in about ‘not being ready’ and ‘it is far too soon’ from the surrounding dark depths. The sisters fell silent as an even more massive presence, their mother Queen Angwene, came closer and signalled for obedience.
‘Daughters, I have thought further about this problem and I have additional orders. Basically my earlier points are reinforced by this development, and you will all be returning to your work and studies after my orders are given. Remember we remain alive and well hidden because the vassals assume we cannot be on this planet.’
Dutifully the sisters remained silent and listened to their mother and protector as she gave detailed instructions to further compliment existing orders they had been under for so long. At several points, the sisters stifled questions as some of the stranger orders from their mother was briefly explained. With the final eternal admonition to be safe by being silent from their massive mother, the sisters dispersed to their own production facilities well hidden nearby under their own suppression shields.
The queen, ancient lines of scar tissue prominent on her flanks, reviewed the ramifications of her orders to her daughters. Angwene reflected, as she worked at a furious pace at upgrading her own facility, that she had been so long on this planet that she was starting to forget her species birthright. She chided herself about that thought, for her kind were now a pitiful remnant of their once glorious heritage and were scattered across the galaxy.
Hopefully they were no longer being hunted by the various vassal races and they could eventually escape this world to rebuilt their race somewhere safe. In the corner of her mind was the realisation that they could not stay here forever, as the suppression shields would not hide their existence if the seabed was scanned properly by a vassal race. Also the indigenous inhabitants were approaching interstellar capacity and had already attracted the attention of the vassal races. If there was any mercy in the universe she fervently hoped that this race at least would survive.
The queen was now well satisfied with her performance changes, and now gave the nearby ancient probe a gentle nudge with her smallest fore tentacle.
‘Activate you ancient pile of junk, we need some information.’
The discoloured and ancient probe gave a feeble glow and replied.
‘Easy your Majesty, I am at only eight percent function and if the cable is removed too long I will fail.’
The queen noted quietly the condition of the probe that had arrived hundreds of thousands of years after she had arrived and gone into emergency hibernation. The probe had been not designed for these timescales without major refurbishment to batteries and computer memory, but Angwene was looking for any additional information she could find that would allow herself and her young daughters to survive in an incredibly hostile galaxy. Patiently the queen settled down in the dark crushing depths with the probe to quietly discuss the latest developments and to see what could be inferred from the little information they had available.
***
Gindane was careful to hold her emotions in check, as she led the senior members of her research ship into the court rooms in the administration section of the massive Cephrit 31 star base. The senior judge of their trial, Admiral Biruldesec, by stint of his military rank was a notoriously hot-headed Tilmud fleet rear admiral that had a vicious reputation.
Gindane stifled a momentary start at the presence of Omerio seated on the judicial bench as far as possible from the Tilmud admiral. In unison, Gindane and the senior crew members each gave a careful and respectful bow to the assembled judges, but remained silent. Gindane then eyed the rest of the bench, as unfortunately Professor Elysius had to excuse himself because he was involved in the case as Gindane’s mentor and manager.
The professor had briefed Gindane and her crew extensively during their long return to the star base. But she now felt a glimmer of hope as she recognised the two senior Cephrit
of the star base seated to one side of the Tilmud head judge. Gindane knew that the unnamed were firm but fair in their justice, and she also knew both the senior Cephrit males. Admiral Biruldesec looked down from the high bench at the assembled Barus crew and gave Gindane a baleful red eyed glare as he spoke.
‘Are you forgetting your manners about protocol commander?’
As the Tilmud made the flat statement he seemed to swell with rage and indignation, the long quills shivered on his back and the broad powerful muzzle flushed crimson. Again the assembled crew kept quiet as one of the senior Cephrit finally spoke in the soft chirring way of their species.
‘Please accept my apologies Lord Admiral, this trial on our base is under Cephrit jurisdiction, though indeed we value your presence as head judge in this matter. Note that the defendants are quite proper in remaining silent. Under Cephrit law a head judge decides the direction on inquiry, though I offer my services to run the trial.’
Now visibly shaking with anger, Admiral Biruldesec made a gesture of acceptance with a massive clawed paw, and then sat back as the Cephrit station master continued to softy speak.
‘First we will specify the bounds of this trial and the import of Cephrit law in this matter. Note that no proxies are permitted, we do not allow lawyers as in the Barus jurisdiction model, as we seek the cold logic of this tragedy.’
As the Cephrit Station master continued speaking, Gindane could see briefly from the corner of her widely spaced eyes that Professor Elysius was looking crestfallen. The professor had noted oratory skills and was a respected mediator in Barus territory. The Cephrit continued speaking for a lengthy period, but Gindane was careful to listen attentively despite her good trial briefing. She knew that the soft chirr of the Cephrit hid a sharp mind of implacable resolve typical of all their species.
The Tilmud admiral was just plain bad luck, but hopefully the other judges would hopefully at least give her crew a fair chance of acquittal. Gindane would not allow herself to consider the matter of Omerio being on the judicial bench. The Cephrit paused and glanced down either side of its brown and grey carapace at the other members of the bench.
‘Does any other judge here have any further directions at this stage?’
The second Cephrit and Omerio quietly spoke in the negative as the Cephrit station master gave the Tilmud admiral a cool glance. The obviously calmer Tilmud gave Omerio a sneering glance that spoke volumes, obviously the admiral felt that Omerio’s presence as a judge was unsatisfactory. Admiral Biruldesec then eyed the Barus defendants, who were under no illusions about their fate in his eyes, before speaking in the harsh feral snarl of their race.
‘Now given the reluctance of Cephrit law to execute convicted criminals, and since I am chief judge, I insist that if the defendants are found guilty then they should be executed under Tilmud statutes, namely by garrotte.’
Admiral Biruldesec placed on the bench with a flourish an ornate garrotte with handles suitable for a massive Tilmud hand. The Barus defendants were too well briefed to react, and Omerio sat in stony silence at the end of the bench. The Tilmud admiral looked directly at Gindane with a predatory gleam, and she barely repressed a shudder, as no doubt the admiral could already see himself garrotting her as a public spectacle.
The two Cephrit spoke to each other in a hushed chirr, and looked at Omerio who had the sense to quietly ignore the Cephrit response. The Cephrit Station master eyed the Tilmud admiral as he responded.
‘Yes if the defendants are guilty they will be under Tilmud statutes, but our own laws forbid public executions. Of course you are free to perform private executions in the Tilmud quarter of this star base.’
Admiral Biruldesec sat back with a smug look of accomplishment, as he was obviously still well satisfied with the Cephrit answer. Gindane considered that the likelihood of the Tilmud planning treachery in this trial, as being beyond doubt. Considering the prospect of being found guilty, she discretely eyed Omerio who was listening avidly as the Cephrit Station master spoke again.
‘Commander Gindane, how do you and your crew plead in relation to the charges of mass murder of the human citizens of Sol three, otherwise known as Earth?’
Gindane and her crew gave another respectful and slow bow to the judges. ‘Lord Station master we plead not guilty.’ The assembled defendants all answered in calm but clear voices.
Admiral Biruldesec looked nonplussed and for once was silent as the Cephrit responded with an acknowledgement.
‘Very well, the plea of you and your crew has been noted, please call the first witnesses. Under the rule and wrath of the all powerful Zronte overlords, let no falsehood or illegality be undertaken during this trial.’
The arcane rites of the trial began in earnest, with clerks and proctors walking across the room under summons from one judge or another. The review stage continued as the various reports of the tragedy that were submitted and duly entered into the trial record. Gindane and her crew remained silent and then finally took their seats under the stern gaze of the judicial bench.
***
Steve turned from the chart table at the rear of the bridge of the Aurora Discovery, as Samantha and her brother Dan came onto the lower decks from the docks. The two siblings had just returned from a guided tour into Kerteh to view the facilities of their new business partners.
On the maiden voyage of the ship, they had sailed up to Irian Jiya on a journey to resupply Australian and US civilian medical teams. Steve had obtained the supply contracts as the Australian Navy was returning to traditional patrol duties. The contracts were an unexpected bonus that Steve intended to make full use of while the opportunity lasted. He knew that the whole medical team assistance story in Asia over the last decade was one of incredible commitment by all the people who volunteered.
Steve also knew for a fact that the previous efforts of Samantha and her team in caring for so many ill people had led them to assist the Lee family directly. This had then resulted in the grateful extended family now involving Steve and his partners in their business ventures. The ship had earlier sailed from Irian Jaya for Kerteh on the east coast of Malaysia, so that the crew could meet with the aquaculture co-operative and deliver some initial equipment, during which several members of the Lee family had first come aboard for lunch.
Steve had later stayed onboard with the ship to supervise maintenance issues and talk remotely with his Australian business contacts. Samantha and Dan went to a second meeting in the Lee corporate offices and to later tour the sea pens. When the siblings eventually came onto the bridge, Samantha greeted Steve with a kiss and stood by his side. She glanced at the navigation charts briefly before reporting on their meeting ashore with Mr Lee senior.
‘Steve we had a productive meeting with their management team and they may be able to help with our problem of transferring live fish from our contract at Geraldton. They have a larger specialised vessel, the Lotus Marai with most of her crew, in Singapore. The ship is near new nine thousand ton single deck vessel and in good condition. Mr Lee’s terms are reasonable as long as we bring back some breeding stock for them for an additional project they are implementing. Apparently they had a misunderstanding with their Australian equivalents and are hoping we can smooth the waters as their agent.’
Dan offered additional comments about the suitability of the larger vessel.
‘Steve, the Lotus Marai is not much slower than our ship, and it has seven times the live storage capacity, even if we did have our own tank fully operation. Also the live storage capacity is in four main sections with baffles so we can isolate the snapper, dhufish, mulloway on our return to Malaysia.’
Steve looked over at the drawings and paperwork that Samantha and Dan had brought back with them. The deal was clear cut and very generous towards them from Steve could determine, as the whole aquaculture industry was experiencing rapid growth due to the effects of the recent epidemic on traditional livestock. After a few minutes hesitation, Steve agreed with their assessment.
‘Well the export permits for the fish are already in place, and we set the quantity already, so we just do the exporting in two or three trips instead of several. Now we should be able to get the quantity increased fairly easily in the following seasons. I say we go with these changes.’
A relieved smile passed between the three leaders of the new joint venture, as Steve turned to John Robertson keeping ship’s watch at the bridge windows. John, the ship’s navigator, was one of several former navy personnel to follow Steve leaving from the navy into his new business.
‘John can you take command of the Lotus Marai? I can send over a few others over as well after we get down to Singapore and further establish our crew needs.’
Dan looked over at Steve and Samantha and also spoke after John acknowledged that he would take command of the Lotus Marai.
‘Steve, I will join the ship as well, I want to clean and test those storing tanks on the return to Geraldton.’
The three partnners continued to discuss the windfall that had eventuated, and what would need to be done to meet the new requirements of their business. In the late afternoon the Aurora Discovery weighed anchor and turned south for Singapore.
***
Chapter 6
In the formal trial room of the Cephrit 31 star base, Gindane and her senior crew sat nervously through the fifth day of the trial. Admiral Biruldesec continued to place his garrotte on the judicial bench at the commencement of each trial day, possibly to unnerve the crew. The other trial judges for the most part ignored the Tilmud’s display, and conferred only with the chief judge to ensure that he accepted the trial directions that the two Cephrit judges were issuing.
