by S. H. Jucha
Alex studied the images in the holo-vid, and he commented, “The ship’s lower level doors look larger than necessary to launch missiles, even planet killers.”
“It’s the SADEs’ opinion that this battleship carries fighters,” Cordelia said. “More than likely, they’d be similar to the ones we encountered at the New Terra’s system.”
“Possessing slug-throwing armament,” Alex recalled. “They made a mess of our warships.”
Alex’s chronometer announced morning meal, and his stomach grumbled.
“Well synchronized,” Cordelia teased, as Alex and Julien exited the bridge and headed for a meal room.
During the meal, Alex shared Beryl’s data with his senior staff. There were mixed reactions about the news. That it was a single battleship, although monstrous in size, eased most concerns.
“It stands to reason that a governor would want to travel as safely as possible,” Mickey volunteered, which was a common thought.
However, Alex wasn’t placated by his staff’s acceptance of the circumstances of the governor’s arrival.
After the meal, Alex, Julien, Tatia, and Reiko boarded a traveler to the orbital station. They joined Sargut, Taralum, Suntred, and Miriamette.
The meeting’s purposes were to discuss the expansion of the construction arm and the expected production rate and quantity of Tridents and travelers.
“Of paramount importance will be the selection of a senior captain to command the squadron, when this third Trident is completed,” Reiko said. “No offense, Miriamette, but the sisters and the Toralians aren’t qualified for this position.”
“And no offense is taken, Admiral Shimada,” Miriamette replied. “Your advice is always welcome. As it is, the Sisterhood agrees with you. We’ve already made an offer to a well-qualified candidate.”
The Toralians glanced among themselves. They’d not been informed of the sisters’ action.
“Who?” Reiko asked. She was concerned that she might have lost an experienced commodore or senior captain.
“We’ve reviewed the Sojourn’s telemetry,” Miriamette replied, “Captain Adrianna Plummer performed admirably against the alien fleet with a single Trident.”
“Did Captain Plummer accept your offer?” Tatia asked.
“The captain appears interested. We’re negotiating,” Miriamette replied.
“I’ll be interested in viewing the offer and reviewing the captain’s credentials before I approve her contract,” Sargut said genially to Miriamette.
Without missing a moment, Miriamette replied, “Certainly, President Sargut. Our apologies for failing to include you in the communication.”
“A discussion beforehand would have been more appropriate,” Taralum stated, her brow ridges rising, and Miriamette nodded.
Miriamette had warned the sisters that they were proceeding too fast and failing to cooperate with the president and his staff, but she’d been overruled by the majority. Now they had their proof that she was correct in her assessment. She was receiving apologies and let them stack in her kernel, while she concentrated on the discussion.
“To discuss another subject, I’d like us to retire to the orbital station’s hub,” Alex requested.
In a conference room, Julien set up his portable holo-vid, which had become a permanent fixture in his ever-present sling bag.
“I believe one of your governors has arrived, President Sargut,” Alex announced, “but you tell me.”
Humans and SADEs saw the surprise bloom on the Toralians’ faces, and their wings twitched in consternation.
“Not a governor?” Reiko asked with concern, misinterpreting the Toralians’ reactions.
“Most certainly a governor,” Taralum replied. “Only a governor commands this type of battleship.”
“Then why the reactions?” Alex asked.
“These ships are meant to remain in system to defend the colonies,” Sargut explained. “They were never to leave.”
“Would the governor have any reason to feel the need to travel in this formidable a ship?” Miriamette asked.
“None that I can think of, especially after the removal of Artifice’s codes from our colonies,” Sargut replied.
Alex gazed across the Toralians’ confused faces. In addition, he could see anxiousness on Tatia and Reiko’s faces. Things weren’t adding up for his admirals either.
“Sargut, what would this governor or the others think if they were asked to halt their ships after crossing the belt?” Alex asked.
“They would consider it an insult,” Sargut replied. “The governors wouldn’t expect to follow the protocols that exist when arriving at a foreign system.”
“Perhaps, we could offer the governors a good reason for the request,” Miriamette proposed. “They stop inside the outer ring so that we might demonstrate the comfort and capabilities of our travelers.”
Both Alex and Sargut were nodding appreciatively at the suggestion.
“What if the governors refuse?” Suntred asked.
“I’m insisting,” Alex replied firmly.
“President Sargut, I think this situation is better handled by you and me,” Miriamette said, as neutrally as possible. She deliberately did not look toward Alex.
Sargut found himself the focus of everyone’s stare, as they waited for his decision. The system’s future depended on the relationship of his Toralians and the sisters, but they’d never have arrived at this moment without the Omnians. Yet, the governors were members of his race. He thought he should know what was best under these circumstances. That he was unsure of them unsettled him.
One thing was certain in Sargut’s mind, Miriamette wouldn’t know the governors. Alex shouldn’t know them, but he had an uncanny way of being right about alien races and entities.
“I didn’t expect the presidency to be this difficult,” Sargut admitted. “We’ll follow Alex’s lead where it concerns the handling of the governors’ visit.”
“Yes, President Sargut,” Miriamette replied respectfully.
The messages she received from the sisters indicated their surprise at the turn of events, and Miriamette underlined to them that this was further proof that they were moving too quickly in attempting to establish their presence in the system.
“President Sargut, we’ve run out of time,” Alex announced. “There are now three battleships, colony defenders as you describe them, which have arrived. We need to communicate to them that we expect their cooperation in halting after they cross the outer belt.”
“Agreed, Alex,” Sargut replied, straightening his back and partially extending his wings. “How do we do this?”
“Julien will handle your end of the conversation with the governors. Our scout ship’s SADEs know your comm systems. They’ll connect to the three governors. You may begin when you’re ready,” Alex said.
While Alex spoke to Sargut, Julien linked to Beryl and her fellow SADEs, preparing them to handle the relay. Then the SADEs linked and investigated the arriving battleships. Individually, they established contact with a ship’s comm system.
&
nbsp; Sargut took a breath, and said, as sincerely as he could, “I’m President Sargut, elected leader of Toral and the Talus system. I welcome your return to our home world.”
On the battleships, the governors were called to their respective bridges, where their captains played the recorded calls.
“Request if the other ships received this message, Captain,” Governor Durgat ordered.
“I have, Governor,” the captain replied. “It was the exact same message, and it was received at the exact same moment.”
“How is that possible?” Durgat asked. Just then, he heard, “Governors, sufficient time has passed for the courtesy of a reply.”
“Commander Sargut, where are you?” Durgat demanded
Sargut chose to momentarily ignore the governor’s slight in the misapplication of his title. Instead, he said, “I’m on the Toral orbital station, Governor. Please introduce yourselves, when you first speak. Furthermore, if my first message wasn’t clear, you’re addressing President Sargut.”
“This is Governor Sunnamis. What’s a president?”
“When Artifice was defeated,” Sargut explained, “I visited Toral’s ancient mound and was overcome by the Change.”
“I’m Governor Tortred. You’ve claimed our home world?”
“In a manner,” Sargut continued. “Talus is now governed by a new agreement, a constitution, which grants equal citizenship to the Toralians of my fleet and the Omnian sisters.”
“This is Governor Durgat. We hear your words, Sargut, but they don’t make sense to us.”
“There are some questions to be immediately answered,” Sunnamis interjected. “We’re communicating with you, Sargut, in real time, but you say you’re on the Toral orbital station.”
“The Omnians possess advanced technology, Governors,” Sargut said, trying to remain civil. “They’re facilitating this conversation.”
Sargut displayed his pointed teeth toward Julien, indicating his pleasure at the SADE’s assistance. He was hearing the governors from Julien’s open mouth.
“Sargut, you’ve much to explain,” Tortred said in a huff.
Sargut saw Alex shake his head. The Omnian leader held his hands up to him, as if they were wings, and then he spread them apart.
“You’re correct, Governor Tortred. There is much to explain,” Sargut said diplomatically. “There were two reasons for my call. The first was to welcome you, and the second was to arrange a demonstration of the Omnians’ incredible technology.”
“If the purpose of the Omnians arriving at Toral was to defeat Artifice, why are they still here?” Durgat demanded.
“You interrupt me, Governor Durgat,” Sargut said, his voice strengthening. “To demonstrate the Omnian technology, I’m requesting your ships halt after passing through the outer belt. An Omnian shuttle will collect you and transport you to Toral.”
“You’d risk our lives in a shuttle crossing that vast amount of space?” Sunnamis inquired.
“Governors, you’re our guests in this system. You can expect to be treated with the utmost courtesy,” Sargut replied. “You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the accommodations of what is called a traveler. It’s a shuttle unlike any you’ve experienced.”
“Your offer of transport is unnecessary, Sargut,” Tortred stated. “My ship will carry me to Toral.”
Sargut regarded Alex, and it was the Toralian’s turn to shake his head. Then he spread his wings and announced forcefully, “Governors, enough of your slights to my position. You’ll address me as President Sargut, and you’re required to halt your ships inside the outer belt.”
Taralum and Suntred eyed each other with concern, while Tatia and Reiko held gleams in their eyes. Miriamette carefully watched Alex.
“And if we refuse?” Durgat challenged.
“Then you’d be disregarding my authority, Governor Durgat, and endangering the safety of your crew and ship,” Sargut declared.
“You dare threaten us?” Sunnamis nearly shouted.
“I’ve offered our hospitality,” Sargut replied evenly, “and you’ve demonstrated disrespect and then hostility. You’ve a choice to make now. Recognize my authority or leave.”
“You do recognize that soon we’ll be five governors’ ships,” Tortred said. “You’d find it difficult to evict us.”
Sargut’s heavy brow and facial ridges were red orange at the edges. His body’s fluid infused them, and they appeared to glow. He whistled derisively, which shocked the governors.
Then Sargut said in hard flat tones, “We eliminated Artifice’s probes. We crippled the fleets of three lesser races. We destroyed Artifice’s comm platforms, and we fought a massive bot army to take out Artifice’s antennas. Do you think we’ll be cowed by the threats of some pompous governors?”
The governors didn’t reply for quite a long time, while they were alone with their thoughts.
Sargut’s wings folded, and he glanced guiltily at Taralum and Suntred, embarrassed by his outburst. However, when he regarded Alex, the Omnian grinned at him and laid a hand gently on his shoulder, patting it twice before he removed it.
“President Sargut,” Durgat said genially and using the correct title for the first time, “perhaps, it would be better if we started over. Governors Sunnamis and Tortred, I suggest we acquiesce to the president’s request and halt our ships inside the belt. Do you agree?”
Durgat received assents from the other governors, although he could have wished they’d sounded more convivial.
“We look forward to transport aboard one of your incredible shuttles,” Durgat said. Then he indicated to the captain to shut down the comm.
“The governors are offline, Sargut,” Alex relayed.
“You’ve my sincere apologies, Alex,” Miriamette said. “The governors’ responses weren’t something I was prepared to understand. They were completely unreasonable.”
“You were expecting them to offer a form of sincere communication. After all, these are Toralians, not members of an adverse race,” Alex replied. “Understand, Miriamette, that this is the world of biologicals. The governors wield tremendous power in their respective colonies, and they would expect to have a stake, a share, in ruling the home world.”
“Perhaps you understand my race better than I do,” Sargut admitted dejectedly. “I didn’t anticipate the vehemence I detected in the governors’ remarks.”
“I’m sorry, Sargut,” Alex said. “I know their attitudes must hurt, but you have to ignore them. You’ve duties to perform. You’re the elected president of Talus. Your primary responsibilities are to protect the citizens of this system and nurture your society’s growth.”
“You speak a truth, Alex,” Sargut replied humbly, “and I thank you for your advice and guidance.”
“We should discuss the transport of the governors to the orbital station,” Alex said.
“Not with a single traveler,” Miriamette suggested. “I recommend we send our two new Tridents. The traveler exits from a warship, gathers the passengers, and makes the trip to the station in the company of the Tridents. It will generate the maximum effect, displaying Talus’s adopted technology and our mixed society.”
“An excellent proposal, Miriamette,” Sargut enthused. He was pleased to repair his earlier decision, which he thought might have strained their relationship. He’d yet to learn that communicating with Miriamette meant speaking with the Sisterhood.
“I would agree, except for a minor change,” Alex offered. “You need a representative aboard the traveler, Sargut. I recommend Suntred. She’s not a military commander.”
“I concur,” Sargut said, and Suntred tipped her head in acknowledgment.
“And a suggestion,” Tatia interjected. “You need a seasoned pilot.”
“I would agree,” Miriamette said. “Would Chandra Khatri suffice?”
“A good choice,” Tatia replied.
Alex and Julien left the admirals, t
he Toralians, and Miriamette to work out the details, but, as they were leaving, Miriamette requested a moment of Alex’s time. Julien left the pair alone to lend them a sense of privacy.
Before Miriamette could bring up her subject, Alex said, “I was surprised by your suggestion to Sargut that you and he should manage communications with the governors.”
“I represent the Sisterhood, Alex,” Miriamette replied, “which does not allow me to be free to lead.”
“I see,” Alex said, thinking through the ramifications of Miriamette’s remarks. “The sisters lacked consensus, and you disagreed with the majority, who requested you offer that solution.”
“Just so,” Miriamette replied.
“Did the Sisterhood learn anything from our conversation with the governors?” Alex asked.
“You know that I share our conversation with them in real time,” Miriamette warned. She was surprised that she had to remind Alex of that.
Alex didn’t reply. He simply grinned broadly at the SADE.
“I’ll not share their comments,” Miriamette replied, laughing. It was obvious that Alex needed no reminder.
Earlier, Alex had been bothered by Miriamette’s appearance. No other person, human or SADE, resembled his partner, his love. But Miriamette’s laughter was her own. It was real, and it lent her face its own personality.
Miriamette halted her laughter and gazed at Alex. She said, “This is the first time you’ve regarded me without seeming pained.”
“Why this avatar’s face?” Alex asked bluntly.
Miriamette turned her face aside, while she considered how to answer Alex.
“You didn’t choose this face, did you?” Alex asked.
“There was a lack of consensus,” Miriamette replied, using Alex’s words, by which he understood that Miriamette hadn’t agreed with the majority’s opinion.
“Perhaps someday you’ll have the opportunity to choose an avatar that you prefer,” Alex said gently. “That’s what freedom is truly about.”
Alex laid a sympathetic hand on Miriamette’s shoulder. He turned to leave but stopped. Instead, he stared hard into the SADE’s eyes, as if he was looking through them.
“Sisters,” Alex said, his tone hard, “I don’t like to be pushed or manipulated. This will be my only warning to you.”
