by Peter David
mugatos were native. Janos had never set foot, paw, or anything else upon Tyree's World, but he had known it just the same. They prodded at him with their horns, they tore at him with their poisonous fangs, which were not toxic to him, but could rip him up and injure him just the same. He cried out as they came at him from all directions, and then the carefully cultivated personality that he'd worked so long to develop evaporated, and Janos bellowed, a truly frightening sound of a mugato in full rage. A mugato seeking an enemy to rend limb from limb.
It was in this state of mind that Burgoyne and Janos slammed into each other.
And nearby, something formed of coalescing energy took shape and started to advance upon them.
XVII .
THE LONG RANGE SENSORS gave the Excalibur her first warning that there was danger imminent.
Boyajian, the tactical officer filling in for Kebron due to the security chief's absence, called out to Soleta, who was in the command chair. "We have an incoming vessel, Lieutenant. And it's big."
"Put it on screen," Soleta said calmly.
"Not yet possible, sir. Hasn't emerged from warp space yet." He paused and then said, "Orders, sir?"
Soleta considered the situation a moment. Unknown territory, an unknown vessel coming toward them, intentions unknown. She didn't like to take an immediate defensive posture with a new encounter, since it could make them look as if they were combative or spoiling for a fight. Nonetheless, not doing anything would be tempting fate, particularly if the other vessel dropped out of warp space with all weapons blazing.
Lefler and McHenry were both looking at her expectantly, as were the other members of the bridge
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crew. Soleta began to feel, once again, the gnawing doubt of someone who believed that she was in way over her head. But there was absolutely no way that she was going to share that sentiment or concern with the rest of the crew.
"Yellow alert," Soleta said after a moment. "Raise shields. Bring weapons and targeting systems on line, but do not energize weapons."
"Do not" repeated Boyajian.
"No. The chances are that their scans won't be able to detect that we've got them targeted, but would be able to determine that we're running weapons hot."
"So we're hedging our bets," commented Lefler.
"Precisely, Lieutenant. Our bets are significantly hedged. Continue sensor sweeps for the captain."
"Lieutenant," and McHenry leaned back in his chair to address Soleta. There was a trace of worry in his voice. "We haven't heard from Burgoyne or Janos."
"I didn't expect to, Mister McHenry," replied Soleta. "The area that they are exploring is in the heart of the interference zone. That's the territory that we're having difficulty scanning or getting any communications from. The likelihood that they would be able to keep us apprised of their progress is fairly slim. It is my assumption that if we do hear from them before the end of the twelve-hour period I've given themof which eight hours, fourtee minutes remainsit will be because they have ac-complished their task and emerged from the zone." She hesitated and then added, in as close to an understanding voice as she could muster, "I'm sure Burgoyne is fine, Lieutenant. S/he is a rather resource- ful individual."
"Believe me, I know," McHenry said.
Boyajian suddenly looked up from tactical. "Lieutenant, she's coming out of warp."
"All departments report confirmation of yellow alert status," Lefler confirmed.
"Ship coming in at nine-hundred-thousand kilometers, bearing two-eleven mark three."
"Bring us about, Mister McHenry. Let's keep some distance between us," Soleta said.
"Aye, sir."
"Bridge to Ambassador Si Cwan," she added after a moment's consideration.
"Si Cwan here," came the brisk reply.
"Ambassador, your presence on the bridge would be most appreciated. We seem to have visitors."
"On my way."
The Excalibur angled out of orbit and came around to face the newcomer. The vessel's warp drive bubble evaporated as the ship entered normal space and came to a halt approximately 850,000 kilometers from the starship. The ship was pyramidal, powerful-looking, and half again as large as the Excalibur.
"Hail on all frequencies, Mister Boyajian," Soleta said, drumming her fingers gently on the armrest. "Let them know we're not out to start a fight."
"I am hailing them, sir, but they're not responding."
"That could be unfortunate." She leaned forward, studying the ship's configuration. Soleta was not entirely unfamiliar with Sector 221-G; she had spent some time exploring the once-Thallonian Empire at a time when outsiders were not only unwelcome, but more often than not, put to death. She had acquired some knowledge in her travels, and she had the suspicion that she recognized the ship's configuration. If she was correct, then the situation with which they were faced was a fairly incendiary one.
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crew. Soleta began to feel, once again, the gnawing doubt of someone who believed that she was in way over her head. But there was absolutely no way that she was going to share that sentiment or concern with the rest of the crew.
"Yellow alert," Soleta said after a moment. "Raise shields. Bring weapons and targeting systems on line, but do not energize weapons."
"Do not" repeated Boyajian.
"No. The chances are that their scans won't be able to detect that we've got them targeted, but would be able to determine that we're running weapons hot."
"So we're hedging our bets," commented Lefler.
"Precisely, Lieutenant. Our bets are significantly hedged. Continue sensor sweeps for the captain."
"Lieutenant," and McHenry leaned back in his chair to address Soleta. There was a trace of worry in his voice. "We haven't heard from Burgoyne or Janos."
"I didn't expect to, Mister McHenry," replied Soleta. "The area that they are exploring is in the heart of the interference zone. That's the territory that we're having difficulty scanning or getting any communications from. The likelihood that they would be able to keep us apprised of their progress is fairly slim. It is my assumption that if we do hear from them before the end of the twelve-hour period I've given themof which eight hours, fourtee minutes remainsit will be because they have ac-complished their task and emerged from the zone." She hesitated and then added, in as close to an understanding voice as she could muster, "I'm sure Burgoyne is fine, Lieutenant. S/he is a rather resource- ful individual."
"Believe me, I know," McHenry said.
Boyajian suddenly looked up from tactical. "Lieutenant, she's coming out of warp."
"All departments report confirmation of yellow alert status," Lefler confirmed.
"Ship coming in at nine-hundred-thousand kilometers, bearing two-eleven mark three."
"Bring us about, Mister McHenry. Let's keep some dista
nce between us," Soleta said.
"Aye, sir."
"Bridge to Ambassador Si Cwan," she added after a moment's consideration.
"Si Cwan here," came the brisk reply.
"Ambassador, your presence on the bridge would be most appreciated. We seem to have visitors."
"On my way."
The Excalibur angled out of orbit and came around to face the newcomer. The vessel's warp drive bubble evaporated as the ship entered normal space and came to a halt approximately 850,000 kilometers from the starship. The ship was pyramidal, powerful-looking, and half again as large as the Excalibur.
"Hail on all frequencies, Mister Boyajian," Soleta said, drumming her fingers gently on the armrest. "Let them know we're not out to start a fight."
"I am hailing them, sir, but they're not responding."
"That could be unfortunate." She leaned forward, studying the ship's configuration. Soleta was not entirely unfamiliar with Sector 221-G; she had spent some time exploring the once-Thallonian Empire at a time when outsiders were not only unwelcome, but more often than not, put to death. She had acquired some knowledge in her travels, and she had the suspicion that she recognized the ship's configuration. If she was correct, then the situation with which they were faced was a fairly incendiary one.
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The turbolift doors hissed open and Si Cwan strode onto the bridge. Immediately his gaze went to the front screen, and he slowed to a halt. Then he spat out a word that Soleta immediately recognized as a rather extreme Thallonian profanity. "I take your reaction," she said slowly, "to be an indicator that our new arrivals are, in fact, who I think they are."
"The Redeemers," Si Cwan nodded. "Just what we needed."
"I take it that's not good," Lefler surmised.
"Not in the least. Boyajian, sensor scan?"
"They are heavily armed, Lieutenant. They have not as of yet activated their weapons array. Their shields are likewise in place."
"In other words, we're both suspicious, but neither of us wants to provoke the other."
"An accurate assessment, Lieutenant."
"Lieutenant, these are Redeemers we're talking about," Si Cwan told her. "They are missionary zealots, and if you do not accept their particular deityXantthen they will have no use for you."
"Meaning they'll leave us alone?" McHenry suggested optimistically.
"Meaning they will endeavor to blow us out of space," replied Soleta.
"Oh. Well, that's not quite as good."
"Let me try to talk to them. We've dealt with them before. The royal family has always managed to avoid Holy Wars with the Redeemers; perhaps I can continue our run of good luck."
"Be my guest, Ambassador," said Soleta.
"Put me on a hailing frequency," Si Cwan said to Boyajian, and when the latter nodded confirmation that he was on, Si Cwan said, "Attention, Redeemer vessel. This is the Starship Excalibur. This is Ambassador Si Cwan speaking. Perhaps you remember me; you've had dealings with both myself, and my ances-
tors, for many years. We have always managed to have mutual respect for each other's concerns, and I see no reason that that has to change now. Please inform us of your concerns, and we will endeavor to answer them." He stopped and turned back to Boyajian. "Did they get that? Did they hear me?"
"I broadcast it, Ambassador," said Boyajian. "Whether they actually listened, I couldn't tell y" Then he paused, checking the readings on his board. "Lieutenant, we're getting an incoming hail."
"It would seem they indeed heard you, Ambassador," Soleta said. "Well done."
"Let us save the congratulations until we see whether they are saying anything we wish to hear."
"A valid point. Put them on, Mister Boyajian."
The screen rippled and, a moment later, the ebony face of a Redeemer appeared on the screen. He gazed at them with eyes that seemed to glow a deep and frightening red.
Lefler immediately felt a chill at the base of her spine. Her impulse was to look away, but she didn't want to appear weak or faint of heart. She glanced over at McHenry and took a small measure of comfort in seeing that he appeared to have the same reaction. It appeared as if McHenry would rather be looking anywhere else than directly at the viewscreen. But he couldn't take his eyes away from it Not just out of a sense of duty, as was the case with Lefler, but also out of a deep fascination. He found the Redeemer just too compelling, in a negative away, to look away from him.
Soleta, for her part, remained impassive. As for Si Cwan, he had seen enough Redeemers in his life not to be put off or intimidated by their frankly frightening air.
"I am Prime One," said the Redeemer. His voice was an odd combination of deep but brittle. "I am
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The turbolift doors hissed open and Si Cwan strode onto the bridge. Immediately his gaze went to the front screen, and he slowed to a halt. Then he spat out a word that Soleta immediately recognized as a rather extreme Thallonian profanity. "I take your reaction," she said slowly, "to be an indicator that our new arrivals are, in fact, who I think they are."
"The Redeemers," Si Cwan nodded. "Just what we needed."
"I take it that's not good," Lefler surmised.
"Not in the least. Boyajian, sensor scan?"
"They are heavily armed, Lieutenant. They have not as of yet activated their weapons array. Their shields are likewise in place."
"In other words, we're both suspicious, but neither of us wants to provoke the other."
"An accurate assessment, Lieutenant."
"Lieutenant, these are Redeemers we're talking about," Si Cwan told her. "They are missionary zealots, and if you do not accept their particular deityXantthen they will have no use for you."
"Meaning they'll leave us alone?" McHenry suggested optimistically.
"Meaning they will endeavor to blow us out of space," replied Soleta.
"Oh. Well, that's not quite as good."
"Let me try to talk to them. We've dealt with them before. The royal family has always managed to avoid Holy Wars with the Redeemers; perhaps I can continue our run of good luck."
"Be my guest, Ambassador," said Soleta.
"Put me on a hailing frequency," Si Cwan said to Boyajian, and when the latter nodded confirmation that he was on, Si Cwan said, "Attention, Redeemer vessel. This is the Starship Excalibur. This is Ambassador Si Cwan speaking. Perhaps you remember me; you've had dealings with both myself, and my ances-
tors, for many years. We have always managed to have mutual respect for each other's concerns, and I see no reason that that has to change now. Please inform us of your concerns, and we will endeavor to answer them." He stopped and turned back to Boyajian. "Did they get that? Did they hear me?"
"I broadcast it, Ambassador," said Boyajian. "W
hether they actually listened, I couldn't tell y" Then he paused, checking the readings on his board. "Lieutenant, we're getting an incoming hail."
"It would seem they indeed heard you, Ambassador," Soleta said. "Well done."
"Let us save the congratulations until we see whether they are saying anything we wish to hear."
"A valid point. Put them on, Mister Boyajian."
The screen rippled and, a moment later, the ebony face of a Redeemer appeared on the screen. He gazed at them with eyes that seemed to glow a deep and frightening red.
Lefler immediately felt a chill at the base of her spine. Her impulse was to look away, but she didn't want to appear weak or faint of heart. She glanced over at McHenry and took a small measure of comfort in seeing that he appeared to have the same reaction. It appeared as if McHenry would rather be looking anywhere else than directly at the viewscreen. But he couldn't take his eyes away from it Not just out of a sense of duty, as was the case with Lefler, but also out of a deep fascination. He found the Redeemer just too compelling, in a negative away, to look away from him.
Soleta, for her part, remained impassive. As for Si Cwan, he had seen enough Redeemers in his life not to be put off or intimidated by their frankly frightening air.
"I am Prime One," said the Redeemer. His voice was an odd combination of deep but brittle. "I am
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second only to the Overlord in the Redeemer hierarchy."
"Greetings, Prime One," said Si Cwan. He made a small hand gesture that Soleta surmised to be some sort of ritual greeting. "We have not met, but I know of you. I am Si Cwan."
"I know of you, Thallonian. I have heard many positive things about you. Also"and his eyes seemed to glow more brightly"some rather negative things."
"That is the way of all things, is it not, Prime One? Even in the light of Xant, there must be darkness."
Prime One inclined his head slightly to indicate that Si Cwan had a point. He glanced around the bridge from his vantage point. "We desire to speak to the captain."
"The captain is not available," Soleta said, rising from her chair. "I am Lieutenant Soleta. You may address me in any matters pertaining to this vessel."
"Where is your captain? Where is the one called Calhoun? Is he on your vessel?"
