by Ben Winston
There was silence in the room for a few moments before Ben spoke. “Mother, you said invasion had the highest probability. How certain is it?”
“Prime Council, the invasion plot currently has a probability of eighty-eight point seven-nine percent. It could be adjusted based on further information. Specifically, confirmation of the existence of a war fleet in the position previously outlined. Once the confirmation is attained the probability then jumps to ninety-nine point seven-three-five percent." Mother replied.
Elrond nodded his head. “He has the ships, but the only word I could get on them was that they were close by in a hidden location. The rumor said he has thousands of ships, which means that he has enough firepower, but it also means he has support from other Dukes because there is no way he could have built up that many without someone taking official notice.””
“Mother,” Councilor Carlyle said. “The order to kill or capture yon Ranger lass came in a few days ago. What are the chances yon beastie will become discomfited and do something rash?”
“While the order to kill the Ranger team might have been part of the plan all along, the choice of victim was decided when the Ranger team arrived on the planet. As a part of the Saurian culture of the Duke, the prominent presentation of the genitals is a mark of social status.
“When the Rangers arrived, the Duke insulted the lead Ranger, because she is human. As per her training, she ignored it and proceeded with the standard greeting protocols of the Rangers; which involves an edict from the Emperor demanding compliance with the Ranger's investigation.
"Because she is human, The Duke ignored her and the Edict and moved to push her out of the way to speak to the 'real' team leader. She resisted in a very painful and embarrassing - at least to the Duke - way. She paralyzed him by hatchet-kicking his genitals, then using her enhanced strength, threw him to the ground several feet away.
“While it is embarrassing that this happened at all, it is greatly compounded by the fact that it was a human female that did it. The Duke's honor demands satisfaction, but her position in the Rangers makes the outcome a foregone conclusion.
“I have done a great deal of research on the Rangers. Just to be clear; on matters of Honor, if she were to die in a duel, the Rangers would not retaliate in honor of their fallen comrade. However, in a duel with anyone other than another Ranger, he would have to be very lucky and the Ranger would have to be very sloppy for her to lose.””
“Thank you, Mother, you have certainly given us much to think upon,” Ben said. Then turned to the Council at large. “Brothers and Sisters, the whole picture has changed for us. I would make a motion to retrieve the rest of Captain Coir's people and offer them the option of joining our community.
“That, however, only answers part of this problem. What do we do with the rest of the information we have just learned. Would presenting this to the Rangers be a viable option? If we do nothing, how long do we have before the Duke will be ready to begin his attacks? Do we have sufficient resources to protect ourselves if the Duke discovers us first? These are critical decisions that we must deal with and decide as soon as possible.
“If you approve my motion, I suggest we adjourn for a brief period so I may issue orders and allow Captain Coir to return to his people and get them ready to move. The longer they remain exposed, the higher the chances of discovery or retaliation by the Duke.”
“Councilor Andre Stienbrunner, Pod eight-seven-seven-one.”
Ben nodded to the man. “Welcome, Brother.”
The man bowed. “Shalom, Prime Council. I would second your motion and agree with the intermission, however, I ask that it not be longer than ninety minutes. I feel a great urgency in this and our decisions will very well affect all of our lives permanently.”
All the lights in the chamber were green expressing unanimous agreement. “Very well, we will recess for ninety minutes, so we might ponder the questions that face us. Until then my Brothers and Sisters, may wisdom guide us.”
Chapter Four
“Why?”
- Any two-year-old
Bedouin residence
Command Pod Alpha One
24 Apr. 10266 CE (AD)
Sector 34871 - Great Inland Sea
Earth, Sol system
“Captain, would you please accompany me?” Ben asked.
“Of course, Prime,” Elrond said.
Ben turned to Jorga. “Love, could you please pass the word for General Greenwold, as well as the rest of Elrond's companions. Have them meet us in my office,” Ben asked and Jorga immediately issued the orders through the network. ““Oh! And we're going to need Deirdre as well.”
Elrond smiled. “I can see why you're the leader now. You're damn good at it!”
Ben snorted as they got onto the elevator. “No, it only means I haven't screwed up and gotten anyone killed yet.”
“That's gonna happen no matter what you do, Ben. However, I honestly think you are the kind of person that will do his best to not only make sure of minimal losses, but also make sure it won't happen again,” Elrond explained. “Of all the people I know, and I know a lot of people, I can honestly say if anyone is going to get us through this, you will.”
“I appreciate your faith in me, but I hope you can understand that I honestly don't see the same things that you, and apparently everyone else, sees in me. All I've been doing is reacting to situations that have come up. I know enough about how things work to know that path leads to bad things,” Ben replied.
Elrond snorted. “Says who? Trouble comes whether you're ready for it or not. It's when you go looking for it that it is easily found. There is nothing wrong with reacting to adverse situations. In fact, it tends to make sure your actions are more decisive and less likely to cause a negative reaction.”
“Okay, I'm getting a headache!” Jorga said. “I'm getting some lunch.”
“Why don't you join the rest of us in my office, sweetheart? I'd like you there for this discussion,” Ben said, taking her hand.
“Okay, since you asked nicely,” she flirted.
“Prime, I was serious when I said that if you are going to be trying to get the human race a home world we would support you in it. I think it's a dream of every human, everywhere, to have a home world and finally have some status in the Empire,” Elrond said.
“Yeah, but if we succeed, how many of them will want to come running home? We can't risk the same ecological disaster we had before the Sal'andori Invasion. We have to do it smarter this time,” Ben replied.
“The Sal'andori? You actually know of them? They're mostly a scary story told to younglings to get them to behave!” Elrond said.
“Someday, when we have time to relax, I can show you years of war with them and with the Saurians, or Lizarrus, or whatever they are,” Ben replied.
“That was mentioned in our last discussion, did I hear correctly that you were actually beating them?" Elrond asked. "No one survives a Lizard Marine assault."
Ben shook his head. "As far as I can tell, they didn't use their Marines here. But to be fair, the planet had already begun to change and the global temperature had dropped significantly. The Commanding General noted that as a contributing factor to their battles with the Lizards. Honestly, it's a rather long tale."
Jorga picked up the narration. “Soon after we entered hypersleep, the remainder of our people fought against the Sal'andori. It was a fight we were losing. Then the Lizarrus, intent on destroying all trace of the Sal'andori everywhere, attacked the orbiting fleet and deployed troops on planet. At first, our people thought they had found a new ally, until one of our patrols discovered a group of Lizarrus sharing a meal.
“When we finally kicked the Lizarrus off the planet, the ecology and environment were damaged beyond its ability to sustain human life. The survivors of the human race, most of which had no idea we even existed, left the planet to try and reach a safe world they could live on in peace while the Earth healed itself.
“During t
he wars, several refugee ships had fled the fighting. These ships were how the Lizarrus learned of the Sal'andori and as it turns out, a new source of protein. The ships that left after our discovery of the Lizarrus headed in a different direction. Those that got through were picked up by Hyclarion warships and their occupants immediately arrested as Lizarrus spies.
"From what records Mother could find on InfoNet, our people were not executed as spies due to a lack of confirming evidence and condition of their vessels. So they were simply imprisoned and held pending the outcome of the war. It didn't work as planned.
“In the general confusion of the armistice and the surrender of the Saurian Fleets, Humans fell through the cracks. By this time, the human ships had been destroyed and humans, now little more than slaves, had forgotten who they had been and where they had come from.
“The general area of origin was known based on the recorded trajectories of the ships that were intercepted. The Lizarrus quickly claimed the displaced people as vassals, but the Hyclarion Emperor saw through the claim and decreed that under no circumstances were humans to be eaten, nor could they be kept as non-indentured slaves.
“The rest, I believe you already know,” Jorga finished. “Only we have the records to back all of this up; although they could be challenged as fabrications.””
“How long ago did all that take place?” Elrond asked, awed.
“Roughly eight-thousand years ago; just before the beginning of the current planetary ice age,” she replied.
Argassi Aerie
Anti-Piracy Command, Regional Headquarters
Terral III, Duchy of Cassius (Earth)
Hyclarion Imperial Consortium
“Commander Jance, you've seen the new scans. How will you proceed?” Warmake asked.
“Very cautiously, Task Commander. I believe we have an area to search, but we have to do so in such a way as to not rouse suspicion. I had planned to impose on you and your pilot for a 'final' inspection of the Aerie site before I file my final report,” Jance said smiling. ““However, I would like to take some equipment with me, so would it be too much of a bother if we left the normal crew behind and only took my team?”
“That is a reasonable request. If we depart now, however, we will not arrive before sunset. You would be forced to work in the dark. If we depart tomorrow before sunrise, we can arrive at the location just after sun rise,” Warmake replied, in a somewhat snobbish way. He gave the Ranger a brief smile so she knew he was playing to an audience.
Jance gave a well-worn sigh and nodded. “Very well, Task Commander, but I want no more excuses. We will be in the air tomorrow by sunrise or I will forgo your assistance completely. As it is, I will be forced to report your reluctance in assisting us.” She rolled her eyes at him so he knew she was acting as well. “Thank you, you are dismissed.”
It was close to the end of the day shift, but it wasn't actually the end, so Warmake didn't leave. Instead, he acted slightly offended and walked over to one of the clerks operating a console. He thrust a file folder at the young operator. “See to it that this gets filed in the appropriate place.”
Inside the file was the second scan that Warmake had asked for, only modified to appear as if it had originated from the Ranger vessel. Neither Warmake nor Jance had any doubt that that file would be taken straight to another team to be scanned for any anomaly that would prompt the Rangers to wish to continue their investigation.
Warmake also knew that Jance had no intention of leaving this planet empty handed. Indeed, even he no longer knew who the victims were and who the perpetrators were.
Office of the Prime Councilor
Command Pod Alpha One
24 Apr. 10266 CE (AD)
Sector 34871 - Great Inland Sea
Earth, Sol system
“Thank you for coming, everyone. Gail, I would like you to prepare to evacuate all the personnel from the former pirate base. If we have the room and can get them here without being detected; bring their ships as well."
Ben changed to a more formal tone of voice. “At this time, acting in my capacity as Prime Council and with the blessings of the Council of Elders of the Planet Earth, I am formally offering emergency asylum to the group heretofore known as 'The Pirates' via their leader, Captain Elrond Coir, of the Armed Freighter Bittertree, formerly a vassal craft and privateer to the Duchy of Cassius of the Hyclarion Imperial Consortium.
“Also included are the crew of the aforementioned craft and their families presently accompanying them, as well as the crew and families of the Armed Freighter Nistian Dew of the same aforementioned registry.
“Captain Elrond Coir, will you accept asylum with us, for yourself as well as on behalf of your people, in your capacity as their acknowledged leader, under the condition that neither you nor any of your people ever intentionally, or with knowledge of forethought, reveal any of the information entrusted to you without the leave of the Ruling Council, or myself as Prime Council?””
Arivan was standing there with her mouth open in surprise, while the other two looked really confused.
Elrond stood and replied formally. “I, Captain Elrond Coir, Master of the aforementioned Armed Merchantman, Bittertree, and as the agreed upon leader of the group known as 'The Pirates', which includes the Captain and crew of the aforementioned Armed Merchantman Nistian Dew and all the families and loved ones currently with said group, do hereby accept the offer of Emergency Asylum under the conditions stated by Benjamin Bedouin, acting as Prime to the Council of Elders of the Planet Earth.”
“It is so witnessed by Jorga Bedouin, Aide to the Prime Council, on this day, the twenty-fourth day of April, of the year ten thousand, two-sixty-six of the common era.” Jorga turned to Arivan and nodded to her.
'Uh, it, uh it is so witnessed by Arivan Jythee, former citizen of the planet Centris Nine, aide to Captain Elrond Coir, on this day, uh the... twenty-fourth of April, of the year ten thousand, two-sixty-six of the, uh, common era."
Mother intoned to all present. “The agreement has been officially recorded.”
Ben nodded and relaxed. “Okay, now that that's out of the way, Gail, I have a special mission for you, but first, the Captain and his friends will need transportation back to their base so they can have a chance to explain everything that’s happened and hopefully get his folks ready to move. He will need one of our subcomms with him so he can call for us when he needs it.
“I would also like it if he could take someone with him in the event he can't get all of his equipment ready to go. I would like them to analyze it, then scan it for replication at a later time. However, the priority is getting the people to safety. Retrieving their ships and equipment is secondary to this priority; understood?” Ben said.
“Completely, Prime, I'll get people right on it!” Gail nodded and moved aside to begin issuing orders.
Ben sighed. “I'm sorry; everyone must be really hungry...”
“I'm on it, dear, you handle business. What would you like?” Jorga asked.
“Uh, Garlic chicken with a side of cream cheese and crab meat wantons and some green tea please,” Ben asked. “Oh! And a glass of Mountain Dew; I'm going to need the caffeine.””
Jorga nodded to him and looked at Gail. “Want anything, General?”
“Same as Ben, but make mine General Tso's Chicken please,” Gail replied.
“Hmm, must be a theme tonight. I have an idea, since our new friends have no idea what to order. Give me a hand with the replicator, Gail?” Jorga asked.
Gail joined Jorga at the replicator to start carrying stuff to the conference table and setting the table for the meal.
Deirdre finally got Elrond's attention. “Excuse me Captain, but how many people are we talking about and how are they grouped?”
Before Elrond could reply, Mother did. “I have forwarded the information to your data pad, Minister.”
“Thank you Mother,” Deirdre said and moved over next to Arivan to speak with her quietly. “Hi again, it
's good that the Council has finally figured out that you're good people. It's a pain in the ass I know, but we have too much at risk here to take chances,” Deirdre said.
“I think I understand, but can I know what 'too much to risk' entails?” Arivan asked. "I'm still really unclear on exactly what's going on here."
“This 'pod' is the smallest of about fifteen hundred spread out all over the planet. Our current population is just under two million at this point,” Deirdre stated and watched the woman pale in surprise.
“Sorry about the shock, but like I said; we really have to be careful. But the reason I wanted to talk to you before we eat is that it's my job to make sure everyone is taken care of, clothed and fed. Now, I see that you have a total of two-hundred and fifteen people, most of them families.
“We're going to have a temporary issue with housing. I think I can find housing for everyone, but not all of it will be in this pod. In fact, most of the folks will have to be in the other two pods in our group,” She explained.
Arivan began to object, but Deirdre stopped her. “Here, let me show you on my pad.” She touched the needed commands to bring up a view of the pod they were sitting in, showing them sitting in Ben's office.
She slowly backed the view out until Arivan could see all three pods and the edge of the military base. “As you can see, they really won't be that far away and they can come over here anytime they want. There are no limits or restrictions on traveling. The other pods aren't that far away and we simply don’t have the room in this one. Now that you can see it, do you think that'll be a problem?”
Arivan shook her head slowly. “No, that should be fine, as long as we don't split up any families.”
“I agree, I would never allow that to happen anyway. The apartments in the pods are modular so we can adjust them to the size needed for the intended family. Now, there is one other thing we would like to offer you, but I don't want you to be afraid of it,” Deirdre said.
“What is it?” Arivan asked just as Jorga announced dinner.
